Into the Fire

Devoted readers know there will be novels they won't like, maybe even some they hate, but they persevere because it's such a great big fun deal to find one they absolutely love! And that, my friends, is the problem we face reading fiction. (I rarely discuss non-fiction here.) 

I just read a novel by an author who shall remain nameless here along with the title of this particular Christian novel from the Romantic Suspense genre. If you read my Friday Five list, you know what sunk – or is it "sank" – this book for me. I will say the plot was viable and that's the reason I bothered to finish it. The writing itself wasn't technically bad, but the melodrama of the two main characters at times seemed utterly ridiculous to me. The twists at the end gave the story an interesting shot and tied the loose ends together.

Another problem we face is "recovering" from reading that novel with which we fell hopelessly in love. When we pick up the next book, it better grab us from the get-go or it might be doomed to the giveaway pile or the deletion mechanism on our e-reader.

If it's poorly written but maybe starts off the story decently, many of us will pull the plug before sticking around to see if the writing rebounds.

One of the quickest exits for me takes place if I don't like the hero or the heroine – and especially if I don't like both of them. Something else better compel me to stay or I'll toss it – which is something I would never do just a few short years ago.  

The trouble with reading is that much of the time we're hoping to get hooked and add another favorite book to our short lists, but that's often a rarity. It's another reason we tend to stick to our preferred authors . . . 

Father, thank you for each one who honors you with any of their gifts. You provide such an amazing variety from your authors. Apart from you, we can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.