For 2023, I read a variety of genres (all in the Christian category), including a lot of new releases. Some of the books were . . . okay. Others were real diamonds. In some cases, I fell in love with the author and went on to read more than one book by them.
Here’s my filtered list of the books I loved most this year. These are stories that still ring in my mind and get my blood racing. Each of them had adventure, faith, and a lot of heart.
The order I listed them isn’t necessarily my order of preference. Some of the books also had content issues I felt were worth mentioning. Just as in my normal reviews, I only listed the things that might turn me personally away from a book, not a full list of potential problems.
Another note: Where possible, I linked to the specific book page on each author’s website. Some of these authors sell directly through their own website and I’d encourage you to consider buying directly from them. At the very least, use their affiliate book links to Amazon so that they earn a little extra. I’m sure they’ll each appreciate it!
Madisyn Carlin
Madisyn Carlin’s books have been on the periphery of my mind for a couple years now, but I hadn’t read any of them until this year.
And they were fantastic. Excellent worldbuilding, faith content, and characters.
I read all the books in her Redwyn Chronicles and am now waiting impatiently for the next book to release. Each of the books in this series is a fairytale retelling. I listed my two favorite books here, but there are also two novellas in the series.
Genre: Fantasy (nonmagical)
Content Issues: None
Link to Full Review of Arrow: Click Here
Link to Buy: Click Here
Healing the Mountain Man’s Heart by Misty Beller
Healing the Mountain Man’s Heart hooked me from the very first chapter. A woman doctor and her sister arrive at a ranch dominated by six brothers and their niece and nephew–and the story is off.
Genre: Historical Romance
Content Issues: Romance was a little too warm at end for my personal taste
Link to Full Review: Click Here
Link to Buy: Click Here
Grace Hitchcock
I discovered Grace Hitchcock this year and read several of her books. Most of them were just all right, but The Pursuit of Miss Parish and Miss Beaumont’s Companion both earned five stars. The Pursuit of Miss Parish is actually book two in the Apron and Veils series, but I read the books out of order. Then when I actually did read book one, I wasn’t overly fond of it. The second book was much better. Miss Beaumont’s Companion is a standalone novella.
Genre: Historical Romance
Content Issues: None
Link to Full Review of The Pursuit of Miss Parish: Click Here
Link to full review of Miss Beaumont’s Companion in the Hearts of Gold novella collection: Click Here
Link to Buy The Pursuit of Miss Parish: Click Here
Link to Buy Miss Beaumont’s Companion: Click Here
Reclaiming the Spy by Lorri Dudley
Reclaiming the Spy is book two in the Agents of Espionage series, but I haven’t had a chance to read the first book yet. This book was fantastic, a beautiful story of the sanctity of marriage. It takes a very unique book to make me both laugh and cry.
Genre: Historical Romance
Content Issues: None
Link to Full Review: Click Here
Link to Buy: Click Here
Exiled by Kristina Hall
I had never heard of a western fantasy before reading Exiled, but I found that I really enjoyed it. Think a western world mixed with the mayhem of fantasy. I especially appreciated the care Kristina put into the faith content.
Genre: Western Fantasy (nonmagical)
Content Issues: None
Link to Full Review: Click Here
Link to Buy: Click Here
Preacher on the Run by Jayna Baas
Preacher on the Run kicks off Jayna Baas’s For Liberty and Conscience series. I loved this book so much that I bought a copy for my family. The faith content was so excellent, and the characters were epic. Plus, Jayna managed to weave a lot of historical details into the book without bogging down the pace. Preacher on the Run is historical fiction at its best.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Content Issues: None
Link to Full Review: Click Here
Link to Buy: Click Here
Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder
Garden of the Midnights is a standalone novel by Hannah Linder. This one will about make your heart pound out of your chest. It’s absolutely breathtaking. Very suspenseful. A story that echoes on and on in the mind.
Genre: Regency Romantic Suspense
Content Issues: I’d advise you read my full review on this one. There were a few issues that needed mentioning.
Link to Full Review: Click Here
Link to Buy: Click Here
When Love Comes by Penny Zeller
When Love Comes is book 3 in the Wyoming Sunrise series by Penny Zeller and it’s my favorite so far (although I haven’t gotten around to reading book 2 yet). I loved the characters and the circumstances of this book.
Genre: Historical Romance
Content Issues: None
Link to Full Review: Click Here
Link to Buy: Click Here
Naomi Rawlings
Naomi is another author I’ve wanted to read for many years, but only got around to it this year. And–wow. I’ve learned that I need to have a clear schedule when I sit down to read one of her books. They are impossible to put down.
One interesting aspect of her books is that all her series link to each other. The Eagle Harbor series comes chronologically first, then the Texas Promise books, and lastly, the Dawn of Alaska (the first book, Written on the Mist released just this year).
However, her books can be read out of order and still make sense. I read the first book in each series (and by now you’re probably thinking, “Good grief, Alena, do you ever read a series start to finish?” Sometimes. I read as the books find their way into my hands).
I love the way Naomi makes me feel the setting–the freezing cold of Lake Superior, the deadly heat of the Texas desert, the smothering fog of Juneau. And the characters are always fantastic.
Genre: Historical Romance
Content Issues: Kissing without commitment (in some)
Link to Buy: Click Here
