What is Christian Gothic Romance™?

These stories resemble the genre of such authors as Victoria Holt, Barbara Michaels, Mary Stewart, Isabelle Holland and Phyllis A. Whitney, but with mainstream Christian theology intact.  Stories can be contemporary or historical.  There must be a supernatural element, there must be a Christian theme, and there must be a happily-ever-after ending. (See our standard guidelines for general information and story length requirements.)

These are romances surrounded by an atmosphere of mystique in which some or all of the aspects are:

·         A brooding hero with a tragic past

·         A heroine completely out of her comfort zone and in peril (whether real or imagined)

·         A villain who is not as he appears

·         A lonely mansion, eerie castle or other formidable setting

·         A limited number of secretive secondary characters who may or may not help or endanger the heroine/hero

·         A "mad woman in the attic" or similar secondary character who threatens the happy outcome of the story and is attached to a mystery to be solved.  (Mystery must be 50% of the story, romance the other 50%.)

·         An  ancient prophecy

·         Omens or portents of things to come (ultimately orchestrated by God for the good of the protagonists.)

·         A supernatural element

o    The supernatural aspect can encompass:

§  Angel Intervention within the confines of mainstream Christian teachings

§  Demonic activity within the confines of mainstream Christian teachings

§  The gifts of the Spirit according to 1 Corinthians 12:1-14 (Wisdom, Knowledge, Discerning of spirits (human, angelic, demonic), Speaking in tongues, Interpretation of tongues, Prophecy, Faith, Working of miracles, Healing)

§  Apparitions or visions sent by God with an important message

If you’re familiar with the traditional gothic romances “of old,” you’ll remember the tortured, yet completely loveable, hero. He has a tragic past that often includes one or more of the elements listed below