Do you have some thoughts about romance novels? I’m sure you do!
Today, please help me welcome Angela Ruth Strong as she dishes a delightful side of romance. ♥
Angela, take it away!
Even though I write romance, I often cringe when reading blurbs or excerpts for other romance novels. I love talking about love, but so often these love stories teach things about relationships that aren’t healthy. (Click-to-Tweet) They should be called codependency novels or lust stories.
I actually stopped writing romance for a while—after my failed marriage. But in meeting Mr. Strong and having my life changed by real love, there’s nothing else I’d rather write about. I write romance to prevent women like me from being led astray by fantasy.
Here’s the stuff I learned the hard way:
- Sometimes a guy is not who he says he is. He says one thing, but his actions say something else. You can’t make excuses for him—that’s lying to yourself. In Finding Love at the Oregon Coast, Christina loves Eddie, but she finally admits to herself that he’s not going to support her first love, which is her relationship with Jesus. She leaves her groom at the altar, knowing God is enough.
- You don’t need a hero because you already have One. In Finding Love in Eureka, Gen daydreams about Matt because he seems like the perfect man. He tries to be her hero, too, but he fails. And she’s left feeling like she really is cursed in relationships…until she looks to the Lord and discovers that she’s blessed beyond the curse. No matter what, she’s not abandoned, she’s adopted.
- Finding the man of your dreams should not be your only dream. And if he asks you to give up your other dream, then you’re not getting either. In Finding Love in Sun Valley, Emily could have a relationship with Tracen if she gave up her acting career. She doesn’t care about stardom as much as she cares about having a healthy relationship, so she sets some tough boundaries and they both become healthier for it.
- You are a treasure whether people treat you like one or not. In Finding Love in Big Sky, Paisley was abused by a father who made her feel like she didn’t have much to offer, and through some miscommunication, Josh makes her feel the same way. Before she’s able to believe that Josh could feel any differently about her, she first has to realize how valuable she is to her Creator and also learn to value herself.
- Even when you get it all wrong (believe the liar, beg the guy to rescue you, and give up your dreams only for him to treat you like you’re worthless), there’s still hope. In Finding Love in Park City, C.J. struggles to survive as a single mom. She feels like she failed her son once, and she doesn’t want to fail him again, so she refuses to risk her heart in a relationship, even though the man pursuing her is everything she’d wanted her first husband to be. He’s more than she deserves. Which is the whole point. God loves her enough to give her more than she deserves. All she has to do is accept.
- Every relationship needs grace. There’s a fine line between trying to earn grace for ourselves and thinking we don’t need it. The two heroines of A Caffeine Conundrum are on opposite ends of the grace spectrum, and it takes working together (along with the support of two good men) for them to realize what a gift grace really is.
Okay, A Caffeine Conundrum isn’t a romance at all but the first book in my CafFUNated Mystery Series. Just know I couldn’t leave out the thrill of falling in love or a message on relationships.
Looking back, I see that these books are all part of me, a glimpse into my failures, and a picture of who I’ve become. I’m thankful that I have the opportunity to share them, and I pray they do get picked up instead of Her Millionaire User or Only He Completes Me.
Let’s take back the love story for the Lord. Let’s show that it’s not so much about falling in love as it is about finding out how loved we already are. (Click-to-Tweet)
These novels aren’t your average romance novels because the love I’m writing about never ends. These are divine romance novels. (Click-to-Tweet)
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Author Bio
Angela Ruth Strong published her début novel, Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2010, which became the first in her Resort to Love Series. She’s gone on to publish with Harlequin and have a book selected as TOP PICK by Romantic Times and she has become an Amazon Bestseller. This Idaho Top Author and Cascade Award winner also started IDAhope Writers to encourage other aspiring authors. She currently lives in Idaho with her husband and teenagers where she teaches yoga and works as a ticket agent for an airline when not writing. You can find out more at www.angelaruthstrong.com.
Solving a murder mystery is harder when you don’t trust your partner…or their taste in beverages.
Sassy city girl Tandy Brandt moves to the small town of Grace Springs to start a coffee shop, never imagining she’ll be competing with local beauty queen Marissa Alexander and her dream of running a tea house. Unfortunately, the current store owner dies before selling the location to either of them, and they both become murder suspects.
The unlikely pair team up in an attempt to discover the real killer, though with the secrets in Tandy’s past and Marissa’s infamous clumsiness, they could be their own worst enemies. Despite their differences, they follow clues to question a sweet, apple pie baking antique store owner, a GQ Santa in the retirement center, and a hipster millionaire with no social skills. Will they be able to figure out whodunit and prove their innocence before one of them goes to jail…or worse? via Angela Ruth Strong
Order A Caffeine Conundrum today!
Connect with Angela
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SHARING IS CARING
Finding the man of your dreams should not be your only dream. Angela Ruth Strong shares why!
Listen up, friends! You are a treasure whether people treat you like one or not. Here’s the real truth about romance.
TO ENCOURAGE YOU
Provision: Trusting God When It’s Hard
Realizing God will provide even when our plans don’t mesh with His.
Sometimes, the best stories aren’t the ones that win awards and ribbons. Like this one.
Original Image Credit: Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash
What are some unrealistic perceptions people have about real-life romance?
How can we portray (healthy) real-life romance in novels?
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Thank you for being with us today, Angela, and for sharing all the tough lessons you learned the hard way! Sometimes, our harshest seasons can yield the most delicious fruit.
Thank you, friends, for stopping by and chiming in! Look for another round of encouragement next week as we welcome our last blog guest (before I jump back in the blog saddle again).
Also, be sure and stay tuned for upcoming news about Her Hope Discovered, my January 2019 début novel! Sign up for my monthly e-newsletter so you’ll never miss an update. ♥ Welcome to the family!
Much Love and Many Blessings,
Comments 8
Loved this, Angela. Thank you. And congratulations on your mystery books – they sound like such fun!
Wonderful post. I enjoy Angela’s stories very much. 🙂
Thanks, Melissa. I love sharing my stories with you.
Thanks, Laura! It was a blast to write.
I think especially now in the #MeToo age it’s so important to write romances showing healthy relationships as you’ve described them in your post Angela. And congratulations on your new mystery series!
Thank you, Laurie. I’m currently working on a screenplay about abuse because it is so relevant to our society. What the world needs now is love, sweet love.
I enjoyed your post, Angela, and love discovering “new-to-me” authors. 🙂 Congratulations on your mystery series—sounds great!
Blessings from Georgia, Patti Jo
Thanks, Patti Jo. I’m excited for the series, and I’m glad you “discovered” me. 🙂