Marianne Evans | Shades of Grey--No Way

Perhaps you’ve heard some buzz lately about the release of a certain movie, based on a certain best-selling novel that’s being packaged and sold as a "romance." In fact, it’s even being released on Valentine’s Day. I think you know the phenomenon to which I refer. Fifty Shades of…yeah, well, you probably know the rest.

I’ve been asked a number of times lately for my take on the Fifty Shades craze and a book that, for better or worse, has captured cultural imagination.

First off, I won’t lie. I’m intrigued by any book that generates the kind of attention we’ve seen with the release and movie adaptation of Shades. I’ve been tempted to read the first book of the series just to find out why everyone is in such an uproar—both for and against.

Late last year, I came to within millimeters of adding Shades to my kindle. I don’t read erotica, I don’t enjoy erotica, but like the movie tagline asks, "Are you curious?" I was. I can own that and take responsibility for it.

Shortly after logging on at Amazon, after I re-read the blurb and debated with myself, I felt a Spirit prompt that kept me from clicking the "buy" button. The vibration, the voice, was in no way condemning. This wasn’t a fire and brimstone moment. Rather, I heard the voice of a loving father say, “Daughter, there’s no need for this. I have other places, more meaningful missions, where I need you to dedicate your time and energy.”

That gentle prompt stilled my forward motions at once and removed that temptation forever.

Before my faith walk matured, my first three romances were secular, written for a "Big-Five" publisher. They featured open door love scenes. Out of wedlock. They weren’t erotica by any stretch, but they weren’t in tune with a pull I kept feeling in my heart to affirm faith by writing Christian fiction and romance. I’m not a prude; I enjoy the intimacy, the soul flow of making love with my husband. The thing is, I believe there are some things that are so private, so precious and sacred, that they should only be revealed and shared with the one God designed for me. I like to "close the door" if you will, not because I’m embarrassed by the topic, but because it belongs only to me and to my husband.

The pivotal moment in my face-off against Shades helped me realize I write for God. I write to honor Him and honor the Christian world view that I try to embrace and uphold in my own life. Sex is meant for husband and wife; why and how that ever became passé is beyond me. Sex is meant to strengthen the foundation of a Godly union created to stand the test of time. But I’ve also learned that in today’s culture, sex is seen as the easy and disposable part of a relationship. I think the philosophy of "If it feels good, do it" has fanned the flames of fascination—to dark degrees—toward Shades.

How sad that something so beautiful could become so corrupt.

Over time, shock value wears off. Over time, heat cools to a steady warmth. Over time, every relationship is going to have good times and bad. God means for us to stand strong together in loving relationships. That’s not easy, nor is it disposable.

Pure Amore is a new imprint of Christian New Adult romances offered by Pelican Book Group promoting pre-marital chastity and purity. As men and women in their twenties and thirties forge their lives, as they strive to adhere to Godly truths and teachings, they find love even as they are challenged by culture and circumstance. But Pure is far from boring. These books refuse to surrender one ounce of the delicious tingle, those butterflies, the heartaches and joys of falling in love.

As one of the authors recruited to contribute to the imprint, I thank God that, like the protagonists of my books, I’m learning to pay attention to God’s voice and find beautiful, satisfying ways to spend my time, share my gifts, and honor Him!

I guess you might say I took off the Shades and found my way to a whole new brand of sexy. A Pure kind of sexy. Care to join me?

About DATE NIGHT

Ethan Miller’s family has done…what?

His profile is plastered on MingleInFaith.com. Now, this career focused, happy-to-be-a-bachelor is forced to endure an episode of speed-dating.

Interior Designer Natalie Gibbs is on the dating circuit, eager to find “the one,” but she has strict rules about the manner in which she’ll embrace a romantic relationship. She wasn’t even supposed to meet Ethan Miller—but God had other plans.

Ethan spends a month each year in Honduras, offering eye care to the underprivileged. He senses a sweetness to Natalie that prompts him to invite her along on the next mission trip.

The voyage leads them far from their home base of New York City, but straight into the hearts of the Honduran people. Slowly, Ethan’s heart is swayed toward the idea of love. But Natalie’s mission work teaches her about a love that reaches far beyond romance.

What’s God’s plan? Should their hearts combine—or does He want them to serve…and learn...from one another—and an extraordinary date night?

Giveaway

Readers, are you finding your way to a whole new kind of sexy? Leave a comment below for your chance to win a copy of DATE NIGHT