Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.
— Psalm 119:105
Without question, our Scripture quote today is one of my favorites because God’s Word has truly been — from the first moment I cracked the Bible open at the age of 23 — a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
So when I started writing books, the one thing I knew for sure was that I wanted each of my book titles to be Scriptures, not only to reflect the theme of the novel, but as my own silent prayer that they would somehow shine light on the importance of applying God’s Word in our lives.
For instance, my original series title for The Daughters of Boston was “The Wind of God” series, where each book had a Scripture title with the word “wind” in it:
— A Passion Most Pure originally was A Chasing After the Wind from Ecclesiastes 2:26.
— A Passion Redeemed originally was Chaff before the Wind from Psalm 83:13-16.
A Passion Denied originally was On the Wings of the Wind from Psalm 104:1-4.
And, yes, I will admit that Gone With the Wind did have a tiny bit of influence on me in wanting the word “wind” in the titles!
But I will also admit that Scriptures titles were SO important to me, that it pained me a great deal to give up my original title of my first book — A Chasing After the Wind — for the final title of A Passion Most Pure.
You see, A Chasing after the Wind was pretty much the theme woven throughout the book, and so I was grateful when Revell let me keep that Scripture on the opening page. For me, “wind” is symbolic of the Holy Spirit, which fit because the heroine, Faith O’Connor was “chasing after the wind,” that is, the Holy Spirit or God’s leading in her life. But the hero, Collin McGuire, too, is “chasing after the wind,” but in his case, it’s the wind of futility, chasing after his will (sin) rather than God’s, which according to Solomon, is “meaningless” and nothing more than “a chasing after the wind.”
So after Revell said the original title had to go, I came up with the title of A Passion Most Pure … along with about 80 others (yes, I am a bit anal), but I admit that I did not like it at first. My daughter remarked, “Mom, will anybody really buy a romance novel with the word ‘pure’ in the title?” Unfortunately, I wondered the same thing, but Revell knew what they were doing and I now feel the title fits perfectly—reflecting not only romantic passion that strives to remain pure, but passion for God, which really is “A Passion Most Pure.”
Needless to say, when I got the opportunity to Indie publish my own series, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I wanted Scripture titles/themes for all three books. Originally book 1, Isle of Hope: Unfailing Love, was to be Unfailing Love. But I loved the title Isle of Hope soooooo much, that I decided to not only make it the name of the series, but also make it the main title of book 1 with the subtitle of Unfailing Love.
Clear as marsh mud off the shores of Isle of Hope?
Yeah, I can be pretty confusing. But if you think you’re confused, you should be inside my mind! Not pretty!
So the Scripture theme for book 1 in the Isle of Hope Series, Isle of Hope: Unfailing Love is:
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him.
—Psalm 32:10
Which is, as many of you already know who’ve read it, perfect for the heroine Lacey Carmichael, whose wild lifestyle brings nothing but “woe” prior to her prodigal return to her hometown of Isle of Hope, Georgia. But as Lacey had to learn — and I, too, in my own life — God’s “unfailing love” does not fail when we turn to Him and His Word.
Which brings me to book 2 in the Isle of Hope Series, Love Everlasting, my September release that you will be able to preorder soon, so stay tuned to Journal Jots! My Scripture theme for LE is:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
I will build you up again, and you will be rebuilt …”
—Jeremiah 31:3-4
A love that lasts forever is exactly what the heroine, Shannon O’Bryen, and the hero, Sam Cunningham, are looking for, although neither really believes it’s a reality since both have been badly betrayed in love. But it’s God’s “unfailing love” that draws them, woos them, and builds them up again, awakening them not only to His everlasting love, but the prospect of a human love that can last forever too.
In book 3, Love Unchanging, we have a rebellious heroine, Cat O’Bryen, who has turns her back on God and His precepts. But despite it all, the pastor hero, Chase Griffin, remains steadfast in his friendship with her, his love changing no matter what she does. Just like God’s love for us, which makes the Scripture title/theme below all the more poignant.
Who is a God like Thee, who pardons iniquity
and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession?
He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love.
—Micah 7:18
Sigh … I love romance, and everyone reading this blog today knows that. But as far as I’m concerned, there is no romance more powerful than Christian romance, which not only gives you a great love story to light up your heart, but a lamp to light up your life.
Hugs and Happy Weekend!
Julie
99-Cent Sale!!
99-CENT SALE ON A GLIMMER OF HOPE! I’m gearing up for the release of Love Everlasting with a sale on the prequel novella to Isle of Hope — A Glimmer of Hope — so if you haven’t read it yet, now’s a good time! It has a 5-star rating on Amazon and will give you a sneak peek into Isle of Hope, plus the first chapter, so I hope you check it out!
Contest!
Win your name in Love Everlasting (which will also be in paperback by Christmas) along with a signed copy!!
How? INSPIRED READS (which is a great Christian freebie/sale ebook site, so I recommend subscribing) is asking its readers to let them know what Christian Kindle books you would like to see more of AND give them the names of your favorite authors!
So ALL you have to do is go to the Inspired Reads Facebook page at the link below and leave a comment telling them who your favorite authors are. Please note you are not required to mention me to enter the contest, but if my books are favorites of yours, I would greatly appreciate the mention. Then come back here and enter the Rafflecopter box below. Easy, right? I will announce the winner in the September 2nd Journal Jot.
INSPIRED READS CHRISTIAN KINDLE BOOKS ON A BUDGET
