Tamara Leigh

In 1994, my first novel, Warrior Bride, was published by Bantam for the mainstream market. Ten years and seven novels later, I made the decision to write for the inspirational market--easier decided than done. Though publishers expressed interest in my medieval romances, I was told that novels set during this time period didn't sell well due to the state of the medieval Church--the sale of indulgences, the exaltation of the clergy, the crusades, the Inquisition (on and on).

When my agent asked for something "different," I took on Chick Lit, a genre I appreciated for its relatively lighthearted take on the young single professional woman. It was a nice change of pace, but eight years and seven inspirational novels later, I'm once more in a "medieval state of mind" (that's not to say that contemporary romance has seen the last of me). And so, in defense of novels set during the middle ages, here's a look at the faith of medieval people.

From Medieval Romance to Inspirational Chick Lit and Back Again

2006-2011

Inspirational

Contemporary Romance

EXCERPTS