Review for "The Ex-Files" by Victoria Christopher Murray

The Ex Files: A Novel About Four Women and Faith” is written by Victoria Christopher Murray. It tells the story of four completely different women whose lives are interwoven by “destiny” as they face the “ending” of various interpersonal and intimate relationships, and move on toward their uncertain future. The author does an outstanding job as she introduces us to four different faces of heartache: Kendall Stewart, whose husband left her for HER SISTER; Asia Ingrum, who is in involved with and has a child by an ex NBA player who suddenly decides to make it work with his wife (Who is NOT Asia); Vanessa Martin, whose husband has just committed suicide and left her with immeasurable pain and so many unanswered questions; and Sheridan Hart, the leader of the group whose husband left her for A MAN! They are brought together when they are hand selected by Pastor Ford to be apart of a Woman’s Prayer Group, wittingly called “The Ex Files”.

Throughout the story, you see how each woman’s decisions from the past still affects her in the now present. Kendall’s refusal to forgive her sister Sabrina and her ex-husband causes her to push away and close herself off to any meaningful relationship that comes her way. Her sister even comes to apologize and “face Kendall’s wrath” and is almost mowed down by her sister. It really hit home to me then how much pain both women were in as the author writes that “they looked at each other through the tears in their own eyes”. Kendall’s hard-heartedness seems to not waiver even when her father tells her that her sister is really sick, and has been diagnosed with leukemia. Kendall is the only person who can help her, but when she flat out refuses to, her father basically tells her he is done with her.

But what was impressed on me the most is that it was through an adulterous affair that her sister was even conceived. Then, when Sabrina’s mother‘s (who was white) family makes her give the child to the father (Kendall’s dad), it destroys Kendall’s mom, who eventually dies from a broken heart. Its funny that the seed that was produced in such an immoral way would go on to destroy the other woman in Kendall’s father’s life: Kendall. It saddens me that he was not more repentant on what he had done, but tried to force Kendall to forgive her sister. I think if they had stopped trying to force her to forgive her sister and her ex-husband, and just let her come around on her own, that the story would have had a happier ending than the one that it does. She does make the “effort” to save her sister’s life in the end (even though they found out that she was not a match either/Kendall found Sabrina’s mother’s other children) but the relationship between Kendall and Sabrina was not to be redeemed.

Asia, to put it mildly, was a TRIP! She was so hurt by the rejection and “betrayal” of her MARRIED lover, that she concocted a story that I saw unfolding, but still refused to believe. She used her own daughter to seek revenge on her ex…but the person she hurt the worse was her daughter. My favorite part was when she went to confront Caroline, the wife, an educated southern belle who DID NOT PLAY GAMES! I thought it was very amusing that when she went to speak with the wife, she just knew that “the news of her affair with Caroline’s husband” would just devastate her, but Caroline would just have to get over it, but when she (Asia) was the one in tears when she was told to GET OUT, she grew vengeful immediately. I never understood how people could cause other people pain but then when it comes back to them, they think the world owes them something. Wow!

Now Sheridan was a SURVIVOR! But the thing that also survived were feelings for her ex-husband (Quentin) who she thought was GAY, but now claims to be “bi-sexual”. As the story unfolds, we see that he is still very much in love with Sheridan, who is in a relationship with a younger guy who is also in love with her. However, Sheridan keeps making excuses as to WHY she could not marry him. Everyone (including her ex) knows the real reason is because she is still in love with Quentin, but she didn’t admit it until it was almost too late. Now, she has to make the choice of whether to move on or to let go!

Vanessa’s story saddens me. I think she had been battling with depression since a very early age. I feel her marriage helped mask it, but when her “fix” was no longer around, she could no longer deal with the pain she had truthfully been feeling for years. I think it may have even went deeper with her own father’s untimely death. I think her resentment and impatience with her mother’s being “too emotional and dramatic” shows that she doesn’t deal with issues. She covers them, and resents anyone who gets too emotional or would “force” her to live through the pain. I also think she had self-esteem issues that hid behind long skirts and an out dated hair do. Her death disturbed me because there were so many signs, but no one caught them.

Overall, it was a really touching and well-written book. I encourage anyone who wants to get lost in a world of fiction to read it! You will enjoy it. Proverbs 31 rating is 4 stars. Until next time ladies…

BE A WITNESS FOR THE LORD AT ALL TIMES, AND IF NECESSARY, USE WORDS.

GOD BLESS!!!!
J Hall

The Ladies of Proverbs 31 have been Hot and Sizzling this July!!!

The ladies of Proverbs 31 have been busy this month! And we have enjoyed every minute of fun. We attended the 1st Annual White Party sponsored by Black Diamonds Book Club Distinguished Gentlemen on July 10th held at the Fort Shepherd Armory in Montgomery, AL. The ladies of Proverbs 31 showed up and showed out!(see picture: Left to right; Regina, Carolyn, Chelsa, Nicole, Alesha, and Jona) We had a wonderful time and truly enjoyed partaking in the all you could eat food and drink menu. We look forward to attending Black Diamonds Book Club's Annual Black and White Ball coming in January 2011. Look out for future updates for the date of this event!


Of course the fun didn't stop there! The Preacher's Kid was our movie selection for our movie night this month and we also celebrated member Regina's birthday. We had a wonderful time watching the movie and we ate waaaay too much of the delicious food that everyone brought. We started watching a second movie but were too tired and stuffed to complete it. I'm sure you can tell that we had a great time this night as well. Proverbs 31 favorite quote from the movie was, "I was platinum before you knew what a demo was!!!" Okay you'd have to have seen the movie to get it. LOL

And last night was our book club discussion of the book "The Ex-Files" by Victoria Christopher Murray. Keep an eye out for updates for a review of the book. All the ladies loved the book! This meeting was held at local restaurant Smoothies N Things, which is a small but cozy place with comfortable couches and great music. This spot was the perfect place for a book club meeting. We enjoyed the Happy Hour menu and the appetizer of choice for the ladies were the tasty chicken quesadillas and wings. Owner, Darian O. Clark, topped off our night by giving each member a slice of delicious cheesecake and for free!!! You should check out this great restaurant by checking out the link at www.smoothiesnthingscafe.com. We will definitely be back for another book discussion meeting.



As you can see the ladies of Proverbs 31 have been having a lot of fun and we're just getting started. We have community service projects coming up, in the process of planning fundraisers, and some giveaways. Please continue to stop by for future updates!!!! Don't forget to sign our guestbook! Have a fun and blessed weekend!!!

~ Peace & Blessings~

Chelsa

New Book Releases...Get your copy today!

1.Inconvenient Friend by Rhonda McKnight
In stores August 1! Pre-order your copy now!



2.Sins of the Mother by Victoria Christopher Murray
In stores now!


3.Holy Rollers by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
In stores now!


4. A Woman's Revenge by Rhonda McKnight, Sherri Lewis, and
Tiffany L. Warren
Available now!


5.Samson by Jacquelin Thomas
In stores now!


6.Flaws and All by Shana Burton
In stores now!

Think you can't work full-time and become a published author? Think again...

Yes, you can work full time and become a published author

Author Faye Thompson used her lunch hours at her day job to write her second novel.

Are you a novelist waiting to exhale? If so, it is time to make your passion a reality. Terry McMillan made it happen and so can you.

Meet Faye Thompson, a government employee for more than 25 years whose recent novel is being compared to Terry McMillan’s Disappearing Acts. Thompson’s second novel, Cheesecake and Teardrops (Urban Trade Paper, $12.95), was written during her lunch hour, vacation, weekend, after hours -- basically any time she wasn’t at her 9-to-5 job.

To read more go to http://www.blackenterprise.com/blogs/2010/07/07/nine-tips-to-becoming-the-next-terry-mcmillan/

Next Read....The Ex Files: A Novel About Four Women and Faith

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?

About the Author

Victoria 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 splits her time between Los Angeles and Washington DC. Find out more on Victoria Christopher Murray at www.victoriachristophermurray.com.

Also make sure to check out her lastest book "Sins of the Mother".

~Peace and Blessings~

Chelsa

Review for Playing God by Michelle McKinney-Hammond

"Playing God" by Michelle McKinney Hammond received mixed reviews by the women of Proverbs 31. While we all appreciated and understood the point McKinney-Hammond was trying to make, some felt the book was too busy. The multiple characters combined with multiple story lines made it difficult for some to follow, and even finish the book.

Others felt McKinney-Hammond did an amazing job of illustrating how "we" tend to take matters into our own hands, by "playing God." It was very interesting that the readers weren't given detailed descriptions of the five main characters, which I personally thought was executed well, making the characters both adaptable and relatable to any reader.

McKinney-Hammond taught an important lesson in patience, faith and trusting God. Through Tamara, she illustrated what could happen when we get impatient and don't think God is moving fast enough on our behalf. Through Corinne and Jada we learned if we just trust God, the outcome will be better than when we try to handle difficult situations on our own. Through Lydia it was clear that, only until we put God first, will things truly work out in our lives. With Jamilah we learned God always knows best even if it seems our situation just isn't fair.

Our overall rating of the book is a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

AJ

Be Greater Than Aids: Get Yourself Tested!

Imagine living with HIV and not knowing that you have it. That is the reality for one in five HIV positive Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control. HIV, like many STDs, often shows no symptoms and can go undetected.

As National HIV Testing Day (June 27th) nears, MTV and Greater Than AIDS are encouraging young people to get tested for STDs and HIV by providing free testing sites in 10 cities during Get Yourself Tested Week.

The testing sites include confidential medical centers in Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles and Houston.

Today, women account for more than 1 in 4 new HIV/AIDS cases in the United States. Of these newly infected women, about 2 out of 3 are African-American. Most of these women got HIV from having unprotected sex with a man.

AIDS is now the leading cause of death for African-American women ages 25–34. And African-American women are more than 21 times as likely to die from HIV/AIDS as non-Hispanic white women.

All people should know their HIV status. The only sure way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.

Also check out this book, "The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful, and (HIV) Positive" by Marvelyn Brown.