Kate, over at Once Upon an Ordinary suggested that I do a special post just sharing 5 Historical Fiction books that I liked from this year. I know this means more books for you all, but since I think I can throw it together really quickly, and I do miss being a part of the FFF, here it is. (By the way, I’ve reread or am rereading all my own books this year, but I won’t share any of them.)

Stephen Mitchell’s Journey by Isabella MacDonald Alden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another delightful and refreshing reread.
Stephen and Sarah Jane, and all the rest were so real, and I smiled over Helen’s relationship with her twin brother. So sweet. I loved watching the progress upward that started by a list of words. Words a speaker used during a talk and never knew what they led to. A good reminder that our words are powerful even if we don’t see any results or know that they made a difference in another person’s life.
Recommended.

The Children Who Stayed Alone by Bonnie Bess Worline
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I remember reading this book when I was a child, but I didn’t really remember much about it. Reading it again was delightful! I loved Phoebe and Hartley and all the younger ones. I loved the setting of the Kansas prairie and the struggles and joys that came with living there when you couldn’t see your closest neighbor even from the top of the windmill. The children got along for the most part, which was an added plus. Yes, there were a few difficult times, but every family has those.
This story, while not predominately Christian, does have prayer, quoting some Bible verses, and things like that.
I would recommend this story to anyone.

The Bamboo Sword by Margi Preus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an interesting and very fun read. I have never read any story set in Japan when it was still closed to “barbarians” before Perry arrived. The fears of the people, the way of life, the stories they’d heard of the “outsiders” and of Manjiro (a real person who had spent several years in America before coming back to Japan), made it all very fascinating. There was plenty of excitement and adventure.
I also really enjoyed the part in the back where the author tells you what is fiction and what isn’t. She also tells about some different important Japanese who were named in the book.
This is not a Christian book, but then I wasn’t expecting it to be since it was focused on Japan.
Recommended.

Dunstan: The Making of a Man by Sarah Brazytis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ve enjoyed other books by this author and was pretty sure right at the beginning that I would enjoy this one as well. I was right.
I really liked Dunstan and cheered when things were going well for him, and hoped things would get better when they weren’t. I liked his strong Christian faith and his willingness to work hard even when he wasn’t used to the work.
Grace was sweet and tender and I liked her.
The other characters in this story (except for some certain ones) were such fun. I loved their different personalities and seeing them grow and change.
The settings and descriptions were well done and I just kept reading longer than I was going to because, well, because it was that kind of a story.
The Christian faith was a vital part of the story and not just tacked on. (My one complaint is that it sounded like salvation required being baptized and not just faith in Christ.)

Mountain Feud by Manly Wade Wellman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I didn’t realize until I read the book, that Roy is a descendant of Zach Harper from an earlier series by the same author. That made it a little more fun. I liked Roy and Polly and others in the story. The feud had me wondering about some things, but I was just glad the cow was the only casualty. When Polly and Roy started really using their heads and their common sense, well, let’s just say I like it. It’s well written, engaging, and has enough mystery to keep you reading.
This isn’t a Christian book, but it is clean and does mention people going to church.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that my book Jim Wood is FREE today only! I think this is the first time Jim Wood has been Free, so take advantage of it while you can!