Customer Reviews

A Sin and a Shame: A Novel

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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

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.

I think the book was well written, however I mistakenly thought the continuation of Jasmine's story would be about her being brought to task for her treachery, instead this story and subsequent sequels are all about Jasmine's triumph. I don't think she sincerely regretted the damage she caused in her friend's lives. I realize Jasmine and Alexis were never really friends, but after trying to destroy Kyla's marriage, she went after the Alexis' husband. I don't think she paid for her treachery and I don't believe she has a good heart, she just does what is beneficial to her. I couldn't get into reading anymore books that tried to show her in a good light and instead returned the rest of the "Jasmine" books unfinished to the library. These stories may appeal to some as they are all well written but they are just not for me.

I really enjoyed reading this book every page was tempting me to read on with out stopping

I just finished reading this book, and I have to say that it's not just a sin and a shame, but it's a downright disgrace the way that Jasmine behaved. While I tried my best to like this character and empathize with her, she made it very difficult for me to do so. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and appreciate the author's writing talents. I've read all of her books and this one could be the best one thus far.

This would be a good book for any book club discussion as she raised several issures related to society, church, relationships, and marriage. As usual, Mrs. Murray weaved a believable tale filled with realistic characters throughout the storyline. Add this to your list of holiday must-reads while you enjoying your Christmas break. It's guarantee to add sugar and spice to your vacation...

Barbara Joe-Williams
Author of "Falling for Lies"

WOW! This was a great book. I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end. I could not put it down. The ending was a little abrupt though, it just had me itching for more.From reading the prequel, Temptation , Jasmine has changed a lot since then. She is rough around the edges, but you can see that she is really trying to change her life for God. Her sister, Serena, is a blessing to her, trying to help her and give her a righteous judgement which Jasmine already knows in her spirit. Another thing about these characters is that you can imagine actually talking to them one by one. How would you react to them, if you knew them? Anyway, it was a pleasure reading this book and I just want to wish Victoria the best for writing such great books! Much love and God bless on your writing talents, I'm sure it would bless a lot of people like it blessed me.

This is also a good book by a Christian author, not really known but it also has some Caribbean flavor. Being One - No One is like No Other. High School- The next frontier. v. 1 (High School- the Next Frontier)

Victoria did it again, but I think this has to be the best book to date. I didnt know whether to shake my head at Jasmine or root for her to get everything her heart desired. This is my favorite VCM book yet!

Ok let me start off by saying Victoria is one of my favorite authors. My book club as well as I loved Joy, Truth Be Told, and of course Temptation. Seeing how I loved Temptation so much and I just knew this book was going to be good, it was ok. It was very predictable from beginning to end, and just really boring. Maybe I am just a real drama queen, but I was waiting on something more to happen. It was like ok now what when are we going to get to the good stuff. Don't get me wrong it had some drama in it, but it was all predictable. Maybe I will present it to my book club to see what they think.

This book was excellent! After reading Temptation, you wouldn't have any heartfelt sympathy for Jasmine, and after reading the sequel, by the end of the book, you realize that she is human. I enjoyed this book because it lets you know that even Christians aren't perfect. You know that when you fall down, you seek forgiveness from the Lord and get back up. Excellent read, I recommend all of her books, they are outstanding!!