Into the Fire

I've easily read many more novels than the number of books pictured here as have many of you. You might be surprised to know that the majority of those novels I've read have been thrillers, mysteries, and suspense, while the fewest of them have been romances. Granted, a few of those previous genres contained a romantic thread, but most of them – and really the best of them – made certain that thread was not the focal point of the story.

"So what?" you ask. Well, since I write love stories heavy on the romance, one might assume my primary reading would consist of romance novels. And it very well might if it weren't for the fact that there are very few authors I respect in that genre both in Christian fiction and in the general market. 

Here's why: I find two separate problems exist in the Christian and general market romantic fiction. Primarily: it's authenticity. That singular factor, when it's prevalent in romance, makes a story stand out. In the general market (secular) "authenticity" is consumed with graphic sexual encounters which are depicted to portray romance. Mostly it gives seamy descriptions of indulging sexual lust. In Christian fiction, the romance authors or their publishing houses often brag about presenting "clean" stories that tend to dance around attraction without really dealing with it. And the label implies that sexual attraction is somehow the opposite of clean which makes it "dirty". 

I have three primary authors who I will read whenever they release a new romance novel. Two of those write in other genres too, but when they choose to write a romance novel, I'm all over it. One of those authors writes solely in the romance genre and she gets it. I can count on authentic romance in her stories, and we'll read a few of her thoughts on Friday. 

Father, I pray your divine blessings over the authors you've appointed to write romance. It's a beautiful thing, and that we can honor it with our words is both a thrill and an enormous blessing. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.