2020 is over!! Can I get a “hallelujah”?!
Seriously though, I’ve never been so happy to bid a year farewell! BUT not everything about this year has been terrible. Several good things did happen this year–not the least of which being the release of my debut novel, The Peasant Queen! I also crushed my reading goal for this year (which is a first for me!). I had set a goal of 50 books for the year and ended up with 58 total (if you count my own book at least once). **throws confetti in the air**
There were very few books I read this year that I didn’t really love, so it was sooooo hard to narrow down my list to just twelve top favorites, plus five honorable mentions (these are ones that just barely missed being on my top twelve list). Check out the lists below, which include the (gorgeous) covers for each book, the official blurb, purchase link, and a brief explanation of WHY the book made my list.
My Top 12 Christian Fictions Reads of 2020
**In order of when I read them**
The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White
Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network–field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.
Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy who just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the intelligent Margot, but how can he convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?
Amid biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save themselves from the very secrets that brought them together.
This book was one of my first reads of the year (ahh, those days when we were all so happy and hopeful for this start of a new decade) and I. Was. Obsessed. It’s a Roseanna White book, so no shocker there–if you know me, you know she’s my FAVE–but this was just exceptionally excellent. Roseanna’s brilliance is at its finest in this first book in her Codebreakers series. If you have not read it yet, what are you waiting for??
The Seamstress by Allison Pittman
A beautifully crafted story breathes life into the cameo character from the classic novel A Tale of Two Cities.
France, 1788
It is the best of times . . .
On a tranquil farm nestled in the French countryside, two orphaned cousins―Renée and Laurette―have been raised under the caring guardianship of young Émile Gagnon, the last of a once-prosperous family. No longer starving girls, Laurette and Renée now spend days tending Gagnon’s sheep, and nights in their cozy loft, whispering secrets and dreams in this time of waning innocence and peace.
It is the worst of times . . .
Paris groans with a restlessness that can no longer be contained within its city streets. Hunger and hatred fuel her people. Violence seeps into the ornate halls of Versailles. Even Gagnon’s table in the quiet village of Mouton Blanc bears witness to the rumbles of rebellion, where Marcel Moreau embodies its voice and heart.
It is the story that has never been told.
In one night, the best and worst of fate collide. A chance encounter with a fashionable woman will bring Renée’s sewing skills to light and secure a place in the court of Queen Marie Antoinette. An act of reckless passion will throw Laurette into the arms of the increasingly militant Marcel. And Gagnon, steadfast in his faith in God and country, can only watch as those he loves march straight into the heart of the revolution.
This book WRECKED me! Oh my goodness… I haven’t been so torn apart by a story in a long time. This book is not for the faint of heart, and definitely not a happily ever after story, but it is one that deserves to be read, absorbed, and remembered forever. I sobbed my way through the entire last chapter and couldn’t stop thinking about it for days afterward.
On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White
All of England thinks Phillip Camden a monster–a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But as nurse Arabelle Denler watches the so-dubbed “Black Heart” every day, she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their paths twist together and he declares himself her new protector, she realizes she has her own role to play in his healing.
Phillip Camden would have preferred to die that day with his squadron rather than be recruited to the Admiralty’s codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved. What comes as a shock is the reborn desire to truly live that Arabelle inspires in him.
But when an old acquaintance shows up and seems set on using him in a plot that has the codebreakers of Room 40 in a frenzy, new affections are put to the test.
Look, it’s another Roseanna M. White book! Surprise, surprise… Haha! (Brace yourselves, because there is a total of five of Roseanna’s books in this post.) I really can’t decide if I like On Wings of Devotion or The Number of Love more, but from the moment I finished this book I knew it would also be a favorite read of the year. Roseanna once again crafted an exciting, suspenseful, and romantic story that sucked me in from the first page. My favorite quote from this one? “Woof.” #IfYouKnowYouKnow
An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz
Unflinching and plainspoken, Tessa Swan is not your typical 18th-century woman. Born and bred on the western Virginia frontier along with her five brothers, she is a force to be reckoned with.
Quiet and courageous, Clay Tygart is not your typical 18th-century man. Raised by Lenape Indians, he returns a hero from the French and Indian War to the fort that bears his name, bringing with him Tessa’s long-lost friend, Keturah, who disappeared from the settlement years earlier.
Determined to avoid any romantic entanglements as fort commander, Clay remains aloof whenever he encounters the lovely Tessa. But when circumstances force Clay’s hand–and heart–the stage is set for one very private and one very public reckoning.
Intense, evocative, and laced with intricate historical details that bring the past to life, An Uncommon Woman will transport you to the picturesque and dangerous western Virginia mountains of 1770.
Laura Frantz has become a must-read author for me over the last couple years and this is now the second time one of her books has made my top favorite reads list (last year her book, A Bound Heart made my list for 2019!). But this year she has also become a sort of friend to me! #Craziness. We’ve connected over Instagram and she even purchased my book–wwwhhhaaattt???? But even if all of that were not the case, her 2020 release, An Uncommon Woman, still would have made this list. It was so eloquently written and grabbed me by the heartstrings and held on tight! This one is a can’t miss read for all historical fiction fans.
Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette
Strong-willed Tirzah wants to join her people in driving the enemy from the land of Israel and undergoes training for a secret mission inside the stronghold of Shechem. But soon after she has infiltrated the ruthless Aramean commander’s kitchen, she makes a reckless decision that puts her and her allies in grave danger.
Fresh off the battlefield, Liyam returns home to discover his beloved daughter is dead. After his vow to hunt down her killer leads to months of fruitless pursuit, his last hope is in a family connection that comes with strings attached. Strings that force him to pose as a mercenary and rescue an infuriating woman who refuses to leave her mission uncompleted.
When an opportunity to pave a path to a Hebrew victory arises, can Tirzah convince Liyam to fight alongside her in the refuge city of her birth? Or will Liyam’s thirst for vengeance outweigh his duty to his people, his God, and the woman he’s come to love?
Ahhh, my other FAVE, Connilyn Cossette. She is the undisputed queen of Biblical fiction (in my opinion, anyway) and she proved it once again with the final book in her Cities of Refuge series, Like Flames in the Night. I had the honor of joining her launch team for this book—my first launch to ever be a part of!—and it was such an exciting experience. This is an equally exciting, romantic, and powerful Biblical tale you don’t want to miss!
Jewel of Persia by Roseanna M. White
How can she love the king of kings without forsaking her Lord of lords?
Kasia grew up in a poor Jewish home with more siblings than luxuries. But when a chance encounter forces her to the palace of Xerxes, she becomes a concubine to the richest man in the world. She alone, of all Xerxes’ wives, loves the man beneath the crown. She alone, of all his wives, holds the heart of the king of kings.
Traveling with Xerxes through Europe as he mounts a war against Greece, Kasia knows enemies surround her, but they re not the Spartans or Athenians. The threat lies with those close to the king who hate her people. She determines to put her trust in Jehovah even if it costs her her marriage.
Years of prayers are answered when Kasia’s childhood friend arrives at the palace after the war, but even as she determines to see Esther crowned in place of the bloodthirsty former queen, she knows the true battle is far from over. How far will her enemies go to see her undone?
Combining the biblical account of Esther with Herodotus’s Histories, Jewel of Persia is the story of a love that nearly destroys an empire . . . and the friendship that saves a nation.
It’s obvious that I love the story of Esther–my book is a retelling of this Bible story, after all. Therefore, I have been excited to read Roseanna’s imagining of this story for a long time. I finally got around to reading Jewel of Persia this year and man, this book shattered all my preconceived ideas about this beloved story. Roseanna tells it, not through the eyes of Esther, but that of her fictional best friend Kasia, who was taken as Xerxes’ wife years earlier. It is completely unexpected and yet so, so good. I bawled my eyes out more than once and was so sad to see the book end. It is at times difficult to read–the Persians, and Xerxes himself, were notorious for some pretty terrible acts–but I highly recommend this powerful and unique book to ALL Biblical fictions fans.
Carry Me Home by Dorothy Adamek
Finella Mayfield hates two things: liars and thieves. And she’s determined to marry a man who’s neither. Chasing her dead father’s dreams, the twenty-year-old English bride arrives in Australia in 1875 for an arranged marriage. Anticipating her future as village preacher’s wife, she records her thoughts in her Everlasting journal.
But instead of her fiancé, Finella is met by Shadrach Jones, a poor farmer sent to collect her from the busy Melbourne pier.
This is not what her father planned. And it’s only the beginning of the unraveling of Finella Mayfield ~ the bride with no groom.
All Shadrach longs for is rows of mustard and chicory. He’s busy growing a farm near the Phillip Island fishing village of Cowes, and caring for Molly, his simple sister. Far from the brutal life they remember with their ex-convict father, Shadrach’s building something new.
But he’s also made a promise to a dying friend. To collect and marry the English girl destined to never be a preacher’s wife.
Can Shadrach convince Finella she has a future with a farmer? Can he convince himself, knowing his family secrets will haunt their future?
Here’s another book that completely wrecked my heart!! I was completely riveted to this story, with its gorgeous word pictures, tender romance, and real, raw emotions. There has been zero question in my mind whether or not this book would make this list. I read it on Kindle, but I really want to get it in paperback someday! It’s sooooo amazing! Seriously. Go. Read. It!
Brand of Light by Ronie Kendig
***2020 Carol Award Winner, Speculative***
***2020 Realm Award Winner, Science Fiction***
***2020 Alliance Award Winner, Reader’s Choice***
There’s a price on her head, and it has everything to do with the brand on her arm.
Tertian Space Coalition has blessed every planet in the quadrants with high technology, save one: Drosero. But in spite of their tenuous treaty with the ruling clans, TSC has plans for the backward planet. And they’re not alone.
After a catastrophic explosion, Kersei Dragoumis awakens in a derelict shuttle, alone, injured, and ignorant of the forbidden technology that has swept her into a nightmare. The brand she’s borne since childhood burns mysteriously, but the pain is nothing to that when she learns her family is dead and she is accused of their murders.
Across the quadrants, Marco Dusan responds to the call of a holy order-not to join them, but to seek a bounty. Gifted-or cursed-with abilities that mark him a Kynigos, a tracker sworn to bring interplanetary fugitives to justice, Marco discovers this particular bounty has nothing to do with justice and everything to do with prophecy. One that involves the hunter as much as the hunted.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh! THIS BOOK, you guys! This book is possibly my very favorite of these favorites. I’ve never read sci-fi before, but I love Marvel, Star Wars, etc., so I figured I would probably like this. But I didn’t just like it–I LOVED it, and now I am obsessed. I could not put this book down. I am so not a morning person, but I would wake up extra early to read this before getting ready for work…
This book definitely isn’t for everyone–there is so much world building going on, a large cast of characters, and lots of sci-fi-y stuff that can get a bit confusing if you aren’t really focusing on the book. But if you can get on board with this type of story, I think you’ll be as obsessed as I am!! I got book two, Dawn of Vengeance, for Christmas and that was literally one of my favorite gifts LOL.
Harvest Rubies by Tessa Afshar
The prophet Nehemiah’s cousin can speak numerous languages, keep complex accounts, write on rolls of parchment and tablets of clay, and solve great mysteries. There is only one problem: she’s a woman in a man’s court.
In her early childhood years, Sarah experienced the death of her mother and her father’s subsequent emotional distance, and she came to two conclusions: God does not care about me, and my accomplishments are the measure of my worth.
Catapulted into the center of the Persian court, Sarah is working too many hours, rubbing elbows with royalty, and solving intrigues for the Queen. Ironically, it isn’t failure—but success—that causes Sarah to lose her only source of external validation.
Sarah soon learns that she has something of worth to offer beyond her ability with languages and sums; her very being proves to be a blessing to others, particularly the aristocrat Darius, whom she is given to in marriage.
Sarah and Darius’ story continues in Harvest of Gold. Darius may be able to learn to love his wife, but can he ever learn to trust Sarah and her Lord?
In 2020, I officially set out to read all of Tessa Afshar’s backlist. I am nearly there, with one book that I’m currently reading on my Kindle and her latest release sitting on my bookshelf to be read soon. One of my favorite Afshar books that I read this year was Harvest of Rubies. This book is fairly unique among Biblical fiction because it only skims along the sidelines of events recorded in the Bible, and that combined with Tessa’s laugh-out-loud humor made me fall head-over-heels for this book. It’s just such a fun read! Plus it’s message was one I needed to hear.
A Soft Breath of Wind by Roseanna M. White
A gift that has branded her for life
Zipporah is thirteen when the Spirit descends upon her, opening her eyes to a world beyond the physical goings-on of the villa outside Rome she has always called home. Within hours, she learns what serving the Lord can cost. Forever scarred after a vicious attack, she knows her call is to use this discernment to protect the Way. She knows she must serve the rest of her life at Tutelos, where the growing Roman church has congregated. She knows her lot is set.
Yet is it so wrong to wish that her master, the kind and handsome young Benjamin Visibullis, will eventually see her as something more than a sister in Christ?
Samuel Asinius, adoptive son of a wealthy Roman, has always called Benjamin brother. When their travels take them to Jerusalem for Passover, the last thing he expects is to cross paths with the woman who sold him into slavery as a child the mother he long ago purged from his heart. His sister, Dara, quickly catches Benjamin s eye, but Samuel suspects there is something dark at work.
When Dara, a fortune-teller seeking the will of a shadowy master determined to undermine the Way, comes into the path of Zipporah, a whirlwind descends upon them all.
Only the soft wind of the Spirit can heal their scars…with a love neither divination nor discernment could foresee.
After reading this book, I’ve officially read all of Roseanna’s Biblical fiction titles–I can’t wait for her to come out with more! What I love about Roseanna’s Biblicals is the fact that she doesn’t shy away from the supernatural aspects of God–angels, demons, miracles, the moving of the Holy Ghost in and through individuals. These things aren’t actually talked about much in fiction, but Roseanna is willing to talk about them and definitely does so in A Soft Breath of Wind. The entire story is a battle against good and evil, light and dark, heaven and hell. It is intense, yet full of heart, and left me deeply thoughtful.
Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar
Can a Canaanite harlot who made her living enticing men be a fitting wife for a leader of Israel? Shockingly, the Bible’s answer is yes.
This 10th anniversary edition of Pearl in the Sand includes new features that will invite you into the untold story of Rahab’s journey from lowly outcast to redeemed child of God. Rahab’s home is built into a wall, a wall that fortifies and protects the City of Jericho. However, other walls surround her too, walls of fear, rejection, and unworthiness… Years of pain and betrayal have wounded Rahab’s heart—she doubts whether her dreams of experiencing true love will ever come true…
A woman with a wrecked past—a man of success, of faith… of pride. A marriage only God would conceive! Through the heartaches of a stormy relationship, Rahab and Salmone learn the true source of one another’s worth and find healing in God.
I had the honor of being on the launch team for Tessa’s 10th Anniversary Edition of Pearl in the Sand. It was one of the highlights of my year, not only because I got to work with and help promote one of my favorite authors, but because this book ended up being so completely, amazingly GOOD. I can clearly see why it has remained such a popular and beloved book for a decade now, making it worth the re-release in the publisher’s eyes. It’s simple yet complex, relatable and yet beautifully eloquent. It is a true love story between a broken woman and a man determined to win the heart of his wife, with a message that hits you straight in your soul.
A Portrait of Loyalty by Roseanna M. White
Zivon Marin was one of Russia’s top cryptographers until the October Revolution tore apart his world. Forced to flee to England after speaking out against Lenin, Zivon is driven by a growing anger and determined to offer his services to the Brits. But never far from his mind is his brother, whom Zivon fears died in the train crash that separated them.
Lily Blackwell sees the world best through the lens of a camera and possesses unsurpassed skill when it comes to retouching and re-creating photographs. With her father’s connections in propaganda, she’s recruited to the intelligence division, even though her mother would disapprove if she ever found out.
After Captain Blackwell invites Zivon to dinner one evening, a friendship blooms between him and Lily that soon takes over their hearts. But both have secrets they’re unwilling to share, and neither is entirely sure they can trust the other. When Zivon’s loyalties are called into question, proving him honest is about more than one couple’s future dreams–it becomes a matter of ending the war.
It was really, really hard for me to fill this 12th spot because there were so many books that I could have put here. Even though this makes the FIFTH Roseanna White book on my list, I ended up deciding on A Portrait of Loyalty because I couldn’t get away from how it made me feel. Even though I love Roseanna’s books so much, most of them aren’t “crying books” for me. This one though… I bawled like a baby. I can’t say why because it would be a major spoiler, but suffice it to say that this book broke my heart and yet spoke to it in a needed way.
Honorable Mentions (AKA: Books that just barely missed my Top 12):
Hereafter by Jody Hedlund
The third lost princess. The final key to the treasure. And a battle for the throne.
Growing up deep in the forest as a poor charcoal burner’s daughter, Emmeline has always known her identity as a princess of Mercia, and she lives in fear of being caught and killed. When her adopted father returns from town with news regarding the imminence of war, Emmeline has no wish to join the rebellion against King Ethelwulf.
Prince Ethelrex, the strongest warrior in the land, has done everything he can to prove his loyalty to his father, including searching for the last lost princess. When Ethelrex finally captures Emmeline, the king commands his son to marry the princess in order to win the support of the people and undermine the rebellion.
Forced into marriage, Emmeline has one goal—to escape. But Ethelrex takes his marriage vows seriously, including his promise to love and cherish his wife, and has no intention of letting Emmeline get away. As the battle for the throne rages, will the prince be able to win the battle for Emmeline’s heart?
In the fall of 2019, Jody Hedlund released her Lost Princess series. I ordered the series as soon as I could and read it in January/February of 2020. These were sooooo fun! They are sweet, romantic adventures that just make you feel happy inside. Book three, Hereafter, was by far the strongest of the three, in my opinion, and I absolutely adored every second of it!! **all the heart eyes!**
Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews
The Old Testament book of Daniel comes to life in this novel for readers of Lynn Austin’s Chronicles of the Kings series or Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion series.
FINALIST FOR THE CHRISTY AWARD®
Survival. A Hebrew girl first tasted it when she escaped death nearly seventy years ago as the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and took their finest as captives. She thought she’d perfected in the many years amongst the Magoi and the idol worshippers, pretending with all the others in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court. Now, as Daniel’s wife and a septuagenarian matriarch, Belili thinks she’s safe and she can live out her days in Babylon without fear–until the night Daniel is escorted to Belshazzar’s palace to interpret mysterious handwriting on a wall. The Persian Army invades, and Bellili’s tightly-wound secrets unfurl with the arrival of the conquering army. What will the reign of Darius mean for Daniel, a man who prays to Yahweh alone?
Ultimately, Yahweh’s sovereign hand guides Jerusalem’s captives, and the frightened Hebrew girl is transformed into a confident woman, who realizes her need of the God who conquers both fire and lions.
Another author through who’s backlist I’ve been eagerly making my way through is Mesu Andrews. I started reading her books in 2019 and now I’m a huge fan! I read or listened to (on Audible) three of her books in 2020 and by far my favorite was Of Fire and Lions! This look at the life of Daniel through the eyes of his fictional wife was absolutely fascinating! It’s a powerful read that is not soon forgotten.
Heart of a Royal by Hannah Currie
Brought to the palace as a newborn, the royal life bestowed upon Mackenna Sparrow was never meant to last forever. With Princess Alina engaged to be married, Mackenna’s presence as companion is no longer required and, like it or not, she must return to the birthright which should have been hers – that of a commoner. But not everyone at the palace wants her gone. When the truths she’s based her life on start crumbling as fast as her future, will she find the courage to trust, both herself and the prince she’s fallen in love with?
I am always down for a good princess book!! So when I first saw Heart of a Royal coming out from Whitefire Publishing, I knew I HAD to read it, and I’m so happy I finally got my hands on it this summer! I eagerly devoured it and loved every moment. I’ve taken a fresh interest in YA books lately, and this was definitely one of my favorites in this genre that I read this year. I recently purchased book two, Heart of a Princess, and book three, Heart of the Crown, releases this coming week! I’m looking forward to read both of these in 2021!
Beholden by Jody Hedlund
In a land where being the fairest maiden is a curse . . .
A beautiful noblewoman with a terrible secret, and a prince subjected to slavery.
Upon the death of her wealthy father, Lady Gabriella is condemned to work in Warwick’s gem mine. As she struggles to survive the dangerous conditions, her kindness and beauty shine as brightly as the jewels the slaves excavate. While laboring, Gabriella plots how to avenge her father’s death and stop Queen Margery’s cruelty.
Prince Vilmar of Scania enslaves himself in Warwick’s gem mine as part of a royal test to prove himself the most worthy of three brothers to become the king’s successor. Amidst the hardships, he doesn’t anticipate his growing compassion for the other slaves, especially tenderhearted Gabriella.
As the annual summer ball looms nearer, Gabriella sets into motion her plan to end Queen Margery’s evil. When Vilmar learns of Gabriella’s intentions, he resolves to come to her aid and fight against Warwick’s queen. But doing so may require him to give up his chance of becoming Scania’s next king, perhaps even cost him his life.
Jody Hedlund made me giddy with excitement when she announced she would be releasing another YA medieval series in connection with the Lost Princess series this year. Each of the books are retellings of beloved fairytales set in the fictional medieval kingdoms from her previous series. Book one, Beholden, is a Cinderella retelling and it was unlike any I’d read before. I was so impressed with the creativity of it and I’m eagerly awaiting the chance to read book two and three (which I now own as well)!
To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette
Eight years ago, when the Philistines stole and then surrendered the ark of the covenant back to the Israelites, Eliora left her Philistine homeland to follow the ark to the community of Kiryat Yearim. There, the family she was adopted into has guarded the ark at the top of a mountain in seclusion.
Ronen is a Levite musician determined to secret away the ark to a more fitting resting place, watched over by priests who would restore the Holy of Holies. He never expected that the Philistine girl he rescued years ago would now be part of the very family he’s tasked to deceive.
As Ronen’s attempts to charm Eliora lead them in unexpected directions, betrayal leaves Eliora with strained family ties and Ronen questioning his own loyalties. Ultimately, Eliora and Ronen are caught up in the battle for the soul of Israel and its future under the leadership of Samuel, the last judge before the era of the kings begins.
Last but not least, we have my very last read of 2020! I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of book one in Connilyn’s new Covenant House series and I was thrilled to be on the launch team for it! This fascinating novel brings to life a rather obscure Biblical event that will have you hanging on every word. Connilyn once again wowed me with her beautiful writing style and gift for creating stories that connect with your soul. And I’m still dying over that cliffhanger ending!!!! I can’t wait for book two (coming June 2021)!!!
What about you? What were your favorite reads of 2020 that you can’t stop gushing about? I would LOVE to hear about them!
