What is an Inspirational Romance?

Well, my book, The Inconvenient Widow, isn't doing so well ratings wise on Goodreads right now. Why? Because it is an inspirational romance. Now, I don't try to hide this fact from anyone. I clearly stated it on my Goodreads Giveaway page. In case anyone didn't know what that was, in the description, I say, "Marcus is there to protect her while Emily’s faith helps her through her ordeals." Unfortunately, the same people who do not know what an Inspirational Romance is also seem to miss that very important clue. 

According to the Romance Writers of America, Inspirational Romance is "Romance novels in which religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion or spiritual belief system) are a major part of the romantic relationship." All the books I have read that are marked "Inspirational Romance" use Christianity as their basis of belief. Obviously, mine follows suit. 

So, I am getting bad reviews because of all the Christianity in my Inspirational Romance. Sigh. I know I am not the only author to suffer this readership misunderstanding, but it is the equivalent of someone reading a fantasy and giving it a bad review because it contained unicorns and dragons. After all, those creatures aren't very realistic. 

True, my novels don't have sex in them or swearing, so I suppose they are attractive to those who shun these things in books, but it is disappointing to get a one-star review that berates the unbelievably Christian characters, but then in the last sentence says, "The author is a good writer." I write well, but since I have chosen to write Christian Romance my books are one-star. 

So, please, if you are following this blog, go out and tell your friends - and tell them to tell their friends - Inspirational Romances are Christian Romances. The next time I do a Goodreads Giveaway, I will definitely be spelling it out better. 

Lady Radford

Lady Radford is the leader in propriety. She always is concerned about putting her best foot forward and making sure the rest of the polite world has as little to talk about as possible. When she makes her appearance, it is because she truly has her best interest at heart - even if it might not seem like it. It poses difficulty because no one really wants to move back in with their parent(s) (or have their parents move into the same home as them) once they have been independent.

With all that sense of what is proper, it is slightly shocking that she knows common cant. I think there may be some unanswered questions about Lady Radford's past that will probably be explored in future books.

Stephen

Stephen is anti-marriage in this book. As the younger brother he doesn't see why he should be the one who must leave an heir. Unlike the Lucian-Algernon title, Stephen is safe from inheriting until Marcus' death because their title can only go to the oldest living son.

Unfortunately, I think it is going to take more than one book to get Stephen to settle down. Will he ever find a woman to settle him down?

Book Group Study Questions - Coming Soon

For any book groups that want to use "The Inconvenient Widow," I am planning on posting a few study questions on this website in the future. Feel free to print them out and share them.

Algernon

Algernon is the villain of The Inconvenient Widow - and you never know if he is telling you the truth or lying. He has many personality problems including both gambling and drinking. He also tends to choose the wrong people to hang out with on a daily basis.

Algernon has distanced himself from his family and only uses them to support his addictions. He is the reason Lucian wants to marry Emily in the first place.

I took a few liberties with his character because he is the oldest son. Generally, the eldest son inherits the title (but not necessarily the estate). However, after some research, I discovered that the title inheritance was dependent on the way the original papers for the title were written. (This is why women can inherit titles sometimes but not always.)

Will Algernon ever become a Christian? Keep reading to find out...