Culture

Versed in Christian Love

Published

10 years ago

February 19, 2015

Moviegoers turned out in droves over the weekend to see the much-anticipated Fifty Shades of Grey based on the steamy book series. The books and movie generated enough heat in sales and at the box office to make small countries envious. But, at what cost?

In religious circles there is some debate about the societal implications but rather than talk about the issue, romance writers like Renee McCoy and Pat Simmons are literally rewriting the conversation. Their novels offer romance seasoned with Christianity.

“What I was getting was sex scenes in chapter one — and sometimes on page one,” Simmons says. “I tried to skip over them, but the mention of a body part would pop up here and there. I began to write Christian romances because I believed that I wasn’t the only one who wanted a good love story without the lust.”

And, Simmons was right. Eight years later, the former television news writer, has won three literary awards and published several single titles and eBooks novellas, including the #1 Amazon bestseller in God Word, A Christian Christmas.

“God is good. What began as a ‘hobby,’ the Lord turned it into a ministry,” says Simmons. “It may sound strange, but some people don’t know how to live as ‘practicing Christians.” Simmons recalls that before she was saved, she attended church regularly — but “[I] would curse you out if you said the wrong thing to me.”

Both Simmons and McCoy are strong Christians. They are wives and mothers keenly observant of the search for love. McCoy fashions her characters from her life…those she meets as well as those she has known all her life.

“In some special way, they each shape the way that I craft a story whether it be romance, suspense, or contemporary Christian fiction,” McCoy said. “I may develop a story from a conversation by playing out a ‘what if’ scenario, but mainly a piece of work is influenced and derived from the Scripture. There are so many pearls of wisdom from the Holy Bible that I can’t help but draw from the Book God has left for us to live by.”

McCoy also written for the world-renowned pocket devotional, The Upper Room. She believes Christians need the encouragement found in reading the Word each day.

“I believe it is very important on many levels,” McCoy said. “Fiction novels that focus on Christian living provide a form of entertainment that is clean, positive, and inspiring. Non-fiction books that focus on the same deliver real-life examples for those who are looking for someone who may have experienced the same struggles that they have.”

She continued, “In addition, it is imperative to educate our community in various areas such as politics, economics, history and health as it makes us well-informed individuals. Our choices are influenced by what we know and often the environment in which we live. When we are educated, growth and maturity follows.”

McCoy released a new book in December titled Single, Saved & Searching. The book focuses on the beautiful, intelligent, and single Elisha Maxwell who in the same week has received a wedding invitation from both her last single best friend and her younger sister. She wonders when it will be her turn to get married. Challenged by a string of disappointing relationships, Elisha is left feeling desperate and confused about finding Mr. Right. Upon Elisha’s quest to change her single status, she finds something much more important along the way. She is faced with a choice: embrace the man of her dreams or someone who appears to be her perfect match.

Simmons’ is known for the beloved Jamieson men in her Guilty series. Her new series features the Carmen sisters. Simmons’ most recent book is based on Shae Carmen, a young professional woman whose faith is tested after discovering her boyfriend is married and planning to reconcile with his estranged wife.

The Christian romance genre accounts for a large segment of the fiction book sales. But, as recently as 2008, industry insiders were looking to add writers committed to Christian living themes. McCoy and Simmons say they have their assignment.

Simmons points out that God helped believers understand through parables. “Despite a person’s walk in life, they all need God and encouragement. And that’s what I try to [show] in my stories that no matter what you’re up against, God is there. He knows and He cares.”

McCoy says, “I want readers to learn, or be reminded, that it is best to listen to God even when we may want to hear a different answer to our prayers. He knows best.”

Simmons wants readers to memorize Jude 1:24: “Now unto him that is able to keep you from failing and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” The question is, ‘Do you want to be kept’?”