Into the Fire

Oh stop the gasping! And the indignant scornful expressions. C’mon, settle down. After all we’re talking books here. Yes: as gifts. But it isn’t too soon to be pondering giving novels as Christmas gifts. Well it isn’t.

Most people know someone in the friends or family category who read. We’ll not be addressing those unimaginative or intellectual non-fiction readers. Huh-uh. Not here.

No, we’ll be making suggestions for those who love to either escape, be entertained, or experience the profound execution of evangelism within a well-written story. Ha! I know: who’s to say what’s “well-written” and what’s not? Well, me, of course. So there.

Let’s get started.

For those readers who prefer wisecracking first person lawyer-types venturing into the mystery/suspense genre, you simply must purchase James Scott Bell’s Tyler Buchanan Series. It’s just too good not to get someone new addicted to the trio of stories known as (in order) Try Dying, Try Darkness, and Try Fear. These novels can be gifts for the believer and unbeliever. The protagonist is not a believer, but the subtle influence of the love of God via a priest and a spunky nun give a reader the opportunity to consider God-issues. This is a terrific series and will make a great gift either individually or as a set.

Stunning writing and an amazing rendition of spiritual warfare and creation staged in such a way that this novel can be given to a believer or an unbeliever, I cannot leave out Demon . . . a memoir by Tosca Lee. For those who’ve pondered the Fall of Man, I can also recommend Tosca’s Havah, The Story of Eve. For me, it was a painful read, but some readers prefer it over Demon. (I do not.) However, both novels deserve much praise for excellent writing and reasonable and profound interpretations of high spiritual concepts.

Exquisite writing, a memoir-ish tale of an unlikely love story, The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson ranks high on my admittedly long list of favorite novels. If you have Catholics on your list of readers, this is an especially important and beautiful novel, but it would probably work for those unbelievers who are open to an amazing story which involves a real look at the grit and filth of life right along with the love for Jesus.

Without a doubt for those men who read thrillers, you can’t go wrong with any of Robert Liparulo’s books: Comes A Horseman, Germ, Deadfall, and its follow-up Deadlock. Women love these books, too, but if you’re looking for novels which will definitely appeal to men, these will all work. For those readers who are CSI-types, give them the Patrick Bower Series by Steven James starting with The Pawn followed by The Rook and The Knight. Creepy villains and an interesting Special Agent FBI protagonist.

To be continued . . .

Father, thank you for these gifted writers. May they all stay focused on what you have for them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.