Christian Historical Fiction discussion

I am looking for Christian fiction set in ancient Rome (ie. Mark of the Lion series). I have found that I really enjoy the ancient/early church, persecuted church. Their faith is incredible! Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks!

One coming soon... Valeria's Cross Sorry I know it's for September... but at least you have it to look forward to? *wink*

Oh and also check out
Shadow of Colossus
City of the Dead
Guardian of the Flame

Not all Rome obviously, but close. All from T.L. Higley

Oh and of course there are always the Thoene series (plural) Bodie Thoene

Francine Rivers has her Lineage of Grace series that you may like. Takes women from the bible and writes their stories.

Thanks Margaret and Jennifer. They look like good suggestions. I just won Lineage of Grace from Tyndale, and I have Shadow of Colossus. Valeria's cross sounds good too! I appreciate the suggestions!
happy reading!

I haven't been able to find the Lineage of Grace series readily available... but then it's on the list...

You may want to try the separate books she had out before she combined them into lineage of grace. Just a thought.

thx

Hi Megan!
I just read "Centurion's Wife" by T. Davis Bunn and Janette Oke. It's not set in Rome, but it's about the days immediately following Jesus' resurrection. Written from the POV of Pilate's destitute niece, who serves in his household as his wife's handmaid, she becomes entangled in the investigation of the disciples' early days as a church.

Mesu wrote: "Hi Megan!
I just read "Centurion's Wife" by T. Davis Bunn and Janette Oke. It's not set in Rome, but it's about the days immediately following Jesus' resurrection. Written from the POV of Pilate's ..."

oh I love it when those two authors write together! I've been wanting to read that one.

Read "A Stray Drop of Blood" by Roseanna White. It's exactly what you're looking for.

Linore wrote: "Read "A Stray Drop of Blood" by Roseanna White. It's exactly what you're looking for."

I read a review of that yesterday on a blog I follow! I want to check it out.

If you want something with a historical point of view, try A Wretched Man: A Novel of Paul the Apostle. It is edgy and provocative. Sorry for the self promotion; I wrote it.

Love to get these biblical fiction titles for potential reads for the Facebook fan page - "The Bible - A Novel Idea". Have ya'll checked it out yet? We read a book a month and discuss. Hasn't caught on much yet, but we just started in January.

I just finished The Centurion's Wife tonight. Loved it. It definitely fits into this genre.

I don't think you'll ever be able to find anything in that particular setting that's as good as the Mark of the Lion series, but "The Robe" by Lloyd C. Douglas is almost on that mark. It's about the soldier who won Christ's robe at the cross, and it contains early Christians and the persecution of the church, plus romance and a stunning plot.

There are a number of books which are similar to The Robe; The Silver Chalice, Quo Vadis, Ben Hur. These books were best sellers of their time and were made into major motion pictures during the time when Hollywood still had an appetite for Christian themes.

I would also recommend; Flower, A Story of the Nativity. It has a strong presence of Roman characters as well as a vivid presentation of life in the first century. While the Nativity is the event the story is woven around, the book is not another version of the popular book associated with the motion picture released a few years ago. I think you will find all of the elements you are looking for in this book. Check out the reviews at Amazon.com.

And btw, I wrote the book.
It explains why it was significant that Jesus was born at Bethlehem, who the wise men were, and why were they looking for Jesus, why was Herod so obsessed with finding Jesus, where did the gifts of Gold, Frankensense and myrrh come from, and many more. It also features some little known locations in Judea including Solomon's Pools in a way which helps to learn about the geography in an interesting way.

Carla Capshaw has 2 Love Inspired Historicals set in early in Rome and are both really good books.

Mmm, The Silver Chalice is AMAZING!

This thread says questions, so here goes.
I have a readers guide for book groups on my book Crestmont.
The book is not promoted as "Christian" although there are Christian themes throughout. I am thinking of writing another reader's guide/Bible study for book groups who study Christian fiction. If any of you have read Crestmont and would like to suggest scriptures/Bible characters that might relate, I'd love to hear from you.
Thank you!
Holly