It’s Iola here. Welcome to our Australasian Christian Writers Tuesday Book Chat, where we encourage book lovers to answer our bookish question of the week.
Today’s question is:
Which authors or novels do you think best show realistic and inspiring Christian romantic relationships? Why?
We look forward to hearing your thoughts. Please join in the conversation in a comment on this post or in a comment on the blog post shared in our Australasian Christian Writers Facebook Group. Or, if you’re feeling wordy (like me), write a blog post and link to it in the comments.
Let’s chat!
-
Iola Goulton is the empty-nest mother of two who lives with her husband in the sunny Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, and writes contemporary Christian romance with a Kiwi connection. She works part-time for a local company, wrangling spreadsheets by day and words by night.
View all posts
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related Posts
Published by Iola Goulton
Iola Goulton is the empty-nest mother of two who lives with her husband in the sunny Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, and writes contemporary Christian romance with a Kiwi connection. She works part-time for a local company, wrangling spreadsheets by day and words by night.
View more posts
I love Julie Lessman’s characters, Patrick and Marceline (Marcy), in her historical fiction (A Light in the Window prequel, The Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series). They may have grown up in very different circumstances, but their lives revolve around God and their marriage is a light for their children to look to/aim for etc. They experience plenty of heartbreak, have many heated arguments and survive life-changing events like we all have in our relationships, but they still choose what God wants for them even if their faith wavers or stubbornness tries to derail them.
I also appreciate the fact that Patrick and Marcy are affectionate and show signs of a healthy physical relationship. It annoys me when Christian authors ignore the attraction and realistic physical side of marriage. Apparently sweet kisses end in courtship, then suddenly babies are born in marriage? Um, yeah, I don’t think so. I’ve been married 18 years and you still have to peel me off my hubby, bahaha!
Great suggestion and reasons – most Christian fiction focuses on the romance, not the marriage.
Also, the physical side of romance and marriage is always a tough one. Many Christian fiction readers aren’t married, so don’t want to see too much focus on the physical. On the other hand, it’s even more awkward when two people with what feels like a brother/sister relationship suddenly end up a couple!
I hear you, Iola. It’s easier to craft a relationship when you can draw on your own experiences re: marriage etc. I get there are lines Christian authors don’t want to cross when it comes to physical closeness in their characters, but I find it refreshing to be able to relate to a relationship when I read a story. It creates another layer of closeness/intimacy when the characters hold hands, talk close, hug at the kitchen sink, get busted kissing by the children/grandchildren. 😁
Ha ha! Yeah, I suppose it is weird for the brother/sister type relationships to change into romantic ones, but then that opens the door for the brilliance of the author to shine as they wield their pen (well, keyboard!) and convince us it isn’t creepy. 🤣