The Cover of the Novel
Arms of Love is a 2001 novel written by Canadian author Carmen Marcoux.
Joanie, a strong Catholic woman setting out in a new career as a journalist, must face one of the greatest challenges of her young life . . . romance. Committed to the values of Christian courtship, Joanie finds herself attracted to the handsome young commercial producer, Brandon - a man living a very worldly lifestyle. Brandon makes every effort to draw the attractive young reporter into his charms and into his world. Meanwhile, Joanie is battling to resist his advances, as she earnestly seeks to bring Jesus into Brandon's life.
Arms Of Love provides examples of the following tropes:
- The Ace: Brandon is good at just about everything he tries - he's great at his job, described as "superlative" at guitar, has a magnetic personality, is a natural public speaker, was captain and MVP of his high school football team...
- Character Development: Most of the first half of the book consists of Brandon working to become a good Christian and the kind of man that Joanie could actually marry.
- Chastity Couple: Despite Brandon's previous sexual history, he and Joanie don't so much as kiss until after they are married.
- Double-Meaning Title: While it is a love story, the love in question from the book's title is actually Jesus's.
- Easy Evangelism: Joanie is able to immediately convert virtually anyone she meets into abiding by very conservative Catholic dogma,note often after only a single conversation and despite there having been no indication of them being dissatisfied with their previous life. Any characters who do not immediately accept Joanie's teachings are clearly also framed as being 'in the wrong' and eventually both apologize and convert.
- Happily Married: Joanie's parents. Joanie and Brandon, eventually.
- Heel–Faith Turn: Brandon, thanks to Joanie's influence.
- Heel Realization: Brandon has one of these once he begins to accept Jesus into his life.
- Ladykiller in Love: Brandon.
- Love Redeems: A major theme of the novel, though it's not Joanie's love that does the trick.
- Massive Numbered Siblings: Joanie's family.
- Propaganda Piece: It's very clearly intended as a morality tale for young Catholic readers.
