Christian "romance" novels

[Rumple Foreskin]

Isn't "Christian Romance" oxymoronic?

Where do you think all 'dem little Christians come from?

Face it, if you're in one of those fundamentalist outfits that won't let you drink, dance, party, use harmful drugs (such as coffee and cigarettes), etc. what else is there to do?

The Right Reverand Rumple Foreskin

 

[GingerV]

"Oh God Oh God Oh God" does count?

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I’ve written a number of religious-erotic stories, but they always feature pagan religions, which are much more accepting of human sexuality than Christianity.

The trouble with Western religions from an erotic point of view is that they’re essentially anti-sexual. They’re so tied up with tiresome moral and ethical dimensions that they neglect the ecstatic and emotional ones, which is where the real juice is, so you can write a pretty hot story revolving around the worship of Dionysos or Isis or a pagan earth spirit, but where you gonna go with St. Jerome?

---dr.M.

 

[cantdog]

The Deryni books by Katherine Kurtz are medieval fantasy/sci-fi, and the main protagonist is a priest. A great many scenes in the novels are Eucharists. I mean we're slipping the wine and bread to people all the goddam time in those books. The dude becomes a saint, for Christ's sake.

One King's Way is a fantasy novel in a series. The era is the 800's AD when many of the people of Europe, especially northern Europe, were still non-Christian. The nordic gods are being rooted out by the zealous ministries, many times unscrupulous, of the emissaries of the Roman church, and the protagonists have to deal with the consequences. There is a good deal of exploration of the spiritual life, both of those with crucifixes on their necks and those with Thor's-hammers. I lent my copy out, so like, of course, it's gone, and it was out of print when I found it in a bookstore, so I can't give the author without research, which I'm too lazy to do.

The hoopla about the phenomenon seems excessive, even objectionable, but there can be no genre which never had a Christian or religious element in it. Priests and monks are detectives. Nuns are detectives. Religious dimensions in horror are quite common, and not all of them are negative. Wm Peter Blatty's Exorcist comes to mind.

And wasn't Witness a romantic novel about a girl in a Christian sect, very devout and unwilling to compromise her faith?

Wanna have a story challenge?
Christian fuck book competition?

 

[oggbashan]

Inclusive or exclusive?

I think that a label attached to 'fiction' can be descriptive or exclusive.

I know what 'Science Fiction' is likely to cover. I might like it or I might not because the genre is wide.

'Romantic' fiction I am less likely to read than something just called 'fiction' with some exceptions such as Georgette Heyer. Some of her romantic fiction is very readable. I would recommend 'An Infamous Army' as a good introduction to the Waterloo campaign, or 'The Grand Sophy' for the Peninsular War. Heyer's historical facts are almost always accurate.

'Doctor/Nurse' fiction I would avoid. It is popular with some but the genre deters me.

'Chick-Lit'? Pass.

'Christian Fiction'? As I said before, I can't sell it. I can't see the need for the adjective. I have one part written story in which the fact that the two main characters are communicant Anglicans is significant to the plot. I wouldn't class it as 'Christian Fiction'. I can sell books that has Christianity in it as a part of the scenario: Ellis Peters Cadfael novels are sought after.

'Teenage' fiction seems to deter the target audience.

The story is important, not the label.

Og

 

[OhMissScarlett]

I wonder if these christian romances are really what christian kids want to read. It seems like when I was a teenage girl, Jeanette Oak's romance novels and a few other works of christian fiction were about the only things some of my christian friend's parents approved of them reading.

Everyone I knew with a strict set of christian parents was just clammoring to get ahold of a VC Andrews or Stephen King novel. So, I guess I could see the need for more interesting and diverse christian fiction novels.

I shudder to imagine my parents trying to tell me what I could and could not read, but I knew a lot of people whose parents dictated every little thing.

I like a more than a little gratification in my reading material most of the time, so the idea of "Chick Lit" makes me a little queasy. Hell, though, what do I know? I only went to christian youth group to make out with guys.

Pure Blasphemy

 

[oggbashan]

Hell, though, what do I know? I only went to christian youth group to make out with guys.

Meeting girls was my reason for being on the committee of three Christian youth groups until someone suggested that I couldn't be Church of England AND Baptist AND Methodist. The Methodists sang best but didn't approve of alcohol so I left them first.

Og

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Damn! I never thought of joining more than one youth group. I probably could've gone to a different one every night in my Bible-thumping small town.

Pure Blasphemy

 

[oggbashan]

Damn! I never thought of joining more than one youth group. I probably could've gone to a different one every night in my Bible-thumping small town.

In a SMALL town I couldn't have got away with it.

Later I joined two political parties youth sections. I had to resign from one when I became local chairman of the other. I did believe in living dangerously.

Og

 

[OhMissScarlett]

In a SMALL town I couldn't have got away with it.

Later I joined two political parties youth sections. I had to resign from one when I became local chairman of the other. I did believe in living dangerously.

Og

I doubt anyone would've noticed if I belonged to all of the dozen churches in town, but being involved in both of the two political parties would've surely drawn the wrath of an angry mob. Perhaps even two separate angry mobs!

Pure Blasphemy

 

[oggbashan]

I doubt anyone would've noticed if I belonged to all of the dozen churches in town, but being involved in both of the two political parties would've surely drawn the wrath of an angry mob. Perhaps even two separate angry mobs!

It was fun while I lasted. Rather like having two mistresses, neither of whom knew about the other. In the UK we have 3 political parties but the Young Socialists = Labour were too seriously political. The other two youth wings were into wine, women (or men) and song, with occasional political activities IF we noticed there was an election next week.

Og

 

[OhMissScarlett]

It was fun while I lasted. Rather like having two mistresses, neither of whom knew about the other. In the UK we have 3 political parties but the Young Socialists = Labour were too seriously political. The other two youth wings were into wine, women (or men) and song, with occasional political activities IF we noticed there was an election next week.

Og

wine, women (or men) and song, now there's a movement we can all get behind.

Has anyone thought up a good idea for Christian erotica? Somehow I don't think the current story I have in the works would fly with most Christians. I'm calling it 'Hayride Handjob'. Anyone have a better idea?


Pure Blasphemy

 

[OhMissScarlett]

It was fun while I lasted. Rather like having two mistresses, neither of whom knew about the other. In the UK we have 3 political parties but the Young Socialists = Labour were too seriously political. The other two youth wings were into wine, women (or men) and song, with occasional political activities IF we noticed there was an election next week.

Og

wine, women (or men) and song, now there's a movement we can all get behind.

Has anyone thought up a good idea for Christian erotica? Somehow I don't think the current story I have in the works would fly with most Christians. I'm calling it 'Hayride Handjob'. Anyone have a better idea?


Pure Blasphemy

 

[Match Made In Heaven]

sounds good to me. I especially like the idea that it's not focused on material posessions.

The only part I wouldn't like would be the focus on finding 'the one' and getting married. barf. I don't like romances that end with a wedding.


I would read it.

I have read a book that *could* have been christian romance- I don't really know for sure. It was darn good. hafta say.

don't judge a book by its...

genre. Give it a try, you never know.

 

[Huckleman2000]

The publishing industry is beginning to pay attention. The Christian Booksellers Association estimates that total sales of Christian fiction have topped $2 billion a year, and the market share of Christian romance has grown 25 percent a year since 2001, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association reports.

Is it too cynical to suspect that this 'Christian fiction' sales figure includes sales of the Bible?

 

[Boxlicker101]

I would think "Christian Erotica", and especially "Christian Porn" would be a contradiction in terms. It can't be both, like low-fat lard or an honest politician or an impoverished billionaire. Christian romances are not all that far off the wall. I read some of thm when I was in Sunday School, long ago and far away, and to which I will never return. There's no particular reason why somebody can't write a story about the son of one church-going family and the daughter of another meeting in church, falling in love, marrying, both losing their cherries on their wedding night, and living happily ever after. I will never write such crap, except for a lot of money and I will certainly never read it.

 

[cantdog]

You could set a Christian porn story in the Reconquista. Catholic Castilian babe winds up among the Moors and needs to be, um, rescued by some Castilian swashbuckler, and bob's yer uncle.

Or the guy is captured, and the Castilian slave girl blows the guards to get in and file the young fellow's shackles off, whereupon a steamy thankyou maam ensues.

Or if not the Reconquista, then Constantinople just before it is doomed to become Istanbul, or a tale of missionaries to the heathen nearly anyplace. Place the Christians in a position where the faith is in conflict with some other one, and the body is yearning for a good Christian fuck.

Or am I being too silly and missing all the repression and Calvinism?

 

[OhMissScarlett]

You could set a Christian porn story in the Reconquista. Catholic Castilian babe winds up among the Moors and needs to be, um, rescued by some Castilian swashbuckler, and bob's yer uncle.

Or the guy is captured, and the Castilian slave girl blows the guards to get in and file the young fellow's shackles off, whereupon a steamy thankyou maam ensues.

Or if not the Reconquista, then Constantinople just before it is doomed to become Istanbul, or a tale of missionaries to the heathen nearly anyplace. Place the Christians in a position where the faith is in conflict with some other one, and the body is yearning for a good Christian fuck.

Or am I being too silly and missing all the repression and Calvinism?

You're not being silly at all. And thank you for saying 'Castilian swashbuckler', it nearly made me orgasm. 'yearning for a good Christian fuck' is good too. Jesus Christ! You're full of good ideas today.

 

[cantdog]

You might have a little more trouble if the swashbuckler sets out to rescue a soft young acolyte training for the priesthood who has been captured by the Moors. Historical Christian gay porn! Can you imagine the scene in the cell? Rinaldo pulls his sword from the Moorish guard's slumping body, works the bloodstained key in the lock, and rushes inside.

After an electric glance or two, the young devotee, in shackles, is crushed in Rinaldo's strong arms, his downy cheek against the chainmail upon his breast. The heady virile scent of the young nobleman causes his head to swim!

They kiss and suddenly they realize the chains can certainly wait! Rinaldo actually thinks he might take advantage of them a little.

Afterward, Rinaldo mentions that he has a vicarage in his father's landholdings which will soon need a youthful vicar. The young man can live so near, secure in the protection of his Rinaldo for ever...

 

[OhMissScarlett]

You might have a little more trouble if the swashbuckler sets out to rescue a soft young acolyte training for the priesthood who has been captured by the Moors. Historical Christian gay porn! Can you imagine the scene in the cell? Rinaldo pulls his sword from the Moorish guard's slumping body, works the bloodstained key in the lock, and rushes inside.

After an electric glance or two, the young devotee, in shackles, is crushed in Rinaldo's strong arms, his downy cheek against the chainmail upon his breast. The heady virile scent of the young nobleman causes his head to swim!

They kiss and suddenly they realize the chains can certainly wait! Rinaldo actually thinks he might take advantage of them a little.

Afterward, Rinaldo mentions that he has a vicarage in his father's landholdings which will soon need a youthful vicar. The young man can live so near, secure in the protection of his Rinaldo for ever...

Historical Christian gay porn is the best kind! As I writer of historical bi porn myself, this about made me pee myself with delight. If you don't write this, I'm going to have you flogged!

 

[Boxlicker101]

The swashbuckling stories being described lately are the bodice ripping novels that are so popular in paperback. I don't think this is what was meant by "Christian romance". They still might be fun to read.

 

[cantdog]

Historical Christian gay porn is the best kind! As I writer of historical bi porn myself, this about made me pee myself with delight. If you don't write this, I'm going to have you flogged!

I don't think it's quite what is meant by Christian Romance, either.

No, this one is not for me; I make you a present of it, entirely, OhMiss.

 

[OhMissScarlett]

I don't think it's quite what is meant by Christian Romance, either.

No, this one is not for me; I make you a present of it, entirely, OhMiss.

Wow, thanks! I may just have to run with this idea.

 

[carsonshepherd]

This whole thread blows my mind. I must admit, with much shame- I have read a christian romance novel. It was the only thing to read and I was bored so shut the hell up. Basically it was all emotional drama and the sex came after the people got married. PRE-marital sex is what this particular genre forbids. (I've read it in Writer's Market.)

As far as a gay christian historical romance - cantdog your idea is fan-freaking-tastic, but let's keep in mind: gay sex is sodomy and there can be nothing Christian about that (Glory Hallelujah!)

Stories that end in people get married make me ill as well. Especially gay stories... I hereby swear no story I ever write will contain a gay wedding. I've been to them. I've been the best man at one. But when I read them in stories I just can't handle it. Too Harlequin - and yes my mom had tons of those when I was growing up so I read quite a few of them. I feel quite comfortable with that too.

Cantdog, I'm now in love with Rinaldo. Send him over.

 

[Boxlicker101]

While reading some recent posts on this thread, it occurred to me that I had actually written what could easily be considered a Christian romance. The name is "The Happiest Woman" and it is in the Loving Wives category. Don't let that throw you, though; it actually is about a loving bride and her groom.

They are both 18 years old; they were married in the church earlier that day and they are both virgins. Outside of mentioning that, there are no other references to religion. There is a lot of sex in it so you might even call it Christian erotica. This is the only story of this kind that I have ever read here and probably the only one that I will ever write. I actually felt like I was violating their privacy.

CS, this one STARTS with the people being married so it shouldn't make you sick.