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| HOME | WESTERN | CRIME and MYSTERY | ROMANCE | CHRISTIAN Author: A through M | N through Z | SCI-FI | FANTASY | HORROR |
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| Oke, Janette | A Gown of Spanish Lace |
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Publication Date |
1995 |
| Number of Pages | 251 |
| Geographical Setting | Western American Frontier |
| Time Period | About 1870 |
| Series | Women of the West |
| Plot Summary | Orphaned as a small child, Ariana Benson is now a young and dedicated school teacher who is suddenly kidnapped by roving bandits. Sustained through her ordeal by faith and courage, she meets the bandit leader's young son, Laramie, who yearns for a faith of his own. Admiring and falling in love with Ariana, he helps her make an escape to home. Laramie finds forgiveness and redemption for himself and, together with Ariana, works toward a renewed life and future marriage. Past and previously unknown family histories, however, may put their heartfelt beliefs to their most difficult test yet. |
| Appeal | Upright blend of Christian and traditional western. Fast paced storyline. Wholesome main characters, with some positive points to be found in all. |
| Reviewer/Date | Martin E. Delgado 7/12/00 |
| Oke, Janette | The Tender Years |
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Publication Date |
1997 |
| Number of Pages | 270 |
| Geographical Setting | The prairie lands of the United States’ Middle West |
| Time Period | early 20th century |
| Series | The Prairie Legacy series: A Searching Heart; A Quiet Strength; Like Gold Refined |
| Plot Summary | Just
entering her fragile teenage years, Virginia Simpson is torn
between following the rules and beliefs of her family, and wanting
to be a part of the “in-group,” led by the rebellious, unconventional Jenny. Then one day, a terrible accident occurs, and Virginia must pick up the broken pieces of her life and come to terms with her friendship with Jenny. While reshaping and mending her relationships and her morals, Virginia also strives to prove the innocence of simple Rett Marshall, who is accused of crimes she cannot believe he would commit. She is joined in this venture by Jamison, a young Christian who helps Virginia find strength and goodness within herself and within others. |
| Appeal | Gentle read focusing on women’s relationships and the coming of age of a young woman. A pure and wholesome story about faith, family values, and Christian morals. Middle West, prairie-land setting and mentality. |
| Notes | The Prairie Legacy series focuses on the grandchildren of the characters from Oke’s Love Comes Softly series. |
| Reviewer/Date | Mary Pezzetti 7/10/00 |
| Peretti, Frank | The Visitation |
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Publication Date |
1999 |
| Number of Pages | 519 |
| Geographical Setting | Antioch, a small wheat town in Washington |
| Time Period | 1990's |
| Plot Summary | After his wife's death, former pastor Travis Jordan has found it hard to hold on to his zeal for God. His faith is put to the test when strange, supernatural phenomena begin happening in his small hometown of Antioch. Are these the works of God or is something evil taking hold of Antioch? Despite Travis' reluctance to become involved, he is the only one who holds the key to solve this mystery. |
| Appeal | Suspenseful book dealing with spiritual matters. |
| Notes | Christian themes. Violence. Point of view moves back and forth from 1st to 3rd person. |
| Reviewer/Date | Sarah R. Comfort 7/13/00 |
| Peretti, Frank | This Present Darkness |
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Publication Date |
1986 |
| Number of Pages | 376 |
| Geographical Setting | City of Ashton, USA |
| Time Period | 1980s |
| Series | Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti |
| Plot Summary | Ashton appears to be a typical small American town, but suspicious Marshall Hogan, editor of the local newspaper, and Hank Busche, a praying Christian pastor, begin to notice strange things happening to the townspeople and their businesses. Hogan and Busche eventually find themselves in danger and discover that a New Age conspiracy is brooding to take over the Whitmore College campus, and afterward, the whole town of Ashton. As wealthy Alexander Kaseph assisted by college professor Langstrat seek to establish a “New World Order” on earth, invisible battles between The Heavenly Host and Satan’s demons commence in the spiritual realm. |
| Appeal | Action-packed Christian fantasy thriller with suspenseful story telling. Mysterious battle of good vs. evil, which takes place in two different “realms.” Intense descriptions of spiritual warfare involving angels and demons. |
| Notes | Christian themes. Moderate violence. Demon possession and exorcisms. New Age philosophies, witchcraft and holistic education. |
| Reviewer/Date | Juliana Punt 7/13/00 |
| Peretti, Frank | This Present Darkness |
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Publication Date |
1986 |
| Number of Pages | 376 |
| Geographical Setting | The small college town of Ashton, USA |
| Time Period | 1980's |
| Series | Sequel is Piercing the Darkness |
| Plot Summary | A gathering of heavenly hosts and scheming demons battle over the small town of Ashton as its occupants are forced to take sides. As the forces of evil wreak their havoc by hypnotizing and possessing the towns people, the Christians start to prepare for battle. As the spirits of darkness take control, Hank Busche, a Protestant pastor, and Marshall Hogan, the new owner of the local newspaper,slowly begin to unravel what is happening. They discover that the sources of evil have been literally buying out the town, the property and the people. Marshall's daughter has even been drawn to the other side. Marshall realizes that the invisible battle is real. Now he and Hank must convince the town that what is invisible to the eye, but felt in the soul, is real and dangerous. |
| Appeal | Christian Thriller. Supernatural phenomenon. Power of good over evil. Battle of the souls. |
| Notes | Frightening
imagery such as demon possession, involves Christian religious beliefs. |
| Reviewer/Date | Kristina Wetherbee 07-08-2000 |
| Rivers, Francine | Leota's Garden |
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Publication Date |
1999 |
| Number of Pages | 423 |
| Geographical Setting | Northern California - San Francisco, Oakland and surrounding areas |
| Time Period | Late 1990's |
| Plot Summary | Leota Reinhardt's beautiful garden has been a source of emotional sustenance and a place of both joy and sorrow for most of her life. Now, at 84, her desire to live has withered in much the same way as her garden. The surprise visit of her young granddaughter, Annie Gardner, and the slowly developing friendship and respect of Corban Solsek, an information-seeking sociology student and volunteer, stir up her life, her garden, and her memories. Unresolved issues with her emotionally distant son and daughter, the revelation of hidden secrets, and a shocking event in a hospital change lives and call heavily on Annie's faith in God. |
| Appeal | Leota's conversations with God; Annie's youthful faith and positive actions; strongly-developed characters; multi-generational and multi-ethnic views and characters; engrossing story; thought-provoking. |
| Notes | Judgmental statements about Feminists, Lesbians, and females not conforming to fundamentalist Christian standards; disparaging remarks about African-American names and Ebonics (from the elderly main character's old-fashioned viewpoint). |
| Reviewer/Date | Patricia S. Harrison July 13, 2000 |
| Rivers, Francine | Voice in the Wind |
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Publication Date |
1993 |
| Number of Pages | 515 |
| Geographical Setting | Jerusalem, Rome, Ephesus |
| Time Period | 70 A.D. |
| Series | Mark of the Lion |
| Plot Summary | The story of Hadassah, a young Christian convert enslaved by Roman forces who have captured Jerusalem. Transported to Rome, Hadassah is bought by a Roman aristocratic family that includes the handsome Marcus and his spoiled sister, Julia, who have both succumbed to the decadent lifestyle of Rome. Hadassah resolves to remain true to her faith in spite of her growing love for Marcus. She prays for the courage to act as a witness for Christ, even though her beliefs, if made known, could mean her death. |
| Appeal | Fast paced historical fiction. Strong heroine exemplifies the Christian faith. Romance, adventure, and intrigue. |
| Notes | Depicts homosexuality and some scenes of graphic violence. |
| Reviewer/Date | Kara Nielsen 7/13/00 |
| Thoene, Bodie and Brock | Of Men and of Angels |
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Publication Date |
1998 |
| Number of Pages | 297 |
| Geographical Setting | Pre-famine, rural Ireland |
| Time Period | 1843 |
| Series | Galway Chronicles: #1) Only the River Runs Free; #3) Ashes of Remembrance; #4) All Rivers to the Sea |
| Similar Authors/Titles | Bodie and Brock Thoene/Zion Chronicles series |
| Plot Summary | The second volume in the Galway Chronicles series, this book continues the saga of Squire Joseph Connor Burke and the villagers of Ballynockanor, in County Galway. Joseph struggles with the growing political unrest between the tenant farmers and the British government, and becomes a leader of the Repeal Movement--all while raising the infant son of the deceased sister of his longtime love, Kate Donovan. As the villagers suffer through personal and political trials and tribulations, including a smallpox epidemic, their faith in Christ allows them to conquer their despair, and to continue their struggle against the unjust rule of the British government. |
| Appeal | Historical romantic adventure. Religious romance. 19th Century Irish setting/Political strife. |
| Notes | Highly engaging and spiritually eccentric secondary characters. First volume in the series (Only the River Runs Free) won the Gold Medallion award. Some physical violence. Religious attitudes are not heavy handed. |
| Reviewer/Date | Pamela Richards 7/13/00 |
| Theone, Bodie & Brock (pronounced Tay'nee) | Shiloh Autumn |
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Publication Date |
1996 |
| Number of Pages | 470 |
| Geographical Setting | Shiloh, Arkansas |
| Time Period | The Great Depression era 1931 |
| Series | Shiloh Legacy Series: 1) In My Father’s House, 2) A Thousand Shall Fall, 3) Say to this Mountain, 4) Shiloh Autumn |
| Plot Summary | Based on a real story from the Great Depression, this tale revolves around the Tuckers – Trudy, Birch, Tom, and Bobby-- a family of cotton farmers in Shiloh Arkansas. When cotton prices drop leaving the family with no money, Birch goes to Washington D.C. along with other veterans of World War I to ask for money that was promised to them. The “Bonus March” fails and the veterans are forced out of the city. Meanwhile, Trudy and the boys are home struggling to save their farm from the railroad that’s threatening to drive the Tuckers from their home. |
| Appeal | Conversion narrative – inspiring story of faith. Great Depression era. Authentic portrayal of the times. Survival of the human spirit. |
| Notes | Describes the Bonus Expeditionary Force (BEF) and the Bonus March on Washington D.C. in 1932. President Hoover is campaigning against Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Discussion of Polio. |
| Reviewer/Date | Joanne Gen 6/22/00 |
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