Hello, everyone! Mary Jane here and I’m so excited to be talking about inspirational Christian fiction with you today. Christian fiction isn’t only my preferred reading genre, but what I write, too!
I’ve always been a voracious reader. From my earliest memories, books and I have been best friends. When I was about eight, my dad built a treehouse and it became my go-to reading spot. I read (and re-read) Charlotte’s Web, the Chronicles of Narnia, all the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries, and many more. I went to our city library every day after school and would curl up in a corner chair, a stack of books at my feet. We didn’t own a TV (and I still don’t) so as I grew into a teenager and then a young adult, reading was always my favorite way to spend my free time. I read everything: historical, non-fiction,
It wasn’t until I was a senior in college and volunteering at a crisis pregnancy clinic that another volunteer loaned me Christy. Now, even though I’d read all the classics that show virtuous behavior and have ‘morality tales’ like Elsie Dinsmore and Heidi and Polyanna, I’d never read anything like what we now call Christian fiction. I remember putting the book down and thinking, “I didn’t know there were books like this.”
Fast forward to 2009 when I read Bridget Jones’ Diary. It’s a very funny story that Helen Fielding based loosely on Pride and Prejudice. I liked the book, but I kept thinking how it really lost some of its sparkle with the immoral behavior and bad language. I was the head of Circulation at Whitman College Library at the time and, if you know much about circulation work, there’s a lot of time at the desk waiting for someone to need help. So, late in the fall I started writing Pride, Prejudice, and Cheese Grits. I’d never written anything before, not even a poem. I was a reader, but not a writer. I just felt a need to put a story out there into the world that shone a light on the beauty living a Christian life. I wanted readers to know that young, fun, educated people didn’t have to give up excitement and love when they chose to live a moral life.
Fast forward again to 2017. More than thirty books later under three pen names, I’ve discovered Jesus in a way I wouldn’t have without Christian fiction. Some people don’t find romance a safe way to explore God’s love for us, but I think that examining the way we love, fall in love, endure heartbreak, and make decisions in our love lives really does apply to the age old questions of faith. Where our treasures are, there are hearts will be, right? As Christians, we are especially sensitive to the danger in letting our hearts get in the way of our calling.
As a reader, I pray before I read because I know that God can and will use anything to speak His truth to me. I want to “hear” what God is trying to say to me in my life. As a writer, I pray even harder before I write because I know that readers are looking to hear God’s truth, too. Some days I feel like the responsibility is too much, and I don’t think I should be trying to put any kind of faith journey into my books. But then I think back to my days at the library and I remember the yearning to write a story that brings Jesus right onto the pages of a funny, heartfelt romance.
Do you remember your first Christian fiction book? What about a time when Christian fiction spoke to you in a real and powerful way?
Thanks for having me over on your blog, Valerie, and I hope everyone has a fantastic (and Christian fiction-filled) week!
Valerie here. Mary Jane’s most recent release is Autumn’s Majesty, part of the Arcadia Valley Romance multi-author series. Let’s give away ONE Kindle copy to one person who shops at amazon.com. Please comment by Saturday afternoon, and I’ll contact the winner before Sunday Edition!
Can the town busybody learn to keep a secret?
Vivacious Jamie Lawson has a lot in common with her first grade students. She’s bright, curious, energetic, has a big heart… and lacks any kind of filter. Her friends laugh about how she can’t help sharing what’s on her mind, but her mother warns her that trouble will find a woman who can’t hold her tongue.
The day Jamie accidentally breaks her best friend’s trust, she finally realizes that what is charming in a six year old, just isn’t as adorable in an adult. She vows that with God’s help, she’s going to listen more and talk less, especially around handsome Theo Delis. He’ll be helping her run the Lawson Family Blueberry Farm for the summer, and it will be the perfect time for Jamie to learn a little introspection. His serious, no-nonsense demeanor is the polar opposite of her gabby personality, and she’s sure he’ll be drawn to her new, aloof personality.
But as the heat of an Arcadia Valley summer settles in, Jamie discovers there’s more to wisdom than silence and more to love than mystery. When an old friend needs confidential support can Jamie finally learn to lead with her heart, and not her mouth?
A story of deep friendship, laughter, and learning to listen to grace.
Mary Jane Hathaway is an award-nominated writer of Christian fiction and a home schooling mom of six young children who rarely wear shoes. She holds degrees in Linguistics and Religious Studies from the University of Oregon and lives with her habanero-eating husband, Crusberto, who is her polar opposite in all things except faith. They’ve learned to speak in short-hand code and look forward to the day they can actually finish a sentence. In the meantime, Virginia thanks God for the laughter and abundance of hugs that fill her day as she plots her next book. She also writes under the pen name of Virginia Carmichael and loves to meet readers on her facebook page of Mary Jane Hathaway or at her personal blog, The Things That Last.
The first Christian novel I read was Esther by Angela Hunt. Since then I’ve been a huge fan of Biblical fiction, as well as many other subgenres in Christian fiction. Keep ’em coming!
Hi Valerie and Mary Jane. I am enjoying the Arcadia Valley books, so great to ‘meet’ you Mary Jane. Hmm, the first Christian book that I really remember reading would have to be Brock and Bodie Thoene’s Zion Series. My Mum was our Church librarian, and my Dad’s cousin was our school librarian, so I always had books to read. I remember reading the series just after starting high school and absolutely loving them. I am now a History teacher and often recommend them to my students. Francine River’s book, The Scarlet Thread, and “And the Shofar Blew” always speak to me in a powerful way and always cause me to reflect on my own relationships.
Blessings:)
I can honestly say it is through christian fiction I learned how to walk a closer walk with Jesus. When I came to Christ I had no role models to show me what the walk looked like but through the characters in books in addition to my bible reading I was able to grow in Christ. I don’t remember my first book, but a couple of my first authors were Janette Oke and Grace Livingston Hill.
Hi Valerie and our guest Mary Jane. The first Christian fiction I read was Christy by Catherine Marshal. As a teenager, I spent a lot of time at our local Christian book store. Every Sunday afternoon between church services was reading time. When I married, I donated all my Christian fiction books to the church library. While I have enjoyed reading many different Christian romances over the decades, I appreciate the talent and Biblical messages of the Inspy Romance writers. As a retired pastor’s wife, often say WOW and pausing to think.
I enjoy reading the Arcadia Valley romance series. Always a delightful read with one location (Arcadia Valley, Idaho) and a sustainable food motif, but six different approaches and writing styles. As a retired teacher, I like reading stories about teachers. Living in an agricultural community, I was delighted that Jamie helped run the Lawson Family Blueberry Farm in Autumn Majesty: Seasons of Faith. SW Michigan has many many blueberry farms. Best wishes and blessings in your writing and reading.
I remember reading Beverly Lewis and thinking what a wonderful writer. She incorporates faith into her books with such passion. I was hooked
I loved your post!!! I totally agree that Christian fiction can have a spiritual impact! I’ve never thought about praying before I read fiction, but what a great idea! Secrets by Robin Jones Gunn is the first Christian novel I remember reading and I’ve read it multiple times and, 20 years after reading it for the first time, that book is still affecting me.
Ahh, the city library and unlimited summer reading time..nostalgia for my childhood. Not a modem choice, but the first Christian fiction I recall reading was an old paperback of The Robe that I found on my Mom’s bookshelf.
My first “Christian” book to read was C.S. Lewis’s “The Screwtape Letters.” :-) I deliberately read a lot of Christian Romances, and themed books. I also wrote a book (Children/YA) book for the son of a friend (7 in June) called “The Man Who Was A Santa Claus (avail. on Amazon).” where the Christianity is there, but not “in your face.”
I believe that too many want the “in your face” form, and ignore the influence of everyday life. A life 5hat shows how people _quietly_ live as Christians. Although becoming a “Santa Claus,” as Joe does, is pretty obviously Christian. I now, when I have the health and time, am working on one or two books, where the Christianity is more central to the plot. (I’m in a Nursing Home, and fighting health problems from “Inconsistent care.”) Sigh. I look forward to reading your books.
I also agree that Christian fiction can have a spiritual impact! I wish I could remember what my first Christian fiction book was that I read, but I can’t. I do remember Dee Henderson, Irene Hannon and Lynette Eason being among the first authors.
Hmm, I think the first Christian fiction I read was the Zion series by Bodie and Brock Thoene. Then I found Lynn Austin’s books, realized there were more books like that out there, and promptly fell in love with Christian fiction! I was about 13 when I started reading Christian books; I had read all the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy books, and was running out of books to read in the young adult section of the library. While I enjoy some mainstream fiction, I always come back to Christian fiction as my go to books because I love being inspired by them and learning more about Jesus through fiction. :)
I’m pretty sure Christy was my first Christian fiction book. I remember I loved it and wished I could find more like it. I’m so thankful that today so many good Christian books are available. I recently read Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury and thought it was excellent. It showed so my different viewpoints of dealing with the aftereffects of abortion. It made for a thoughtful and illuminating read. I could relate to so many of the characters.
The idea of praying for God to show me something before reading fiction is a great idea. Sometimes I’m in the mood for a good mystery, sometimes I’m looking for something deep and thoughtful. Other times I just want something fun and humorous. But God can show up in all of them.
As a teen I read every book I could get my hands on by Grace Livingston Hill…still love her books. ? Now I have a long list of “fav” Christian authors. Mary Jane is a new author to me, but I loved her guest post and would be delighted to win a copy of her book. I will definitely check on her books!
As a teen, my first Christian book was Summer Promise (Christy Miller, #1) by Robin Jones Gunn. I’ve read the entire series as if it was the best thing I’ve ever found. It wasn’t until much later (decades) that I’ve discovered other Christian fiction authors. I’ve read and re-read Christy and her friends’ stories in the meantime and they all spoke to me during different times of my teen life as I grew up.
I’ve always been a voracious reader too. We had a book mobile that visited our neighborhood about a mile or so away from my house that I would visit. I’m thankful for Christian authors theses days.
(My youngest was home schooled and rarely wore shoes. When she went to college her anatomy and physiology professor was known as the barefoot professor. She was ecstatic!)
I think my first read was Grace LH! Love to read Christian fiction and have read 91 so far this year! I first met you on Seekerville (Virginia!) and have followed your writing journey and enjoyed several of your books. Also, love seeing you at Yankee BC and esp. pics of you lovely kids.
Blessings on your writing~~
I’ve read some great biblical fiction, too, that helped the Bible people to become real to me with their hopes and dreams, rather than simply a few facts.
Oh, wow, those are definitely strong books! The Zion series caused me some sleepless night more from anxiety than staying up too late reading! But I’m still glad I read them.
That means a lot, Robin. As an author, I definitely try to put my characters into situations where they have to walk out their faith. My favorite emails are from readers whose spiritual walks have been strengthened!
Thanks for the shout-out to our Inspy Romance authors! Glad to hear you read and loved Autumn’s Majesty, too. I sure felt for Jamie — I’ve put my foot in my mouth on too many occasions, myself!
I read a couple of her books a long time ago. Amish isn’t my favorite sub-genre (maybe because I grew up Mennonite?) but there are some very talented authors writing it.
I think my daughter read every single Robin Jones Gunn book! She loved them.
Oh! That book was my introduction to biblical fiction. That and then… Three from Galilee, I think it was called. Loved them.
Hi Walter! Welcome to Inspy Romance. The beauty of publishing today is that we can have a wide range in the depth of the Christian message in fiction and find readers. I know not all mine are the same: every character and every story are different, and some naturally hit deeper than others.
I wrote a Christmas romance called Merry Kisses where the hero is a mall Santa and the heroine is against all the commercialism of Christmas… and, in her eyes, Santa is the worst offender. It was an interesting story to write!
Here’s hoping your caregivers help get your health back on track!
Those are great authors, for sure!
Ah, yes, I remember the Nancy Drew days. I was also a Trixie Belden fan.
I love the inspiration of reading Christian fiction, too. It likely comprises 99% of my reading.
I truly love your last sentence: “But God can show up in all of them.” He can! Obedient, inspired writers can provide a thread of hope in nearly any genre.
Grace Livingston Hill! I read quite a few of those back in the day myself. You’ll enjoy Mary Jane’s books, I’m sure. Other than her Arcadia Valley books, my faves of hers are the Cane River series.
My daughter adored the Christy series, too!
I’m jealous of all the people who had bookmobiles! We didn’t even have a public library where I grew up!
Seekerville is where I first met Virginia too! And yes, her kids are the CUTEST. Also, that’s an impressive number of books. I haven’t kept track, but I’m sure you’ve got me doubled!
I’ve always enjoyed reading! Our first library trip in grade school I checked out Little House in the Big Woods. As a teenager my mother introduced me to Grace Livingston Hill. I think I eventually read everyone of her books. I saved them for my daughter but alas she wasn’t interested.
tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks so much for visiting today Virginia (aka Mary Jane)! Loving this new addition to our shared Arcadia Valley world.
Let’s see, first Christian fiction. Moody Press put out a few YA lines back in the sixties: Danny Orlis, the Sugar Creek Gang, some mysteries about a girl named Joy(?). Grace Livingston Hill. Later, Janette Oke. I’m trying to remember which was the first contemporary Christian romance I read, but coming up short!
I should look up GLH books again. I wonder what I’d think of them now? :)
Valerie – so fun to hear of someone else who was a Trixie Belden fan! I’ve got the whole series, and keep saying I’ll re-read them all some day :-)
It’s interesting, because I read a lot of mysteries back then, but I read very VERY few now. Maybe Trixie wasn’t all that scary! LOL
Hello, Mary Jane! I like that you pray before reading or writing, and this is something I need to do more often. I don’t remember the first Christian fiction book I read, but I recall reading Love Inspired Suspense line and then gradually finding more books that bring me closer to God, including the ones written by authors at this blog.
Valerie,
Thanks for introducing us to Mary Jane. It was a delight to read her post.
I can’t remember exactly which book was my first Christian fiction. It might have been Christy. I also remember reading, Three From Galilee. Sorry, I don’t remember who wrote it. It was intriguing to think about Biblical times and what Mary, and Joseph might have gone through.
I love books which weave the Christian message and principles throughout, making the characters Christian life real. However, I have a hard time when an author just plops in a reference or verse just to give it a Christian title. I know it must be a fine balance to be real and yet not pushy or preachy. My kudos go out to all who find a way.
Ahh, I adored Trixie Belden too – had halfway forgotten that, even though I know my niece is working through those now.
Drat, just noticed my Kindle must have auto-corrected “modern” to “modem” in my original comment. I’ll have to look for Three from Galilee – as I do still have a fondness for Biblical inspired fiction from time to time.
When I was young, a pastoral couple ran a bookstore at our church family camp every summer. I’d salivate over all the good books, and try and figure out how many I could afford. I tried to get them to let me buy one, read it, and then bring it back to exchange for another one :-) Some that I still have from those days are Sugar Creek Gang and Jungle Doctor books. As I grew older, I did read Grace Livingstone Hill. We were new missionaries in Hong Kong when Janette Oke started writing, and thankfully there was a missionary couple who ran a Christian bookstore and kept the English Christian fiction books well stocked. Every time we came back to the US on furlough, our suitcases going back would be half full of new books to read for the next term. One time some friends from California were coming to Hong Kong and asked what we’d like them to bring us. I sent a list of about 25 books, numbered in the order of priority. They brought everything on the list!! Anyway, enough reminiscing.
I do agree that there are a number of books that would be so much richer if the author had included Jesus!
There are quite a few writing biblical fiction these days! Also, I read “Autocorrect” fluently. Almost as well as I read “Typo,” though it’s a bit more difficult a language to learn. ;)
#TrixieBeldenFanClub…
Honestly, I hadn’t considered praying before reading, but praying before writing… I wouldn’t get far without it, I think. I’m such a pantser…
Another Three from Galilee reader!
It isn’t always easy to find that balance, for sure, and it’s made more interesting by the fact that every character is different, every situation is different, and so the spiritual arc is very different, too. But that’s part of the fun. I never know quite where the story will take me!
Love your story, Margaret! I read Love Comes Softly while visiting my missionary sister in Bolivia. Those books did get around.
I can’t remember what Christian fiction book I read first. I remember reading In His Steps and The Robe. I love Christian romance since I’ve always been a romance reader.
Yes, I’d forgotten about In His Steps!
The first Christian Fiction book I read was “Pilgrim’s Progress” by John Bunyan. I too, am a voracious reader and devour books as fast as I can get them. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
Oh, I read that one several times! My parents had a Junior Pilgrim’s Promise and then the regular version.
I forgot about The Robe, In His Steps, and nobody mentioned The Silver Chalice!
Oh, yes, I read that one, too! #memories
I remember reading “Abram, Son of Terah” when I was fairly young. The first author that I read voraciously was Grace Livingston Hill. Still love all of her books but read many, many authors today.
I’ve never read that one! I’ll look it up.
That’s a great series! And how lucky you were to be related to librarians!
I agree. Some of my biggest “steps” as a Christian on this journey have been through fiction!
We have a blueberry farm about ten miles from where live and it’s one of the highlights of our summer. The owner, Mr. Lampson, is the basis of the character Mr. Lawson. He’s a wonderful older gentleman who has devoted the last thirty years to his farm and is turning it over to his children.
A good book stats with you forever!
Oh, I haven’t seen the Abram one! I really should look up some GLH books and relive them. :)
She’s a wonderful author!
HI Walter! It’s funny about Christian themes and Christian non fiction and Christian preaching in novels… I’d read plenty of Christian non fiction when I was in high school (I went to a private Catholic school and lived in France for a while) but I never knew that there were books that had Christian themes without being overtly Christian. When I read C. S. Lewis’s books as a child, I didn’t see that it was an allegory at all! Then, as an adult, I saw it so clearly.
I think Christian themed books have a wonderful place in the world of fiction because they reach each reader exactly where they are.
Praying for your health right now. My kids and I live about a block from a nursing home and we go there weekly to sing for the residents. This week we’ve ;learned a whole bunch of songs from the forties and fifties. Last week was all sea shanties. So much fun!
I just read my first Lynette Eason book this year, but I’m a big Irene Hannon fan. :)
P.S. Did you know that in Russian, Wormwood is Chernobyl? Creepy coincidence I discovered while learning Russian.
I loved Trixie but I loved Cherry Ames more. Anybody? I was sure I wanted to be a nurse!!
And even if the author isn’t Christian, God can use anything and everything to His good. I always think about how God created, formed, and loves the author of the book I’m going to read.
I was looking at my list of favorite Christian authors from eight years ago and it was much smaller than it is now! As a reader, I’m so thrilled with how many great Christian books are coming onto the market!
I vaguely remember Cherry Ames. Three of my four older sisters were nurses, and I never wanted to be one. I don’t actually enjoy romances in hospital settings, either!
It really holds up to the test of time, doesn’t it??
I know! I can barely even begin to name all my fave authors now! Blessed with abundance.
Haha! It drives my husband crazy. He grew up in a place where there were scorpions and tarantulas so you did NOT walk around without shoes. But here… all the cushy carpet and soft grass is too tempting! I think we all avoid shoes from May through October.
Hi Jackie! I tell people that I would not be a published author today without Seekerville. But more than that, I would not be half the author I am without Seekerville. They were really my writing teachers.
One of my favorite series!! I just read the scene where their cabin is surrounded by howling wolves in winter to my kids, and I still got chills.
A friend gave us the Sugar Creek Gang series a few years ago. So fun!
And thanks for inviting me!
I think it’s a habit I picked up when I was in school (especially when I lived overseas) because I have dyslexia and reading textbooks could be very difficult. It’s easy to read 100 pages of fiction because missing a few things won’t break the story (usually!), but reading 100 pages of graduate level textbooks, or historical documents from the past was very difficult to retain it/ understand everything. Prayer helped keep me peaceful and focused.
I’ve never heard of it! So many good books here that I have to look up!
Oh, as a children’s librarian, I don’t think I could have resisted you! I’ve been known to buy children books when their parents won’t get them a library card. Some kids will sit and read in the library after school, but some only get a few minutes every day. It makes reading a whole book kind of hard. I just have a real soft spot for any child who wants to read!
I mainly read Christian fiction but I don’t remember for sure which book was the first one I read. At Home in Mitford was probably one of the early ones. I’m currently reading Christmas Treasures, which is part of Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer’s Cape Light series.
You’re getting a headstart on your Christmas reading!
I love when a book speaks to me and God whispers to my heart! It’s why I only read Christian fiction, I look for those little gems in the story. :-) Francine Rivers “Redeeming Love” was one such book that God really used to speak to my life and helped break some heavy chains that had me bound for years. Just recently I read “Sweetbrair Cottage” by Denise Hunter and God used that in a big way too. So cool when He does that! I’m sure there’s many more, but those two stand out more to me. I’m so glad there are authors out there who let the Lord shine through their books!
I love those whispers, too!
Irene Hannon was one of the first authors I really read a lot in Christian fiction. I love her strong message of faith. Another recent author I have enjoyed reading is Candace Calvert.
Ahh, Silver Chalice! That’s the other one I couldn’t think of.
Cherry Ames! Mom had saved one of those I read too. And picked up a few more at a charity sale a few years ago.
If you enjoy Candace Calvert, did you read the old Cherry Ames books mentioned above?
I loved the Zion series too! My husband and I, with our two young daughters, were in the Philippines for six months doing a short term mission stint. We lived in a community setting with other missos, with a library in the complex. I had the best time reading books I might not otherwise have come across back home in Australia.
Sounds like mission libraries are the best!
I’m pretty sure that the first Christian fiction book I read was with Christy, like you, or a Grace Livingston Hill book. Have you ever read Julie by Catherine Marshall? It’s so good! As a young girl I loved it even more than Christy.
No, I haven’t read that one! So many books, so little time… :)
The first Christian fiction books I’ve read was when I was a kid, the Three Cousins Detective Club series by Elspeth Campbell Murphy. That was really fun! I think every book I read speaks to me in different ways, sometimes just a sentence in the book gives me something to think about.
My kids really enjoyed those!
I’ve got all the Cherry Ames books too! So fun to find other fans :-)
nice timeline
I’ve picked up some of the free ones for Kindle, and they’re a nice change from some of the intense modern novels.
I wish I could remember the titles of the stories I actually remember… So many to dig through!
Thanks for coming by!
I love Christian fiction. There is always something to be learned. God always speaks to us in different ways and sometimes it is through the written word.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this wonderful book. God bless. Donna
I love when God speaks through fiction!
I love reading Christian fiction. The stories are wonderful but I also learn more about God. Even though the stories are fiction, I can see how God can work in my circumstances also. Thanks so much for providing wonderful messages with great storylines!
Hi Jenny! You’ve really nailed what I love about Christian fiction, too! Thanks for coming by.
I have always been an avid reader, and my choice is Christian fiction. I “cut my teeth” on Grace Livingston Hill books and have a complete collection of those. Now I have a large number of favorite Christian authors. Like you, books and I are best friends. Unfortunately, I have not read any of your books but will definitely look for some of them.
Looks like you’re in a lot of good company with other GLH readers!
I’m a huger threaders & love books based on bible times ,
Hi Mary Jane,
I don’t remember the first Christian novel I read, sorry, In my younger years though I always tried to stay with books that were clean reads. Now I struggle with those choices moreso. Thank you for sharing your reading memories. It made me go back to thinking about some of my own. :)