Into the Fire

Conspicuously absent from my recommendations are historicals and fantasy novels. I’m a contemporary writer and reader. So you’re on your own for those genres. Let’s wrap this up today. Shopping for books is easy if you know what you’re looking for or if you have someone who understands your taste in reading. I’m hoping you gained some new ideas for gift buying because books make great presents.

Legal suspense for either/or.

Directed Verdict, Irreparable Harm, Dying Declaration, Self-Incrimination, The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney by Randy Singer (Well written with plenty of investigations and legal drama. These are my favorites of Randy’s novels with a special nod for The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney.)

The List, The Trial by Robert Whitlow (Robert writes some great stories with provocative characters.)

The “literary” category varies so much according to one’s definition of it. A few of the novels in other categories could easily be listed here, but these excel in the assembling of words and meaningful metaphors and deserve acknowledgement for their really good writing.

In All Deep Places, A Seahorse in the Thames, [The Shape of Mercy] by Susan Meissner (Susan is a wordsmith and she writes pretty prose with deep meaning. The Shape of Mercy is set apart because I haven’t read it yet, but I’ve heard it is nothing short of sensational.)

Dogwood by Chris Fabry (This is really a beautiful novel. Great writing.)

Winter Haven by Athol Dickson (The man is known for his lovely prose. Fascinating tale, too.)

The next to last “category” I’m calling “quirky but well written”, and there are only two novels to list here.

My Name Is Russell Fink by Michael Snyder (I’ve reviewed it here if you want to check it out.)

Danny Gospel by David Athey (I’ve reviewed this one here, too.)

Okay. We’re at the end of the recommended reading, and our final category is “odds and ends”—in other words, worthy of mentioning but not easy to categorize.

The Heir by Paul Robertson (Unique story and protagonist. Well written.)

Could I Have This Dance?, The Chairman, Perfect by Dr. Harry Kraus (Very well written, rich in so many ways. Harry’s a fabulous writer.)

If I Gained the World by Linda Nichols (An older novel by Linda but a good one.)

Wind River by Tom Morrisey (This is not my favorite of Tom’s, but he’s such a good writer, I couldn’t leave it out.)

To conclude, if you like good mysteries, I should mention Dee Henderson’s novels. She wrote the O’Malley series and a military series, all of which are good stories and worth noting.

Anyway, we’re done. I think. For now.

God, all I can say is thank you for these wonderful writers and for the pleasure of reading words. Your word is the most life-giving, but you’ve clearly given your people the ability to use words to relay your love, your salvation, and to reveal so much of who you are. Continue to bless writers and give them stories to tell. Use their words to bring people into your kingdom. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.