Unexpected Blessings

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

“There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.” “Every dark cloud has a silver lining.” “This too shall pass.” There are lots of ways to express the hope that our current trials will eventually come to an end. When we’re going through dark times, it’s human nature to hold out hope for a brighter future. 

Last fall, my sister’s husband was diagnosed with lung and bone cancer. Less than four months later, he passed away, and after 25 wonderful years of marriage, my 52-year-old sister found herself in the position of being widowed.

Through it all, Kim had complete confidence that not only would God take care of her, but that He had something wonderful in store for her. I admired her faith and the positive outlook she displayed through the grief.

A couple of months ago, she decided to check out Christian Mingle to see what singles there might be in the area and possibly find what they refer to as an “activities partner.” She put up a minimal profile, and since she lives in a small mountain town, with the nearest big city two hours away, she was surprised to have a response the following day from someone in the next town. He wanted to know what church she attended, and after praying about it a couple of days, she sent a reply. As it turned out, this guy Randall works with one of Kim’s friends at church, who has nothing but good to say about him.

After texting back and forth for some time, they finally decided to meet in the park downtown and go to lunch. Kim wanted to go Dutch and each pay for their own meals. Randall’s response was, “Sorry, I’m old-fashioned…and I don’t speak Dutch!”

Since that first meeting, they’ve seen each other almost every day. If Kim made a list of everything she would want in a man, Randall would fit the bill. He’s gentle, caring, romantic, and strong spiritually—a man who prays for her and with her and isn’t afraid to talk about his faith. And he’s crazy about her. They’re taking it slow, letting God lead. But I have no doubt where all this is going. Somewhere down the road, I’ll be getting a new brother-in-law.

During those darkest hours, Kim knew God had something good for her. She just never expected that blessing to be in the form of Randall!

What blessings have you received, unexpected or otherwise? What are you thankful for? Share your thoughts, and I’ll put your name in the hat to win an autographed copy of Bodyguard for Christmas. (U.S. residents only. If you live outside the U.S., I’ll send an ebook.)

Someone’s after his little boy. 

She has one chance to save them both.

When his young son is nearly kidnapped, assistant district attorney Colton Gale needs a Christmas refuge—and a live-in bodyguard. Though former military police officer Jasmine McNeal fights to shield them 24/7, she refuses to get attached. But growing close to the little boy and his father might be her only shot at keeping them alive—and becoming a family beyond the holidays.

Amazon        Harlequin         Barnes and Noble

New for December from Our Love Inspired Suspense Authors

Jean C. Gordon here with three new must buys from our Love Inspired Suspense authors. Just click on the cover or retailer links to purchase it. And to learn more about the authors, click on their names.

Military K-9 Unit Christmas
by Valerie Hansen and Laura Scott

Danger lurks during the holidays
in these two Military K-9 Unit stories
In Christmas Escape by Valerie Hansen, veterinary assistant Rachel Fielding and her niece spend the holidays hiding from a killer with her boss, Kyle Roarke, and a capable K-9. And in Yuletide Target by Laura Scott, someone’s gunning for Senior Airman Jacey Burke and her trusty K-9. But Staff Sergeant Sean Morris will do anything to keep her safe for Christmas.

Amazon | B&N | Harlequin | Kobo | Google Play | AppleBooks

Lone Star Christmas Witness
by Margaret Daley 

To protect a child witness
Lone Star Justice must prevail
With a killer at large, Texas Ranger Taylor Blackburn must safeguard little Ben Markham—the sole survivor of a mass shooting. But allowing Ben and his beautiful aunt, Sierra Walker, into his life is riskier than Taylor imagined. While he can distract Ben with Christmas planning, Taylor can’t ignore how Sierra makes him feel. The only thing harder than protecting them is guarding his own heart ...

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Bodyguard for Christmas
by Carol Post 

Someone’s after his little boy.
She has one chance to save them both.
When his young son is nearly kidnapped, assistant district attorney Colton Gale needs a Christmas refuge—and a live-in bodyguard. Though former military police officer Jasmine McNeal fights to shield them 24/7, she refuses to get attached. But growing close to the little boy and his father might be her only shot at keeping them alive—and becoming a family beyond the holidays.

Amazon | B&N | Harlequin | Kobo | Google Play | AppleBooks

Jean C. Gordon here with two new must buys from our Love Inspired Contemporary authors. Just click on the cover or retailer links to purchase it. And to learn more about Vannetta and Deb, click on their names.

Amish Christmas Memories
by Vannetta Chapman 
 
All she wants for Christmas is her memories
An Indiana Amish Brides book
When a young Amish woman collapses in the snow shortly before Christmas, Caleb Wittmer rushes to her aid. Only, “Rachel” remembers nothing of who she is. Now his family has taken in the pretty stranger, disrupting Caleb’s ordered world. He’s determined to find out where she belongs…even if Rachel’s departure means saying goodbye to his old-fashioned heart forever.

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A Christmas Baby for the Cowboy
by Deb Kastner 

’Tis the season for a new start
But can he be a daddy in Cowboy Country?
With a baby on the way and Christmas around the corner, disgraced rodeo rider Cash Coble returns to Serendipity hoping to fix his reputation. Cash never imagined that pretty Alyssa Emerson would inspire him to cowboy up—let alone open his heart. But will she agree to be part of his new family once she learns his dark secret?

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Another Side to the Ladies of Love Inspired Romance

Many of the Ladies of Love Inspired Romance write more than their Love Inspired Books. Here are some of this month's other new releases. Just click on the covers or buy links to purchase them. And to learn more about the authors, click on their names.

An Autumn Chill

by Mary Alford

Can she remember the past and what happened the night her friend died, or will she take those memories to her grave?

In an instant, Isabelle Dunn’s past disappeared when the car she was driving went over the side of a mountain, killing her best friend. Isabelle knows she is lucky to be alive, yet there is something about the man claiming to be her fiancé that terrifies her. To stay alive, Isabelle flees Buffalo Ridge, Wyoming, looking back over her shoulder every mile of the way. When she stops to catch some sleep just inside the city limits sign for Cedar Creek, Texas, she has no idea how much the quaint little town, and Texas Ranger Seth Walker, will change her life for the better.

Ranger Seth Walker has written love out of his life after he watched his twin sister die at the hands of someone she loved. Seth wasn’t able to save Sarah. Can he protect Isabelle now?

Forced into hiding until they can untangle the web of deceit Detective Paul Hardwick has spun, unexpectedly, Seth and Isabelle can’t stop the attraction they feel for each other from turning to love.

With Seth’s help and God’s protection, will Isabelle remember what really happened the night her friend died before Paul Hardwick can silence those memories forever?

Inspirational Romantic Suspense

BUY

Her Blessed Gift

by Jo Ann Brown

Addie Weaver has lived in the Amish tourist town of Pinecraft for the last year since leaving her difficult life in Lancaster County behind. She's making a new place for herself in the Florida sunshine, complete with a tiny home and a job at the local diner. When a handsome Amish man sits down at her booth, she can see he's troubled. Her heart tells her she must try to help.

David Brennenman is at the end of his rope, looking for his younger siblings. He's tracked them to Pinecraft, but now lost their trail. David walks Addie home where they discover a basket containing a pink and precious baby girl. Who is the child? Can someone else's child help two broken people heal and become stronger...together?

Amish Inspirational Romance 

BUY

New for October from Our Love Inspired Suspense Authors

Jean C. Gordon here with five new must buys from our Love Inspired Suspense authors. Just click on the cover or retailer links to purchase it. And to learn more about the authors, click on their names.

Grave Peril
by Mary Alford 

Mountain Ambush

Reunions can be deadly
Jamie Hendricks always believed her late father was innocent of murder…and now her uncle claims to have proof. But when she arrives in her hometown, her uncle has vanished—and someone wants her dead. Jamie’s ex-boyfriend, CIA agent Gavin Dalton, is the only person she trusts…even if he believes her dad killed his father. But can he help her uncover a deadly conspiracy that goes deeper than anyone expected?

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Amish Christmas Secrets
by Debby Giusti 

Safe Haven for the Holidays
The thrilling Amish Protectors conclusion
Leaving the nursing home where she works, Rosie Glick’s accosted by a man demanding incriminating evidence her murdered boyfriend stole—until Ezra Stoltz scares him off. Now with a killer dead set on silencing the Amish single mother, Ezra must hide Rosie and her baby to keep them safe. But can he expose a sinister conspiracy in time to save the woman he secretly loves?

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Battle Tested
by Laura Scott 

Keeping guard—because a killer lurks
A Military K-9 Unit novel
When Captain Isaac Goddard saves Vanessa Gomez from a vicious attack, he discovers the feisty military nurse is the Red Rose Killer’s next target. With help from Vanessa’s guard Doberman, the former pilot makes it his mission to protect Vanessa and her young brother. But when the danger closes in, can he overcome the post-traumatic stress that haunts him and stop a ruthless killer?

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Undercover Memories
by Lenora Worth 

Her most important mission…
and she can’t remember what it is.
After amnesia strands private investigator Emma Langston in Dallas, only Detective Ryder Palladin can stop the men trying to kill her. But protective custody on Ryder’s family ranch has its own risks, like falling for the handsome cowboy. Before she can untangle her feelings for Ryder, Emma must recover her memory…because she’s sure someone’s life depends on it, even if she can’t remember whose.

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Christmas K-9 Unit Collection
Volume 2 by Valerie Hansen, Terri Reed, and Lenora Worth  

The holidays are dangerous times for these K-9 heroes. Enjoy four heart pounding K-9 unit novellas in one box set!

When a single dad returns from a war zone and discovers someone is following him, he turns to a K-9 officer for help.

After a cryptic note appears in the playground at a daycare center, a rookie K-9 officer vows to protect the proprietor and the kids she loves.

An FBI K-9 agent thwarts an attempted murder, and she becomes a target of the killer—the same hit man a US Marshal is tracking.

Determined to stop an arsonist with the help of his accelerant-detecting K-9 partner, an FBI agent must protect the only witness.

This box set includes Rookie K-9 Unit Christmas: Surviving Christmas by Valerie Hansen and Holiday High Alert by Lenora Worth; and Classified K-9 Unit Christmas: A Killer Christmas
by Lenora Worth and Yuletide Stalking by Terri Reed.

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Showers of Inspiration

    

It's happened to me more times than I can count. I get up early, brew some coffee and settle down at my desk in my teensy writing office, ready to tackle the next scene in my story.

     I write. I delete. I write again.  I delete. I stare goggle-eyed at the annoying cursor flashing reproachfully on my screen.

     I mentally tot up how far behind I'm getting and how soon my kids are going to be up, signaling the official end of my writing time. I seriously consider scratching the whole idea of writing books. Maybe I'll take up knitting instead. Knitting is cozy, and you can do it while you watch television.

     I remember the last time I tried to knit.

     Okay. So maybe not knitting.

     I refocus on the computer screen. I don't like my characters anymore, especially that heroine who's stubbornly refusing to cooperate with me. In my beautiful, breezy outline, she came across as delightfully spunky. Now she's like that renegade wheel on the grocery cart I always end up with--the one that makes me veer off track and crash into pyramids of canned green beans.

     I want to clonk her on the head.

     I decide this book is a total wash. No matter that I'm on page one hundred and eleven. It's garbage. I'm just going to have to start over; that's all there is to it.

     I give up and go to take a shower.

     And then--when I am physically as far away from my computer as I can get and still be inside the house, when I have no pen, no paper, nothing except shampoo and soap--it comes to me.

     I know exactly how to write that scene.

     I wish I had a nickel for every time I have hopped dripping out of a half-completed shower in desperate search of a pencil to jot down the dialogue my spunky heroine can utter that will turn the scene from a disaster into exactly the plot device I need to move the story forward.

     Apparently, I'm not alone in this. Agatha Christie, who as a murder mystery writer did have the enviable advantage of being able to kill off annoying characters, once remarked, "The best time for planning a book is while you're doing the dishes."

     What about you? Is there a non-writing activity that tends to get your creative juices flowing when you're blocked? Since I'm in the middle of a particularly balky book right now, I'd love to hear about it! Leave a comment below--or connect with me on my blog, via email or on Facebook.

And don't forget to check out my newest release A Baby for the Minister, available now! 

New for September from Our Love Inspired Contemporary Authors

Jean C. Gordon here with three new must buys from our Love Inspired Contemporary authors. Just click on the cover or retailer links to purchase it. And to learn more about Leigh, Laurel, and Allie, click on their names.

Runaway Amish Bride
by Leigh Bale 

His Amish bride arrives…but he never proposed!
Surprises await in Colorado Amish Courtships
Widower Jakob Fisher isn’t interested in remarrying, even to pretty Abigail Miller. But thanks to his daed’s meddling, Abby’s sitting in his Colorado farmhouse, expecting to be wed. While Jakob can’t offer marriage, he can give Abby a job caring for his young children. But when he starts to fall for her, could Abby make Jakob’s family happy and whole once again?
Amazon | B&N | Harlequin | Kobo | Google Play | iBooks

A Baby for the Minister
by Laurel Blount 

A minister with a heart of gold…
and a pregnant bride with no groom!
Jilted at the altar, Natalie Davis has no one she can turn to—until Jacob Stone steps in. The single minister’s drawn to the beautiful mommy-to-be and wants to help…even if it goes against his congregation’s wishes and could cost him his job. But when she refuses to accept charity, can he convince her she’s more than a ministry project?
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Snowbound with the Best Man
by Allie Pleiter 

Do their matchmaking daughters have the right idea?
A Matrimony Valley novel
Snowed in with the best man at a wedding weekend, florist Kelly Nelson can’t help but notice that the handsome widower seems overwhelmed raising his young daughter. So Kelly is delighted when her own daughter befriends the girl. But when the little matchmakers target Kelly and Bruce with an adorable Valentine’s Day plot, will the reluctant single parents give love a second chance?
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Another Side to the Ladies of Love Inspired Romance

Many of the Ladies of Love Inspired Romance write more than their Love Inspired Books. Here are some of this month's other new releases. Just click on the covers or buy links to purchase them. And to learn more about the authors, click on their names.

Exposed

by Mary Alford, Virginia Vaughan, and five other authors

HALLOWED GROUND (Mary)
After a terrorist attack claims the life of her partner, CIA Agent Erin Sandoval would not have survived Blake's death without the help of fellow agent, Jax Murphy. When Erin's unit is deployed to Afghanistan to find the elusive terrorist the CIA believes responsible for taking Blake's life, the mission proves to be a setup, wiping out almost the entire team. As the only survivors of the attack, Erin and Jax must cut through a wealth of lies and misdirections to uncover the killer's identity. Yet nothing prepares them for the truth, and the biggest threat to their survival might prove to be their growing feelings for each other. When you're running for your life, the most dangerous place to fall is in love.

FOR LOVE OR MONEY (Virginia)
Amy Sullivan left everything familiar to meet an aunt she didn't know she had. She's searching for a family connection, yet gets much more when she's named sole heir to her aunt's fortune. But someone in this sleepy, southern town doesn't want Amy to live long enough to collect that inheritance. Deputy Tate Mitchell is determined to discover who wants the money for themselves--and who is willing to kill Amy to get it.

A Christian Romantic Suspense Boxed Set Book Bundle Collection

Buy: Amazon 

Amish Christmas Wishes

by Mary Alford

DANGER IN AMISH COUNTRY
In the shadow of the Mission Mountains of Montana, a nightmare is about to come to life.

Facing her first Christmas since her father’s passing, Hannah Christianson must put aside the desires of her heart to one day have a family of her own in order to take care of her younger brother and sister. Yet when an unexpected stranger comes into her life, he possesses the power to rekindle all those longings.

Mason Lambright is the grown up version of the boy who has haunted Hannah’s dreams since she was a little girl. From the moment Mason stops in at her family’s café, Hannah feels a connection to him.

Banned Amish dairy farmer Mason Lambright is running from allegations that brand him a murderer. Desperate to reclaim his place in the Plain world once again, he ends up at the Mission Valley Community searching for a new beginning. But Mason’s unexpected appearance brings with it a hint of something far darker when another man arrives in the valley shortly after Mason. Everything about the intimidating stranger makes Hannah fearful. Who is this man, and why has he come to her peaceful Mission Valley community? The answer will be far more deadly than anything she could have imagined.

Haunted by a recent the fire that took the life of his mother, Mason recalls a similar one when he was a young boy. The little girl with silver hair that he saved from that fire. The mysterious man running away who warned Mason to keep his mouth shut. The feeling that something evil lurked nearby waiting to pounce.

Mason is struck by how much Hannah reminds him of that young girl from childhood. He is convinced their lives are connected in spite of the impossible. Hannah has never lived anywhere but Mission Valley.

With Christmas just days away, will Hannah and Mason unravel the secrets from their joined past and find the love they’ve both been searching for? Or will their dangerous history take away their chance at happiness…along with their lives?

Buy: Amazon 
 

Faithful Women: Legacies of Grace

by Belle Calhoune, Cate Nolan, Leah Atwood, and Christina Lorenzen

Four Christian romance novellas inspired by legendary Biblical women.
Eve: Eve Douglass has worked hard to recover from opioid addiction. In doing so, she's reinvented her life in Bay Shore, Cape Cod and held fast to her dream of one day opening her own bakery. When she meets handsome veterinarian, Flynn Samuels, Eve finds herself struggling with her attraction to him. Ever since the tragic death of her ex-boyfriend, Adam, Eve has steered clear of relationships. But Eve knows God wouldn't want her to walk through life alone. As she and Flynn begin a relationship, Eve struggles with the knowledge that she still needs to make amends to those she's wronged.

Hannah: Can God bring together what man has torn asunder?

Hannah and Kane Winthrop had it all—until the challenges of infertility drove a wedge between them and threatened their marriage.

Like her biblical namesake, Hannah is a woman of prayer, and she never stopped praying for a child.

Sometimes God answers our prayers in unexpected ways, and for Hannah that means a chance to be the guardian of two young children while their mother is deployed.

Will this opportunity give Hannah and Kane a chance to rebuild their marriage, or will it reinforce their differences and drive them apart forever?

Ruth: Ruth Baker has lost her husband. Unsure of what the future holds, she clings to her faith and her six-year-old daughter, Mara, when she travels to her grandmother’s beachside home in Pebble Shores.

Eli Hamill has felt the pull to put down roots. After years of buying and selling houses, he’s doing something he’s never done before – living temporarily in the beachside house he bought from an elderly widow. The last thing he’s looking for is an instant family.

Can an old house filled with loving memories and a sweet little girl show two lonely people what the future can hold?

Mari: A chance encounter in the aftermath of a storm takes Mari Armfield on a path of discovery that leads to a newfound faith in God. As her faith grows, she realizes that her life can’t stay the same. She has tough decisions to make, including the future of her relationship with her boyfriend Steve.

Steve doesn’t believe in God, but he’ll support Mari in her new walk. As her faith deepens, his concern grows. How can their relationship survive paths that aren't compatible?
Mari is a fictional novella inspired by the biblical woman at the well.

Buy: Amazon

A Match Made in Williamstown
by Jean C. Gordon

Ellie Alexander is In love. And the only thing sweeter would be if Libby, her unmarried, unattached granddaughter, could find the same happiness. Maybe with a little help from her and her beau Blake Parker …

Libby Schuyler has avoided dating since her break-up with college-sweetheart Jack Parker. Out of nowhere, Jack shows up claiming Ellie is swindling his grandfather, Blake, through a travel agency partnership they’ve formed. Libby and Jack team up to protect their grandparents and get to the bottom of Ellie and Blake’s business and romantic relationship. While Libby and Jack fight their reignited attraction, Ellie and Blake conspire to bring the two together.

Inspirational Romance Novella

Buy: Amazon | B&N |  Kobo | iBooks 

To Love
by Laura Scott

Eager for a fresh start, Jazz McNally throws herself into renovating her grandparents’ mansion in time for the grand opening of the McNally Bed and Breakfast. When vandals strike, she accepts help from drifter Dalton O’Brien. Dalton is willing to lend a hand, until it’s time to move on. But when danger escalates, Dalton soon realizes that protecting Jazz is a threat—to his heart.

Inspirational Romantic Suspense
The McNallys Book One 


Buy: Amazon | B&N |  Kobo | iBooks 

Runaway Princess Bride
by Lenora Worth

After making a serious misjudgment about the man she was about to marry, Cara escaped to the one place she always felt safe–her family’s ranch. She wants to evade the paparazzi and hide her near disastrous mistake from her family, while she tries to figure out what’s next.

In need of peace after a tumultuous year supervising the building of Castle’s first technology store, Aidan Castle escapes to the Double L Ranch. When he enters the den, he’s shocked to find a woman sleeping in a wedding dress. Worse, he recognizes her as the beautiful socialite he kissed at Castle’s costume ball. He’d felt that night was special and when Cara left, he’d lost a little piece of his heart.

Cara has no place to go, and Aidan’s not sure he wants to kick her out. When a winter storm traps them in, their attraction and bond become undeniable. Cara opens up and Aidan can’t resist playing white knight and offering to scrub all details of her secret love life to save grace with her powerful brother. But then, he discovers secrets that make him question everything. Can he trust her?

Sweet Romance
Castles of Dallas 

Buy:  Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play

 

New for August from Our Love Inspired Suspense Authors

Jean C. Gordon here with four new must buys from our Love Inspired Suspense authors. Just click on a cover to purchase it. And to learn more about Margaret, Dana, Virginia,and Lenora , click on their names.

Texas Baby Pursuit
by Margaret Daley 

On a kidnapper’s trail…
Lone Star Justice never fails
Minutes after his baby nephew is kidnapped, Texas Ranger Dallas Sanders traces the crime to a child trafficking ring hiding in plain sight. As he and local sheriff Rachel Young race to expose the sinister conspiracy, they’re determined to keep their relationship professional. But when Rachel’s infant daughter is also abducted, can she and Dallas rescue the children in time…and survive to have a future together?

Amazon | B&N | Harlequin | Kobo | Google Play | iBooks

Amish Country Ambush
by Dana R. Lynn 

Hidden in Plain Sight
An Amish Country Justice story
After police dispatcher Elise St. Clair’s home is invaded by her murderous brother-in-law, her nephew is hidden in Amish Country by her cleaning lady. Now relying on police officer Ryan Parker is Elise’s only hope of reuniting with the child…and evading the killer. And Elise and Ryan quickly discover their temporary partnership has long-term potential—if they can stay alive.

Amazon | B&N | Harlequin | Kobo | Google Play | iBooks 

Cold Case Cover-up
by Virginia Vaughan 

She’ll risk everything to uncover her past
The first thrilling Covert Operatives tale
An infant is believed to have been murdered thirty years ago—but investigative journalist Dana Lang is convinced she’s that baby. Now someone’s willing to kill to stop her investigation. And only secretive deputy Quinn Dawson, whose grandfather may have faked Dana’s death to protect her, can keep her safe. But a killer’s dead set on burying the past—and them—for good.

Amazon | B&N | Harlequin | Kobo | Google Play | iBooks 

Rescue Operation

by Lenora Worth 

Racing to rescue a child  
Danger heats up in the Military K-9 Unit series

A little boy is missing, and it’s up to search-and-rescue K-9 handler Ava Esposito and her dog to find him…before the Red Rose Killer does. FBI special agent Oliver Davison is hot on the trail of the escaped convict and joins forces with Ava. But when the killer turns his crosshairs on them, Oliver must protect them all before time runs out.

Amazon | B&N | Harlequin | Kobo | Google Play | iBooks

New Love Inspired Contemporary Romance for August

Believe it or not, none of our Love Inspired Contemporaries have a new release this month. But look for these other August Love Inspired  contemporary releases online or in stores near you.

 

Christian romance and the friendship factor

A few years ago my husband and I attended a marriage class at our church. (Yes, even after more than 46 years together, we’re still learning!) The basis for the class was Timothy Keller’s book The Meaning of Marriage. And while I gave a lot of thought to applying the lessons to my own marriage, my writer’s brain was also filing everything away for use with my fictional characters and their relationships. 

Photo by Crew on Unsplash

According to Keller, friendship—our spouse as our very best friend—is crucial to a solid marriage relationship. This concept reminded me of one of the primary differences between Christian romance novels and many secular romances. In secular romances, the initial encounter between the hero and heroine tends to focus heavily on the characters’ physical attributes—the heroine’s curvy figure, limpid eyes, and lustrous long hair; the hero’s trim waist, muscled biceps, and broad shoulders. And where does all this physical attraction lead? Often it’s straight to the bedroom, short-circuiting the “getting to know you” phase during which a meaningful friendship should be developing.

In romantic Christian fiction the characters may still admire each other’s more appealing external attributes—they wouldn’t be human if they didn’t! But even more important are those little glimpses into not only who these characters are at the outset, but who they have the potential of becoming. With each other’s help and encouragement, they can toss their self-protective masks aside and begin to see themselves through God’s eyes. They are set free to grow into the people they were created to be, not only as individuals but within the couple relationship.

Photo by Denisse Leon on Unsplash

True friendship begins when someone who cares about us sees not only our flaws and faults but our best selves—when they’re not only willing but committed to sticking it out with us even when that “best self” retreats. To quote Timothy Keller, “What, then, is marriage for? It is for helping each other to become our future glory-selves, the new creations that God will eventually make us.” That, to me, is the best kind of happily-ever-after!

Let’s talk. Think about your own real-life romance or a romantic novel you’ve recently read. What part did genuine friendship play as romance blossomed? Do you agree with Keller’s ideas about the purpose of marriage?

Myra Johnson writes emotionally gripping stories about love, life, and faith. She’s currently at work on a new Love Inspired mini-series, Hill Country Haven, with recurring characters from Her Hill Country Cowboy and Hill Country Reunion. Myra is a three-time Maggie Awards finalist, two-time finalist for the prestigious ACFW Carol Awards, winner of Christian Retailing’s Best for historical fiction, and winner in the Inspirational category of the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards. Originally from Texas but now residing in the beautiful Carolinas, Myra and her husband love the climate and scenery, but they may never get used to the pulled pork Carolinians call “barbecue”! The Johnsons share their home with two very pampered rescue dogs who don’t always understand the meaning of “Mom’s trying to write.” They’ve also inherited the cute little cat (complete with attitude) their daughter and family had to leave behind when they recently moved overseas.

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