Lynn Austin Books In Order

Publication Order of Chronicles of the Kings Books

Publication Order of If I Were You Books

Publication Order of Refiner's Fire Books

Publication Order of Restoration Chronicles Books

Publication Order of Waves of Mercy Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Lynn Austin is an American born author of inspirational Christian fiction books. She holds a record for winning several Christy Awards and one of her novels; Hidden Places was converted into a movie by the Hallmark Channel.

The author was a reader and began writing with the aim of writing what she could read. In the beginning, she struggled to raise her siblings as she a part-time job. Her family relocated to Chicago where she became a teacher at a Christian high school for a year after which she became a full-time writer. Lynn Austin is best known for her books about women who find their strength in trusting God and don’t need help from anyone. Although the themes in her books are different the main message she tries to point out is that God loves his people and will never forsake them even when they face difficulties. The author gets inspiration from how real people live by researching past events from dairies.

Gods and Kings

God and Kings is the first book in the Chronicles of the King series where the author writes about King Hezekiah’s childhood growing up among idol worshippers in Jerusalem before he becomes the king. The book begins during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. Ahaz was twenty when he became the king and did not please in the eyes of the lord because he did what was not right. He led his nation into idolatry and abandoned the worship of Yahweh.

He sacrifices children as offering to the idols to get protection against his enemies from the gods. King Ahaz sacrifices his son Eliab to god Molech while his other son Hezekiah witnesses it. He then plots to sacrifice Hezekiah but Abijah, his mother, finds a way to save his son. Two men can help her, but she doesn’t trust them during that time when infidelity, violence, and betrayal to Yahweh are all over the place. Abijah has to discover where she can get the strength to save her son.

Prophet Isaiah tries to warn king Ahaz but he never gave an ear to his warning, and this makes his kingdom to be destroyed. His reigns come to an end when he is killed and replaced by his son King Hezekiah who is twenty-five and rules Jerusalem for twenty-nine years. When he begins ruling he repairs and opens the doors of the temple which were damaged and were no longer used since people have been worshiping idols. He is determined to bring back the kingdom to worship one God.

The story shows a great redemption because God is pursuing his people to get their attention until they come back to him.

Song of Redemption

The book begins when King Hezekiah is walking from his place to the valley of Hinnom taking a path he used the night when he was taken from bed during his childhood to be sacrificed to Molech. He wonders why his father had to sacrifice his child to an idol. He recalls that very night when his brother Eliab was slaughtered burned alive as the sacrifice.

Although is fathers reign is over, king Hezekiah doubts that there are still some people who will decide to ignore the truth about Yahweh and go on with the worship of god Molech in secret. He instructs his captain guard, Jonadab, to give a warning to the guards to watch over the valley gate at night because people are likely to sacrifice their children during those hours. Hezekiah wanted the god to be destroyed into pieces and melted down to make weapons such as swords spears and shields then put them in his armory.

The king intends to change his people to turn back to Yahweh and stop idolatry. He sought help from Zechariah, his grandfather to teach him how to pray, love, trust and believe in Yahweh. He wanted the people he ruled to see the greatness of Yahweh through His promises. His second intention was to stop the payment of high taxes to the Assyrians who were very ruthless and violent. His father had signed an agreement of being protected from the Assyrians, but it was now making Judah bankrupt. Doubting his decision, he questions Zechariah whether the decision was right and he answered him that it is not a mistake to trust in God. He adds that Yahweh does not promise a life without challenges, but one has to pray for what he has promised.

The author introduces us to another character named Jerusha, a young Jewish lady who lives with her unwell up family. One day the Assyrians invade their community maiming and killing people. Jerusha is grabbed and thrown on top of a horse this make her terrified thinking that she has been taken to captivity by these brutal people. After six days they arrive at their camp which was in the far north. Jerusha is brought in front of men by Iddina proudly terming her as an award to them. The men are more of animal than human because of their behavior of making Jerusha their prostitute. They rape her severally and force her to cook for them. She now belongs to them all, and this makes her world evil and violent. She watches the men return with other captives whom they torture and some end up getting killed. Causing human pain is part of their life, and they see nothing wrong on doing it. Her life becomes that of a salve, through being used, abused, and raped and cook for them.

The Assyrians are now matching again, and Hezekiah is rallying to protect the walls of his city though he is aware that the Assyrians have never lost before. He has faith in Yahweh that he will not lose the battle this time. Jerusha, on the other hand, wants to escape due to the torture she is undergoing, but her stay in the Assyrians camp can help the survival of the people of Jerusalem.

6 Responses to “Lynn Austin”

1. Wanda: 5 days ago

   Probably my absolute favorite author! I have not finished reading all her books, but I finished all the books on the Kings and on then finished all the books on the restoration. They are so good!!

   Reply
2. Nancy Dean: 4 months ago

   I love Lynn’s books!

   Reply
3. Enid Mason: 1 year ago

   Is there a sequel to If I Were You?

   Reply
   • Graeme: 1 year ago

     The Wish Book Christmas is described as a “sort of sequel” to it.

     Reply
4. Anita Smith: 2 years ago

   Am starting to read Legacy of Mercy. Which book comes before it since it seems to be a series. Also which one is after Legacy of Mercy. Thank you for taking time out to assist me.

   Reply
   • Graeme: 2 years ago

     As per our listing above, Waves of Mercy comes before it and there is no sequel to it. Just the two.

     Reply