I’m amazed that after all the years that Christian romance has been on the market that there are still people who look at me like I’m crazy when I say I write Christian or inspirational romance.
Years and years of novels have been printed, and yet the general populace has no idea.
Why?
Because our society has distorted what love and romance look like. Sex is a powerful tool for advertisers.
If you eat this hamburger, this beautiful, sexy girl can be yours. HA! That beautiful, sexy girl has probably been so photo-shopped she doesn’t even recognize herself.
If you wear this perfume, this hunk-of-burning-love will race to your side and carry you away and make mad, passionate love to you. Bwahaha!
True love and romance have NOTHING to do with sex.
And yet, our society perpetuates the lie over and over.
Can you have love and romance without sex? Absolutely. Every author on this blog proves it each time one of their books releases.
Love is not about kissing, touching, or sex. While these may be a by-product of love, they can be mutually exclusive. You can love without them, and you can have them without love.
So how do we combat this phenomenon? (I started to write the word new in there, but in truth it has been around for far too long.)
We share about the great books we read with our friends and family–on social media and in person (gasp). If the masses don’t know there’s such a thing as Christian/inspirational romance, then we need to TELL THEM.
And NOW is a great time to do it. We’re giving away tons of free books that prove my point. So go out and tell a friend.
Happy hunting…er I mean sharing,
PS. I have a doctor’s appointment this morning, so please be patient if I don’t respond to your comments right away. I value your input and will get to them as soon as I can. Thanks.
Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer—in that order (mostly). She writes or reads inspirational romance of any genre. Even when she’s busy homeschooling, doing laundry, or fixing dinner, reading or writing are not far from her mind. She is president of her local writing group, and blogs regularly for InspyRomance.com and at gingersolomon.com.
Hope your appointment went smoothly. It is interesting that so many people don’t know how amazing inspirational/Christian fiction is and how uplifting it can be. I feel like I have learnt lots about relationships with others and particularly with God (and He with us) as I see it play out in a story. Definitely need to spread the love…:)
I am just about ready to leave. I decided to check in here quickly to comment as much as I can.
It amazes me, too, Wemble, which is why I asked that those “in-the-know” spread the word.
That is exactly what I am looking for True romance. I find it in the stories I read from authors on this website. They give me hope for a real life true romance even at my age (58)!!!!
It’s out there, Ana, if it’s God’s will for you, you will find it. Even at your young age. :D
I couldn’t agree with you more, Ginger. Good luck at your appointment.
Thanks, Jill.
Hope your appointment went well. I just want to say a very big thank you to all the authors of this blog, for writing true love stories (instead of what the world says love is), THANK YOU all so much!!
On my way in just a few minutes.
You’re welcome. We LOVE to write true love stories, because we sure don’t do it for the pay. :))
Thanks for the truthful blog. I am so thankful for all you inspirational romance authors that write clean romances with inspiring themes and messages. I promote and discuss with family and friends my favorite authors and books. I especially enjoy this blog, where the reader can interact with the authors and get to know them better.
Happy Monday. Best wishes and hope all goes well with your appointment.
We appreciate you, Renate. Thanks for helping us spread the word.
I have to agree that people do associate sex for love. How sad is the world becoming? I enjoy my Christian romances. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
You’re welcome, and I’m glad you enjoy a good romance.
Thanks for sharing a very important lesson.
A little bit of boldness from my introverted self. :D
I am still surprised at how many people still mistake lust/ sex for love. It makes me wonder if it’s a by product of not really knowing other kinds of love, like fraternal or even God’s love.
That being said, it’s really hard to find good clean books out there. Every time I think about getting something from a new author, I really do a thorough job of reading reviews of the book (and other books from the same author when there are only a few comments). When I find a book that I really like, I try to stick to reading more from that author.
I also appreciate authors recommending their peers, which is something I really like about this blog. Every now and again I learn about someone new to my list. So, thanks to you all!
I’m with you, Priscila. It is sometimes VERY hard to find a new author who stays in the clean realm, even if not Christian. And the levels of “cleanness” vary, too. I’m glad we are helpful in your search for reading material.
I appreciate your thoughts and am thankful for this genre. It’s all about the relationship for me when I read. I don’t need to read about the physical side to feel the depth of love and caring between the main characters to enjoy a book. Thanks for sharing and please keep writing.
I am thankful for it as well, along with all other genres that are written with a Christian worldview. I’m such an avid reader, I don’t just stick with romance, but it is my favorite.
I agree, Ginger. The enemy has distorted love into self-gratification, typical of his ploys. Uplifting, wholesome, Gospel-filled books may not change society’s views, but if one person gains insight into God’s kind of love, that’s a huge win!
It is a HUGE win, Kathleen. I’ve always said that if any of my books helped transform or enlighten even ONE person, then the work was successful, regardless of the world’s view of success.
So true, Ginger. Thanks for the thoughtful post! And thanks to all of you wonderful authors who share your time and talents to give readers enjoyable books that are clean and wholesome! We appreciate you!!
You’re welcome, and thanks to you for commenting and encouraging us.
Christian romance is so refreshing in today’s world and all I read by choice. Authors of those sex filled books must think we don’t have any imagination.
When you get my age you do realize how important true love is vs sex only. I’ve been married 35 years and been empty nesters a little over a year now and my husband and my love for each other grows stronger every day.
What an awesome testimony, Gail. I think it takes more imagination to write a book where the characters have a real relationship rather than one spent in the bedroom for half the book.
Hope your appointment went well for you Ginger. I was so happy when Harlequin started their Steeple Hill series years ago. I had a hard time finding clean Inspirational romance books before the Steeple Hill line came about. I feel so blessed that I found this group of wonderful inspirational authors. I have so many TBR books on my Kindle just from authors here. That is a nice situation to be in! I am also thankful for my Kindle and e-books. I have noticed at our local Wal-Mart that fewer and fewer inspirational romance books are available in paperback. I want to thank all of you for writing inspirational romance books that we can enjoy and proudly tell others about.
You’re welcome, Nancy. Thanks for your support. My TBR pile is huge as well, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
When I’m asked why I write Inspirational stories, or when I’m telling my story, I say it’s because when you know you are loved well, then you can love well. When we experience the love God has for us we see love in a different way. The way it was meant to be. Thanks for posting about this Ginger. Praying your apt went well. :)
Excellent point, Lindi. God’s love helps us love others.
Like you, Ginger, I’m amazed when people look at me sideways when I say I write Christian romance. They associate romance novels only with sexual content. There is so much more to it – or less, as the case may be! I tell them that the greatest story in the universe is a romance – God’s love for us.
Some people have no clue. I hope with our books, we can change the world, one reader at a time. ;)
Now let’s share this with our daughters.
Yep, birth, adopted, and spiritual.
I’ve heard it said the most powerful sex organ in the female is the brain. So if you think happy thoughts in fuel all these lovely puffy love feeling it feels like there’s some sex involved even though there’s not. ?
I’ve not heard that before, DaNella. That is interesting.
I’m fairly passionate about this subject, LOL.
I’ll temper my passion here for a little, though.
I told a coworker once that I write books. She asked what kind, and I told her Christian romance.
She wrinkled her nose and was like, “What in the world is THAT?”
She was very much NOT a Christian (and vocally so) so I tread lightly, “Well, it’s a romance novel, but I shut the door and give my married characters their privacy.”
She snorted and said, “What fun is that?!?” She later apologized if she sounded mean, and I told her it was okay. I understood it wasn’t for everyone, but I’d be happy to gift her a book if she wanted to read it. She didn’t take me up on the offer :-)
I try to handle the sex issue very carefully. Because the reality is, while true romantic love doesn’t = sex, God made sex, and sex is good. It’s the physical expression of that romantic love. I think Christian culture sometimes goes to the dangerous opposite and villianizes sex as a reaction to the perversion of it by the world. The Bible shows how beautiful a sexual relationship between man and wife should be. It is the honoring and waiting and enjoying it with your mate after marriage that I hope we can champion in our romance novels (and show the consequences of when that isn’t done.)
I totally agree with you that sex scenes are not needed in our novels. I have never and will never “write” a sex scene in a book.
But I think we can also, carefully, explore what it looks like to struggle with the sexual tension that is good and normal in a romantic relationship, and what it looks like to honor God in those times. (Sorry, I TOLD you I was passionate, LOL!!! I have 4 girls I’m trying to raise with a Godly view of sex, not an easy thing to do in our current culture!)
I totally agree, Krista. I’m not discounting the beauty of sex in its rightful place, but on the pages of a book is not it. I think it’s a subject that has not been spoken about enough in Christian circles and has been distorted beyond belief.
Thanks for the passion. :D
Great post, Ginger. We do need to educate readers that there is such a phenomenon as Christian romance. One of the main themes in my current book is purity. It’s a timely and relevant topic to be sure, and it’s important that our books not shy away from the subject but reveal God’s will through our characters and their stories. Blessings.
Absolutely, JoAnn. God doesn’t shy away from it, so why should we. One of His first commands to Adam and Eve was to be fruitful and multiply. Can’t do that without sex. :D
I’m a avid reader and people give me a look when they ask what genre I like to read. Obviously, they don’t read.
I got the same response before I became a writer. It amazed me then, and now that I know how large the industry really is, it amazes me even more.
I was a Harlequin reader a LONG time ago, too, Trixi. It’s a bit embarrassing. Of course, the books back then were racy, but not as bad as they are now.
I’m still discovering new authors too. It’s so exciting to discover someone new whose story entrances you. :)
Well this reply was supposed to go to Trixi. Copying and pasting. Hmmm…
I love reading clean Christian romance! Love is so much more than sex! Love is dealing with serious health issues with your loved one. One of my favorite authors is JoAnn Durgin!
Love is unconditional, no matter what’s going on (not to say we have to be doormats). We can love and still be our own person. I’m sure JoAnn appreciates your support. :)
Before I was a Christian, I read the Harlequin romances. After I gave my heart to the Lord, I no longer wanted to read about the smut they represented! I had a hard time finding the equivalent kind of books, as I am a hopeless romantic and still wanted to read about people falling in love…..NOT jumping between the sheets after the first time meeting! I don’t know how I first discovered the Love Inspired line of books, probably a yard sale or something, but I was hooked with the first one. That was exactly what I was looking for! I could take them out in public and not have to a) hide the cover or b) feel the shame a secular romance brought. I love the wholesome GOD centered love & romance, the way two people SHOULD fall in love :-)
Since then, I’ve discovered not only every single line of LI (Historical, Suspense & Contemporary) but a myriad of other Christian authors and their books! And I’m still discovering them :-)
This went to the wrong place the first time. I hope it works right this time. :)
I was a Harlequin reader a LONG time ago, too, Trixi. It’s a bit embarrassing. Of course, the books back then were racy, but not as bad as they are now.
I’m still discovering new authors too. It’s so exciting to discover someone new whose story entrances you. :)
Ginger,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this issue. I totally agree with you.
I’m a reader and I always try to read clean read books. There was one time I picked up a book from a free bookshare in our beak room I thought it might be okay. When I got home and started reading i was so shocked I throw it away. I really didn’t need those imagines in my head.
Now I have read some books by a few Christian authors who have written on some edgy, hard issues and they haven’t gone overboard. They’ve actually done a good job. I think there’s a fine line and difficult to do, yet something we need to be careful with.
Not only that, but there are people out there who label their work as Christian, and it’s far from edifying to the body (or mind). Those images stay with you (at least they do me) until I can pick up another book and “watch” a new movie seen through the words of someone else.
I know what you mean! I feel the same way. Thanks again for being willing to share what God has put on your heart.
Ginger,
I started thinking again about this whole topic and it hit me hard.
I work with junior high students at a public school and it saddens me to see the influence of these videos, books, tv shows and commercials are having on the young girls. They don’t realize how precious they are. Especially they don’t need to be like the imagines shown on the media where modesty is non existent to be beautiful and loved. All they see and hear makes them think they need to dress a certain way and react a certain way just to be accepted. Boys are seeing these things and are told they can take what they want. Never understanding the precious gift true love is. It really hurts my heart each day at work. I pray constantly.
That would be so hard. I’m not sure I could do it without breaking the “code” of political correctness. My son (19) shares with our youth group (and will be sharing with another local church’s youth group this week) about our identity in Christ. Once these young people know who they are in Christ (and who their sisters in Christ are) then they are more likely to act like princesses and princes instead of paupers. My prayers are with you today as you work and pray of those precious students.
I used to read what you describe as sex books and I’ll even go so far as call them porn. They do nothing but mislead you about your expectations for your spouse and yourself, and what truly makes a relationship last. I am so thankful for my sister who introduced me to Christian literature a few years ago. Since then I have discovered a wonderful world of romance, suspense, mystery, adventure, fantasy, and history that is engaging, passionate, meaningful, entertaining, and fulfilling. I leave inspired and satisfied and not wanting. Thank you, Ginger, and all the Inspy writers for your commitment to writing quality, faith-filled, romance.
Thank you for sharing, beechtreehollow. We are glad our books are inspiring and satisfying.
Thanks for your support.
I totally agree. Thank you for writing God-centered books with clean, wholesome romance!
You are very welcome.
It is so refreshing to read books that understand that real love isn’t about sex. It is about so much more. Even a book about romance in a marriage a reader doesn’t need access to scenes behind bedroom doors. I am so glad I’m acquainted with the authors on this blog. I have introduced many of my friends to some of these authors. Many aren’t aware that clean romance exists and are often really shocked to find out that Christian romance books exist.
Thanks for sharing about us, Amy. Informing those who are clueless is one of the reasons we’re here.
I totally agree that is why I only read Christian romance because even some of the so called clean romance goes too far.
I just want to see someone meet, fall in love ,have usual problems without smut.
I agree, Linda. Some of those “clean” romances are borderline smut. Thanks for commenting.
Well said, Ginger!
Thank You so much for your thoughts. As a Christian & an avid Fiction Reader, I TOTALLY Agree With You. There can’t be enough Clean Romance Authors or Clean Fiction, as far as I’m concerned. They’re the only thing I read now, after getting tired of skipping the “smutty parts” of stories!