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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Is True Love Overrated in the Fiction Genre?

by Chautona Havig · 2 Comments

A Gateway to Hope Review

Is True Love Overrated in the Fiction Genre?

Sometimes, it really feels like it.  I’m just sayin’. You read posts and listen to conversations and all of a sudden, that priest guy in The Princess Bride fills your mind and all you can hear is “Wuv… twue wuv…”

Gag.

But here’s the thing. God created this thing called love.  He uses the imagery of a bridegroom’s love and devotion to his bride as a picture of just how devoted He is to us. So this whole “true love” thing has to have something good about it.

But sometimes… I wonder.  I mean, what is “true love” anyway?  Is it honest?  Well, I think it has to be. Sincere… probably.  That might be what true means in that context.  Regardless, it should be, right? Perhaps “steadfast” or “loyal”?

Merriam-Webster says true for love means “properly so called.”

Gotta be honest… I understood it better before I ran across that definition.

I went through every book, every movie, every TV show I’ve ever seen and tried to pick out examples of “true love” in each one. First, I recalled my Mac in Not a Word.  I’d say that’s true, steadfast, love right there.  Then there was Ray in Magic of Ordinary Days. He’s definitely steadfast and true.  But then I recalled probably the most beautiful picture of “true love” in any story I can think of.

Doctor Who.  Rory.  As the centurion.  For the uninitiated or otherwise uninterested, Rory loves Amy–enough to stand guard for a thousand years to protect her.  Even when he’s scared.  Even when she may never love him.

That’s true love, folks.

So you know what?  No.  No I don’t think “true love” is overrated in fiction.  I think it’s overstated.  Too often “true love” is a bunch of butterflies and zinging sensations rather than the self-denying best for the person you claim to love.

I got to thinking about this because of a book I read recently.

A Gateway to Hope offers a realistic perspective on love–what we know about it, who we really love, why we love someone.  There are powerful lessons in the pages of the book, and I am really glad I read it.

I want to love the book itself, but something holds me back.  I can’t say what.  The writing is well done, with interesting and not “too perfect” characters.  Hmm… that might be part of my problem. In the character of Neka, I see parallels to Elsie Dinsmore of the old 19th-century novels fame.  Because she stands for what is right and Biblical, there is this unstated expectation that we will agree with her.

However, I see a lot of manipulation beneath the surface and maybe I just missed it, but it’s not really addressed as the sin I think it is.  That wouldn’t always bother me except she’s pretty hard on sin herself.

Actually, come to think of it, there’s a boatload of manipulation through the whole book. Parents manipulating grown children, children manipulating their parents, husbands with wives, friends, siblings… it’s really a picture of why this isn’t a good thing.

What else I think the author does well in A Gateway to Hope is show cultural diversity in a natural way.

In the different families in the book, I saw cultural nuances I’ve observed in people I’ve known who are part of different cultural experiences than mine.  It felt real, authentic, and comfortable–even parts that aren’t a part of my life.  And I believe it’s because it is so naturally done.

Additionally, her faith elements are woven beautifully into the story and without a boatload of preachiness.  WOOT!

Like I said. As much as I want to say I loved A Gateway to Hope, I didn’t.  I didn’t hate it, or anything.  IT just lacked… something.  And defining that something eludes me.

However, this is a debut novel.  I’ll put it out there right now. Mine wasn’t this good or this polished. I will be reading more in the series, and I hope to report back that it’s one you don’t want to miss.  I suspect that might be true.

What I can say is that despite my enthusiasm for this one, there are a lot of nuggets in here that makes me glad I read it and I’m not sorry I requested that review copy.  Onto the next!

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, I received a free review copy and chose to share my opinion of my own accord.

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Comments

  1. E C Jackson says

    May 5, 2019 at 5:25 pm

    Chautona thank you reviewing my first book. I appreciate your time.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 5, 2019 at 5:57 pm

      I look forward to the next.

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
byChautona Havig

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t new to rom-coms, and her first book in the Sweetheart Series promises to be a literary riot, and it lives up to that promise. I’m only halfway through it and am thinking mean, ugly thoughts of everything keeping me from being able to escape into the crazy small-town politics and quirky characters. So far the com far outweighs the rom, which makes me thrilled to bits. Listen in to discover what makes Lone Star Sweetheart so much fun.

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Why Did This Author Write a Rom-Com about a Loveable Shrew?

Well, I think we can safely blame Shakespeare for that. Shannon Sue Dunlap has taken inspiration from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in her Katherine, but unlike Katerina, Dunlap’s character is actually trying to learn to tame the tongue. Maybe someone should send her over to the book of James. There’s that whole bit about not being able to tame it, being an “unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

Kate’s isn’t that bad, but not for lack of trying. Or something.

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t joking when she says that her Katherine is a “loveable” shrew. Seriously, I love this character. She’s forthright, no-nonsense, and “what you see is what you get” in her approach to life. I respect that. Add to that her boss who has shaken up the town of Sweetheart, Texas, and you’ve got the makings of a great story. I’m loving Lone Star Sweetheart.

But this isn’t all Dunlap has written.

Under the pseudonym, Shannon Kent, you can find her sweet and clean romances (including one Christian romance) inspired by Korean dramas. If you said I’d be not only chomping to read a sweet and clean romance about Korean tour guides and all that entails but also ready to watch a Korean drama on Netflix… Okay, I might not have laughed in your face, but I’d’ve been laughing on the inside.

Best part… one of them ties into her Sweetheart Series

Lone Star Sweetheart by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Katherine Bruno’s passionate, unfiltered temper makes her the shrew of small-town Sweetheart, Texas. When she’s drafted to help the mayor’s wife run against her own husband, Katherine meets opposing big city political consultant Ryan Park. The good-looking, flirtatious campaign manager gets under her skin, but fraternizing with the enemy is off-limits.

Katherine must battle her lack of experience, campaign sabotage, and her growing feelings for Ryan as she strives to succeed. His unprejudiced acceptance of her strong-willed character beckons her heart, but his jaded rejection of God is an insurmountable barrier. Will Ryan return to his faith and stay with her in Sweetheart or leave when the election ends?

You can find out more about Shannon Sue Dunlap AND get that first novella in the Korean Crush series free on her WEBSITE.

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Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
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