I was surprised to find that this reviewer was being sent books represented as Christian fiction that had sex scenes in them. I write Inspirational fiction and know that that is not acceptable to Christian publishers. People who buy Christian romances want to know the book is "safe" and they aren't going to be confronted with explicit sex, cursing and the like. Perhaps authors of Inspirational romances that meet this reviewers standards should send her some new releases to review. We can all help get the word out about great titles that anyone of any age can enjoy. My book, The Winds of Sonoma, is a book like that. I've had teenage girls and grandmothers write to me and say they loved it. - Nikki Arana <img src="/images/graemlins/queen.gif" alt="" />

I agree. Christian fiction should be uplifting and should represent Christianity the way it is supposed to be.

I am working on a novel myself about a Christian pastor who is a missionary and travels the world to build rescue missions and tries to spread the Good News about Jesus.

The premise of this story is he was called back to a city that he grew up in and got involved with a gang but after being arrested, he was taken in by a pastor and his wife and he eventually turned his life around and became a great Warrior in Christ's Army.

Now, the gang is still in this city and is still being led by a man who led it 25 years ago and is getting richer from the distribution of drugs and theft perpetrated by his gang and they want this pastor out of the city as he is trying to reach the gang members,the prostitutes and the homeless.

The gang leader doews not know that this pastor used to be in his gang but will find out and that is where the faith in God will surely be tested.

If I get the book published most of the money will go to start a rescue mission of my own. I have had rave reviews from people in my church who have read what I have written so far so I am very excited about finishing it and getting it published.

I think that when you go to a specific publisher's website, you will find different descriptions/requirements for "Christian fiction." Some say 'no explicit sex,' or 'no cursing.' But some allow cursing and non-explicit sex. Some say "Faith-based," without specific guidance as to what that is. I ran into a woman who happens to be in a "Christian Domestic Discipline" marriage and writes Christian romance fiction about that. Personally, I don't think routinely spanking your wife until she cries so she understands she hasn't meet the husband's standards isn't too Christian... but that is her belief, not mine. And if a publisher want to call that Christian romance, who am I to say he can't.

My book, Under the Liberty Oak, (available at www.amazon.com) is a faith-based book without promoting any specific denomination of Christianity.

I suggest you look up the Christian Writers Association. They are having a big Writer's Conference in August or September, and will have speakers, editors, agents, etc, will do manuscript critiques and have lots of good contacts for you.

I am not a writer but I really enjoy reading books and i believe that a Christian fiction should be able to Glorify God. I understand the desire that our books must be completely HOLY and such, but we cant show Gods goodness without showing us being bad, we cant show forgiveness without showing something that trully needs forgiveness. What I am trying to say is that in a Christian Fiction there is no way of everybody live in harmony, do not sin, do not have secret sins and desire for things we shouldnt, it is not possible, we are human! A book like that might as well speak about heaven, otherwise will be impossible to conect. Im not stand for sinful books, im just saying that if there is such thing in it the author needs to change it in some point , change the people in the books life and then Glorify God for all the changes.

I guess it depends what the authors veiw or definition of Christianity is. And what the laws of the land defy Christianity as being.

sounds good Vance, Have you read Run Baby Run by Nicky Cruz? his was true life, alittle similar, and another by his associate Ireal Narveaz is called Second Chance. He served five years for murder, after he felt God let him down. Great books.
Kids like books like that. Mt son loves the film Cross and the Switch blade, about how Nicky Cruz become a Christian, through the ministry of David Wilkerson

No I haven't but I will look for it. David Wilkerson is a great man and as a matter of fact I am going to one of his Teen Challenge houses this weekend to do some work on it. It caught fire on Christmas Day and a man from our church who is a success story from Teen Challenge is organizing it with our Mens Ministry.

The proceeds from my book, when it is finally done and published will go toward my own homeless shelter and food pantry that I hope to start one day with my wife.

It is very exciting.

Nicola,

Have you read "The Church That Never Sleeps" by Matthew Barnett?

He bought a fifteen story hospital in Los Angeles which is called the Los Angeles International Church and is also known as the Dream Center and made it into a 24/7 365 day church which is also a 24 hour a day medical clinic.

It is a homeess shelter, a home for unwed pregnant women, they feed more than ten thousand people a week, distribute more than a thousand items of clothing a month, a home for men and women to break their addictions to drugs and alcohol and to serve the Lord and so much more.

I highly recommend it. Matthew Barnett is the son of a pastor named Tommy Barnett who had a mega church in Phoenix.

Check it out when you can.

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Vance, your novel sounds very, very good!

How far along are you on it?

I am almost done with it but haven't been able to work on it lately because I have been busy with college work. I will devote much more time to it this Spring when I am done with this semester in May.

I am going to get that book, The Church That Never Sleeps, and read it. It sounds really good! I also look forward to your novel, Vance. Your dream of starting a homeless shelter and food pantry is so inspiring.