Christian Fiction
Christian Fiction can be a source of joy and encouragement to the average reader. The market today is flooded with all kinds of writing, opinions, and view points. Where does one start reading? My hope is that this site will shed light upon Christian authors who not only speak the truth of God but provide a holy and clean form of entertainment. While many Christian fiction authors of the past may have held back on portraying the Christian aspects or beliefs, you will find that in today’s age there are more and more Christian authors going deeper in their books and making their beliefs more prevalent. This site will provide reviews and insights to such books. Our goal is to provide you with an idea of what the book is about and what readers have to say. Is this a book I may want to read? Is it worth my time? What are others saying about this book or author? We hope this site will encourage you to read Christian fiction and in turn spur on a deeper connection with our Creator.
A Time to Dance: A Story of Reconciliation by Karen Kingsbury
Review written by Stephanie Bammes on
July 20, 2007
Filed Under Romance Fiction, Karen Kingsbury, A Time to Dance | Leave a Comment
John Reynolds, a high school football coach, appears to be living the American dream when his own son leads his team to become state champions. In front of their friends and three children, John and his wife, Abby, appear to have the perfect marriage. Secretly though, John and Abby are on the brink of divorce, overwhelmed with feelings of loss, hurt, and anger they have never known. Now, Abby watches hopelessly from the sidelines as their lives grow further apart and John is tempted by a female co-worker to leave all he has treasured for twenty-one years behind. Will their once-precious and envied marriage end in bitter divorce?
Karen Kingsbury constructs a powerful story of one couple’s dark journey through the throes of divorce. The story does not take lightly the struggles of infidelity and commitment, and at times, Kingsbury will leave you utterly brokenhearted for these characters. However, A Time to Dance is an inspirational story of the strength of God’s unconditional love and faithfulness to those who love Him, and the power of forgiveness and reconciliation only He can bring. Buy A Time to Dance from Amazon.com
When Joy Came to Stay by Karen Kingsbury
Review written by Niki Tschirgi on
April 4, 2007
Filed Under Romance Fiction, Karen Kingsbury, When Joy Came to Stay | Leave a Comment
Maggie Stovall seems like the perfect Christian with the perfect husband. Could her life get any better? These thoughts plagued Laura Thompson’s mind as she was given Maggie’s name as someone who needed prayer. What would Maggie Stovall need prayer for? Karen Kingsbury opens a real window into the lives of those struggling with clinical depression and sets out to answer the questions that many of us have asked in our minds. Questions like if you are a Christian can you really be depressed and can’t God heal you and help you without medications or counseling? When Joy Came to Stay is a real and honest look at the raw emotions, anger, and confusion that surround the debilitating affliction of depression. At times the book does feel a little over the top as everyone’s lives work out almost perfectly and for the best. It was slightly unrealistic and left an unsatisfied feeling knowing that real life doesn’t always pan out and have the fairy tale ending that Maggie Stovall and all involved get. The book also gives a pretty one-sided and fairly narrow view of the social service system in America and the foster families that volunteer. There is truth in Kingsbury’s views but unfortunately she leaves the reader with a negative view regarding foster care, foster families, and the plight of foster kids in general. However, When Joy Came to Stay is a fine piece of fiction that sheds much needed light on the subject of depression. I could not get enough of Maggie and what she went through. A whole new realm of compassion was birthed in my heart for those who suffer as she did. Buy When Joy Came to Stay from Amazon.com
The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
Review written by Niki Tschirgi on
February 19, 2007
Filed Under Mystery Fiction, Francine Rivers, The Last Sin Eater | Leave a Comment
Just recently released as a major motion picture by Fox Faith, The Last Sin Eater takes you back to a time in the Great Smoky Mountains among a group of superstitious settlers that believe that one person has the power to take away your sins after you die. Based on true events, Rivers masterfully weaves a story so deep and dark you find yourself on the edge of your seat hoping upon hope to see these people set free. Disturbing and heart wrenching, Rivers engulfs your emotions with an overwhelming sense of compassion for the sin eater and the life he has to lead because of man’s ideas. The characters are well developed, the story line intriguing, and the research is well done to make one fine, page turning read. Set in the 1850’s, young Cadi Forbes finds herself grieving the loss of not only a younger sister but a dear grandmother. For the past year she has experienced the cold shoulder from her mother who can’t seem to forgive her nor return a desperate daughters love. In a last ditch attempt to rid herself of her deepest, darkest sin, Cadi goes on a quest to find the sin eater, her only hope of relieving her great burden of guilt. Obstacles lie in her way, mainly fear from her fellow neighbors. No one is supposed to look at the sin eater or even attempt to come into contact with him. He is full of the evil of everyone’s sins he has consumed. But not even the thought of pure evil can deter Cadi from her mission to be set free from her past. Told through the eyes of an eleven year old girl, The Last Sin Eater is a superbly written book unlike any other by Francine Rivers. Buy The Last Sin Eater From Amazon.com