Into the Fire

By the title of this post, you might be expecting something shocking, vital, or profound. The only thing that might "shock" readers is what I will be "standing" on in my article. "Vital"? Well, yes, to me it is. "Profound"? At the heart of it, yes, and I'll do my best to explain my reasoning. 

First, let me say Monday posts don't often generate a lot of traffic on this blog. I have no idea why one day is more "productive" than another. I chose Monday for this post because there are things I need to say, and I don't want to wait to say them. So let me begin . . .  

I have a profession. I'll be the first to admit and tell you that few people recognize me as having it. I'm an author of 11 novels, 9 published, 2 not, with one work in progress – that's what we authors refer to as our "WIP". No one will recognize me on the street and ask for an autograph or want to take a selfie with me. I'm just another person going about my day. But, I'm taking a stand as an author who would love for more people to read my work, and I'm willing to explain the precise reasons for that. 

The primary reason why this is "vital" to me and worth this drama of "taking a stand" is because, although what I write only affects a certain element of our reading public, it's the way it's written that makes it important to those who do choose to read the love story/romance genre. Christian Fiction is that segment of literature that gives a picture of a love bigger than our secular human version of romance, love, and sex. It provides a more intimate look at the origin of and deeper meaning to the dance of love. Does that imply that romance and sex are unimportant and/or unnecessary? It most certainly does not. To deny their value is to deny the gifts of God given specifically to the human race He created.  

The tagline for my work is Raw Romantic Redemptive because it presents the worldly characters as they really are. Christians who prefer those stories with the "clean" labels might consider some of my characters undesirable – how they act and how they speak – because they are. Life is messy and unclean. I present both the ugly and the precious. It's critical to note here that I don't do "graphic" in sensual scenes. It's also critical to note that the undesirables are definitely in need of the redemption Jesus provides. Readers will not fail to see that choosing that redemption is a solution even the fictional character can make – or not – within the boundaries of the story. The vital choice within a love story.  

Which brings me to the "profound" part of this message and stance. I spent 30 years in the world believing in God but not knowing His Son. Having been a person who's been writing since I was a child, it's no surprise that eventually I stepped into my calling after meeting Jesus and experiencing redemption. I had many regrets and sorrows to confess, particularly for the 9 years preceding my salvation. Having truly sampled what the world had to offer gave me a perspective some Christian authors haven't personally lived – and that's to their credit.

The profound love of God is often mocked, but in the end we know God cannot be mocked. The gospel message is one of deliverance from a sinful mindset, lifestyle, outlook, living in the flesh and ignoring the spiritual aspect of our 3-part creation. It took a tremendous sacrifice for it to be offered to us, a debt we could never pay resolved on a brutal cross. Why bother with this rebellious human race? The answer in all of its complexity is simple: "For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

My novels demonstrate not only the beauty inherent in the dance of love, but the redemptive Love God offers in the process. Take Him or leave Him. It's a choice He gives His creation. The humanity of love cannot compare to the love of God. It would figure then that if you see the contrast between the world's version of love and God's design for it, you'd be more equipped to make the choice in an eternal matter of the heart. 

So. The stand I'm taking is this: If you read love stories, romance novels, and/or Christian Fiction, I'm asking you to pick up one of my books to investigate, to decide if my writing appeals to your sense of what you want from the genre. I know they won't appeal to all of you, but some of you, hopefully, will decide my stories are worth your reading time. Then get back to me. If you enjoyed it, share your thoughts. If you don't, please don't. 

Just a concluding side note: Men, I have a few novels that might interest you. My one and only mystery Race has been enjoyed by men as has The Famous One and Seeing . . .

My stand is I believe my work has something to offer readers of the genre. I want those readers to find my novels. So that's what all this drama is about. 

Raw Romantic Redemptive  . . .  Love stories with a passion 

Lord God Almighty, thank you for every word, every inspiration, all of my characters, the beauty of your design for love. Nothing equals what you do. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.