As school winds down for many and the summer breeze picks up, I like to drift away in a good read. There are so many great Christian fiction books to peruse that I had to set some guidelines for my list of the top 20 Christian fiction books. None of these books are part of a longer series – if you are like me, it’s hard to find time to read a full series in one sitting. Most of these books are centered around love stories, remember, these come from my taste! Finally, most of these books are fairly recent.
"The Truth" Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
20. Arkansas Weddings – Shannon Vannatter
This book intertwines three love stories. One of healing, one of restarting a past and one of diverting plans. All three stories connect to people that thought their decisions were final and set for life, before they suddenly experienced a change.
19. Golden State Brides – Keli Gwyn & Erica Vetsch
The two main characters in this book are fighting to get the business of a town. A widow strives to take a stand and a local businessman with a bad reputation realizes through the fight that they are growing closer to each other.
18. The Shack – William Paul Young
This gripping story is about a man that endures his youngest daughter getting abducted and murdered. He is called to go back to the shack where his daughter was apparently murdered and his life changes forever.
17. The Chance – Karen Kingsbury
This book encompasses how life can change people and reunite them in simple, but powerful ways. Two kids buried letters they wrote in a box and came back to reunite 11 years later.
16. Cross Roads – William Paul Young
This story portrays the struggle and journey that a man faces as he is forced to examine his life and actions, which were based on corruption. He is in a coma after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage and has to decide to make the right decision to undo a critical injustice.
15. That Certain Summer – Irene Hannon
This book embraces family relationships and portrays dealing with life’s harder circumstances, that of reuniting with a sibling in the midst of caring for a sick parent.
14. The House that Love Built – Beth Wiseman
This story brings two broken people together in a small town and shows God’s restoring love. A single mom struggles to run the town’s hardware and a divorced man struggles to heal his broken heart.
13. The Face of the Earth – Deborah Raney
This book discusses one of the most trying aspects of marriage, that of honoring your vows when the marriage changes. In this case, a woman vanishes and her husband grows close to his neighbor as they search for his wife.
12. Secrets over Sweet Tea – Denise Hildreth Jones
Unraveling secrets, bringing people together and showing that even the most diligent secret-keeper can’t bind their deepest regrets, Denise Hildreth Jones shows what secrets can do to a person.
11. Sisters of Mercy Flats – Lori Copeland
This book is about taking a chance. Two people want a better life and take a chance, first to make money and for a fresh start. Then, unexpectedly they take a chance at love and find true happiness.
"The Truth" Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
10. Stealing the Preacher – Karen Witemeyer
A preacher is eager to finally shepherd a church of his own and a woman part of a small wooded town is desperate for a preacher to turn the hearts of her community toward God. This book shares how these two individuals who are seeking to do God’s will continue to cross paths.
9. Wings of Glass – Gina Holmes
Many women will relate to this powerful book as it takes you on the journey of a young wife that is getting physically abused. She meets two wonderful women that help her realize what it means to live and bring laughter into her life.
8. The Atonement Child – Francine Rivers
A woman has a perfect life until she is raped and then learns she is pregnant. The story is about her decision to keep or end the pregnancy and her grandmother and mother’s surprising decisions they had to face.
7. Sweet Dreams – Carla Stewart
Two young women learn about friendship and who they are as people. They are sent to finishing school and both grow a deep attachment to one young man. A tragedy occurs and the two women have to hold on to each other.
6. In Broken Places – Michele Phoenix
A single mother moves to a different country for a fresh start for her daughter and herself. This story shows you that running away from your past does not change it or offering healing until you turn to God to heal your heart.
5. A Bride for Keeps – Melissa Jagears
A young woman has only been showed attention for her looks and decides to sign up to be a mail-order bride who ends up at a humble homesteader’s doorstep. He is skeptical and judgmental at first, but quickly realizes the honesty behind the beauty.
4. Catch a Falling Star – Beth Vogt
God’s plan can hit you in the face when you least expect it! Beth Vogt brings us a love story about wonder. A woman wonders if she will ever get married and raise a family at age 36 and a man who suddenly becomes the guardian to his 16 year old brother wonders where his life is going.
3. Twice Loved – Wanda E. Brunstetter
This is a fun and heartwarming book about a young woman who endures loss and her fear of loving again. She accepts a new job and doesn’t realize at the time that she’s accepting a whole lot more, especially new chances and facing her fears.
2. She Walks in Beauty – Siri Mitchell
Set in the late 1890’s, a young woman perfects her manners, dances and attire to attract the socialite businessman of the day. Going through this, she begins to examine if this is truly the life that’s meant for her and has to make a gripping decision when she learns of her best friend’s affection for the same man.
"The Truth" Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
1. Redeeming Love – Francine Rivers
Francine Rivers writes a gripping story set in 1850 about a woman who has been used, abused and betrayed by men. She has lost all faith in men and then meets a God-driven man who loves her unconditionally. This terrifies her and she runs, but then realizes, as she comes back, that God can heal all her sorrows.
Thanks for reading my list. I would love to hear what you think about these books and some of your other favorites!
Resources- The Holy Bible, English Standard Version“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”, www.youtube.com,Photo Credit: mendhak via Compfight cc
