Any Footloose fans out there?
Okay, this post isn’t going to be about the 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon where he plays a big-city kid who moves to a small conservative town where dancing is prohibited by the town’s powerful preacher. Even though it is a classic, and I’ve not only seen the original movie, but the remake AND the stage play version!
No, I only bring it up because of what I decided to name this post – I couldn’t resist using the title of one of the hit pop songs that originated with the movie, Deniece Williams’ peppy “I can’t help but dance when I hear it” tune.
But in this context, I’m using it to talk about child characters in our contemporary Christian romance stories. (Hence the addition of … Or Girl!)
Elizabeth Maddrey talked about this topic a little bit in her March 9 InspyRomance post, but I want to go a little deeper. I want to talk about when children in our novels sort of steal the show.
In my February release, Her Secret Desire, heroine Monica decides to volunteer as a Big Sister to a fatherless Hispanic girl, Luisa. Her reasons for doing so are multi-purpose: she loves the idea of mentoring a young girl who needs the support. But she also wants to make herself less available to her own sister and mother, who seem to constantly expect her time and effort every time they ask.
Luisa not only is the impetus for introducing Monica to our story’s hero, big brother Carlos, but she becomes a big part of Monica’s life in her own right. A precocious ten-year-old, Luisa is smart and happy and full of energy. In some ways, Luisa is as much a mentor to Monica, teaching her how to come out of her shy shell and face the world with more self-confidence – as Monica is to Luisa, helping her with her homework and spending time with her.
When reviews started coming out for the new book, I wasn’t surprised when many of them mentioned Luisa by name:
“Carlos’s little sister, Luisa, is a charmer. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious.”
“Luisa is such a fun, loveable girl but the interactions between Monica and Carlos leave you wanting more right from the beginning.”
“Luisa is a doll!”
I love when characters come right off the page with their dialogue and personality. Although children aren’t always a part of a romance novel, I love it when they become a way to bring the couple together. Luisa is not only the reason Monica and Carlos meet; she’s also the initial conflict that threatens to keep them apart. Carlos has his reasons why he is against this new relationship his mother has introduced into his little sister’s life. And he’s going to offer just enough difficulty to chase this woman away from their family. But ultimately, Luisa gives this reluctant hero the foundation to demonstrate his protectiveness, his dedication to family and his ability to mature into the man God intended him to be.
Here’s a short scene featuring Luisa, the scene-stealer!
The older woman set the box on the table and held up a well-worn finger. “Now, it’s time.” She stood, walked a few steps to the edge of the room and called down the hall, “Luisa! Come!”
Like an antsy puppy spotting escape through an open door, a little girl came zooming down the hall and halted in front of Monica. She was petite, dressed in a pair of bangled blue jeans and a short hoodie jacket. A sliver of tanned skin was visible where her shirt didn’t quite reach her waistband. Her dark hair looked difficult to control, judging from the wisps escaping from the two purple barrettes on each side.
“And you are?” Luisa asked in an adorable voice and Monica knew immediately she was smitten. She wouldn’t be able to deny this nymph anything. She looked into the girl’s eyes. They were the same soft mocha color as her brother’s.
And for some reason, that made her shiver.
Clearing her throat and pulling herself together, she held out her hand. “I’m Monica. It’s very nice to meet you, Luisa.”
They shook hands like mature businesspeople and then Luisa asked, “How old are you?”
Monica chuckled. “You’re getting right to the personal stuff, aren’t you? I am twenty-seven. How old are you?”
Luisa rewarded her with an amused smile. “I’m ten. But I know someone about your age. My brother, Carlos.”
Monica froze, her breath catching in her throat.
“Except he’s not twenty-seven, is he, Mama?” Luisa went on, oblivious to the impact her change in topic had on Monica.
“No, hija, twenty-eight.”
Monica nodded, and was relieved when Luisa raced on, “I’m in the fifth grade, and my teacher is Mrs. Bakewell. My favorite subject is reading, and I just finished all the books in my classroom, so Mrs. Bakewell asked the sixth grade for more books.”
Monica laughed. There was no language barrier here, and no trouble getting the kid to open up. This was going to be fun.
Question for you: What do like about a child being a part of a couple’s burgeoning romance? What do you not like? What are some books you’ve read with memorable child characters?
**Heartwarming, life-changing Christian fiction.** An award-winning author, Laurie is living her dream life at the beach, writing novels. Laurie writes beachy inspirational romance that takes place in the South Carolina Low Country. She retired from the big day job and now focuses on writing full time. Strolls on the sand, soaking up the sun and riding the waves can be considered the best kind of research.
A child highlights character traits that you would otherwise not know about.
I enjoy children being an important part of the story. This book sounds really interesting.
Hi Laurie! Interesting blog. I enjoy stories with children, especially girls; since I am a mom to 3 sons and my oldest two grandkids are boys. Children often give a different perspective to the characters. Sometimes they provide a humorous release after a tense scene where characters face relationship fears or share a hidden secret. Not fond of whiney or disobedient children, children put at risk whether physically or emotionally. Best wishes.
Eeewww good point! Through the eyes of a child!
Thanks Kathleen!
I love your ideas, especially sharing a secret between the couple that child didn’t know was a secret. Children also provide a way for the hero or heroine to demonstrate the love they can demonstrate for another besides themselves.
this sounds like an interesting book. I personally like children in a story. It is part of life. One of my favorites with children is: The High Sierra Sweethearts by Mary Connealy especially book one : The Accidental Guardian
Thank you for the recommendations! They’re going on my TBR list!
I like it when they act their age (not older or younger than they should be), as well as when they inadvertently help bring the main characters together. The most memorable ones to me have been in Janet W. Ferguson’s “Magnolia Storms” and “For the Love of Joy”. I’m definitely looking forward to reading this book!
Good suggestions!! I have at least one of those on my Kindle!
A pet peeve for me with children in books is when the single mother has just had a new baby but still has plenty of energy for romance. Bahahaha.
Good point! Who has the time, energy or desire for that when a newborn is draining you of it all?? 😄
Children say it as it is, and how they see it, so we might as well just take it. I love children in romance books, because they see and feel things before anyone else does. Your book sounds like a great read, and yes, I already love Luisa, just by reading your excerpt. Have a great evening and a great rest of the week.
Thanks Alicia! Your comment put a big smile on my face!
not a fan of it
I’ve noticed something curious…in secular romance people don’t usually love children being part of it (from what I’ve seen in polls from a blog I follow) while in Christian romance many do. It doesn’t bother me, I just feel like there are too many single moms and widows in Christian romance and single dads or widows or uncles having to take care of a child.
Not to mention that the heroines are close to my age and become stepmothers! I just don’t feel very identified hahaha I’m the type of twentysomething who has grown according to her age and I still have one foot in adolescence and the other in adulthood while in college. I simply could never be a stepmother at least not now.
Children always seems to bring light, love and laughter to the majority of stories. I have been reading a lot of cozy mysteries lately so I do not have any references to state off the top of my head. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I love children story in books
I am late again. I do enjoy children in books as long as they are needed or have a part. Some books seem to have a baby or child who is basically seen but not heard. You know there is one there but it’s been put to bed or somewhere and 10 chapters later its still not been mentioned again and several days or weeks have past. (a bit like red herrings make you think its important but never heard of again).
But the kids that scheme to either bring together or keep the couple apart are fun especially when you get to know why and then how the other person wins the child over.
Not a fan of children in romance? I’ve actually heard this sentiment before, the fear of the child getting in the way of the couple. What is it you don’t like?
What an awesome point! I totally agree that in secular romance you see less children in romance novel storylines. When I asked an author who writes steamy love stories about it, she said, “Kids aren’t sexy.”
And instant motherhood is another point. I dated a guy when I was 25. He was a little older than me and had an eight year old son. It really became a struggle for me to imagine a future with him knowing I’d become an insta-mom and I wasn’t ready for that!
I agree Deb! I probably read more books without a child character which makes the ones with one more special!
Great!
Yes, good point. I recently made that comment about a tv show I was watching. “Why does she even have kids when we never see them and neither does she?”
This sounds like a story that would be very good! I haven’t read a story anything like this in a long time.
I am still frustrated with a light suspense that had a red herring that had to mean something and spend most of the book waiting for it to be connected but never to be heard of again. (I forget now what it was but I know it had something to do with an animal).
I like kiddos in stories as long as they are true to their age…like act as a normal child would at that age