Hello, readers! Listed below (in no particular order) are my favorite 5 authors and a review of each title.

As you’ll notice, I’ll don’t compare plots. Rather, I look at the style of writing and if the gospel is mentioned.

And, no, I don’t typically record my reactions to novels I’ve read! Since the summer of 2017, I started reading Christian romances to find comparable titles (novels similar to my novel). Literary agents want an idea of where my novel would be in the market.

If you’ll notice, not all the books are romances! I read Oxygen because it was quoted in a literary agent’s proposal guidelines and I was curious. Susan May Warren… Well, her book cover can’t be overlooked. And ALL her books have this profile pic of a mountain-guy. I resisted for a long time… but when I read the novel… WOW! I added her to my “Take her writing classes!” list!

Without further ado, my reviews:

 

#1) Kim Vogel Sawyer: Grace and the Preacher

(finished reading 8/1/2017)

• Beautiful ending!!! (Ahem, I won’t say WHAT in this review… But I will say it was unconventional and absolutely wonderful for a hopeless romantic like me!)
• Some gospel, forgiveness and God. But predictable plot.
• Vocabulary is astounding! (Western, horses, etc)
• Satisfying and realistic when hero confesses the truth (and he initiated it).

 

#2) Denise Hunter: Sweetbriar Cottage

(finished reading 8/13/2017; technically 8/14/2017 at 2:15am)

• GOSPEL!
• GREAT WRITING!
• Descriptions are awesome!
• Mentions the cross and God cares.
• Beautiful ending and epilogue, surprising and complete.

 

#3) Susan May Warren: Rescue Me

(finished reading 4/4/2018)

• Exciting!!!
• Very romantic.
• Gospel not as clear, though. (Awesome writing takes the cake!)

#4) Randy Ingermanson: Oxygen

(finished reading 2/28/2018)

• Suspenseful and sweet.
• Biblical truth about God, some gospel.

#5) Cynthia Ruchti: A Fragile Hope

(finished reading 5/31/2018)

• Mature!
• Gospel! “On the night he was betrayed.” Jesus is Lord. “I thought that is why you sign your books ‘JC’.” Bible verses, etc.
• A story about grief… well-written (lots of metaphors, though).
• Hospital scenes were very real, taken from real life no doubt.

 

BONUS!

Two more authors! These didn’t make the cut (on my list of comparable titles) because it’s either missing A) romance or B) the gospel. But the writing is awesome and awesome writing is something I want to model!

 

#6) Karen Ball: What Lies Within

(finished reading 6/7/2018)

•  Gospel!
• But this is a suspense, like Susan May Warren’s. Except Karen’s writing it better, more polished, an excellent writer, obviously still honing the craft.
• Does she write romance???

#7) Betsy St. Amant: Love Takes the Cake

(from “To Have and to Hold” Three Autumn Love Stories) (finished reading 4/25/2018)

• FUN read!
• Page-turner (like Denise Hunter!)
• “Laugh-out-loud” moments!
• No gospel… but I’d read another one!

What are YOUR recommended novels? I’d love to add to my “to-read” list!

 

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