To answer my own question on Brenda Anderson's promotional post for Sweet Release, let me quote the question that generated zero responses there: "Why do you read romance novels that don’t adhere to the “squeaky clean” mantra of most Christian romance?" No one responded.
First, let me explain why I used that question to generate conversation. Brenda Anderson and I agree on many if not most opinions of Christian Fiction and specifically the restrictions on romance novels posed by some of the big names in Christian publishing. The focus of those restrictions has been the subject of much discussion in the past on various writing blogs by published and unpublished writers and collections of professionals in publishing.
Readers supposedly determine the selection of what manuscripts should be given the opportunity to be published. However, many readers simply disappear because of the content of fictional romance. Now it works both ways. Readers who demand the "squeaky clean" variety of romance consume most of the offerings of these publishers. (And this not to imply those romances don't address serious issues because most of them do.) This bunch who insists on "chaste" romance novels turns out to be quite intolerant of whatever doesn't meet their very restrictive requirements. Because of their rather loud voices, some publishers opt to please them first and foremost, apparently deciding they constitute the majority of their readership. This bears itself out statistically because those who prefer more realistic characters and circumstances included in these romances along with a direct approach to the sexual issues they potentially face have long ago left those publishers.
Years ago, author Becky Wade left the general market to write faith-based novels. Bethany House contracted her and their first excellent release was titled My Stubborn Heart. Becky went on to write a good series but each one decidedly "tamer" than My Stubborn Heart which used four common words that incited a near riot of complaints and threats to the publisher from the "clean and chaste" crowd of readers. The words used weren't cuss words, but, reading the focus of the one-star reviews, one would have thought she used the f-bomb multiple times.
So, my question attempted to determine if anyone read "alternative" romance novels - such as faith-based authors now using the independent choices of e-books and self-publishing to write stories with a more authentic approach to romance while including a spiritual overtone. My choice of questions and my new release generated zero comments. I may have expressed my question incorrectly. Or perhaps no one in fact reads any romances of the non-squeaky-clean variety although I find that doubtful. Anyway, all of you here are familiar with my reasons for not reading most CBA/Christian Fiction romance novels.
Father, thank you for giving me stories to write. Stories that attempt to tell of your love above all. Please help me to write what you've given me to tell. To dig in and do it. Thank you for the words. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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