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Giveaway,  Hope-filled Fiction

2021 Top Ten Christian Fiction Favorites & a Giveaway

December 29, 2021 /

By Deena Adams

I set a 2021 reading goal of 45 books. I surpassed that number by a few, and on this last Wednesday in 2021, I’m sharing my top reads for the year.

Can I just say, choosing favorite books is almost like choosing a favorite child? LOL. The books are in no particular order. I hope you’ll check out my reviews on Goodreads to learn what I loved about these books. While you’re there, send me a friend request!

If you’re interested in learning more about a book or purchasing a copy, click the book cover for the Amazon link.

One person who comments on this post will win a digital copy of one of these favorites-winner’s choice!

Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese

(Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction)

With an impossible decision looming, Lauren might very well find herself choosing between the two deepest desires of her heart . . . even if saying yes to one means letting go of the other.

Afraid of the Light by Cynthia Ruchti

(Contemporary Women’s Fiction)

She helps others manage their desperate lives–but who will help her?

Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee

(Historical Fiction)

Rena accepts a position interviewing former slaves for the Federal Writers’ Project. There, she meets Frankie Washington, a 101-year-old woman whose honest yet tragic past captivates Rena.

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox

(Split-time)

This dual-timeline story from Amanda Cox deftly explores the complexity of a mother-daughter dynamic, the way the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives of others, and the healing power of telling the truth.

Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe

(Southern Women’s Fiction)

T. I. Lowe’s gritty yet tender and uplifting tale reminds us that a great story can break your heart . . . then heal it in the best possible way.

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese

(Contemporary Romance)

As Molly experiences an acceptance unlike anything she’s known, she wrestles with the lies she’s been believing about herself for years.

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

(Historical Romance)

Will the magic of Christmas bring these two newlyweds closer together, or will the ghosts of the past lead them into a destructive discovery from which not even a Dickens’s Christmas can save them?

Roots of Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen

(Split-time)

Abandoned at birth, her family roots a mystery, historical museum curator Sloane Kelley has dedicated her life to making sure others know theirs.

A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White

(Historical Romance)

Edwardian Romance and History Gains a Twist of Suspense

As Rosemary and Peter work together, Rosemary sees his gracious reaction to his neighbors’ scornful attacks and wonders if her assignment is going down the wrong path. Is it too late to help him prove that he’s more than his name?

The Promise of Deception by Jessica Sly

(Historical/Suspense)

As Baze wrestles with the decision to harden his heart or take action to protect the woman who means everything to him, Adelynn ventures further into the clutches of magic and murder. Can she keep her mind safe and draw the killer out of the shadows?

Join the conversation. Have you read any of the books on my 2021 favorites list? What was your favorite read this year? Which book on this list are you most interested in reading?

Comment by January 4 for a chance to win your choice from my favorites list.

If you missed last week’s interview with Carol James, you can read it here.

As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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44 Comments

  • Natalie
    January 4, 2022 at 8:19 pm

    Thanks for the list Deena! Under the Magnolias looked like a good read. Cannot wait to get my reading started for 2022 so I can hit my goal too.

  • Lynn Moore
    January 2, 2022 at 7:27 pm

    These “ALL” sound marvelous. My “TBR” list just keeps growing. So much to read…..if only my reading time matched! 📚 📚📚📚📚📚

  • Ashley Sapp
    January 2, 2022 at 10:58 am

    Happy New Year, Deena! I really enjoyed A Name Unknown too. I definitely need to read more Pepper Basham books, and Roots of Wood and Stone sounds so good! 🙂

    • Deena Adams
      January 2, 2022 at 11:08 am

      Thanks, Ashley! I definitely plan to read more of Pepper’s books this year. Hope you get a chance to read Roots of Wood and Stone. Thanks for reading and joining the conversation!

  • Perrianne Askew
    January 1, 2022 at 9:16 pm

    It looks like we have similar reading tastes! I’ve read about five of these, but Roots of Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen and Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese are tops on my “must reads” sometime this year. I hope to read the rest as well, but those two are tops right now. Of course, I would add all of the Christy Award nominees and winner to my list too but I’ve chosen 50 books for this year. Maybe I can read some of those, too.

    • Deena Adams
      January 1, 2022 at 9:36 pm

      Hi, Perrianne. Before I Called You Mine was my top read for 2021. I absolutely loved everything about it. It was my giveaway this month for a newsletter subscriber, too. Yes, I’ve added some new books to my want to read list from the Cristy Award nominees as well. So many great books, so little time! Thanks for stopping by to chat!

  • Patty
    January 1, 2022 at 9:06 pm

    We have similar reading test! I’ve read four on your list, and I have two more of them in my to be read stack.

    I would love to read The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox.

    I came to the blog from your post on the avid readers Facebook group=)

    • Deena Adams
      January 1, 2022 at 9:33 pm

      Hi, Patty. Secret Keepers is a great story! Did you read The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox? It was a great one, too. Thanks for stopping by! I have you down for two entries in the drawing.

    • Deena Adams
      January 1, 2022 at 9:32 pm

      Hi, Shelly. That was a great book by Amanda Wen. She has a new one coming out this year that I’m looking forward to. My post next Wednesday will list lots of 2022 releases, including hers, with a giveaway for one of the January new releases. I hope you’ll check it out!

  • Caryl Kane
    January 1, 2022 at 5:25 pm

    Hey Deena, I enoyed The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery.

    Happy, Blessed and Prosperous 2022

  • Lori DeJong
    January 1, 2022 at 4:10 pm

    Happy New Year, Deena! I love the word you chose for 2022. Still praying about my 2022 word.
    I’ve just recently read a novella from Pepper Basham and thought it was wonderful. My choice would be Mistletoe Countess from this engaging author!
    Thank you for hosting the give-away. Best wishes to you in 2022! Keep cultivating your craft and God will open the right doors for you.
    Lori

    • Deena Adams
      January 1, 2022 at 4:25 pm

      Happy New Year, Lori! Mistletoe Countess was awesome! I still think about the characters often. I loved the audio version and still replay the accent in my mind.

      Thanks for your encouragement. I know God will open the right door at the right time. I just need to continue to grow in the craft and leave the results to Him. Hope 2022 is a great year for you.

    • Deena Adams
      January 1, 2022 at 4:20 pm

      Hi, Sophie. I hope you’ll enjoy some great Christian Fiction reads this year. It’s the genre I’m writing and the one I most enjoy.I love not only entertainment, but stories about faith and redemption.

  • Paty Hinojosa
    January 1, 2022 at 2:48 pm

    Happy New Year Deena! I’ve read All That Really Matters, A Name Unknown, The Mistletoe Countess, And Before I called you Mine, all awesome books! I especially loved All that Really Matters!
    I would love to read The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, she’s a new author to me!
    Thanks for the chance! Blessings for the new year!!!

    • Deena Adams
      January 1, 2022 at 4:09 pm

      Hi, Paty. All That Really Matters was definitely a wonderful read. 🙂 The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery is great too. If you haven’t read Amanda Cox’s debut novel, I recommend it, too. It’s The Edge of Belonging.

  • Teresa+Moyer
    December 30, 2021 at 2:38 am

    Great list! I have read the book Afraid of the Light and it was so good. Some of the others are in my Amazon list for books i want and some are totally new to me.

  • Erma
    December 29, 2021 at 10:03 am

    Thanks for introducing these books to me. They’re on my list of books to read in 2022! Happy New Year to you and yours!! 🙂

    • Beemi
      January 1, 2022 at 11:16 am

      Hi. I am New to your books & blogs and look forward to getting to know you.. I have not read any of these books on your list. My favorite book this year was A Prter Quilt Christmas by Nancy Farrier. I was so inspired by this book, I made prayer quilts for all my friends. The book on this list I’d most like to read is All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese. I am encouraged by stories of redemption.

      • Deena Adams
        January 1, 2022 at 4:06 pm

        Hi, Beemi. I’m so glad to have you as a Hope Collective member. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. How cool that a book inspired you to make prayer quilts for your friends! I also love redemption stories and All That Really Matters is a great one!