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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sex... Lies....Secrets, June 18, 2006
This review is from: A Sin and a Shame: A Novel (Paperback)
The last we heard of Jasmine Larson, the home-wrecker in Victoria Christopher Murrary's first novel, Temptation, she was leaving California and returning to Florida. Victoria Christopher Murrary brings Jasmine back in her latest novel, A Sin and a Shame. A novel patterned after the book of Hosea in the Bible. God told the prophet Hosea to marry a whore. There are a lot of similarities between Jasmine and Hosea's wife.
Jasmine has just moved from Florida to New York to help her godbrother Malik, open a new club. She is a changed woman. She abides by her self-imposed rules: 1) no dating married men and 2) not missing church on Sundays.. She is determined to live her life as a Christian, forsaking all tempting offers.... well almost all offers. When she goes to church with Malik for the first time and sees Rev. Bush, she just knows she is destined to be his wife. All of her attempts to get close to the Reverend are halted by Brother Hill and Sister Whittingham. Even when Rev. Bush tells her he is not interested, she is still determined to become the first lady. Just as she is formulating a plan of revenge against Rev. Bush for rejecting her, she meets a young man named Hosea on an airplane. Once she finds out who Hosea is, the Reverend is out and Hosea becomes the object of her affection. Jasmine agrees to a celibate relationship at Hosea`s request, however, Jasmine needs a physical relationship and the very married Brian Lewis provides sexual satisfaction.
As much wrong as it seems Jasmine is doing, she has a good heart. Her neighbor, Mae Frances is an atheist. Subtlety or not so subtle, Jasmine tries to convert her, but Mae Frances stands strong in her beliefs. The two become friends as Mae Frances always seems to have a solution to Jasmine's problems.
If you read the book of Hosea in your Bible, you know how Victoria Christopher Murrary modernized this biblical story. Even those who do not enjoy Christian fiction because of its formulaic style will be pleased with this offering because it does not follow the strict rules of Christian fiction. The characters may be Christians and strive to live a Godly life, but they are not perfect. I think this novel could be an excellent book club selection. I have recommended it to others and I can not wait to discuss this book with my book club.
Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Motown Review Book Club
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
(RAW Rating: 3.5) - Has She REALLY Changed?, June 2, 2006
This review is from: A Sin and a Shame: A Novel (Paperback)
Jasmine Larson, the infamous character from Temptation by Victoria Christopher Murray, is back in A SIN AND A SHAME. She has started a new life in more ways than one. She is now a Christian, who has made a promise to God that she will attend church every Sunday and stay away from married men. She has faith that God intends to send her the perfect soulmate, and she plans to be ready. She is also moving to New York, to start a new job, working with her godbrother to launch a new club.
Sticking to her vow not to miss a Sunday service, she begins attending church with him. It soon becomes apparent that although she has vowed to change her ways, Jasmine has a difficult time "letting go and letting God." She continues to rely on her old ways, manipulation, lying, and secrecy, to get what she believes God wants her to have. All of these old ways lead to problems when she meets the preacher she intends to spend the rest of her life with.
Having been a long-time fan of Victoria Christopher Murray and having enjoyed Temptation, I was really looking forward to seeing Jasmine back in action in A SIN AND A SHAME. While I enjoyed the story, Jasmine was too unlikable for me to care about her one way or the other and at times the plot was just a bit too predictable for my tastes. I was also disappointed in the ending because it left some things hanging. But in the end, as much as I didn't want to care about Jasmine I was deeply invested in her final outcome. Furthermore, after reviewing the Biblical text that much of the story is based on, I understood the author's decisions to end the book as she did--even though on an emotional level I didn't like it. The book also emphasizes that as humans we all make mistakes, and that Christians are no exception to the rule. I think this book will make for good discussion, because it raises a lot of issues, particularly as the story draws to a close, that are likely to make for some heated debates. As a result, A SIN AND A SHAME is likely to be a much talked about book.
Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
That Crazy Jasmine Is At It Again!, April 3, 2006
This review is from: A Sin and a Shame: A Novel (Paperback)
A Sin and A Shame
Victoria Christopher Murray
ISBN:0-7432-8737-1
$14.00
June 2006
The crazy Drama Queen Jasmine Larson from Temptation returns in A Sin and A Shame. Promising to leave her old ways behind Jasmine has moved to New York and claims to want to live a Christian life. When she meets the man she thinks God has sent for her, the handsome preacher Hosea Bush Jasmine wants to do right but she manages to lie and scheme and create the usual drama that she is known for. Now she is pregnant but not by the good preacher and the only thing Jasmine knows is how to scheme. With the help of her elder neighbor Mae Francis who also has a few tricks in her purse Jasmine finds herself in a web of deceit that could alter her life forever.
I loved this story. It is such a Sin and A Shame that Jasmine can't seem to do right but with all her crazy schemes the drama keeps you going through the book. The Neighbor also has a few issues that pull you in.
I was a little misty eyed at the end and closed the cover with a smile.
Another excellent story from Murray who once again leaves you wanting more.
A great book club selection book.
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