I have a couple of questions for those of you who read a lot of Christian romance novels.

Which of these two plotlines do you prefer?

Romantic interest of the heroine is obvious pretty much from the beginning, but there is something that makes it hard for the hero and heroine to get together

OR

There may be multiple possible romantic interests and the one the heroine selects isn't obvious until later in the book.

And which of these do you prefer?

Both hero and heroine are Christian from the beginning (but possibly fallen away)

Hero or heroine brings the other to Christ during the course of the story

Neither hero or heroine is a Christian at the beginning but both become Christian by the end of the story

Lastly, would anyone here be willing to read the first chapter of the romance I am working on and let me know if the story draws you in enough that you would even want to read the rest of it? If so PM me with your email address and I will send it to you.

Hey Bren.  Of the first choices, I think I prefer the second.  Although with a well-written story, it doesn't really matter.  On your second question, it doesn't really matter.  I guess for me, it all boils down to whether it's good enough to keep my interest.  I don't necessarily have any preferences on characters and plotlines.

of your first question i would prolly say the second one. for the second question, all are good

Personally, with your first question I much prefer the second one. Unless the first one is done really well and is totally believable, I tend to be turned off. Although I like the books I read to be entertaining, I don't like it when something is obviously contrived just for a story.

And with the other, I don't mind any of those scenarios, it depends on the story but none are unappealing. With a word of caution--if one of the members of the couple is NOT a Christian at the beginning of the story, don't have them get married at the end unless a good amount of time has passed. It's a pet peeve of mine when I read a book and the couple meets, falls in love, one becomes a Christian, and they get engaged within a short period of time.(And I have seen it happen in THREE days in a book) I know that it's possible, but it's not a recipe for success in a relationship.

LOL...all of the book reviewing I do has shown me what I like and don't like in a book.

Melissa

So if you all agree that you don't like it as much if it's obvious who the romantic interest is going to be, how do you feel about the Love Inspired books where you pretty much know which guy  the girl is going to end up with just by reading the back cover blurb? I mean, I don't think I've ever read an L.I. where the ending wasn't a given pretty much by the end of the first chapter.

I'm fine with any scenario.  No problem for me if I know they will eventually get together.  I enjoy reading about how they do manage to get together.  I read the Love Inspired and Heartsong books for the light read, because I read many books that take concentration and attention to the story and character details.  I agree with Melissa that I don't think it is very plausible that people can fall in love and get married as quickly as many romance novels would have you believe--especially if they are going to have a successful, Christian marriage. 

I haven't ever read any Love Inspired books, so I have no opinion on those.

They have to be realistic for me. I don't read many Christian romances because I don't find them 'believable' or they're too preachy. I like Christian fiction from time to time and have found a few authors/books that make the story believable to me, like 'Miss Invisible' by Laura Jensen Walker and another book she wrote 'Reconstructing Natalie'..both were very good but not romance-centered though there was a romantic interest in the book. I like it when the people in the story aren't perfect but are trying...

I just got Reconstructing Natalie in the mail today.  I'm glad to hear it's good!

It's sad in places but it's good overall Brenda.

Which of these two plotlines do you prefer?

Romantic interest of the heroine is obvious pretty much from the beginning, but there is something that makes it hard for the hero and heroine to get together OR There may be multiple possible romantic interests and the one the heroine selects isn't obvious until later in the book.

I actually don't mind either plotline, but I find that with the 'monthly' lines (like Love Inspired and Heartsong) the conflict is usually something between the hero and heroine rather than a third party (another love interest). I think this is because those books usually run around about 50,000 - 60,000 (depending on the line) and it would be hard to add in two potential romantic interests. I think in a longer book (the trade size which usually go about 75,000-90,000) it's easier for the author to write that kind of storyline.

And which of these do you prefer?

Both hero and heroine are Christian from the beginning (but possibly fallen away) Hero or heroine brings the other to Christ during the course of the story OR Neither hero or heroine is a Christian at the beginning but both become Christian by the end of the story

 For me, this would depend on the length of the book. With the monthly lines, I find it a little annoying when one of the main characters isn't a Christian (fallen away I can deal with it) and then the believer brings them to Christ because the faith plot sounds so rushed. I know it's fiction, but I can't help but wondering how can they know the other person isn't just saying that to be in the relationship (especially since the time frame of the books are usually a couple weeks to maybe 2 months). But, I think that's just a hangup I have because I've read alot like that.

I'd be happy to read your first chapter. = D

edited to clarify a sentence

I've wondered the same thing Christina! about the other person just saying that to be in the relationship..I got string along by someone claiming they were saved so I have to read these stories as that 'just fiction stories' and not think about reality per se.

also I don't like multiple interests...seems like someone gets left out or the author tries to set someone up with someone...just doesn't seem realistic 'cause it sure doesn't happen in real life!