What is Edgy Christian Fiction?

Using the term edgy in relation to Christian fiction may seem laughable to some of you.  "How can a Christian book ever be considered edgy?"  However, this category has definite merit to people who regularly read Christian fiction.  I would like to take a moment to explain what I mean by edgy, in this context.

This sub-genre, which is sometimes also called Edgy Inspirational Fiction, is likely to have varying amounts of religious content, or at least an uplifting message of some sort. However, it does not shy away from delicate topics like fornication and adultery, or gritty or violent ones such as rape. Often, these stories will include more impassioned romance scenes, or address the reality of physical attraction, without pushing the envelope too far. Readers may also encounter characters who battle alcohol abuse or some other addiction.  Some traditional Christian publishers may frown upon reference to bodily functions, such as vomiting or going to the bathroom, whereas this sub-genre allows it, which can lead to some rather humorous scenes.  There may also be occasional mild cussing in some of these books.

Basically, I consider novels within the Edgy sub-genre to dig deeper, be more emotional and gritty, or address situations that might normally be avoided in the general Christian Fiction genre.  Yet they should still maintain an uplifting element or include characters who learn from their mistakes.  

I certainly don't mean to downplay the role of traditional Christian fiction.  There are some very talented authors and truly beautiful stories within that genre.  However, this new Edgy division is growing in popularity among Christian readers because it fills the need that some of us feel for there to be a genre which spans some of the aspects of both Christian and Mainstream fiction.  

If you love romance novels that don't whitewash natural human emotions, that are accepting of the fact that people make mistakes, that dig a little deeper and allow for a greater degree of sensuality than some of the more conservative books out there, without making you blush too deeply or feel uncomfortable, this genre might be just what you've been searching for.

Mercy's Fight, by T L Gray

Setting

Modern day

Asheville, North Carolina

Synopsis

Grace needs a new start, away from painful betrayal and the shelter of her parents' wealth and connections.  Her new position as director of the Hartsford Center for underprivileged children is the perfect fit for this driven, selfless woman, and the fact that it is hundreds of miles from home has its perks.  

Matt had finally overcome his painful past, or so he thought.  When Grace comes along, she turns his carefully planned life upside down. He is undeniably attracted to her from the start, even though she represents all that he despises and doesn't understand his world.  In fact, her naivety is sure to put those he cares about in grave danger, not to mention herself.  To top it all off, his growing feelings for her are forcing him to revisit things he thought he'd dealt with years ago.  Will he ever be able to trust himself, or Grace, enough to pursue the relationship they both long for?

Review

I had never read anything from this author before, and let me just start off by saying that I am hooked! The cover is what first attracted my attention. The image has so much emotion and I just couldn't resist taking a chance on this book. The text turned out to be just as riveting. This was a gritty look at crime, trauma and abuse, and how the resulting pain and insecurities can resurface even when they have supposedly been overcome.

Matt was such a likable, layered character. He is loyal and dedicated to the underprivileged children at the Hartsford Center. He would give anything to prevent them from suffering as he had. When Grace walks into his life, she threatens to crumble the walls of protections he has built around himself. I wanted so badly for him to let go of his painful past and trust himself enough to pursue a relationship with Grace, who has insecurities of her own. He tried so hard to fight it, for her sake, but the magnitude to which they are drawn to each other could not be denied for long, and their interactions had me riveted. When he finally trusted her enough to lay his heart bare before her, I ached for them both. This book was so real, and the romance scenes were descriptive in a way that was passionate, but not indecent. You can feel every emotion of the characters like you are right alongside them. Even the background characters were compelling.

If you want to dive into a story that digs deep into human emotion, addresses issues that are real and gritty, and has believable romantic interactions that get your blood pumping without crossing the line, this book is well worth your time! Highly recommended read!

Edgy Content

1)  Passionate romantic scenes are descriptive and deeply emotional, but I don't find them to be indecent in any way.

2)  Murder and severe physical abuse, portrayed as nightmares, are compelling but not over the top with detail.

2)  Depiction of crime and violence.  This is well done and very convincing without ever being gory.

3)  References to past, off camera, fornication.  I found that this added depth to the characters as they strove to keep their present relationship within the boundaries they have set.

Love's Pursuit, by Siri Mitchell

Setting

1640s
Stoneybrooke Towne, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Synopsis

So much is expected of Susannah in her Puritan village.  She must be very careful to adhere to the principles of her simple faith, and she feels as though eyes are constantly upon her, assuring that she does just that. She does not know who to trust. Her thoughts are in complete opposition to what she knows they should be, yet she tries so hard to act appropriately. There is more than one man vying for her affections, one of whom is her betrothed.  However, he is not the one who stands out above the rest.  The military captain, who is sent to protect their village from Indian attack, is an outsider, and thus is strictly off-limits. However, her heart knows no such boundaries, and she falls in love with him anyway.  The results are more far reaching than she ever could have imagined.

Review

I absolutely love this book.  The Puritan faith is so fascinating, and the author did an exquisite job of making me feel like I was back there in that time and place.  Her use of words and the way that she wrote in the first person was very effective.  The forbidden yet undeniable connection between Susannah and Captain Daniel Holcombe is riveting.  I found myself pulling for them, all the while fearful that something tragic was going to happen.  The suspense was tangible.  The danger, coming from the wealthiest member of the community, bordered on terrifying. There is a grave evil about the man that sets her senses reeling.  I wish that things had turned out differently than they did, but the author did a good job of pacifying my emotions.  I would say that it was a very realistic ending, heart wrenching though it was. Don't even hesitate in reading this book!  Just buy it right now, and enjoy!

Edgy Content

1) Very compelling attraction between the two main characters sure to get your heart racing, though it is tastefully written.

2) Intrigue and danger, and a very real sense of evil about one of the men. 
3) Abuse and murder.  There is suspicion of physical abuse, an episode of intended sexual abuse, as well as a murder scene.

Mercy's Heart (The Christ Keepers), by Grace Walton

Setting
12th Century
England and Scotland

Synopsis

Titus is a knight who has seen and done unspeakable things.  He walks a thin line between honoring his new-found Christian faith and doing whatever he must to provide for his poverty stricken clansmen.  The time has come for him to take a wife, and what better woman to wed than the king's own daughter, whose hand he aims to win at the upcoming tournament.  However, he will soon be reminded that some people are not above using cruel trickery to get what they want.  

Mercy was raised at a convent, cruelly treated and constantly reminded of her disgrace in being the king's base born daughter. When Titan rescues her at a bear baiting, the strong bond that forms between them is undeniable.  Will they be able to wed?  Or will intrigue destroy their plans and their very lives?

Review

First of all, I have to say that the mysterious cover caught my attention from the start, as did the unique series title, The Christ Keepers.  Secondly, the story itself proved to be very riveting.  I tend to be quite critical of grammatical errors, and there were many in this book.  Most were simple punctuation mistakes, but they were still rather aggravating at first.  However, I was quickly lost in the plot, to the point that I didn't really care about the inadequate editing anymore.  The characters, even the supporting ones, were well developed and believable, and played very integral rolls.  The setting felt real and authentic, and the fascinating historical elements were interesting and used in ways that added depth to the story.  I felt like I was there, caught up in events of the day, the good with the bad.  The chemistry between Mercy and Titus was touching and powerful, born out of genuine caring rather than lust.  I longed for things to work out between them, against all odds, never quite knowing for sure how things would actually play out.  The story line was fresh and new, and wonderfully unpredictable. I didn't want the tale to end, and was on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last.  I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes a Christian story with an edge to it, or one that is faith-building without being preachy.

Edgy Content

1) Murder and violence, appropriate for the era, but not described in overly gory detail

2) Displaying of bloody bed sheet from the marriage bed, in keeping with customs of the time period

3) On camera nudity in one scene, although the man in question quickly covers himself and no private body parts are described. There is no actual sexual content, only great chemistry, kissing, hand holding, etc and very carefully handled discussion of consummation, attraction and reference to previous promiscuity.

The Unveiling, by Tamara Leigh

Setting

1153 AD

England

Synopsis

When Lady Annyn's brother is brought to her doorstep, dead, the story of his demise does not ring true.  Why would a man who died of a chest wound have the marks of a hangman's noose about his neck?  Annyn suspects murder, and the culprit could be none other than the man who delivered the corpse and lied about her brother's cause of death.  

Baron Wulfrith is a respected and feared trainer of knights.  Annyn trains for four long years, with a mysterious but fatherly man of her family's household, to attain the strength and skill needed to visit her murderous revenge upon Wulfrith.  After cutting her hair, binding her womanly curves and donning a squire's garb, she appears at his castle, on the pretense of seeking his renowned training. However, when the opportunity finally presents itself for her to kill him, doubts as to his guilt and her right to exact vengeance prick her conscience.  Can she follow through with her plan?  

Wulfrith does not have any use for women beyond the relief of his needs at the hands of prostitutes on occasion, and eventually a cold, indifferent marriage in order to produce an heir.  He has no desire to fall in love, as love produces weakness.  Weakness causes one to become distracted, and distraction causes death.  How will he react when Annyn's disguise is unveiled, revealing the strong, beautiful woman beneath?  Which will he lose first, his life or his heart?

Review

First of all, who wouldn't absolutely love the cover!  It is so well done!  We have all heard it is unwise to judge a book by its cover, but I admit that one of the reasons I bought this book was because the cover was so striking, grabbing my attention instantly, just as the interior soon did.  This is the first novel I have read by Tamara Leigh.  From what I understand, she used to write mainstream novels and this was her first of several written for the Christian fiction genre.  This might be why the book was on the edgy side.  I thought it was refreshingly well written and well edited.  The old English made for a slower read, requiring greater concentration, but it also served to make the Medieval setting feel authentic.  I really felt like I was there at that old castle, hearing the din of the blacksmith's hammer and seeing the sleeping forms of those seeking lodging for the night within the walls of the great hall.  It's been a while since I've read a story that felt this real.  The emotions were also quite tangible - the fierce loyalty, the struggles of conscience, the thirst for revenge, the mistrust, and of course my personal favorite - the newly born and barely understood feelings of true love.  It was almost painful how long Annyn and Wilfrith fought their feelings for each other, but there was enough intrigue and mystery to hold my interest and it was well worth the wait.  Their connection was beautiful and breathtaking.  There is a good, uplifting theme to this story, of trying to follow God's laws no matter how badly they sometimes failed, and seeking to be loyal to those they loved.  The characters made mistakes, as we all do, and forgiveness was sought and granted.  This was a wonderfully realistic story that I highly recommend.  I am excited to read more from this author.

Edgy Content

1)  Reference to previous, unrepentant, off camera visits to prostitutes, as was evidently typical of the era

2)  On camera nudity and bathing scenes, though private body parts are not inappropriately described

3)  Bedroom scenes are somewhat detailed, but not explicit and there is no on camera sex.

4) References to sexual arousal and physical attraction, though non-specific, such as that Wulfrith's body stirred

5)  Evidence of loss of innocence publicly displayed, in accordance with customs of the era

6)  Violence, murder and intrigue, common to the time period though not excessively gory

First Impressions, by Michelle Sutton

Setting

Modern Day

Tombstone, Arizona

Synopsis

From her time in the military, Sammie knows the importance of uniforms.  Having so little experience with men, she is not comfortable with flirting.  She decides to volunteer to act as a saloon girl in old Tombstone, hoping that the disguise will give her the nerve she needs to learn and practice the art.  Sammie meets a handsome cowboy actor who seems disturbingly familiar.  Though her predicament is awkward, they fall head over heals for each other.  However, his strong convictions hold him back from fully acting on his feelings.  Will they ever come to some common ground that they both can live with?

Review

One complaint I have about this book is that it was too preachy for my liking.  This is only my personal preference, and not everyone would call it a flaw in the story.  Jimmy seemed a bit too self-righteous part of the time, although I do respect his determination to stick to what he feels is right.  I loved how fiercely he struggled with his attraction to Sammie, and how they slipped up a few times. It was true to life in that respect.  This book is refreshingly well written and has plenty of embarrassing and humorous scenes which were enjoyable.  The romantic connection between Sammie and Jimmy is believable and riveting.  The ending seemed a bit rushed, but there was so much good in the main part of the book that I can forgive that pretty easily.  All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a story that will get their pulse racing at a surprising speed, while still maintaining a strong Christian thread interwoven throughout.

Edgy Content

1) References to private body parts, normally largely avoided in tradition Christian romance novels 
2) Physical attraction is not tip-toed around at all, but sometimes with humorous, less blatant ways of portraying it. 
3) Sexual content and struggles with temptation, more similar to mainstream romance books than most Christian fiction. The main characters do some things that some readers might frown upon, but the author stops the scenes short of making them explicit. It was very realistic because, Christian or not, many people do struggle with how much intimacy to allow in their relationships.

Beyond This Moment, by Tamera Alexander

Setting

1876

Timber Ridge, Colorado Territory

Synopsis

Dr. Molly Whitcomb is forced to leave her esteemed position as a professor of romantic languages, and travel to Colorado, where she is to teach school in a small community.  She brings with her a secret, which she covers with an impulsive purchase of a wedding ring, so that she may pose as a widow.  Sheriff James McPherson knows she's hiding something, and his instincts are rarely wrong. However, he finds himself drawn to her from the start.  But what will happen when her secrets come to light?

Review

This is a wonderful, very real type of story.  People are not perfect, and this author faces that fact head on.  The characters are multidimensional and engaging, and there are several very touching scenes.  The connection between Molly and James is moving.  I found this story to be quite endearing, and one that could be read more than once and still be thoroughly enjoyed.

Edgy Content

1) Fornication, before the story opens, though it isn't glorified and it is a necessary element to the plot
2) Romantic emotions and struggles with temptation.  Molly and James' romantic feelings are not tip-toed around, but are quite emotionally riveting.