Truth Be Told [Paperback]

Victoria Christopher Murray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2004

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.

Grace Monroe has the ideal life: a devoted husband, adoring daughters, and a booming career in politics. Newly elected on a Christian platform to the Los Angeles city council, she is determined to put her mistakes behind her and focus on her bright future. But when a secret from her husband's past is revealed, setting off a chain of attacks that threaten to rip her family apart, Grace must face a dilemma that will force her to question her life and her faith.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This is not your mother's faith fiction. Murray knows how to make the sex scenes sizzle in her latest novel about Christians and the power of forgiveness. African-American couple Grace and Conner Monroe have had a bumpy life together: Grace once had an on-again, off-again affair, but she and her husband have rebuilt their marriage with love and prayer. Now, with Grace newly elected to the Los Angeles city council, it seems their life together has never been better. "...They'd danced through their storms, and now their future was clear of any clouds." But then Conner reveals that he was unfaithful years ago with his now-dying former assistant, and their adolescent son, Solomon, needs a father and a home. In the midst of her disillusionment, Grace must also deal with her 15-year-old daughter Jayde's rebellion and with Grace's competitive sister, Mabel (aka Starlight), whose career as a charlatan motivational speaker is catapulting her to fame and fortune. The plot (illegitimate child comes to light years later and threatens Christian marriage) is shopworn, but Murray (Temptation; Joy) is a competent writer who knows how to give it fresh zing. One scene is especially memorable: Starlight and her lover, Lexington, have sex while Starlight chats breathlessly on the phone with a pastor she contemplates later seducing. Grace's battle with forgiveness and her dilemma about opening her heart to Conner's son—and to her spiritually lost, power-hungry sister—makes even this too-long novel an enjoyable read.
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Review

E. Lynn Harris New York Times bestselling author Victoria Christopher Murray is back! Once again she's given us a fastpaced novel about people of faith who must face real-life challenges.

Kimberla Lawson Roby author of Too Much of a Good Thing With memorable characters, Truth Be Told is an entertaining, suspenseful, and page-turning read. I loved it!

Jacquelin Thomas author of Soul Journey Truth Be Told is a truly enjoyable story. The unforgettable characters lend an air of reality to this emotional and engaging read. [Murray's] latest is sure to please fans and resonate long after the last page is turned.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (June 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743255674
• ISBN-13: 978-0743255677
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #228,424 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Victoria Christopher Murray is the Essence bestselling author of the novels Truth Be Told, Joy, and Temptation. Visit her at www.victoriachristophermurray.com. She lives with her family in Inglewood, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The power of forgiveness...................................., January 14, 2005

By 

Nardsbaby "Connoisseur of the written word™" (Westside Chi-town, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Truth Be Told (Paperback)

Here we meet The Monroe's from Los Angeles, Grace and Conner.

Grace is a newly elected councilwoman who's carefully being watched due to the fact that she's a Christian and used it as her platform. Grace has a number of ideas, one being returning prayer back inside public schools. Connor, who's a fraternal twin, has a successful law practice with his twin brother. The loving power-couple have two daughters Jayde, and Amber.

As Grace starts to work on implementing her education programs, it appears that the past is rearing its ugly head. Before Grace found out what it was to be one of "God's Children", she'd been involved in and on and off extra marital affair with her first love. Through time, love, and God, Connor and Grace were able to reroute their bumpy road and "dance through their storms!" BUT as the clouds slowly clear another storm lies in wait....

People of faith face real problems!

Connor's former assistant Pilar, who just one day disappeared, is back! As she reveals her reason for leaving, Connor has to face the fact that he's hidden his "OWN" demons from his marriage, and now it's time to reveal that secret, and deal with the consequences. As he searches for the words that might possibly destroy his family, Pilar constantly reminds him that there simply isn't enough time for him to adjust.

As Grace tries dealing with her husband's news, she's saddled with her adversary Sara who's just searching for anything to show the constituents that she wasn't right for the job.

Mabel; Grace's older and VERY competitive sister. She's a motivational speaker who has assumed the name Starlight. It appears that Starlight believes in the power of money, instead of the power of God.

And then there is Jayde, their 15-year-old-teenager. Her attitude and behavior have Grace contemplating child abuse.

Grace is slowly sinking in a never-ending bottom as she struggles with her faith as she's being tested in every way.

Will the Monroe's survive and thrive these latest challenges?

This is my first read by Victoria Christopher-Murray. My mother, and my "BESTESTEST" Lisa, are both fans and have read all of her previous work and the two of them consistently talked about how engaging this book was. How personal that it became. It's a very emotional read that truly electrifies you.

This book is AWESOME! Keep God in the lead of your life!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Secret That Won't Go Away, July 5, 2004

By 

J.C. Wallington "jnettefrommi" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Truth Be Told (Paperback)

Sometime it appears that when everything is going good and you are sitting on top of the world, watch out cause it can all come crashing down in a matter of minutes. For Grace Monroe, her husband Connor and her sister Starlight, this seems to be the case in Victoria Christopher Murray's new book, Truth Be Told. See how they turn to their Savior for guidance and strength during their trying times.

Grace Monroe seems to have it all. She has two wonderful children and a loving husband. She has just been elected to the City Council of the 16th district. She ran her campaign on a Christian platform so she is obligated to live the Christian life, under much scrutiny. Her husband Connor is a successful lawyer and very supportive of his wife. Right after the election, and right before Connor and Grace are set for a romantic rendezvous, Connor receives a phone call that changes his life. In fact, the phone call changes the life of the Monroe family..

Mabel Morgan is the older sister of Grace. She has since childhood strived to be as good as Grace. On a chance meeting in a dentist office she encounters Dr. Carr, an inspirational speaker and best selling author. He teaches her everything to know about his business. When he suddenly dies, Mabel emerges as Starlight, an inspirational speaker and author; an icon for all women. For Starlight, it's all about making the money. Her goals are to become richer and more famous than the day before. She vows that nothing and nobody will get in the way of her making millions.

Truth Be Told is classified as a Christian Fiction novel, but the issues these characters face are common to anyone. Murray is able to show how the characters hold on to their sanity during trying times by sprinkling scriptures and prayers throughout the story. The reader does not feel overburden by an abundance of sermonizing. This book captured me and kept me glued to my seat until the last page. I highly recommend this book whether you are looking for Christian fiction or not.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Motown Review Book Club

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Family's Struggles and Triumphs because of Infidelity, June 6, 2005

By 

Nothing BUT Page Turners "Book Club" (East Orange, New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Truth Be Told (Paperback)

Grace Monroe almost lost her husband and family from not appreciating what she had. She prayed and asked God and her husband to forgive her. She believes they do, but there's still a problem. She can't seem to forgive herself.

Finally, years later, Grace's life is back on track, or she thinks it is. She has become a born-again Christian, was just elected city council for L.A., and she and her husband are stronger than ever. What she doesn't know is that her husband is keeping a secret from her. It's a secret that can cause disrupt their happy lives without a doubt. In the end, Grace has to decide if her belief in God is solid enough to forgive her husband for his infidelity the way she has been forgiven for hers.

TRUTH BE TOLD is a MUST READ. Victoria Murray does a wonderful job showing ing this family's struggles and triumphs due to infidelity. The characters are so real, you feel like you're literally in the Monroe's home. This was a true representation of What's Done in the Dark WILL Come to Light. Excellent job!

Rolanda,
Nothing BUT Page Turners Book Club