Inspy Romance

Inspy Romance—Fall in Love With a Good Book

To drink or not to drink in CCR books… + #Giveaway

by

To drink or not to drink…that is my question for you in the context of characters making beverage choices in contemporary Christian romance (CCR) books.

When I first started writing Christian romance, the Christian publishers had detailed lists of acceptable and unacceptable content in the fiction books they published. The consumption of alcohol (liquor) was unacceptable in most circumstances.

I grew up in Sydney, Australia, in what I would describe as an alcohol-saturated culture. Beer was the beverage of choice for many Aussies, especially when watching sport. A glass of wine at dinner, or a small glass of port after dinner, was normal. My parents didn’t drink (I inherited my father’s beer allergy), but social drinking was normal for many of my extended family and family friends. I learned the culinary rules of white wine paired with poultry and seafood dishes, and red wine with red meat dishes. Excessive drinking was frowned upon, and driving under the influence of alcohol was a serious criminal offence that could result in jail time.

In my contemporary Christian romance that I released as an independently published 2nd Edition in January, Her Tycoon Hero, the story touches on alcoholism and addiction issues. Alcoholism is an element in the story and my heroine, Cassie, is a recovering alcoholic and new Christian. Cassie’s alcoholism and past behaviour has created problems that impact the story. One example is her difficult relationship with her father. He struggles to believe that she has changed, and refuses to acknowledge that her faith could help her to maintain her sobriety.

My logic for not including my main characters drinking alcohol in my Christian romances isn’t based on interpretations on what the Bible says or doesn’t say about the consumption of alcohol. That’s a discussion for another day. I have seen the damage that alcoholism can cause in relationships, and also the health consequences. Most alcoholics have a life long struggle with sobriety, irrespective of faith or religious belief. As an author, I’d like my Christian romance books to be a safe option for readers who may be struggling with their sobriety. This is my personal choice, and I don’t expect other authors to make the same choice. Reading about characters drinking alcohol will not personally cause me to stumble.

Poll on Alcohol consumption in CCR books

I’ve put together a poll because I’m interested in learning your perspective on this topic. Which statement is the closest match to your thoughts on alcohol consumption in contemporary Christian romance (CCR) books:

  • I don’t mind if characters consume alcohol in Christian romance books. It’s not an issue for me. (20.3%)
  • I dislike seeing main characters in Christian romance books drinking alcohol but I don’t mind if minor characters are drinking alcohol. (0%)
  • I don’t drink alcohol and I’d prefer not to read a Christian romance with Christian characters consuming alcohol. (25%)
  • I don’t mind if characters in a Christian romance drink a glass of beer or wine, but I don’t want to see drunken behavior unless the negative consequences are highlighted. (18.8%)
  • I was raised in a culture that frowned on any alcohol consumption and I don’t want to read about it in Christian romance books. (4.7%)
  • I was raised in a family where moderate alcohol consumption was normal. I don’t mind if Christian characters drink a glass of beer or wine.(4.7%)
  • Alcohol consumption is a personal issue for me. In a Christian romance, I don’t want to read about Christian characters drinking alcohol as a normal part of life. (1.6%)
  • I’m fine with Christian characters celebrating a special occasion with a glass of champagne, but I don’t want to read about Christian characters drinking alcohol as a normal part of their life. (4.7%)
  • I don’t want to read a Christian romance with any characters drinking alcohol unless the negative consequences of drinking alcohol are highlighted in the story. (20.3%)

The poll will be open until February 28. On March 1, I’ll add the results from the Poll to this post.

$5 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

I’m giving away a $5 Amazon Gift Card to a reader who comments on this post. The giveaway will close on March 1, and the winner announced in the following Sunday Edition.

Questions for you: Do you like reading CCR books that address real-to-life problems and issues? Are there any hot button issues or content that you don’t want to read, irrespective of how the issue is handled in the story? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Narelle Atkins (199 Posts)

A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.


Comments

  1. This is a very interesting issue, and I’d love to see the response as well (although I think we will all have very different opinions, some stronger than others). As an Aussie from a conservative Asian background, drunkenness was frowned upon, and I didn’t realise how much of a “drinking culture” we had here… until a Canadian friend (a Christian who had come to attend Bible College) pointed this out to me. Up until then, it was just normal for me to see friends go to the pub for dinner and have a beer or wine with it, even after youth group (18yo+)! I’m still not a big drinker, (and some wines make me sneeze!) but I can see how the topic of drinking can be problematic for some.

  2. I would prefer not to see drinking in a book or at least not to see it as the norm or glorified.
    I do like to see ccr deal with real issues and some I appreciate have been bullying, DV not the actual DV but where it has been addressed and the character has gotten help and this can be male as the victim and I think sometimes that needs to be remembered. I personally had the issue at our christian bookstore where a man came in and was distressed and after getting someone in to help him it came out his partner was abusing him physically, verbally and emotionally its not an easy subject but having seen it dealt with in a tv show It made me more understanding.
    The main subject I don’t want to read about is child abuse especially a predator as main character. I could handle a hero/heroine who has been abused (which ever way) if its dealt with in a sensitive way without triggering a reader or at least having trigger warnings. I don’t want to read about a transformed predator as it would be hard to read or believe.

  3. Thanks for tackling a controversial subject. Alcoholism is an issue which can be addressed effectively in Christian novels. However, I think the effectiveness is lost if the other characters in the book are shown as having a glass of wine with a meal or an occasional beer. To me it sends a mixed message, indicating that Christians are stronger than non Christians and can control their drinking when others can’t!

  4. I do like reading CCR books that address real-to-life problems and issues because the books seem more realistic to me. Your poll choices were interesting.

  5. I myself don’t mind if the characters drink alcohol occasionally. I just think it would be better if it wasn’t included, because it might be a stumbling block for someone else, especially a new Christian.

  6. Hi Jaye, yes, it’s interesting how we don’t notice things until someone outside our culture points it out. I rarely drink wine (or any alcohol) in recent years because even a small glass of wine can trigger a migraine. I’m also thankful I haven’t inherited a predisposition to have a drinking problem. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  7. Hi Jenny, DV is an issue that impacts men, and it’s tricky because emotional abuse is often hidden and not as obvious as physical abuse to those outside the situation. I haven’t come across a CCR with a former child predator redeemed and now a main character, and I’m not likely to want to read that type of story for a number of reasons. Trigger warnings are so important for sensitive situations and topics. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  8. Hi Jeannette, You’re very welcome, and you raise an important point. The mixed messaging is not helpful for those struggling with sobriety. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  9. Hi Lori, I tried to think of a range of answers for the poll, knowing there will be a wide range of perspectives to consider for the responses. I do like light and escapist reads, but sometimes I’ll look for a story that tackles real world issues in a realistic manner. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  10. Hi Kathleen, The stumbling block issue is one of my core concerns as an author. Writing challenging Christian romance that’s edifying for readers while deep diving into gritty and difficult issues is not an easy task. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  12. I’m ok with real life problems but not with alcohol consumption for social entertainment especially dating situations as it can lead to other issues.

  13. I don’t drink alcohol and I’d prefer not to read a Christian romance with Christian characters consuming alcohol. While a drink now and then is probably not a big deal, there is more potential for bad than good to come as a result of drinking, so it isn’t something I want to read about in CCR.

  14. Hi Narelle! I grew up in a German Christian household, were on special occasions a glass of wine was served with dinner or champagne for an anniversary or on New Year’s Eve. Jesus served wine, but as in scripture drunkness is a no no or if it causes somebody to stumble. My parents were very aware when not to serve alcohol. Also one had to be of legal age before one was served a class of wine. Vices are often culture. In our family smoking and dancing wasn’t allowed. Went to few movies or theater, and no rock concerts. So as other stated, authenticity in CCR stories dealing with life issues. Drinking would depend somewhat on the setting – what country or state the story takes place. Enjoy your weekend.

  15. Yes, I enjoy reading books whose characters deal with real-life issues, as long as they are dealt with tastefully and tactfully.

  16. I don’t like reading stories where Christian’s drink alcohol. I had a family member who dealt with this difficult issue and I know how it can destroy a life and it’s consequences. If you have it in a story, where is the point you say that’s too much? It can send mixed signals to have Christian characters drink alcohol.

  17. I think it must come down to “does the story need it.” If not, is there really any point in including drinking? Probably not. Some Christians do drink so it would be realistic to depict that, but a lot of readers pick Christian books for safe content. A story that needs the consumption of alcohol in it is probably going to have something in it’s blurb about alcoholism or drunkenness and readers avoiding that content can put it back on the shelf. But including drinking just as scene setting? I question the value of that. As much as I appreciate when Christian fiction is as realistic as possible, if the story doesn’t need it, I would say there’s no need to include it.

  18. I don’t have a problem with characters having the occasional drink, as long as the drinking itself isn’t glorified in any way like it is in secular books.

  19. I prefer not to have the characters drinking. However, you didn’t have the response I really wanted to check, which would be that while I really don’t like to see Christian characters drinking, if it’s a non-Christian who does, whether or not to excess, if that is then used in the story to show why the Christian character doesn’t or to show their belief system, and if the non-Christian then comes to grips with either their addiction or whatever, then I don’t mind. I have Christian friends who see nothing wrong with having a drink with dinner, and I have others, like me, who don’t drink at all. It really depends on how it’s handled, to be honest, though I really prefer not to read about Christians drinking. As my Mom always said, we’re the only Jesus some people will meet, and if we do the same things they do, alot of times they’ll think if we’re doing something that they are, they don’t need to change anything at all, and they’re the same as we are, even if they don’t know Jesus, and they won’t listen to us about Jesus because we act as they do. I had a co-worker/friend tell me only a few months after we met that I wasn’t the same type of Christian as another co-worker, because she knew the other co-worker drank and sometimes to excess, and she knew I didn’t drink at all. She then informed me she’d rather be around my type of Christian than the other, because the other one was no different than someone who didn’t necessarily call themselves a Christian.

  20. Since I don’t drink do drugs or alcohol I would prefer to have the book not have them in the book cause I don’t believe in drinking or doing drugs.

  21. You made me think about the need to put trigger warnings, there are already warnings for violent stories about mistreatment or sexual abuse or those that address those topics even if it is in the past but I have not seen that there is a warning about drug use or “moderate alcohol consumption” .
    I believe that the consumption of alcohol is not bad in itself, nor do I consider that the bible prohibits it, drunkenness is or being “a slave to a lot of wine”, sometimes I drink alcohol but almost always of the mild type (low amount of alcohol) and Never too much, but I wouldn’t say it’s normal in my life. I almost always prefer non-alcoholic drinks. I like that serious problems are addressed in Christian fiction, secular novels are not afraid to touch on any subject, if Christian fiction stays on the fluffy side it would lose ground especially with teenagers or young people in their 20s or 30s.
    I think that all the more reason authors should not be afraid to tackle certain topics if they are ready to do so and God tells them to do so. I don’t enjoy reading about teenagers who fall into fornication or university students, it needs to be addressed because it happens a lot but it just tires me, there are young people who stand firm on it and it tires me to feel that apparently the norm is to fall.

  22. I will choose a book that deals with hot button topics before one that doesn’t. I believe so many unsaved can relate to these things and it can be an incredibly powerful witness. Maybe this opinion stems from the years I spent away from the Lord. I was involved in many things that taught me what an addictive personality I have and has in turn become a lifelong battle. I also believe these books can help people deal with the consequences of their choices and often help to show the way God can truly be the One there beside you every step of the way. Where these topics are such a large part of society, therefore so often what new Christians will need to deal with they can be a witness in that way as well. Not that I can’t enjoy an escape into a lighthearted love story, because I do. I just tend to be pulled to what I can relate to the most.

  23. Ooh, you went there. Brave woman, ha ha! Great and thoughtful article, and I’m looking forward to reading your book next month as part of my reading challenge.

    I chose the last option in your poll: I don’t want to read a Christian romance where alcohol consumption is par for the course. There are just too many people for whom it’s a major problem.

  24. Hi Narelle,

    Interesting topic/question! I like when authors don’t shy away from hard topics, as long as they’re shown in a realistic yet respectful way, and always showing the consequences, as well as God’s grace and mercy in their lives. Still, I’m not sure I’d pick up a book that dealt with abuse (especially physical and the violence/beating was graphic).

  25. Hey Narelle, good topic. Personally, I don’t want to read a Christian romance with any characters drinking alcohol unless the negative consequences of drinking alcohol are highlighted in the story. It sounds like you handled the subject well in your book.

  27. On the Drinking we were brought up it was something we didn’t do. Our church doesn’t or didn’t drink. Also mum’s father was an alcoholic and while not nasty he would be taken advantage of and lose all his money. If Mums mother hadn’t done some work cleaning etc and her older brother the family wouldn’t had had money for food etc. (Her mother inherited money and bought the house they lived in) but there were times pumpkin was eaten at every meal cos it was cheap and plenty of it. Till the day she died she disliked pumpkin.
    But I don’t drink and never have I won’t stop others and I will have a meal at a pub but don’t drink.

  28. I haven’t read a book with a redeemed predator either it has been in the news and on a few things I have been following recently which is why It came to mind.
    The male being a victim of DV comes from rematching a former favourite show The Bill and one of the officers was so ashamed of being beaten by his wife he was hiding it but when it came out it brought it out that not all victims are women while most are we need to take men seriously also.

  29. I don’t mind if characters in a Christian romance drink a glass of beer or wine, but I don’t want to see drunken behavior unless the negative consequences are highlighted.

  30. I grew up in a family that had a glass of wine with dinner. It’s not a problem for me to read about in books.

  31. Interesting topic that made me thinking…

    Do you like reading CCR books that address real-to-life problems and issues? Yes, and alcoholism is one of them.
    Are there any hot button issues or content that you don’t want to read, irrespective of how the issue is handled in the story? Sin is sin and it should be covered – God is here for us no matter what!

  32. I enjoy reading books to escape the world. I know that there is no way to totally escape the sin soaked life of this world. There is a time and a place for books to show the effects of the results of all kinds of sin between the pages they write. It all depends on how it is handled. It is hard for me to deal with issues of verbal and sexual abuse. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.

  35. Hi Carrie, I understand your perspective. Excessive alcohol consumption is more likely to have negative rather than positive consequences. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  36. I don’t mind reading CCR stories with characters who consume alcohol. Just because someone drinks alcohol doesn’t mean that they will drink to excess or that it is a problem. It can certainly be enjoyed in moderation.

  37. Hi, yes, I like to read books that have real to live problems, they make it more realistic because nobody is prone to problems, I think that it would be a great help for people to read about real problems that people have and in a book, it could have the people with the problems resolve them . Have a great weekend and stay safe. I enjoyed reading the post.

  38. Hi Renate, yes, the cultural and country setting does make a difference. If I’m reading a foodie CCR with fine dining and a focus on the food, I’d expect a matching wine to be offered because that’s how it works in real life. The same for a CCR set in a vineyard. I didn’t know that no dancing was a thing until I was a teen in the 80’s watching the original Footloose movie. Even then, it was such a foreign concept that I thought it was completely fictional with no foundation in real life. Then I grew up, my horizons expanded, and I had to revise my initial thoughts on the movie. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  40. I do like reading CCR books that deal with real life problems because I like to see how the characters rely on God to get through them. It helps me when I go through the same things (or similar).

    Triggers: I don’t like reading about sexual abuse, domestic abuse or mistreatment of children, even if it happened in the past. It’s especially hard for me to read about a woman who’s come out of a relationship where her husband or boyfriend has abused her because I lived it years ago.

    As for drinking, I don’t like reading about it at all. I have no problem if someone has a glass of wine with dinner or for a special occasion in real life. As for me, I chose to stay away from it because I grew up with a dad who was an alcoholic.

    Interesting topic today! There’s so many issues that authors have started to include in books and I think it’s all in how they handle it. If they show the grace & mercy of God and character growth, then that’s the whole reason I want to read that particular book!

  41. Hi Andrea, yes, I can relate and empathise. No one really knows if they’re going to have a problem with drinking (or any addiction, for that matter) until they have a problem with it. It’s hard to watch family members struggling and seeing them, often unintentionally, creating pain and chaos for their loved ones. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  42. Hi Christa, That’s a great point, and each author will answer this question in their own way. Editorial input, including beta reader feedback, can be helpful in discerning whether or not the story needs certain story elements on the page. Books are ultimately a product for readers to consume, and what the reader wants and expects in specific genres can’t be ignored by authors if they want to sell their books. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  43. Hi Megan, It’s interesting how some general market romance books and movies include tropes connected to intoxication. Getting hitched in Vegas after one too many drinks immediately comes to mind. In real life, drink spiking and date rape are serious problems that our society needs to address. The Me Too movement highlighted some of these issues. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  44. Hi Trudy, You make an excellent point. It’s the challenge of being in the world but not of the world. Those are wise words from your mom. I love your story about your coworker friend. We can forget that actions speak louder than words, and people pay attention to how we behave. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  46. Hi Lilly, The topic of trigger warnings in this context is complicated. Trigger warnings from readers will often appear in the reviews if the book is widely read. Many publishers and authors may not perceive they’d need a trigger warning regarding alcohol consumption if it’s like drinking a cup of coffee and there’s no drunken behaviour in the story. That may be okay for some readers, but not okay for others. I personally don’t think there’s any topic that’s too hot to handle in Christian romance, and it’s all about how the author tackles these difficult topics with sensitivity and care. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  47. Hi Deb, I agree, the stories with meat that deal with hard issues can be so powerful and encouraging for all readers in their faith journey. The stories that walk us through the dark consequences from unwise choices can have strong redemption themes that reveal why Jesus is the light of the world and our Lord and saviour. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  48. Hi Milla, I was doing some research and there really isn’t a lot of recent data available on what readers think about this topic. In Australia, the data from the last couple of years has revealed the pandemic and lockdowns have had many unintended consequences, including a steep rise in alcohol consumption and associated addiction issues. Interestingly, last month I read criticism in the media of Ash Barty drinking beer to celebrate her Australian Open tennis win in Melbourne. In Australia, sport and beer/alcohol typically have a close relationship eg. oversized champagne bottles popping and spraying everywhere to celebrate wins. I was surprised to see this highlighted as an issue. I hope you’ll enjoy reading my book. 😊

  49. Hi Priscila, I struggle with books that deal with abuse, especially if there’s too much graphic content and violence on the page. I agree, it’s the way the hard issues are handled that makes all the difference. God’s grace and mercy is revealed through stories where the characters are struggling with difficult issues. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  51. Hi Jcp, yes, the blurb is important in defining the content and tone of the story. I always read the blurb just before I start reading so I know what to expect and make sure it matches what I feel like reading. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  57. Hi Debra, You’re very welcome. I agree, the way the issues are handled in the story is important. I also struggle with reading about abuse. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  60. Hi Trixi, When characters are put under pressure in the story, we see how their faith, or lack of faith, affects their choices and decision making. Abuse is a difficult topic that needs to be handled with sensitivity. As readers, we bring our life experiences to the story. There are some issues that are too much to read, and it’s good to know up front if it’s a potential trigger. Seeing God’s grace and mercy in the story is what sets Christian fiction, and also Christian worldview fiction with a more subtle faith element, apart from other stories. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  63. Hi Jenny, It’s so hard when the main breadwinner in the family has addiction issues that limit their ability to pay the bills. Our pub and local club culture is a bit of a disaster for people who have issues with alcohol and also gambling with the pokies and betting etc.

  64. The Bill really was a tv show that was ahead of its time regarding the issues it addressed. As a society there’s so much more awareness these days about what DV looks like, and there’s also personal leave from work available for those who need it.

  65. I don’t drink but I don’t mind if characters in a Christian romance drink a glass of beer or wine. However, I don’t want to read about drunken behavior because it can take away from the main storyline.

  66. I don’t drink (and I’m only twenty, so… ;)) and I personally don’t like it when there is drinking in Christian fiction unless it is shown in a bad light and/or there are new Christians who will stop drinking in a book. Several people my family was related to or knew have died due to drinking too much too long.

  67. Great article, Narelle!
    When I first became a Christian in my late 30’s, many of the people at the church I went to treated anyone who drank alcohol like a ‘sinner’ and there was a lot of judgement. It made a lot of the younger Christians in the church hide their drinking and that led to even more issues. As someone who grew up in Sydney too and came from a family that enjoyed wine and wine, it was a real struggle for me to deal with. I don’t agree with excessive drinking, but many Christians I know do enjoy a drink here and there. So for me personally, I don’t mind seeing it in Christian books, but like many have said, I don’t like the glorified drinking.
    I think being able to show that you can enjoy a glass of wine over food in a moderate, safe and healthy way is a good thing. I think, again like many have already stated, that if there is excessive drinking, it should be to highlight the negative effects and dangers. Fiction can still be a great teacher.
    But great discussion and poll!

  69. Hi Abigail, I empathise with your perspective, and I’ve had similar things happen in my family. The long term health consequences from excessive drinking are not good. It’s great to hear from our younger blog readers like yourself. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  70. Hi Leila, It is a complex topic that’s not necessarily contained within the parameters of what the Bible says or doesn’t say. Speaking the truth in love with compassion is a hard balancing act. The Holy Spirit will also convict us regarding the wisdom of our choices. External judgment and rules that result in hidden behavior is not a good outcome, either. There was a lead story on the ABC News in Canberra tonight on the link between alcohol consumption and increasing anxiety levels. Excessive drinking is a problem that our society needs to tackle rather than ignore. Thanks for commenting and sharing your perspective. 😊

  71. Hello, this is a loaded question for me, as I have seen the effects of alcoholism in my family and friends. I personally do not drink, nor do I want to be around those who do, so I will avoid going anywhere where there is friends or family drinking alcohol. I personally believe God states that drinking strong drink is a sin as he says in his Word. Again, for me, if you drink even socially, or have a glass of wine, that is a sin and I would consider whoever is drinking any kind of alcohol or wine a alcoholic. I personally think that if you are a Christian, you shouldn’t drink because it is sinful, and you are making yourself a stumbling block to your brothers and sisters in Christ. I personally would never read any book that has any of the characters drinking, even one glass. That is for many, an appearance of evil as the Bible states. Even if the book is about alcoholism, done in a very subtle way, and is very preachy with the gospel and salvation message throughout, I wouldn’t read it because it wouldn’t be anything I would be interested in. I don’t mind hard stories, done in a heavily Christian way, with the gospel
    throughout, but not interested in real life situations. This is just my personal opinion.

  72. What a thoughtful reason to exclude drinking in your books! I don’t drink, but don’t think it’s morally wrong or sinful. At the same time, I don’t generally like to read about characters who drink. I don’t really know why except that it sometimes pulls me from the story for a second and that makes it feel like it has too big of a place in the book. I don’t think this is the author’s fault or issue. I think it’s just my response since alcohol is so not a part of my life.

  74. Hi Melynda, It’s interesting that you mention that a character drinking can momentarily pull you out of the story. For me, context really does matter. Gratuitous drinking in Christian fiction that isn’t logical or necessary for the situation will distract me, too. Thanks for commenting. 😊

Discover more from Inspy Romance

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading