Is African American Christian Fiction vs CBA

Tonight I read an interesting blog about African American Christian Fiction, which I found interesting and echoed my sentiment. You can read the full blog in its entirety if you click on my title. It begins:

In an article [“Let the Readers Say ‘Amen’”] for Publishers Weekly, a marketing professional explains, “Christian retailers have guidelines for what’s in the books: no bad language, nothing that might offend anybody. Recently, one of the publishers said it was okay [for a character] to drink a glass of wine, which had been unheard of before! Yet, there are a lot of people out there who want wholesome values but are not core CBA buyers. Plus, there are authors who want to break beyond the ‘Christian bubble,’ and secular retailers who see a demand for wholesome books. Christian retailers are missing out on those good books.”

From writing my own novel, I struggle with whether my book will fit in CBA's category not because its racy, but because my writing style is more literary, my characters have very human emotions and more importantly my christian characters sin.

Your thoughts...

February Book of the Month...How Sweet The Sound

How Sweet They Sound 

Three uplifting novellas by three beloved, bestselling African-American authors

Make a Joyful Noise by Jacquelin Thomas

Bradley Rhodes knows that the Peaceful Rest Church choir is his ticket back to the big time, but he arrives at the church to find the current standout voice in the choir stands out for all the wrong reasons. Yet as he helps Desiree Coleman, her music starts to work on his soul…and his heart.

Then Sings My Soul by Francis Ray

Tempers flare and sparks fly when Summerset Junior College's hip band leader and Peaceful Rest Church's prim choir director are teamed to organize a musical for a college celebration. It seems opposites do attract. Soon Grace Thompson and Caleb Jackson are meshing more than just their music.

Heart Songs by Felicia Mason

Reverend TC Holloway, Peaceful Rest Church's most famous alum and a renowned television evangelist, finds a second chance at love at his reunion with Carys Shaw. Can TC and Carys's musical talents combine to create a love song that will last forever?

Click on the title to learn more about this collection and read an excerpt.

Also check my newest blog- Gospel Diva Blog .

Dee
http://deestewart.blogspot.com

Child Support and Other Guarantees

Child Support and Other Guarantees 

Inspirational Fiction Novella
Child Support and Other Guarantees
Laverne Lewis Gaskins
ISBN 1-4134-1620-9

Jason Calliner, an aspiring CEO whose haunting past childhood experiences threatens his ascent up the corporate ladder has an even larger problem—his wife, Olga. Their expenses far exceeds Jason’s albeit hefty paycheck. But if he can’t keep up this lifestyle, he may lose Olga, a woman who wouldn’t have given him the time of day otherwise.

Olga Calliner, a former accountant thinks she is losing her husband, Jason. He’s rarely home and quite aloof. Every time she has a concern he pacifies her and their kids with gifts. When she begins to dig around Jason’s world, she finds more information than she was prepared to handle. She must rely on her faith as Jason’s mounting misbehavior becomes more and more dangerous and his psychological instability looms and threatens to destroy their marriage.

Check the title to read my full review and to purchase the book at Amazon.

Speak to My Heart

Speak to My Heart 

Synopsis:

Serena Jasper is a young professional woman on her way up the corporate ladder in a large advertising firm. She's always been close to her mother, especially since the death of her father. But when Serena learns of a devastating family secret, she feels betrayed by the one she trusted most.

As she questions how someone as devout as her mother could have lied to her for years, Serena pulls away from both family and faith. Without the haven of hearth and home, she flounders as she tries to help a girlfriend trapped in an abusive relationship. Burying herself in her prestigious career doesn't help either. With the help of a possible new love in her life, Serena realizes that, instead of resisting the voice, she needs to listen to the One who speaks to her heart.

First Line excerpt: "Women and rain don’t mix."

Friend Review: Rhonda McKnight Nain- Refreshing Read...Serena and Micah leapt off the pages and became real people to me...You will not be disappointed if you purchase this book. Thanks to the author for a refreshing read.

My take from reading the first chapter: Very well written, universal conflict-daughters and mothers, and the most important factor- I can easily lose myself in this book. I'll give you my full verdict after I have completed it.

Speak to My Heart is available at most major bookstores and through Amazon.com.

Christian Fiction Books Available January 2005

A Man Inspired
Derek Jackson
January 2005 - Warner/Walk Worthy

January Book of the Month

Heart of Devotion 

Tia McCollor's Heart of Devotion

McCollors writes with elegance, grace, and a girl-next-door appeal. Anisha Blake is experiencing the Christian single dating blahs when she meets Tyson Randall, a man she hopes is the man she has prayed so long for. Ladies, we know this situation all too well.

Available Nationwide January 1, 2005. Check it out at Amazon.com

Promoting Christian Fiction Authors

Hi, I'm Dee. This blog is my Christian Fiction Author blog. It will discuss recent books in the genre, author interviews, my journey into writing, and common pitfalls to avoid. Come see what the Lord has made.