A Love Story Worth Reading

by Roxanne Hicks

While sitting in church one Sunday morning, I was struck by the profound words of a hymn. I don’t remember the name, but the concept will never leave my thoughts. “No greater love has any man than when he lays down his life for another.”

This, of course, is in reference to the love of our Savoir Jesus Christ, and his sacrifice on the cross for all mankind. It is also the model of a love relationship with the people most dear to us: to love another with a passion so great as to lay down one’s life.

I write romantic suspense novels. I also enjoy reading romantic suspense. As I grow in my journey as an author, I’ve also found a creeping dissatisfaction with love stories. If the protagonist enters into a shallow relationship, accomplishes nothing sacrificial, how can the reader find that sweet moment when we sigh, and say, “Yes, he loved her,” or vice versa, “and it was worth my time?”

Not all love stories end with our good guy hanging on a cross. They can’t. Only one Savior can claim that honor. Only one Savoir is deserving of our worship.

But he can walk away from a career opportunity. He, or she, can stay home to care for younger siblings or aging parents instead of accepting a college scholarship. He can coach at-risk children in sports in a poverty-stricken neighborhood. Self-sacrifice is demonstrated in a countless variety of directions.

I cherish the stories from WWII that focus on the unsung heroes who worked in the shadows to help the Jewish people escape the Nazis. So many beautiful souls quietly risked life and limb to help another human being. Thousands of Jewish children escaped death through the efforts of an elderly nun or an aging teacher or a nondescript shop keeper. Many of these precious souls paid with their lives. All exhibit the love of Christ in human form.

As a writer, it’s important to establish an emotional connection with our hero and his beloved that goes beyond physical attraction. Let the reader see him, or her, shed tears when the less fortunate suffers still another hurdle. Provide our hero with the opportunity to make that important sacrifice. Reveal his wounds. Let the reader cry with him when he weeps for those who suffer.

Not every love story will hinge on the hero’s near death. But self-sacrifice can be just as meaningful when we create adequate connections. As a reader, I want to feel his pain. I want to participate in his frustration when the puzzle pieces won’t come together. I want to brainstorm with him until he arrives at the only possible solution.

The night is always darkest just before the dawn. Our love stories need to reflect that idea, too.

When she then turns to him and they share that wonderful kiss, I can say, “Yes, he truly loved her.” I sigh and turn back to page one to read the story once more.

Roxanne Hicks has been writing from childhood, and was first published in 1987 with a short outdoor story. She’s written numerous short stories and eleven novels. Her novels include five historical fiction, five romantic suspense, and one children’s chapter book. Roxanne’s romantic suspense novel Rescuing the Warrior is the first in my Woodridge Series, and was released a year ago. The sequel, Engaging the Storm, is schedule to be released this summer. Visit her website at roxannedeehicks.com.