Inspirational fiction has been one of my favorite genres for most of my adult life. I greatly appreciate inspirational authors who are dedicated to writing fictional works for Christian people. I enjoy stories of Christian people facing challenges that test their faith, and how this faith comforts them through these circumstances. These characters have traditional religious values, but also have moral imperfections. Inspirational novels do not necessarily have fairy tale endings, but they end on an optimistic note. I would like to focus on my three personal favorite types of inspirational authors which are Amish Fiction authors, realistic fiction authors, and Biblical fiction authors.
Amish Fiction
I discovered the very first inspirational book that I ever read by accident. I happened to notice a book display of inspirational author Beverly Lewis’s Heritage of Lancaster series in the library where I once worked. I was immediately interested in this series because it was a story of Amish characters. I have always been curious about these elusive Amish people whom I have actually seen from a distance. I learned so many interesting things about their culture after reading the series about a young woman who learns that she is not Amish by lineage. I learned even more about the Amish culture a few years later when I read Beverly Lewis’s later five-part series entitled Abram’s Daughters, which includes The Covenant, The Betrayal, The Sacrifice, The Prodigal, and The Revelation. The series chronicles four courting-age Amish girls and the decisions that they have to make during their Rumschpringe years, which is when Amish teenagers can sow their wild oats. I cannot not read enough of this inspirational subgenre. I not only learn about the Amish culture, but I also appreciate their Little House on the Prairie ambience. Inspirational Amish fiction and the Little House on the Prairie Series both emphasize the value of the simple lifestyle, nuclear family, and church attendance.
Realistic Fiction
I also learned about the inspirational author Francine Rivers by happenstance. I was perusing the professional journal Publishers Weekly and noticed the title, Redeeming Love. This story is a 19th-century retelling of the story of the Old Testament Prophet Hosea, who married a prostitute by the name of Gomer. This story was candid about the dark circumstances of life, such as human trafficking. The difference between this story and secular books about dark circumstances is that the ending was hopeful. The female character in this book committed many transgressions, but her husband’s forgiveness healed her. My interest in this author led me to read another book entitled The Atonement Child. This story is about a young woman named Dynah who became pregnant through a violent act. She faces pressure from her parents, anti-abortion fiancé, and college. Dynah’s faith is severely tested as she is determined to make this heartrending decision without the interference and pressure from others. I enjoy Francine Rivers' realistic approach in tackling the dark and taboo circumstances that people of faith experience.
Biblical Fiction
I have always especially enjoyed reading the Old Testament history books of the Bible such as Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, and II Kings. I like the stories of the Old Testament Bible personages, so I was happy to learn about the existence of adult Bible stories. I am curious about these Bible characters, so I enjoy the fictional retellings of their lives. One of my favorite biblical fiction authors is Jill Eileen Smith. She created life stories about the female personages Rahab from the Book of Joshua, Deborah (Judges), Ruth, and Hannah (I Samuel). This series is entitled Daughters of the Promised Land. I have always been fascinated with Rahab. She has a checkered past, but the New Testament Book of Matthew mentions her in Christ’s lineage. Deborah was the first female mentioned in the Bible who held a leadership position. Ruth has a Bible book named after her. She was a Moabite who is also mentioned in Christ’s lineage. Hannah’s story is told in the first book of Samuel, and she was the mother of the last Judge in Israel. Jill Eileen Smith’s four-part series, which includes The Crimson Cord, The Prophetess, Redeeming Grace, and Passionate Hope, retells enjoyable stories of these women.
If you also enjoy inspirational fiction, we would love to hear your reasons why you like this genre, and we would like to know your personal favorite inspirational authors and books.
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