Favorite Christian Fiction for 2013

The year is drawing to a close which means one thing:  Time to announce my favorite novels of 2013!

I did a lot more reading this year than last (yay!) so I had more books to choose from.  Other than one or two titles, they might not be novels that you have picked up yet.  That’s what I love about this list.  I hope it provides you some recommendations of new authors or titles to discover for yourself.

I realize that I’m not the typical Christian fiction reader in the fact that I’m not always reading the best- selling novel of the month.  I prefer the thrill of discovering a relative unknown author or selecting novels that address subject matter that appeals to me, which might not necessarily be the en vogue trend at the time. As the book buyer for LifeWay Christian Stores, I have a deep desire to get authors who I think are gems in the industry out in front of you – those addressing new subjects or time periods, whether it is bringing a fresh spin to a classic genre or breaking new ground in with their storytelling.  I want their writing to be discovered and devoured.  It’s their names that I want to be shared with your friends over coffee, at book clubs, or on Facebook as authors they should check out.  All of the authors on my list this year provide a different voice to Christian fiction.  They are all deeply committed to presenting the Gospel message of love, redemption, and hope while providing a ridiculously good story.

So, without further ado, here are my favorite Christian novels for 2013 in no particular order.

A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers  (Tyndale)

Yes, yes.  This is an older title but I just read it this year.  A Voice in the Wind plus the other two books in The Mark of the Lion Series (An Echo in Darkness and As Sure as the Dawn) have become my favorite Christian novels hands down.   A Voice in the Wind is a beautiful and gripping tale of Hadassah, a young Jew who has lost everything at the hands of the Romans who are actively persecuting Christians.  You can check out a blog post I did earlier in the year where I proceeded to gush over Francine’s writings.  If you need a Christmas gift… give this series.  And yes, men would really enjoy it too.  It’s full of rich history of the early Christian church that would appeal to many.  Gracious.  Just think thinking about this book makes me want to read it again!

Burning Sky by Lori Benton  (Waterbrook)

Without a doubt, Burning Sky was my favorite novel by a debut novelist of 2013.  This was the only book during the year where I found myself reading slower so I could make it last longer.  I didn’t want it to end!  Willa is a white woman that was raised by an Indian nation during the early days on the American frontier.  After leaving the Mohawk people in order to find her birth parents, she discovers an injured Scotsman on the boarder of her family’s land and she feels compelled to tend to him.  Willa realizes that much has changed in the world while she’s been away.  She’s caught between two worlds as she’s forced to live between her Mohawk family and the new life, and possibly a new love, among her true people.  Revisit my original post on Burning Sky for a full look at the book.  I’m eagerly awaiting Lori’s next release!

Soul’s Gate by James Rubart  (Thomas Nelson)

I have read several of James’ books in the past but had not picked up Soul’s Gate until I was asked to judge it for The Christy Awards this summer (which he won, I might add!).  I was engrossed in this book from the first chapter.  You have maybe read books that are on time travel.  James presents the question of, what if you could travel into someone else’s soul?  Four people are selected to help battle for the soul of others and to be a part of Jesus healing their deepest wound.  Along the way the group realizes that their soul is in need of healing as well.  Souls’ Gate is such a cool and unique story.  A great read for guys…which is hard to come by in this industry!

The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim  (Tyndale)

I don’t normally gravitate to the Amish/Mennonite novels but when my rep at Tyndale presented this book he told me it was a contemporary retelling of The Scarlet Letter.  I said, “sign me up!”  This work was a breath of fresh air for me in this particular genre where so often the books can be basic and predictable.  That is not the case with The Outcast.  You can read my full review of the book from July here.  As I said then, if you appreciate a well written story with a variety of characters that are expertly developed, then you should pick up a copy of this book.   I just learned about Jolina’s next book that releases in July and I’m already itching to get my hands on it.  Treat yourself to this debut novelist… I know you’ll get hooked just like me!

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay  (Thomas Nelson)

It is no secret that I’m a Jane Austen fan.  My car is named Mr. Darcy, for Pete’s sake.  Anything remotely having to do with my dear Jane is going to be something that I want to read.  Dear Mr. Knightley was recently released by debut novelist Katherine Reay.  The entire book is written as a series of letters from Samantha Moore to an anonymous benefactor who is helping her to pay for her journalism degree at a Chicago university.  Having grown up moving from home to home in the foster care system, Sam is not used to having people who want to invest in her.  She prefers to muddle through life while living in the stories of her favorite Austen characters.    She agrees to write to the secret person, whom she decides to call Mr. Knightley, and give him updates on her progress.  Those letters turn out to be more confessionals, especially as Sam gets to know famous author Alex Powell.  The novel is a fun read as you watch Sam go from hiding behind a fake literary persona to blossoming into the woman that God has designed her to be.

Love in a Broken Vessel by Mesu Andrews  (Revell)

I think I’ve had Mesu on my list of favorite books for at least the last three years.  As long as she keeps writing amazing biblical fiction then she’ll probably remain a constant on my list of top books!  She’s been my most recommended author to folks when they ask who they should be reading.  Love in a Broken Vessel takes us into the story of Hosea and Gomer.  If you’re familiar with their story, you’ll remember that God called Hosea to marry Gomer, a prostitute.  Time and time again, she leaves Hosea and the comfortable and God-honoring life he wants to help her find.  Every time she leaves, Gomer senses that maybe the God that Hosea talks about so much might actually be real.  Mesu’s writing provides a clear depiction of how God was constantly trying to reach and redeem his people Israel.  Like Hosea, God waited patiently for his people to return and was ready with forgiveness and love when they did.  Oh, I could go on and on but check out the post I did back in the spring to get the full scoop.  I’m already anticipating Mesu’s next book on Jezebel which comes in the spring.

Love’s Awakening by Laura Franz  (Revell)

Another mainstay on my yearly list is Laura Frantz.  If you love historical novels, please oh, please read Laura.  Love’s Awakening is the second book in the Ballantyne Legacy Series (Love’s Reckoning is the first) and we pick back up with the Ballantyne family several years later.  Ellie is anxious to escape the high society of Pittsburg and return to her family’s quiet country home.  What she finds on her return is a house devoid of her parents who are away on an extended trip, siblings who are busy with their own affairs, and Jack Turlock, son of the whiskey barren family that is envious of the respectable Ballantyne name.  I won’t give away any of the story but there are some twists and turns that kept me reading late into the night.  If you want more scoop, visit a past blog post on Love’s Awakening.

Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering  (Bethany House)

This book gets the award for the most fun cover of the year.  Don’t you love it?  What a fun read Rules of Murder was!  In the same vein of an Agatha Christie novel, Julianna Deering gives us a unique and extremely fun read that will have you trying to solve the murder along with Drew and his friends.  Just when Drew thinks he might have found a clue as to who committed the murder, another clue turns up that throws his theory (and yours) right out the window.   My favorite part of the novel was the witty banter.  It is authentic English conversation that had me feeling like I was reading the script to a Mrs. Marple movie.   What a refreshing addition this is to the Christian fiction market!

When Mountains Move by Julie Cantrell  (David C Cook)

Last year I was obsessed with Julie’s debut novel, Into the Free.  My long and painful wait for the continuing story of young Millie finally came to an end in early fall with the release of When Mountains Move.  What I appreciate about Julie’s writing the most is the literary bent she has.  There’s a lot of “fluff” out there in Christian fiction but Julie gives us something far deeper with Millie’s story.  We’re with her as she tries to figure out marriage, how to run a house, navigate a new part of the country, and how to accept the unconditional love her young husband wants to show her.  All the while, Millie wrestles with the painful secret that she has brought with her to Colorado.  Unwilling to risk ruining her relationship with her husband, Millie buries it deeper and deeper.  Once again, Julie has given us a story that is raw and real while portraying a young woman’s struggles for redemption.

So there is my list!  I’d love to hear what some of your favorite books were in 2013.

Book Giveaway!

Tomorrow I’ll be giving away two sets of all of the books I mentioned today.  It’s gonna be fun so come back and see me!