Best Spiritually Moving Fiction

Obsessed with all things British, Therese Stenzel’s first novella, An English Bride Goes West came out in 2008. She also co-authored the book, God's Little Devotional Book for Grandparents. Her writing has appeared in Women's Day, Family Fun, and Tulsa Kids magazines. In addition to being active in American Christian Fiction Writers, she is also the founder of British Missives, an e-mail newsletter for those who love to read or write British novels.

In love with English history, English tea, and reading historical novels, she is currently working on her fifth historical manuscript. She and her husband Neal keep busy raising their three kids. Her website is www.www.theresestenzel.com

BEST SPIRITUALLY MOVING FICTION
Compiled by Therese Stenzel

I polled over a thousand writers/readers and asked what books moved them spiritually and this is their response. Many thanks to the American Christian Fiction Writers who contributed the most.

Authors who got several mentions
The Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers X6 (Historical-Biblical)
Redeeming Love by Francine River (Historical-Western)
This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti X2 (Contemporary thriller)
Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti X3 (Contemporary Thriller)
Deadline by Randy Alcorn X2 (Murder Mystery)
Safely Home by Randy Alcorn X3 (Contemporary)
The Restorer by Sharon Hinck X2 (Fantasy)
The Restorer's Son by Sharon Hinck (Fantasy)
Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory (Contemporary)
A Day with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory (Contemporary)
The Left Behind Series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins X2 (Contemporary Thriller)

Books in alphabetical order
A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman (Historical-Americana)
A Penny for Your Thoughts by Mindy Starns Clark (Mystery)
Arena by Karen Hancock (Fantasy)
As I Have Loved You by Nikki Arana (Contemporary)
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell (Historical WWII)
At the Scent of Water by Linda Nichols (Contemporary)

Blessed Child by Ted Dekker and Bill Bright (Contemporary Thriller)
Coldwater Revival by Nancy Jo Jenkins (Historical-Americana)

Some Wildflower in my Heart by Jamie Langston Turner (Contemporary)
Covenant Child by Terri Blackstock (Contemporary)
Demon by Tosca Lee (Contemporary)
Empyrion: The Search for Fierra/the Siege of Doom by Stephen Lawhead (Sci-Fi)

Everyone Loved Roger Harden by Cecil Murphey (Cozy Mystery)
First Light by Bodie and Brock Thoene (Historical-Biblical)Hind’s Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard (Allegory)
John, Son of Thunder by Ellen Gunderson Traylor (Historical-Biblical)
Magdalene by Angela Hunt (Historical-Biblical)
Over the Waters by Deb Raney (Women’s Fiction)
Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson (Contemporary)
Stonewycke Trilogy by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella (Historical-European)
Surrender Bay by Denise Hunter (Contemporary Romance)
The Chosen by Chaim Potok (Historical-Americana)
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis (Allegory)
The Shack by William P. Young (Umm…)
Ticket to Tomorrow by Carol Cox (Historical-Americana)
True Valor by Dee Henderson (Romantic Suspense)

Wings of a Dove by Beverly Smith-Bush (Contemporary)