As a younger woman, I began dabbling in Christian fiction a little. Francine Rivers. Ted Dekker. Some other historical fiction writers, and a couple speculative authors as well. I was never able to fully embrace Contemporary Christian Romance. It never felt realistic, because a lot of times the characters’ lives were sanitized to the point that they seemed farcical. The ones I read were more like lofty parables about nearly perfect people finding happily ever after than they were about honest people looking for love.
When I was ready to publish my first novel, I actually waffled with my editing partner about how to classify the book. There was a Christian thread in my novel, not because I set out to write it that way, but because that’s how it came together naturally. I really, really didn’t want to call it Christian fiction. In my mind, Christian fiction put me in a box.
Wow, am I glad I’ve found some authors that have proven my initial thoughts wrong. Authors that are smashing that proverbial box and writing romance with characters that are tinged less than pearly white. Characters whose lives are messes. Characters who could be my neighbors or friends.
Here are some of the most realistic I’ve found:
KEPT by Sally Bradley
A kept woman who pays for her luxury condo with money from a married athlete. A man of faith who believes in keeping himself pure. Unlikely friends, or is more in store? One of the bravest books I’ve read in a while.
BLUE COLUMBINE by Jennifer Rodewald
Jamie is a woman of strong faith, and she’s always had a soft spot for Andy. Andy cares deeply for Jamie, but rejects her faith completely. Then, there’s the little problem of his alcohol addiction… A heartbreaking and redemptive book about hard choices and second chances.
TOLD YOU SO by Kristen Heitzmann
Grace is a bestselling novelist who’s built her platform on purity in romance. Devin is a playwright who thinks Grace’s novels are contrived, as are her purity and faith. Neither of them is prepared for the “calamity vortex” that ensues when she tries to prove him wrong. It doesn’t pull any punches, and doesn’t protect the heroine by making her perfect.
CURIOUSER
My newest release contains some of the messes that happen in real life. Jake and Alexis share only one thing: a daughter named Bailey. Even though Bailey is the best thing about both of their lives, she also reminds them of their absolute lowest moments.
A little excerpt for you:
“Jay, want to see my pony?” Bailey tosses her coat toward the wall, leaving it in a heap as she trots down the hall, her fine brown hair flying around her face. Looks like I’m not the only one who has been plagued by the static monster today.
I glance at Jake, but the playfulness he had on the phone is gone. “You probably want me out of your hair,” he says.
“Don’t worry about it. You won’t hurt her feelings if you leave. I’ll make sure she understands.”
“Okay.”
His uncharacteristic hesitance causes me to have all sorts of unwelcome thoughts. Maybe he needs a friend. Maybe those couple hours with Bailey changed things. Maybe the two of us shouldn’t be in the same room together, since I obviously have some sort of stomach affliction when he’s in the vicinity.
Seriously, thank you stomach. I get it. Jake’s attractive. You don’t need to keep assaulting me.
“Or…”
Bailey bursts back into the room with the horse she got for Christmas, and he bends down to inspect it, looking at it so closely it seems he might want to buy it from her. He’s clearly figured out some of this dad business in the past month.
“You could stay,” I blurt, the volume of my words a shock even to me. Cringing, I fight to bring my voice down a notch. “If you have nowhere to be, of course. Not that you wouldn’t, because you’re you and it’s Saturday night. And I’m not implying anything unseemly by that, just casually observing the fact that you’re charming and rather good looking so you should have no problem finding company on a Saturday night. If you’re actively looking for it, which I’m in no way saying you are.”
The horse all but forgotten, he looks at me from his position kneeling next to Bailey, brows lifted slightly but no smirk or cocky expression on his face.
“You finished?”
That’s it. Am I finished, like I’m officially the lame dorm mom or something. Oh, look, the weird uptight girl just spewed her word vomit all over me. How peculiar.
My stomach goes on full-out revolt, like there’s an angry battle of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots going on in there.
Am I finished?
“I really hope so,” I answer quietly.
He stands up and starts to take off his coat, but pauses with it midway down his back.
“You sure?” he asks.
“Only rarely, and even then it’s touch and go.”
As one Amazon reviewer wrote, CURIOUSER “is a romance but not the sickly sweet rainbows and roses so often presented in Christian literature. It shows life in all it’s messiness and allows for hurts and betrayal, redemption and grace.”
For a chance to win a Kindle copy of my novel CURIOUSER, comment with a realistic fiction romance you’ve read. Contest ends March 5th. (And as a side note, if you want to read Jennifer Rodewald’s Blue Columbine and one of my books at the same time, check out the bestselling box set Immeasurably More for only $.99 or free on Kindle Unlimited.)
Happy reading!
Christina
Christina Coryell is the Amazon bestselling author of The Camdyn Series and the Girls of Wonder Lane series. A small-town girl from southwest Missouri, she earned her degrees in English and History from Drury University and does most of her writing with a couple kids climbing on her or loud guitars playing in the background. She thinks every great novel should be built on characters who feel real enough to pass them on the street, and that the best novels induce tears and laughter.
All of the books you mentioned, including your own, sound great, Christina. Thanks for sharing an excerpt from your latest release! I need to take a month off from work and just read. :)
You have just introduced me to some more authors. I can’t name just one book that I have read with realistic fiction….. I have several authors that I adore because they present real life issues and show how the characters handle adversity through faith and grace. Just a few of my favorites are (in no particular order) Calhoune, Durbin, and Jordan.
I hate auto correct… Durgin
So many of the ladies who blog here write realistic romance that tackles the hard issues of everyday Christian living, while still providing enjoyable romance – if that’s what you long for, check out Valerie Comer, Heather Gray (particularly her Informal Romance series, the first two of which are recent releases), JoAnn Durgin (already mentioned but worth repeating), and my own books. No sanitized lives included. :)
I just finished Valerie Comer’s new book, Berry On Top, and enjoyed it immensely. I don’t think anyone was perfect in It. I also recently read, Now and Forever by Mary Connealy. Although events are at times a bit unrealistic, the characters are real and the story is really funny in places. I’ve enjoyed others as well from this blog.
The author I have read most recently that has real characters is Elizabeth Maddrey. I like hers. And I just went on Amazon and bought the kindle edition of Kept – it sounds very interesting.
I love Hallee Bridgeman’s books. They are raw and real.
I just finished reading Elizabeth Maddrey’s book Wisdom To Know. It was very realistic. Thanks for highlighting it here awhile back Elizabeth. Looking forward to reading Courage To Know next.
I have read Kept and also enjoyed that very realistic book.
Some of my other favorite authors that write realistic books are: JoAnn Durgin , Hallee Bridgeman and Heather Gray to name a few.
I have Immeasurably More on my Kindle so will be looking forward to reading Blue Columbine. Curiouser looks like a book that I would enjoy.
A couple books I like are: “Not A Word” by Chautona Havig and many Susan May Warren books..
I agree with Elizabeth Maddrey that most Inspy Romance authors write realistic romances tackling the difficult issues of Christian living in today’s world. Valerie Comer’s Farm Fresh Romances give a realistic view of sustainable farming, which I can relate with living in a tourist and farm community in SW Michigan.
An author and romance that has not been mentioned, that I think embraces the realistic romance concept is Island Refuge (Wildflower B&B Romance Book 1) by Kimberly Rose Johnson. The restaurant and tourist industry is a difficult place to work. My youngest son has worked in the industry since he was 17. SW Michigan is a tourist community with many B&B’s. This romance is realistic because in life we have face our doubts and make job changes that those closest to us can’t understand.
May your day be sunny and bright.
A month off to read sounds wonderful. :)
Thanks Joelle! It’s refreshing to me that you can name so many.
Thanks Elizabeth. I’ve read several by the authors you included.
Thanks for those suggestions! :)
Glad you have Kept – I certainly think you’ll enjoy it!
Thank you. I’ll have to check them out.
I’m glad you’ve found so many books you enjoy. I think you’ll appreciate the way Jennifer handles the tough subjects in Blue Columbine. :)
I love to read, in fact, it’s one of my passions. I love that you didn’t want to fit your story into a certain box. God has worked things out for your story to reach people. I look forward to reading the story.
I haven’t read Chautona, but I have read Susan and she’s very talented. :)
Thanks Renate. We always appreciate good readers who can separate the fluff from the quality, well-written stories. Have a great day!
Thank you Melissa! Fitting in boxes definitely isn’t my style. :) Have a great day!
Susan May Warren comes to my mind when I think of realistic Christian romance. As Christians none of us are perfect and we do make mistakes. I’m thankful God takes those mistakes and turns them around but also allows us to work through the consequences. So Christian fiction should show the same.
Agreed Gail, about Susan and about good fiction showing life in all its messiness. Thank you!
Thanks so much to all of you who mentioned my books in comments! Wow, what an honor. Something I’ve noticed is that what feels “edgy” or “raw” to one reader isn’t so for someone else. A lot depends on our upbringing, when and how we found Jesus, etc. While plenty of nonbelievers have read my books (and lived!) they aren’t my target audience. God has called me to write primarily to Christian women about food and ongoing faith. The struggles: they are real!
Merrillee Whren’s books are great when it comes to realistic clean romances.
I’m not sure where edgy came into play, but you’re called what you’re called to do and that’s great. So am I. And I’m glad there are a lot of us who are following our calling instead of following formulas. :)
I admit I haven’t read Merrillee yet. Thank you Jennifer!
Some talk about realistic, some talk about raw, some talk about edgy. In my mind, they all refer to something that is not quite the center of the spectrum. Just saying that everyone also has a different spectrum to analyze the terms!
I love Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin – it’s a very honest look at two new believers struggling to understand what it means to follow Jesus and how to live in purity.
Aww, thanks :)
You’re welcome, Nancy – and thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. :)
Well put Valerie Comer! “Different strokes for different folks.” Variety makes the world go round. That is what makes the 21st century exciting – the multiple options that are at the readers disposal.
I think I’ve seen that one and it looked intriguing. I’ll have to add it to my list. :)
I am with you all the way. I want a romance that is real. When i read too many that are sickly sweet, I feel like a faluur in my own marriage. Let’s keep it real. This thing is hard. Oh, but it is so worth it!
Fully agreed Missy!
I loved the blog post by my go to author.I have read most of the inspy author books and love them.
We live in an imperfect world and I am glad they write about imperfect people.
Keep up the good work.
I want to read your recommendations! I always enjoy your books. I haven’t started your new one yet, but I have it and can’t wait!
Thanks, Jennifer. I know the first book in my Village of Hope series features a hero and heroine who have struggled with addition, especially the heroine.
I’ve enjoyed books by Elizabeth Maddrey, too. Thanks for the chance to win.
Where is a proofreader when I need one? I meant “addiction” not “addition.” They are not math challenged. :)
Christina, I think Christian fiction has changed a lot since those early days. I’ve read lots of contemporary Christian fiction that deals with numerous issues. I know my Love Inspired books have dealt with premarital sex, single mothers, alcoholism, drug addiction, kids in foster care, and spousal abuse, just to name a few. Forgiveness is the theme of many of my books, forgiveness of others and self. I love books by Becky Wade and Beth K. Vogt. They deal with a lot of real issues. I also think that some folks aren’t looking for a gritty story. They want something sweet that takes them away from their every day lives. So there is something for everyone. Just my opinion.
Wow, so honored to have Blue Columbine mentioned. Thank you, Christina! Kept is fantastic, and I Told You So is on my TBR soon list. But I think I’ll be reading Curiouser first! Honest confession….I had no idea I was writing what some call an “edgier” book when I wrote Blue. I just wrote the story God put on my heart, and absorbed quite a few lessons along the way. Putting the story through contests and shopping the manuscript….that was eye opening. Sometimes we have to chose which voices to listen to. I’m so blessed to meet authors who have walked that same path, and readers who embrace us with all their hearts.
Most recent true to life romance that I’ve read is Wildflowers From Winter by Katie Ganshert. Loved. My fave is probably Mercy’s Fight by Tammy L. Gray.
PS…my daughter and I both enjoyed A Reason To Run. Nice work!
Thanks Linda. You’re too sweet, as always. :) There are a lot of great authors here.
Thanks Karma! You should definitely read them, they’re worth the time. :)
I’m starting to notice a trend… :) Lots of Elizabeth Maddrey fans here.
Thanks Merrillee. You’re right – it has changed a lot since those early days, thankfully. And I don’t mind a sweet romance myself now and then as long as the people are human and not caricatures. Glad there are lots of readers with different tastes.
I’m very glad you wrote the story you were called to write. I loved it! And I have to agree about Wildflowers From Winter. One of the best books I read last year, hands down. I still think about that one sometimes. I will have to pick up Mercy’s Fight. I keep seeing it pop up. Thank you!
Your book sounds really good, I too like realistic novels. Colleen Coble is one of my favorite authors.
Thanks Linda. I still need to read Colleen. Too little time!
Thanks so much for the mention, Elizabeth!
Thank you, Joelle! I appreciate the mention and your faithful readership of my books and books by so many Christian authors.
Jkmarko, thank you so much for picking up Kept! I certainly hope you love it.
Nancy K, thank you for reading Kept! Blue Columbine is really good too. I had the pleasure of reading it before it was published. Jennifer Rodewald is a serious author to watch. I’m looking forward to reading her third book!
What a surprise to check in tonight and find Kept here! Thank you so very much, Christina. :) And that’s a pretty nice excerpt of Curiouser. Makes me wish I wasn’t so busy writing right now so I can stop and read. I’d like that month off to read too.
I also have enjoyed all of Elizabeth Maddrey’s “Grant Us Grace” series and find the characters and themes very realistic. Another author whose books I have enjoyed is Mary Jane Hathaway, especially her “Cane River Romance” series. She also writes as Virginia Carmichael, and I enjoyed her contemporary novel _Leaving Liberty_.
I loved the Camdyn series! I’m reading the Lewis Legacy series by JoAnn Durgin now. Very good & clean.
You know I liked Kept enough to give it to my mama. :) If only we had limitless time to read…
Thanks Cindy! I’m glad you enjoyed Camdyn. I’ve read quite a few of JoAnn’s books, and she’s one of the nicest authors I’ve met so that makes it even better. :)
Thank you, Christina! Right back at you. :)
Thank you, Cindy. I’m glad you’ve found us here at Inspy Romance! We appreciate your readership and taking the time to stop by the blog.
Thanks for all the time you and your fellow authors put into this site. I’ve read Christian fiction for years and read the same authors time and time again, but now this is my go-to place for finding new books and authors. You all are amazing!!
One of the best realistic fiction stories I’ve read recently is Come Rain or Come Shine by Jan Karon. Lace and Dooley certainly have their fair share of issues to work through but they ended up with their happily ever after.
Thanks Mandi! We appreciate you. :)
I admit, I’ve been eyeing that one as a friend told me I need to read Jan Karon. She is definitely on my TBR list!
I’ll brag on Merrillee a little here (in a good way)…I’m reading her Village of Hope series right now starting with “Second Chance Reunion”. I’m very impressed with how she deals with real life issues even in Christians, I love her writing anyway! The characters deal with past things such as alcohol & drug addiction, stealing, lying, divorce, and for the heroine, multiple relapses which results in losing custody of her two small children. I won’t give the story away, but to say this is the kind of story I like to read. NOT the messiness, but how God can turn our lives around, make us new creations, change our hearts, offer forgiveness and redemption. Merrillee does a fantastic job of showing us through her writing that we all can experience that no matter what our past is. I know mine certainly isn’t perfect & there are things that I’m not proud of at all! But I also know that when I confessed those things, Jesus NAILED them to the cross and paid for them with His blood. As it says in scripture: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”. Thank you Lord for Your grace & mercy! :-)
Don’t get me wrong, I do sometimes like the lighter romances, but I love the ones that deal with the tough issues of life. Especially if the author has the ability to use it to minister God’s love, grace, forgiveness & redemptive healing power in my own life! Thanks Merrille & all the other authors out there who aren’t afraid to deal with the tough things in life and point us to the cross :-) This reader appreciate it!
I have enjoyed lots of Kristen Heitzmann’s books but was unaware of this new title, so thank you for that. Recently I read two contemporary Christian romances by Beth Wiseman that were definitely realistic. I also enjoyed the Sushi series by Camp Tang, but I believe she switched to Christian suspense stories.
*Camy
I really love the whole Mitford series. I’ve read some books in the series three times, and I could start again tomorrow, and I rarely re-read books. :)
The winner is Carrie! Thanks so much everyone!
I’ll comment even though the entering part is over. Trouble in Loveland by Jennifer Peel
I greatly appreciate novels where real life issues are dealt with. I loved Kept! That was an incredible book. I also loved Curiouser. That book melted my heart. T.I. Lowe, T.L. Gray, and Hallee Bridgeman are some other authors who are not afraid to deal in the real and I love their books!
I said T.L. Gray, but I think she actually goes by Tammy L. Gray now.