I went to an old-fashioned all-girls’ boarding school, founded in 1905 by British missionaries in Africa. They believed the best way to establish Christianity was to give girls a solid grounding in the principles of the faith, so that they would raise their own children under the same beliefs.
When I was there as a teenager in the late ’80s and ’90s, Christianity remained the bedrock of the school’s foundation. We had strict rules of conduct, and we were still being trained to have an impact on the nation and the next generation.
But sometimes that “next generation” came along a lot earlier than expected.
About twice a year, the entire student body would be summoned for check-ups with the school nurse. They’d be screening us to check if anybody was pregnant. One by one, we’d go into the exam room at the sick bay. The nurse would palpate our abdomens and ask us rather embarrassing questions about our cycles. Girls found to be expecting were expelled immediately.
Twice a year, there would be one or two hurriedly vacated desks and beds left empty in the dorm rooms. These girls wouldn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to their friends. They’d just be hustled away. I always wondered what became of those girls whose lives and plans were derailed by an unexpected pregnancy.
Turning inspiration into fiction
In my latest book, Hidden in Her Heart, I explored those questions. What happens when a brilliant student and a committed Christian slips up and finds herself pregnant at sixteen? The pregnant teen isn’t the main character in the book. But her story is a key driver of the plot.
One reviewer called it “Romans 8:28 in action,” saying it shows how God can bring good even out of our mistakes. I was thrilled to hear those words, because that was my intention in writing the story. I wanted to dig into the lives of people who have messed up and got it wrong, but still find that God meets them with grace and incredible blessing when they put their trust in him.
I don’t know how the stories of those girls expelled from my school unfolded. I have no idea how their families supported them, or what they eventually did with their lives. But I think of them now and then, as well as the many other teens who find themselves in trouble.
While I don’t mind reading light-hearted books and enjoy a good laugh-out-loud comedy, I’m drawn towards writing stories that deal with tougher issues. Do you like Christian fiction with grit? Or do you prefer to escape into stories that tickle your funny bone? I’ll be giving away an electronic copy of Hidden in Her Heart to one randomly chosen commenter who drops a line by Monday April 19th.
Even if you don’t win this one, Falling for the Foe, the first book in this series, is free on all online retailers. In that book, I centred the plot around another serious issue from the country of my birth. Because I can’t seem to stay away from the tougher topics! But as always, there’s a happy ending.
I write fiction that reflects my Christian faith. I love happy endings, heroes and heroines who discover sometimes hard but always vital truths, and stories that uplift and encourage. My family and I live in the east of England where we enjoy rambling in the countryside, reading good books and making up silly lyrics to our favorite songs.
Welcome Milla. I don’t mind real characters and tough subjects although sometimes I have had to put a book down cos the subject was to close to home. On example is when mum was dying the book I was reading the subject seemed to be the hero having cancer and he was having chemo and only given a small chance of survival. It was too much at the time. The next book I tried also dealt with a grieving mother so that got put aside also.
I have read others dealing with Domestic violence which while difficult were also educational. (I did mention on one book it needed a trigger warning).
Your books sound interesting and dealing with the teen pregnancy is a real issue.
I enjoy Christian books with real life problems as well as other books. Sometimes it is good to read that life isn’t always the way we want it. Life is about problems and change and how we handle it with God’s help. I enjoy reading different types of books. It would be boring to read the same type all the time.
I usually stick with lighter books however I do enjoy the occasional book with a heavier topic.
Hi, Jenny!
There are indeed some stories that are too close to home. I struggle with plots where children are harmed, and I always want a happy ending!
I enjoy modern Christian fiction mainly: romance, mystery, comedy, etc. It depends on my mood at the time I am ready to start the next book. I especially love God is our redeemer and you are among talented authors that can write stories to show that. Hidden In The Heart has peaked my interest after reading your blog.
I’m with you there, Kathleen! My reading tastes are very eclectic, too. I’m mostly drawn to stories with realism and depth, but I do like to read the odd lighthearted story, as long as the characters feel authentic.
Hi, Ellie! I enjoy humorous books, too, if the characters are well-rounded and relatable.
Hi, Synthia! I get where you’re coming from. Like you, my mood will often dictate the book I pick up to read, and I also love romance, mystery, and a bit of comedy. I feel like I don’t see enough mysteries with a strong faith thread, but it’s a genre I enjoy reading.
Welcome! You’re a new-to-me author! Nice to meet you! I don’t care for Rom-Coms, to be honest. I like “meatier” books, ones that deal with real-life situations, that will give me all of the “feels.” I’ve read very few rom-coms. Now stalking you everywhere but Instagram.
Welcome, Milla. I am like you. I enjoy a light story once in a while, but I love stories that deal with real life problems.
Hi Milla and welcome to Inspy Romance! I enjoy reading both books with grit and light-hearted ones. I find that the deeper, more serious stories stay with me longer after I have finished the book.
So happy to welcome you here! I look forward to reading your books!
I have to know ahead of time from a blurb it deals with a heavier issue
Welcome to Inspy Romance, Milla! I love books with a bit of grit because they provide so much opportunity to display God’s grace as you noted. The past year I’ve been leaning toward light and fluffy books, but recently I’ve been going a bit deeper again and I love the challenges to my faith good fiction can provide!
Ha ha, thanks, Trudy! Your reading tastes align with mine. I’ll read a rom com every so often, but definitely prefer the ones where the humour is anchored in realism.
Thanks for the welcome, Merrillee!
Thanks for the welcome, Jessica! My favourite books definitely combine grit and grace.
Thank you, Paula Marie!
That’s very important, for sure.
Thanks, Jaycee! I’ve read a few funny books recently because several authors I know are moving in that direction. It’s wonderful to see the talents God has blessed them with. Variety is a beautiful thing!
I am SO happy to see your face here!!! Congratulations my friend!
I love more grit in my stories balanced with humor. That’s what I try to write, too.
I’m finishing my book today and after I get a newsletter out I’ll be able to read some of the books on my TBR pile. Yours among them. I already have copies of the books in this post 😊
And now I’m wondering about those girls their stories. I live the show Call The Midwife for these very topics.
Welcome Milla! like you ,I enjoy a story that deals with real issues that face us today as well as a lighthearted story.
Hi Milla! Welcome to Inspy Romance! I first found you through your free book, Falling for the Foe. What a realistic clash between Nia and Magnus!
I love a rom-com here and there. I don’t tend to read stories with a LOT of angst, partly because my reading time is swiftly followed by bedtime! But there is a wide range in the middle, and I think that’s where my stories fall (and the ones I most often read). A light moment here and there, with real issues to balance that, and a spiritual arc to offer some meat.
Milla, You are a new-to-me author and I have just downloaded your book, Falling for the Foe and look forward to reading it. This post was very intriguing and I would love to win a copy of Hidden in Her Heart. I look forward to getting acquainted with you and your books.
I didn’t know you hung around these parts, my friend! I see that blend of grit and humour in your book and in your overall demeanour. :-)
Hi, Shelia! That’s the perfect balance.
Thanks for the welcome, Valerie! I love how you put that: realism, a touch of humour and a faith element. That’s my happy place. :-)
Hi, Sharon. I hope you enjoy the book!
Welcome Milla! I enjoy grittier Christian fiction once in awhile too. I think its important because when done correctly it can really open our eyes to see beyond the sin somebody committed and see the person. We all screw up, some screw ups are just more visible, but we all need mercy and grace. I think books that can show that journey are really important. Thank you for the chance to win.
I really enjoy the grittier, because they give people a lot of hope and it really happens, I also like the other happy, laughing ones because all of these have to do with life, we all make mistakes and it is always nice to know that you are not the only one that goes through this. Thank you for sharing this, have a Great weekend and stay safe.
Welcome Milla! You are a new to me author. I enjoy books with some substance that deal with every day issues. I also enjoy lighter books and will switch on and off. I like to be entertained but I also want to learn as I read different types of inspirational fiction. I just ordered and downloaded to my Kindle your 3 books series and looking forward to reading them. I noticed your more recently published book so I will order it after I finish the first three books.
Hi Milla! Welcome! I enjoy reading both light-hearted books and books with more grit. I think that both are important. Your book sounds so interesting!
I enjoy real stories as well as lighthearted books. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
Welcome, Milla! I tend to lean toward the lighter fare since I often want to read for escape. Given that, though, I do appreciate an uplifting take on real struggles. I suppose you could say there is a difference between feeling the grit on the trail as you walk on and having scrapes and blood from having to crawl through it, LOL! I hope you enjoy being a part of the IR community.
Hi Milla!
I lean toward the grittier topics. I want to read about characters that struggle with real-life issues and find strength through the love of God and others.
Thanks, Megan! You’re absolutely right: we all mess up, and I love stories that show grace and truth.
Thanks, Alicia! I know what you mean about hope. I had to stop reading one particular secular author because, although his books were incredibly well-written, they reflected a bleak and hopeless worldview. They were too depressing. In the grit, we definitely need hope.
Thank you so much, Nancy! I hope you enjoy the books. :-) I love it when I learn something new in a story, too, whether it’s a peek into a profession I know nothing about, or a setting I’ve never been to.
Thanks, Angeline! We definitely need both types of stories, and I’m glad that God has gifted authors to write both kinds.
Thanks, Lelia! God bless you, too.
Thanks, Lincoln! That made me smile. No, I definitely don’t want to be scraping along in the grit if I can avoid it, but I don’t mind hearing it crunch. :-D
Hi, Tiffany! That’s exactly what I’m looking for right now in the stories I read. Because God is more than able to handle the real-life struggles, I want to read books that reflect that.
Welcome, Milla. Like Lincoln, I usually read to escape. However, after too much “dessert” (those sugary sweet fast reads), I need some real “meat.” :-) So I try to read a balance of gritty and light & relaxing.
Thanks, Margaret! Haha, I enjoy literary “meat,” too. Marinated and barbecued so it’s real and flavorful food for thought. :-)
For me, I am not sure that is a yes or no answer. There are times in my life that I want to read something light and funny. Other times, I am in need of reading something heavy with a strong message. It all is dependent on what is happening in my life at the time. God bless you. Thank you for sharing your time and your talent.
I love these types of books even the free one which for me it’s not free. I wish it was though.
I enjoy all these kind of books cause there more like our ages & having kids young. I love them
Thanks, Debra! God bless you, too!
Thanks, Sylvain!
Hi, Amy! Is the free book showing a price where you are?
I do like stories with grit because it shows the mercy & forgiveness of God when characters sin but realize they need to turn back to Him. We all mess up and no sin is “greater” than any other…sin is sin in the eyes of God so we all need forgiveness at times. I like to see characters lives transformed afterwards & how life changes for them.
I also like lighter-hearted stories laced with humor & wit. There are times when I just need an escape from life for a while in the pages of a book. :-)
It all depends on my reading mood as to what I want to read at the time. I read such a variety of Christian fiction so I’m not set on just one type or genre.
Thanks for writing the kind of books you do, Milla! There are authors who are afraid to deal with the tougher side of life or portray less than perfect characters. But I think we need to have those kind of stories as reminders that we all fall short of the glory of God, BUT He is faithful to forgive if we ask him & truly repent and live for Him. Nobody is “too far” or done “too much” for the love of Christ to reach them :-)
Hi, Trixi! I’m a very eclectic reader, too, and enjoy all kinds of Christian fiction. But, yes, I love the ones where the characters are engaging with real life issues.
I think a story with a bit of grit is more realistic.
Hi Milla, Welcome to Inspy Romance! We’re glad you’ve joined us and your book series sounds great. 😊
My feelings exactly!
Thank you, Narelle!
Welcome Milla, I love both, it depents on the time.. Your books sounds interesting, I will definitely set them on my tbr list!
Milla, thank you for sharing your story!
I like Christian fiction with grit. It’s an eye opener sometimes that we need!
Hi Milla, I had to come show you some support over here 😊 I love books that tackle hard topics hence why I love your books. I love too how you combine unusual scenarios, it’s so refreshing to read.
Absolutely, Natalya!
Aw, Tamika, thank you! That means so much. :-D