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Joy
Victoria Christopher Murray's bestselling novel shares the story of a successful black Christian woman who must decide how far she is willing to go to have a future with the man she loves. Anya Mitchell feels greatly blessed. The owner of a successful Los Angeles financial services company, she is also prosperous in love, thanks to handsome writer Braxton Vance. True, they have real differences over their future and she must struggle at the same time to show her emotionally wounded cousin Sasha the right way in life. But Anya's faith in God's promise is unshakable... until the night she is brutally attacked in her office by a stalker. Reeling with anger and fear, she wrestles with soul-wrenching doubt and the temptation to rely more on her own strength. Even more devastating is Braxton's insistence that she trust his version of what God wants her to do. Facing heartbreak and disillusion-and answers she never could have expected-Anya must now come to terms with what she truly believes... and discover the joy that lies in God's surprising plan.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
54 people are currently reading
911 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Christopher Murray
68 books2,366 followersVictoria Christopher Murray is the author of nine Essence bestselling novels, including The Ex Files; Too Little, Too Late; and Lady Jasmine. Winner of the African American Literary Award for Fiction and Author of the Year (Female).
She has received numerous awards including the Golden Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction and the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award for being a pioneer in African American Fiction. Since 2007, Victoria has won nine African American Literary Awards for best novel, best Christian fiction and Author of the Year — Female. After four nominations, Victoria finally won an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literary Work for her social commentary novel, Stand Your Ground.
Victoria splits her time between Los Angeles and Washington DC.
She has received numerous awards including the Golden Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction and the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award for being a pioneer in African American Fiction. Since 2007, Victoria has won nine African American Literary Awards for best novel, best Christian fiction and Author of the Year — Female. After four nominations, Victoria finally won an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literary Work for her social commentary novel, Stand Your Ground.
Victoria splits her time between Los Angeles and Washington DC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 30, 2020
This book was so beautiful and encouraging!
You can tell this is one of VCM's earlier works only because the flow of the book is different. It's more sermon and less drama. It's interesting to me to see how far she has come over the years. I love all her work and the lesson behind everything is amazing.
You can tell this is one of VCM's earlier works only because the flow of the book is different. It's more sermon and less drama. It's interesting to me to see how far she has come over the years. I love all her work and the lesson behind everything is amazing.
January 16, 2016
An Emotional Joy Ride
Joy had many twists and turns that kept me reading. Joy centers around the main character Anya, her professional; personal and daily walk with God. She's engaged to be married but something always seems to stop her from committing to a date. Her financial company is booming, she's pulling in top clients but her fiancé Braxton, is less than impressed that she has to spend so many hours at work and not enough time with him.~~~~~~~Anya a strong intelligent woman of God. Her life is filled with many \ trials and tribulations, one would think she would just give up. But she does not, she steps out on faith leaning on God every step of the way. When she is attacked and beaten in her office there are many suspects. First David a man of mystery who seems to good to be true. Second Braxton her fiancé who always has an ulterior motive. Third Hunter a hollywood star who seems to be mad at Anya for not accepting a date. This novel is full of other fun and interesting characters. As the book progresses, Anya is instrumental in being a light of Christianity to her cousin Sasha who has come to live with her. She has provided healing to her family including her staunch grandmother, Madear. She led her coworker to Christ, just by living her life as an example and she turned a seemingly tragic incident into the best time to honor God. A well written tale, Joy is a wonderful read. I think that it will enlighten anyone who reads it. Ms. Murray did a great job of interspersing religious themes with activities of daily living that we all find ourselves in. I'm sure Joy will be a blessing to all who read it. Remember Joy cometh in the morning.
Joy had many twists and turns that kept me reading. Joy centers around the main character Anya, her professional; personal and daily walk with God. She's engaged to be married but something always seems to stop her from committing to a date. Her financial company is booming, she's pulling in top clients but her fiancé Braxton, is less than impressed that she has to spend so many hours at work and not enough time with him.~~~~~~~Anya a strong intelligent woman of God. Her life is filled with many \ trials and tribulations, one would think she would just give up. But she does not, she steps out on faith leaning on God every step of the way. When she is attacked and beaten in her office there are many suspects. First David a man of mystery who seems to good to be true. Second Braxton her fiancé who always has an ulterior motive. Third Hunter a hollywood star who seems to be mad at Anya for not accepting a date. This novel is full of other fun and interesting characters. As the book progresses, Anya is instrumental in being a light of Christianity to her cousin Sasha who has come to live with her. She has provided healing to her family including her staunch grandmother, Madear. She led her coworker to Christ, just by living her life as an example and she turned a seemingly tragic incident into the best time to honor God. A well written tale, Joy is a wonderful read. I think that it will enlighten anyone who reads it. Ms. Murray did a great job of interspersing religious themes with activities of daily living that we all find ourselves in. I'm sure Joy will be a blessing to all who read it. Remember Joy cometh in the morning.
July 20, 2015
Engaging, Intriguing, Emotional & Inspiring! An Exceptional Read! I Truly Loved It!
February 9, 2013
Read this years ago, but still remember it as if I just read it! Good, inspiring read!
December 2, 2019
Joy is about a woman going through some things.. up and down relationship, hosting a wayward cousin, and trying to run a successful business, all while trying to be a good Christian. The book details this for half of the book, then a terrible thing happens to her. The rest of the book details how she deals with it and the consequences of her decisions. I liked this book because it takes you into the thoughts of the main character as well as other characters. It makes one think about the choices one would make, especially if one is a Christian, if one were placed in her shoes. It encourages me to pick up my Bible and pray more often.
November 9, 2010
This books was truly interesting. Amazing at the trials and obstacles surmounted for a married couple; not to mention the husband a minister and his wife an actress. What a combination. Held my interest throughout. Truly shows how God works in our lives for the good of those who belive and obey his word even in the worse situations. The lesson here to be shared is the joy only God can supply.
September 15, 2007
This book is one of my absolute favorites. The main character really has to stretch herself to make the right choices, but she's able, because she listens to the voice of God and that's an awesome benefit of salvation.
January 21, 2011
I don't know how many times I cried while reading this book. It kept you on a ride the entire time, I won't say much else in fear that I will spoil it. But I laughed, cried and laughed some more then smiled. Definitely a great book!
February 20, 2015
Loved it
Once again Victoria Christopher Murray did a beautiful job telling a wonderful story. God can get you through anything if you just believe in him. All the characters brought something special to the story. Would highly recommend this book.
Once again Victoria Christopher Murray did a beautiful job telling a wonderful story. God can get you through anything if you just believe in him. All the characters brought something special to the story. Would highly recommend this book.
April 24, 2022
This book was amazing. I loved Anya and I loved his strong she was, both in her faith in God and other aspects of her life. As a Christian, I really, really admire this masterpiece and how it truly defines what it means to be a Christian and at peace with oneself.
Braxton was a bit of a bitch but I'm sure some people can understand him. Lol
Y'all go read this. It's a beautiful story.
Braxton was a bit of a bitch but I'm sure some people can understand him. Lol
Y'all go read this. It's a beautiful story.
August 13, 2021
It was just okay.
June 14, 2013
Was I the only one who didn't like this? First and foremost I thought it was way too graphic for a Christian novel. One of the main reasons I read Christian fiction is because I expect it to be clean. Once you have dirty thoughts/images in your mind it is very difficult to get rid of them. yes, I realize that what happened to the protaganist in this book is reality. There are many people who say the church/Christian culture doesn't do enough with tragedies like these, sure that's a legitimate opinion. That does not mean I want it described in detail, and have the criminal's dirty thoughts described, and her nightmares about it described. Unnecessary and unacceptable. 1 star rating just for that. If the author wants to portray a woman experiencing and recovering from this kind of tragedy, the author should concentrate more on the emotions and less on the action.
I don't remember much else from the book- I read it over a year ago. I do remember that it wasn't hard for me to figure out whodunnit. And I'm usually not that good at that.
I don't remember much else from the book- I read it over a year ago. I do remember that it wasn't hard for me to figure out whodunnit. And I'm usually not that good at that.
June 18, 2019
This book only had 373 pages but it says 512 pages. But anyway this is the first book I have read by Victoria Christopher Murray.
It started off slow to me and I almost stopped reading it, but I was determined to finish it. It didn't start getting interesting till Chapter 28. It talk about Anya Mitchell which owned her own business: Mitchell and Associates, and Braxton Vance her finacee, who was a writer.
Braxton wanted to married her so he could get his son, but she had to give up her business.
While working late Anya was attacked beaten and raped. Then she started having headache and getting sick and she went to see her doctor and found out she was pregnant.
But Braxton wanted her to have an abortion since the child wasn't his and it caused confusion between the both of them and she gave him back his ring.
This is all I can say because I don't want to tell to much about the story because if I did then what's the purpose of reading it when they tell the whole story.
It started off slow to me and I almost stopped reading it, but I was determined to finish it. It didn't start getting interesting till Chapter 28. It talk about Anya Mitchell which owned her own business: Mitchell and Associates, and Braxton Vance her finacee, who was a writer.
Braxton wanted to married her so he could get his son, but she had to give up her business.
While working late Anya was attacked beaten and raped. Then she started having headache and getting sick and she went to see her doctor and found out she was pregnant.
But Braxton wanted her to have an abortion since the child wasn't his and it caused confusion between the both of them and she gave him back his ring.
This is all I can say because I don't want to tell to much about the story because if I did then what's the purpose of reading it when they tell the whole story.
January 20, 2009
This was my first "Christian" book. In some ways I liked it, although I am not a "Christan"-- I am a a Baha'i. But the writing (or at least the editing) needs work. people are always 'whining" things (rather then just saying them) and "smirking"and" "sniggering" when this is clearly not what is happening.(Poor word choice.) There are sudden breaks in where the person is or what they are doing which are off-putting. It seems this market-- which is hot-- is very forgiving! The lot was good. It deserves better writing IMHO.
March 18, 2018
I could not put this one down. I was originally a Reshonda Tate Billingslea fan, but was curious when I read the work Reshonda and Victoria wrote together. It made me want to learn more about the history of one of Victoria’s character’s, Jasmine. Yet in the process, I’ve grown into a fan. I love that Victoria’s books are Christian inspired and contain scripture that make me want to apply the Word more to my life. Next up ... A Sin and A Shame.
May 13, 2011
Awesome read. I admired Anya for her strong faith and for not letting anyone come between her love for God.Hope there's a part 2.
December 2, 2011
This book was touching, sad, lovable, and altogether good!
March 6, 2013
Good to read a book that boldly confesses Jesus Christ as Savior.
November 14, 2013
Beautiful , just beautiful !
December 14, 2014
Loved the storyline. I was a little worried through out this book but by the end I had a HUGE SMILE on my face! Once again Victoria C Murray did her thang!
November 24, 2014
Great book!!
October 12, 2014
First book I read from her collection
This was my first read I loved this book which has lead to my reading many of her books love and romance always a hook.
This was my first read I loved this book which has lead to my reading many of her books love and romance always a hook.
July 12, 2015
Heart warming
This was a very relaxing book, hold your interest from beginning to end. You did a wonderful job, Victoria C. Murray
This was a very relaxing book, hold your interest from beginning to end. You did a wonderful job, Victoria C. Murray
March 15, 2016
Pretty good read!
January 6, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I was totally engrossed in the characters. For some reason, I felt as though I had read this book before, yet it seemed new to me at the same time.
I always love stories the deal with true forgiveness and plots that show people truly allowing the Father to work in their lives as they just trust Him . . . no matter what!
While there are some tear jerking moments, we still see God's hand at work! He always has His best in mind for us . . . weeping may endure for a night, but Joy comes in the morning!
I always love stories the deal with true forgiveness and plots that show people truly allowing the Father to work in their lives as they just trust Him . . . no matter what!
While there are some tear jerking moments, we still see God's hand at work! He always has His best in mind for us . . . weeping may endure for a night, but Joy comes in the morning!
July 12, 2017
This book had me crying at my desk when I'm supposed to be working. Anya's steadfast faith & values really made me take a long look at myself.....Am I being a true witness by my actions??? Anyone can't quote scriptures & get dressed up a few times a week. But can you encourage someone by simply living a fruitful life God intends for us.
I loved this book!!!!
I loved this book!!!!
May 31, 2022
Excellent reading
So many amazing themes, so many extraordinary lessons! The author held my attention throughout the book with the strong faith, flaws that I have experienced. First time reading this author and I will be reading more of her works.
So many amazing themes, so many extraordinary lessons! The author held my attention throughout the book with the strong faith, flaws that I have experienced. First time reading this author and I will be reading more of her works.
September 5, 2023
A great read
Thus is a well written book about faith in God. The main character maintained her faith through a horrific ordeal and as a result she was able to win souls for Christ. I love this author and this is a great read.
Thus is a well written book about faith in God. The main character maintained her faith through a horrific ordeal and as a result she was able to win souls for Christ. I love this author and this is a great read.
March 2, 2025
Must Read
This book is a true testament of what it means to truly trust God. I had to ask myself so many times what I would do. Am I living a life that a nonbeliever would want to have? The author touches on so many life experiences.
This is a great book for a book club.
This book is a true testament of what it means to truly trust God. I had to ask myself so many times what I would do. Am I living a life that a nonbeliever would want to have? The author touches on so many life experiences.
This is a great book for a book club.
June 22, 2017
A good Christian fiction story with a mystery plot. The main characters were well developed with wide ranging personality traits.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews