Evolution of Christian Fiction

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I read an interesting article at WorldMag.com about how Christian fiction has evolved in the past 20 years. Some people still have misconceptions about how much variety and depth today's Christian fiction truly has. I'm old enough to remember some of its humble beginnings. I've seen it grow up and mature from a time when pretty much all that was out there were prairie romances or Frank Peretti. The first adult Christian novel I ever read was Christy by Catherine Marshall, followed quickly by Frank Peretti's Darkness series. I've re-read all three of them multiple times.

We owe those trailblazers a big thank you for helping to push open the doors for today's market. Sure, we still have some growing to do. I'd love to see the YA market explode in the CBA like it has in the ABA. And as a lover of suspense novels, it would be neat to see more of them focusing on character development right alongside the thrills.

How about you? What would you like to see more of in the Christian fiction market, and what was the first CBA novel you ever read?

Writing edgy . . . for all the wrong reasons

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In the last couple of years I've noticed a trend in Christian fiction. More and more aspiring authors desire to write edgy fiction. And by edgy I mean pushing the envelope of what has generally been considered acceptable in novels regarding violence, sex, language, etc.

Now I'm all for writing real. I want my characters and situations to be true to life. I don't want to write about saints. But somewhere there's a line, and I admit, it's a gray one. Personally, I think it comes down to motives. Why do we want to write edgy? Is it to shock? To do it because we can?

Don't get me wrong. I know full well there are different books to reach different people. Someone who might not be inclined to pick up Beverly Lewis might love Ted Dekker. That's the beauty of this ever increasing market. There's so much great material! Twenty years ago this wasn't the case. I'm very thankful to be writing Christian fiction in today's world.

But in some Christian novels I've read recently I'm hard pressed to find anything (besides a lack of swearing) that sets them apart from their secular counterparts. And again, that may be exactly what the author and publisher want---to write clean fiction. There's nothing wrong with that, but I sometimes wonder if the author shied away from the Christian aspects because he/she didn't want to offend.

A couple years ago I noticed this in my own writing. I kept hearing I wasn't supposed to preach in my fiction. The message needed to come organically from the story. Sounded great in principle, but I found myself (and this is just me) actually shying away ever so slightly from what I most wanted to include in my novels---good news. The gospel. Hope. God's love.

I started evaluating my motives and realized I was indeed acting, in so many words, ashamed of the gospel. Something I never ever wanted to be ashamed of. I looked up the Scripture in Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

As I pondered it, something stuck out to me: the gospel is the power of God. And what is the gospel? The good news of Jesus! If I want to write a powerful novel, then I need to include the good news. If I want to reach people for the Lord, I need to share the good news.

Of course, the gospel comes in various forms, and I still don't want to write preachy, but I also don't want to be ashamed.

In my debut novel Thicker than Blood (January 2010, Tyndale House) there's a strong evangelical message. In all my fiction my goal is to show that no one is ever too far gone for God to love. I'm now proud of that.

I'd like to encourage you today not to be ashamed of the gospel. It holds the power of God to transform lives.

Addendum: Now let me just add here that I'm not saying clean, moral fiction (like one of my favorite authors James Scott Bell's Ty Buchanan series) are not valuable. They are very much needed, and I love reading them too. Mainly I'm talking about motives here. You may be called to write moral fiction. We write different books to reach different people. I totally support that. Some won't be ready for my novels, but they may receive from someone else.

So please don't take this post wrong. This is just what I've been thinking about lately in my own personal writing life.

Addendum #2: (I posted this in the comments but want to include it here as well): Great discussion, everyone! Thanks for your comments. And let me just say that many of my characters walk and talk and act like sinners. The main character of Thicker Than Blood is an alcoholic who chain smokes and has lived with her boyfriend. But it's my job to tell her story without dragging my readers through the mud of her life.

There's nothing so beautiful as seeing a sinner come to know forgiveness and love from God. But in order to truly appreciate their redemption, sometimes we need to see some of their sin. That said, I'm always very careful how much I show.

Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins is a great example of an author who skillfully shows us a sinner without dragging us through the sin. There's not one swear word, sex scene, or even much graphic violence. Yet we clearly know all about Brady and his life.

Another example are the films of the Billy Graham evangelistic association (World Wide Pictures). The movie Caught (unfortunately not on DVD that I know of) was about a young man living on the streets of Amsterdam who even has to sell himself to pay off a drug debt.

Telling realistic stories of redemption with restraint can be done. :)

Writer to Writer

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When I first started to learn the craft of writing I devoured every writing how-to book I could find. I learned so much in those first few years. But after awhile I had trouble keeping my perspective as a Christian author. Reading the now out-of-print Writer to Writer by Bodie & Brock Thoene helped me get it back.

Last night I pulled this worn book off my shelf, and was again encouraged by nuggets like this:

Has God put the desire to write in your heart? Have you honestly analyzed your motives and the level of your commitment? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you should, in fact you must, write!

But wait a minute, you say. I never made a bargain with God to become a writer. I've never traveled in foreign countries, or hobnobbed with famous people, or been recognized as an expert at anything! What can I possibly write about that anyone would want to read?

Notice how cleverly Satan moves in to interfere with your desire to write when it becomes a desire to serve God? Almost the instant you decide that you want to follow God's leading into writing for publication, the devil is right there whispering in your ear that you'd be wasting your time.

Satan isn't called the father of lies for nothing, you know. He wants you to think you have nothing of value to offer because you haven't had unique experiences or training. Baloney! Listen to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11:

To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

See? You have a unique perspective! No one has the combination of gifts of the Spirit in the same proportion that you do. No one! What's more, God has been leading you through experiences and circumstances that contribute to you being you and no one else. No one has all your memories. Even identical twins have some experiences they haven't shared.

If God is calling you to be a writer, then He will lead you from this point on. And you will soon discover that He has known all along that you'd have this desire and has been building into your life a whole set of unique events from which you'll be able to draw your own one-of-a-kind perspective.

Wow. I find this very encouraging! I hope you do, too. If you're interested in owning your own copy of Writer to Writer, it is available used at Amazon here. The submission and market info is dated, but the stories and encouragement are not.

2009 Christy Award Nominees!

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Just announced live at Christian Book Expo!

The nominees for the 2009 Christy Awards:

Contemporary Romance category:

* Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)
* Finding Stefanie by Susan May Warren (Tyndale House Publishers)
* Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White by Claudia Mair Burney (David C. Cook)

Contemporary Series, Sequels & Novellas category:

* Sisterchicks Go Brit! by Robin Jones Gunn (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)
* Summer Snow by Nicole Baart (Tyndale House Publishers)
* You Had Me at Good-bye by Tracey Bateman (FaithWords)

Contemporary Standalone category:

* Dogwood by Chris Fabry (Tyndale House Publishers)
* Embrace Me by Lisa Samson (Thomas Nelson)
* Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas (Moody Publishers)

First Novel category:

* Blue Hole Back Home by Joy Jordan-Lake (David C. Cook)
* Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler (Bethany House Publishers)
* Safe at Home by Richard Doster (David C. Cook)

Historical category:

* Shadow of Colossus by T.L. Higley (B&H Publishing Group)
* Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin (Bethany House Publishers)
* Washington’s Lady by Nancy Moser (Bethany House Publishers)

Historical Romance category:

* Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy (Barbour Publishers)
* From a Distance by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers)
* The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen (B&H Publishing Group)

Suspense category:

* By Reason of Insanity by Randy Singer (Tyndale House Publishers)
* The Rook by Steven James (Revell)
* Winter Haven by Athol Dickson (Bethany House Publishers)

Visionary category:

* The Battle for Vast Dominion by George Bryan Polivka (Harvest House Publishers)
* Shade by John B. Olson (B&H Publishing Group)
* Vanish by Tom Pawlik (Tyndale House Publishers)

Young Adult category are:

* The Fruit of My Lipstick by Shelley Adina (FaithWords)
* I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke (Moody Publishers)
* On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

My Favorite Book Covers

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There's nothing like a great book cover. Sometimes they'll make or break a novel. I've picked up more than one book based on the cover alone. Here are a few of my favorite Christian fiction covers. What do you think? What are some of yours?

Shoofly Pie
by Tim Downs
Howard Books

I love the vibrant yellow, and of course the blood spatter adds the mystery/murder element which plays prominently in this story. The fly clues you in on the "buggy" elements. You can't see it in this picture, but there's some embossing going on with the cover that also adds to the experience. Perfect novel for a quirky murder mystery.




Forsaken
by James David Jordan
B&H

It's not entirely clear in this small photo, but the bullet hole through the glass is amazingly detailed and adds such a great element to this cover. The image of the main character, Taylor, is also compelling. She's beautiful, but the coat she wears hints of her harder edge, something a suspense lover like myself welcomes in a novel.



The Restorer
by Sharon Hinck
Navpress

I absolutely love how this cover hints at the themes of the novel. This is a modern woman who finds herself in a fantasy world. The sword holding is perfect and says so much. I also love the color. This particular designer, Dog Eared Design, isn't afraid to use vibrant colors, and that's nice to see.





Dark to Mortal Eyes
by Eric Wilson
Waterbrook Press

The cover of this book alone got me to pick it up off the shelf at Barnes & Noble. I was immediately intrigued with that eye. Some have called this cover too edgy or intense, but I think it's brilliant. Says so much and also hints at the story to come.






The Breaking of Ezra Riley
by John L. Moore
Broadman & Holman

I own this book because of its cover. Yes, my interest was piqued by the summary (features a man coming back to the family ranch) as it reminds me of the settings I tend to favor in my own writing, but I wouldn't have bought it if wasn't for the cover. Again, perfect match up of design that matches the theme and tone of the novel. I haven't yet finished this book, but it starts out during a bleak, brutal Montana winter.



Plague Maker
by Tim Downs
Thomas Nelson

I'm noticing I lean toward darker covers, but those fireworks really grab your eye. It's an incredible shot that plays wonderfully into the book's story, too. The images on black add to the effect, and the lettering is the perfect font for a suspense.

Evolution Of A Novel

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When I finished my second novel I knew I immediately wanted to start writing my third. Problem was, I didn't know what to write.

This series of blog posts will take you along on my journey to write that third book. Maybe it'll demystify some of the writer stereotypes, maybe it'll reinforce them! And who knows? You just might have the chance to influence the outcome of the novel or name a character!

If someone were to ask me, "How do you write a novel?" I don't know what I'd answer. I'm still discovering how it all works. But I hope this series will help me understand my process better, too.

Before we start, let me ask you: What would you like to see covered in this series?

We won't have posts every day, but as something new crops up, I'll blog about it. I already have some interesting tidbits to pass along. Stay tuned! The Evolution of a Novel begins...

2008 Christy Award Winners!

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I'm cross-posting this from the TitleTrakk.com Book News blog:

Last night the winners of the 2008 Christy Awards were announced! Every year publishers are invited to submit novels written from a Christian worldview and copyrighted in the year preceding the awards. Each novel is entered in one of several genre categories and/or the first novel category. Each category of novels is then read and evaluated against a ten-point criteria by a panel of seven judges composed of librarians, reviewers, academicians, literary critics, and other qualified readers, none of whom have a direct affiliation with a publishing company.

Without any further ado, here are the winners:

CONTEMPORARY STAND-ALONE:
Chasing Fireflies
by Charles Martin
Thomas Nelson

Read our review of the novel here.


CONTEMPORARY SERIES:

Home to Holly Springs
by Jan Karon
Viking/Penguin



HISTORICAL
A Proper Pursuit
by Lynn Austin
Bethany House

Read our review of the novel here.


ROMANCE
Remembered
by Tamara Alexander
Bethany House




LITS:
Hallie's Heart
by Shelly Beach
Kregel

Read our review of the novel here.


SUSPENSE:

The Cure
by Athol Dickson
Bethany House

Read our review of the novel here.

VISIONARY:
Scarlet
by Stephen R. Lawhead
Thomas Nelson

Read our review of the novel here.


YOUNG ADULT:
Hollywood Nobody
by Lisa Samson
Navpress

Read our review of the novel here.


FIRST NOVEL:
The Stones Cry Out
by Sibella Giorello
Revell

Read our review of the novel here.

Dave Long (Advice for Novelists, Part 16)

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Today we hear from Dave Long, acquisitions editor at Bethany House but also an author in his own right. Ezekial's Shadow is probably his most well-known book, earning him a Christy Award.

Take it away, Dave!

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Publishing is not the apotheosis of writing. Completing something you love is. Publishing is a random, wildly subjective and often painful commodification of your creative spirit. Writing and publishing are two very different things.

--Dave Long, Fiction Acquisitions Editor, Bethany House

Rebekah Guzman (Advice for Novelists, Part 15)

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We're still continuing this popular series in which editors, publicists, agents and authors give their responses to the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Rebekah Guzman weighs in today...

One thing I like to remind any writer is simply this: You can’t create and perfect at the same time. While most editors love an author's attention to details, don’t feel like you have to get everything right the first time. Jot down your thoughts, create the content, and then set it aside for some time and come back to it later. Keep in mind that editors are here to help you. I love coming alongside a writer to make his/her work the best it can be. Also, remember to pray for wisdom as you create (for now)—and later as we perfect, together.

--Rebekah Guzman, Senior Editor, Navpress

Sue Brower (Advice for Novelists, Part 3)

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Our series of blog posts in which industry professionals (editors, agents, publicists, authors, etc.) continues again today with thoughts from Sue Brower.

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Finish your novel! I often hear from novelists who have a complete marketing plan, list of endorsers, and brand strategy—but only three chapters of their novel completed. It is very difficult for an editor to evaluate your work if it’s not complete. What does a complete manuscript mean? First, it tells me that you can finish a book. Second, it tells me whether you know the mechanics of writing. Third, it tells me if you have the ability to flesh out the characters and keep my attention. Finish your novel! Anything else is a distraction.

--Sue Brower, Sr. Acquisitions Editor, Fiction & Inspiration, Zondervan

Charlene Patterson (Advice for Novelists, Part 1)

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I'm starting a series of blog posts here in which industry professionals (editors, agents, publicists, authors, etc.) share their responses to this question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Today I've asked Charlene Patterson, Fiction Acquisitions Editor at Bethany House Publishers.

Her response:

"First of all, write. Don't just talk about or think about or pray about writing. Write. Secondly, if you want to be published, do your homework. Can you imagine an aspiring optometrist showing up at Lens Crafters saying, "Yeah, I've been practicing in my house. Anybody need their eyes checked?" Read good books in your genre. Know what is selling in your market. Learn techniques for plot and dialogue and research and point of view. Take a class where your work is critiqued and you are given suggestions for improvement. Join up with a writers' group. Rewrite."

--Charlene Patterson, Fiction Acquisitions Editor, Bethany House Publishers

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE SERIES THAT'S CURRENTLY 85+ STRONG!

The TBR Pile

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I don't know about you, but my TBR pile (aka the "To-Be-Read-Pile") is constantly growing these days. There are just so many amazing books out there! Christian fiction used to mostly be made up of prairie romances and Biblical epics. Not anymore. There's something for just about anyone, and the quality continues to rise. This is a wonderful thing for a book maven like me who loves great fiction but doesn't want to fill my mind with some of the junk out there in secular fiction. This isn't to say there isn't some great stuff out there in the mainstream, but I think you know what I mean.

Above is a picture of my actual TBR pile. Several of these are books I'm reading to review, others are for pure enjoyment. Notice the top book. Perhaps if I read it first I might actually get to the others quicker? :)

So what about you? What's in your TBR pile these days?

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

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I'd known about the CFBA for quite some time, but now I can happily say I'm an official member. The alliance features a new Christian novel every week, and members talk about it on their blogs. Just take a look at their upcoming December schedule of books:

Wed 7th thru 9th---Deadfall by Robert Liparulo
Wed 14th thru 16th---Try Dying by James Scott Bell
Wed 21st thru 23rd---One Smooth Stone by Marcia Laycock
Wed 28th thru 30th---Auralia’s Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet

I'm looking forward to helping spread the word about all the wonderful books out there in the industry today. Why not join the alliance yourself? Your only obligations are to include their blogroll and links on your site, plus of course, you'll need to feature some books. But you don't have to feature every single one. Members are allowed to pick and choose (Who can resist free books?). And they make it easy for you by providing reviews and blurbs you can use with your post. Click here to visit the alliance website and learn more. Director Bonnie Calhoun is great about answering questions, too!

2007 Christy Award Winners

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Named after Catherine Marshall's novel Christy, which has over 10 million copies in print, the Christy Award is designed to honor novels from a Christian worldview.

Last night the Christy Awards dinner was held in Atlanta, and according to author Tricia Goyer (who attended the event), the winners are ...

Contemporary Standalone:
Winter Birds
Jamie Langston Turner





Contemporary Series, Sequels, and Novellas:
The Brethren
Beverly Lewis





Historical:
Madman
Tracy Groot





Lits:
Sisterchicks in Gondolas
Robin Jones Gunn





Romance:
The Measure of a Lady
Deeanne Gist





Suspense:
Plague Maker
Tim Downs





First Novel:
Where Mercy Flows
Karen Harter





Young Adult:
William Henry is a Fine Name
Cathy Gohlke

Tribulation House by Chris Well

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Let me draw your attention to the release of Chris Well's third novel, Tribulation House. Book #3 in the unofficial Kansas City Blues series, Chris has created another quirky crime novel sure to win him many fans.

Read the TitleTrakk.com review of the novel here by Narelle Mollet.

Read an interview I did with Chris a bit ago here.




Read my review of Chris' last book Deliver Us From Evelyn here.
Read the first chapter of Tribulation House here.
Visit Chris' website here.

Peretti's impact

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A question recently came up on a writer's group to which I belong about what books have had the most influence on us as writers.

I had to think long and hard about this question because no one book immediately jumped into my mind. I've read so many books that have made impressions on me as a person, and as a writer. But really, when I got to thinking, I knew the answer.

The first book I remember giving me some sort of "aha" moment was Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti. I was a teenager when I first read it, and this novel was my first introduction to Christian fiction. (I accidentally read it before This Present Darkness.) I was hooked.

The character Sally Beth Roe had the most impact. Especially her conversion. I don't remember if I consciously thought, "I want to write like that." But gradually I realized this as I began to pursue writing. I've always loved her character, and now as I think on what I want to include in my fiction, I remember how unashamed Frank Peretti was about including the gospel in his stories. A lot of authors water down the message of truth these days to make their novels more accessible to the masses. But Peretti reminds me that you can please the masses (can anyone say millions sold?), and speak the truth.

Aspiring Retail article on Christian fiction

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In a recent blog entry, Brandilyn Collins pointed out a great article in Aspiring Retail's May issue called "Christian Novelists on the Rise" as well as another piece in the same issued called "Passionate About Christian Fiction". The latter is an interview with Carol Johnson of Bethany House.

Fascinating stuff. Check out the issue here.

Research ups and downs

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One of the ways I research for my fiction writing is to read biographies/autobiographies of people in the same profession as my characters. For example, half of my first novel takes place on a modern-day working cattle ranch. My shelves are full of books detailing this way of life. I also subscribed to (and still read) various magazines related to ranching. But there's nothing like hearing about a profession in the first person. It's learning by immersion, mostly. I came to a point where I could imagine my settings based solely on photographs and descriptions, and my character's voices came naturally because I truly understood what they would be thinking.

For settings, there's nothing like visiting in person. However, I believe it IS possible to learn about a setting from your armchair.

One potential danger with research is to never start the writing because you're so consumed with researching. You must start writing, sometimes even when you don't feel you have enough research. During the process of writing questions will arise, and that's when you go searching for a specific answer. Often the best way to find an answer is to pool your friends. One of them will probably know somebody who will know the answer.

FIRST Blog Tour - Wishing on Dandelions by Mary DeMuth

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It is April 1st (or 3rd!), time for the FIRST Day Blog Tour. The FIRST day of every month we will feature an author and his/her latest book's FIRST chapter!

This month's feature is:

Mary E. DeMuth

and her book:

Wishing on Dandelions

(NavPress Publishing, 2006)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

This month's feature is very special. The author is one of the FIRST Day Blog Alliance Members!!! Click here for her Blogspot! MARY E. DeMUTH has spent the last fifteen years as a writer. Winner of the 2003 Mount Herman Christian Writers Conference's Pacesetter's Award, she now splits her time between writing and planting a new church with her husband, Patrick, and two other families. Wishing on Dandelions is the second book in the Maranatha Series. The first was the critically praised book, Watching the Tree Limbs. She has also written two parenting books. Building the Christian Family You Never Had and a new one called Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture which will release this summer with Harvest House. Mary, Patrick, and their three children make their home in Texas.

Read the first chapter here at TitleTrakk.com.

And you can read the first chapter of Mary's 1st novel
Watching the Tree Limbs here.

Tricia Goyer Blog Tour for A Valley of Betrayal

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It's my pleasure to be a part of the blog tour for Tricia Goyer's new novel A Valley of Betrayal, Book #1 in the Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War series.

Tricia is an accomplished writer who was named "Writer of the Year" in 2003 by Mount Hermon Christian Writer's Conference. Her previous historical fiction series took place during World War II and included From Dust and Ashes, Night Song, Dawn of a Thousand Nights, and Arms of Deliverance. She is married to John, and they have three great kids whom she homeschools: Cory, Leslie, and Nathan. They make their home in Northwest Montana with their dog, Lilly.

Cool Stuff to Read & Do:

• Read the 1st chapter of A Valley of Betrayal here.
• Read an interview I did with Tricia a couple months ago here.
• Read Cara Putnam's review of A Valley of Betrayal at her blog: The Law, Books and Life.
• Read Cheryl Russell's review of A Valley of Betrayal at Infuze.
• Sign up for On Trakk, the e-newsletter of TitleTrakk.com, and be entered in a drawing to win a FREE copy of A Valley of Betrayal. Be sure to mention this blog when you do.
  
• Listen to a podcast of Tricia talking about her books here.
• Buy A Valley of Betrayal here.

So, Tricia, what inspired you to write A Valley of Betrayal?

A few years ago when I was researching for my fourth World War II novel, Arms of Deliverance, I came across a unique autobiography. One B-17 crewmember I read about claimed to make it out of German-occupied Belgium after a plane crash due, in part, to his skills he picked up as a veteran of The Spanish Civil War. Reading that bit of information, I had to scratch my head. First of all, I had never heard of the war. And second, what was an American doing fighting in Spain in the late 1930s? Before I knew it, I uncovered a fascinating time in history—one that I soon discovered many people know little about. This is what I learned:

Nazi tanks rolled across the hillsides and German bombers roared overhead, dropping bombs on helpless citizens. Italian troops fought alongside the Germans, and their opponents attempted to stand strong—Americans, British, Irishmen, and others—in unison with other volunteers from many countries. And their battleground? The beautiful Spanish countryside.

From July 17, 1936-April 1, 1939, well before America was involved in World War II, another battle was fought on the hillsides of Spain. On one side were the Spanish Republicans, joined by the Soviet Union and The International Brigade—men and women from all over the world who have volunteered to fight Fascism. Opposing them, Franco and his Fascist military leaders, supported with troops, machinery, and weapons from Hitler and Mussolini. The Spanish Civil War, considered the “training ground” for the war to come, boasted of thousands of American volunteers who joined to fight on the Republican side, half of which never returned home.

Unlike World War II, there is no clear line between white and black, good and evil. Both sides committed atrocities. Both sides had deep convictions they felt worth fighting and dying for.

Loyalists—also know as the Republicans were aided by the Soviet Union, the Communist movement, and the International Brigades. If not for the weapons and volunteers from these sources their fight would have ended in weeks rather than years. While many men fought side by side, their political views included that of liberal democracy, communism and socialism. The Catholic Basque Country also sided with the Republic, mainly because it sought independence from the central government and was promised this by Republican leaders in Madrid.

Nationalists—or Francoists were aided mainly by Germany and Italy. The Nationalist opposed an independent Basque state. Their main supporters were those who believed in a monarchist state and fascist interests. The Nationalist wished for Spain to continue on as it had for years, with rich landowners, the military, and the church running the country. Most of the Roman Catholic clergy supported the Nationalists, except those in the Basque region.

During the Spanish Civil war, terror tactics against civilians were common. And while history books discuss the estimated one million people who lost their lives during the conflict, we must not forget that each of those who fought, who died, had their own tales. From visitors to Spain who found themselves caught in the conflict, to the communist supporters, Basque priests, and Nazi airmen . . . each saw this war in a different light. These are the stories behind A Valley of Betrayal.