Christian fiction and non-fiction books
These are the 7 best books that I read in 2021 listed in alphabetical order. Most of them are fiction books, though even the non-fiction ones read progressively like a story. Genres include mystery, fantasy, romance and Christian living. They’re all clean and have a Christian theme. They are available electronically on Kindle or as e-books. Under each, I’ve included a short personal review, the official book description and download links.
Creator's Call: A Christian Fantasy Novel
by Costas Ioannou
This is a brilliant Christian fantasy book with plot twists and suspense. The gospel message is weaved in throughout and demonstrated through the characters and supernatural elements in the fantasy world. Although fantasy novels aren’t a genre I often read, Creator’s Call drew me in from the start and I couldn’t put it down! It’s an enjoyable and intriguing read with many interesting characters the protagonists meet along the way. I definitely recommend it!
Book description: Eighteen-year-old Edward has been raised with tales of distant lands where dragons and other strange beasts dwell. He dreams of one day joining the Keepers, who fight against them to keep the land safe; however, life’s obstacles keep him firmly rooted in the small town of Cadestone.When seventeen-year-old June comes passing through, following a dream given to her by the Creator of the universe, Edward’s life is about to change. Pursued by a demon-possessed man, the two of them are forced to flee to areas where dragons and monsters are not just tales but reality.
June and Edward eventually discover what the demons want from them. Is it possible to defeat this evil and save everyone from the darkness that threatens their lands?- The Christian faith weaved into a fantasy adventure
Available on Amazon.com and Amazon UK. Also on Kindle Unlimited (as at January 2022).
Diary of a (Trying to be Holy) Mum
by Fiona Lloyd
The young mum version of Adrian Plass. Absolutely hilarious with very real mum moments! Also filled with great reminders that as we bumble through the ups and downs of everyday family life, Jesus meets us where we are! I’ll definitely be rereading this!Book description: Meet Becky Hudson. Loving wife to Dave, devoted mother to Jennifer (9), Adam (5) and Ellie (2) – and queen of self-doubt. If only she tried harder, Becky reasons, she could be a ‘proper‘ Christian and mother!
But is this the way it’s meant to be?
As Becky’s diary records her daily ‘fails’, it also reveals how
God meets and affirms her in the marvellous muddle that motherhood can be as she tries to balance faith, fears and family life!
Available on Amazon.com and Amazon UK.
Drew Farthering Mysteries (6-book series)
by Julianna Deering
What can I say that does this series justice? It is everything I’ve ever wished for in a cosy fiction book all tied up in one! Murder mysteries set in the golden age of British detectives (Poirot fan here!), romance, witty dialogue and Christian faith all come together to make up these delightful books. I am currently on book 4 out of 6.Book description of Book 1, Rules of Murder: Downton Abbey Meets Agatha Christie in This Sparkling Mystery.
Introducing Drew Farthering. From the tip of his black Homburg hat to the crease in his cheviot trousers, he's the epitome of a stylish 1930s English gentleman. His only problem? The body he just discovered.
Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. With the help of beautiful and whip-smart Madeline Parker, a guest from America, Drew proposes to use the lessons he's learned reading his mysteries to solve the crime. Before long, he realizes this is no lark, and no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be -- not the blackmailer, not the adulterer, not the embezzler and not even Drew himself. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer -- and trying harder to impress Madeline -- Drew must decide how far to take this dangerous game.
Available on Amazon.com and Amazon UK. 5 out of 6 books available on Kindle Unlimited (as at January 2022).
Book description: Dana K. White started ASlobComesClean.com in 2009 in a desperate attempt to get her home under control. She had no idea where her deslobification journey would lead, both in her home and in her spiritual life. This is the story of how God worked in her life to show her that He was more concerned with her heart than her home.
This is a non-fiction book and is available as a free e-book here.
Phoebe's Mysteries (3-book series)
This is a lovely historical fiction series set in American in the 1840s with the perfect dose of mystery, romance, humour and spiritual truths. I enjoyed every moment of the books and couldn’t put them down! They are each of a substantial length and the plot is engaging throughout. I’m very much looking forward to the next one.
Available on Amazon.com and Amazon UK. 5 out of 6 books available on Kindle Unlimited (as at January 2022).
Giving God the Worst of Me
by Dana K. White
A brilliant book for women struggling with having purpose, running a home, and not feeling good enough (anyone got all those sorted?!). It’s a personal account of introspection through the author’s struggle to get her home under control, which ultimately leads to surrender to God in the deeper areas of the heart. It’s thoroughly engaging, very entertaining and real! The honesty of Dana’s journey really spoke to me. Favourite quote from the book: “I saw that purpose isn’t something for me to find. It’s something for me to accept.”Book description: Dana K. White started ASlobComesClean.com in 2009 in a desperate attempt to get her home under control. She had no idea where her deslobification journey would lead, both in her home and in her spiritual life. This is the story of how God worked in her life to show her that He was more concerned with her heart than her home.
This is a non-fiction book and is available as a free e-book here.
Phoebe's Mysteries (3-book series)
by Sydney Tooman Betts
This is a lovely historical fiction series set in American in the 1840s with the perfect dose of mystery, romance, humour and spiritual truths. I enjoyed every moment of the books and couldn’t put them down! They are each of a substantial length and the plot is engaging throughout. I’m very much looking forward to the next one.Book description form Book 1, Phoebe's Secret: In April of 1843, Phoebe’s family hears about a murder while they are traveling to their new home in the Shenandoah Valley. They arrive to learn the victim attended her father's new church and the crime took place on a leading church member’s plantation. Eager to make new friends, Phoebe forms a unique relationship that propels her into the middle of the mystery, and she begins to question several acquaintances’ motives. Will she uncover their secrets before the plantation owner’s charming son discovers hers?
Available on Amazon.com and Amazon UK. Also on Kindle Unlimited (as at January 2022).
Walking Back to Happiness: Rebuilding a Marriage, One Step at a Time
by Penelope Swithinbank
I really enjoyed this non-fiction book. It’s a combination of travel writing and Christian nuggets of wisdom. It’s filled with beautiful descriptions of the French countryside and humorous accounts of the interesting people and situations they meet along the way. It also includes some very profound thoughts on marriage and the broader Christian life, which were refreshing.Book description: Two vicars, their marriage in tatters with wounds reaching far back into the past, set out on a journey to find healing and restoration. Their route will take them from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, but will it help them find their way home? Along the 320-mile route across rural France, burdened by backpacks and blisters, Kim and Penelope stumble across fresh truths, some ordinary, others extraordinary. But will they be defeated by the road ahead or triumph over the pain of the past? Is there a chance they'll find themselves in France and walk back to happiness? In this simple but enchanting book, part travelogue and part pilgrimage, Penelope invites you to walk with her and her husband on their epic journey as they encounter new faces and new experiences, and reconnect with each other and with God. Every step of the way, you'll discover more about yourself and what's really important to you.
Available on Amazon.com and Amazon UK. Also on Kindle Unlimited (as at January 2022).
The Worst Detective Ever (10-book series)
by Christy Barritt
Lighthearted, entertaining cosy mysteries with clean romance and hilarious mishaps. Each book is a stand-alone story but the series has ongoing minor underlying plots running throughout, so best read in order. If you're familiar with other Christy Barritt books, I should add that this series doesn't include the deep, thought-provoking faith elements you'd find in her other protagonists. It is a funny, clean read for lazy afternoons and escapism!Book description from Book 1, Ready to Fumble:
I'm not really a private detective. I just play one on TV.
Joey Darling, better known to the world as Raven Remington, detective extraordinaire, is trying to separate herself from her invincible alter ego. She played the spunky character for five years on the hit TV show Relentless, which catapulted her to fame and into the role of Hollywood’s sweetheart.
When her marriage falls apart, her finances dwindle to nothing, and her father disappears, Joey finds herself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, trying to piece her life back together away from the limelight. A woman finds Raven—er, Joey—and insists on hiring her fictional counterpart to find a missing boyfriend. When someone begins staging crime scenes to match an episode of Relentless, Joey has no choice but to get involved.
Joey’s bumbling sleuthing abilities have her butting heads with Detective Jackson Sullivan and kindling sparks with thrill-seeking neighbor Zane Oakley. Can Joey channel her inner Raven and unearth whodunit before she ends up totally done in? And where is her father anyway? Can she handle fame, or is disappearing into obscurity the wiser option?
Joey Darling, better known to the world as Raven Remington, detective extraordinaire, is trying to separate herself from her invincible alter ego. She played the spunky character for five years on the hit TV show Relentless, which catapulted her to fame and into the role of Hollywood’s sweetheart.
When her marriage falls apart, her finances dwindle to nothing, and her father disappears, Joey finds herself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, trying to piece her life back together away from the limelight. A woman finds Raven—er, Joey—and insists on hiring her fictional counterpart to find a missing boyfriend. When someone begins staging crime scenes to match an episode of Relentless, Joey has no choice but to get involved.
Joey’s bumbling sleuthing abilities have her butting heads with Detective Jackson Sullivan and kindling sparks with thrill-seeking neighbor Zane Oakley. Can Joey channel her inner Raven and unearth whodunit before she ends up totally done in? And where is her father anyway? Can she handle fame, or is disappearing into obscurity the wiser option?
Available on Amazon.com and Amazon UK. Also on Kindle Unlimited (as at January 2022).