So that’s the topic for today: why do you love romances? Better yet, what books contain your favorite romances?
I’m sure you’re aware that reading a romance is often looked down upon. You might have had someone roll their eyes, do a nice little sneer, something unromantic like that. Too often, those people are misinformed as to what a romance — a Christian romance — really is.
But we know! It can be an amazing example of what a good, God-honoring relationship should be. It can remind us of how important our own relationship is and make us value our spouse when the day-to-day sameness has taken over.
And let’s admit that it’s just plain fun. Just like watching the newly engaged couple at church. Or the two singles who’ve started dating. We smile conspiratorially at our friends, a little twinkle in our own eyes. We remember our dating days, don’t we? When we fell in love with that special someone. A good, clean, fun romance can bring that all back.
I’ve got a few of my favorites, and I thought it’d be fun to share them with you.
![100_0342[1]](https://www.inspyromance.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/100_03421-600x450.jpg)
My oldest favorite is the one in the center, Vienna Prelude. Ah, John Murphy and Elisa Lindheim! They’re a hard couple to beat, and with their story (all six books) set in pre-WWII Europe, there’s plenty of trouble and danger fighting against them. I think what I loved about them was how much Murphy clearly loved Elisa. He was a goner. It was so fun hearing his point of view and seeing how completely head over heels he was for her. Who doesn’t want to be loved like that?
Then there’s Chateau of Echoes. I adore this book. Freddie and Cranwell — huh, another hero who goes by his last name in the book — are pretty real. Freddie’s a widow with huge regrets, and Cranwell is a new Christian with regrets of his own. The book is a leisurely vacation to France with characters who struggle with real-life things. Did I say I liked this book? I do.
Then there’s Karen Ball’s The Breaking Point. This is a married romance, a different kind of romance novel. It isn’t a light read, but I think it’s an important read. It’s the first time I ever had someone say to me that marriage wasn’t my right to happily ever after. We’d like to think so, wouldn’t we? Disney’s trained us well on that one. But marriage is all about God making us more and more Christlike, and this book was fabulous at encouraging those who might be really struggling in their marriage. Loved this book.
There has to be a Francine Rivers’ book in here! While I love A Voice in the Wind, this one is my favorite Rivers romance. Again, it’s a married romance, and it’s about a relationship that falls apart, hits bottom, and what happens after that. Few Christian writers delve into reality like Francine does. I actually read the manuscript (I worked for Tyndale at the time) as a newlywed, and this book had a huge impact on me. I’ve read it a few times. Like Chateau of Echoes, it has a historical storyline in it too. So you could kinda say these two book were a buy one, get two deal.
Lastly, there’s Courting Morrow LIttle. Morrow and Red Shirt are such a fun read! Better yet, the book doesn’t end with an engagement or wedding. We get to go with the couple into their marriage. I love it when fiction acknowledges that there’s more to life than dating! The relationship after “I do” is so important. And this book shows that.
So those are some of my favorites. What are your favorite romances? Favorite couples? And why? Can’t wait to hear!
Sally Bradley writes big-city fiction with real issues and real hope. A Chicagoan since age five, Sally has been fascinated by all things Chicago (except for crime, politics, and traffic) for almost as long. She now lives in the Kansas City area with her family, but they get back to Chicago for important things -- like good pizza and a White Sox game. A freelance-fiction editor and former president of her writing chapter, Sally has won a handful of awards for Kept and another work-in-progress. Visit her online at sallybradley.com or on Facebook.
I agree with you about John and Elisa in Vienna Prelude. I do love their story. And I love the history in that series.
Another favorite is the story of Clark and Marty in the Love Comes Softly series. How their love grows and develops especially after Marty realizes her need for the Lord.
My most favorite is The Princess by Lori Wick. The story of how Nickolai and Shelby grow into their love after an arranged marriage never ceases to make my heart flutter.
Hidden Places by Lynn Austin. I also love Eve’s Daughters by Lynn Austin as well.
John and Elisa are definitely a favorite for me. I loved reading their story! And re-reading it. ;)
Another favorite couple is from my favorite book, Pride and Prejudice– yep, Darcy & Lizzy! Though I realize that isn’t a Christian book… Really, I read so much Christian romance it’s super hard to pick favorite couples. A couple recent favorites are: Jake & Kayden from “Silenced” by Dani Pettrey and Seth & Ava from “Three Little Words” by Melissa Tagg.
I can’t pick a favorite, but I love romance because I can count on a happy ending. That makes it for me. I don’t want to invest hours of time and have a sad ending.
Emily, fabulous choices! How could I have forgotten Clark and Marty? Just their names makes me all warm and fuzzy. I remember The Princess too. Good choices!
jcp, I loved both of those books. I don’t remember the romance so well in Eve’s Daughters, but Hidden Places–yes!
Aerykah, I haven’t read Silenced or Melissa’s book, so I’m going to take your word on them. :) But I’m glad we agree on the fabulous Murphys. And Darcy and Lizzy, for sure. AlthoughILikeTheMovieVersion (Said that fast so maybe you won’t catch it be offended!)
Thanks for sharing.
Ooohh, very good point, Merrillee! I hadn’t thought of that. It might be somewhat predictable, but we like that predictable ending. It’s all about the journey, anyway.
Sally!!! Love all those books you have mentioned. Siri’s Chateau of Echoes was the first book I ever reviewed on my blog so it’s special to me for that reason, too :)
As for favourites, ugh, that is so hard. Mmm…Colton and Piper from Ronie Kendig’s Digitalis, Harriet and Maddox from Tamara Leigh’s Splitting Harriet along with every one of her couples from her Age of Faith novels, Carrie and Tommy from Beth White’s The Trouble with Tommy, Dynah and Joe from Francine Rivers’ The Atonement Child, Cameron and Jade from Kristen Heitzmann’s Freefall…I should stop now :)
Well, I highly recommend them both! I hope you get a chance to try them sometime. :)
Lol! I’m not offended. Totally baffled, perhaps, but not offended. I have too many friends who like the movie version. Even though we all know the mini-series is the best. :P
I tried to write a reply and it disappeared, so I thought I would just tag onto this thread. Christian fiction has exploded in the last few years, turning my tight list of favorites into a list that is quite extensive. I am into suspense and stories that have grit. I want to be challenged and on the edge of my seat. That is what I choose to write and love to read. Here are some of my favorites: Lynette Eason, Ronie Kendig, Lisa Harris, Irene Hannon, Janice Cantore, Dee Henderson, Kristen Heitzmann, DiAnn Mills, and Dani Pettrey, just to name a few. Of course, I could not forget MaryLu Tyndall to feed my adventurous side, along with C.F. Dunn to really challenge the mind. But I am finding new indie authors everyday that are amazing, Sally being one of them, and Amy Matayo’s Sway. I know I am leaving out a handful of my old favorites but this is a snippet of what I enjoy.
Do you mean the Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle mini-series? Yes, that’s definitely the best :)
Tamara, thank you! I think Ronie Kendig gets better with each book. She’s pretty amazing, isn’t she?
Yes! I’ve seen it too many times to count… ;)
I think the only book I’ve read from your pile, Sally is “Breaking Point”. It’s been a while, but yeah, your re-telling of it reminded me why I loved it so much. Marriage in and of itself can be messy and hard. Misunderstandings can blow up into major issues. I, of course, love the happy ending but it’s the story in between that is so intriguing. How do they get back to that point is what made me keep turning the pages to find out. It was an amazing story of redemption and healing that only God can do sometimes. I may have to go back and re-read that one again :-)
I think for me, romances stir up the feelings I already have for my husband. Sometimes I see qualities in the main hero that reflect how my husband is. His love, devotion, respect, tenderness, etc just make everyday married life into something sigh worthy. I guess in a way the author can make me fall in love all over again with him….and I LOVE when a writer can do that!
Trixi, I love your reasons for why you like fiction. Some people are certain that reading romance does nothing but make us dissatisfied, but we know better.Thanks for commenting!
Goodness, I really thought I replied to this earlier. Hmm…
I haven’t read The Atonement Child since it first came out. It didn’t connect with me then, but I wonder how I’d feel about it now. Thanks for reminding me of it. I may have to add that to my summer reading list.