Christian Fiction

As Christian fiction publishers increasingly show a willingness to stretch the subjects and themes of the genre, a number of imaginative and thought-provoking titles are landing on library shelves. In Kiss, Ted Dekker's newest collaboration with Erin Healy, the protagonist develops a supernatural ability that might have been frowned on by CF fans just a few years ago. Angela Hunt's The Face and Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn's Healing Waters address themes of physical beauty and body image in creative and provocative ways. Newcomer James Protzman's Jesus Swept is a wild ride wrapped in an unconventional story in the vein of Steven Cleaver's Saving Erasmus, and award-winning Jamie Carie's historical novel, Wind Dancer, stars a spirited heroine with a mind of her own.

For readers who desire more traditional fare, Karen Kingsbury returns with a new entry in her "September 11" series (Every Now & Then), while Al and JoAnna Lacy ride to the rescue with a customary Western tale (Outlaw Marshal). Lauraine Snelling and Jillian Hart celebrate the holidays with a heartwarming volume of traditional Christmas novellas (Yuletide Treasure), Sheilah Vance's Land Mines is an engaging journal of a divorced woman rebuilding her life, and Denise Hunter's Sweetwater Gap is a good coming-home tale. Finally. Jason Elam and Steve Yohn continue the story of football player Riley Covington (Blown Coverage) and his exploits against terrorism with the fictional Counterterrorism Division.

In the British-held frontier territory during the American Revolution, free-spirited Isabelle Renoir is anything but a typically demure Colonial lady. She loves adventure and is known to act peculiarly, even dancing at night to worship God. Fearless in her approach to life, the adventurous Isabel finds herself sidelined by a threatening storm and encountering a handsome American spy named Samuel Holt. When they are captured by Indians, they face harrowing times that will either drive them apart or bind them together. Carie's attention to historic detail and rich characterizations make this a winner, especially for young women who enjoy reading about female characters in nontraditional roles. Recommended for CF and historical fiction collections. From the author of the award-winning Snow Angel.

Shauna McAllister cannot remember the last six months of her life after suffering a traumatic automobile accident that left her in a coma. She returns home to recuperate but finds that her family blames her for the accident, which also severely injured her brother. Shauna's friend Wayne Spade tries to jog her memory, but instead Shauna develops the mysterious ability to read other peoples' memories. She needs to find out what really caused her accident, but she also knows that it may cost her her life. Debut novelist Healy is aided by thriller master Dekker's talent for writing suspense with a supernatural edge. Kiss will also appeal to readers who enjoy books by Eric Wilson (Expiration Date), T.L. Hines (Waking Lazarus), and Kathryn Mackel (The Hidden). Recommended for CF and crossover suspense collections.

This follow-up to the authors' series debut, Monday Night Jihad, is a fast-paced spy thriller pumped up with adrenaline and a focus on the Middle East and Islam. NFL player Riley Covington lives for the football season, but this year is different. A dangerous terrorist has escaped and is planning a series of attacks on the United States and on Riley in particular. Riley is a member of the Counterterrorism Division, with Jim Hicks and Scott Ross, and together they race against time to prevent the terrorists from bringing devastation to America. With particular appeal for male readers, this title will keep its audience engaged in the hunt. Those who enjoy Joel C. Rosenberg's "Last Jihad" series will want this title, which may also have crossover appeal for fans of Daniel Silva or Vince Flynn.

Because of her severe facial deformities, Sarah Jane Sims is a secret to the world, kept that way by the CIA after her parents' deaths. When her father's sister, Renee, reads some old letters saved by her mother and discovers that she has a 20-year-old niece, Renee is determined to find out what happened to Sarah Jane and whether she is still alive somewhere. Hunt's skill at developing interesting characters and tense stories (The Elevator, Doesn't She Look Natural) makes this title a worthwhile read. Hunt also weaves in real-life CIA techniques that will fascinate readers. Including themes of beauty and love and what makes a person beautiful and worth loving, this book is recommended for CF and women's fiction collections.

Josie, a photographer, is less than thrilled when she is called to return home to Shelbyville, NC, and her family's Blue Ridge Orchard, but she decides to try to convince the family to sell the apple orchard. She immediately clashes with orchard manager Grady MacKenzie, but she eventually develops an appreciation for his quiet strength and lifestyle. Hunter's latest offering (after Surrender Bay) is a predictable love story with the usual stock plot elements of a big city girl who returns to her roots only to discover the important things in life. Still, it is a good tale that will appeal to female readers. Recommended for CF and for women's fiction collections.

Kingsbury's third "September 11" entry (after Beyond Tuesday Morning and One Tuesday Morning) features 25-year-old Alex Brady, whose father was killed in the terrorist attacks in New York City. Alex has closed down emotionally and shut out all the people who care about him. Now a deputy sheriff in Southern California, Alex devotes all his energy to the job. How long can he go on living by turning off his emotions? Kingsbury's latest features the romance, family issues, and spiritual viewpoint that appeal to her fans. The author's enormous popularity makes this an essential purchase for all CF and inspirational fiction collections.

In this classic Western tale with inspirational elements woven in, outlaw Whipley Langford earns an early release from jail only to find himself framed for a killing he didn't commit. Fortunately, his friend Marshal John Brockman saves him from being hanged and introduces him to God. Now a changed man, Whipley winds up on the other side of the law as John's deputy marshal. The husband-and-wife authors are among the top Western fiction writers in the CF genre, and their latest tale will be popular with their numerous readers as well as those who enjoy inspirational Westerns by Stephen Bly or Gilbert Morris. Recommended for Western fiction collections and public libraries.

Debut novelist Protzman offers a refreshingly different tale about a man who calls himself Jesus and leads a group of men who have taken the apostles' names as they sweep parking lots and anything else they can throughout the South. Jesus, or "Gary Gray," was abandoned as a baby at a church, where he was adopted by a troubled couple. Gary's mother made brooms as a craft, and after she and her husband die in a trailer fire, Gary inherits the brooms. Fresh prose and an offbeat style make this an appealing tale, although it is not traditional CBA fiction. Jesus Swept includes some rough language that may offend more conservative readers, but it might appeal to more adventurous patrons who enjoyed last year's Saving Erasmus by Steven Cleaver. Recommended for public libraries.

Lucia Coffey lacks self-esteem because she is overweight. To make matters worse, her sister Sophia has a successful ministry and is beloved by everyone. Lucia thinks she is hopeless until she meets a quirky psychologist named Sullivan Crisp (introduced in Healing Stones) whose unconventional approach helps Lucia to see the beauty in herself and the hope she can have in life. The authors use a mix of humor and grace to tell a meaningful story that many readers will be able to relate to in their own struggles with size and image. Tackling the issues of body image and self-worth from a biblical perspective, this is recommended for CF and women's fiction collections and for those readers who appreciate humor along with a dose of spirituality and social relevance. Rue is author of the "Christian Heritage" and "Lily" series, while Arterburn is host of the New Life Live! national radio program.

Two Christmas novellas make up this seasonal anthology. The first, Snelling's "The Finest Gift," is a sweet, old-fashioned romance about a plain girl who thinks love will never come her way. Arley Hoople celebrates the holidays by helping others, namely, building a dollhouse for local orphans. Will her selfless generosity wind up bringing her what she wants most for Christmas? In Hart's "A Blessed Season," bounty hunter Rafe Jones agrees to help a girl named Holly locate her missing mother. But when he finds the woman, it only raises more questions. For readers seeking feel-good inspirational romances full of holiday cheer, look no further. Recommended for CF and holiday fiction collections.

Presented as a series of engrossing journal entries, this is the story of Carolyn James, a wife and mother whose husband leaves her for another woman. Carolyn's raw, honest entries chronicle her experiences in dealing with the loss of her marriage and the stable life she had known before. Sentences like "I'm carrying two children in my arms, and my arms ache with the effort of keeping them above water. I, on the other hand, am sinking" will ring true for anyone who has ever been in similar circumstances. The protagonist's struggles and reliance on God will appeal to most female readers and those who have had to reinvent themselves after life-altering situations. Recommended for women's fiction and African American fiction collections. Vance's first novel, Chasing the 400, was the first selection of the African American Museum of Philadelphia Book Club.

When widower Jonathan Lundy asks Katie Brenneman to help him care for his two young daughters, Katie tries to hide her feelings for him. But then she receives a threatening note reminding the young Amish woman of her rumspringa years when she ran wild in the English world. Will Katie be able to forgive herself for her past sins? This follow-up to Hidden will appeal to fans of Amish inspirational fiction.

In this sequel to Finding Father Christmas, Miranda Carson returns to London for a traditional English Christmas with her boyfriend, Ian. She's hoping for an engagement ring, but the illness of Ian's father and the disapproval of the Whitcombe matriarch may result in a blue holiday for Miranda. Gunn is a CBA best seller.

In this new Regency by the author of Christy Award finalist Lady of Milkweed Manor, Lillian Haswell, the daughter of the village apothecary, must save her father's business when he falls ill by making it appear that he is still making the diagnoses and writing the prescriptions. But a rival apothecary and a suspicious physician watch her closely, while three suitors vie for her hand.

In this prairie romance by the author of Waiting for Summer's Return and Where the Heart Leads, English-born Emmaline Bradford wants to return home after she sees the state of her fiancé's Kansas sheep ranch. For fans of Western inspirational romances.