Christian Contemporary Fiction Recommendations

 

Amish:

The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis

A Man of His Word by Kathleen Fuller

Someone to Trust by Patricia Davids

The Amish Widow’s Heart by Marta Perry

Leah’s Choice by Emma Miller

The Amish Christmas Secret by Vannetta Chapman

 

Romance:

Bamboo & Lace by Lori Wick

Sophie’s Heart by Lori Wick

Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh

Her Unlikely Family by Missy Tippens

A Family for Thanksgiving by Patricia Davids

The Cowboy’s Holiday Blessing by Brenda Minton

 

Other:

The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel

The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

Mr Midshipman Hornblower Review

 

Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C S Forester is a classic adventure story at sea. We follow 17 year old Horatio Hornblower as he enters the navy and his adventures while adjusting to his new life.

 

I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. This was an interesting book full of action. I like the look at what the British navy was like so long ago and the types of problems they faced, especially during war time. However, it just didn’t grip me. I never felt especially invested in the story, merely curious about what was happening. There was some interesting moral analysis of the times and some of the things that took place within the navy itself that I appreciated.  

Unfortunately we don’t really get to know anyone other than Hornblower. Almost none of them had any characterization at all. That left all the other characters blurring together and not memorable. I did however like seeing how Hornblower learned and grew through his experiences.

Prince Caspian Review

 

Prince Caspian by C S Lewis is the second book in his children’s Christian fantasy Narnia series. In this book we follow Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they return to Narnia and the adventures that follow.

 

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. Surprisingly I liked this better upon reread. It was fascinating to see the four kids as ancient history and what has happened to Narnia in the interim. The first time I read the book I didn’t like how much time we spent away from the kids and with Caspian instead, but this time I really appreciated that part and all we learned.

Unlike the first book, the chapters were almost too long for one sitting with my daughter (8 years old). Hopefully, in future books they don’t get much longer than this or Lewis switched back to a shorter chapter system; I’d rather have more but shorter chapters than fewer chapters but too long for my kid. Furthermore, I don’t understand why he included Bacchus and Silvanus. These “gods” have quite adult connotation to them and not necessarily in a good way. Father Christmas’s appearance in the first book at least made sense in connection to the “always winter but never Christmas” thing. But these two just don’t make sense to me and I am left very grateful that this went over my daughter’s head. Unfortunately they turned me off of those parts of the story.

That being said, it was still a fun and interesting story and I still feel so invested in Narnia.

Christian Marriage and Parenting Book Recommendations

 
Marriage:
    The Fruitful Wife by Hayley DiMarco
    The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
    The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian
    100 Ways to Love Your Husband by Lisa Jacobson
    The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex by Sheila Gregoire
    Emptied: Experiencing the Fullness of a Poured-out Marriage by Wynter Pitts
    On Marriage and Family Life by John Chrysostom

Parenting: 
    Don’t make me Count to Three by Ginger Hubbard
    The Read Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
    Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt             
    Give Your Child the World by Jamie C Martin
    Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp
    How to Really Love Your Child by Ross Campbell
    Contending for the Heart by Jim Ertel
    Mama Bear Apologetics by Hillary Ferrer
    Family Worship by Donald Whitney
    The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch
    The Power of a Praying Mother by Stormie Omartian
    Truth Unchanging by Becky Thompson

Phineas Finn Review

Phineas Finn by Anthony Trollope is a classic and the second book in his Palliser chronicles series. We follow young Phineas Finn, an Irish doctor’s son, as he enters the British House of Commons and finds his way in politics, his career and his love life.

 

I gave this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. I found this such a struggle to get through. The political talk and dealings were tedious and fairly boring. Politics (especially historical politics) have never been an interest for me and made this a difficult read. Since politics was one of the main topics of the book, it went very slowly. However, the characters were wonderful, diverse and interesting. The character interactions were my favourite part of the story. Trollope is a master at characterization and plot development, and that is evident here and is what carried me through the book.

Overall, I am glad that I read it so that I can continue on with the series, but I most likely won’t be reading it again.

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe Review

 

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C S Lewis is a classic Christian children’s fantasy story. It is an allegory for Christ’s life, death and resurrection following 4 children who discover another world through a wardrobe.

 

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. This is such a good book. It is so well written; easy to read for and/or with kids. Each chapter is just the right length to keep a child’s attention. Furthermore, the story is so well done. The setting and the plot flow very smoothly with the perfect amount of world building and action taking place as well as the characters being captivating.

This is maybe even more entertaining upon reread because I am seeing foreshadowing and connections to the other books that just aren’t obvious or visible to those who haven’t read the series at least once before.

This book truly is a classic for a reason and one every believer should read, both young and old.

Christian Historical Fiction Recommendations

 

Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers

Sons of Encouragement series by Francine Rivers

A Viscount’s Proposal by Melanie Dickerson

The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin

All Things New by Lynn Austen

The Hawk and the Jewel by Lori Wick

The Rescue by Lori Wick

The Heart’s Frontier by Lori Copeland

Faith by Lori Copeland

Tomorrow’s Treasure by Linda Lee Chaikin

A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears

Before the Season Ends by Linore Burkard

The Wife Campaign by Regina Scott

The Gentleman’s Bride by Deborah Hale

A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Hunter

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen

The Story of a Whim by Grace Livingstone Hill

Brides O’the Emerald Isle by Pamela Griffin

Brides of the Empire by Darlene Mindrup