Today is the day we honor those who have died for our country! If I were to recommend some military fiction to you, I would recommend
Contemporary:
Ronie Kendig, Dee Henderson, L.K. Malone
Vietnam
Cathy West
WWII
Sarah Sundin
Civil War
Lynn Austin
American Revolutionary War
Roseanna White
Laura Frantz
For those who are serving or have served in the military, thank you! In specific: my grandfather, my dad, my mom, and my sister!
Want to give a shout-out? Feel free!
I am the first one to tell you I don’t want too much reality in my fiction. I want happy-ever-after endings and people getting along. That said, I like reality. I took a minor tangent this past month into secular fiction and found that I was enjoying it more than I thought I would. And then I realized the answer:realism. Oftentimes, I have found Christian fiction to not depict reality well. Example:
– Girl inherits fortune and instantly becomes depressed. Not reality.
– Caring more about others than self. Noble, but not reality.
– Lack of violence and blood in a supposedly violent and bloody book. Not reality.
– Everyone is nice. Not reality.
– Main character never throws a tantrum in face of bad situations. Not reality.
– Strong denial of attractive male for no good reason. Not reality
There is an author I love, but in her books, her characters are just about perfect. It could be that she is presenting a picture of how Christians should be. But there is something wrong when I can relate more to secular characters than Christian characters.
So how can an author garner reality and still have a happy ending? Stay true to the times. Make the men and women, people of their era. It makes a huge difference. If there is an exception, please tell us (the reader) why. Give characters human emotions. Let them be Godly people, but let us also see them work out their human emotions. Make every main character a developed, fully rounded person and they will always be a real character.
Anyone else agree? Disagree? Have something to add?
I have been reading Christian fiction novels since I was a little girl. But, I must say, it must have been within the last ten years that it has really exploded. There are so many genres to read: romance, mystery, fantasy, etc., and they, in my opinion, can compete with the secular genre (or even surpass them). That said, there is a lot of criticism with Christian fiction. If the novel is a mystery, the question comes up with how violent should those novels be? Is there a level of details Christian novels should not delve into? If it’s romance, should there be kissing and how much? Should the characters even find each very attractive? My short answer, so long as the book is not about shock and awe, we are adults and we can handle it. And God will tell if you can’t (I’m also hesitant to tell you what you can and can’t do; legalism doesn’t do anybody any favors). Furthermore, if I want to read something realistic, I think we as Christians should have options. I shouldn’t have to turn to the secular world for anything.
To show you the difference between Christian fiction and secular fiction let’s look at Hunger Games. I loved the series, but when I closed that final novel, in spite of the ending, the book felt a bit depressing. There was no hope. Katniss seemed to say this is my lot in life and I must deal with it.
Christian fiction leaves us with hope. Whether that’s to tell us that there is eternity with Jesus to look forward to, or that God will work everything out, I rarely finish a Christian novel filled with despair. And that’s why I read them. They can be funny, sad, sweet, and romantic, but they always point back to Jesus. They give us the gift of Hope.
Confusing? Makes sense? Have anything to add?
Can you believe it? It’s been one year! I hope you have had as much fun as I have! And don’t forget we have a giveaway by Becky Wade still running and one coming up with Beth Vogt so cash in on all the fun!
I know I’ve talked about the romantic formula that should be followed before, but this weekend I read a novel where the romance was quite clear and on display, yet it was still lacking something. So that got me thinking, what elements must a romance have to entice my heart?
1. The hero must be a hero. I just saw 42 this weekend, the sort-of-biopic on Jackie Robinson and I really loved the marriage represented in the movie. Particularly, all I could think of was how nice it must be to be married to a man with a purpose. The hero in the novel does not need to be Superman, he doesn’t need to save you from a bad guy. But, he should make you feel safe and perhaps save you from yourself at moments.
2. Specificity. I want to know why the hero fell in love with the heroine. Why her? Why now? Hence why I hate insta-love. I understand instant attraction, but I need more! There should be a reason (though I am fully aware that real life may not happen in this way)!
3. A smart heroine. What do I mean by smart? Not an annoying one. It’s annoying to have a great guy in the book with a heroine you want to slap. Annoying heroines are: girls who can’t make up their minds, incredibly deceptive, playing hard to get (when you know you’ve been gotten), creating problems that don’t exist. It’s easier to respect a heroine if she has respect-worthy characteristics. I think of the famed Pride & Prejudice. You could respect Lizzy and all the decisions she made because there was a solid foundation to them. Had she been like Lydia, I doubt the novel would have been as famous.*
4. Togetherness. I can’t stand novels where the hero and the heroine are not together. The best aspect of the novel should be when they are together, so you can see the romance unfold on the page. It makes more sense for them to fall in love on screen than off screen. It’s even better when they sees each other in a bad light and they still love the other person anyway. It gives more substance to the romance.
5. Don’t be obvious. I know that’s a weird one. Romance novels are obvious. But it should be so obvious that the characters will get together that you’re beating me over the head with it. Even if I know that they are going to get together in the end, there should still be some hesitance, some way that when the character is upset you’re upset (and not rolling your eyes). Or if the character is thrilled, then you’re thrilled (and not want wanting to throw the book across the room). So, I know this is a weird one, but the romance can’t be too obvious. lol
Looking back on these suggestions, I realize that I’ve grown as a romance reader and I pretty much demand a lot from my authors. But let me tell you, once you’ve read a good thing, its hard to go back to an ok thing. Got any other elements that must be in a romance?
*No doubt, I mention this in every post, but there are a lot of annoying females out there!
Happily Ever After …Or Happily Nevermore? Gisela’s childhood was filled with laughter and visits from nobles such as the duke and his young son. But since her father’s death, each day has been filled with nothing but servitude to her stepmother. So when Gisela learns the duke’s son, Valten—the boy she has daydreamed about for years—is throwing a ball in hopes of finding a wife, she vows to find a way to attend, even if it’s only for a taste of a life she’ll never have. To her surprise, she catches Valten’s eye. Though he is rough around the edges, Gisela finds Valten has completely captured her heart. But other forces are bent on keeping the two from falling further in love, putting Gisela in more danger than she ever imagined.
The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.
With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.
After years of watching his children and grandchildren wander from their faith, Iddo’s prayers are answered: King Cyrus is allowing God’s chosen people to return to Jerusalem. Jubilant, he joyfully prepares for their departure, only to learn that his family, grown comfortable in the pagan culture of Babylon, wants to remain.
Zechariah, Iddo’s oldest grandson, feels torn between his grandfather’s ancient beliefs and the comfort and success his father enjoys in Babylon. But he soon begins to hear the voice of God, encouraging him to return to the land given to his forefathers.
Bringing to life the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, Return to Me tells the compelling story of Iddo and Zechariah, the women who love them, and the faithful followers who struggle to rebuild their lives in obedience to the God who beckons them home.
Patrick Bowers has pursued the nation’s fiercest serial killers—and now one elusive foe is back for revenge.
Settling into a new post at the FBI academy, Patrick and his fiancée, Lien-hua Jiang, are planning their future together with his stepdaughter, Tessa.
But just when his life seems normal, a demon from the past returns to draw him down a dark road he hoped had closed forever. Forced into a desperate hunt to save the two women he loves most, Patrick is in a race against time to stop an international conspiracy from becoming the most widespread act of terrorism in U.S. history.
When his friend is murdered, illusionist Jevin Banks is determined to find out what really happened. Drawn into a web of conspiracy and top-secret research on human consciousness, Jevin won’t stop digging until the truth is revealed. Soon he uncovers a dark secret–one that could change the very fabric of human life on the planet.
Bristling with mystery, suspense, and intrigue, Singularity is the second riveting book in The Jevin Banks Experience. Readers will devour this scientific thriller, flipping pages late into the night until the final shocking page.
Don’t you just love the cover of Melanie Dickerson’s The Captive Maiden? It just screams fairytale. Anyone looking forward to any of these books in particular?
I know this question seems to come out of nowhere, but recently I was asked what kind of novels I liked to read and when I stated contemporary novels, someone mistook that for Amish novels. No.
In my opinion Amish novels are not contemporary novels even though in those novels they can do contemporary like things. Amish novels are in a category all to themselves. Though they are born in contemporary days, they choose to live in times past which to me, creates a different genre. I have nothing against these types of novels and though they are not my favorite to read, they are interesting and with the right author, an absolute delight. It is simply that when I think Contemporary, I suppose something like Chick Lit flashes through my mind. Amish novels represent to me, people who are tied down to customs and those customs and traditions run their lives (whether for good or for bad) and that to me, more than anything reminds me of historical fiction. So complicated.
Anyone agree with me? Anyone disagree? Just have something to add?
There are some new covers out and I thought I would take some time today to show them off! There are some I’m looking forward to reading more than others. And how about these authors who have two books coming out the year! That’s what I’m talking about. Here they are:
And these are just the ones that are coming out towards the second half of the year. There’s so many coming out in the next few weeks! Got a favorite cover? Got one you’re especially excited about?
Happy Birthday to me! Today is my birthday! I’m the big 2-5! So, no Monday Musings post, but there will be a giveaway on Friday by the lovely Julie Lessman so stay tuned!
These next couple of weeks will be weeks of interviews on my blog. I was so excited to have the fantastic Patrick Carr on my blog this past Friday, and I have the lovely Melanie Dickerson this Friday, followed by the amazing Julie Lessman, and the wonderful Dani Pettrey. I love doing author interviews, but there are a lot of them out there. Thus, I try to approach my interviews differently than other bloggers. Some bloggers ask authors about their personal lives, or ask authors to share funny sides of themselves. And while I may ask a question or two like this, I try to ask questions from the point of view of a writer. Like why they made a choice to have this or that or how do they approach a new book. But a friend of mine recently suggested to me to ask those who read my blog if they might like to add a question from one of the authors that I interview. So, I put it to you. If I announced early enough who I had an interview with, would anyone be interested in supplying a question to that author?
remaininhislove 