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Help finding books with no swear words and no sexual scenes

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40K views 55 replies 35 participants last post by  AnnetteL  
#1 ·
Yea, I know, your first reaction is probably:  Good luck.

However, I know books like what I want exist even though they seem to be not common and hard for me to find.  I prefer books that cost less than $5.  I mostly enjoy reading science fiction and fantasy books but am looking to read other genre's too.  I am not interested in horror though.

Most any fantasy and sci-fi work for me and the target audience of the book can be anywhere between 10 and 16 years old as well as 40.  My daughter is 9 and a half and I have three boys, 11, 12, and 15.  Plus so far I have mostly read books with protagonists in the age range of 14 to 30.  I would like to try a book with a 40 year old protagonist to see how those are.

I especially like books that deal with time travel.  I love reading about dragons, elves, new creatures.

I recently finished the book Powerless:  The Synthesis by Jason Letts.  That book is perfect.  Just the kind of content I like as well as being interesting.

Before that I read Not What She Seems by Victorine E Lieske.  This was the first time I read a romance book.  If anyone knows of similar romances with no sex scenes I want to hear about it so I can take a look.  Incredible Dreams by Sandra Edwards sounds interesting but of course I am concerned about the content so if anyone who has read it can let me know more about the content I would appreciate it.

I believe Baling by Carol Hanrahan may have no swear words and be what I am looking for.  I didn't find anything objectionable in the sample that I read.

If anyone knows of some good mysteries for a 12 year old that are similar to the Hardy Boys I want to know about those.
 
#3 ·
This sounds like something that could be easily handled by adding a feature to the readers that scanned for specific words and turned them all into ****.  Much like the audio function on the Kindle, it could be enabled or disabled at the publisher's option. A reader could then enable or disable that feature on his reader.

I'm not sure there is a market for that, and I suppose there would also be a vocal group that would insist it be mandatory for everyone.
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the replies and help.

I am pickier than that and want books that don't even have the H and D words in them.

I am going to have to check out GoodReads and the group you mention.

I would love a feature that blocks out swear words while reading.  I am all for allowing people to chose and don't think blocking out swear words should be forced on anyone.
 
#5 ·
I would highly recommend Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" books. There may be just a little bit of moderate profanity in some of them: an occasional d**n or h**l, but very infrequently and never any of the more objectionable words; and there are no sex scenes, though it is acknowledged that sex exists and that in some (rare) cases is participated in by the characters "off camera", so to speak. The "City Watch" story arc (starting with Guards! Guards!) has a main character who is middle-aged (Sam Vimes) as is his wife and several of the supporting cast, and the Lancre Witches story arc (beginning with Wyrd Sisters) includes two main characters who are senior citizens (Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax). I believe all but the newest books are in the $5.99 range.

Oh, and they are well written, and alternately funny, satirical, heart-warming, and occasionally poignant -- and did I mention funny?
 
G
#6 ·
Thanks so much again for the kind words about my book. The series will stay clean all the way to the end. I'm really trying to come up with a good recommendation for you here. I think I've got one, but I'm only 99% sure there's no sex.

Raven's Heart by Matt and Stephanie Verish. Plenty of high fantasy fun, and a huge story for just 99c: http://www.amazon.com/Ravens-Heart-World-Secramore-ebook/dp/B003V8BH8M/

If you'd like to contact them to make sure the content works for you, you can find them here: http://www.secramore.com/

Good luck with your book search!
 
#9 ·
The ElfHunter series is great and I don't believe they have any swear words in them, at least not that I can remember. The author is a member here so you can always check with her to make sure.

 
#10 ·
I hereby confirm that there are neither swear words nor sexual scenes in Elfhunter.  ;)
(There is some violence, but it's not overdone or excessively graphic. Readership encompasses ages eight to ninety-something.)

(Thanks for recommending them, MLPMom)

I can second the recommendation of 'Raven's Heart', also!  :D
 
#12 ·
Terrence OBrien said:
This sounds like something that could be easily handled by adding a feature to the readers that scanned for specific words and turned them all into ****.
That just seems so pointless to me. The reader still knows what the **** means. What harm comes from reading the actual word? Isn't the harm more in someone having the mindset to swear rather than seeing the actual swear word?

To get back on subject, though; if you're okay with religion, look for Amish fiction (also called "bonnet fiction"). There's no swearing, the most that ever happens is kissing (if that), and many give an insightful look into the Amish way of life.
 
#13 ·
I just recommended this book on another thread, but I believe it would work here, too. The book is called The Magicians and Mrs. Quent by Galen Beckett http://www.amazon.com/Magicians-Mrs-Quent-Galen-Beckett/dp/0553589822. It's a fantasy novel, but with a very Victorian feel. There is romance, but it is of the sweetest kind (think Jane Eyre). I simply loved this book!

Also, you've kind of answered a question that I've been thinking about myself. When I begin to market my book, I think I'll add a line about content (no swearing, no sex, etc.) Then again, the book is a little graphic in other ways, so maybe that would be misleading.
 
#14 ·
Thanks for all the recommendations!

I know I have the samples of Portal and ElfHunter downloaded already.

I am glad to hear the Powerless series will remain free of these things.

I am OK with some violence so that will not deter me.

I actually downloaded a book recently called an Amish Christmas thinking it would be one I would like.

I am in favor of books giving me an idea of what there content is but am unsure what would be the best way to include that in a book.
 
#15 ·
Good luck in your search, Robert.  There are some good ideas here that should get you going.  Apparently, my offer of volunteering my time, to revise my work, so that I could send you a free copy was deemed offensive as my initial post has been deleted. 

Ann/Betsy/Et al, I will refrain from making similar offers in the future. 





 
#16 ·
Steven L. Hawk said:
Good luck in your search, Robert. There are some good ideas here that should get you going. Apparently, my offer of volunteering my time, to revise my work, so that I could send you a free copy was deemed offensive as my initial post has been deleted.

Ann/Betsy/Et al, I will refrain from making similar offers in the future.
I hope my reply was not viewed as being negative toward your offer nor offensive. I wonder why it would be deleted?
 
#17 ·
"That just seems so pointless to me. The reader still knows what the **** means. What harm comes from reading the actual word? Isn't the harm more in someone having the mindset to swear rather than seeing the actual swear word?"

It probably is pointless unless you are someone who would value the feature. Each individual has his own tastes, preferences, and values. If there are sufficient numbers, then an eReader vendor might try to capture that market niche.
 
#19 ·
I'm going to recommend a handful of books - but some of them I haven't read in a while so I might be a bit fuzzy on the content (will note that).

Mended Heart - This is a Christian Romance, no cussing, no pre-marital sex, very clean. I did a review for it not long ago on TRR: review

Another romance - this one may be more up your alley, it's fantasy. It won't be released until January, but it was 5-star book (review is not posted yet) and while it's a romance, all the sex takes place off-scene, for the most part. I think there was once instance
where thrusting was mentioned
but it was pretty tame on the physical aspect.

Another good series - The Valdemar books by Mercedes Lackey. Romance is talked about - you know people are having sex, but it's treated very much in a "people do this thing" type way, no descriptions or anything of actual acts. I'm pretty sure, too, that cursing is pretty minimal. HOWEVER! The book does have some violent scenes and also what I would call adult situations - that is, some characters are raped / tortured and while it is handled as the horrifying thing that it is and not eroticized in any way, it's probably not suitable for young kids. The 15 year old would probably like them, though. Anyway - that's the series that it's been over a year since I've read, so the details are a bit fuzzy. On the bright side, there are probably 20 books available in that world setting, broken up into trilogies if you like it, and most of the protagonists are teenagers. Also, the message in most of them is honor, bravery, friendship, etc. Not a bad thing, IMO, for kids to be exposed to.

Clean romances - This is an older author and in fact, she passed away a few years ago, but... Barbara Cartland. I absolutely would not hesitate to recommend them to younger readers as they are all very clean.

Anyway, hope this helps, and sorry for the rambling.
 
#22 ·
Do the Lady Julia Gray series have any swear words? I can't remember for sure now but they don't have any sex scenes for sure and are a really good mystery series with a tiny bit of romance mixed in. They might have the "h" word and "d" word but I really can't remember.
 
#23 ·
If you like Action / Adventure, the entire genre is prety much cuss word and sex free.

You might try:
Steve Berry
Boyd Morrison
Clive Cussler

Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child also write some great thrillers with little violence, no sex and minimal swearing.

Also Into Thin Air (I'm reaching a little here, but I'm pretty sure it was clean).

My books tend to have more sex / violence / and swearing than you will appreciate.

CJ
 
#24 ·
Thanks for all the suggestions and more are always welcome!

I like some action/adventure/thriller books and I am pretty sure some of my children do to.

Steven L. Hawk said:
No, Robert, you did nothing wrong. Just a misunderstanding on my part.

Thanks and I hope you enjoy the book.
Thanks I have it. Now I am going to have to learn how to get a file onto my Kindle 3 when it doesn't come from amazon or getting it from the Kindle itself.

Laura Lond said:
You mentioned you like fantasy and dragons - check out the Dragon Keeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul. Book 1 is called DragonSpell.

If you don't mind saying I want to know if your two books are free of the content I object to. Hopefully me asking about them means you can answer without it being counted as self promotion. Otherwise please message me.
 
#25 ·
I have a guilty-pleasure in the Xanth series from Piers Anthony.  Some of the books do mention sex, but not really as a graphic, sexual scene thing.  It's pretty tame in that the world setting itself "bleeps" out bad words and things that fall under the "Adult Conspiracy" (ie. sex, bodily functions, swear words)
 
#26 ·
When I want to move a file onto the Kindle, I usually just email it to the Kindle's email addr. I could plug the kindle into the computer, but the email works so well, I don't bother.