In the last few months, I've been approached by publicists asking me to review their clients' books. Being a book addict with no budget for books, this situation seemed like a dream come true.
Yeah, I said "seemed".
Some of the books the publicists wanted to send me didn't sound like ones I would enjoy, so I turned them down. One was the latest in the Artemis Fowl series, which didn't thrill me but I could see its charm.
And then there were the others. The others were BAD. The premises SOUNDED good, they really did. But one was so poorly written that not only will I not finish it, I will not even donate it to the library book sale. The others were only slightly better.
Some were mysteries, some thrillers, some chick lit. All had different authors. The only thing they had in common is that they all had an Evangelical Christian message. I didn't think anything of it with the first book, or even the second. But this third one has made me pretty suspicious.
Readers, would any of you put me on an Evangelical Christian reading list? Though I'm too lazy to link to the posts, I'm pretty sure I've clearly stated my support of gay marriage, sex ed, masturbation, choice and my disbelief in the Bible in this blog. Plus, I'm kind of a bitch. I certainly wouldn't think of me when looking for reviewers for Christian books.
Let me make one thing clear, though: if even one of the books had been good, I would not have written this post. Each book - two of which are from SERIES - has been DREADFUL. One dimensional characters, lousy or no dialog, boring exposition, trite plots. . . .I shudder just thinking about them.
Is the message the only thing that matters in Christian publishing? And, if so, should I write a few Christian novels for extra cash?
