TRUTH BE TOLD - Victoria Christopher Murray
Simon & Schuster/Touchstone
July 2004
SYNOPSIS: The author of "Essence" bestsellers TEMPTATION and JOY returns with a story about one woman's personal and spiritual journey to overcome the consequences of her husband's dark secret.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: (4+) Wayne Jordan
REVIEW: Grace Monroe has the ideal life - a husband who adores her, two wonderful daughters, and a successful career as a politician.
Then her husband, Connor, discovers that he has a son, and Grace’s “perfect” world slowly starts to crumble, as the situation threatens to
destroy everything she has worked for and achieved. The boy’s mother, Pilar, is dying of AIDS, and wants Connor and Grace, to accept the
child, Solomon, into their home. How Grace, as well as Connor, handles this crisis is the story of Victoria Christopher Murray’s TRUTH BE
TOLD.
An inspirational fiction, TRUTH BE TOLD focuses on Grace’s growth as a Christian and how she learns to trust more in God. Initially
unable to forgive her husband for his transgression, I found Grace to be a bit self-righteous in her attitude, knowing that she too had been
responsible for problems in their relationship in early years. Grace, however, begins to accept what has happened when she allow God to guide
her. I was finally able to see a woman of strength and character who was slowly learning the true meaning of forgiveness.
I found Grace’s husband Connor to be a man of honor. His ability to rise to the occasion and do what is right speaks of his nobility as his
faith and trust in God remained unwavering. He bares her scorn and anger with dignity and never fails to reassure her of his love.
The other characters, major and minor, are solid. Pilar’s determination, Solomon’s maturity, Amber’s acceptance, and Jayde’s anger are all
evidence of Ms. Murray’s ability to create vivid realistic characters that tug at the reader’s heartstrings. We cannot help by become
engrosses in the lives of these very special people - individuals we grow to care for and love.
Grace’s relationship with her sister, Starlight, also provides another dimension to the story, and this reveals more about Grace’s inability
to forgive and her self-righteousness. It also recognizes the problem that societies face with the diverse beliefs that takes some persons
away from the truth. Fortunately, Starlight sees the truth as she is forced to face the consequences of her greed and jealousy.
I’ve often said that good literature, whether literary fiction or genre fiction, should present us with characters whose current circumstances
in life assist them on the journey of self discover. Ms. Murray does just that in this intense emotional story. As I read the final pages, I
knew that each of the characters had grown.
Ms. Murray has always written with style and class, but this is enhanced by her message of God’s role in our lives and or need to depend on
him. I found myself touched by the characters and know that there won’t be any dry eyes when readers come to the close of this very profound
spiritual journey. I have no doubt in my mind that the Truth has been told!
waj@romanceincolor.com (3rd July 2004)