Since we’re on the cusp of Valentine’s Day, this is a great time to read a Christian romance novel. Here are a few good reasons, in no particular order:
- The characters are living with Christ as the focus of their world.
- You know the ending will be sweet.
- The story will be uplifting.
- You can root for the characters and their romance.
- You are invested in the characters’ problems and how they will solve them.
- You can share the book with anyone and not be embarrassed.
- The writing is exceptional.
- Although the story will show conflict, the message and spirit are pure.
- The story offers a way to take a minivacation of sheer delight.
- In a gray world, romance novels show without apology that goodness prevails.
Happy reading!
Reader’s Digest Centennial
Tamela, this pulled at my heartstrings, for I used to read a LOT of fiction, and, yes, Christian romance (I’ll surrender my ManCard on the way out).
Life’s become a bit stark lately, what with cancer’s increasing annoyances, and tales that aspire to a happy ending don’t speak to me. (Neither do stories that end, as Hemingway said all true stories do, in a death.)
My literary meat is now gentle memoirs of English and Antipodean aviators, through which my rather tired heart can travel distant skies, with no emotion save a sense of wonder… many have counseled me to let go, fall into Jesus’ arms, but in the dark night as I write this, I still want to see another dawn.
Oh, yes…the sonnet…
I wish fiction could point the ways
to grace, as it once did,
but that was part of distant days,
and the world would now be rid
of me, and of the dreams that were,
the waves are rising ever higher,
and though I might at times prefer
to take the blatant hint, retire,
it just seems somehow crass and wrong
not to wait a bit;
I am not good, I am not strong,
but to those who beg me quit,
I’ll do what Bartleby would do,
and say that I’d prefer not to.
Andrew, thank you so much for your prose and sonnet. I continue to pray for you.
Tamela, thank you so much for your prayers. This is getting so hard!
But I trust God, and know that I am in His Mighty Hands.
Tamela, Thanks for the post. How often God has spoken to me through a Christian romance, showed me truth, and more than once changed who I am and at least once changed who I was in my marriage.
So I keep on reading and learning.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Tamela! I hope you find time to cozy up to the fire with a cup of hot tea and enjoy a sweet love story. Blessings!
Some great reasons! I just enjoyed finishing up a delightful Christian romance a few days ago. I’ll have to pull out another (after I finish the middle grade story I’m reading) in honor of Valentine’s Day!
This is a great list, Tamela.
I hesitated to try inspy romance until I found your own Betsy St. Amant’s All’s Fair in Love & Cupcakes. It transformed my view of the whole genre!
In the two years since I’ve read dozens of Christian romances by Betsy, Jody Hedlund, Courtney Walsh, Krisiti Ann Hunter, Jen Turano, Jessica Kate, and more.
I’m currently reading Stay with Me by Becky Wade.
Basically I’ve gone from inspy skeptic to mega fan. 🙂
Thanks, Tamela. This is a great list of reasons to read Christian romance – and to write it! Like some of your other commenters, I’ve also read fiction that has challenged me, encouraged me and given me hope.
These were all good reasons for reading Christian romance, but I have to add my favorite reason: It makes me feel thankful and romantic toward my own dear sweetheart husband. Lovey dovey is good!
Tamala, thank you for your post. I absolutely love Christian romantic suspense. I especially resonate with your reasons that I am not embarrassed to share them and they are a mini vacation. I spend hours and vacation deep into the night with these.