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In the recently published guide, Johansen explains why she enjoys Christian mystery novels and the benefits they can offer fellow whodunit aficionados who are seeking stories free of gore, explicit sensuality, and foul language.
The guide is available at: https://bettyjohansen.com/2023/08/02/christian-mysteries-why-i-love-them/
As Johansen details, Christian mysteries are enjoyable and give readers a sense of satisfaction through poetic justice. Like all mysteries, their intriguing plots offer readers the pleasure of secrets revealed; however, Christian mysteries also acknowledge and respect the divine order inherent in human life and the natural world.
Another reason Johansen appreciates Christian mysteries is their ability to nourish readers’ emotional and spiritual well-being while providing intellectual stimulation. Readers can enjoy the cognitive exercise of puzzling over the narrative’s secrets, and they can also share in the characters’ spiritual journeys as they embrace their faith to overcome challenges.
Johansen illustrates this point with reference to two of her own novels, Lilli's Song and Hawaiian Wildflower. Lilli's Song describes the spiritual experiences of members of a Texas town who are secretly in contact with demons disguised as space aliens. Hawaiian Wildflower tells of the spiritual struggles of a Texan woman who believes she is happily married until a beautiful, young Hawaiian woman comes seeking her husband.
The guide also includes a selection of Christian mystery novels that Johansen has reviewed, along with links to the reviews and downloadable character lists for each novel. These lists are intended to help readers remember the parts characters play in the plot as they read.
About Betty Johansen
Johansen returned to her life-long interest in writing after a career as a middle-school science teacher. In addition to Lilli's Song and Hawaiian Wildflower, Johansen has published two other Christian mysteries - Darkness Under His Feet and Out of Darkness.
“Christian mysteries are fun. They’re entertaining. And enigmatic. But they’re not fluff,” Johansen writes. “A Christian mystery writer doesn’t have to preach in order to show how the characters lean into their God in order to deepen their faith and work through their difficulties. As the readers live through the process with the fictional characters, they have the opportunity to learn and grow too.”
Read the full guide at https://bettyjohansen.com/2023/08/02/christian-mysteries-why-i-love-them/
Contact Info:
Name: Betty Johansen
Email: Send Email
Organization: Wordsmith World
Address: Texas, Big Spring, Texas 79720, United States
Website: https://bettyjohansen.com/
Release ID: 89146504