Rating: 
Summary: Joy-truly a fruit FOR the Spirit
Review: God bless Victoria Christopher Murray. The issues that the main character has to deal with opens your heart and your mind as a believer. It challenges you as a believer to know what you believe and why. As the main character is faced with heart wrenching decisions, you find yourself asking if your faith could stand the same test. Excellent read for those dry times in our spiritual walk to show us that God is faithful and can bring us through any storm!
Rating: 
Summary: Loved It!
Review: I did think it could have been shorter, but I loved this book. I identified with Anya in so many ways. I have had some of the same struggles she has had and felt Ms. Murray wrote about the emotions so accurately. I cried several times near the end because it was so real to me. I've even dealt with someone who responded similarly as Braxton. I recommend it as an addition to any library.
Rating:
Summary: PRAISE GOD FOR THIS WINNER
Review: I have been praying for a while that Christian Black authors would write inspiring stories that would stir our faith and help us to grow in Christ. "JOY" was my prayer answered. Ms Murray takes you into the head of the average Christian woman and make you feel and understand from both the Christian and Black perspective what it is that the main character "Anya" is going through. I really enjoyed this book because it kept it real. Christians are always thinking of chirping birds and heaven and I apprecaite that we finally get to see a character in REALITy of what being a Christian is really about...making mistakes but holding onto Christ. This is even a great read for men because it addresses a lot of issues that could be helpful. "Joy" takes you on a ride of susupension, mystery, joy, laughter, anger, holding the book to your chest, smiling to yourself and imagining yourself as the characters. Most importantly, "Joy" brings to reality what being a Christian in truly about. I LITERALLY ENJOYED EVERY SINGLE MINUTE. What a great escape from Black novels that cause singles to lust and yearn for men and women just to have the Black novel experience....we can be focused on Christ and still enjoy fiction literature. WAY TO GO.
Rating:
Summary: This book had me screaming
Review: I must say I was really surprised that the book had me screaming especially when I got close to the end. The book had so many surprise twists and turns I didn't know what to expect. However, I must say this is one christian novel that I really enjoyed reading. I really applied a lot of the situations and scriptures to my heart. I give the book four stars because I didn't totally agree with everything but as a whole the book had a good plot to the very end. Simply well done!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I recently re-read Joy and decided to take the time to write a review. This was an outstanding book. Great plot, great story, fine, strong characters and an ending I didn't guess. How refreshing. I enjoy reading Christian fiction that isn't preachy and this was certainly a great find. Anya's challenges were real and the way she dealt with things was just like any of us would. For example, finding a rich, handsome husband, knowing he isn't the one in your heart, but delaying giving him the ring back. I think we'd all twist that ring around on our finger before we returned it. Pushing out the voices in our head that tell us right from wrong (otherwise known as the Holy Spirit), we all do this as well. The supsense as to who the stalker was and whether or not she was going to end up with David was so overwhelming I could hardly wait to finish the book. Then when I did I was disappointed there wasn't more to read! Thanks Ms. Murray for a great book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book!
Review: I truly enjoyed the book. There are some twists and turns in the book that you are not expecting and it makes you take a step back to take a look at your own beliefs. I would highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book!
Review: I truly enjoyed the book. There are some twists and turns in the book that you are not expecting and it makes you take a step back to take a look at your own beliefs. I would highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: PRAISE GOD!!!!!
Review: I'VE JUST FINISHED READING JOY, AND I MUST SAY THAT I AM WRITING THIS REVIEW THROUGH MY TEARS. GOD IS SO GOOD! MRS. MURRAY WRITES
ABOUT THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS THAT GODS SENDS US THROUGH, BUT AS LONG AS YOU REMEMBER THAT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING AND KEEP THE FAITH YOU WILL BE ALRIGHT. THIS IS A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!
I HAVE NEVER READ A BOOK THAT WAS WRITTEN AS WELL AS JOY. MRS. MURRAY IS TRULY BLESSED, AND IS ANOINTED AS A WRITER. SHE HAS THE ABILITY TO PLACE YOU RIGHT THERE WITH THE CHARACTERS AND YOU CAN FEEL THE JOY, THE PAIN, AND THE HEART ACHE. THE SCRTIPURES THAT ARE QUOTED THROUGHOUT THE BOOK ARE VERY APPROPRIATE AND FIT THE SITUIATION PERFECTLY. THANK GOD FOR VICTORIA MURRAY, I CAN'T WAIT FOR HER NEXT WORK OF ART.
Rating:
Summary: EXCEPTIONAL!!!!
Review: If you read Temptation by Ms Murray, then you already know how well she can incorporate a message of christianity into fiction and not be preachy. In Joy, you will not be disappointed. From page one, you are captiviated by the plights, the trials and tribulations of Anya and Braxton. A Christian couple engaged to be married, but it appears they may be unequally yoked and that could affect their relationship. Throw in a little mystery (stalker) and a few distractions (handsome co-worker), some family issues (Madear and Sasha) and you have a great novel that will keep you turning the pages, neglecting everything else you need to do. Scriptures sprinkled throughout the book that Anya relied on, can help anyone overcome obstacles they find in their way during their walk with God. This book I highly recommend.
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
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