Who are the people who have left a lasting impression on you? As I reflect upon my life, there are several who have touched me in profound ways. One is my aunt Patricia who spent a week with me when I was ten, teaching me how to ride a bike. Two others are my maternal grandparents, whom I called Wai Gong and Wai Puo. They adopted my mom as a teenager and welcomed her and eventually my dad, my sister, and me into their warm and loving family. I am forever grateful to the Lord for the ways these three people impacted my life.
When it comes to my reading and writing journey, I can also think of three people who have left a lasting impression on me. Let me share these CCR authors with you.
First of all, the author who introduced me to CCR was Francine Rivers. I remember falling in love with her poetic writing style when I read Redeeming Love many years ago. She was the person who made me realize the power and beauty of the written word. I know I can’t emulate her voice, and I wouldn’t want to, but she inspired me to find my own way of storytelling.
Second, I learned so much from author Dee Henderson about the effectiveness of writing a series. I basically devoured all six books in The O’Malley series like they were delicious pieces of cheesecake. She sold me on the idea of writing sibling stories, which helped spark (pun intended) my Spark Brothers series.
Third, the author who gave me the confidence to “write what I know” was Camy Tang. It was such an eye-opening experience for me to read her Sushi series and to see a whole cast of characters who are Asian. She really gave me the courage and boldness to include my Chinese heritage in several of my stories.
These are the three CCR authors who have left strong, lasting impressions on me with the books they’ve written. I’m sure you have authors in your life who have made an impact on you, too. Please comment below and tell me who they are!
Giveaway: I’d like to give away a $5 Amazon gift card. One winner will be randomly chosen from the comments below. The giveaway will remain open until midnight on Wednesday, May 4th.
A chauffeur and referee by day (AKA a stay at home mom of two), Liwen Y. Ho writes inspirational and sweet romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).
Loved Dee Henderson ‘s O’Malley series! My favourite Francine Rivers’ was The Atonement Child. Oh my. Read them back in the day when I was first discovering there was such a thing as CCR and CRS.
I am so thankful for the many Godly authors and wholesome books I have discovered since.
I missed out on meeting Camy by a day she came to a readers retreat that was planned around my trip to the states. I couldn’t get there til the Sunday and she had to go Saturday night.
For me it is a couple of Historical writers. Janette Oke’s When Calls The Heart got me back into reading. Gilbert Morris became a favourite with his historical books. There was so much history and facts that made them even better. I also enjoyed his mystery books.
Robin Jones Gunn would be another who impacted me. I read Sisterchicks do the hula and I had to go to Hawaii. I laughed so hard in Sisterchicks downunder some of the things I had done or witnessed (Like American’s tasting vegemite for the first time).
But so many authors have had an impact.
Nanette Oke introduced me to CCR and I still have her book sets in my book case.
Marion Ueckerman grew up in the town where my youngest son was born and we attended a Bible Study led by her brother, so I guess, for me, I knew that her faith was authentic.
Then, I just love Jessie Gussman The way she weaves her faith and her sense of humour into her books just seems to flow so naturally.
Happy Friday Liwen! For this retiree, as a teen Christy by Katherine Marshall or Grace Livingston Hill were my first CCR authors. When I retired a decade ago, I read a Farm Fresh romance in a boxed set by Valerie Comer and became aware of this blog site. Marion Ueckermann (RIP – difficult to believe it has been 11 months since she passed from Covid) had an impact with her international setting CCRs. As a retired high school literature teacher and for our local book club, I read a variety of genre. I also enjoy cozy mysteries and historical romance. Best wishes and Happy Reading and Writing.
Jane Peart was the first CF author I read, I think, then Jeannette Oke and Al Lacy, and others. The biggest impact would have to be Frank Peritti’s This Present Darkness, though. I’ve met two authors in person, interact with quite a few on social media and through proofreading their books. Hard to pinpoint just three!!
She wasn’t an overtly Christian author, but faith is a vital part of many of her books. Way back in 8th grade, I discovered Elizabeth Goudge’s The Little White Horse. I loved it and read it over and over. Then in high school I discovered that Elizabeth Goudge wrote adult fiction as well. I found The Scent of Water in the town library (by the cover, not realizing it was the same author), and again have read it over and over.
This is a hard question..there are so many but a few are Robin Lee Hatcher The Forgiving Hour comes to mind), Francine Rivers (And the Shofar Blew) and Diann Mills (Firewall, which Ed showed me the wonderful of Christian suspense)
Authors who have made an impact on me: Susan May Warren’s writing style gave me a love of CCR. You gave me a love of Christian RomCom. Remi Carrington gave me a love of SC RomComs. All together that’s lead to some amazing new authors, as well.
I read hundreds of books growing up and this old brain can’t remember which ones affected me and why! As an adult, the first author that stood out above many others to me is Gilbert Morris. Our church library had many of his books and being a Historical Fiction lover the first series I read was the House of Winslow. What struck me was that at the same time I chose the first couple of books my son was choosing his. He was ahead of his age level in reading so we always had a book going we read together after his devotions each night. When he showed me what he picked it was the first book in the Daystar Voyager Series by Gilbert Morris! I had never known of an author who wrote in such different genres before & even though I really dislike Science Fiction I loved the books my son chose. Never say never!
More recently, the first ebook I ever read was by Alana Terry. I love the way she takes hot button topics, messy people and combined with strong Christian characters winds it all into a powerful Christian message! Within months I had read all of her books, became a ARC reader for her and had a new friend. I also got to know Cheri Swalwell who was Alana’s PA and she is a great writer on her own. I do many things for her now, from proofing to her street team. She has started writing CCR but has many great devotionals too. Another amazing author and young lady I love & respect her writing and value our friendship is Val Bodden. She also has relatable characters, true to life storylines and a strong Christian message. Oh my goodness, I could go on forever! There are so many authors I love reading and have the blessing of working with. Both their writing and the beautiful personalities are a true inspiration!
Hi Margaret! We share the same taste! :) I loved The Atonement Child, too! Thanks for commenting!
Hi Jenny! Oh man, so sorry you missed meeting Camy. She’s a wonderful, down to earth person. I got a chance to meet her last year for boba (we live about half an hour from each other).
You mentioned some great authors. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jeannette! I love Jessie, too! She’s an amazing author and person. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Renate! So glad you found InspyRomance and its many authors who have been here over the years, including Marion. Thanks for commenting! Happy Friday to you too!
Hi Trudy! Oh, I enjoyed This Present Darkness, too. And yes, there are definitely plenty of CF authors worth mentioning! Thanks for commenting!
Hi Margaret! I’ll have to look her up! Thanks for commenting!
Hi Jcp! It’s a surprisingly hard question, isn’t it? :) Those are great authors you mentioned. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Andrea! Oh wow, I’m honored to have made your list. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Deb! Oh wow, what a blessing to be able to be friends with some of your favorite authors. Thanks for sharing!
too many to name
Hi there! You’re right that there are too many to name! I suppose that’s not a bad problem to have. Lol. Thanks for commenting!
There was a really nice elderly lady that loaned me her CCR books and gor me hooked on reading Christian fiction. It opened up a whole new world of books to me. I think Denise Hunter was one of the first authors I really fangirled over.
Hi Megan! That’s so cool. :) I’m glad she introduced you to a whole new world of books. Thanks for sharing!
As I read thru these comments I thought of a couple I had forgotten about. Grace Livingston Hill and Jane Pert were some of the first CRR novelists I ever read–I devoured their books. That being said, Dee Henderson probably had the greatest influence on my writing and my love for reading romantic suspense.
Hi Kimberly! Yes, I’m sure there are more authors that we’ve forgotten about; there are just so many great influences. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, there are so many great authors out there and the authors of all the books that I have read have all made such great influences on me in one way or another. Thank you so much, I loved reading your post. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Gilbert Morris was so good as so many genres. I know he had researchers who helped him. I loved the House of Winslow series. I even wrote to him snail mail after the series on the civil war and he replied. He actually wrote a couple of times and I was so excited. He even said he thought Jenny Winslow would be a good name for an upcoming House of Winslow book.
Authors in general as I love to read and learn.
Tina Dee, Tina Prysock, Dana Mentick have been inspirational to me. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Hi Liwen, I loved Camy’s Sushi series and they’re on my keeper shelf. I had the pleasure of meeting Camy at a writing conference in San Francisco back in 2008. 😊
Hi Alicia! Yes, we are blessed to have so many wonderful authors in this community! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Mary! Yes, for sure! Thanks for commenting!
Hi Debra! Cool, I recognize those names. :) Thanks for sharing!
Hi Liwen! I think it’d be you, Kristen, and Julie Hall, for allowing me the chance to discover my proofing skills, as well as for believing enough in them to give me a chance. #thankful 😊💕
I like authors of all kinds due to all the work & great books
I love the way he wrote. Even with researchers he had such a talent. That would have been incredible to exchange letters with him, and the idea of using your name, how cool! House of Winslow was my favorite too. My son & I went through every one of his books our church library had and then I went on to ordering others from the library book exchange at our public library. Richie & I usually read one chapter of his books a night but with these I had to push back him getting into bed because he always begged for multiple chapters each night. I couldn’t refuse that!
Hi Priscila! Aww, I have to thank *you* for being such an excellent proofer! I’m so glad it worked out for both sides!
Hi Amy! Thanks for sharing!
The author who had the biggest impact on my life is Catherine Marshall. I, of course, loved reading Christy, but before that I came across a devotional she wrote about the Holy Spirit called The Helper. This book is what made me realize that attending church the majority of my life didn’t mean I had a relationship with Christ, and before I’d finished the devotional I asked God to forgive my sins and became a Christian. I’m so thankful she followed God’s guidance to write that book! I know He is the one who drew me to Himself, but he certainly used her and her book to do it.
Hi Melynda! What a wonderful testimony! Thank you for sharing!
Oh, how fun! :)