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Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Come Explore the Ever-Changing World of Christian Suspense With Me – Win a Copy of a Christian Suspense book!


Now, more than ever before, there is truly is something for every Christian suspense reader. I just wish there was more time in my day to explore all the amazing stories out there. I’m a member of Kindle Unlimited and my Kindle is filled with stories I can’t wait to read.

Today, I thought I’d share some of my favorite Christian suspense sub-genres with you and ask you the question, how much violence is too much for Christian suspense?

First, let’s check out some favorites.

Amish stories are one of the fastest growing genres around. Amish Suspense combines the element of danger along with the beloved Amish setting and culture.

One of my favorite Amish Suspense authors is Marta Perry.


Murder in Plain Sight (Amish Suspense Book 1) is a slightly older story by Marta, but I truly enjoyed it.

Did you know our very own Nancy Mehl writes Amish/Mennonite Suspense? She does!




I loved Inescapable (Road to Kingdom Book #1) by Nancy Mehl. 

Love Inspired Suspense has some wonderful Amish suspense authors. One of my favorites is Debby Giusti.


 Amish Christmas Secrets (Amish Protectors) is a story I truly enjoyed. 

Do you like Cozy Mysteries? Me too! While this is a fairly new genre for me, I’m loving it. Here are a couple of stories I’ve read recently and enjoyed. 


Divine Intervention: A Divine Cozy Mystery (Divine Christian Cozy Mysteries Series Book 1) by Hope Callaghan.   


Previous Confections: An Amish Cupcake Cozy Mystery by Ruth Hartzler, (Don't you love this cat!).


 Samantha Price’s Amish Scarecrow Murders: Cozy Mystery (Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries Book 20 - check out the scarecrow!).

Do you like FBI stories? 






Nancy Mehl’s Mind Games (Kaely Quinn Profiler Book #1) is one that kept me turning pages. (Can you tell I’m a fan of Nancy’s?)

Do you lean more toward police stories?



Then check out Lynette Eason’s Oath of Honor (Blue Justice Book #1)

CIA spy thrillers are one of my favorite genres to write and read. I think I should have been a spy. 


 A must read in this genre is Two Days in Caracas: A Titus Ray Thriller by Luana Ehrlich.



Are Christian Conspiracy Thrillers your thing? 


Then take a look at Annabel Lee (Coffey & Hill Book #1) by Mike Nappa.

 And, though, I’ve just started reading Ted Dekker’s Rise of the Mystics (Beyond the Circle Book #2), I’m really enjoying it.  




But how much violence is too much for Christian readers? 

Recently, I read an article published by beliefnet.com that poses the question, what’s too violent for Christian readers? It is a Roundtable Discussion Featuring Mike Nappa, Ted Dekker, Lynette Eason, and Revell publisher Vicki Crumpton. The article is well worth reading. Click here to view

I know that I’ve only just begun to cover the sub-genres contained within Christian suspense, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on them. What’s your favorite Christian suspense sub-genre to read? How much is too much violence for you? What books do you recommend?

Leave me a comment for a chance to win a copy of your choice of the books mentioned above. Please leave your email address as well. The print copy will be for US residents only, eBook for outside the US. I’ll announce the winner on Wednesday the 25th.

Blessings always!

Mary Alford


44 comments:

  1. any genre
    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  2. I love mystery and suspense and I am so glad that Christian authors are writing this genre. I avoid graphic details and excessive violence. Thanks for these excellent suggestions!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. You are welcome, Connie. Thanks for joining me.

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  3. I really like profiling and police mysteries best. Carol 1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. I have always enjoyed the suspense and mystery genre and love being able to find Christian authors there. All of these books look great; I very much enjoyed "Mind Games"!
    litteraegaudium(at)aol(dot)com

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  5. What a great list of books. I love suspense/mystery and have read at least one of most of these authors. Would love to win a copy of one!

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  6. I love all these sub genres. I don’t like a lot of graphic details as I have nightmares from PTSD. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. You are welcome, Lucy. Thanks for joining in.

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  7. I really enjoy reading Amish suspense. I like reading about the Amish way of life.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. I like Christian romantic suspense and don't like a lot of violence on the page--don't like to read it and don't like to write it. :-)

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    1. I agree, Patricia. Some things we just don't need to read.

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  9. I like all sub genres. pj4824(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  10. I like thriller types, criminal profiling, and medical suspense. But if it’s suspense of any kind I’ll read it!
    ktpoole@bellsouth.net

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    1. All good categories. There are so many great sub-genres to read nowadays.

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  11. Now is a fabulous time to be a Christian fiction reader - so many talented writers creating so many wonderful books including mystery and suspense!

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    1. I agree with you, Valerie. Every day there's something new that I want to read.

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  12. I'm great with cozy mysteries, but I'm still struggling with dystopian stories, even when they're written by a great, Christian author like Vannetta Chapman! ;) rw620 AT aol DOT com

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    1. Vannetta is such a great author. I love her stuff.

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  13. I like Christian romantic suspense and medical suspense.

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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  14. I enjoy police, FBI, CIA romantic suspense and medical suspense as well. I get squimish easily so I try to avoid too much violence.
    mindyhoung AT msn DOT com

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  15. I think they are all truly amazing and great reading.

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  16. I love most Christian suspense. I have read Amish suspense and legal and romantic suspense. I draw the line at very detailed murders.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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  17. I agree, Maryann. Don't need too much graphic details.

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  18. Mystery/suspense is my favorite genre! I'm so grateful there are so many Christian authors to enjoy.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  19. All these books sound great. I enjoy suspense and especially when I can’t guess the ending. Violence is needed at times to keep the old ticker pounding but not a lot of gore.
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Yes, I agree. When you're writing about the bad things in this world, you cannot simply gloss over them. There's a fine line between too much and not enough.

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  20. I like Christian suspense, and basically anything that gives enough detail to know what is going on, but nothing to excessive. I keep hearing how amazing Nancy's book is, so I will have to check that one out. It's always nice to be able to pick up a book with recommendations by others, knowing it will be clean but suspenseful!
    LLWaltz [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. Dang typing on a phone, *too excessive.* I promise I know the correct to, too, two to use! 😂

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    2. Nancy is a wonderful author. Mind Games is a definite nail bitter. I can't type more than a sentence on my phone. Auto-correct drives me crazy.

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  21. I am always looking for new Christian suspense authors to read. I love picking up a book and not being able to put it down because of all the twists and turns and not knowing how the story will end.
    sonflower277 at gmail dot com

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    1. I love those types of books, too. And when you get to the end of the book, you are surprised by the bad guy's identity.

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  22. Since I do like reading Amish stories, and mystery is my favorite genre, the Amish mysteries have really caught my eye. But they aren't the only Christian mysteries I have read.

    I think "gore" is probably too much description for me. But as far as violence, either described on the page or only alluded to, I don't know if I have a "too much."

    donna (dot) durnell (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

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    1. Donna, I love Amish mysteries as well. I agree about the gore. I really don't need too much of it in a story.

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  23. And the winner is....Winnie! whthomas13@yahoo.com. Winnie, I will be emailing you shortly. Thanks to everyone who joined in.

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