ladybranwen (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ladybranwen) wrote2007-03-26 10:11 am
ladybranwen) wrote2007-03-26 10:11 am
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Christian romance novels.
As you might recall, a couple weeks ago, I was working on a reader's advisory for Christian romance novels. At the time, I decided that perhaps I should read some of them (much like with Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele) so I wouldn't blindly recommend something and then have it turn out horrid. Well... I've only "read" two so far, but I might have to switch up my list.
The first book chosen for this experiment was Kristen Heitzmann's Freefall. After watching Casino Royale, I realized that this book had more plot points and twists than a James Bond movie. And believe me, that isn't a good thing. It starts off slow, but ok, with the main character Gentry (later known as Jade for some of the book) falling over a waterfall, and managing to only bang her head and lose her memory in the process. Her uncle (though you don't find that out until later), seeing her fall leaps into the water, only to lose her and gets banged up pretty bad drags himself, broken legs and all, into a nearby cave. After dragging herself through the Hawaiian forest, she ends up Nica's house. She in turn, eventually calls her brother Cameron, who is a PI with major issues (like his parents drowning in the ocean when he was a kid and his wife walking out on him) to investigate who this person is. That's like the first ten pages. She turns out to be a famous movie star, which, of course, nobody recognized her living as they did on a remote Hawaiin island. This one I eventually skimmed as things just became more unbelievalbe. Gentry is kidnapped at gunpoint not once but twice! And, big suprise, Gentry and Cameron get together at the end.
The second one, I have strong feelings against. It is Deeanna Gist's The Measure of a Lady. Personally, I don't see how a Christian publisher (Bethany House) would publish it because the main character is basically a hypocritical Christian. And is that the image you want to put forward? Well, plot is that Rachel (20), her two siblings Lissa (15) and Michael (13) were on their way to San Francisco with their father during the gold rush when he dies aboard ship. Thus, Rachel is left alone with few means to raise her siblings in a Godless town. She pretty much fails as her sister runs off to join the prostitutes at the brothel and her brother becomes a gambler. But, all the time that she is grumbling about the evilness of the society around her and how she refuses to become acquainted with any of them, she is off doing such "ladylike" things as making out in a redwood tree with the local saloon keeper. She thought she had the right to judge everyone around her, pushed everyone away, and yet she was perfect. You can't get more hypocritical than that. So, no. I really don't think I can recommend this one. But that's just my personal opinion.
Maybe I should just skip reading the other ones I have, read something Karen Kingsbury, and call it a day.
And speaking of Christianity at the library, we apparently have a patron who likes to censor or edit books. I was looking at one on Saturday that needed to go to mending, and noticed that throughout the entire book, every time that "God" was written, it was crossed off. The funny thing was it was next to "God damn it" every time, so apparently God is worse than swear words to them.
Now I must call my papa, because it is his 86th birthday today!
ETA: I guess I should say something about the books I read this weekend for my own enjoyment. Firstly, Penelope by Penelope Farmer (one must wonder if it was written with her own experience) is about a girl named Flora Penelope who is having memories of another life in which she was called Penelope, had a poet for a father and Dr. Darwin for a friend until his large dog viciously mauled her little puppy and the phrase "Eat or be eaten" enters her head. Everyone around her thinks she's been reincarnated. She's not so sure. It was a fun read. I had only read Farmer's Charlotte Sometimes book when I was younger and really liked that one.
Secondly, a Peggy recommended book is Regency Sting by Elizabeth Mansfield. This is in the line of Georgette Heyer, though not as well written. Still fun, however, with the exception of the author trying too hard to get the regency "slang" down. Books should still be readable! Sometimes a bit more "nesh than dash" as one of her characters would say.
The first book chosen for this experiment was Kristen Heitzmann's Freefall. After watching Casino Royale, I realized that this book had more plot points and twists than a James Bond movie. And believe me, that isn't a good thing. It starts off slow, but ok, with the main character Gentry (later known as Jade for some of the book) falling over a waterfall, and managing to only bang her head and lose her memory in the process. Her uncle (though you don't find that out until later), seeing her fall leaps into the water, only to lose her and gets banged up pretty bad drags himself, broken legs and all, into a nearby cave. After dragging herself through the Hawaiian forest, she ends up Nica's house. She in turn, eventually calls her brother Cameron, who is a PI with major issues (like his parents drowning in the ocean when he was a kid and his wife walking out on him) to investigate who this person is. That's like the first ten pages. She turns out to be a famous movie star, which, of course, nobody recognized her living as they did on a remote Hawaiin island. This one I eventually skimmed as things just became more unbelievalbe. Gentry is kidnapped at gunpoint not once but twice! And, big suprise, Gentry and Cameron get together at the end.
The second one, I have strong feelings against. It is Deeanna Gist's The Measure of a Lady. Personally, I don't see how a Christian publisher (Bethany House) would publish it because the main character is basically a hypocritical Christian. And is that the image you want to put forward? Well, plot is that Rachel (20), her two siblings Lissa (15) and Michael (13) were on their way to San Francisco with their father during the gold rush when he dies aboard ship. Thus, Rachel is left alone with few means to raise her siblings in a Godless town. She pretty much fails as her sister runs off to join the prostitutes at the brothel and her brother becomes a gambler. But, all the time that she is grumbling about the evilness of the society around her and how she refuses to become acquainted with any of them, she is off doing such "ladylike" things as making out in a redwood tree with the local saloon keeper. She thought she had the right to judge everyone around her, pushed everyone away, and yet she was perfect. You can't get more hypocritical than that. So, no. I really don't think I can recommend this one. But that's just my personal opinion.
Maybe I should just skip reading the other ones I have, read something Karen Kingsbury, and call it a day.
And speaking of Christianity at the library, we apparently have a patron who likes to censor or edit books. I was looking at one on Saturday that needed to go to mending, and noticed that throughout the entire book, every time that "God" was written, it was crossed off. The funny thing was it was next to "God damn it" every time, so apparently God is worse than swear words to them.
Now I must call my papa, because it is his 86th birthday today!
ETA: I guess I should say something about the books I read this weekend for my own enjoyment. Firstly, Penelope by Penelope Farmer (one must wonder if it was written with her own experience) is about a girl named Flora Penelope who is having memories of another life in which she was called Penelope, had a poet for a father and Dr. Darwin for a friend until his large dog viciously mauled her little puppy and the phrase "Eat or be eaten" enters her head. Everyone around her thinks she's been reincarnated. She's not so sure. It was a fun read. I had only read Farmer's Charlotte Sometimes book when I was younger and really liked that one.
Secondly, a Peggy recommended book is Regency Sting by Elizabeth Mansfield. This is in the line of Georgette Heyer, though not as well written. Still fun, however, with the exception of the author trying too hard to get the regency "slang" down. Books should still be readable! Sometimes a bit more "nesh than dash" as one of her characters would say.
no subject
Hogtied? Do I even want to know?
Funny thing. I was at a used book sale a month ago and came across two of her other novels in the series. Well, I was about to walk out the door when I saw Jane Austen on the cover. And, being an Austen fan, I picked them up. I didn't realize until I got home that they were Christian romance novels. Haven't read them yet. They are the ones based on Persuasion and S&S.
Yes! Dee Henderson is the author I was told by the patron that I must read. Her O'Malley series, I believe.
no subject
Yes, Hogtied! Would you like me to type up the back for you? It's a pretty good book!
That's pretty cool! I loved the S&S one, but I haven't read the Persuasion one yet. She has one for all the other Austen books too. The one based off of P&P is the best. ;)
Definetly the O'Malley Series! They are very good and I'm glad I read them on a road trip last summer. I really couldn't put any of the books down. ;) Her Uncommon Heroes series is really good too.
no subject
I think I want to read the back of that one. Yes, do please! If you have time, that is.
And, I just ordered First Impressions and read some of it tonight. Have you ever read Melissa Nathan's Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Fields? It's somewhat the same premise, as the characters are thrown together in a play production of P&P.
I'll try the O'Malley Series next. I think they've been returned to the library.
no subject
Did you like First Impressions? I haven't even heard of the other book...interesting that it would have the same premise. I wonder which book came first.
*Bounces* Did you get a chance to pick up an O'Malley book?
Here's what's on the back of Hogtied: ;)
"Urias must save his sister, even if it means marrying the daughter of the man who holds his sister's bond. But something doesn't add up in Urias's mind when it comes to his new wife, Prudence. Her father's desperation for money and secretive business dealings raise questions no one can answer.
Prudence Greene cares deeply for Urias's sister Kate. She hates the idea of anyone being owned and longs to see Kate set free. But Prudence can tell Urias O'Leary doesn't trust her motives. As her father's shady financial involvements come to light, they cast an even deeper shadow over Urias's view of her.
Can the Lord unravel the knots that leave Urias feeling hogtied and helpless? WIll his heart ever be free to love Prudence? Or will the sins of Prudence's father forever mar her beauty in Urias's eyes?"
Yes, there are hogs involved. ;)