Unconditional Love unveils a gripping tale centered around Dr. Querida Talbert, a devoted veterinarian whose life is shattered during a cold November night when she falls victim to a brutal assault outside her clinic in Bend, Oregon.
Nearly a decade later, the trauma still grips Querida’s heart, leaving her paralyzed by an overwhelming fear of men. Every encounter becomes a potential trigger for panic attacks, forcing her to shield herself from any possibility of romance or intimacy.
Even her once unshakeable faith in God falters, as she struggles to reconcile why He allowed such unimaginable suffering to befall her.
Trust becomes an elusive concept, extending its icy grip to both men and the divine presence.
Haunted by the specter of her rapist’s freedom, Querida lives in constant dread, knowing that her next encounter could bring her face to face with the perpetrator who shattered her existence.
But then Xavier Barlow enters the scene—a single father who, despite carrying the weight of a troubled past, finds solace in newfound faith.
Xavier embarks on a journey to help Querida rediscover the ability to love and trust, despite her persistent doubts that he may be her assailant in disguise.
Their blossoming relationship teeters on a fragile edge as Querida wrestles with her fears.
As Querida’s story unfolds, secrets of that fateful night begin to unravel.
Will these revelations serve as the key to liberating her from the clutches of torment...
Or will they unravel the fragile progress she has painstakingly made?
Unconditional Love is a captivating work of fiction that intertwines the genres of romance, suspense, and drama, all narrated through a voice that compels readers to journey alongside Querida.
Delving into the complexities of trust, resilience, and the pursuit of healing in the face of unimaginable trauma, this novel offers a unique perspective from the realm of Christian faith.
It is important to note that “Unconditional Love” features passionate love scenes that defy the conventions of traditional Christian fiction, igniting the pages with sensuality rarely found within these narratives.
With its intense narrative and compelling exploration of the human spirit, Unconditional Love is a book that promises to captivate readers, taking them on a rollercoaster of emotions as they yearn to uncover the fate of Querida Talbert and the true nature of the love that will ultimately set her free.
Q: What content warnings should readers be aware of?
A: Unconditional Love contains mature themes including a rape scene in the first chapter, as well as explicit sexual content between married couples later in the book. While these scenes serve the story and character development, readers should be aware of this content before starting the book.
Q: Is this appropriate for Christian readers?
A: While this is absolutely a Christian romance that explores themes of faith, healing, and God’s unconditional love, it falls under my A.J. Strickland pen name, which means it contains more mature content than traditional Christian fiction. The intimate scenes between married couples are depicted in a way that glorifies God’s design for marriage while being more explicit than typical Christian romance.
Q: Why include explicit content in a Christian novel?
A: My A.J. Strickland novels aim to present “real-world Christianity” — showing authentic struggles, healing, and love while celebrating God’s gift of intimacy within marriage. The book addresses difficult topics honestly while maintaining a strong foundation of faith and redemption.
Q: How graphic is the assault scene?
A: The scene is written to convey the trauma and impact on the character without being gratuitous. It’s important to the character’s journey but isn’t sensationalized. Some readers may wish to skip this chapter (Chapter 1) while still following the rest of the story of healing and romance.
Q: Is this book part of a series?
A: While “Unconditional Love” can be read as a standalone novel, there is a planned sequel in development that will continue to explore these characters’ journeys.
Q: What themes does the book explore?
A: The novel deals with healing from trauma, overcoming fear and phobias, finding faith after crisis, and discovering true love. It explores how God’s unconditional love can help restore and redeem even after devastating experiences.
Q: What makes this different from other Christian romance novels?
A: “Unconditional Love” takes a franker approach to both difficult topics and marital intimacy than typical Christian fiction. It aims to show authentic struggles while celebrating both faith and married love without fading to black.
Q: Who is this book recommended for?
A: This book is for adult readers who:
Q: Does the book offer hope for readers who have experienced trauma?
A: Yes. While the book deals with difficult subjects, at its heart it’s a story of healing, hope, and God’s redemptive love. The main character’s journey from trauma to triumph aims to encourage readers who may be on similar paths.
Q: How explicit are the intimate scenes?
A: The married love scenes are detailed and sensual, written in the spirit of Song of Solomon — a book of the Bible that celebrates marital intimacy in erotic terms. While churches often shy away from Song of Solomon’s passionate depictions of physical love, these scenes aim to be a modern equivalent, celebrating God’s design for marital intimacy in contemporary language rather than ancient agrarian metaphors. They’re more explicit than traditional Christian romance but written to honor marriage and God’s gift of sexual intimacy.
Q: Who is the target audience? Do I need to be Christian to enjoy this book?
A: A.J. Strickland novels are intentionally written for readers on both sides of the faith aisle. While the story contains Christian themes and a faith journey, it’s crafted to appeal to both Christian and non-Christian readers. I have readers who are agnostic or atheist who love these stories for their authentic characters, compelling plot, and honest portrayal of relationships. The books aim to present faith naturally within the story without alienating non-religious readers.
Crafting passionate tales for adult hearts and creating magical worlds for young minds!
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