Stand Your Ground - by Victoria Christopher Murray (Paperback)

About the Book

After a seventeen-year-old African American boy is shot dead by a white man, the boy's mother and the shooter's wife face difficulties.

Book Synopsis

From the #1 Essence bestselling and award-winning author Victoria Christopher Murray comes Stand Your Ground, a novel about two mothers who must grapple with their faith and belief in justice in the midst of a highly charged murder trial involving the death of an African-American teenage boy.

A black teenage boy is dead. A white man shot him. Was he standing his ground or was it murder?

Janice Johnson is living every black mother's nightmare. Her seventeen-year-old son was murdered and the shooter has not been arrested. Can the D.A. and the police be trusted to investigate and do the right thing? Should Janice take advantage of the public outcry and join her husband alongside the angry protestors who are out for revenge?

Meredith Spencer is married to the man accused of the killing and she sees her husband and the situation with far more clarity than anyone realizes. What she knows could blow the case wide open, but what will that mean for her life and that of her son? Will she have the courage to come forward in time so that justice can be done?

#1 national bestselling and award-winning author Victoria Christopher Murray's Stand Your Ground is a pulse-pounding meditation on race, motherhood, marriage, and vigilante justice that will have readers spellbound until its shocking end.

Review Quotes

A SIN AND A SHAME

"One of our best and most prolific writers, an excellent storyteller."--Eric Jerome Dickey, New York Times bestselling author

FOREVER AN EX

"Murray spices up her story line with plenty of juicy scandals. . . . Readers seeking an emotional tale with broad themes of trust, betrayal, and forgiveness will do well by choosing Murray's latest effort."-- "Library Journal"

FORTUNE AND FAME

"Murray and Billingsley's third and best collaboration."--Essence magazine

GROWN FOLKS BUSINESS

"I enjoyed reading this book. It took me back to when I was living on the DL and made me realize just how hard sisters love their men, even when they know the truth."--J. L. King, New York Times Bestselling author of On The Down Low

LADY JASMINE

"Realistic characters and a likable heroine make this title a winner for Murray's strong following."--Library Journal

NEVER SAY NEVER

"Murray creates a believable scenario of two people who never wanted to hurt their friends.... With extremely well-drawn characters, the story offers neither blame nor excuses, keenly depicting the heartbreaks caused by both death and betrayal."--Publishers Weekly

SINNERS & SAINTS

"Double the fun, with a message of faith, Sinners & Saints will delight readers with two of their favorite characters from two of their favorite authors. It's a match made in heaven!"--Grace Magazine

SINS OF THE MOTHER

"Victoria is an exceptional writer who knows how to deliver a story."--Kimberla Lawson Roby, author of Changing Faces

STAND YOUR GROUND

"Murray has written a tension-packed novel around the hot-buzz national topic of an unarmed black youth shot by a white male, an act then subjected to the Stand Your Ground rule as a legal defense tactic. . . . Murray's writing admirably shows the often overlooked human emotions following racial violence. . . . The pulled-from-the headlines storyline will captivate readers."-- "Library Journal (starred review)"

TEMPTATION

"An emotional, realistic look at the devastation temptation can wreak."--Library Journal

THE DEAL, THE DANCE, AND THE DEVIL

"I think I've found a new author to add to my list of favorites. . . . Murray knows how to tell a story.I can't wait to read other books by this author."--Debbie Norrell, New Pittsburgh Courier

THE EX-FILES

"The Ex Files is a moving-on song in four-part harmony."--Donna Grant and Virginia DeBerry, authors of Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

"Juicy Jasmine Larson Bush returns. . . . Murray efficiently illustrates the importance of honesty and trust in marriage, and manages to contain Jasmine's outrageousness within the context of Christian faith."--Publishers Weekly

TRUTH BE TOLD

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

"Grown Folks Business rattles the relationship cage and gets to the heart of what's serious and painfully real."--Lolita Files, author of Tastes Like Chicken

"Never Say Never is a testament to the magnificence of Murray's storytelling gift! The author creates a surprisingly satisfying ending for each of the characters, even when their 'sin' seems unforgivable."--RT Book Reviews

"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."--Jacquelin Thomas, author of Soul Journey

"A great choice for folks who spend Sunday mornings in the front pew."--Library Journal

"Frenetic and deliciously slapstick sequel to Sinners & Saints . . . These frenemies [Rachel Jackson Adams and Jasmine Larson Bush] are drama queens at their best and smartest, a combination that will leave fans praying for their further misadventures."--Publishers Weekly

"Intriguing and well-written.... If you loved and hated Jasmine in Temptation, you'll love and hate her again."--Indianapolis Record

"Murray and Billingsley keep things lively and fun."--Juicy magazine

"Murray has always impressed me with her ability to live the life of her characters and make them come alive with each turning page."--Indianapolis Recorder

"Murray, winner of several African American Literary Awards for fiction, powerfully captures the nuances and tragedies engendered by stand-your-ground laws. A must-read."-- "Booklist (starred review)"

"Murray's characters are extremely likable. . . .This page-turning take on the Faustian theme should satisfy fans and newcomers alike."--WalMart BookPage

"My girl, Victoria Christopher Murray has done it again! I love her work and this book will bless you, so read it."--Michele Andrea Bowen, author of Church Folk, Second Sunday, and Holy Ghost Corner

"Once again, Victoria Christopher Murray has crafted a compelling, intriguing, and page-turning story that stays with you long after you've finished the book. This wonderful tale of four different women from vastly different backgrounds shows how we can all be bound by the common thread of faith."--ReShonda Tate Billingsley, bestselling author of Everybody Say Amen and I Know I've Been Changed

"Readers, be on the lookout for Victoria Christopher Murray's Never Say Never. You'll definitely need to have a buddy-reader in place for the lengthy discussion that is bound to occur."--USA Today

"This faith-based novel should keep devout fans on their toes."--Upscale magazine

"Victoria is an exceptional writer who knows how to deliver a story. Readers will find themselves still thinking about the characters long after they've turned the last page."--Kimberla Lawson Roby, author of The Best-Kept Secret

"With artful descriptions, Victoria put me inside their hearts and minds. I did not just enjoy this read, I lived it."--Michelle Lindo Rice, bestselling author of the Able To Love series

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

About the Author

Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of more than twenty novels including: Greed; Envy; Lust; The Ex Files; Lady Jasmine; The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil; and Stand Your Ground, which was named a Library Journal Best Book of the Year. Winner of nine African American Literary Awards for Fiction and Author of the Year (Female), Murray is also a four-time NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Fiction. She splits her time between Los Angeles and Washington, DC. Visit her website at VictoriaChristopherMurray.com.