Sometimes, you just feel like reading something warming and happy, a book that leaves you upbeat and inspired. Most of the news sounds like copy from a bad gossip column, so finding a good book to read or listen to seems like a better bet. A good choice for those who want pleasure reading to be fun might be Christian Romance (sometimes called Inspirational Romance) or Christian Historical Romance.
Traditional and current definitions
Nikki DeMarco of Book Riot describes Christian romance as “novels [that] are love stories that have either overt or subtle Christian beliefs throughout.” Goodreads, though, comes closer to my idea of the genre; “Characters behave according to Christian tenets, eschewing alcohol, profanity and lying, and any sexual content is hinted at or avoided entirely to instead focus on the more tender aspects of love and romance.” In other words, in this genre, you’re not reading about Christian ideas, you’re simply enjoying a book that travels within them.
The escape factor?
The result is often superb. Readers who enjoy series books—the literary equivalent to network streaming—find a traveling refuge in the continual friendly reappearance of people and places without concerns about negotiating the sudden appearance of a bloody body part or being placed in the midst of an alcoholic orgy. But more importantly, the Christian Romance genre frequently features humor, ranging from subtle and highbrow to earthy or slapstick, which really delivers the mental holiday. “I always feel better for the experience,” says Ronnie, an avid reader of humor and romance. “Once I switched to reading Christian romance, I never left.”
Finding books
It’s no secret that Amazon has lots and lots of books for sale and lend. In doing a search in the Amazon books category, using simply Christian Romance Humor, I found hundreds of very interesting reads, most of them only a few dollars on Kindle or $12 or less for the paperback. Kobo, a Canadian-based book sales company also has a very wide selection of written and audiobooks. They have a sub-search arrangement, which is less familiar to many searchers, so I’ve included the link to the Christian Romance category. There are many other online and in-store sellers, one of my favorites being BAM (Books A Million). BAM is one of the few brick & mortar retailers that has found a way to prosper with a good balance of online and in-store sales. It’s a wonderful place to browse and find good reading.
On those days where finances, family, or any other kind of struggle is stressing you out, even if it’s just pouring rain or pounding snow, ice, and wind, a Christian Romance novel might be just the right medicine. – Cece Whittaker
Cece Whittaker is a Christian Romance writer who lives at the southern New Jersey coast. She has created the Serve Series, stories that take place during the 1940s, featuring four women whose antics and romances are as entertaining as they are involved with caring for others. Cece’s website, naturally enough is www.CeceWhittakerStories.com.