You all may know by now that I read around. Different genres are like different menu choices to me. Whatever I am in the mood for, I can generally find it.
I know people who look at the Christian novel world and think of it as a bunch of generic goody-two shoes running around spreading faith. Um, yes. Some of it is indeed like that. Try reading Victorian novels meant for children and youths. You might see some similarities. They're not bad writing wise, but they are a little detached from the reality of human actions and thinking in some ways.
Below are four novels that will show you that Christian novels have come a very long way from that. Blurbs from Goodreads.
This Means War - Heather Miekstyn
First comes…the baby in the baby carriage?All I wanted to do was show Cole Jacobson that I wasn’t the same girl he passed over ten years ago. This time around I’d be the one rejecting him. Only now I’m a pregnant-out-of-wedlock, promise-ring-wearing Christian woman.
I think we can all agree things got out of hand.
As if being pregnant with the man I love to hate’s baby isn’t complicated enough, there’s his mayoral campaign to think about. Cole can’t afford a pregnancy scandal right at the beginning of his political career, which means he’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep me happy. Only, Cole trying to make me happy keeps throwing me off kilter until I can’t trust my own feelings. Do I hate Cole? Or do I love him?
I’ve been burned by Cole before. I won’t let it happen again. To protect my heart, I’ve got to strike back. Cole Jacobson, this means war.
But the more time I spend with Cole the more I remember why I fell in love with him so many years ago. Is it possible God can redeem our mistake and give us our very own love story?
This Means War is a Christian romantic comedy full of sizzling chemistry but without any explicit scenes.
This was the most realistic Christian Rom-com involving an "Oops! I'm pregnant!" moment. It happens though people don't like to talk about it. I greatly enjoyed this one. It is in my reread pile.
Valicity Elaine's Withered Rose Series/Universe
Book One in the Withered Rose Trilogy
Rosa De Luca has finally escaped the Italian mafia. She wants nothing more than to live a life free of crime, violence, and lawlessness. When she takes up shelter with a Christian family just outside New York City, she finds God and she finds peace. But her peace is shattered when her father dies, and her brother hunts her down.
All at once, Rosa is forced back into the life she only just escaped. As punishment, she is married to the German underboss, Amory Jäger. But her will has not been broken. Nothing says Rosa can’t escape again and this time, God is on her side.
But when she gets the chance to escape, Rosa hesitates. She wants to leave the mafia, but after getting to know Amory, she isn’t sure she wants to leave him.
Meanwhile, Amory is looking forward to having a new bride. He doesn’t want to get married, but he’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep the family business afloat. It also doesn’t hurt that Rosa is absolutely beautiful.
But Amory is a mafia underboss and Rosa is a Christian woman. Her faith is standing right between them, and he hates that. The sting of her refusal to marry him runs deep. But something in Amory feels drawn to Rosa despite their differences.
DISCLAIMER/WARNING
Withered Rose is a Christian story. There is no foul language and no graphic scenes of sex, violence, or gore. However, our characters are members of the mafia which may present an environment some readers consider triggering. Topics such as gang violence, abuse, and distribution of illegal substances will be introduced throughout the book.
This novel is appropriate for mature Christian audiences ages 17+
Please read at your own discretion.
Okay, hear me out. It is a Christian Dark Mafia Romance. If you have ever heard the radio program, Unshackled, think of it like that. Just way more unfiltered. It is most definitely for mature readers only. Do not hand this to your 12 year old, thinking it is fine. It will not be fine. If you wouldn't let them read regular Dark Mafia Romance, don't let them read this. FOR MATURE READERS ONLY. Can't stress that enough. My mom is a huge fan of this series, by the way. I only included the blurb for book one.
Debbie Viguie's Kiss Trilogy
Kiss of Night
As Susan Lambert prays at an ancient church while visiting Prague for her beloved grandmother's funeral, she is suddenly confronted by a man who vanishes as quickly as he appeared. She dismisses him as a figment of her imagination, only to meet him again shortly after her cousin disappears with a stranger. His name is Raphael and he claims her cousin is in mortal danger. By accepting his help, Susan finds herself thrust into a world of the supernatural.
Raphael, once a brutal knight who fought during the Crusades, was cursed for his sins to roam the earth as a vampire. Now he claims to need Susan's help in a secret war against a sinister evil. Unsure of a world she could never have believed existed and entangled with forces beyond her control, Susan must trust the mesmerising Raphael to lead her through to the other side safely.
Both Susan and Raphael will be called upon to exercise courage and faith, and in the process, the question What would happen if a vampire truly accepted God? is answered.
So, Vampires...... I will admit that I was skeptical at first. I will be honest, the whole reason I even read it was because I didn't think it would be good and I was looking forward to bashing it. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be good. It's got a moody vampire, exotic foreign location and a slow burn romance. Only produced blurb for book one.
Embergold - Rachelle Nelson
Fire dreamed of water, but the first sip would be its last.
Gilde has spent her life isolated in the wild marshlands, a place too wet for the dragon to go. She’s safe there, according to her father. So why is he asking her to leave with him now that she has come of age? There is more to Gilde’s family than she knows, and debts need to be paid.
Betrayed and shattered, she wakes in a crumbling mountain castle with the beast of her nightmares. Except this dragon speaks like a man and reads books. His kindness confuses her and opens a forgotten longing in her heart, all while Gilde plans her escape from a mountain full of secrets.
This place can unveil her past and why she was sacrificed to the beast—truths that may put both their lives in danger if they can’t learn to trust each other. But how can Gilde ever trust again? Especially after she discovers what dragons truly are.
I finished this the same night I started it. It was that good. The world-building is phenomenal here. Christian Fantasy is an often overlooked genre in my opinion. When done right, it can be beautiful. This was beautiful and I want a sequel.
I hope you get to read one of these novels and enjoy it. As always, feel free to leave me a message below.
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