I have read 3 books by Cynthia Rutldedge under Steeple Hill. She has Harlequin books that are regular romance novels. Does anybody know if these are ligher on the physical stuff?  I've seen a couple other authors like Lori Copeland that crosses over. Anybody know about them?

I haven't read any of hers but I did buy a harlequin Next title by an author I recognized as writing for Love Inspired and it was 'obvious'..I mean, the Next line isn't known for being heavy on the s-e-x but the main character was a Christian greeting card designer..sigh...

If you're looking for authors lighter on the physical part there are a couple of threads (probably a page or two down now) listing some recommendations. Off the top of my head, Debbie Macomber, Curtiss Ann Matlock, robyn Carr's virgin river and another series she has that ties into that one write stories that I've enjoyed and aren't heavy on the physical.

For the most part any Christian romance I would say the most you are going to get is heavy kissing, and if they are married, a reference to the act.  Debbie Macomber, Lori Copeland, Jillian Hart, Terri Blackstock, Lynn Kurland - all good authors who basically just skip the sex and get on with the story.   And really, a good author can make you forget about that part.  As Nicholas Sparks said about his books  - a simple story told well.

Sherri

Another one that, if I recall correctly, skips all the physical stuff is Susan Crandall.  I've read a few of her books and liked them quite a bit.  Her writing style reminds me of Debbie Macomber.

Cool, I have some Macomber but bought them at Goodwill to post. I may have to check out Crandall.

I haven't read Lori Copeland (an author sherri mentioned) but seems like someone on here has some on her shelf and  has an ongoing deal..either sarah(gingerkitty) or fedora..I think it's Fedora..anyways, check out the 'what we're reading' current thread and both post in that usually on the 1st or 2nd page and see the signature line. I'm pretty sure I saw some of her candlelight titles there...

eharlequin sells the loveswept and steeplechase books, Nancy. That's where I noticed them the first time then started looking in the stores. But you're right about an author..once they start writing a certain 'way' people notice when they switch!

i originally posted this in the thread that was in the Christian book recommendations

lori copeland now writes exclusively Christian fiction. in fact she's gone and revised her older mainstream romance titles to make them completely Christian.

A lot of Christian romance authors used to write mainstream and do this now. I know Terri Blackstock, Robin Lee Hatcher and even Francine Rivers revised their older romance novels to fall into the Christian genre

How do they revise? the company reprints them with the same title? or they title it something else?

a lot of times they will reprint the book under a Christian publisher and take out any sex scenes and make it more of a Christian romance.

for example Lori Copeland recently reissued one of her books last year and had this note about it on eharlequin.com

Dear Reader,

Often an author gets the privilege to revise older novels— to go back and say all the things she meant to say but didn't. Yellow Rose Bride is such a book. Originally published in 1996 in the secular market as Bridal Lace and Buckskin, Vonnie and Adam's story quickly became a favorite with readers.

In 1998, I moved to the Christian market, where I now publish exclusively, but my older work lives on. I was asked to rewrite Buckskin for the Christian market, a God-given opportunity to portray the characters and their values in a new light. I hope you'll enjoy the story—laugh and cry with a couple destined to be together both here and in eternity.

Warmly,

Lori Copeland

Thanks Deborah! I didn't know they did that!

This is straying off the topic a bit but I know Elizabeth Lowell has gone back and re-written some of her category stuff into longer-length novels.  She's not a Christian writer though but I do think it's interesting when an author goes back and revises their published work.

That is very interesting.  Makes me wonder why they started out where they did, what changed to make them do something different, etc.

I don't know Nancy.  I suppose the best way to find out would be to get both copies of a book.  The original copy and the re-written copy to see what's been changed.  I've done that with some of the Elizabeth Lowell books but it's hard to pick out the added parts.

I don't think they are less valued Nancy. I think it just all comes down to personal tastes.  For example, I have no problem with a Blaze or even non-series romances that have explicit sex in them - yet I also read Christian fiction.  But I don't care for some of the "wilder" books with S&M, Ellora's cave, etc etc.  That's just personal taste and what I'm comfortable with.

As far as how would it make a book different for the Christian market, well in some cases you'd probably just have to be a Christian to understand.  I might get something out of a particular conversation or added paragraph that some might not, because it speaks to me from a Christian standpoint. 

Sherri

This is so very interesting!  Thank you, Deborah, and everyone who's contributed--I didn't know that some writers have done that!  Like Sherri, I do read Christian novels as well as non-Christian ones, and haven't yet had the chance to read books that have undergone a re-write.  I'm curious to see for myself sometime!

BTW, as Susanna mentioned earlier, I do have a bunch of Lori Copeland's original Candlelight Ecstacys on my shelf and am happy to re-home them in a deal :)

Delia Parr has several books that were written before she went to Steeple Hill that are sex-free romances...