Get to know the best authors like Francine Rivers through our list. Discover heartwarming tales and more Christian fics to add to your collection today.
Authors like Francine Rivers weave storylines that are emotionally challenging and heartwarming. Stories that inspire love and grace, as well as offer lessons on forgiveness and redemption, are where readers draw inspirational and religious tales.
Francine Rivers is a New York bestselling author. In her 47 years of experience, she’s already the recipient of many awards. Many of her novels topped bestselling charts. Two of which were adapted into movies.
She is renowned for her “statement of faith,” works, in particular, Redeeming Love. The novel unfolds during the California Gold Rush. It’s a fiction that, as acclaimed Christian fiction author Angela Hunt attested, is the “most moving book you will read in your lifetime.”
The book’s love story shows a suffering girl and her husband’s pursuit of love. In the middle of them is God’s unwavering affection. Despite her enduring hatred, their love rekindles her spirit. As the book puts it, “Love is the way back into Eden. It is the way back to life.”
This is followed by numerous acclaimed series and standalone, such as Mark of the Lion Series and Lineage of Grace Series. Rivers continues to write Christian-inspirational romance books today. For more, check out our list of the best-selling Francine Rivers books.
Need more motivation? Check out our roundup of the best motivational books worthy of a space in your bookshelf.
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Best Authors Like Francine Rivers Ranked
1. Beverly Lewis
Award-winning Beverly Lewis draws inspiration from her birthplace, Lancaster, Pennsylvania – famously known as The Heart of Amish Settlers. Many consider her books as an “insider’s view” of an Amish’s simple and traditional life.
For an author with over 100 books, Lewis humbly shares her surprise at how her works are recognized. She’s applauded for her many awards like the Christian Retailing’s BEST and the Christy Award. This proves Lewis’ solid foundation among Christian fiction writers.
Since she has numerous bestselling books, it’s hard to just choose one. But the most popular, and also adapted into movies, are from The Heritage of Lancaster County Series: The Shunning, The Confession, and The Reckoning.
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Beverly Lewis, The First Love
2. Karen Kingsbury
Karen Kingsbury’s path toward being a New York Times bestselling author was anything but ordinary. It began with her travels, she had no friends to accompany her. But Kingsbury discovered solace in writing novels. And because writing was her best companion yet, she studied journalism in college. She tried sports journalism, then transitioned to crime writing.
Finally, she met her God-fearing and Bible-studying husband, whom she found skeptically cute. This was Kingsbury’s turning point to becoming a Christian novelist. She is now known for her Baxter Family Collection and The Chance. She aims to inspire and uplift readers while bringing glory to God.
“The truth was this: Love is a decision.”
Karen Kingsbury, Redemption
3. Jan Karon
Jan Karon displayed her creative writing talent early on. She earned praises that pushed her onward. Eventually, her excellence led her to the position of Creative Vice President. During this time, she garnered many accolades in the advertising field.
Still, Karon wanted to be an author. And so later, she quit her job to pursue her calling. Unfortunately, her past experiences and accolades did not give her an easy journey as a novelist. Then, she dreamt of a priest walking down a village street – this dream became her inspiration for Father Tim Kavanaugh. He’s a wise and compassionate rector priest that you can read in her books.
This particular protagonist is now in a series called Mitford. With Karon’s efforts in writing, it’s now a New York Times bestselling franchise. The first installment, At Home in Mitford, earned Karon an ABBY (American Booksellers Book of the Year) award.
“The firefly only shines when on the wing, So it is with us – when we stop, we darken.”
Jan Karon, At Home In Mitford
4. Terri Blackstock
Terri Blackstock, always aspiring to be a writer, had a promising start. Ever since a young age, she has had a wild imagination and an adventurous spirit.
Blackstock began her writing journey with romance books. Later, she transitioned to suspense. But then she realized something: she wanted to bring hope to many struggling souls. How nice would it be to remind people that they will always have someone?
And so what does Blackstock do? She pens suspenseful, faith-driven tales. Aside from her many awards, she’s now a New York Times and Christian Booksellers Association bestselling author.
Her recent work, the If I Run Series, is a testament to her talent. The three-novel series: If I Run, If I’m Found, If I Live has received positive reviews on Goodreads and Amazon Kindle and Audiobooks.
“Our job is to stand up for our beliefs, cling to them no matter what, and wait for our redemption. Jesus will not let us down.”
Terri Blackstock, If I Run
5. Janette Oke
Janette Oke took full advantage of her growing up in a loving family. The positive experiences she collected continue to inspire her. This is despite being born during the Great Depression. There were many trials for sure, but her parents taught her to appreciate life.
As a devoted Evangelical Christian, she holds on to her faith and instills it in her own family. Her heartwarming tales made her fans fall in love with her storytelling prowess. Her tales often include emotionally driven characters with strong faith in the face of coming challenges.
Oke received many accolades, one of which is the 1992 President’s Award from the Evangelical Christian Publisher Association. Her first novel, a historical fiction love story titled, Love Comes Softly, continues to be her bestseller. Over time, Oke penned 76 more books.
“Sometimes love isn’t fireworks, sometimes love just comes softly.”
Janette Oke, Love Comes Softly
6. Frank Peretti
Frank Peretti is a recognized Christian fiction author for his influence on Christian literature. His stories were appreciated for diverting from the common struggling woman-meets-minister narratives.
Peretti, instead, writes about spiritual warfare. What is it? It’s a biblical concept revealing the battle between the forces of good and evil in a hidden supernatural realm – all within a simple town. This has made him a New York bestselling author that has sold over 15 million copies.
His second novel, the first-ever Christian fantasy, This Present Darkness, achieved massive success through word of mouth. It became his signature work, together with his Christian horror novel, The Oath. He has inspired similar authors to venture into this genre.
“It gives you a real respect for the truth when you have to help clean up lives that have been based on a lie. Think about it.”
Frank Peretti, This Present Darkness
7. Lynn Austin
Though Lynn Austin wasn’t a bookworm nor a writer of anything literary, she still became an award-winning author. Her daydreaming and wild, dramatic imagination encouraged her to become a writer. Further inspired by her favorite books, Austin’s tales mostly feature strong independent women. They are not just capable, they also find strength in God.
To date, Austin holds the record for winning the most Christy Awards. Some works that stand out for their many positive book reviews and ratings are Candle in the Darkness and Gods and Kings. Her other novel, Hidden Places, was turned into a Hallmark movie in 2006. It features a woman’s plight to go on as a widow and her faith in her guardian angel.
“When you only believe in things you can see with your eyes and touch with your hands, it is idolatry.”
Lynn Austin, Gods and Kings
8. Lori Wick
Lori Wick is a historical romance and Christian romance author known for motivating her readers. Her versatility as a writer is evident in her stories. Readers are taken to different eras, from Victorian England and the American West to contemporary times.
Wick’s faith in God made her love writing. Her famous works are The Princess and Sophie’s Heart. The Princess, in particular, is loved by many for its perspective on marriage. It’s a tale of a humble, good woman, her arranged marriage with a widower, and their second chance at love through faith.
“God is able to bear all that you are fretting about. He has made a plan. He has made provision.”
Lori Wick, The Princess
9. Ted Dekker
As a child of missionaries, Ted Dekker is imbued with Christian beliefs. He spent a good part of his childhood in Indonesia, where he would get his novel inspirations, drawing from heavy spiritualism, animism, and anything that instills fear.
And so come his books on thriller and fantasy novels, but not without the themes of good and evil. In his The Circle Series and Thr3e, for instance, the protagonists are locked in an evil world. His other famous work, House, is a supernatural story he co-authored with Frank Peretti.
His many works have earned him recognition and awards across various platforms. He has a Christy Award for Best Fiction Book and Best Suspense Book, as well as the Best Audiobook and Award for Excellence in Faith-Driven Mystery/Thriller. This solidifies his place among Christian thriller authors.
“Anything unnatural was not naturally believed. Faith, in essence, was unnatural.”
Ted Dekker, Saint
10. C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis, Christian apologist writer and scholar, initially left his religious upbringing. Mainly due to his dilemmas but later returned to Anglicanism.
His writings both mirror his English education and Irish roots. This made his writings culturally diverse. He combines Christian themes and philosophical arguments. One example of apologetic writings is that one with lesser sin should be purified after death in purgatory. He also defends Christian beliefs and principles through his writings.
His prolific legacy earned numerous accolades, including a Carnegie Medal and Best Reprint. Besides his well-loved classic fantasy, he is also known for The Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity.
“Even in social life, you will never make a good impression on other people until you stop thinking about what sort of impression you’re making.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
11. Susan May Warren
Susan May Warren has been a devoted religious servant and unwavering writer since childhood. She expresses her faith through her writings.
Though she had already won Christy, RITA, and Carol awards, Warren still put great effort into penning different themes and genres. She’s looking for a “hook,” as she named it, to see which one would draw in the masses. Regardless of the genre, she ensures to weave Christian values and principles into it. Often, she curates a heartfelt story of ordinary people that relates to her readers.
Two of her most famous works include the first book in the Montana Marshall Family Series, Knox. Another is Wild Montana Skies, the first of its series, Montana Rescue. Both stories explore themes of second chances and healing through faith.
“Life isn’t sure, life is scary, It doesn’t mean you stop living it.”
Susan May Warren, My Foolish Heart
12. Becky Wade
Becky Wade has earned a place in the Christy Award Hall of Fame for her award-winning Christian romance books. Her stories are captivating to all ages as they include mystery, faith, and humor.
Interestingly, she is the youngest on this list. This suggests that her impressive prestigious awards will give her greater success in the future. Her two must-reads for Christian romance lovers are My Stubborn Heart and Undeniably Yours.
“The best thing that could have happened to him had been God’s answer to a prayer he’d never prayed.”
Becky Wade, My Stubborn Heart
