--- title: "Faith through Fiction: Putting God First" description: Authors from CatholicTeenBooks.com explain how faith-filled fiction can entertain our teens -- and change their lives. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Faith-through-fiction-f.jpg --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2019/02/21/faith-through-fiction-putting-god-first/#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # Faith through Fiction: Putting God First Feb 21, 2019 3:00:18 PM  |  by [Carolyn Astfalk](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/carolyn-astfalk) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Faith-through-fiction-f.jpg) [![](http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Faith-through-fiction.jpg)](http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Faith-through-fiction.jpg) Courtesy of CatholicTeenBooks.com. Background image credit: [Pixabay.com](https://pixabay.com/photo-2929646/) (2017), CCO/PD. All rights reserved.[/caption] Do you struggle to find reading material for your tweens, teens, and young adults that is both entertaining and edifying? Something that’s fun to read but isn’t filling their minds and hearts with toxic values, explicit sex, or dark/occult themes? If you do, then the authors at Catholic Teen Books are a lot like you! These award-winning fiction authors are mothers, teachers, homeschoolers, and more - all seeking to provide young Catholics with engaging but wholesome novels. They write stories that mirror the struggles today’s teens face through a variety of genres that appeal to both young men and women. **Why fiction?** *Don’t underestimate the power of a story. *A well-written story takes us into characters’ lives and lets us live through them for a while. Faith-filled fiction can entertain and take us on an exciting journey, but more importantly, it can change lives. Strengthen our resolve. Help us grow in virtue. And bring us closer to God. In the monthly video series *Faith Through Fiction*, Catholic Teen Books authors T.M. Gaouette (*The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch*) and Leslea Wahl (*The Perfect Blindside*) discuss a topic relevant to today’s teens then share insights from a special guest author. They also share reading recommendations based on those themes. In this month’s episode, Catholic Teen Books hosts author Carolyn Astfalk (*Rightfully Ours*) discussing this month’s theme of putting God first. The featured book is *Secrets: Visible & Invisible*, a short story collection by seven Catholic Teen Books authors that includes a variety of genres from contemporary to historical and dystopian. The premiere episode of *Faith Through Fiction* is [available online](https://youtu.be/L7WTJhtriMQ) with featured author Theresa Linden (The West Brothers series, *Chasing Liberty* trilogy) and featured book *Roland West, Outcast*. For more information on Catholic Teen Books and other reading recommendations, visit [www.catholicteenbooks.com](http://www.catholicteenbooks.com). https://youtu.be/7B4cV3qBeIs ### Books mentioned in this episode: - [*Secrets: Visible and Invisible*](https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Visible-Invisible-Corinna-Turner-ebook/dp/B07F63ZN5Z/) an anthology by CatholicTeenBooks authors - [*Crusader King*](https://www.amazon.com/Crusader-King-Susan-Peek-ebook/dp/B00DJGBV1E/) by Susan Peek - [*3 Things to Forget*](https://www.amazon.com/Things-Forget-Bird-Face-Book-ebook/dp/B07JBQZF8J/) by Cynthia T. Toney - [*The Siege of Reginald Hill*](https://www.amazon.com/Siege-Reginald-Hill-Am-Margaret-ebook/dp/B07K5F4BK4/) and [*Brothers*](https://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Short-Prequel-Novella-Margaret-ebook/dp/B0782LS4G4/) by Corinna Turner - [*Treachery & Truth*](https://www.amazon.com/Treachery-Truth-Katy-Huth-Jones-ebook/dp/B01AH4DO5Q/) by Katy Huth Jones - [*Life-Changing Love*](https://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Love-dating-courtship-family-ebook/dp/B01EU4FNYY/) by Theresa Linden - The [Faith and Kung Fu series](https://www.amazon.com/T.M.-Gaouette/e/B008IAC4D0/) by T.M. Gaouette. --- *Copyright 2019 Carolyn Astfalk for Catholic Teen Books* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F21%2Ffaith-through-fiction-putting-god-first%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F21%2Ffaith-through-fiction-putting-god-first%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F21%2Ffaith-through-fiction-putting-god-first%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Faith%20through%20Fiction%3A%20Putting%20God%20First) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F21%2Ffaith-through-fiction-putting-god-first%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F21%2Ffaith-through-fiction-putting-god-first%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Carolyn Astfalk](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/CAROLYN%20ASTFALK.jpeg) ### [Carolyn Astfalk](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/carolyn-astfalk) Carolyn Astfalk is a wife, mother of four young children, and a writer. Her contemporary Catholic romances are available at Amazon.com. She is a member of the Catholic Writers Guild, a Catholic Teen Books author, and blogs at My Scribbler’s Heart. Visit [CarolynAstfalk.com](http://www.carolynastfalk.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ Faith through Fiction: Christmas Special Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/faith-through-fiction-christmas-special) [ Faith Through Fiction: Carolyn Astfalk Discusses Temptation Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2019/06/20/faith-through-fiction-carolyn-astfalk-discusses-temptation/) [ Faith Through Fiction: Katy Huth Jones Discusses Courage Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2019/08/15/faith-through-fiction-katy-huth-jones-discusses-courage/) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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