I love superhero movies.  When a new one comes out, I can hardly wait (except for the new Spiderman...but that's another story).  I have never really examined my fascination.   Yes, I love fantasy.  Ahem, the costumes are always flattering.  Or maybe I'm still a child at heart.

But today, after watching The Dark Knight Rises, I had another thought.   I love the fact that superheroes are willing to risk their lives for the masses.  Not just one person.  Yes, Superman had to save Lois Lane several times.  Spiderman rescued Mary Jane from the clutches of a couple of baddies.  But they also fought for whole city populations, willing to die in order to save these people from destruction. (One of my favorite scenes from the Spiderman trilogy is when he rescues the train.)  And in the third Batman movie, there is no one person Bruce Wayne is called to save.  He is compelled out of self-imposed exile to fight an evil that threatens his city, his people.  He suffers hatred from the law who think him a criminal, abandonment from his oldest friend, betrayal from new acquaintances he has come to trust, abuse from the true criminals.  And in the end, he willingly sacrifices himself for all of these people.

Does that remind you of anyone else?

Now, I'll be the first one to say that many times Christians will overlay their faith in places it was never meant to be applied.  And I'm fairly certain the writers of comic books and the subsequent screen writers of super hero movies don't have Jesus Christ's crucifixion as their muse.  But whether they intend to or not, these superheroes' sacrificial giving to save the world (or at least the city) are pictures of what Jesus did for us in truth.

I once read a book by John Eldridge, in which he theorized that the reason we love these types of stories is because at our very essence we know we need to be rescued.  We know we live in a broken world where evil abounds and we can not save ourselves.  So even in our secular culture, we create heroes, people better and more powerful than us, who can supernaturally stand between us and the evil that threatens.  Unfortunately, we call it fantasy and say it couldn't happen in reality.

But it already has.  Christ came to earth, showed his miraculous powers, and healed the hurting.  He was ostracized by the established rulers, abandoned by some of his dearest friends, betrayed by another, and in the end was sacrificed for no crime of his own.  He did all of this to save us.  And here is where fiction and truth split.  Our salvation requires something of us...faith.  Christ offers it freely, but we must accept it.  And in doing so, we become part of the story.  We become the redeemed, the chosen who have the glorious honor of sharing this great news with others.

So I will continue to enjoy movies, superheroes especially.  Do I seek out spiritual truths in them?  No.  But sometimes the parallels are so obvious, even I have to say, "Wow, that's sort of like what Jesus did for me."  And really, if something secular can bring to mind Christ, isn't that a wonderful thing?

We are continuing our discussion of Works in Progress (WIP).  I have been sharing both my WIPs, First Impression and Through the Fog.  This week I'll answer questions 7 and 8 from our list.  If you missed any previous weeks, please feel free to check them out!

7.  How long did it take to write?
Since neither WIP is finished, I can't answer this question.  However, I will say that both are taking longer than any of the others I have written.  I wrote the first draft of Second Chance in six weeks, with many drafts afterwards.  All in all it took about nine months.  I began both First Impression and Through the Fog over a year ago.  However, during that time I also published my second novel, Third Time Around, so that is one less project.  

8.  What other books within your genre would you compare it to?
I have a hard time comparing my works.  I feel I am either stepping on another author's toes by having the audacity to say, "My book is like that", or someone will read my book based on that comparison and completely disagree.  I will say other people have compared my two published works with Karen Kingsbury and Nicholas Sparks.

Now we come to the fun part!  Below are links to other authors who have been invited to join the discussion.  Please click their links to learn more about them.

http://www.elainelittau.com Elaine Littau, historical fiction
http://www.lauraeckroat.tatepublishing.net  Laura Eckroat, children's fiction

Next week we will conclude our discussion of The Next Big Thing!  Don't miss it:)

A couple of weeks ago I joined a blog event where authors share about their Works in Progress (WIP).  Each week we answer one or more questions as well as share the links of other authors who have a blog and invite them to participate.  I am currently working on two novels, and am sharing about both each week.  Last week I shared my actor/actress pics for the books I am working on.  If you didn't see them, you don't want to miss that post!

5. What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
First Impression:  Jaden Summers is determined to hold his family together after the tragic death of his parents, but he never counted on desire warring with his sense of responsibility.
Through the Fog:  Jake Holland longs to get on with his life, leave his broken heart where it lies, and simply disappear into the night, but Suzanna Chamberlin has other plans.

These one sentence challenges always frustrate me.  But this is what I would say today.  If I were asked next week, my one sentence would probably be quite different.  

6.  Is your book published or represented?
Both of these books are still being written, so neither is published.  I currently have two published novels with Tate Publishing and Enterprises, and am considering using their representation for First Impression.  I am seeking other representation for Through the Fog (and the first novel in that series, And Then the Rain).

Now on to the sharing of other authors' WIPs.  This week we have a true blend of writing styles!  Please visit these authors' sites.  You won't be disappointed.
http://nobonesaboutit-kelly1217.blogspot.com/  Kelly Landgraf, nonfiction
http://www.lettersvitae.com Oscar Correia, self-help and fiction (international)
http://thenighteaglessoared.blogspot.com/ Steve Newman, military fiction

If you would like to join the discussion of WIPs, here is the list of questions for you to copy and paste to your page.  Join us next week for the answers to questions 7 and 8!

1. What is the title of your book/WIP?
2. Where did the idea for the book come from?
3. What genre would your book fall under?
4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
6. Is your book published or represented?
7. How long did it take you to write?
8. What other books within your genre would you compare it to?
9. Which authors inspired you to write this book?
10. Tell us anything else that might pique our interest in your book.

I am embarrassed to admit I had never read this book before now. But I had heard a lot of praises for it this past year, and decided to give it a try. 

The word Redeemer is my favorite name for Christ.  I love the fact that he lifts us out of our shame, redeems us, and calls us his.  So when I saw that the title of this book was Redeeming Love, it struck a chord.  

Angel has lived as a prostitute almost all her life, through circumstances that are heartbreaking.  She is bought out of that bondage by Michael Hosea, a farmer who is answering the Lord's call that she is the one.  The story mirrors the Biblical tale of Hosea and Gomer.  It is a picture of Christ calling us back every time we stray.  

I will say I enjoyed reading Redeeming Love.  I cannot say it was life-changing.  Perhaps I knew too much about the story going into it, so there were very few surprises.  Perhaps I had difficulty putting myself in Angel's shoes, which I tend to do when I am reading a book.  Allow me to clarify that statement, though.  When I look at this story as an allegory, in which Angel is me and Hosea is Christ, I can completely relate. I often have difficulty believing the overwhelming, unfailing, constant love of Christ.  Many times I have turned away from that love because I didn't feel I deserved it.  I have tried at times to earn it by works.  I have tried to close my heart because that much love hurt.  So in that regard, yes, I am Angel.  But when I looked at the story simply at face value, I didn't feel the same way as she did towards Michael.  I wanted her to welcome him more quickly.  I wanted her to stay.  I wanted the happily ever after much sooner.

All that being said, I would recommend this book without reservation to any adult.  If you haven't read Francine Rivers's, Redeeming Love, you should give it a try!

Last week I joined a blog hop event in which authors share about their works in progress (WIP).  See the previous post for full details.  This week I'll answer questions 3 and 4 in our list of 10.  I shared that currently I am working on two separate projects.

3.  What genre would your work fall under?
Both works are Christian fiction.  First Impression is contemporary romantic suspense.  Through the Fog is historical romance.

4.  What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
This is always fun to consider!  My only problem is the actors who automatically come to my mind are generally about 10-15 years too old for the characters in my novels.  That being said, I have come up with some ideas:)

Don't forget to check out these other authors!  This week I am sharing some ladies who write inspirational nonfiction. You may find your next favorite:

http://francescopelandlucas.wordpress.com  Frances Copeland Lucas; Devotional
http://www.deedeewike.blogspot.com  Dee Dee Wike; Devotional
http://blog.kristiburchfiel.com Kristi Burchfiel; Devotional and Bible study

Check back next week for more answers to the WIP questions, and discover some more great authors.
If you would like to join the discussion, here is the list of questions to copy and paste onto your own blog.

1. What is the title of your book/WIP?

2. Where did the idea for the book come from?

3. What genre would your book fall under?

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

6. Is your book published or represented?

7. How long did it take you to write?

8. What other books within your genre would you compare it to?

9. Which authors inspired you to write this book?

10. Tell us anything else that might pique our interest in your book.