This is TOUGH, folks. I read a lot, and I like most of what I read (if I don’t like it after 50 pages, I stop reading). So I limited this list to what I read most: Christian fiction. And it is in no particular order. I loved, loved, loved all these stories!
Please share your favorites with me as I make my To Be Read list for 2015!
I love Jenny B Jones, and I was thrilled to see that she is writing again, after what – to me – was a lengthy hiatus! Though this is a continuation of her Katie Parker series, which I have not read, I had no problem jumping into Katie and Charlie’s sweet story. Jenny’s trademark wit and oh-s0-believable characters puts this book on my “will read again” pile.
This book. The ONLY thing about it I didn’t like is that the next book in the trilogy isn’t out until JUNE, and I got – hair flip – an advanced copy, so I read this baby almost a year ago. I am DYING, Mary! Still feeling readerly whiplash from all those plot twists, but so ready to find out what happens next!
I am a sucker for first love lost/found stories, and this book adds an interesting twist on that storyline. It is sweet, with depth and humor and so much heart. Becky Wade sure knows how to write a great love story!
Set in antebellum Nashville, this book has so much that I love: a plain heroine (even “regular” girls need love stories!) whose faith, intelligence, and compassion wins over the hero (Jane Eyre, anyone??). I so enjoyed getting dropped into my home state and seeing it as it may have been a century and a half ago. Better than sweet tea!
Heather Burch is unbelievably versatile. Her last books – the Halflings trilogy – were amazing: supernatural YA Christian fiction. This one is a total departure from that genre: contemporary fiction with a historical flavor. Burch is a master storyteller, and I hope she has another book coming out soon. I am definitely a fan!
I bought this book the day it came out. Francine Rivers and 1950s Hollywood?? I couldn’t wait to dive in. And I wasn’t disappointed. She remains one of my favorite authors – able to blend amazing stories with deep truths so beautifully. Francine Rivers points to Christ in every book she writes, and I LOVE that about her.
Denise Hunter can write a great story. I love her fictional Chapel Springs: its residents, its quirks, and its stories. So good. But beware – this book is hard to put down!
What’s better than a good mystery? A good mystery set in 1930s England with smart, clever Drew Fathering solving it. I love this character! He and fiance, Madeline’s, banter is reminiscent of William Powell and Myrna Loy in “The Thin Man” films (if you’ve never seen these, you MUST! Now. Go!).
This is the fourth in the Alaskan Courage series, and they just keep getting better! Pettrey makes Alaska so real, you’ll get a chill as you’re reading. The plots move fast and the characters feel like friends. The next in the series comes out in less than a month. I can’t wait!
Katherine Reay’s debut novel, Dear Mr. Knightly, was so fantastic – contemporary novel saturated with Jane Austen references? Yes, please! But it was so amazing that I wondered if Reay could possibly do it again. But she did! This has more of a sister-romance than anything else – very Jane and Cassandra, Eleanor and Marianne. I loved the depth of character Reay brings, the humanity, the faith. A heartwarming read for Austen-lovers and (gasp) non-Austenites alike.
Krista, Thank you so much for including Meant to Be Mine on your list. Yay! Your encouragement means a lot to me.
God bless you and your own writing in the new year. The covers of your current trilogy are outstanding!
Thanks so much, Becky!
What an honor to be on your list. Thank you so much. Happy reading and writing to you in 2015!
Thank YOU! So glad you’re “back”. I loved the novella, too. Will that be part of a new Sugar Creek series?? I sure hope so!
Sugar Creek will be a series. Assuming one gets started in writing it. And thank you for your encouraging enthusiasm. : ) Hope your writing is going amazing and you are doubly blessed with creativity in 2015.
Thanks for the suggestions! Always great to hear some YA Christian novel recommendations. 😀 Hope you and your family have a great new year!
So honored. Thank you, Krista! LOVE your list.
Thanks for these suggestions I am always looking for good Christian Fiction novels to read. I thought really hard of some of my favourite books that you could consider reading they are:
– “The Halflings Series” ( I know you mentioned if but I love it)
– “The Princess Spy” (Or any books by Melanie Dickerson)
– “Doon” and “Destined For Doon” (Written by Cary Corp and Lory Langdon)
– “The Wingfeather Saga” (Written by Andrew Peterson)
– “Brotherband Chronicles” or “Ranger’s Apprentice” (Written by John Flanagan).
If you ever find a book that you really like and would recommend let me know.
Are Doon and Destined for Doon clean? I’ve been hearing really good things about them and have been wondering.
I read part of Doon and did not think it was clean, a bit of cursing and lots of sexual references and I was less then 50 pages in.
Love these suggestions…..I have several of these waiting on my Nook. I just read Barefoot Summer and Dancing with Fireflies this week. I LOVED THEM! I can’t wait to read The Wishing Season. I love your books too! I am a librarian in a Christian school so I always appreciate good book reviews. I enjoy your blog!
The only one on your list I read was Cant Let You Go! I thought it was okay, but I liked the first thre books better. I also want to check out Storm Siren now! I’ve heard lots of good reviews about it. I recommend Thunder by Bonnie S. Calhoun! So good! But I have to wait until this fall for book 2:( I also HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend The River Of Time Series by Lisa T. Bergren!!! I am so addicted to it and the plot has you caught since the first chapters! It’s a must read. I’m going to order book 5 very soon:)
Ooh, I’ve been wanting to read Bridge to Haven. I’m not familiar with Francine Rivers, but I saw that book in CBD and I thought it sounded interesting. I’ll definitely have to get my hands on it!