Victoria Christopher Murray always knew she would become an author, even as she was taking quite an unlikely path to that destination. A native of Queens, New York, Victoria first left New York to attend Hampton Institute in Virginia where she majored in Communication Disorders. After graduating in 1977, Victoria attended New York University where she received her Master of Business Administration in 1979.

Victoria spent ten years in Corporate America before she decided to test her entrepreneurial spirit. She opened a Financial Services Agency for Aegon, USA where she managed the number one division for nine consecutive years. However, Victoria never lost the dream to write and when the “bug” hit her again in 1997, she answered the call.

Victoria originally self published Temptation in 1997.. “I wanted to write a book as entertaining and compelling as any of the books on the market, put God in the middle, and have the book still be a page-turner. I wasn’t writing to any particular genre – I didn’t even know Christian fiction existed. I just wanted to write about people I knew and characters I could relate to.”

In 2000, Walk Worthy Press/Warner Books published Temptation. “It was a long road before my agent was able to find a publisher. However, it has truly been a blessing and now I know that it was all in God’s perfect timing. He has certainly opened up the flood gates.” Temptation made numerous best sellers list including Emerge and The Dallas/Fort Worth Morning News. It remained on the Essence bestsellers list for nine consecutive months and was nominated in 2001 for an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literature.

JOY, Victoria’s second novel was released in October 2001. “This is a story about having to make tough decisions when you’re pulled between what you may want and what God definitely wants. JOY reveals how one word from God will change your whole life.” JOY has also been an Essence bestseller and won the 2002 Gold Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction.

In 2003, Victoria joined with five authors for the first Christian fiction anthology. Blessed Assurance is a collection of short stories where each author chose a character from the Bible and brought their story into 2003. “I chose to write about Hannah.”

Victoria’s third novel, Truth Be Told, will be released in 2004. Truth Be Told is about a woman who just won the position of Councilwoman on a Christian platform. Of course, that’s when her world starts to fall apart.

Victoria is an Associate Editor with Black Issues Book Review and a contributor to Quarterly Black Review. She lives in Inglewood, California and attends Bible Enrichment Fellowship International Church under the spiritual tutelage of Dr. Beverly “BAM” Crawford. She is also a member of the Long Beach Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
 

Too Little, Too Late: A Novel
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ISBN: 1416552529
Number Of Pages: 416
Publication Date: June 03, 2008
Publisher: Touchstone

Jasmine Cox Larson Bush returns to her devious ways in this tale of two marriages -- each threatened by lies and betrayal.
She took marriage vows to be honest and true, but Jasmine's still hiding secrets to keep her husband, Minister Hosea Bush, by her side. When Hosea's ex-fiancée, Natasia, suddenly appears in New York, Jasmine knows it's not a coincidence. A former manstealer herself, Jasmine is very aware of Natasia's motives -- even if Hosea is not.

Complicating Jasmine's life is the secret she's kept from her baby's daddy. Luckily for her, Brian Lewis has problems of his own. His wife, Alexis, is convinced he's cheating on her -- but Brian's real betrayal is much worse. Revealing the truth to his wife could lead him back to the biggest mistake of his life...Jasmine.

Two marriages are in desperate jeopardy. Will Jasmine be able to scheme to save her own? Or will she have to choose between protecting her past and compromising her future? Even if Jasmine and Brian find the courage to stop the lies, it may be too little, too late....

Diamond (The Divas Series)
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Reading level: Ages 9 and up
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Pocket; 1st Pocket Books Trade Pbk. Ed edition (March 18, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416562168

A Message from the Author
"...on Tuesday, March 18th [2008] the first book of my teen series, The Divine Divas, will be released. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this and I hope you'll take the time to meet these four young divas: Diamond, India, Veronique and Aaliyah. My ladies are fifteen and fine and they want to be the hottest, hippest new girl group to hit gospel music. These novels have already been optioned to become a television series, so I'm excited. Please check the Divine Divas out at www.thedivinedivas.com.

Now, I'm going to ask you another favor. This is a teen series, but several adults have enjoyed the story. Kimberla Lawson Roby said, "I couldn't believe a teen book held my attention like that from start to finish." And then, Parry "Ebony Satin" Brown said, "This first book should be required reading for every teenage girl in the country!"

I'm hoping that on March 18th, not only will you buy a book for a teenage girl that you know, but that you'll pick up a copy for yourself, too. You can read the first chapter at www.thedivinedivas.com. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think.

As always, there are not enough words to thank you for all of the support you've all given me throughout my ten year career. I hope you'll enjoy this story and I'll see you in June, with my adult novel, Too Little, Too Late - about Jasmine Cox Larson Bush. She's back......"

Blessings,
Victoria
Jeremiah 29:11
 

Book Description

Diamond.
India.
Veronqie.
Aaliyah

What does that spell? DIVA!!

The Divine Divas. They're fifteen and they're fine, and they want to be the hottest, hippest new girl group to hit gospel music. First they'll have to win the team talent competition. But with looks, energy, and voices like theirs, they are sure they'll go right to the top.

Diamond Winters is the one who formed the Divas. With her wealthy, loving parents and an endless supply of charm, she's always been able to sweet-talk her way into anything. But this time, has Diamond talked her way right into trouble? Diamond has support for her group from her family and church, but she has a lot going on. She's made it onto the school's varsity cheerleading squad, and she's caught the eye of the totally cool senior Jason Xavier. Jax is sweeping her off her feet, but Diamond is starting to feel as if she's in over her head.

Diamond has always been so sure she's in control. Will she have the courage to ask for help and guidance when she needs it? And will the Divas even manage to stay together long enough for the first round of the talent competition?

The Ex Files
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Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Touchstone (June 19, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416535519

There are four ways a woman can handle heartbreak. She can fall apart, seek revenge, turn cold, or move on. The Ex Files is the story of these four women:

When Kendall Stewart finds her husband and her sister in bed together, she vows to never let anyone get that close again. But when she is faced with saving the life of the woman who destroyed hers, will she be able to forgive?

When an NBA superstar tells his mistress, Asia Ingrum, that he's decided to honor his marriage vows, her shock quickly gives way to revenge...but her decision may come back to haunt their five-year-old daughter.

Every night Vanessa Martin wonders why her husband committed suicide. Even worse, she contemplates joining him in eternity. Will Vanessa be able to gather the strength to live again?

Sheridan Hart is finally finding her way after a lie destroyed her seventeen-year marriage. Her new love is ready to get married, but will she commit to this younger man or is her ex-husband taking up too much space in her heart?

When their pastor asks Kendall, Asia, Vanessa, and Sheridan to meet weekly for prayer, they can't imagine they will have anything in common. But then a devastating tragedy strikes and these strangers are forced to reexamine their choices. Will they find true friendship, or will prayer -- and their union -- fail them?

Sin and a Shame
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ISBN: 0743287371
Format: Paperback, 400pp
Pub. Date: May 2006
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group

After fleeing Los Angeles when her attempt to break up her best friend's marriage fails, Jasmine is now a changed woman...and a Christian. She vows to attend church every Sunday, swears off married men, and begins her search for the soul mate she is sure God has for her. Now living in the Big Apple, she has shed twenty-five pounds, shaved ten years off her age, filled her expensive apartment with designer clothes...all to begin her man-finding mission.

She quickly meets her dream mate -- a preacher -- who falls head over heels in love with her. Surely, God is good! But things start slipping when another man from Jasmine's past refuses to stay there, and an unexpected pregnancy threatens to sabotage all of her dreams. Will Jasmine's lying and scheming continue? Or will she finally learn that honesty is the only path to redemption?

Truth Be Told
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by Victoria Christopher Murray

ISBN: 0743255674
Format: Paperback, 416pp
Pub. Date: July 2004
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group

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.

Blessed Assurance: Inspirational Short Stories Full of Hope and Strength for Life's Journey
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Contributors: Victoria Christopher Murray, S. James Guitard, Terrance Johnson, Patricia Haley, Maurice Gray

ISBN: 1929642121
Format: Hardcover, 310pp
Pub. Date: June 2003
Publisher: Literally Speaking Publishing House

With all of the chaos, confusion, and uncertainty of life, we all need to know of the blessed assurances that God has for our lives. Blessed Assurance is an enjoyable, empowering, engaging, and encouraging example of the everlasting truth that God can move us from heartache to healing, burden to blessings, depression to deliverance, and from trials to triumphs.

Fast-paced, witty, entertaining, and inspirational, the writings are modern day renditions of historical stories. In the short story, The Best of Everything, based on Hannah, you gain a better level of appreciation and thankfulness for what God has already done in your life, which will provide you with strength to endure in the midst of a crisis as well as give you patience as you await new blessings. Lust and Lies, based on Samson and Delilah, reminds us of the temptations of lust, the importance of honesty, the dangers of sin and the significance of repentance. Traveling Mercies, based on the parable of the Good Samaritan, teaches us not to place limitations on how and through whom God may send a blessing, and our responsibility to help people whom we often do not know.

Baby Blues, based on Abraham and Sarah, lets us better understand the importance of timing, patience, and consequences of operating in God's permissive will versus God's perfect will for our lives. A Sprig of Hope, based on Tamar, acknowledges that tragedy, sadness and betrayal are an unfortunate part of life, and yet ultimately there is healing, restoration and happiness if you place your trust in God. Sword of the Lord, based on Jephthah, confirms that your past can't define you if you give your future to God and that everyone at some time or another needs to forgive as well as receive forgiveness.

Joy
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by Victoria Christopher Murray

ISBN: 0446679445
Format: Paperback, 384pp
Pub. Date: October 2002
Publisher: Warner Books, Incorporated

2002 Gold Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction

Anya Mitchell has it all: a successful L.A. financial services company, a loving fiancé, and an unshakable trust in God-until she is attacked in her office by a stalker. Her fiancé helps her deal with the horror, but when a painful truth is revealed, Anya is faced with a serious dilemma: either she chooses a future with her fiancé clear of this tragedy, or she follows the path on which she believes God has placed her-even if it means losing the man she loves.

Temptation
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by Victoria Christopher Murray

ISBN: 0446677833
Format: Paperback, 400pp
Pub. Date: September 2001
Publisher: Warner Books, Incorporated

An Essence Best-Selling Book

Kyla and Jefferson Blake count their sixteen years together as a wonderful blessing from God. Their marriage is passionate, their daughter is a joy, Jefferson's medical career is prospering, and they have loyal friends. Kyla knows her newly divorced and lifelong friend, Jasmine, is desperately unhappy and no amount of prayer or encouragement seems to help. Yet what Kyla doesn't know is that Jasmine has a plan to move her life forward with the type of man she feels she should have married in the first place. A man like Jefferson.

Related Links

Victoria Christopher Murray - Official Web Site
http://www.victoriachristophermurray.com/