Fiction I’m Looking Forward To
I used to read a lot of contemporary Christian fiction. I’ve stopped. To be honest, I find most of it shallow and poorly written. There are, however, a few notable exceptions, and I wanted to share three books whose release I am really looking forward to. These are three Christian authors who I find refreshing – they are good writers and the quality of their work, in my opinion, surpasses many others in their genre.
Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock
I loved her deep and moving books All the Way Home, I’ll Watch the Moon, and Every Secret Thing. I’m excited to read this new novel.
Amy Inspired by Bethany Pierce
Bethany’s first book was Feeling for Bones, a portrait of a young girl struggling with anorexia. It was beautifully written and it’s been too long of a wait for this, her second novel.
While We’re Far Apart by Lynn Austin
Though her books don’t have quite the same sparkling prose as the first two authors I mentioned, I love how Lynn Austin weaves her stories and characters in rich historical settings.
(Side note: Don’t you just love the cover art on all of these books?)
I can’t finish this post without mentioning a couple other of my favorite Christian authors: Nicole Baart and Lisa McKay. Both are well worth your time.
And my disclaimer: I don’t endorse or agree with everything these authors write.
What have you been reading? Who are your favorite authors?
So do I! I love Anne of the Island… I’m glad you’re reading it. 
Thank you for these recommendations! I’ve been searching hard for some good Christian fiction and have come up empty handed. I’m going to check these out.
Yay! Let me know what you think.
I used to read a lot of Christian fiction too, when a teenager, but also have stopped. I think I simply outgrew the poorly written writing styles. The only thing I’ve read in recent years that could be categorized as “Christian” fiction is the Father Tim books by Jan Karon. LOVED them! Ironically, they’re published by a secular publisher.
I’ve heard that Christian author Linda Nichols is good, but I don’t know personally as I’ve not read her. She’s on my list to try though.
Sadly, I’m only on my 4th work of fiction for the year, which is terribly low for me. And non of them were really stellar and engaging except for the one I’m on now, “Possession” by A. S. Byatt, which so far is brilliant. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
I have read Linda Nichols, but it was awhile ago and I didn’t really connect with her stories. I don’t remember much about her writing but I think it was better than most.
I’ll have to look into that book… it sounds good.
I really loved “Redeeming Love” and the “Mark of the Lion” series by Francine Rivers. I haven’t read anything else she has written, but those books are probably my favorite pieces of Christian fiction (besides the Chronicles of Narnia series…I’m never too old for that!). Now I really want to check out the books you recommended!
I wondered if someone would bring up Francine Rivers! From the excerpts I’ve read of her, she is a talented writer. I just wasn’t able to take the very vivid PG-13 descriptions she writes of certain situations. That might just be in Redeeming Love though. I actually heard her speak at the Festival of Faith and Writing in 2008.
I started Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love – it’s definitely PG-13 material, but from the little I’ve read, the concept of the book is amazing. But I’ve decided to just let it sit on my shelf for a few years and read it when I’m a little older
A writer duo I used to enjoy was Bodie and Brock Theone (sp?). Their Zion Covenant and Zion Chronicles series were very well researched and riveting.
Oh yes, I have read their books! I don’t agree with their Zionist theology but I do agree that they are quite riveting.
Well, maybe I am old fashioned but Isabella Alden was a really good writer! I have REALLY enjoyed almost all of her books that I have read. http://www.keepersofthefaith.com/category/IsabellaAldenEsterRiedSeries
and http://www.keepersofthefaith.com/category/IsabellaAldenChautauquaSeries are especially good.
I also like a rather unknown author Kristina Roy and know that many of her books are really good…. the problem is that many of them haven’t been translated into English ~ and I can’t read (and understand) any foreign languages 
Her stories mostly take place in Slovakia ~ she was ran an orphanage or many orphanages that George Mueller was connected with. The ones that she wrote that have been translated are more for children and almost always about orphans……… But I love them and they have wonderful messages in them!
Just thought I’d give my thoughts to add a different light on it!
Oh my, I love Isabella Alden… and Martha Finley… and Susan Warner… such good, wholesome, meaningful fiction! I only addressed contemporary fiction in this post but I could go on and on about the books written in the good old days. Kristina Roy sounds really good! I should check her books out.
I guess I didn’t notice that you mentioned contemporary fiction! Sorry!
I haven’t read fiction in so, so, soooo long. I have shelves full, but like you, I quit reading because of the shallowness. The one Linda Nichols book I enjoyed was If I Gained the World, and I actually really enjoyed Dana’s Valley which Janette Oke co-wrote with her daughter Laurel Logan.
Though None Go with Me is another favorite of mine. Jerry Jenkins wrote it, and while I’ve never read his Left Behind series, nor do I care to, the book I mentioned was very good.
I also loved Dana’s Valley.
I’ve read Liz Curtis Higgs’ “A Thorn in My Heart” series so many times it’s shameful…she rewrote the story of Jacob, Esau, Leah, and Rachel in and 18th-century Scotland setting, and while it follows the general framework of the biblical account, she is very creative with her plot lines and her characters are just lovable. She also wrote a follow-up book to the series based on the story of Delilah, and just released the first book of a pair based on the story of Ruth. They’re enjoyable, heart-touching reads if not particularly mind-stretching…and that’s ok by me. 
Everything doesn’t have to be mind-stretching!
Erm…misprint: I meant “Dinah” instead of “Delilah”…oops. (I was just re-reading the post and these comments while compiling a reading list! )
I forgot to mention Beth Webb Hart in my favorite Christian authors list. I think you would like her book Adelaide Piper.
Thanks, I’ll add it!
Thanks for the recommendations, Anna. I’m back into the fiction mode again after reading a bunch of educational stuff. I just finished “The Postcard” by Beverly Lewis and I thought it was great. She’s very clean in her writing (she passes all my recent “tests”, aka convictions about Christian fiction, if you’ll remember that post), and it was an intriguing story. Now I have to run out and buy the second one!
I do enjoy Beverly Lewis as well. I’ve found her newest series to be a little repetitive, but I really enjoy her earlier stories. You should read the Abram’s Daughters series… one of my favorite Christian fiction series ever.
I have had the same view as you. In fact, I’ve stopped reading it all together. Your post has given me a bit of hope and some direction!
Thank you. As usual, I’ve been blessed reading your blog.
Have a wonderful day.
Rachel
I think the whole idea of Christian fiction and Christian bookstores that sell everything under the sun to a subculture has done us a disservice. These are mere marketing categories and are in danger of selling out to the love of money. Some of the very best literature was written by Christian authors, for example JRR Tolkien, Dorothy Sayers, Victor Hugo and there have many more. A Christian author should be able to write about any topic. All writers should write what we are given. Any book with literary merit should transcend any marketing category. If the author is a believer, it will show in the book.
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Thanks for hopping over from LeAnna. I’m adding you to my bloglist right now! I can’t wait to check these books out, thanks for the suggestions. BTW- those chubby knees are precious!!!
Thanks for adding me, Elaine!
i completely agree with you on christian fiction. so thank you for these fantastic suggestions! the only reading i’ve done lately is the Bible… my hands have been a bit full with two littles! : )
I also have enjoyed Lynn Austin and Francine Rivers (Leota’s Garden is my favorite). Some other authors I’ve enjoyed over the past couple of years are W. Dale Cramer (Levi’s Will and Summer of Light) Charles Martin (Chasing Fireflies), and Nancy Rue (Tristan’s Gap). I really can’t stomach the predictable and repetitive.
A book I just finished – and found to be SO good and so well -written, is When Crickets Cry, by Charles Martin. Such an enjoyable read, though hard and sad at times, but with such hope and breath and life!
I am a huge fan of Lynn Austin – I’ve read almost all of her books (though not the one you mentioned – I’ll have to check into it!) and I LOVE her writing style.
I have read one of Ann Tatlock’s books – All The Way Home – I thoroughly enjoyed it.
So, my favorite authors – Lynn Austin, Beverly Lewis, and Janette Oke (although I really don’t enjoy her writing style – it’s somewhat bland and boring – I enjoy the storylines). I try to be careful with Christian fiction (sometimes it can be very borderline) – but I definitely enjoy reading the books by these authors!
[...] Beneath the Night Tree by Nicole Baart is the third book in a series following Julia, an orphaned adolescent turned college student turned single mom. I was excited to discover Nicole’s writing when I was in college, because it’s simple and engaging and, in my humble opinion, a notch above a lot of other Christian fiction. [...]
Ooo, these sound good. I am finally reading Anne of the Island. And thinking of you and Sarah at parts along the way. College was so fun. I don’t wish I was back, but I certainly cherish the times we had more than ever.