Welcome, welcome! Today’s discussion is about none other than Jasmine Larson Bush who was first introduction in Victoria Christopher Murray’s first book, Temptation. Well, she’s back and up to her old ways; keeping secrets & telling lies. Join us for the book discussion/chat for Book 6 of our Holiday Reading Challenge.
LADY JASMINE by Victoria Christopher Murray
Touchstone, June 2009
400 Pages, Paperback, $15.00
ISBN-10: 1416589171
ISBN-13: 978-1416589174
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Juicy Jasmine Larson Bush is at it again — battling her past in order to save her future.
With her own lies, she nearly destroyed her marriage to Pastor Hosea Bush. Why, Jasmine was forced to reveal every secret she’d ever kept from her husband, right down to her real age, weight, and shoe size! She thought she had told Hosea everything.
But when Jasmine is blackmailed with a terrible truth from her past that she “forgot” to tell Hosea, more than just her marriage is in jeopardy.
Surprisingly, her first instinct is to tell the truth. Jasmine knows, however, that this is one part of her life that can never be exposed. Determined to keep the life she fought so hard to save, Jasmine is willing to commit any sin — even murder — to leave her past behind her. No one can know the truth about the First Lady of City of Lights at Riverside Church. No one can know that beneath the veneer of a redeemed Christian wife, there lies a sinner — especially not her trusting husband.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Victoria Christopher Murray always knew she would become an author, even as she was taking an unlikely path to that destination. A native of Queens, Victoria first left New York to attend Hampton University where she majored in Communication Disorders. After graduating, Victoria attended New York University where she received her MBA.
Victoria spent ten years in Corporate America before she tested 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. “I wanted to write a book as entertaining as any book 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.â€Â Read More
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Check out Victoria Christopher Murray Revealed
Victoria’s Website – http://www.victoriachristophermurray.com
Welcome to the site, Victoria. We appreciate you taking the time to chat with us about Lady Jasmine and look forward to hearing more of the behind the scenes on the characters.Â
-Tee
I’m really glad to be here! Thanks so much MARTINA, I am so glad to be here! Ready to talk about Lady Jasmine…
Truly sorry for calling you by another name, no harm meant am reading and reviewing a book by her as I speak, hopefully my comments on the book clarified that I at least KNEW what book I was talking about. Charge it to my head and my upcoming 54th bday~ sheesh, think I will quietly read henceforth
angelia
((hugs)) Been there done that..LOL
Good Morning Victoria,
Welcome and thank you for chatting with us today. I just love your work and would like to know just how do you do it? What inspires you to write and create the characters you have?
Brenda Lisbon
Thanks for joining us, everyone!  Unfortunately, I will not be able to actively participate in the chat today, but hope to catch up with things this evening. A few of our RAWSISTAZ members will be leading the way today, so have fun!
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Of course, I have a few questions to get things moving.
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1)      Jasmine is one of those characters you love to hate; even from her very first introduction in VCM’s cast of characters in her first book Temptation. What did you think about her this time around?
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2)     Jasmine’s list of secrets seems to be endless. For this book, the big secret came out at the onset. Would you have preferred to have built up to the secret? Did it change your opinion of Jasmine or make her more/less likeable? Why or why not?
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3)     Were you able to relate to Jasmine’s fears and issues? Could you see her redemptive qualities? Do you know anyone like Jasmine?
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4)Â Â Â Â Â What was the most memorable scene of the book and what made it stand out for you?
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-Tee
My answers:
1) I think Jasmine was trying to be the First Lady with as much as she could put into it, including having her husband’s back.
2) It didn’t bother me by the secret being revealed early, just made me want to keep up to see how far she was going to go to keep it a secret. As far as my opinion of Jasmine, like anybody we all have secrets of some sorts we don’t necessarily want out of the closet, especially those done in days of our youth and when we behave in a fashion that was not including christian-like behavior. But we all know that these secrets sometimes have a way of finding the light of day. She wasn’t perfect. She had flaws. She was a good reminder of how God tries to work within us and we are trying to clean up ourselves. We are all a works in progress.
3) As far as knowing anyone like Jasmine…yes I do know a few. What was funny, after a girlfriend and I read the book, the next Sunday we went to church and had fun trying to guess which one of the sisters with the big hats and the perfect personna had secrets they didn’t want anyone to know.
Brenda
#3…now you know you wrong….LOL
ROFL…but it was funny though.
ROFLLLLLL
1) Jasmine is one of those characters you love to hate; even from her very first introduction in VCM’s cast of characters in her first book Temptation. What did you think about her this time around?
She kept the drama going from beginning to end. All her schemes and plots kept me wanting more.
2) Jasmine’s list of secrets seems to be endless. For this book, the big secret came out at the onset. Would you have preferred to have built up to the secret? Did it change your opinion of Jasmine or make her more/less likeable? Why or why not?
It didn’t bother me, I was just wanted to know how she would keep it a secret. Jasmine is one of those characters that you start off wanting to hate, but after while you realize she’s human too.
3) Were you able to relate to Jasmine’s fears and issues? Could you see her redemptive qualities? Do you know anyone like Jasmine?
On few things, I was able to relate to her–like wanting to protect her family. Then others I couldn’t–like not revealing her secret to Hosea in the first place. I know a few like Jasmine, they will do anything to keep they’re closets in order.
4) What was the most memorable scene of the book and what made it stand out for you?
The end at church when Jasmine thought she met her doom and fainted. I thought it was the end for her at that moment
Here is the link from BIB
http://blogginginblack.com/?p=913
Good morning Victoria and thank you for joining the chat. You’re one of my fav authors and I’ve read just about all of your books.
What was your inspiration behind Jasmine?
Sharon: thanks so much for your kind words. I didn’t really have any inspiration behind Jasmine – she just came up in the first novel, Temptation. And the readers loved to hate her, but I didn’t bring her back until my 5th novel. I can’t say Jasmine is inspired…I don’t know a soul like her. LOL
So true…so true…LOL
I read and enjoyed Lady Jasmine and I want to say that I find Ms. Billingsley to be an amazing storyteller who ‘make the reader know’ her characters~
1. I think Jasmine was trying harder this time around.
2. The secret coming out at the beginning was not a problem for me, gave us more time to focus on how she would handle it this time
3. I will simply say I have met a few ‘Almost Jasmine’s’ so singleminded they can’t always do the truth
Angelia…#3…you ain’t nevah lied…LOL
Hi everyone! Okay…my computer turned off right when I turned on! Technology…gotta love it. First, Angelia – I’m not Ms. Billingsley – she’s one of my dearest friends and I agree with you, she’s an amazing story teller, but I wanted to clear that up first.
I think Jasmine was trying harder this time around. I think there are a couple of facts about Jasmine that are true – she loves her husband and daughter, she is really trying to discover God on her journey.
I think Jasmine put in a very good effort.
I don’t like how she put so much emphasis on her husband’s salary from the church.
This secret is not as big as I thought it would be.
1) Jasmine is one of those characters you love to hate; even from her very first introduction in VCM’s cast of characters in her first book Temptation. What did you think about her this time around? I thought Jasmine to always be up to her old tricks….always out for personal gain.
2) Jasmine’s list of secrets seems to be endless. For this book, the big secret came out at the onset. Would you have preferred to have built up to the secret? Did it change your opinion of Jasmine or make her more/less likeable? Why or why not? It didn’t bother me that the secret came out in the beginning. It just made it more interesting to see how Jasmine was going to keep it a secret.
Good morning, Victoria!!! Thanks for joining us and chatting with us today! I’ll try not to go overboard with my questions, today.
I had a chance to meet you this past summer when you came to visit St. Louis, MO. To jog your memory, I was the one that asked if Kendall from The Ex Files would get her own story. You stated you’re waiting for her to speak to you. I hope she does and soon, LOL!!!!!!!
Questions for discussion:
Is Jasmine capable of being a responsible first lady, or is she just interested only in glamour and prestige?
How would characterize Hosea and Jasmine’s relationship? What is it built upon? do you think they will have a lasting marriage? Why or why not?
With a bit of digging, Jasmine discovers that all of them are harboring dark secrets. Do these characters get what they deserve/ What does Hosea mean when he says “No one else’s misfortune is God’s blessing to me?
Is Jasmine capable of being a responsible first lady, or is she just interested only in glamour and prestige?
I think at first it was about the glamour and prestige for Jasmine. Then things started to change for her, granted it was because she was trying to keep her secret.
How would characterize Hosea and Jasmine’s relationship? What is it built upon? do you think they will have a lasting marriage? Why or why not?
For the most part they love one another and are determined to make it work. However they do have some trust issues. Once they resolve their trust issues they will be stronger.
With a bit of digging, Jasmine discovers that all of them are harboring dark secrets. Do these characters get what they deserve/ What does Hosea mean when he says “No one else’s misfortune is God’s blessing to me?
Everything that’s done in the dark will come to the light, for those characters that’s what happened. I think what he meant is God for most purposes allow harm to happen to a person in order to bless another person.
Is Jasmine capable of being a responsible first lady, or is she just interested only in glamour and prestige? Right now I would say no because she’s in it for the glamour and power…she’s power-hungry and she will use her wicked ways to get it. But like Brenda wrote above…God isn’t threw working with her yet.
How would characterize Hosea and Jasmine’s relationship? What is it built upon? do you think they will have a lasting marriage? Why or why not? Their relationship is built on lies and deceit. Jasmine loves Hosea but I don’t think he trusts her at all. They will have a lasting relationship because Hosea truly believes she’s the woman God has chosen for him.
With a bit of digging, Jasmine discovers that all of them are harboring dark secrets. Do these characters get what they deserve/ What does Hosea mean when he says “No one else’s misfortune is God’s blessing to me? I think he means that God is not blessing him because of something misfortunate happening to someone.
@ Jaime: Great to “see” you again. Yes, I remember you. And Kendall hasn’t spoken to me yet, but I’m expecting other people to come into my life now. I just finished my contract with my publisher and this summer will be the LAST Jasmine book – at least where she stands alone. So…I’m looking to hear from other folks – new and old characters.
Wow, Jasmine will get one more book…I wonder what she’ll be up to this time around? I can’t wait to see what’s in store. I’ll continue to be patient for Kendall’s story, I know she has one even if it’s tied to someone else. You mentioned new characters, can you tell us about them without spilling the beans?
Great questions, Sharon! I wanna know the answers to those myself!
I cheated…they’re in the back of the book…..LOL
Good morning Victoria. Thank you for joing us?
Lady Jasmine…WOW…Jasmine take secrets to a whole new level. Does she have any more?
Victoria, you were a part of corporate America and gave that up for writing. How was that transformation for you?
@ angelia: to be compared to ReShonda is a compliment!!!
Questions for Victoria:
1) What are some of the difficulties you experience when bringing your stories to life?
2) How do you come with the storylines for your stories?
3) Do you desire to write in another genre?
Hello Victoria,
I must admit that Lady Jasmine was the first book that I read in the series and I enjoyed it very much. I really enjoy your writing style and how vivid and descriptive the scenes are. As I was reading Lady Jasmine, I realized that I have run across a “Lady Jasmine” a time or two. It was really sad the more I thought about how over the top Jasmine really was. In my opinion, it seemed as though Jasmine really looked for other people’s perception of her to validate her. She felt as if she had to put on a show instead of just being herself. Jasmine learned an invaluable lesson in her battle to do what is right instead of what is expected. She also learned that God’s way is always the best way. Sometimes, we dont realize that until our own plan has failed.
Questions for discussion:
Is Jasmine capable of being a responsible first lady, or is she just interested only in glamour and prestige?
In the beginning, Jasmine was caught up in the title of “First Lady”. She had developed the “big head” and felt that everyone needed to bow down to her so to speak. But, I love the way that Victoria Christopher Murray allowed Jasmine’s character to realize that God has a way of getting our attention and showing us that He is the one in charge and we need to humble ourselves and act accordingly.
How would characterize Hosea and Jasmine’s relationship? What is it built upon? do you think they will have a lasting marriage? Why or why not? In my opinion, I think that Hosea and Jasmine have a relationship that is built on lies and deceit. It seems as though Hosea was a little naive when it came to Jasmine in the beginning, but later we find out that Hosea just really accepted Jasmine for who and what she was. I believe they could possibly have a lasting marriage. Jasmine learned some lessons the hard way in this story. There were some issues that were in the back of Hosea’s mind about his wife and her past and they were brought to the forefront. Hosea knew that he couldnt change Jasmine, only God could and he accepted that.
With a bit of digging, Jasmine discovers that all of them are harboring dark secrets. Do these characters get what they deserve? What does Hosea mean when he says “No one else’s misfortune is God’s blessing to me? I dont think that they got what they deserved. I believe that God allowed certain things to be revealed, so each of them could learn from them and grow spiritually.
I loved this story. I look forward to more books by Victoria in the future!
Okay…I’m back…sorry about that. As far as the transistion from corporate America to writing, it wasn’t difficult because I was just living my dream. It’s pretty easy to make the change when you’re living your passion.
Plus, there’s nothing difficult about not having to get up early every morning and being able to go on vacations when you want to, and not reporting to anyone. LOL. Seriously though, the transisition was easy, but life as an author is difficult.
Also, yes, Jasmine has one more book, but it’s not what you think. Many have asked me why hasn’t Jasmine had to pay for her sins. My explanation is that God is just full of grace and mercy, especially since He knows our hearts and where we stand with him. But, I’m gonna give the readers what they want. Jasmine is about to pay…BIG TIME. The next book is called Sins of the Mother…next June.
I had a feeling that’s what things were leading up to that. I can only speculate that Brian is coming after Jacqueline…umm sounds interesting to say the least!!!!!
Sounds very interesting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not until next June…that is a long wait.
Brenda
Discussion Questions:
1) Do you have a favorite character from the Jasmine series, so far? If so, who?
Jasmine and Hosea are my favorites.
2) Do you lave a least favorite character from the Jasmine series? If so, who?
Hosea’s ex from Too Little, Too Late.
3) What would you like to see happen to Jasmine in the future?
That she has no more secrets and is truly honest with Hosea about everything.
I don’t have alot of difficulties bringing my stories to life. The stories are just there. I once heard Michael Jackson say that the music was already inside of him and it was his job to bring that music out. That’s how I feel about writing. The stories are there. It’s pretty simple, once I sit down.
Hi Unika!!!
Heeeyyyyy Victoria….(Im waving) LOL…How are ya? I was so glad to meet you when you were here in Memphis. Hopefully, next year I will see you again and some of the Literary Events I plan to attend. Thanks for joining us today!
Oooohhh! I wanna answer that, too. I love writing about Mae Frances because I have no idea who this woman is. So every time she talks, I’m discovering something. And, I really enjoyed writing about Pastor Wyatt. (I guess I just love the bad folks!)
Well the bad folks are very interesting because they’re the people you love to dislike…LOL
Also they’re the ones that bring out a lot of emotions in you…they make you angry…you want something bad to happen to them…LOL
That makes for a good read too. When you’re so angry with the character that you just want to slap them into next week…LOL!!!! I felt the same way when I read Grown Folks Business, I wanted get my hands on that smug Jett Jennings, LOL!!!!
@ Jaime: It’s far worse than that!
Uh oh!!!!!!
Are any of you my FB friends – if so, you have a hint into my 2011 book….
Yes I am!
I am!
Brenda
Yes I am!
I am as well !!
Yes ma’am…I am
Yup, Jaime: All of you who have wanted Jasmine to get hers….you’ll be crying for her now!!!
I read this book four months ago and glad we finally can talk about it. I like the fact Jasmine still had more secrets to exposed to her husband as some point. With father Bush in hosptial fighting for his life and church members out there going at with each other over who should be senior pastor was interesting to me. Will Jasmine have an another book were Brian want Jacqueline in life permanently?
I have a question…I never planned to write anything about Jasmine after Temptat;ion, but i received no less than one hundred emails asking to bring her back. Why do readers like sequels?
I like sequels but I don’t like waiting ten years for them and also it has the be as good as the first if not better.
What she said !
I love sequels and a good series. For me I want to know what happens in the past and future for the characters and have all bases covered. Sometimes that doesn’t happen with just one book. However, there are times when one book is all that is needed.
I love sequels because it allows readers to ‘really know’ the characters, I particularly love when those in the background get to tell their stories as time progresses~
I love well-written sequels. I like them because usually, I’ve fallen in love with one character or another and really want to see how that character develops over time and over different circumstances. I like to see situations in each sequel that brings more out of that character.
Brenda
I like sequels because when the storyline is good, I dont want it to end. Especially when the characters are good and the author has done so well to paint the pictures…..so Victoria I cannot wait for Jasmine to return!!
I like the sequels because you learn more new secrets about infamous Jasmine. In this book, it surprise me about her was the fact that she would do anything to make sure Hosea got to be senior pastor while his dad was in an coma. That been said, exposing the other two candidates to make sure it was possible for Hosea to get spot was a first lady thing to do. Will we hear more about Brian?
Sins of the Mother – the next and final Jasmine book – concludes the story of Hosea and Jasmine and Brian and Alexis. There will be no unanswered questions. But I think Sins…is my most SHOCKING book yet! No lies….just shock!
In case some of you don’t know Victoria also write a teen series called “The Divine Divas”.
Victoria, how did you come about writng that series and what other future plans are in store for it?
I have read and reviewed the Divine Diva series and they are so awesome for young people, many nieces and mentees have their own copies~ they think I love the books more than they do~
Thanks, Sharon, for telling people about The Divne Divas series. It’s been optioned to become a film, though the publisher canceled the series. There’s so much more I want to tell teenagers but they canceled just about all of our teen contracts because of low sales. It’s so sad….
OMGoodness….that is sad and especially with some much going on with our youth today.
Noooo!
I .would ike to know your favorite characters…that always helps a writer
Guess I’ll keep beating a dead horse. My over all favorite is Kendall from The Ex Files, her story just spoke volumes to me. How does one prevail with that betrayal, yet she got herself together and did!!!
I also liked Anya from Joy. She also prevailed over her tribulations!
@ Sharon and Jaime: so what makes a good sequel?
Something that makes me say WOW! The plot is thick with twists and turns and keeps you wanting more. If there a bad/guy or villian that is just so evil and gets there due justice that’s even better.
I guess I’m one of the rare fans that doesn’t want to see Jasmine get others thinks she’s due. I hope I’m able to handle what’s coming her way.
Why is that Jaime…because you feel there will be no more stories about Jasmine?
She’s come a long way and seems to be on the right track, for now. Let’s not forget she was not the only one having the affair with Brian, he was apart too. At one time he was pursuing her every chance he got eventhough he was a married man. Which brings a question, will be pay for his infidelities, too?
I’m a little late to the party but excited. Victoria, you are one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed Lady Jasmine and am looking forward to the final novel. I’m interested in what you said about Mae Francis and how you continue to learn about her. As the author, were you surprised when she made the change and started to attend church or was that something you had in mind?
Also, do you find it easier to create characters when you do or don’t have a real life example?
all I know is that right now, I am so happy to still have a publishing contract. are you all aware of what’s going on, especially with African American authors?
I’ll be the first to admit my ignorance about this. Do you mind telling us what is happening?
@ Jaime: I loved Kendlall’s story, too. That was the ultimate betrayal, and then God’s ultimate test for forgvieness. I loved writing Kendalls’s story because it really made me ask, what would I do?
@ Sharon: the sales didn’t support the publishers continuing the teen series. Sales were so, so sad.
@ Jaime: If I had to put a percentage on it, aobut 75% of authors do not have new contracts. With black book stores closing, and black auhtors not being offered new contracts, the state of the industry is changing. In a couple of years there won’t be many AA authors on the shelves.
Oh wow…that’s not good
You can say that again!! This frightens me to know this is a possibility!!!!!!!!!!!
As authors, we need your help! If you like an author, please invest in them – buy their books the first week and give away as gifts. It is so scary…did any of you read Virginia DeBerry’s open letter to Oprah? Can you imagine that Virginia and Donna who wrote Trying to Sleep in the Bed You Made which is one of our classics – have been put on hold for a new contract? That is unacceptable to me!
Now…I didn’t know this. I’m going to search for the letter.
That is unbelievable!
Brenda
When you find the letter, send it to the group please. We need to start spreading the word. This must be frightening to new author’s too.
No, I didn’t know this. This is terrible.
Angelia: that is the only thing that I like about sequels…I like discovering the minor characters.
Victoria, again I would like to thank you for chatting with us today. Many of our participants probably will post their comments later this afternoon and/or this evening. So please continue to share your questions and comments with us.
Joy is one of my favorite books. Have any of those characters been speaking to you? I’d like to know what they are up to now.
@ Criss: I think the only book I can say I’ll never do a sequel is JOY. That book is so special to me…for lots of reasons…I want to leave that story as it is. Now about Mae Frances – I knew I wanted to write about an atheist and one thing I’ve discovered about people who say there is no God is that they don’t really believe that – they’re just mad at someone who does believe in God. Mae Frances is a wonderful character who takes me on a journey every time.
I so agree with that about professed atheists, or many have what I call Church Hurt, they have been in a situation and was hurt by someone in the church or attached to the church and vow to not believe at all~
@Victoria & @Angelia, Atheists are something else. I know one who professes to be an atheist. However, the moment that person gets in trouble, who do you think is the first person they call on–Jesus. I kid you not. I wanted to call their attention to their obvious blunder, but I kept my mouth shut and just smiled.
Brenda
For fun:
During Jasmine’s stripper days she was known as Pepper Pulaski. From the idea given to her by Viva for Jasmine to come up with this stripper name….she told Jasmine if she had a pet to use the name of the pet to become her first name and the name of the first street she lived on to be her last name.
So what would your stripper name be?
Cookie Ridgeway!! LOL
Fiesty Fire would be my. Just popped in my head, LOL!!!
@Sharon, my name would be Laci Calvary…LOL
Honey Luv would be my name
Oh, yes…the stripper names from Lady Jasmine. My stripper name would have been… (DRUM ROLL! Please!) Pepper Pulaski! Surprise, surprise!
@ Brenda: I write one book a year. I’d like to write more, but you guys wouldn’t believe the restrictions that are put on us by publishers!
Victoria, why do publishers put restrictions on you?
Brenda
I would love to read more about Mae Francis any chance of her getting her own book?
@ Jaime: Don’t you think Brian has paid enough for his infidelities? He lost the love of his life – he lost Alexis. Brian SO reminds me of Tiger. (Poor Tiger!)
I’ll say this, he knew he was married when he began sleeping with Jasmine. Yes, Jasmine did too and was also wrong for sleeping him knowing so. Was Alexis on his mind when he began his trysts? And was Alexis really the love of his life? I think he’s determined to get his wife back, so time will tell.
@ Sharon: go to Bernice McFadden’s blog. She posted Virginia’s letter. I posted it on my FB page but it was a while ago. Everyone should ready Virginia’s letter to Oprah. This is a dire situation and that’s not an exaggeration.
@ Jaime: your stripper name would’ve been Fiesty Fire???? LOLOL! Oh, the things I could’ve done with you.
Sounds like fun…keep us posted!!
Will do, and I may keep my stage name, lol!!
Pole dancing is fun and my husband (happy man) of almost thirty two years gave me my stripper name~ honeynhotsauce~
@ Angelia….sookie…sookie…now!!!!!!!!!! LOL
Umm hmmm, got stories that I might one day tell~
I am going to take the pole dance lessons…they say it is very good exercise!!!
I knew it !! I KNEW you was B A D LOLLOL
LOL @ Linda. Well I am trying to stay healthy!!!
Letter to Oprah
http://blogginginblack.com/?p=913
Thanks for posting Angelia
Ok, yall…….this letter was on point. Thanks for posting it!!
I have an idea!!! I bet if we all pooled together and got several African American authors to write an open letter to Oprah with the same thing in the subject, she would take notice!!!
Something to think about!!
@ Jaime: Yes, I can say that Alexis is/was the love of Brian’s life. LOLOL!
Laci Calvary????? These are some of the best stripper names I ever heard!