Christian Fiction

As CF continues to evolve and break out of its mold with more thrillers and suspense novels, this budding subgenre takes more risks with graphic violence and unorthodox themes like biotechnology, genetic science, and demon possession. Leading the pack is Ted Dekker's latest supernatural suspense drama, Adam, which is also one of his best. Sigmund Brouwer offers the DNA thriller Broken Angel, Athol Dickson's Winter Haven investigates unearthly happenings in a small island community, and Bill Myers delves into dangerous technology in The Voice.

In a future United States, six-year-old Caitlyn, who suffers from extreme physical deformities, learns early on that she is different from other children. Her father, Jordan, tries to protect her from an intolerant world but is forced to send her off alone to escape bounty hunters from the controlling Bar Elohim group who want Caitlyn. Some more liberal-minded readers may view this title as anti—stem cell research propaganda, and scenes of detailed violence will make the squeamish flinch. Recommended for readers of visionary and science fiction and for larger CF collections.

FBI psychologist Daniel Clark is obsessed with capturing an elusive serial killer known only as Eve. Daniel's compulsion has cost him his marriage and any semblance of a normal life. When Daniel is shot by Eve, his resuscitation 20 minutes later leaves him with no memory of his killer's face, and he attempts to recall the memory by reliving his near-death experience. At the same time, the terrible and haunting story of who Eve is and how he became a killer is told in disturbing snippets throughout the novel. Dekker's (The Circle Trilogy) latest supernatural thriller is both a character study and a highly charged suspense drama that shows Dekker at his best as he reminds us that evil is all around us. Themes of exorcism and child abuse may upset sensitive readers, but this title will appeal to both Dekker fans and general thriller enthusiasts. Highly recommended for suspense collections.

When Vera Gamble learns that her brother Siggy's body has been found, years after his disappearance, on the shores of Winter Haven, ME, she travels to the remote island to claim it. In examining the corpse, Vera is startled to discover that her brother had not aged since he disappeared. She also learns there are mysterious island legends about an uninhabited forest and supernatural entities out for revenge. Christy Award winner Dickson's (River Rising) engrossing and taut novel pulls readers into the life of Vera and her quest to find out what happened to her little brother. Highly recommended for all collections.

This debut biotechnical thriller explores the theories of evolution and intelligent design as three friends—an agnostic, a devoted Christian, and an atheist—accept the challenge of a strange old man to look into biblical texts to discover the connections to 21st-century science. The plot gets muddied and confusing at times, and the characters could have been better developed. Heavy in discussions of genetics, DNA, and scientific theory, the story may appeal to readers with an interest in these subjects.

Living quietly in retirement, ex—Special Forces agent Charlie Madison finds his peace shattered when his 13-year-old niece, Jazmin, seeks his help in rescuing her parents, who were kidnapped by religious extremists because they had made an amazing discovery: they had recorded the voice of God on a computer software program. Charlie begins a global adventure tracking down the people who took his sister and brother-in-law. He discovers that others also want to find the mysterious technology, which has implications far beyond what he ever imagined. The somewhat contrived plot is made more plausible by Myers's effective writing style and likable characters. Recommended for larger CF collections and libraries where visionary fiction is popular. Myers, a California resident, also writes young adult fiction.

This sequel to Courting Trouble returns to Corsicana, TX, where unlikely heroine Essie Spreckelmeyer has just won the Best Bicycle Costume Award of 1898. Essie is still outspoken and stirring up trouble wherever she goes. When Tony Morgan, the disinherited son of an oil baron, takes a job with Essie's family oil business, sparks fly. Essie's independent nature and refusal to take a backseat in a man's world have long kept her single, but Tony may be just her match. Christy Award winner Gist's historical romances have increasingly gained popularity, combining witty dialog, well-balanced plots, and fully developed characters who seem almost real. Recommended for CF and romance collections.

The seventh entry in the "Sisterchicks" series has midlife friends Kellie and Liz embarking on a trip to England. Since she was a teenager, Liz has dreamed of going to London, and Kellie has always wanted to run an interior design firm. When a spry old woman, Opal, inspires Kellie's decorating plans and gives the friends airline tickets, both women's dreams appear to be coming true. Gunn's infectious style, likable characters, and witty prose distinguish this as one of the best entries in the popular series. Readers will enjoy accompanying Liz and Kellie as they discover the desires of their hearts. Recommended for public libraries and women's fiction collections.

Newspaper reporter Ana Burns resists the idea of her new assignment—writing a series on the effects of lead paint on children—because she is looking for what she considers more exciting stories. When she realizes that her job is on the line if she doesn't do the series, Ana follows a tip and heads off to the urban youth center, Haven, where she meets the elusive director, Sam Hawke, who is not too keen on answering questions. But Ana develops a relationship with a young girl named Flora, and Sam realizes that Flora needs Ana to help her open up and heal. This well-developed story, full of romance and intrigue, deserves a place in CF and contemporary romance collections. Palmer (The Briton) lives in Missouri.

A devastating car accident threatens Maddie Tilden's life, but husband Paul stays by her side. This moving debut novel details the couple's relationship from 1973 to present times. Just as their bond begins to blossom, Maddie discovers she is suffering from the same medical condition that robbed her brother of his sight. The story addresses the difficuly of accepting that God does not always answer our prayers the way we want them answered. For those who like sweet romance, this title will warm the heart and lift the spirits. Recommended for contemporary women's fiction collections.

A worldwide power outage leaves the Branning family without modern conveniences. Teenager Beth, the witness to a murder, must also deal with the killer searching for her. Older sister Deni is torn between two men, while their mother, Kay, worries about how she will keep her family fed; the only thing she has for support is her faith. A popular suspense author, Blackstock combines fast pacing with relationship threads in the fourth series entry (after True Light). This title should find its way onto public library shelves.

Adventure and romance mark three-time Christy Award winner Bunn's tale about the difficult romantic relationship between Adam Wright and his boss's daughter. Kayla is beset with financial and personal problems, while Adam cares for an ailing parent, and his job is in jeopardy. The couple will need to rely on their faith to help them commit to a life together.

Carie's second novel (after Snow Angel) is a Regency romance between an American Quaker girl and the Duke of Northumberland, who is forced to become a servant to escape persecution. Lots of twists, turns, and romantic triangles make for a lively read.

Anna wants to break free of her parents, Lelani has to get away from an overcrowded home life, and Megan just needs a sane roommate, so the three girls move in with Kendall, who has just taken over her grandmother's house. As they journey through together, their friendship and experiences will teach them all some important lessons. This is the debut entry in prolific author Carlson's (Ready To Wed) new "86 Bloomberg Place" series.

Set in the 1920s and inspired by a true story, this debut novel revolves around a woman who chooses the love of a man over her desire to become an opera singer. She follows her missionary doctor husband to Siam, where she discovers a greater and more meaningful passion for the people she helps.

First Officer Danny McSweeney encounters a quirky group of travelers on Atlantica Flight 1945 to Amsterdam, including the wacky flight crew, an airline spy, a potbellied pig, and a heartbroken woman whose ex is also aboard. One passenger will prove pivotal when turbulence requires his quiet faith.

In the third series entry (after Ever Present Danger and Never Look Back), Rue Kessler, clean and sober for almost two years and gainfully employed, thinks he has it made when he weds the mother of his child. Then an unknown enemy targets him, Ivy, and Montana, and Rue must find out why in order to protect his loved ones.

In the third title in Kirkpatrick's historical series (after A Clearing in the Wild and A Tendering in the Storm)—which is based on the true-life experiences of Emma Wagner Giesy, who traveled to the Oregon Territory in the mid-19th century to establish a communal society—Emma's grief will be turned into a lesson of hope and restoration.

The final book in MacLaren's trilogy (after Loving Liza Jane and Sarah, My Beloved) features Emma Browning, who runs Emma's Boardinghouse. Strong-willed Emma has yet to fall for any man, but when Jonathan Atkins, the town's new minister, moves into the boardinghouse, he disrupts her well-ordered life and has a profound impact on the landlady and her boarders.

The Sweetgum ladies meet once a month to share their interest in books and knitting. Their get-togethers are quite sedate until the town librarian throws Hannah, a troubled teenage girl, into their group. As Hannah gets to know the ladies and their individual heartaches and struggles, she learns invaluable lessons about life and hope. The women will also discover they have more inner strength than they realized.

In this third series historical (after Ten Thousand Charms and Speak Through the Wind), a family tragedy leaves 14-year-old Belinda alone in an unknown place. She must undergo heartache and impossible challenges that test her ability to forgive and to trust God.

City councilman Joe Esterhouse unwittingly brings chaos and murder to his small North Carolina town when he proposes completing a long-awaited highway project. A second thriller from the author of The Heir.

In this romantic suspense title from RITA Award winner Roper (Autumn Dreams), two adult sisters must revisit their troubled relationship when they have to live together in the house they inherited from their aunt. Complicating matters are a mysterious warning for Tori, a budding, confusing romance between Libby and her neighbor, and a stolen gem. This complex story of the conflicting choices siblings make also deals with abortion and bipolar disorder. Well written and thought-provoking; recommended for women's fiction collections.

After a series of murders rocks Virginia Beach, journalist Catherine O'Rourke begins to have disturbing dreams that detail each crime. Unfortunately, these dreams make Catherine a prime suspect, and her lawyer, Quinn Newberg, sets out to prove her innocence by reason of mental illness. But Catherine's dreams may have come from an altogether different source than her own guilty conscience.

Samai Collins is a minister's wife whose life unravels after a painful divorce. Lost, Samai gets involved with an old boyfriend, whose lifestyle is dramatically different than hers. He leads her down a dangerous path that threatens her faith and life. This debut novel is recommened for African American and CF collections.

In this follow-up to Ransomed Dreams, FBI agent Clint Rollins is shocked by a dreaded medical diagnosis. His wife, Sara, is a doctor, but Clint needs her personal support and strength as well. In spite of his health problems, Clint continues to chase a serial killer, but he may be losing his faith in a God that performs miracles.