Rating: 
Summary: Three-Dimensional, Strong Characterization!
Review: It's always an enriching experience to read a sophomore novel from an author whose writing shows growth. Murray is one such author! From Chapter One she quickly roped me into Anya's story and I didn't let go until the very last page. Anya's life was filled with romance, intrigue and faith. It was faith which helped her to keep going after enduring a brutal tragedy. The characterization of Joy was strong and I especially liked how Murray showed us the depth of Anya's character via her relationship with her family(especially her grandmother and cousin), her fiancée who we all loved to hate and Anya's life as a professional/career women who was making significant strides as an African American woman in a predominantly male dominated profession. Joy is a book about love, hate, trust, and betrayal with a great lesson in forgiveness and faith. Murray shows up how Anya uses her faith in God and the love of her family and friends to recover after a vicious attack by a stalker. At times, Anya did seem a little two perfect, but I especially liked that her story was positive and plausible. Murray presents Anya's strong Christian values in a compelling manner without sounding preachy and yet allowing the reader to enjoy a good story. Joy by Victoria Christopher Murray is a good read which I recommend to others who want to experience a good book while strengthening their walk with the Lord. APOOO BOOKCLUB
Rating: 
Summary: One star away from being a full-blown snooze.
Review: JOY by Victoria Christopher Murray features Anya Mitchell going through some serious tests of faith. She's engaged to marry Braxton, a man of faith that she seems to feel ambivalent about, but says she loves enough to marry; and she's also attempting to mentor her younger cousin, Sasha, and introduce her to the Lord.
I found all the characters to be lacking as far as development, but most notably I found Anya to have extremely contradictory characteristics. It seems the reader should be empathetic to her plights and struggles with faith, yet she openly flirts with David, a subordinate at work, she readily tells "white" lies as it suits her moods at the time, and she's far too self-absorbed and shallow to endear anyone to her.
The only plus that I found in the story, hence the two stars, was the brief passages throughout the story that were from the perspective of Anya's stalker. These sections were the most well-written in the story and showed the most depth, in my opinion. I was truly drawn into this man's world. However, the "suspense" fell completely flat. Let's put it this way, Stevie Wonder could see who the culprit was.
Overall, the story was about 100 pages too long. It's plagued by unnecessary and insignificant minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour details in the first 3/4 of the book and then rushed along in the end when it's too late and the reader is undoubtedly expecting it to wrap up. I may give the author's work another try, but if it's all in the same boringly long-winded fashion, it will be the last.
Rating: 
Summary: To Long
Review: This book was incredible. The characters were real and it was based on Faith. I really loved the ending.
Rating:
Summary: Unspeakable Joy!
Review: This inspiring and suspenseful page-turner brought me great joy! Victoria Christopher Murray did an excellent job on this novel - creatively allowing God's anointing to flow amidst chaos. "Joy" is very well written and encouraging to its readers. It was such a blessing to witness a successful, attractive sistah taking care of her professional business while maintaining her relationship with the Lord. Anya's strong image is evident as you read the pages detailing how she handles things and people. She is upheld with spiritual strength, wisdom, and love from her family, Pastor and friends. Although Anya is in love with Braxton, she never lets her love for him supersede her love for Him. Anya is too good to be true, sometimes. However, she comes to life when she is faced with unexpected attacks from those she trusts. As the challenges come, Anya deals with them supernaturally - with faith combating her pain, fears and disappointments. The characters of "Joy" are vivid and quite interesting... even the bad guys, and there are a few. I pray that readers will be inspired to trust God as they enjoy reading this novel filled with unspeakable joy and hope. If you find it hard to believe this story, believe HIS story because HE IS REAL!
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