March Release from Arabesque?

Can I Get an Amen 

BET's New Spirit imprint carries christian fiction, so I am not sure if this short story collection is considered faith fiction or another novel centered around a church setting(i.e, Carl Weber, Kimberly Roby.) I have the book on my desk. And will give you a thumbs up or down about it later in the week.

Critiquing Christian Fiction

For those of you who don't know me. I'm a book reviewer by trade and by craziness on my part...It was brought to my attention by a christian fiction author that book reviews are subjective and you can't critique God's work. Two both of those assumptions I flat out said she was wrong and more than likely she will either pray for my change of heart or never speak to me again, but I will sleep at night regardless. But I bring this question to you.


My answers are as follows?

1. Book reviews are subjective.

I use a five point star criteria to review a book. Each criteria gets a maximum 1 point score:

Plot -1 star
Character Development- 1 star
Theme/Content/Big Voice- 1 star
Style/Flow- 1 star
POV/Little Voice- 1 star

There's nothing subjective about this scoring basis.

2. Christian books shouldn't be critiqued.

If christian fiction authors want this genre to evolve and to be respected, our work must hold up to some sort of literary standard. Although your book maybe littered with church scenes, scripture and angels saving the world I can't negate the fact that the other 2/3rds of the book plods through Egypt and back to Po Dunk county, georgia with as much cohesion as water downed glue on wet paper.

American literature includes faith genre and it has standards. Our work holds a better standard, because of our message. But no one can see our light shine, if they are knee deep in poor grammar, and a sagging middle.

In April I will begin posting my reviews on this blog and you can debate with me whether my review is justified.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

Sequel Promises Mysterious Thrill

Wings of Grace 

Click on the link to direct you to this book. Have heard good things about it, but can't vouch it for myself.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

Christian Fiction Literary Magazine

I've been reading various blogs, novels by christian fiction authors, essays from ministers and poems from christian poets and it hit me. Is there a faith based online literary journal somewhere in cyberspace?

Coming from someone who can esurf better than David Hasselhoff pretends to do on Baywatch, I haven't found one. If you have, let me know. Else I may start one on my own. Any editors or contributors willing to contribute?

Dee