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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Guest Blogger Marianne Evans and Devotion

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARIANNE EVANS is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create.

Evans’s novel, Hearts Communion, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year honors in the Romance category and readers have lauded her work as: ‘Riveting.’ ‘Realistic and true to heart.’ ‘Compelling.’ Evans has also won acclaim in such RWA contests as The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, where she has been a finalist twice, the Ancient City Romance Writers Heart of Excellence contest, where two of her novels earned distinction as finalists, and the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence contest.

A lifelong resident of Michigan, Evans is active in a number of a number of Romance Writers of America chapters, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. She’s also active in American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network.

Connect with Marianne:
Website: www.marianneevans.com
Blog: marianneevans.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marianne-Evans/308711716744
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Marmo212

DEVOTION
by Marianne Evans
Published by HarbourLight (Pelican Book Group)

ABOUT THE BOOK

From This Day Forward
Christian Music agent Kellen Rossiter has everything he ever wanted: A-list clients from coast to coast, a loving wife who honors and respects him, and a faith life that’s never wavered—until now.

Juliet Rossiter has the perfect life: a rewarding schedule serving the underprivileged, a husband who loves her as Christ loved the church, and a blessed future as a mother—at least that's what she thinks.

For Better or Worse
But what happens when their rock-solid marriage begins to crumble under the weight of an unexpected and powerful temptation? How does love survive when its foundation is shaken?

'Til Death Do Us Part
When human frailty and the allure of sin deal a harsh blow to their relationship, it will take more than love to mend the shattered trust and heartbreak. It will take a lifetime of devotion.

Watch the Video Trailer.

Readers, buy your copy of Devotion today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR


Less…is MORE!

I hope you all don’t mind, but there’s a topic I’d like to talk about that may start out seeming quite risqué, but that’s not my intent—at all. It’s simply a subject worth looking at…no matter what you read, no matter what you write.

Here we go.

There are only so many ways to describe the act of making love. After a while, really, doesn’t the idea of reading about sex—for the sake of sex—become a bit boring? I think that’s part of why certain genres of writing are pushing the envelope into darker and darker territory. The titillation factor diminishes after a while, so new avenues are explored.

Now, let’s look at the other side of the issue. Consider the idea of engaging yourself in a love story. A plot rich with romance, strife, hope, battles, tears, fears and triumph. Storytelling. How could that ever become stale, or boring? The canvas for that kind of entertainment is endless. Writing about sex isn’t storytelling. Writing about the characters, their motivational core, their risks, beliefs, fears…that’s storytelling.

Faith-affirming fiction, as some of you may know, is my mantra. I hope and pray it expresses everything you need to know about me as a writer, and what you can expect from the stories I write. As an author of Christian romance and fiction, as well as someone who used to write secular romance, I’d love to share some insights I’ve gained during my journey as an author.

First of all, less is more. Yep. Anticipate. Build. Let a verbal exchange, a touch, a gesture of love, speak as eloquently as any scene that plays out in a bedroom. Whatever happened to imagination? Whatever happened to the slow but sure closing of a door as the senses unfold to the promise of that which isn’t just experienced physically, but as a flow of the spirit, and the heart?

Just a little something to think about as you claim the next installment from your TBR pile! After all, truly, what sounds better to you? Fifty shades of gray or the overriding arc of a dazzling, multi-colored rainbow?


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Thank you, Marianne, for sharing with us today.

Reader Question: How do you feel about romantic tension and interplay in Christian romance and fiction? What appeals to you? What turns you off?

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name at domainname dot com/net) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win a free autographed copy of the book featured above. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

This week, the contest is open to residents of the US only. If you live outside the US, a PDF copy will be provided to you.

3 comments:

Cheryl said...

Congratulations on your new release, Marianne. How wonderful! I love the simple, yet, powerful cover art for this one.

Romantic tension in Christian romance doesn't bother me at all, because I look at the emotions the characters are experiencing, not the physical side of things. It's how characters are drawn together by the triumphs and trials that make a satisfying story. The only thing that would turn me off is if too much focus was placed on the physical aspect of romance.

Blessings to all,

Cheryl

ccmal(at)charter(dot)net

Sherry Kuhn said...

Oh Marianne, I really appreciate your post and I totally agree! You said it so very well. I think romantic tension in a Christian romance is a must. Isn't that what really happens in real life. You feel desire toward that special person. The touch, the kiss, that pull to want to be together in a more intimate way? That's what I would term as 'edgy'. To me it's realistic. I know some say it doesn't belong in Christian romance but God is the author of love and sex and they are both beautiful things, if done God's way. What appeals to me, is when characters go through that desire and longing, and even though it's difficult, they honor God by reining in that desire. Even stories where the couple fails and gives into that desire, appeal to me if the consequences of that decision are shown. What turns me off is a story where you don't feel that connection or it isn't shown. I also think, that while we know what a married couple will do, we don't need a blow-by-blow. You wouldn't leave your bedroom door open and neither should the author in a book. Great post and great questions! This is a hot topic in Christian fiction these days.

Please exclude me from the drawing as I already have an autographed copy. I had the wonderful opportunity to review Devotion and I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND it! It's an excellent story.

Judy said...

Romantic tension and interplay in Christian romance is fine as long as it doesn't cross the line. I think if an author pens too much romantic tension, that might cause the reader to start dreaming about a fantasy lover instead of showing their own spouse the special attention that our Bible instructs us to do.

What would turn me off is romantic tension and interplay that goes too far. No bedroom scenes! I am uncomfortable even reading a book that has a bedroom scene. We need to be careful what we allow ourself to read. There is nothing wrong with a good clean romance. Less is more!

I would love to win a copy of Devotion.

Blessings!
Judy
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com