Book Reviews | Christian Fiction

It looks like many of us around the world will continue to spend a good bit of time at home in the coming weeks as we see spikes in the number of new coronavirus cases. During the past several months, I've been reading through the books on my to-read bookshelf as well as re-reading books from our personal library here at home. So, this week I'll be catching up and sharing reviews of the books I've read this year with the hope that you'll find one or two of interest to keep you inspired or entertained in the days ahead. Today's offering includes a batch of Christian fiction.

Christian Fiction

Christian fiction can be defined as a story that has a Christian worldview in the plot and/or characters. These books portray Christian views, theology and ethics in a positive light. All the books I'm sharing about today are re-reads from our personal library - some of these will remain in our library, others are not "keepers" and have been moved to the sell/donate box. I'm including a description from the book's blurb as well as my thoughts/recommendation for each book.

            

The Princess by Lori Wick - a beautiful read with a lovely ending, highly recommend.

In the Land of Pendaran, Shelby Parker lives a humble but good life. Her special qualities are eventually noticed by the king and queen of the House of Markham, who seek a new wife for their widowed son, Prince Nikolai. To uphold the tradition of their country, Shelby and Nikolai agree to an arranged marriage. But while Nikolai is a perfect gentleman in public, he remains distant at home, leaving Shelby to wonder what is in his heart. Will the prince ever love her as he did his first wife? Can the faith they share overcome the barriers between them?

White Chocolate Moments by Lori Wick - a really good read with a happy ending, highly recommend.

After losing her parents, Arcineh Bryant lives with her grandfather as a girl. But growing up without her family causes her to hold resentment toward the man who took her in. Years later, when she meets a man she thinks she may love, she doubts whether she can trust her own heart. A character-rich journey leads Arcineh back to her grandfather's home where there are surprises, questions, and for the first time in her life, an answer to "who will love me forever?"

Before I Wake by Dee Henderson - a suspenseful read with a horribly unsatisfying non-ending, not a keeper.

The sheriff of Justice, Illinois, is hunting a killer. Women visiting town are being murdered, tourists in nice hotels, money still in their billfolds, jewelry still on the dresser. Quiet kills—they go to sleep and never awaken. The sheriff is not pleased to find the new detective in town, Rae Gabriella, working the case on behalf of one of the families. She's staying in the same hotel as one of the victims—and her looks suggest she could be the next victim.

Ice by Shane Johnson - a great read with a fabulous premise, but about halfway through (when it veers off into the pre-flood Earth), it becomes more difficult to follow, glad I read it again, but not a keeper.

It is February, 1975. Apollo 19, the last of the manned lunar missions, has successfully landed. Exhilarated and confident, Commander Gary Lucas and Lunar Module pilot Charlie Shepherd set out to explore a vast, mysterious depression at the lunar south pole. There, in the icy darkness-where temperatures reach 334 degrees below zero-the astronauts search for the fragments of crystalline bedrock the scientists back home had hoped for. But when tragedy strikes, the men are driven deeper into the lethal realm, where they find much more than they bargained for, including a strange machine that seemingly transports Lucas back to a pre-flood Earth, and startling evidence that could transform mankind's perspective on all creation and its Creator- if only the men could miraculously make their way back home to earth to reveal it.

The Martyr's Chapel by D. J. Delffs - great mystery with several suspects, definitely recommend.

When playwright Gentry Truman is found dead in the Martyr's Chapel, Father Griffin Read, who discovers the apparent suicide, also encounters several individuals who had a motive for killing the writer.

Love and Glory by Robert Funderburk - 1st in The Innocent Years series, quick easy read, recommend, passing this on to a friend.

After the war (World War II), Lane and Catherine Temple are forced to move to Baton Rouge in hopes of establishing his law practice, but corruption and local politics force them to make some ethical choices.

These Golden Days by Robert Funderburk - 2nd in The Innocent Years series, quick easy read, recommend, passing this on to a friend.

Jessie Temple moves to Hollywood to begin a career as a singer, while her father rejoins the Marines during the Korean War and her mother copes with her husband's absence.

Have you read any of these books? Please share your thoughts in the comments, along with your suggestions for additional Christian fiction books.