Christian Fiction

In Michael J. Sullivan's Necessary Heartbreak, a single father and his teenage daughter pass through a magic door and are transported back to Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. In Jill Williamson's To Darkness Fled, a young woman uses her telepathic abilities to escape danger. Once taboo in Christian circles, fantasies like these have caught on with CF readers in recent years. One need look no further than the success of Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins's apocalyptic "Left Behind" series or the film version of C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Some attribute this trend to the popularity of Harry Potter. While that series drew concern from some conservative Christian parents who felt that the use of magic was forbidden, new Christian fiction publishers like Marcher Lord Press (www.marcherlordpress.com) saw the genre's broad appeal with teens and adults and have scrambled to fill the void with more Christian-friendly tales that also happen to feature, according to a 2007 Washington Post article, "macabre events, epic battles, and heroic young protagonists."

In 1880s Colorado, siblings Odessa, Moira, and Dominic each pave a unique road to salvation while trying to win their father's love. The first book in the series, Breath, told Odessa's story; this novel follows Moira as she defies her father's wishes to pursue a singing career in Paris. As she begins to realize her dream, she is robbed by her own manager and travels home to face past sins and make peace with her future. VERDICT Bergren ("The Gifted Trilogy") brings the time period to life with her rich descriptions and attention to detail. Fans of Breath will want to learn more about the St. Claires and will eagerly pick up this latest entry, which should also attract new readers who enjoy historical fiction.

Set in the Midwest, this evangelical story introduces Kate, a professor at a small liberal arts college whose tenure is threatened because her teaching and writing are considered too Christian. In her classes and out of them, she expounds on what the Bible has to say about major subjects of contention in the world today. VERDICT Borg (Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time) is a distinguished professor of religion and culture at Oregon State University, so the setting of the novel reads realistically. That being said, the tale is too preachy, as if the author's only aim is to expound on his own personal beliefs. [Ebook: ISBN 978-0-06-199132-5.]

Callie Duflay spends her time fighting the good fight and rooting for the underdog, so when she learns that a piece of land in Otter Bay, CA, is about to be developed, she sets out to protect it. Enter Gage Mitchell, who has a job to do and isn't going to let anyone stand in his way. While the two have very different goals, their reasons behind their choices are equally sincere. Despite their initial conflict, they find themselves feeling more for each other than they thought possible. VERDICT Carobini, whose three other novels are also set near the beach, does a great job detailing the setting for the reader in this second Otter Bay novel (after Sweet Waters). In addition, she has crafted a strong female protagonist who is sure to be liked by fans of L.L. Chaikin.

On the day of her wedding, Gracie, with nothing more than the dress on her back and $5 to her name, flees with her five-year-old daughter, Hope. The pair land in west Texas, where Gracie takes a job caring for the two children of Lt. Michael Wayne. The two develop a relationship reminiscent of Captain and Maria Von Trapp as they disagree on the way to raise children, fight, and then subsequently embrace their attraction to each other. VERDICT This third entry in the popular Lonestar series (after Lonestar Secrets), which feature single mothers fleeing the restraints or dangers in their lives, is a welcome addition with interesting characters and just enough suspense to keep readers on their toes.

Christian suspense author Eason (My Deadly Valentine) begins a series with this page-turner about an FBI agent assigned to find the killer of teenage girls in a small Southern town. Agent Samantha Cash and Police Chief Connor Wolfe fight their mutual attraction as they try to protect the killer's latest target, Connor's daughter. VERDICT Readers who enjoy romantic suspense authors Suzanne Brockmann and Sandra Brown but who prefer their thrills with a little more conscience and a lot less sex will be thrilled with Eason's new series opener.

Mariette Puttnam has just graduated from boarding school and returned home to her successful white-collar family. She is unsure of what to do with her life—Should she continue her schooling? Look for a job? Become a wife and mother? It is 1959, and her family has definite ideas about what Mariette should do with her life, but she doesn't necessarily agree them. VERDICT The coauthor of the "Potluck Club" series has written a wonderful coming-of-age story that deals with the themes of friendship, first loves, and forgiveness.

When piano teacher Rachel Sutton picks up a Raggedy Ann doll in a parking lot, she experiences a feeling of terror. FBI Agent Nick Bradley dismisses her feeling as psychic mumbo jumbo until clues come to light that link the doll to an abducted child. VERDICT This is a fine-tuned suspense tale that incorporates elements of romance, relieving what might otherwise be a too-intense experience. RITA® Award winner Hannon is a master at character development, writing believable, three-dimensional characters. Fans of Dee Henderson will enjoy this book. New readers will want to go back and read the first two titles in the series (Against All Odds; An Eye for an Eye).

Natalie Sinclair and Dr. Chad Talcott meet in war-torn Dhambizao in Africa while working to help those suffering from disease. There they encounter Joseph Komboli, whose family has been abducted by enemy soldiers. The kidnappers want Joseph to keep his mouth shut about a slave trade that rises through the echelons of power. In order to succeed in exposing this conspiracy, Joseph will need the help of both Natalie and Chad. VERDICT This series launch by a prolific CF author is a fast-paced tale of suspense that will keep readers hooked. [Ebook: ISBN 978-0-310-39560-7.]

Seven years ago, Lexi's husband, Grant, abandoned her, leaving her to raise their daughter, Molly, on her own. Suddenly, Grant is back. He wants to start a relationship with Molly, but events surrounding his reappearance lead Lexi to believe that he is putting them all in grave danger, and she refuses to let him see their child. VERDICT Healy, who is best known for her suspense novels cowritten with Ted Dekker (Kiss; Burn), tries her hand at writing a suspense novel tinged with elements of the supernatural that will appeal to readers who like to be on the edge of their seats.

During the 1745 Jacobite uprising in Scotland, Lady Elisabeth Kerr and her husband, Lord Donald Kerr, are on opposite sides of the political divide. And both have secrets: Elisabeth follows the pagan religion, while Donald carries on affairs with several women. They, along with Elisabeth's mother, Marjorie, try desperately to guard their secrets as political tensions build in the country. VERDICT Christy Award winner Higgs (Whence Came a Prince) has a faithful following, and though these characters are sometimes too whiny, the author's broad appeal makes this a winner for those who love period detail in their historicals.

Filmmakers Chase Ryan and Keith Ellison have just completed the release of their first feature film, but Chase leaves the production company, and Keith hires someone to take his place. Multiple story lines explore a crisis involving Keith's daughter and a romance between college students. VERDICT New York Times best-selling author Kingsbury has written over 40 titles and has a large following who eagerly anticipate her novels for their realistic relationships and conflict resolution. [Ebook: ISBN 978-0-310-56468-3.]

Four hundred years after the destruction of civilization, in a utopian world called Chiveis, a young man discovers an ancient text called The Bible. This discovery changes the inhabitants of Chiveis in ways they never could have anticipated. VERDICT A great premise, attention to detail, and artful storytelling make this first book in a new trilogy a sure thing for readers who enjoy elements of fantasy mixed with questions about the nature of God.

Melinda Johnson, mission and community outreach director at the Omega Christian Center, assumes that she will be the one chosen to take over leadership of the church when her father, the bishop, steps down. Her father, however, has someone else in mind—Steven Marks, Melinda's ex-fiancé. Though the two hold different views on church policy, they nevertheless find their old attraction rekindled. VERDICT This first book in a planned series by an author known for her urban CF series ("Rain," "Storm," "Forsaken") is sure to please fans and win her new readers.

Following the death of her husband, Ezra, Rachel Brand raises her three young children in a close-knit Amish community. Ezra's best friend, Gideon, helps Rachel complete a garden that Ezra had planned to create. However, others begin to pressure Rachel to sell the land, and as she and Gideon begin to fall in love, they also wonder if something more sinister was at play in her husband's death. VERDICT This second novel in the series (after Leah's Choice) is more suspenseful than most Amish fiction, which tends to deal more with the individual's choice to remain within the community based on faith. While somewhat edgier, this is sure to appeal to fans of Beverly Lewis.

Children's book author Riva began writing for the YA audience in 2007 with the publication of Saving Sailor, which introduced readers to A.J. Degulio and her best friend Danny. In the sequel, Taking Tuscany, Danny agrees to take care of A.J.'s dog, Sailor, while her family takes a vacation to Italy. Little did either of them know that the family would decide to stay for eight years. Now A.J. and her family have returned home, and, while A.J. longs for the easy friendship of their youth, Danny has grown into a man with dreams of his own. VERDICT This is essential for parents and teens who want a YA story with elements of romance that aligns better than many popular YA novels with their moral beliefs.

This second Hugh de Singleton mystery (after The Unquiet Bones) once again features Master Hugh, who is both bailiff and physician at Bampton Manor. In this suspense-filled tale, the beadle of the manor sets out to find and bring back anyone breaking curfew, but he never returns home. The officer's wife pleads with Master Hugh to search for clues and solve his disappearance. VERDICT The combination of mystery, suspense, and historical fiction creates a delightful tale that will please those readers who enjoy Ellis Peters's Brother Cadfael series.

In a small Texas town in the late 1950s, Sammie Tucker's mother, who suffers from depression, commits suicide. Following her mother's death, Sammie is left wondering whom can she count on now. VERDICT This nostalgic debut is perfect for readers who enjoy Christian coming-of-age stories.

Single father Michael Stewart is a survivor of a difficult childhood, but he has lost his faith. He and his daughter are volunteering at a food pantry when they slip through a magic door that transports them to first-century Jerusalem, where they come into contact with Judas Iscariot and Jesus Christ himself. VERDICT This wonderful time-slip novel by the author of the "Ryria Revelations" series will appeal to fans of Anne Rice's recent religious fiction (e.g., Christ the Lord).

Wedding planner Bella Rossi (Fools Rush In; Swinging on a Star) is up to her eyeballs in Italian relatives and chaos as she plans the wedding of her once-feuding Aunt Rosa and Uncle Lorenzo. With all of the hoopla, will she have time to plan her own upcoming nuptials? Hilarity ensues as cultures clash and former mob connections resurface on the way to wedded bliss. VERDICT This romantic comedy is full of laugh-out-loud moments as Texas and Italian cultures meet. The emphasis on ethnicity and family dynamics is sure to appeal to fans of Adriana Trigiani's more secular Lucia, Lucia.

Tami Taylor has just taken a job as associate partner in one of Atlanta's most prestigious law firms. One of her newest clients, teenager Jesse, is on the run and needs Tami's help. Jesse is completely terrified, and Tami finds herself in danger. Can she trust Jesse? And if not, who can she trust? VERDICT Fans of Whitlow's series will enjoy the mix of suspense and romance as Tami has to choose between her love interests. New readers should not attack this series out of sequence, as this title builds on information provided in the earlier novels (Deeper Water; Higher Hope).

An FBI special agent, a crime reporter, and a federal prosecutor team up to solve the murder of a talk-show host in this follow-up to Face of Betrayal. While trying to unravel the clues, each woman also must deal with her own personal demons. VERDICT Strong female characters and steady pacing combined with a suspenseful story line will win Wiehl new readers. This is sure to be enjoyed by fans of J.D. Robb.

In By Darkness Hid, Vrell Sparrow disguised herself as a boy and fled her home to avoid an arranged marriage to Prince Gidon Hadar. Now she has been captured but has once again escaped. Her telepathic ability helps her as she tries to avoid the tyrant and win her freedom. VERDICT This Christian fantasy has a literary writing style that will appeal to fans of J.R.R Tolkien.

Wilson's series got off to an inauspicious start with Field of Blood, garnering negative reviews for its "stilted prose" and thin characterization. The second entry, Haunt of Jackals, received favorable praise, and this final entry is the best of the lot. The trilogy, which began with the death of Judas Iscariot, concludes here in 1989 when a work crew disturbs the burial ground, unleashing a host of soul collectors. VERDICT Wilson's suspenseful story combines elements of the paranormal with fantasy and historical fiction to create an original twist on the story of Judas. While Wilson has clearly honed his writing skills, suspense fans may still be confused by the multiple story lines and would be better served with Jonathan Rabb's more skillfully plotted The Book of Q or Ted Dekker's Showdown. Still, readers who have followed so far will want to see how the series ends.

When Linda, a young Amish woman who is much loved by her parents and the bishop's grandson, discovers that she was adopted and that her mother, an "Englisher," now wants to become a part of her life, her comfortable, insulated world is turned upside down. This development calls into question everything she has believed to be true about herself and her world for the past 17 years, and she begins to question God's plan for her. VERDICT Amish fiction has won a huge following over the last decade among readers drawn to the comfort to be found in these stories as events cause characters to reexamine their commitment to their faith and ultimately reaffirm their choices. This is sure to please fans of Beverly Lewis, Kathleen Fuller, and Wanda Brunstetter. Though part of a series, this title (after Plain Promise) stands on its own.

John Bevan and his young daughter, Lou Lou, try to heal after a tragic accident takes the life of his wife and unborn child. Struggling to understand God's purpose, John erects a small cross on the side of the road where his wife died. One day, he meets a man painting his wife's cross, and the "cross gardener" eventually helps John see that his wife would have wanted him to live his life and enjoy every moment with his surviving child. VERDICT This latest book by best-selling author Wright (The Wednesday Letters; The Christmas Sweater with Glenn Beck) is sure to be devoured by his large fan base as well as by new readers who enjoy wiping their eyes while reading a great story.