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I love a good Christmas novella collection, and Lighting Up Christmas promises to be a fabulous one. Listen in as I chat with four Scrivenings authors about the collection and their books! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. If you knew the craziness that was this recording! Those poor women!  Meanwhile, we managed, and now, I don't know about you, but I'm dying to get to it! :D Lighting Up Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Heather Greer, Mary Pat Johns, and Regina Rudd Merrick Four Christmas lights. Four love stories. One season filled with faith, hope, and happily-ever-afters. In Lighting Up Christmas, four heartwarming holiday romance novellas shine with cozy charm, clean romance, small-town warmth, and the gentle reminder that God can bring light to even the dimmest season. In The Bright Side of Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Holly Belle loves Christmas, holiday décor, and twinkling lights. Her new neighbor, Robert Bradshaw, prefers peace, quiet, and keeping her Christmas cheer firmly on her side of the duplex. But when Holly decides his grinchy heart needs a little holiday help, their battle over lights may lead to something brighter than either one expected. In The Light of a Christmas Star by Heather Greer, Elena Bell is determined to make Tannenbaum's Festival of Lights a success for the families depending on it. When rising Hollywood star Trenton Wills arrives at her B&B, he may be the answer to the town's needs—and the beginning of Elena's own Christmas romance. But Trenton has secrets that could dim more than the festival lights. In 'Twas the Light Before Christmas by Mary Pat Johns, Cooper Blackmon enters the region's biggest Christmas lights competition determined to win. Mandy Alvarez needs the prize money to save her family's beloved Christmas Village. As rivalry turns to friendship and friendship glows into something more, only one can claim the prize. But both may have far more to lose than money. In Pitch Perfect Lights by Regina Rudd Merrick, Holly Shepherd is facing her family's first Christmas after loss while trying to create joy for her young siblings. When author Paxton Hollis returns home and quietly helps revive her father's beloved light display, Holly discovers that hope can still shine, even through grief. A charming choice for readers who enjoy clean, faith-friendly romance wrapped in Christmas lights, small-town warmth, and happily-ever-after hope. Read Lighting Up Christmas and discover four faith-filled holiday love stories that glow with joy, hope, and the true light of Christmas. Visit Amy at her WEBSITE or on GoodReads and BookBub. Learn more on Heather's WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Learn more about Mary on her  WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. You can learn more about Regina and her books on her Website and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

My favorite romance is romcom--always. And one of my favorite romcom authors has a new one out, I LOVED it.  Listen in as Becca Kinzer and I chat about her latest book, Not What We Pictured.  So funny.  note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  We had a great time talking about not just Not What We Pictured but also a Christmas novella I've forgotten the name of but listened to when we finished talking and... guys. It was great! Not What We Pictured by Becca Kinzer This is absolutely not how they pictured their summer going. McKenna Boston is feeling stuck. She's spent years growing her photography skills only for her career to hit a wall. She's ready to move on, and she will, just as soon as she helps her sister's boyfriend stage the perfect proposal. But when her best laid plans go awry and a handsome stranger accidentally ends up with the heirloom ring, McKenna hops on a flight to retrieve it. Piece of cake, right? Nate Lambert was hoping to enjoy a relaxing summer before starting his new job as a literature professor, but he arrives in Tennessee to discover his mom's bed and breakfast is struggling and there's a long list of repairs to be tackled. The last thing he needs is a gorgeous, determined photographer searching for a ring he doesn't have since the airline lost his luggage somewhere on his route from Nebraska. With the ring nowhere to be found, all McKenna can do is wait and use the time to build her portfolio and plan her next career move. But she also can't help getting swept up in Nate's bed and breakfast renovations and in planning a community concert with the townsfolk. As both await news of Nate's suitcase, it begins to seem their serendipitous meeting, and the proposal gone wrong, could actually be everything going right . . . and that this may be their chance at a love neither could have pictured. Learn more on Becca's WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

Regency novels are always fun, but Jenelle Hovde takes them a step further in The Light of Stars by taking us to India!  Listen in as she shares the story (marriage of convenience!) and history. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Talking to Jenelle is such a delight. I love her heart for the Lord and His people. YAY! The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde An arranged marriage. A powerful company tainted with corruption. Two souls caught between obligation and a longing to find their true calling in this Regency romance set in glittering London ballrooms and Calcutta street markets. When Kitty Grenville's grandfather announces her engagement to Sebastian Sinclair, she's appalled. She barely remembers the boy she met once as a child—and now he's a man tied to the East India Company, the very organization that tore Kitty and her brother from their mother and home in Hyderabad years ago. Unwilling to relinquish her dream of a love match or her passion for astronomy, Kitty is determined to refuse the marriage and find freedom in her own way. Sebastian Sinclair carries the weight of duty and regret. To atone for past sins, he complies with his grandfather's orders to return to England, fulfill a long-standing betrothal, and defend the maligned East India Company before Parliament. Though Kitty makes her disinterest clear, Sebastian is drawn to her intellect and spirit. As Kitty navigates her first London season, her opinion of Sebastian begins to shift, especially when he shields her from scandal. When he's abruptly called back to India, Kitty stuns everyone by marrying him and going with him, hoping to escape her grandfather's control—and to find her mother. But the challenges that await in India are greater than imagined. Together, Kitty and Sebastian must confront the legacy of family and empire—and discover if a marriage born of obligation can grow into a love strong enough to endure. Learn more about Jenelle on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

If you love spiritual warfare with a bit of Screwtape Letters thrown in, then listen in as James Finke and I chat about his Dear Judas. This is one I do NOT want to miss. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.   James FInke started out writing  apologetics and during Covid, shifted to apologetics-infused fiction. And if you don't follow him on Instagram, you should!  He's brilliant. Dear Judas by James Finke Christians are binging this in a weekend. Not your typical Christian fiction. This one will impact your walk with Christ. From James Finke, author of the bestselling Christianity Uncomplicated series, comes Dear Judas, a gripping Christian novel where love, apologetics, and spiritual warfare collide. Tommy Finch has built his life on evidence, logic, and measurable results. A successful medical device salesman in a demanding corporate world, he has no need for God. Until his heart stopped. After a near-death experience shatters his disbelief, Tommy finds himself confronting questions his rational worldview cannot explain. But as he searches for answers, he becomes the target of unseen forces determined to lead him to "their father's house below." There is just one problem for hell's strategy team. Tommy is married to Elizabeth, a devoted Christian whose persistent prayers and unwavering faith make him far more dangerous than he realizes. Through chilling letters between a junior demon and his calculating supervisor, Dear Judas reimagines the themes of The Screwtape Letters in a contemporary setting, blending spiritual warfare, thoughtful apologetics, humor, heart, and eternal stakes. As Tommy wrestles with skepticism, truth, and the unseen battle unfolding around him, one question becomes unavoidable: What if the evidence actually points toward God? Perfect for readers of C. S. Lewis, Frank Peretti, and Francine Rivers, especially those who enjoy Christian fiction filled with spiritual conflict, emotional depth, and faith that refuses to separate reason from belief. Learn more on James' WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

Nothing kicks off an excellent suspense novel like a deathbed confession!  Listen in as Elizabeth Goddard and I chat about her latest novel and learn more about the first book in the new Mercy Ridge series. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  I love a great series, and this new one by Elizabeth Goddard sounds awesome!   When the Silence Breaks by Elizabeth Goddard A deathbed confession. A decades-old secret. A mountain that holds the answers--and danger closing in. When intelligence analyst Sarah Ellison learns of her grandfather's deathbed confession connected to her brother's murder, she's determined to protect her remaining family. After further investigation, she discovers the disclosed information points to a decades-old government secret buried deep in the Cascade Mountains. With this knowledge, she looks for a guide who knows the terrain like the back of their hand. After his father's death in a tragic mountain accident, former Navy SEAL Ryder Goodwin no longer guides for the family business. At first, Ryder refuses to help Sarah, but he sees the trouble chasing her and can't stand by while someone brings danger to his small-town mountain community. Ryder and Sarah gear up to climb the mountain in a race against time and a looming storm. When the danger escalates, their search for answers shifts to a survival mission. Their only chance to make it through involves trusting each other and confronting the truth no one wants them to find. This gripping romantic-suspense thriller set in the Pacific Northwest from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard is a series opener that will sweep you away in a rush of adrenaline. Learn more about Elizabeth Goddard on her WEBSITE and follow her on BookBub and GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

Don't know about you, but I think a good historical event as the foundation of a story is one of the best there is. Terrie Todd's The Reluctant Healer of Halifax offers just that sort of foundation. Listen in and hear the story of how it became a part of this multi-author series! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. The tragedy of Halifax is riveting enough by itself, but what Terrie Todd did with that story is nothing short of amazing.  She's a favorite author, but seriously, this might just become a favorite book. The Reluctant Healer of Halifax by Terrie Todd Her Family, Her Home, Her Future—All Leveled in One Thunderous Explosion When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered. Three days ago, Pearline Campbell's family was whole and Oliver Hamilton still loved her. But upon returning to Halifax disfigured and shellshocked, Oliver ended their relationship. Then came Thursday, December 6, 1917, when the Halifax harbor was leveled by a tremendous explosion. . .and Pearline fears nothing will ever be whole again. Her parents are dead, her brother is missing, and her sister refuses to speak. Pearline must fortify herself to open her home to needy orphans, including an unidentified baby. Where can she find the strength for each new day as misery grips the city? More from the Enduring Hope Series: The Angel of Second Street by Barbara Tifft Blakey The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly J. Goshorn The Caregiver of Wounded Knee by Debby Lee The Daughter of Shiloh by Terri J. Haynes The Girl from Tomorrow's Town by Naomi Musch Learn more about Terrie on her WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

YA Christian fiction set in Israel?  Come on, that screams, "Sign me up!" Listen in as Bethany Crigger and I chat about her book, Sunshine for Yofi. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Love this different setting in particular. Seeing Jewish culture and a Christian set in it and seeing everything. through that lens?  Yeah. This is unique, fresh, and still relatable. Sunshine for Yofi by Bethany Crigger After Yofi bombs her big opportunity to share her music, she spirals into a pit of self-doubt. Who is she if she doesn't have what it takes to play in front of other people? Didn't God put music inside her to speak to others through it? Giving up isn't an option, but Yofi's nerves promise one thing: failure. So she does the only thing she knows to do. She cries out to God. His answer is puzzling—a verse containing lilies, paired alongside a new friendship with Ori—the boy who sees what Yofi is painfully blind to. But even if Ori's got her perfectly pegged, both the lilies and the captivating boy remain a mystery to Yofi. With her curiously intuitive cat by her side, Yofi weaves herself into the beautiful community of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). But just as her playing improves, Yofi's world flips upside down. Nothing is coincidental; it's all a part of the plan. But whose plan? Is the burning in Yofi's heart to play and share her music God's leading, or is it merely her own selfish desire heading her straight for the deepest pitfall of all? Sunshine for Yofi is a uniquely crafted and heartfelt novel by Bethany Crigger. This wholesome coming-of-age story is a breath of fresh air, awakening the sleeping soul to dreams of hope long buried. If you enjoy clean, faith-filled themes, you'll pine for this story of perseverance, friendship, love, generosity, and community attuned to God. Learn more on Bethany's WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

One thing good fantasy often has is the whole "prophecy" angle--and how it affects the folks involved. But what if, in addition to that, you also find out that who you thought you ARE... is all wrong?  Listen in as R. T. Ward and I chat about her book, Prophecy Changer. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  The creativity of God's people never ceaces to astound me, and this conversation was further proof of that. Prophecy Changer  by R. T. Ward Trauma has taken root in Thea's soul, leaving behind questions she can no longer silence. When long-buried memories begin to surface, the truth presses in demanding to be seen, felt, and faced. Adopted by the Mirascan people, Thea has always believed herself to be human. But as fragments of her past return, doubt follows. Drawn by questions she can't answer and a pull she can't explain, she steps beyond the only world she has ever known, hoping to uncover who she truly is. Her search leads her into the unknown and into the path of Ilan. Through him, Thea begins to unravel the lies that shaped her life, awakening a deep ache of anger, betrayal, and grief. What she uncovers changes everything. Caught in the center of a living prophecy, Thea learns of Creashu, the world of her origin, and the calling placed upon her life. As new gifts awaken within her, she must decide whether she will allow her pain to define her...or refine her. Determined to pursue truth, forgiveness, and the path set before her, Thea faces a choice that will alter more than her own destiny. The future of two worlds hangs in the balance, and the role she was born to fulfill can no longer be ignored. But becoming a Prophecy Changer was never meant to be easy. All proceeds go to livingseeds.foundation Learn more on her WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

Dystopian in the desert?  Sign me up!  Seriously, listen in while Lauren Smyth and I chat all things "glowy" in the desert! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Not a lot of people write books about the boring Mojave Desert.  When they do, I take note. Especially when it's a super-cool dystopian delight! EEEP! All That Glows by Lauren Smyth The apocalypse didn't take everyone. It just took us. Ever since the rain turned green, Kyrie's world has been bathed in glowing dust. She packs it into old mascara tubes and sells it as makeup alongside dried cacti, threadbare blankets, and long-expired canned food. There's not much else to do when everyone outside Kyrie's small town in the Mojave Desert died from the plague-bearing rain ten years ago. Everyone—except the man in the rubber mask. He's on the dangerous side of the fence, huffing infected air like it's nothing, babbling to Kyrie about college and umbrellas and yogurt and everything else that disappeared the day it rained. He doesn't seem to know that the world ended, and he has no explanation for how he survived the apocalypse. But Kyrie doesn't believe in ghosts. She can't trust him, but he's right about one thing: Towns without secrets aren't surrounded by chain-link fences. And chain-link fences won't keep out the plague forever. Learn more on Lauren's WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

I did a whole video on dementia in Christian fiction and how we need more not long ago.  Now Carolyn Bourke has given us another wonderful addition to the line up in A Beautiful Death. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  This book shows how people with dementia are still people with love to give and needs. If you loved The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, I suspect you'll enjoy this book, too! A Beautiful Death by Carolyn Bourke A moving story of resilience, second chances, and the unbreakable bonds of familial love. World-renowned pianist Cassie Brennan faces a devastating diagnosis: rapidly advancing younger-onset dementia threatens to steal her memories and identity. As she grapples with the lonely life she's always led, an unexpected friendship with newbie journalist Elle Jones offers a glimmer of hope. With time running out and the shadows of dementia closing in, Elle helps Cassie confront her deepest regrets and search for reconciliation. Together, Cassie and Elle embark on a journey of forgiveness and self-discovery, testing the boundaries of friendship and the resilience of the human heart. Bourke weaves a tapestry of emotions that will resonate with readers long after the final page in this heartwarming tale of resilience and humor in the face of dementia, where Cassie's quirky attitude and indomitable spirit captivate. Perfect for fans of Sara Brunsvold's The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, A Beautiful Death is a testament to the enduring power of love and the indomitable strength of the human spirit. Learn more on Carolyn's WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

I love the Pinkertons--give me a Pinkerton story any day. Add to that one with an undercover woman as an agent, and you've got me hooked. Listen in and see with Denise M. Colby has done in A Whole New Plan to ensure I read this one ASAP. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Though NOT the last in the series, this book is the last for now, anyway! Don't know about you, but I'm eager for more! A Whole New Plan by Denise Colby Sometimes God's best plan is the one we never expected. California, 1870. Pastor William Baker has built his life on faith, routine, and safe choices—until Lydia Spencer walks in and turns everything upside down. Independent, outspoken, and guarded, Lydia is unlike any woman he's ever known. She has no interest in church… and no intention of revealing the truth she's hiding. Because Lydia isn't just a schoolteacher. She's a Pinkerton detective, sent west to track a dangerous crime boss—and she'll do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means keeping her distance from the one man who sees straight through her defenses. But when unexplained thefts shake their quiet small-town rural community, and a desperate boy appears with ties to a deeper mystery, Will and Lydia are forced into an uneasy partnership. As danger closes in, so do their hearts. What begins as a reluctant alliance soon becomes a forced proximity neither of them expected—and neither can ignore. Yet the very things that draw them together may be the ones that tear them apart. Lydia's life is built on secrets. Will's is built on truth. And when her past catches up with her, they'll have to decide what matters most—holding on to their own plans… or trusting the One who sees the bigger picture. Because sometimes surrender is the only way to find the life you were meant to live. Set against the backdrop of the American West, A Whole New Plan is a heartfelt story of faith, courage, and a strong woman learning to trust again—woven with threads of mystery and hope.> If you enjoy western Christian romances with elements of intrigue and heart, you'll love A Whole New Plan—perfect for fans of Misty M. Beller and Mary Connealy. Step into a story of courage, trust, and unexpected love—grab your copy today. Learn more about Denise on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Don't miss the first interview with Denise.  Listen in HERE. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

Have you been longing for a trip to Leathersby?  Well, Ann Swindell promises to take you there AND reveal what a hundred years has hidden in her upcoming release, Secrets in the Castle Library. Listen in for all the news! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Love that we talked about stereotypes and how they relate to our pasts and when they don't.  Also love how she focused on sanctification of believers who don't know how that's going to look.  Don't miss how she talks about how God has a great ending for each of our stories. Secrets in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell The past year of Melanie Tallebois's life has unraveled, both professionally and personally. Usually unflappable, she can't understand why life isn't going to plan. So when she's offered a professorship at the University of Lethersby, she seizes it as her chance to find the happiness that has eluded her for as long as she can remember. The fact that her best friend is the nation's princess and has invited her to live in the castle for the summer doesn't hurt, either. The only thing eluding Eddie Canon are answers. As director of the National Museum of Lethersby, he's spent years chasing the truth behind Queen Alma's disappearance over a century ago. Now, tasked by the royals to tie up the loose ends of the national mystery, he's studying in the castle library and still coming up empty-handed. The last person Eddie wants to work with is Melanie, who inserts herself into his research—and his life. She's brash, annoying, forthright…and altogether brilliant. Eddie thinks it wise to push her away, but as the research continues to stall, he can't ignore that their friendship has begun to blossom. When the long-lost queen's mysteries finally come to light, Melanie is plunged into darkness—and Eddie questions everything he thought he understood about faith and love. Together, they must uncover the secrets in the castle library and decide whether they're willing to trust God with a story far greater than their own. Learn more about Ann on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

The last place you want to be when the electricity gives out is the desert--especially in summer. Listen in as I chat with Dante Lupinetti about his book, Desert's Edge and how it tackles a trek across the desert and up into the mountains... with a couple hundred people in tow! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Growing up in the area that this book takes place in, I can't WAIT to read it. EEEP!  It's sitting right there on the shelf, taunting me. Must. Finish. My. Own. Book. Desert's Edge by Dante Lupinetti The grid is down. Phoenix has 72 hours. And the only way out is through 200 miles of desert. Former Army Ranger Jack Cross hasn't spoken to his father in three years. Hasn't been inside a church. Hasn't let himself believe in much of anything since nineteen firefighters trusted him and didn't come home. But his father has been broadcasting on emergency radio every night since the EMP hit. Come north. There's room. Come anyway. Jack has 210 terrified strangers, one missionary doctor running from her own ghosts, and a wooden cross he can't bring himself to throw away. The desert doesn't care about any of that. Neither does the clock. When an electromagnetic pulse kills every electronic device in Phoenix during a 118-degree heat wave, Jack faces an impossible choice — stay in a city of 1.7 million people as the infrastructure collapses, or lead more than two hundred terrified strangers two hundred miles north through the Sonoran Desert to Camp Kadesh — his father's off-grid Christian retreat in the Prescott mountains. The father he hasn't spoken to in three years. The refuge the old man spent five years building while everyone called him a fool. Joining him is Dr. Faith Morrison — missionary physician, Haiti veteran, and a woman whose faith has been ground down by years of watching children die of treatable diseases while her prayers went unanswered. Together they'll lead a caravan of families, elderly couples, frightened children, and one man hoarding water while others go thirsty — through crashed planes, contaminated water sources, rattlesnake strikes, and triple-digit heat that turns every mile into a question about whether God is still in any of this. Jack's father has been broadcasting on emergency radio every night. Come north. There's room. Come anyway. The wooden cross is still in Jack's pocket. Some things you can't throw away. Some debts can't be balanced. And some refuges are built by people who believed — long before anyone else did — that the day would come when you'd need somewhere to run. Desert's Edge: A Jack Cross Novel is a post-apocalyptic survival thriller about what it costs to keep walking when everything in you says stop — and what grace looks like when you finally arrive. Especially for readers of Kyla Stone, Jamie Lee Grey, and William Forstchen. Series: A Jack Cross Novel, Book 1 Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller / Christian Fiction Content: Clean read. No profanity. No explicit content.   Learn more on WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

I love women's fiction when it tackles tough stuff, and boy does Laura DeNooyer's House of Wind promise some hard topics. Listen in as we look at a pastor's family and how things aren't always as they seem.  note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Church hurt is a real thing, but what about for those who live with the perpetrator? AAAK.  I knew the minute I read the synopsis that this would be on my TBR. House of Wind by Laura DeNooyer Wendi Burkham lives in an emotional prison she unwittingly walked into. Nobody understands and her captor holds the keys.  Married to a respected pastor, Wendi lives a life others admire—with two children and a home that reflects faith, stability, and love. But behind closed doors, Wendi is trapped in a cycle of control, manipulation, and emotional abuse no one else can see—and no one would believe. How do you escape when no one believes you need to? For sixteen years, she has stayed silent. Stayed faithful. Stayed afraid. Until one night forces her to choose between the life she's built . . . and the truth she can no longer ignore. Her husband's warning echoes: "Planting wind only reaps a harvest of tornadoes." But what if the storm is the only way out? Learn more on Laura's WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

I feel like Christian fantasy is really exploding. So when I read about Cheryl Weber's Never Forsaken, I knew I'd have to read it. Listen in as we chat about the world, the faith, and the story. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Never Forsaken by Cheryl Weber Giant snake gods. Worshippers of sensuality. A jealous rebel. A failing king. A courageous, young prince who struggles to uphold truth and justice. Caught in the middle, one young woman fights for her future and the very destiny of her soul. Ariel Summerfield was a girl when tragic loss, followed by a devastating betrayal, broke her heart and robbed her and her family of wealth and prestige. Ten years later, she is still struggling to hold them all together. Can what was lost be restored? Will she ever be free to pursue her dreams? But those with vile intentions for Ariel lay in wait. And one terrible day, she finds herself captive to a fate she never would have chosen. Will she yield to the voice that promises victory over her enemies but leads to the ultimate destruction of body and soul? Or will she entrust her life and dreams to the all-powerful One who cherishes her like no other and can redeem the shattered remnants of her life? Even when all seems lost.   Learn more on Cheryl's WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!