Christian Fiction Bloggers discussion
Books
>
1, 2, 3...Pick A Book For Me!
message 51:
by
Andrea
(new)
Oct 06, 2015 07:43PM
Hope you like it. I recently read A Refuge of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky. It was the finale of a trilogy, and I was sad to see it end, though really happy with how the final story turned out. Hope your experience is similar!
reply
|
flag
Mod
Yeah. I'm hoping to have time next summer to reread Carrie Turansky's Edwardian Brides series. So good!
Mod
Megan wrote: "I'm thinking of rereading a book, so which one should I reread:"I loved Short Straw Bride. Karen is a genius!!
Mod
Mod
I actually haven't read that one of Karen's. I should probably remedy that soon, since I've loved her other books. :)
Mod
I didn't know Karen did series. Should I read them in a particular order, when I get to them?
Mod
I would recommend they be read in order, I think you'll get more out of them that way. Here's the order they were released:
Short-Straw Bride
Stealing the Preacher
A Cowboy Unmatched
Each one focuses on an Archer brother's love story, but Short-Straw Bride really has two in it (though from what I remember the second one was more of a back story/secondary story).
Thanks, Megan! I jotted that down for when I get to her books in my tbr pile.
I could use some help choosing a book. I joined this group because others led me to books that had too much sex, violence and crudeness in them. I don't mind books that have a little bit of those aspects in them but not if it takes up most every page of the book. Books I have liked:Japanese Literature such as Yukio Mishima,Gail Tsukiyama the Samurai's Gardener is one of my favorites. It is about a gardener in Japan who turns out to be a real hero even though on the surface he seems to be a lowly gardener. Nobody knows that he has a major role in taking care of a leper colony.
Christian books I've liked are the Jan Karon Series and the Christie Miller series. I've also enjoyed the Narnia Series.
I don't care for Christian books that are what I call "pulp romances". Its okay if they are romances but for me, they need to have some intelligence to them. For example, the Jan Karon books are partly romances but the relationship very gradually develops and has a lot of meaning. The main focus of her books are the community and the romance is another part.
I hope someone can help me out!
Joanne
Have you tried suspense authors like Dee Henderson or Lynette Eason? Not sure if you're into suspense or not. Dee's O'Malley Chronicles is one of my favorite series of all time. And I've enjoyed all of the Eason books I've read to date.If you don't like suspense, what about historical? Some of my favorites who write historical Christian fiction novels are Julie Klassen, Carrie Turansky (try her Edwardian Brides series), Kim Vogel Sawyer, and Roseanna M. White.
For contemporary Christian fiction, I like Beth K. Vogt, Melissa Tagg, and Katie Ganshert.
Hope this list helps!
Andrea
Andrea wrote: "Have you tried suspense authors like Dee Henderson or Lynette Eason? Not sure if you're into suspense or not. Dee's O'Malley Chronicles is one of my favorite series of all time. And I've enjoyed al..."I do like suspense if it is done without violence etc. It seems like so many popular authors do it that way today! I will check out the ones you listed. Also, I like historical novels but not if they have a lot of romance in them. I liked Pillars of the Earth even though it had some violence in it. It was really well done. I really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks so much!
Andrea wrote: "Have you tried suspense authors like Dee Henderson or Lynette Eason? Not sure if you're into suspense or not. Dee's O'Malley Chronicles is one of my favorite series of all time. And I've enjoyed al..."I checked out these authors and they all seem to be romances of some kind. Can anybody recommend suspense novels that are not romances? Still, not violent etc.
I suppose this will be considered self promotion. Can't be helped. You might consider checking out my books.
Joanne wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Have you tried suspense authors like Dee Henderson or Lynette Eason? Not sure if you're into suspense or not. Dee's O'Malley Chronicles is one of my favorite series of all time. And ..."Lynette Eason is a romantic suspense writer, but the romance is secondary to the suspense. For me it is 80% suspense and 20% romance and not in your face at all. The same with Dee Henderson.
Terri Blackstock's is my favourite suspense writer
was my first suspense I enjoyed from her. The intervention series is also suspense without romance - more about the effects of addicts on their family. The books I have read from Terri was all suspense focussed and if there is romance the build up is over months/years.I would def say to try a sample of all of these writers before you write them off - they are some of the best suspense writers I have read.
Ronie Kendig as well.
Sarita wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Have you tried suspense authors like Dee Henderson or Lynette Eason? Not sure if you're into suspense or not. Dee's O'Malley Chronicles is one of my favorite series of..."Thanks Sarita! What you said is true. I just read one suspense/romance book Vendetta which was a buddy read. I enjoyed the suspense part but the romance part totally turned me off. I think that the turnoff for me was in the way it was written. There have been other suspense/romance books that I've liked in the past. If the romance is secondary to the plot, I may like it better. In the story I just read, I thought the romance part was corny at best. I can always try another writer as you said. Thanks!
Joanne wrote: "Sarita wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Have you tried suspense authors like Dee Henderson or Lynette Eason? Not sure if you're into suspense or not. Dee's O'Malley Chronicles is one of my fav..."Totally understand. I also don't like corny romance. With both Lynette Eason and Terri Blackstock I don't feel that irritation with the romance. Hope you find someone you like to read. I heard a lot about Ted Dekker and Steven James, but still need to read Steven James and only read 2 short stories from Ted Dekker - so can't comment on the violence detail but a lot of Christian readers love their books.
I'm a new author and I would appreciate a review of my book, The Living Stone by F L Carey. I don't want to sound like I'm pushing it, but I would like to have an honest opinion. It might help me decide if I should continue writing. Thanks.
F wrote: "I'm a new author and I would appreciate a review of my book, The Living Stone by F L Carey. I don't want to sound like I'm pushing it, but I would like to have an honest opinion. It might help me d..."You may want to consider offering a free copy to some people in return for a review. At Amazon Australia it's currently over $11 for your book, which is estimated at only about 126 pages. I would consider that pretty pricey, even for a five-star read.
Having said that, don't let other people's reviews determine whether or not you keep writing. If you want to write, then just keep honing your craft!
I had no idea that it was so expensive in Australia. I am learning, but I still need to decide if I want to continue.
F wrote: "I had no idea that it was so expensive in Australia. I am learning, but I still need to decide if I want to continue."I know what you mean about wondering whether or not to continue writing. I basically took the last year off, for several reasons including a new career shift that consumed a lot of the time I used to spend on my stories. I've been praying about it off and on all year, and story ideas have been slowly but surely trickling in over the last several months. I finally realized I was putting a ton of pressure on myself about my writing, which of course took all the fun out of it. Once I took a few steps back and let God have the reins, He's showing me that He isn't done with my writing skills yet. He wants me to exercise them, stretch them, hone them, use them. I'm getting my passion for writing back in a more steady way this time than ever before, and I'm excited to dive in for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) come Sunday.
All that being said, my advice would be to pray about it and see how God leads you. If He gave you the talent and skills for storytelling, there may be a reason why. Also, you may want to spend time thinking about why you write. Is it to change the world one book at a time, entertain people, tell the stories you wish were available to read, or some other reason? Find the reason behind your writing, and you just might find a renewed passion for the craft.
Hope you come to the decision that works best for you! Either way you decide, may you be incredibly blessed in your life journey.
My first book (What Will You Choose?) was written because I felt impressed by God to set forth the process that we need to go through before accepting Jesus as our personal Savior. I felt maybe it would be better to appeal to the entertainment side to get people to read it, while still making my point for God. Doesn't work unless people are willing to read. Still thinking and always praying. Thank you for your insight and best wishes.
Shae wrote: "Which book should I read next?!
"Buried Secrets sounds riveting!
Shae wrote: "Thanks Bess!!"No problem! Happy New Year!!
Mod
Melanie wrote: "Can't decide what to read next...help! :D"
looks interesting - go for that one!
Mod
Melanie wrote: "Thanks, Sarita!! I'll get started on it right now :)"Let me know how you liked it :-)
Amy wrote: "Which should i read? 
"Wow! They all look amazing! I'd pick
Sarita wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Can't decide what to read next...help! :D"[bookcover:Secret o..."
I really enjoyed Pembrooke. Hope you do too, Melanie!
Mod
Melanie wrote: "@Sarita, just wanted to let you know I loved The Secret of Pembrooke Park. Thanks for the pick! :)"Awesome! It looked interesting.
So glad you liked it, Melanie! Klassen is one of my fave authors.
Finally read the book that was chosen for me several months ago.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Not ready to have another one chosen, as I've already got some I'm reading right now.
Mod
Whenever you decide to read it, make sure you've carved out enough time to read the two sequels too. The third book comes out soon, I believe. I'm eager to read book two (and then three), but I've got others in line before it. Wondering if I can bump it up a little, but not sure that will work out, due to influencer and copyediting obligations.
Finished a few books and am ready for another. Which should I choose?
Mod
I'm going to vote with Melanie on this one!
Cactus Creek Challenge it is, then. Thanks, ladies!
Andrea wrote: "Cactus Creek Challenge it is, then. Thanks, ladies!":D
Let me know how it goes!!
Cactus Creek Challenge was very entertaining and kept me laughing throughout. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Which of these three should I read next?
Christian Fiction Bloggers
Books mentioned in this topic
The Deadly Shallows (other topics)The Deadly Shallows (other topics)
Sixty Acres and a Bride (other topics)
The Deadly Shallows (other topics)
To Write a Wrong (other topics)
More...
