Just finished The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers, it was excellent. Other really good ones: Riven by Jerry Jenkins and The Undoing of St Silvanus (don’t remember the author)
If I Run series by Terri Blackstock; TheSeer series by Rachelle Dekker; anything by Karen Kingsbury – Shades of Blue, The Bridge, Divine, Unlocked, the Redemption series, the 911 series…
There are a couple that are not romantic, like Atonement Child, Leota’s Garden and Her Mothers Dream/Her Mothers Hope. Exceptional books also. She knows how to reach the depth of emotions and the intricacies of relationships. There has not been a book that hasn’t left an impact on me.
It doesn’t work to paint all Christians with the paintbrush of right wing conservatives. Some, like me, are Christian progressive/liberal and inclusive.
Absolutely they are! And I’m not hating on your opinion that Christian fiction is redundant. That’s well within your right and I’m sure many agree with you. The only thing I was saying is that comment seems uncalled for when the poster was asking for recommendations for a good Christian fiction book, not for peoples’ opinions on Christian fiction itself.
I hate to be cranky again, but there are a lot of really awful books in these comments. For decent Christian fiction, don’t read Frank Peretti, Francine Rivers, or Tim LaHaye. Read Frederick Buechner, Marilyn Robinson, Flannery O’Connor, Graham Greene, and Dostoyevsky.
I’m a huge Ted Dekker fan but if you’re not into the fantasy type story, start with his AD 30 and AD33. Strong female lead and powerful story of identity and personal power.
The Red Tent by Anita Diamont. Phillip Gulley has a great series about a fictional town called Harmony. The church members and issues are similar to every church I’ve ever been a member of.
Anything by Francine Rivers. Zion Covenant series by Brock and Bodie Thoene for WWII action. Frank Peretti for supernatural horror with a Christian focus. Christy by Catherine Marshall.
I am a lifelong Tennessean and grew up in East Tennessee. I went to college near where the real “Christy” took place. I went there and looked at the buildings mentioned in the novel. The town/area is called Del Rio,TN and in the book it’s called El Pano. It’s a neat, old area. When you drive to it, it looks like you’re going to run right into the mountains.
Madeleine L’Engle’s Wrinkle In Time Quartet is Christian Fiction ( although not marketed as such). C.S. Lewis’ novels (Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, etc.) are also Christian fiction. Both authors were professed Christians and both the theology and the symbolism are threaded through their fiction.
Oh, I had never heard that about A Wrinkle in Time, cool! It’s true of the Lord of The Rings series, too. Tolkien was a Christian and led C.S. Lewis to Christianity.
@Lauren Precisely. Based on your reply, dive into the Wrinkle In Time Quartet. I commented earlier that in my opinion the series gets better once you get past the 1st book.
CS Lewis and TRR Tolkien are Christian, but Wrinkle in Time is borderline. It is more of a New Age Christian that takes it’s liberties with fundamental Christian beliefs (oneness with the universe, mysticism, author is new age herself). If this of interest by all means, just know that this may not be what some would consider Christian fiction.
Wrinkle In Time is is only the first book. Many of the saints were mystics, and the prophets as well. And the quartet is a fictional saga about a family. Fictional. Not for proselytizing.
@Amy thanks! That is good to know. I must confess I’ve never read A Wrinkle in Time. I have read the Lord of the Rings and some of Narnia. My mother read me The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe when I was a kid.
@Vicki Its not to say it’s not a good story with a positive message, just that it’s kind of a controversial one as the author herself believed parts of the Bible were fantasy and her beliefs in universalism and evolution do impact her storytelling.
The Sensible Shoe’s series (4 books). Four woman in different places in life meet at a spiritual formation class. You will see yourself in each woman. An amazing read. By Sharon Garlough Brown #sensibleshoes https://www.sensibleshoesclub.com/
I LOVE these!! At my library when someone wants Christian fiction with more “substance” this is my go to series. It seems to fit what they’re looking for. I really enjoyed them as well as much of the “lighter” titles suggested in this thread. (I use quotes because I know these are subjective terms)
Thorn In My Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs. I thought the first two chapters were boring, but when I finished the book it was one of the best I’d read. It’s the only book I’ve read where I found myself praying for a FICTIONAL character. After I prayed I said, “What the heck did I just do???” lol.
Julia Spencer-Fleming has a series of mysteries, beginning with In The Bleak Midwinter. And Jan Karon’s Mitford series is wonderful. I read a few of Karen Kingsbury’s books and nearly had to go on anti-depressants, but a lot of people enjoy them.
Oh, that made me smile and giggle slightly! I do see what you mean, but I think that is Karen ‘s way of bringing the message of God. I love Elizabeth and John Baxter, thougn.
The two “Darkness” books are excellent, and should be read in order. Worth the time. i also liked “The Visitation,” though i haven’t met anybody else yet who liked it (didn’t like the final ending, but the rest was really good, i thought).
So I just googled it looks like I had in my house (for many years probably some I was about 14) The other darkness book…Are they sequels which should I read first?
This Present Darkness was my favorite. I ended up living in a town similar to “Ashton,” a few years after reading this book, and it helped me to better understand the spiritual warfare going on in our town.
@Neshiyqah , the order should be This Present Darkness, and then Piercing the Darkness, because one of the characters from the first is in the second one.
There are so many Christian authors. In addition to the ones already mentioned, Lauraine Snelling, Lynn Austin, Janette Oke, Mindy Starns Clark, Lori Copeland, and Tracie Peterson.
Read them out of order, but i really liked the third book, (two different titles, depends on release date) Liberation of Lystra (High Lord of Lystra), then The Chataine’s Guardian and Stone of Help, by Robin Hardy. Also enjoyed the analogy of Streiker’s Bride by her.
Anything by Francine Rivers, Mitford series by Jan Karon, and most of Brock & Bodie Thoene’s books. I also love Frank Peretti (kind of a Christian version of Stephen King) and Robert Whitlow (combination of Peretti and John Grisham).
I found a really cute series of books, and one at a time they were all free for Kindle. It started with Ordained Irreverance by McMillian Moody. It was a nice series about a man coming on to a very large church as an intern. Sometimes it was funny, sometimes it was very serious, it spoke some to the challenges in a large church, yet never seemed to be bashing any churches. I thought it was really good!
Me too–but we all have our own thing, I guess. I think it is good to step out of our comfort zones, so I will read a good “Christian-based” book. The problem with sticking with something like “Christian Literature” is that it is such a narrow point of view.
I just finished Pachinko, which is about some Christian Koreans living in Japan. It’s a great book, and I learned a lot about history, and Japanese and Korean Cultures.
I like these two series by Bodie Thoene, also Twilight of Courage. The most life-changing Christian fiction I’ve read is the Deadline trilogy by Randy Alcorn. Also of note are the writings of Phillip Gulley.
I thought of 2 more authors that wrote wonder Christian fiction. George MacDonald was a contemporary of Mark Twain. CS Lewis was a big fan of MacDonald. Bethany House published many of his books edited “for today’s readers” by Michael Phillips since MacDonald was Scottish & the language was sometimes hard to read. I highly recommend The Curate’s Awakening.
Also, books by author Jill Eileen Smith. She writes about women in the Bible. Titles like Michal (King David’s first wife and daughter of Saul), Bathsheba, etc.
@Nyeisha I also read the Lineage of Grace Series. The cultural time was hard for me to relate to but overall I felt inspired that even though these women would have been considered un-Godly thru different circumstances they all became women of God. It was interesting to think these women were all part of the lineage of Christ. When the time came there lives were changed dramatically by their actions. I know many people have mentioned the timing of when we read certain books also. I picked each book up and tried to forget all of my preconceived ideas and just take what is presented in a fresh view from a woman.
Frank Peretti’s The Prophet is one of the best books I ever read. On the flip side, The Left Behind series and other fiction by those authors is not well written.
I loved this series!! It’s an interesting take on Revelations. Someone up thread said it was poorly written, too bad they didn’t expand on their comment to tell us what made it that way. No, it doesn’t have three syllable words and sentences that fill half a page; but it is easy to read and with a story like that it makes it readable by a greater variety of people. I think that is a good thing. I recommend the Left Behind series as well!
I didn’t think it was poorly written. Especially having read a poorly written book “A million little pieces”. I would be curious to know what made it poorly written. Maybe fear at how connected to our ugly world it is. I’ll be honest, I didn’t read the entire series, it got way too political for me, but the books I read I enjoyed and I noticed and saw the works differently and became a conservative ;). Just some humor. The thing is, to me, that it really is accurate to many many things.
Carl Beaty very good point. I didn’t find it simple, myself, I think because I was learning and being awaken to things I was not exposed or open to. It was intriguing to me.
So many good ones already listed. Let me add Elizabeth Camden, Joanne Bischof, Dani Pettrey, Lisa Wingate, Tricia Goyer, Dan Walsh, Beth K Vogt, James L Rubart, Katie Ganshert.
Jan Karon! Her “Mitford” series is terrific, and I usually dislike most fiction with a religious theme. These books are so well written, the characters so vivid, a life of faith so honestly depicted, just love them all….so much fun reading about the various townspeople, too….
I met author Marie Wells Coutu at a local book event and enjoyed reading her book, “Thirsting For More” which is the second book in her ‘Mended Vessels’ series.
I just bought it and can’t wait to start it! The gifting is young adult and spiritual warfare. I don’t usually read that, but a very compelling tale. She is a local author so I had to try it.
The year is 2001 and the world is on the brink of economic collapse as the Illuminati, a deadly secret organization, succeeds in placing one of their people in the office of the presidency of the United States, gaining control of world events.
Have John Elder and Randy Cross read the “signs of the times” soon enough to expose the Illuminatiand thwart their diabolical plan? Or will this organization and its leaders be hailed as the world’s political saviors?
Im not a huge fan of Christian fiction as it sometimes comes off as very unrealistic and fluffy to me. However, I’ve been giving it an effort lately based on some recommendations. I really enjoyed A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers (it read like a historical fiction which is my go to genre), and I’m currently reading The Negotiator by Dee Henderson. It has the potential to still become the cheesy happily ever after of a Christian novel (I’m 2/3 through), but I’m still enjoying the characters and story.
Just read the Prayer Box (#1 in a series of 3) by Lisa Wingate. I’m not sure they’re considered “Christian genre” but Viola Shipman has several books The Hope Chest and The Charm Bracelet that I liked.
All of the above, but I also fell in love with author Ann Tatlock, all of her books, and an author who acknowledged her as a mentor, Buck Storm, especially his book, The Miracle Man.
OK, This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti. It is a phenmenal story that sweeps you away, and by the end it is the best book to encourage you to pray more often. (If that is something you want.)
Actually, a good reader’s advisor would ask if you are a Christian who is looking for something to encourage you, or if you just like Christian fiction, or if you are trying to learn more about the genre.
@Elizabeth Actually, The Bible is a good read, My husband and I read it cover to cover once. No disrespect intended. We just wanted to read the whole story.
@Maryann depending on the denomination, some Christians might take umbrage at the categorization of the Bible as “fiction”. I don’t have a stake in the matter myself, I just am wary of smartass atheists ruining my reputation as a decent human being atheist
I like most books by Dee Henderson and Irene Hannon.
No I’m not!!! Why have I never heard of it!! Wow!
Thanks so much!
CS lewis
You may have already read it, but the Left Behind series is good.
I really enjoyed those.
Redeeming love by Francine rivers
Yes, yes, yes! Such a good book ❤️
My favorite Christian fiction book! She’s my favorite Christian fiction author too. Her writing isn’t like other typical Christian fiction.
And then shofar blew
Narnia
And the long way home by Charles martin
Anything by Francine Rivers is excellent.
I like Frank Perretti. His book “This Present Darkness” is on the list.
tessa Afshar biblical fiction.. ruth, etc
Sorry it’s long way gone
Just finished The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers, it was excellent. Other really good ones: Riven by Jerry Jenkins and The Undoing of St Silvanus (don’t remember the author)
Beth Moore.
I just started the masterpiece
Authors:
Becky wade
Charles Martin
Rachel Dylan
Katherine Reay
Tara Johnson
Sarah Varland
Jaime Jo Wright
@Sarah, you’re famous. ?
@Heather Sarah and I went to college together! ❤️❤️
Karen Witemyer, Colleen Coble, Dee Henderson, Dani Petry, Irene Hannon, Denise Hunter
The Narnia books.
Anything by Francine Rivers. My favorite…The Mark of the Lion and Redeeming Love
You too the words out of my mouth. I need to revisit those!
Favorite book and favorite series. Amazing author.
Am just rereading Mark of the Lion-even better the second time!
Christy by Catherine Marshall is my favorite.
excellent
I read that probably about 50 years ago. I remember it was so good. Time to reread it.
Julie is also a great one by Catherine Marshall
Anything Ted Dekker or Frank Peretti
Red River of the North series by Lauraine Snelling. It’s my favorite series of all time.
Anything by Janette Oke. I am partial to her Love Comes Softly series, but also the Women of the Canadian West, among other series are also good.
Dee Henderson books
Jan Karon’s Mitford series and Ann Ross Miss Julia series.
Julie Klassen is good. Her novels are very Austen-esque
Jan Karon-peaceful
And very funny along the way!
The five people you meet in heaven. Have a little faith.
Deeanne Gist is my favorite author in that genre.
If I Run series by Terri Blackstock; TheSeer series by Rachelle Dekker; anything by Karen Kingsbury – Shades of Blue, The Bridge, Divine, Unlocked, the Redemption series, the 911 series…
Karen Kingsbury, C. S. Lewis
Anything by Lynn Austin. My personal favorite is her civil war trilogy. Jo Ellen
Anything by Francine Rivers!!!
Just read five of her books! Good suggestion. Have another five here to read.
Brock and Bodie Thoene, Mindy Starks Clark, Jan Karon and Beverly Lewis.
Francine Rivers , she writes Christian romance and history
There are a couple that are not romantic, like Atonement Child, Leota’s Garden and Her Mothers Dream/Her Mothers Hope. Exceptional books also. She knows how to reach the depth of emotions and the intricacies of relationships. There has not been a book that hasn’t left an impact on me.
Jan Karon or Francine Rivers
Lynne Austin is a Christian author with some really good historical fiction.
One of my favorites by Lynn Austin is “A Woman’s Place,” a historical novel set during WWII.
Joel Rosenberg’s books
Karen Kingsbury Baxter series is fantastic.
Lori Wick, Beverly Lewis, Janette Oke, and Francine Rivers are favorites ?
Francine Rivers and Janette Oke are two of my favorites. ❤️
Jan Karons Mitford series.
“Christian fiction “ is redundant.
It doesn’t work to paint all Christians with the paintbrush of right wing conservatives. Some, like me, are Christian progressive/liberal and inclusive.
@Megan oh relax.
@Megan I was under the impression that opinions were allowed.
Absolutely they are! And I’m not hating on your opinion that Christian fiction is redundant. That’s well within your right and I’m sure many agree with you. The only thing I was saying is that comment seems uncalled for when the poster was asking for recommendations for a good Christian fiction book, not for peoples’ opinions on Christian fiction itself.
I hate to be cranky again, but there are a lot of really awful books in these comments. For decent Christian fiction, don’t read Frank Peretti, Francine Rivers, or Tim LaHaye. Read Frederick Buechner, Marilyn Robinson, Flannery O’Connor, Graham Greene, and Dostoyevsky.
It’s always a matter of opinion.
Well, taste is subjective.
Terri Blackstock or Dee Henderson for great thrillers.
Again. No please be cranky AGAIN. ?
Anything by Karen Kingsbury
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Actually, ANY C.S. Lewis book.
Francine Rivers
The bible…
That seems uncalled for.
I appreciated the humor.
Sad, not humorous.
Jan Karon, Colleen Coble, Kristy Cambron
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4258.Best_Christian_Fantasy_books
I’m a huge Ted Dekker fan but if you’re not into the fantasy type story, start with his AD 30 and AD33. Strong female lead and powerful story of identity and personal power.
The Cross and the Switchblade
If you also like historical fiction…
The Red Tent by Anita Diamont.
Phillip Gulley has a great series about a fictional town called Harmony. The church members and issues are similar to every church I’ve ever been a member of.
And I used to love Frank Peretti’s books.
Orson scott card’s women of genesis books
Jan Karon’s the whole Mitford series. At home in Mitford and many more.
I love Charles Martin books
Bodie & Brock Thoene “The A.D. Chronicles”
Dinner with a Perfect Stanger
The Sisterchicks series by Robin Jones Gunn
Anything by Francine Rivers. Zion Covenant series by Brock and Bodie Thoene for WWII action. Frank Peretti for supernatural horror with a Christian focus. Christy by Catherine Marshall.
Oh, yes, Catherine Marshall!!
I am a lifelong Tennessean and grew up in East Tennessee. I went to college near where the real “Christy” took place. I went there and looked at the buildings mentioned in the novel. The town/area is called Del Rio,TN and in the book it’s called El Pano. It’s a neat, old area. When you drive to it, it looks like you’re going to run right into the mountains.
Terri Blackstock, Irene Hannon, Karen Kingsbury, Any Amish fiction.
Mark of the Lion series ?
I love Francine Rivers and Lauraine Snelling. Ann Gabhart is good. I enjoyed the original Baxter series by Karen Kingsbury.
Robert Whitlow writes legal thrillers with a Christian perspective.
Great question Micheline!
Redeeming Love!!!!!!!! Must read
Yes!
I am a library clerk, and Christian Fiction literally flies off the shelves. Most who read it like the fact it will be moral I think.
It’s very popular where I work too.
@Kari so many do series with continuing characters. Allison Pittman is another wonderful author. Ann Tatlock.
Frank Peretti has some really good thrillers. This Present Darkness was very tense but an excellent read. I’ve read several other books by him too.
Randy Singer is a Christian author whose books are similar to John Grisham.
Lynn Austin is a great author!
Adore Lynn Austin!!
The Circle series by Ted Dekker (Black, Red, White, Green)
Absolutely!
I also loved the Heaven Trilogy.
Piercing the Darkness and its companion boik whose name escapes me
this present darkness
Yes!! Put title in wrong place!!
I see you down there, sorry 😉 we both got it, lol.
@Tracy that was a long time ago. After reading it, I saw people with angel on one side and demon on other. Truly remarkable!
@Marianne it definitely helped shape me as a Christian reading it at 13.
Bridge to Haven, a solid, Francine Rivers! lots of issues addressed.
Loved that one!!?
The Mitford Series – Jan Karon
Janette Oke
Love her Love Comes Softly series!!
This Present Darkness?
A heart most worthy by Siri Mitchell
Madeleine L’Engle’s Wrinkle In Time Quartet is Christian Fiction ( although not marketed as such). C.S. Lewis’ novels (Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, etc.) are also Christian fiction. Both authors were professed Christians and both the theology and the symbolism are threaded through their fiction.
Oh, I had never heard that about A Wrinkle in Time, cool! It’s true of the Lord of The Rings series, too. Tolkien was a Christian and led C.S. Lewis to Christianity.
@Lauren Precisely. Based on your reply, dive into the Wrinkle In Time Quartet. I commented earlier that in my opinion the series gets better once you get past the 1st book.
CS Lewis and TRR Tolkien are Christian, but Wrinkle in Time is borderline. It is more of a New Age Christian that takes it’s liberties with fundamental Christian beliefs (oneness with the universe, mysticism, author is new age herself). If this of interest by all means, just know that this may not be what some would consider Christian fiction.
Wrinkle In Time is is only the first book. Many of the saints were mystics, and the prophets as well. And the quartet is a fictional saga about a family. Fictional. Not for proselytizing.
@Amy thanks! That is good to know. I must confess I’ve never read A Wrinkle in Time. I have read the Lord of the Rings and some of Narnia. My mother read me The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe when I was a kid.
@Vicki Its not to say it’s not a good story with a positive message, just that it’s kind of a controversial one as the author herself believed parts of the Bible were fantasy and her beliefs in universalism and evolution do impact her storytelling.
Sister Chicks, Beverly Lewis, Richard Paul Evan’s Walk Series
The Great Divide by Davis Bunn.
Jan Karons mitford series.
The Zion Chronicles by Bodie and Brock Thoene
Anything by Karen Kingsbury!
Frank Peretti novels
5 people you meet in Heaven and On more Day, Not exactly Christian, but faith based and inspirational
No Turning Back by Katie Vorreiter. https://www.amazon.com/No-Turning-Back-Katie-Vorreiter-ebook/dp/B01NAMJT56/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1529800937&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=vorreiter&dpPl=1&dpID=51Ik-AdhzQL
The Sensible Shoe’s series (4 books). Four woman in different places in life meet at a spiritual formation class. You will see yourself in each woman. An amazing read. By Sharon Garlough Brown #sensibleshoes
https://www.sensibleshoesclub.com/
I LOVE these!! At my library when someone wants Christian fiction with more “substance” this is my go to series. It seems to fit what they’re looking for. I really enjoyed them as well as much of the “lighter” titles suggested in this thread. (I use quotes because I know these are subjective terms)
Ted Dekker novels
I read some when I was a librarian because they were so popular, and found I enjoyed author Beverly Lewis
The Mark of the Lion series! I reread every so often – amazing!
This is one of my favorites.
Read this series!!! The best!
The Shack. The Left Behind series.
Francine Rivers, James Cardona (he’s sort of YA, but I like his stuff), Infringement by Benjamin Westbrook
Definitely Francine Rivers
Frank Peretti’s The Oath is one of my favorites.
I read this one nonstop. Could not out it down.
When Calls the Heart by Janette Oke ??
I love Chronicles of the Kings series by Lynn Austin
Brought that period of Bible history alive! Loved this series and this author!
It really did! I’ve read the series at least 5 times.
Also, The Zion Chronicles and The Zion Covenant Series by Brock and Bodie Thoene.
My friend writes Christian historical romances. Her name is Regina Jennings. They are on amazon.
Fun books!
The Shack
One of my favorite books! A heart-rending story of how we can receive comfort from God during difficult times.
Courtney Walsh is an awesome Christian writer.
Karen Kingsbury for sure! I love The Chance and Fifteen minutes
Stephen Lawhead is good if you enjoy the fantasy genre.
Karen Kingsbury books, The Shack, books by Max Lacado.
Any Dream Will Do… Debbie Macomber
Thorn In My Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs. I thought the first two chapters were boring, but when I finished the book it was one of the best I’d read. It’s the only book I’ve read where I found myself praying for a FICTIONAL character. After I prayed I said, “What the heck did I just do???” lol.
I loved that series!
If you enjoy historical fiction/period novels, try Janette Oke.
The O’Malley series
I love the Cape Light Series.
The Last Guardian
Jan Karon . Francine rivers. Severe mercy
Try Lorena McCourtney. Humor and mystery. First Ivy Malone is Invisible. 2 or 3 other series. Natural and not “preachy”.
Following!
Anything by Lauraine Snelling, especially her Red River Series.
Redemption by Karen Kingsbury! The whole series is amazing and they’re filming the tv series on it.
Books by Greeley
Anything by Allison Pittman.
Redeeming Love
Loved that one!!!
@Lauren me too. I don’t reread books often and I’ve read that one a few times
Anything by Janette Oak
Lilies of the Field by William Barrett
A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken. Trust me.
Mitford series by Jan Karon
I’ve read and enjoyed every one. ?
Everything by Karen Kingsbury!
The Theones are my favorite authors.
Brodie and Brock Thoene
The Robe
All books by Tessa Afshar
She is simply wonderful!
The Shack
Anything by Tamara Alexander.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Charles Martin books are great! I also enjoy Ronie Kendig, Terri Blackstock, Dee Henderson, and Susan May Warren!
The Oath by Peretti.
My favorite!!
@Pam , it’s nice to hear of someone else who liked this work!
@Barbara ?
@Pam , i really loved how he portrayed the attraction of evil, sin (and no, i won’t give it away!).
@Barbara yes I’ve read it several times and it remains my favorite Christian book of all time!
Anything by Charles Martin. When Crickets Cry is one of my favorite of his. The Mountain Between Us is another good one.
@Amy
just check in the “Fantasy” section at local library
The bible and live by it’s parables
The Screwtape Letters
I just read Just Let Go by Courtney Walsh and enjoyed it. I’m not a big fan of Christian Fiction, but I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Julia Spencer-Fleming has a series of mysteries, beginning with In The Bleak Midwinter. And Jan Karon’s Mitford series is wonderful. I read a few of Karen Kingsbury’s books and nearly had to go on anti-depressants, but a lot of people enjoy them.
Oh, that made me smile and giggle slightly! I do see what you mean, but I think that is Karen ‘s way of bringing the message of God. I love Elizabeth and John Baxter, thougn.
I’ve just never seen so many bad things happen to so many good people!
@Laura this is true!!
I love the Mitffordseries
The Walk series by Richard Paul Evans
@Lisa ‘s The Begotten, The Betrayed, and The Blessed trilogy.
The Shadow Women by Angela Hunt
Anything by Beverly Lewis
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant is a great book!
It’s not Christian fiction. It is written by a non-Christian and twists the Bible.
I did not like the Red Tent, either. I found it kind of offensive. Can’t remember specifics, but is my memory of it.
The Bible
Anything by Francine Rivers
I second that. Redeeming Love is a must read and the Mark of the Lion series is fantastic.
They are some of my favorites too!
https://amzn.to/2MiimJ2
Love the Mitford series.
Tracie Peterson is great
Father Tim books by Jan Karon.
Karen Witemeyer is a new favorite and I enjoy Kim Vogel Sawyer (Kansas author) as well
It’s been out for a long time now, but I’d recommend PIERCING THE DARKNESS by Frank Peretti. Also the Mitford series by Jan Karon.
I have never ever finished this.. started it so many times.
Oh ya, I loved Piercing the Darkness and anything else by Frank Peretti!
@Neshiyqah Give it a shot again. You won’t regret it.
The two “Darkness” books are excellent, and should be read in order. Worth the time. i also liked “The Visitation,” though i haven’t met anybody else yet who liked it (didn’t like the final ending, but the rest was really good, i thought).
So I just googled it looks like I had in my house (for many years probably some I was about 14) The other darkness book…Are they sequels which should I read first?
@Neshiyqah Read Piercing the Darkness first.
@Maurice thank you! Gonna get them now! 🙂
This Present Darkness was my favorite. I ended up living in a town similar to “Ashton,” a few years after reading this book, and it helped me to better understand the spiritual warfare going on in our town.
@Neshiyqah , the order should be This Present Darkness, and then Piercing the Darkness, because one of the characters from the first is in the second one.
@Barbara aha. . Okay. Thank You
@Neshiyqah , you can always check the copyright dates to make sure i’m right! hahahahahahahaha
@Barbara that’s true lol I could.
@Neshiyqah I’m sorry. It was This Present Darkness first, then Piercing the Darkness second. My apologies.
@Maurice oh no worries at all. Thanks for your help.
Barbara Keller Baker I really liked The Visitation, too.
@Neshiyqah 😉
There are so many Christian authors. In addition to the ones already mentioned, Lauraine Snelling, Lynn Austin, Janette Oke, Mindy Starns Clark, Lori Copeland, and Tracie Peterson.
The Poisonwood Bible is about Christian missionaries, and The Source is an interesting book about where Christianity came from. The Robe is inspiring.
I loved “Wonderland Creek” by Lynn Austin
My daughter loves Quo Vadis. She’s read it several times.
Christy by Katherine Marshall
Catherine Marshall
Oh auto correct!
Ben Hur by Lew Wallis. The history behind how and why it was written is very interesting.
I just finished the Restoration Series by Terri Blackstock and really enjoyed all of them.
Read them out of order, but i really liked the third book, (two different titles, depends on release date) Liberation of Lystra (High Lord of Lystra), then The Chataine’s Guardian and Stone of Help, by Robin Hardy. Also enjoyed the analogy of Streiker’s Bride by her.
Tracey Bateman “Leave it to Claire”. There 2 other books in the series as well
Kristen Heitzmann
Anything by Francine Rivers, Mitford series by Jan Karon, and most of Brock & Bodie Thoene’s books.
I also love Frank Peretti (kind of a Christian version of Stephen King) and Robert Whitlow (combination of Peretti and John Grisham).
I have enjoyed most of Janette Oke’s books.
Jan Karon’s Mitford series…
Karen Kingsbury.
Old book but good called Christy by Catherine Marshal
An anniversary copy was just released! I put in on New Shelf at library, and it circulated very well!
Anything by Angela Hunt.
I love Karen Kingsbury!
I love Ted Dekker!!! He is more of a suspense Christian fiction, but he is amazing!
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
My book club had read a few books by Susan Messmer and liked them.
Christy and the Mitford series
I found a really cute series of books, and one at a time they were all free for Kindle. It started with Ordained Irreverance by McMillian Moody. It was a nice series about a man coming on to a very large church as an intern. Sometimes it was funny, sometimes it was very serious, it spoke some to the challenges in a large church, yet never seemed to be bashing any churches. I thought it was really good!
Woman of Flames by @Kim. It’s the story of Deborah.
Read my book “The fringe and the fury”
When I find myself in the Christian Fiction section, here’s what I look for: the exit.
Me too–but we all have our own thing, I guess. I think it is good to step out of our comfort zones, so I will read a good “Christian-based” book. The problem with sticking with something like “Christian Literature” is that it is such a narrow point of view.
You know you can just scroll past these type of posts, right?
Ivy Malone mysteries by Lorena McCourtney
Brock and Bodie Thoene books!! Fabulous series called Zion Chronicles. Older but fab!!
yada yada prayer group books, Narnia, (does Mitford count?)
Left Behind Series, Redemption and Firstborn series by Karen Kingsbury, books by Bodie and Brock Thoene, Jan Karon’s Mitford series
Five People You Meet In Heaven. My favorite book of all time☺️
Joel Rosenberg novels & of course the Left Behind series
Sandra Byrd’ French Twist trilogy.
Sensible Shoes series by Sharon Garlough Brown
Redeeming Love…..Francine Rivers
Joel Rosenberg
The Mitford series by Jan Karon
Michael O’Brien.
Zombie Bible series, by @Stant. Seriously.
Havah, Iscariot and The Legend of Sheba all by Tosca Lee
Redemption series by Karen Kingsbury.
Velma Still Cooks in Leeway
Charles Martin, when crickets cry!
Blood Doctrine by Christian Piatt
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. SOO good.
Books by Cynthia Ruchti.
Jolina Petersheim, particularly The Outcast. Also The Red Tent by Anita Diamant.
Eugenia Price’s Savannah series is wonderful Christian historical fiction covering 1812-1864.
The Tales of Narnia by CS Lewis
I just finished Pachinko, which is about some Christian Koreans living in Japan. It’s a great book, and I learned a lot about history, and Japanese and Korean Cultures.
Dee Henderson, Frank Peretti, Francine Rivers, Janette Oke are a few of my favorites, oh, and Terri Blackstock
The Power and the Glory
I like these two series by Bodie Thoene, also Twilight of Courage. The most life-changing Christian fiction I’ve read is the Deadline trilogy by Randy Alcorn. Also of note are the writings of Phillip Gulley.
I was going to suggest Deadline but you beat me to it!
All the Tea in China by Jane Orcutt.
Mitford series by Jan karon or historical fiction by Jane Kirkpatrick….
I thought of 2 more authors that wrote wonder Christian fiction. George MacDonald was a contemporary of Mark Twain. CS Lewis was a big fan of MacDonald. Bethany House published many of his books edited “for today’s readers” by Michael Phillips since MacDonald was Scottish & the language was sometimes hard to read. I highly recommend The Curate’s Awakening.
Harold Bell Wright is another fine author of Christian fiction. He wrote Shepherd if the Hills, among others. Excellent book!
The Kingdom and the Crown trilogy by Gerald Lund.
Grace Chapel series. Written by different authors but with the same characters. Great books.
Immanuel’s Veins by Ted Dekker!
Narnia
Mark of the Lion series. Francine Rivers awesome
The seven novels by Charles Williams, who was a member of the Inklings along with CS Lewis, etc., are based on Christian mysticism. I love them!
The Red Tent!
Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers! What a book!
Ted Dekker – have you read any of his books?
Everything by Ted Dekker. Everything by Joel Rosenberg. C.S. Lewis.
Narnia
Also, books by author Jill Eileen Smith. She writes about women in the Bible. Titles like Michal (King David’s first wife and daughter of Saul), Bathsheba, etc.
Robert Whitlow if you like mystery / drama.
author Janette Oke. Excellent Christian author.
I am currently reading The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers
Im reading her Lineage of Grace series. I’m having some trouble with it.
@Nyeisha I also read the Lineage of Grace Series. The cultural time was hard for me to relate to but overall I felt inspired that even though these women would have been considered un-Godly thru different circumstances they all became women of God. It was interesting to think these women were all part of the lineage of Christ. When the time came there lives were changed dramatically by their actions. I know many people have mentioned the timing of when we read certain books also. I picked each book up and tried to forget all of my preconceived ideas and just take what is presented in a fresh view from a woman.
Anything by Francine Rivers
Everything by CSLewis. His Space Trilogy is amazing. Also Screwtape. My favorite is Til We Have Faces. He Great Divorce is excellent as well.
Try Elizabeth Goudge.Green Dolphin Street is one of my all time favorites. Nothing like the Hollywood movie from the forties. All her work is good.
Frank Peretti’s The Prophet is one of the best books I ever read. On the flip side, The Left Behind series and other fiction by those authors is not well written.
The Father Brown series by G.K. Chesterson if you can find it.
Father Brown is a fun TV series on Netflix based on the books.
The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker
This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti
Best books EVER!!
Yes!
Agreed!!
Jan Karon wrote a series set in the fictional town of Mitford.
Flannery O’Connor
All of Larraine Snelling and Jane Kirkpatrick’s books.
The Name of The Rose
Left Behind series
I loved this series!! It’s an interesting take on Revelations. Someone up thread said it was poorly written, too bad they didn’t expand on their comment to tell us what made it that way. No, it doesn’t have three syllable words and sentences that fill half a page; but it is easy to read and with a story like that it makes it readable by a greater variety of people. I think that is a good thing. I recommend the Left Behind series as well!
I didn’t think it was poorly written. Especially having read a poorly written book “A million little pieces”. I would be curious to know what made it poorly written. Maybe fear at how connected to our ugly world it is. I’ll be honest, I didn’t read the entire series, it got way too political for me, but the books I read I enjoyed and I noticed and saw the works differently and became a conservative ;). Just some humor. The thing is, to me, that it really is accurate to many many things.
Carl Beaty very good point. I didn’t find it simple, myself, I think because I was learning and being awaken to things I was not exposed or open to. It was intriguing to me.
I liked the book and will try to read more in the series. I found it interesting and thought provoking and not “in your face”.
@Carol agreed
So many good ones already listed. Let me add Elizabeth Camden, Joanne Bischof, Dani Pettrey, Lisa Wingate, Tricia Goyer, Dan Walsh, Beth K Vogt, James L Rubart, Katie Ganshert.
Mark of the lion series
Black Tiger by Sarah Naysinger
Anything by Randy Alcorn
The Red Tent.
Charles Dickens
Gillian Chan The Disapeared
Christy, Julie, A Man Called Peter by Catherine Mashall. oldies but goodies
After Ann by Roxanne Henke was really good
Wanda Brunstetter books and Francine Rivers “Redeeming Love” is the best I’ve read.
Viola Shipman’s series: The Charm Bracelet, The Hope Chest, & The Recipe Box. The Sweetness of Forgetting by Kristin Harmel is a good read, too.
books by Jan karon…
Following
The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingslover
Left Behind
Civil War series by Ginny Dye.
Francine Rivers
Jan Karon! Her “Mitford” series is terrific, and I usually dislike most fiction with a religious theme. These books are so well written, the characters so vivid, a life of faith so honestly depicted, just love them all….so much fun reading about the various townspeople, too….
I met author Marie Wells Coutu at a local book event and enjoyed reading her book, “Thirsting For More” which is the second book in her ‘Mended Vessels’ series.
The gifting by Katie Ganshert. Three book series
I haven’t read this yet; recently read No One Ever Asked – very good book.
I just bought it and can’t wait to start it! The gifting is young adult and spiritual warfare. I don’t usually read that, but a very compelling tale. She is a local author so I had to try it.
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
Following
Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers.
Frank Peretti
Larry Burkett
I almost bought this book. Can you tell me a little about it?
It’s been a few years since I’ve read it, but I’ve read it a few times & it’s hard to put down.
The year is 2001 and the world is on the brink of economic collapse as the Illuminati, a deadly secret organization, succeeds in placing one of their people in the office of the presidency of the United States, gaining control of world events.
Have John Elder and Randy Cross read the “signs of the times” soon enough to expose the Illuminatiand thwart their diabolical plan? Or will this organization and its leaders be hailed as the world’s political saviors?
https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Illuminati.html?id=1xUJ4yt4xiIC&hl=en
Brock and Bodie Thoene – historical fiction
Karen Kingsbury Baxter series
Any of Francine Rivers books
Im not a huge fan of Christian fiction as it sometimes comes off as very unrealistic and fluffy to me. However, I’ve been giving it an effort lately based on some recommendations. I really enjoyed A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers (it read like a historical fiction which is my go to genre), and I’m currently reading The Negotiator by Dee Henderson. It has the potential to still become the cheesy happily ever after of a Christian novel (I’m 2/3 through), but I’m still enjoying the characters and story.
A Voice in the Wind is my favorite. After I read it I bought my Grandmother a copy and we both read the next one.
Try Jamie Langston Turner. I don’t like cheese either, and she is an amazing writer. Try Winter Birds and A Garden to Keep.
Joshua by Grizone…..read this one first?
Just read the Prayer Box (#1 in a series of 3) by Lisa Wingate. I’m not sure they’re considered “Christian genre” but Viola Shipman has several books The Hope Chest and The Charm Bracelet that I liked.
I love Shipman’s series. Did you know that Viola Shipman is really a man and he uses his grandma’s name as his pen name.
@Judy no, I did not know that. Interesting.
Brunstetter or Kingsbury
Angela Hunt
Anything by Judith Pella, Michael Phillips who also modernized George MacDonald, Janette Oke.
Passing Strangers by Angela Hunt
Jan Karon — Mitford series
C.S.Lewis — THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS
All of the above, but I also fell in love with author Ann Tatlock, all of her books, and an author who acknowledged her as a mentor, Buck Storm, especially his book, The Miracle Man.
The Left Behind series is good!
OK, This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti. It is a phenmenal story that sweeps you away, and by the end it is the best book to encourage you to pray more often. (If that is something you want.)
Actually, a good reader’s advisor would ask if you are a Christian who is looking for something to encourage you, or if you just like Christian fiction, or if you are trying to learn more about the genre.
Left behind series
Richard Paul Evans. His books are inspiring without being preachy.
i never knew their was christian fuiction? really? I looked up father dowling from tv days.https://www.goodreads.com/series/67862-father-dowling
Jan Karon’s books.
the bible
The Bible is not fiction.
Carl Beaty good comment. I say anything that helps to explain faith is a good book.
Anything by Francine Rivers, and the Theones . My favorite is “Lolita’ s Garden”
Redeeming Love is my favorite
Have you read any of the Ya-ya prayer group series? I really enjoyed them.
When Calls the Heart. I think that is the name of the series. My grandmother loves them. ?
Anything by Karen Kingsbury
the Narrow
The Mitford Series by Jan Karon: I think the first book is called At Home in Mitford
My church book club just finished a book by Lynn Austin..and I hear all her books are great. We loved the one we read, Fire by Night.
I’ve heard Karen Kingsbury The Baxter Series is really good.
Books by Charles Martin
Water from my Heart?love Charles Martin.
Jan Karon At Home In Mitford
On my list, so many have great things to say.
Anything by Francine Rivers.
The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers
The Undoing of Saint Sylvanus by Beth Moore…best book I ever read!
The bible
So is that a cheap joke or…
@Elizabeth Actually, The Bible is a good read, My husband and I read it cover to cover once. No disrespect intended. We just wanted to read the whole story.
@Maryann depending on the denomination, some Christians might take umbrage at the categorization of the Bible as “fiction”. I don’t have a stake in the matter myself, I just am wary of smartass atheists ruining my reputation as a decent human being atheist
@Elizabeth Point well taken. Thanks