Since Valentine’s Day is near, we have plenty of time to read romance novels before the big hearts, flowers, and candy day arrives! Here are some excellent reasons to read terrific Christian romance novels before and after February 14:
- Christian romance novels emphasize the couple’s relationship with the Lord. Many secular stories never reveal the characters’ spiritual lives. Readers can reach the end without knowing whether they’ve read about Christians or New Agers. Christian romance novels allow characters to express their faith naturally and organically. The characters experience faith to such a large extent that if the author deleted the character’s spirituality, the character wouldn’t exist.
- Christian romance novels emphasize relationships over chemistry. While readers want great stories featuring attractive couples, the narrative doesn’t linger on physical attributes. By virtue of this tone, readers can enjoy the couple’s developing relationship that will be the basis of a lifetime commitment rather than fleeting erotic curiosity.
- Christian romance novels honor the Lord. The reader knows the author shares their worldview, celebrating His Majesty’s place as Ruler and Creator of the World. While the couple must overcome internal and external conflicts before the romance can proceed, the reader won’t encounter approval of evil or attempts to debunk Christianity.
- Christian romance novels show the basis of lifetime relationships. By the end of the story, the reader understands the couple is committed to each other through shared faith and values. The reader knows the couple plans to respect the Lord through commitment.
- Christian romance novels demonstrate how to live and love as a Christian. Enough said.
Happy reading, and happy Valentine’s Day!
Voices of Courage: Why Military Writers are Important
If anyone wants to use the following sonnet as grist for the novel-mill, have at it.
And I’m not totally without a sense of romance. Barb did, after all, get body armour for her birthday.
Romance really ain’t a thing
that’s stayed within my sight,
even though I wear a ring,
but it should be Barb’s by right.
I went the hearts and flowers route
back when we were a-courtin’,
but in the end this did impute
the real lack of importance
that I placed on something vital
to a sound relationship;
maybe I just felt entitled,
and thereby let the effort slip
to the point where her time served
is so much less than she deserved.
Romance is lived out day-today, not always in a sonnet.
My father washed the dishes.
Put that in your bonnet.
When Mom forgot her family’s names and faded in her strength,
Dad never wavered in his vows—true love goes the length.
Karen, this poetic tribute to your Dad is just lovely.
Music to the heart.
This is so true. And why I right Christian romance, to show what godly love looks like. Great article!
Write.. sorry.
Andrew— I think you and your wife have a wonderful love and it’s very inspiring to me. Happy Valentine’s Day to you both!
Karen, thank you for this. It has developed through the years, this love, into a wonderful place.
And Barb has gotten used to ‘different’ love-inspired gifts. After the body armour, for Christmas, she got a functional 9mm copy of Han Solo’s blaster, homemade (which is completely legal). Good for rattlesnakes, of which we have a plethora.
A Happy Valentines Day to you, from both of us!
Andrew, you’re cracking me up this morning!
My birthday is Valentine’s Day. I told Daryl (my hubby of almost 33 years now) that means dinner, flowers, candy, TWO cards – do NOT get me a Happy Valentine Birthday card – wine, and presents.
I have never received these things all at once. It’s like being born on Christmas! haha! And Daryl is not romantic in the worldly sense. At. All. But like Karen’s dad, he does the dishes. And just last night he ran the vacuum cleaner in the living room. I didn’t even ask!
Most of all, he’s a good provider and a good daddy to our girls. Especially Anna, our special needs adult daughter. He takes care of her without grumbling when I attend writers conferences/workshops and weekends with my writers group.
Still … a heart-shaped box of candy and maybe some daisies would be nice on my birthday. And maybe a sparkly pair of fairy wings. 😉
I’ve also told Daryl it’s why I’m so sweet … being born on Valentine’s Day.
He’s not buying it, though. Heh.
Dear Pamela, Some Blessings come in the form of that without the norm.
Not all packages of love come wrapped in wine and roses.
But as God chooses to invest his time
in loving us and helping us climb
beyond the common place to find
a melody in life that He composes…
by choosing parents whose sensitivity
will rearrange the notes of sharps & flats,
crescendos alarming, rests much needed, major and minor incidents of joys and sorrows on their heart strings.
Practicing the daily art of prayer
and trust to be God’s instruments, they imbed musical scores of appreciation in the minds and souls of audiences who must
raise their praise to the Master Creator of sound, of timing, and a special needs childcare.
With much love, Jan Rogers Wimberley
Ooooooooooh! Thank you!!! <3
Tamela ~ I love Valentine’s Day! It’s my favorite holiday. Right now there are loads of cards, candy, and gifts in my office, just waiting to be delivered to friends and family. I’m planning a special dinner for hubby and myself for Sat. night as I’ll be traveling from NJ to AZ on Valentine’s Day to spend a week with our youngest daughter.
I do give gifts/cards all year around, but on Valentine’s Day, it seems more important to let people I know I love them and am thinking/praying for them!
Thanks for the list that supports Christian romance novels.
Thank you for this lovely post, Tamela. I adore Valentine’s Day and have written about St.Valentine and his sacrifice in the name of marriage. Also, as a therapist, I navigate many worlds, but several of my clients know I’m a person of faith. I often remind people that fireworks are fun, but eventually, they extinguish. The long steady flame is what endures.
Love is the greatest of all virtues.
Happy Valentine’s Day.
Thank you for this, Tamela! It’s helped me realize WHY I love Christian romances. And it will be as I am writing one now. God’s timing is perfect!
Tamela…Thank you for your good evaluation. The same may be portrayed in non fiction, and real life examples. Although they may be more rare than Christian romance novels. The novel may be a good example for us to follow.
Super article, Tamela! This is why I love writing inspirational romantic suspense.
Love this! Thanks, Tamela!
I believe Christian romances as well as other Christian genres demonstrate to unbelievers how exciting this genre can be, and perhaps, God willing, entice and woo them to stay.