I've always had a soft spot for the woman at the well, and chatting with Jill Eileen Smith about her book, A Deeper Well just made me decide my Biblical fiction book of the year. Listen in and see why.

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Too often, the woman at the well gets a far worse rap than Jesus gave her, so I'm excited to see someone treating her situation with compassion AND Biblical truth. Eager to read.

A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith

Her broken heart thirsts for acceptance and love that seem out of reach--until an encounter at the well reveals what her soul truly longs for.

In ancient Israel, soon after Nessa is of marriageable age, her father gives her to a wealthy widowed friend, capitalizing on her beauty to bring in the highest bride-price he can find. Nessa is devastated, as she had begged to marry Lavi, who returned her love and saw more in her than her appearance. Nessa's betrothal leads to Lavi's departure, compounding her grief, and she can never forget her forbidden first love.

Nessa tries to accept her fate, but after only a year of marriage, tragedy hits her new family. She is sent back to her father, who quickly finds a young man who wants to marry the most beautiful woman in Sychar. Misfortune follows Nessa as she is passed from one marriage to the next--until she meets an unusual Jewish rabbi at the town's well one afternoon, and her life is forever changed.

You can get A Deeper Well at 30% off with free shipping (as of today, anyway!) at BakerBookHouse.com.

Goodreads Giveaway going on in March 2026.

Learn more about Jill at her WEBSITE. and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

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I've seen devotionals connected with short stories before, but nothing like this. Listen in to see why I'm so excited about Barbara Britton's Across the Lake.

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Combining biblical fiction with devotional focus on scripture, Barbara Britton has created something so impressive.

Across the Lake by Barbara Britton

Hope can cross any distance—especially when Jesus is in the boat.

Set amid stories from the Gospel of Mark, Across the Lake by Barbara M. Britton is an inspirational Christian devotional for readers who long to encounter Christ's power and compassion in a fresh way.

Through short, story-based reflections, Britton explores moments of spiritual warfare, physical suffering, and divine restoration. Each vignette reveals how the life of Jesus continues to transform hearts and renew faith today.
Inside, you'll discover:

• Thoughtful devotionals rooted in Scripture and history

• Encouragement for your daily walk with God

• Insights perfect for personal growth or small group discussions

Blending the beauty of Biblical fiction with the truth of Bible study, Across the Lake invites you to see that every struggle can become a testimony when placed in the Savior's hands.

Jump in the boat with Jesus—the same Savior who still calms storms and transforms lives today.

Learn more on her WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

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I love R. M. Ruiz's passion for Jesus and good, uplifting and encouraging fiction for kids. Listen in as we learn how the Chosen Kids go to New York for their next mission.

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We chatted about the books, of course, and how each one has its own focus--the kids and the missions and the locations. I can't wait for this one.

The Chosen Kids Encounter at Mahattan: by R. M. Ruiz

The Chosen Kids return for a new mission!

In Book Four of The Chosen Kids Saga, the kids embark on a new operation filled with wonder, suspense, and heartwarming moments. One where they come to understand what it means to be Christ-like in an unfriendly world.

A shadow is creeping over the Big Apple.

For their latest mission, the Chosen Kids are sent into the heart of New York to rescue a missing loved one. When the family discovers the evil being that holds the key, they follow the creature through the concrete jungle in hopes that it leads them to its captive.

Fascinated by the colorful sights and sounds of Manhattan, Caiden and the kids struggle to stay focused. Except the city isn't all it seems, and trouble pops up wherever they go.

With time running out, and no sign of their lost person, the family changes tactics and soon uncovers the fiend's identity and its diabolical scheme.

Following the Holy Spirit's guidance, the Kids set a bold plan into action. But if they don't hold fast to the truth of Jesus, they could fall prey to the monster's wicked tricks, and the key to their mission will be lost.

Grab a copy for your young believer to continue the redemptive journey today.

Learn more about the series, the characters, and Rosemary at TheChosenKids.com and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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One of my favorite books of last year, A Light at the End of the Woods combines history and adventure and more! Listen in to learn how I mortified myself while giving a five-star review!

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Carrie Brownell's love of history and England comes through loud and clear both in her books and in our conversation. You won't want to miss it.

A Light at the End of the Woods by Carrie Brownell

How much risk should a person take to protect someone who has been dead for centuries? Siblings Alice and Henry are about to find out when they head to the country with their parents for a summer holiday. The cottage the family rents near the childhood home of Lady Jane Grey is nothing like their house in Oxford, not least because it appears to harbour a maze of secrets. Alice, Henry, and their parents are determined to unravel the puzzles that have been placed in their path. But when an old woman with a mysterious past begins haunting the family's every move, they have second thoughts about continuing their holiday.

This family adventure about resilience, courage, and duty in the face of adversity brings past and present together in a swirl of intrigue. The children and their parents are running out of time to make a decision that could have far-reaching effects. And someone is determined to stop the family at all costs.

Learn more about Carrie on her WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads.

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Chatting with Ashlyn McKayla Ohm is always a delight. Listen in as we chat about her spin-off new series and the first book, Between Heaven and Earth. I love Avery and can't wait for you to meet her and Addisyn.

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Anyone listening to Ashlyn talk about Colorado will see just how much she LOVES the Rockies. This new series combines her love of the mountains with a love of Lakota culture and the stories she's discovered there.

Between Heaven and Earth by Ashlyn McKayla Ohm

In the High Country, Heaven is closer than they know...

After fighting to overcome her mother's abandonment, Avery Miles is thrilled to be working at a nature center in her beloved Colorado Rockies. But when her younger sister, Addisyn, begins revisiting their past, Avery's struggle with anxiety returns—especially as Addisyn comes dangerously close to the secret Avery kept to protect her. And Avery's problems worsen when she's forced to work alongside the creative—and cocky—YouTuber Creed Running Wolf on a conservation project with a surprising link to her own past. Now, Avery is caught between Addisyn's search for the truth and the anxiety that's becoming harder to hide…and the only answer lies in the town she ran from years ago.

Creed Running Wolf has always been fascinated by the Lakota concept of kapemni—a doorway between Heaven and Earth. If that doorway exists, he's sure it's not in Colorado, the place he never wanted to see again. However, as he learns Avery's story, he begins to hope he can still rewrite his own—especially as he and Avery find common ground. But when the past resurfaces and his friendship with Avery is shattered, they will both have to face everything they've tried to escape—and discover once and for all what would truly bridge Heaven and Earth.

Captivating and compelling, Between Heaven and Earth is an honest yet hopeful look at the stories we tell, the secrets we keep, and the healing power of forgiveness.

To learn more, visit Ashlyn's WEBSITE. Also follow her on GoodReads and BookBub!

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Adoption can be tough on anyone, but being a teenager adopted and moved to a new country? Whoa... Rume Emma-Okerhe's Rains of Mercy tackles a lot of tough topics. Listen in and see why I think it's such an important book.

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I love books that tackle tough topics, and this one tackles loss, adoption, culture shocks, teen pregnancy, and the love of a woman who didn't give birth to you or see you grow up from a small child. How amazing is that?

Rains of Mercy by Rume Emma-Okerhe

A Millennial's Story of Self-discovery and Faith

Tehillah loses everything in a bomb explosion.

She gets adopted by strangers.

She relocates a thousand seas away from the country of her birth and heart.

And… then ends up with a malicious adoptive sister.

She struggles with culture shocks, low self-esteem, ends up in a dodgy relationship and becomes a single mum.

Will Tehillah find a way to rebuild her life, rediscover her worth, and experience the mercies of a God who loves her more than she can imagine?

Will she ever accept Mrs Ezegwu as her mother? And will she stop seeing Jordan as the shorter, younger boy she could never like?

Learn more about Rume on her WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads.

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When someone says, "Is there a new Tracie Peterson out?" the answer is almost always either "YES!" or "SOON!" I had a blast chatting about Faithful of Heart with her. Listen in and see what's happening in this new series!

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I loved that God in His gracious wisdom decided to set the release of Fairest of Heart set in Minneapolis at a time when His people would need encouragement and a reminder of what a lovely city it is with a rich history. He is so good to us!

Can't wait to learn all the cool things.

Faithful of Heart by Tracie Peterson

Can forgiveness and love overcome a tattered legacy?

When dedicated philanthropist Judith Stanford receives a summons from her estranged grandfather ordering her to come to Minneapolis to prove herself worthy of his inheritance, she is hesitant but can't ignore the potential of her grandfather's fortune to benefit her causes. And the only man to interest her since her husband's death lives in Minneapolis, leaving her hoping their paths will cross.

Roman Turner, a local physician with a heart for the poor, harbors a grudge against Judith's grandfather. Years ago, his unethical actions ruined Roman's family forever. When Roman meets Judith again, he is shocked to learn the woman he's thought about all these years is related to the one man he can't forgive.

As Judith tries to overcome the complicated history between the two families and disentangle her grandfather's tainted legacy, she begins to form a plan for reparation. But when it becomes clear someone else has nefarious intentions for the money, Judith's dreams of a new legacy are at risk.

Don't forget that you can get this and her other books at 30-40% off with FREE US shipping from Bakerbookhouse.com

Learn more about Tracie Peterson on her WEBSITE. Follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

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Sometimes, I see a book and think, "Did the author just decide to write that especially for me???" Okay, I know Heather Tabers didn't write Books & Battlefields just for me, but listen in and learn why she did--and a lot more!

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Loved chatting with Heather about this book, particularly since it's WWI set in the US! That doesn't happen often. Also, I loved that she wrote the sort of "love triangle" that actually makes sense.

I also loved seeing how the Victory Book Campaigns could've been sparked by those that happened in WWI!

Books & Battlefields by Heather Tabers

A spirited librarian with a guarded heart. A haunted surgeon battling the past. A quiet deputy who never stopped hoping.

Isabella Pearson isn't looking for love—only a way to serve. In 1917, she leaves her privileged Denver life behind to volunteer as a librarian at Camp Sheridan, Alabama. With a suitcase full of books and a heart determined to remain independent, she never expects to find herself being pursued by two men: Nathaniel, her brother's steadfast best friend, and Byron, the brooding Chief Medical Officer who makes her pulse race for all the wrong reasons.

Major Byron McDaniel has buried his heart with his late wife and plans to keep it that way. Yet Isabella's courage and compassion rattle the walls he's so carefully built. Meanwhile, Nathaniel Steele has followed Isabella to Alabama with hopes of finally winning the heart he's long treasured in silence. But as tensions rise at Camp Sheridan—with a suspicious fire, a string of accidents, and whispers of sabotage—Isabella must navigate more than just her feelings. When loyalty, love, and liberty hang in the balance, will she trust her heart—or her instincts?

Learn more about Heather on her WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

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