Truth Be Told : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Truth Be Told this novel was sort of slow, but . . .
Review: ... it uncovered some painful truth. I've read many stories before about husbands fathering outside children. And lately there have been many novels that I have read regarding false preachers, such as "Church Folks," Second Sunday," "Casting the First Stone," "Too Much of a God Thing," "Lust of the Flesh," "Let the Church Say Aman," "Soul Journey," and now this one, "Truth Be Told." All of them were good novels, but this one opened my eyes about the false teachers. When I read about Mabel aka Starlight, immediately, the names Juanita Bynum and Paula White came to mind. The association was uncanny and caused me to think about their ministries twice. Thank you Ms. Murray for opening our eyes and bringing this sort of false behavior to the public's attention in the form of a novel. It's scarry to know that it is difficult to tell the false preachers from the real ones. Their outward appearances look the same, but inwardly the false prophets and teachers are ravaging wolves. They love money and would often color the scriptures to justify their actions and needs. So BEWARE of false prophets in sheep's clothing. KUDOS to all of the authors mentioned above who exposes these awful creatures.

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Summary: A beautiful story about faith and relationships
Review: Grace Monroe has a wonderful life. She was recently elected to the city council, has an adoring husband and two beautiful daughters. While everything seems remarkably pleasant, life will swiftly take a turn downhill. An old flame returns to town with news for her husband. Apparently her husband has a son he has never met from an affair years earlier. The mother is suffering from a terminal illness and makes a request that pulls at the strings of the couple's "happy" marriage. Grace must really put her Christianity to the test as she struggles with not only accepting the boy, but bringing the child into her home to live.

Life on the political home front is not any easier for Grace either. She must endure harsh criticism and undermining from people who are against her Chrisitian stand on the issues.

In the background, yet another relationship causes Grace discomfort. When it comes to beliefs, Grace and her sister Starlight are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Starlight has become an extremely popular New Age motivational speaker. Unfortunately, the "stars in her eyes" and her ambition are only driving the wedge farther between the two sisters.

Victoria Christopher Murray does an outstanding job with developing the characters. The storyline is very believable as Grace struggles through her pain and betrayal. The two sisters Grace and Starlight will learn a lesson in humility that will speak volumes to the reader.

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Summary: The power of forgiveness....................................
Review: Here we meet The Monroe's from Los Angeles, Grace and Conner.

Grace is a newly elected councilwoman who's carefully being watched due to the fact that she's a Christian and used it as her platform. Grace has a number of ideas, one being returning prayer back inside public schools. Connor, who's a fraternal twin, has a successful law practice with his twin brother. The loving power-couple have two daughters Jayde, and Amber.

As Grace starts to work on implementing her education programs, it appears that the past is rearing its ugly head. Before Grace found out what it was to be one of "God's Children", she'd been involved in and on and off extra marital affair with her first love. Through time, love, and God, Connor and Grace were able to reroute their bumpy road and "dance through their storms!" BUT as the clouds slowly clear another storm lies in wait....

People of faith face real problems!

Connor's former assistant Pilar, who just one day disappeared, is back! As she reveals her reason for leaving, Connor has to face the fact that he's hidden his "OWN" demons from his marriage, and now it's time to reveal that secret, and deal with the consequences. As he searches for the words that might possibly destroy his family, Pilar constantly reminds him that there simply isn't enough time for him to adjust.

As Grace tries dealing with her husband's news, she's saddled with her adversary Sara who's just searching for anything to show the constituents that she wasn't right for the job.

Mabel; Grace's older and VERY competitive sister. She's a motivational speaker who has assumed the name Starlight. It appears that Starlight believes in the power of money, instead of the power of God.

And then there is Jayde, their 15-year-old-teenager. Her attitude and behavior have Grace contemplating child abuse.

Grace is slowly sinking in a never-ending bottom as she struggles with her faith as she's being tested in every way.

Will the Monroe's survive and thrive these latest challenges?

This is my first read by Victoria Christopher-Murray. My mother, and two of my "BESTESTEST" Lisa, and Angie are all fans and have read all of her previous works and the three of them consistently talked about how engaging this book was. How personal that it became. It's a very emotional read that truly electrifies you.

This book is AWESOME! Keep God in the lead of your life!

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME INDEED!!!
Review: I have been a fan of Mrs. Murray's since her very first novel. She woves her tales in an exceptional manner and interlaces it throughout with God's word. And in such places where when an individual is going through a crisis, they would not think to take a moment and talk to God because of the misery they are feeling at the moment.

With this story, she told the tale of a woman that had wronged and been done wrong, unbeknownst to her. But the way she dealt with it is what made the story so fantastic. I don't think that I would have handled the story line myself so effectively, even with God's help, I must be honest. But that is what makes God so different than man. The book was an outstanding one and I would recommend it to everyone that loves to read, but the ending left me empty though. I would have liked to see the outcome of what happened to Starlight developed more. She just was placed in a patrol car and what? What happened to Lexington? I looked to see if there was perhaps a sequel coming to let us know but saw nothing of the kind. But it could all mean that in the end, God is in complete control of everything.

Way to go Mrs. Murray, and to know that you continued this story after losing your soul mate is even more astounding and my prayers and thoughts are with you and yours during this trying time. But as I see she (Mrs. Murray) dealt with death in the book in such a spiritual way, I now that she is also handling her loss in the same way . . . . turning it over to God.

God bless you!

Rating:
Summary: Loved It!
Review: I loved this book! I just started reading this authors work about 2 months ago and can't get enough! She deals with real life situations and I LOVE how she shows how you can weather the storm with Gods love and his word! This book made my want to cry in so many parts...bravo Victoria...bravo!

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Summary: I'm sold on TRUTH BE TOLD
Review: I purchased this book during the African American Book Club Summit Cruise just a few days ago and I read it in one day. I'm a new fan of Christian fiction and I purchased this book as well as one called A LOVE SO STRONG during the cruise. It was wonderful meeting both of the authors of these books. Although both these stories have a strong likeness in their baselines, this is a super example of how two authors with different writing styles can take the same basic idea and create two totally different stories. Both of these books made my last day on the cruise and my flight home from the event very enjoyable. TRUTH BE TOLD is captivating from beginning to end and demonstrates the survival of strong black women even through tough times.

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Summary: By faith
Review: If we were to live according to our faith life would be drama and stress free. Faith is the substance of all things hoped for. Love, happiness, wealth, and health. But with a busy devil is that even possible? Not when our faith is tested constantly. Living by faith is far better than merely fulfilling rituals and rules. This can challenge us to grow in faith and to live in obedience to God each day.

Conner and Grace Monroe have grown immensely from the undergrads they once were at Harvard. Though trials and tribulations set out to destroy their promising future. They decide to induct God into their lives. It's when they open themselves' to God's power that love seems to truly prevail.

Conner finds out that his past transgressions have come to light. He's uncertain as to how his wife and family will handle this. Especially since Conner and Grace rededicated themselves to one another. They thought that they'd gotten past the hurdles. In 13 years he never saw a reason to detail his sins. But, that's the work of the devil. Always looking to expose you to vulnerability. It's how you utilize God's words in your heart that will turn your test into a testimony.

While The Monroe's struggle to find a medium. The escalating drama seems to have a domino effect on other aspects of their lives. Graces more than Conner's. With Grace being in the limelight as a council member there appears to be scrutiny based on the fact that she's a Christian. This is a very inspirational read with real issues.

Reviewed by Savvy Sista Shon


Rating:
Summary: Riveting
Review: Sometimes when we do things, we tend to think that it won't catch up with us, and yet it does in the case of Grace and Conner Monroe when the son Conner had with a woman he had an affair with,comes and let him know that he has a son from that liasion and would he please keep him because she's dying from AIDS?? what do one do?? This book keep you to your seats folks. Great story. Very interesting. Watch out for Starlight ya'll.

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: This book although sad at times was inspirational as well as motivational. The lead character Grace appears to have it all a loving husband,good job great kids. And then one phone call to her husband sends their neat life spiraling out of control. Grace handles everything better than most women would have with the help from God and her husband. Grace is a woman although fictional who seems to have reached self actualization(Maslow)at a very early age. I pray that when probems arise in my life I can also handle them like Grace. The only thing I didn't care for in this book is how Starlight is depicted because I truly believe she was trying to motivate people even though she was getting paid for it. Overall this was an excellent read for the young and old. It brings up deep emotional topics.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent, "Must" Read
Review: This is a wonderful, well written book. It is inspirational and entertaining and contains true-to-life situations with drama, action, suspense and GOD which brings you to laughter and tears. "Truth Be Told" keeps your attention throughout and is very difficult to put down. I highly recommend this book and am anxiously awaiting her next book.

I also recommend: "Joy" and "Temptation" by Victoria Christopher Murray; "Fannin' The Flames", "The Shirt Off His Back" and "Sittin' in the Front Pew" by Parry 'Ebony Satin' Brown.