A guide for the excessively smug and sinful

"According to Book Industry Trends 2007, religious books in general show the "highest growth in dollar sales" across the industry. And Christian romances lead the charge, accounting for 11.4 percent of all romance paperback sales. That's a 30 percent increase from 2005, with the numbers continuing to grow." Isn't this wonderful. Thanks for this little nugget.

I found your article illuminating. Thank you for the interest in Christian romance stories. I wish you would really read one or more, so you could see why the stories are so popular and the genre steadily growing in the publishing market. I have written several that appeal to men--Pirate's Prize, Gerda's Lawman, Who Am I? to name a few. Try one of mine or some by other authors. Gail has written a large number of these titles. That's why she was asked by the publisher to write the book on how to write Christian romances.

Having read enough secular romances in my time, I find myself enjoying Christian romances more and more and secular ones less and less. One of the problems with having opened the bedroom door, is that by describing everything that goes on in there, the thing that drives romance novels-sexual tension-is lost. After a while, those sex scenes just start sounding like the same old same old. It's like the tv series where viewers are hooked as long as the attraction between the two leading characters remained in doubt. Once they get together, the show loses steam.

Yawn. Is this supposed to be funny? Here's a tip: try reading a book on how to write satire before you try writing any more satire on books about how to write.

If you think a book has to include sex scenes to be realistic, think again. It takes skill to write a beautiful love story without smutty scenes. And the reality is, not everyone has sex outside of marriage and not everyone wants to read graphic sex scenes. That's one reason there's a growing market. Read Francine Rivers' "Redeeming Love" and you'll find another. Prostitution, violence and God's grace. Redemption is the difference.

The Christian fiction market is exploding--and with good reason. Wonderful stories, which do run the gamut from sweet to heavy suspense--without relying on the cliches of mindless, boring and repetitious sex scenes meant to titillate (and between people with no true emotional commitment), or language that a well- educated, decent parent wouldn't want their kids to say. Each to his own, I guess, but I am thrilled by the burgeoning number of publishers who are expanding into the inspirational fiction market! And, I'm going straight to Amazon to buy Gail Martin's book. Thanks for the heads-up!

You know, Paige, this was pretty funny. Did you ask Maureen Dowd before you used her in your novel???

My book Petticoat Ranch is fast paced, funny, romantic and it sold really well. Simply put...it's a good read. It's not just Christians that would have a great time with my book.

There's a market for Christian fiction. Simple as that. It's called capitalism. Maybe you're heard of it?

What I don't understand is why it's ripe for mockery that Christians who read for entertainment would have their own tastes and preferences. Why not? Who exactly is it hurting????

If you'd like a chance to read Petticoat Ranch you can contact me through my website: http://www.maryconnealy.com/ . Maybe you can pass a copy on to Maureen after you're read it...if you can stand to part with it. :)