Life-Changing Fiction

What does it mean to be loved by God when you feel weak, anxious, or undeserving of love?

In this episode of Life-Changing Fiction, McKenna is joined by Christian author Emmeline Bennett to discuss her historical romance Fern, Joy of Her Father .

About the Book:

Fern never knew her father, who died before her birth, but she carries a reminder of his prayers for her in her middle name, Abigail. Yet Fern feels far from the bold woman of faith her father hoped she would become.

When she agrees to visit an unknown cousin in Carnforth, Fern fears her weak faith will not be enough to carry her through the ordeal. Then she meets Fred, whose peaceful presence sparks her curiosity. As Fern discovers the story of her earthly father and begins to trust Fred with her heart, she also begins to know her Heavenly Father more deeply.

But when illness strikes and her world crumbles around her, Fern must face a difficult question: will she surrender her life and her love into the Lord's hands?

We Discuss:

• The power of testimony

• God's unconditional love

• Anxiety

• The importance of community

• Beauty from the unexpected

• Christ as our unity

• Chronic illness and dependence on God

• The gift of grace

Find more about Emmeline and her books here:

Website: https://emmelinebennett.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emben_writer/

Read Fern, Joy of Her Father: https://a.co/d/08GNHL3j

Connect with McKenna:

Instagram: @mckennakyllobooks

Grab Her Free Novella Here: https://mckennakyllo.com/books-2/

What makes a story truly life-changing? At Life-Changing Fiction, we believe it’s fiction that draws us closer to Jesus, reminds us of who God is, and challenges us to see our circumstances through the lens of His truth.

In this episode, I’m joined by author Leah M. Taylor to discuss her debut novel, The Boy Who Called Me Beatrice, a story about identity, abandonment, grief, redemption, and the unchanging faithfulness of God.

About The Boy Who Called Me Beatrice

Set in the small town of Arrow Rock, Missouri, this dual-timeline novel follows Beatrice Barlowe, a girl abandoned by her mother who longs to be known by her real name, and Bo Finnegan, a man whose broken engagement sends him searching for a new beginning. When their paths cross again years later, their stories reveal how God can work through brokenness, unexpected friendships, and even the smallest acts of kindness.

We Discuss:

• Why the best stories point us beyond themselves and draw us toward the real Jesus.

• Finding comfort in God's presence when we feel abandoned, forgotten, or alone.

• What happens when the world tries to strip away our sense of identity and worth.

• Learning to trust God's sovereignty even when our circumstances don't make sense.

• How one seemingly insignificant moment can change someone's life.

• Holding grief alongside the hope we have in Christ.

• How our words, actions, and stories can point the people around us toward Jesus.

Connect with Leah M. Taylor:

Website: https://www.leahmtaylor.com/

Find The Boy Who Called Me Beatrice:

Purchase a Signed Copy

Find on Amazon/Kindle

Connect with McKenna:

Grab her free novella

Instagram: @mckennakyllobooks

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What does it really mean to be strong?

And what happens when we stop looking to the world to define who we are and start looking to Christ?

In this episode of Life-Changing Fiction, McKenna chats with author Emily Ann all about her novel What I Hold, the third book in the Valiant Devotion series.

What I Hold invites readers to consider questions of identity, purpose, independence, family, faith, and what it means to live according to God's design rather than the world's definition of freedom.

We talk about:

• The role of fathers in shaping identity

• Biblical masculinity vs. the world's definition of masculinity
• Biblical femininity vs. the world's definition of femininity
• What does true strength actually look like?
• Why we are only as strong as our relationship with Christ
• The difference between happiness and joy

• The danger of allowing culture to define our identity

• What it looks like to surrender to the Lord

• How Christian fiction can challenge the way we think about culture and faith

Connect with Emily Ann

Instagram: @authoremilyann

What I Hold

Connect with McKenna

Instagram: @mckennakyllobooks

Grab McKenna's Free Novella: Beyond the Promise of Life

Keywords:

Christian fiction, Christian historical fiction, Emily Ann, What I Hold, Valiant Devotion, Christian books, Christian historical romance, biblical masculinity, biblical femininity, Christian femininity, Christian masculinity, Christian identity, finding identity in Christ, surrender to God, trusting God, Christian women, faith-based fiction, books about faith, Christian book podcast, Life-Changing Fiction, Christian romance books, historical Christian fiction

Life-Changing Fiction is back and McKenna is so excited to share all that this next season will have in store for you.

In this episode, McKenna discusses:

• The definition of Life-Changing Fiction
• The importance of rest and taking breaks
• Some of her favorite episodes from Season 1
• What to expect from Season 2

Grab your free copy of Between the Ashes: A Dust Bowl Short Story

If you are looking forward to this next season, go ahead hit Follow and rate this podcast so more listeners (ahem readers) like you can find it.

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Rate and review the podcast wherever you listen. Your review helps more readers discover faith-filled stories and meaningful conversations with Christian authors.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode of Life-Changing Fiction. New interviews feature authors whose books inspire deeper faith, spark thoughtful discussion, and point readers back to Christ.

Share this episode with a friend, parent, librarian, teacher, or fellow book lover looking for clean, Christ-centered fiction for teens and adults.

Together, we can help more readers discover stories that entertain, encourage, and glorify God. Thank you for being part of the Life-Changing Fiction community!

Finding Clean Books for Teens | Amy C. Shaw on Love, Sax, and All That Jazz

Looking for clean young adult fiction that entertains without compromising your values? In this episode of Life-Changing Fiction, author Amy C. Shaw joins McKenna to discuss her debut novel, Love, Sax, and All That Jazz, the power of storytelling, and why faith-centered fiction matters for today's teen readers.

Amy shares her journey to publication, the importance of surrendering our plans to God, and how Christ remains at the center of both her life and her writing. We also explore the growing need for clean YA books and practical ways readers can support authors creating uplifting, faith-filled stories.

Whether you're a parent searching for wholesome books for your teen, a reader who loves clean romance, or a writer pursuing God's calling, this conversation offers encouragement, inspiration, and a reminder that God's plans are always greater than our own.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why stories have the power to shape hearts
• Amy's inspiration behind Love, Sax, and All That Jazz
• Learning to surrender your dreams and expectations to God's plan
• Trusting God when your journey doesn't unfold the way you imagined
• Why Christ must remain the foundation of our lives and creative work
• The growing demand for clean young adult fiction
• What makes a YA novel both engaging and wholesome
• How parents can find clean book options for teen readers
• Practical ways readers can support clean fiction authors

Grab Your Copy Here:

Love, Sax, and All That Jazz on Amazon

Follow Amy on Instagram: @acshawya

Grab McKenna's Free Ebook:

Beyond the Promise of Life

Connect with McKenna on Instagram: @mckennakyllobooks

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In this episode of Life-Changing Fiction, McKenna sits down with author S.L. Klein to discuss her novel Waves of Redemption, a powerful story woven with Scripture, redemption, and the life-changing truth of who we are in Christ.

If you've ever struggled to see yourself the way God sees you, this episode offers encouragement and practical reminders of the redemption available through Jesus Christ.

In This Episode We Discuss

• The inspiration behind Waves of Redemption
• Why Scripture is woven into the fabric of the story
• Understanding your identity as a child of God
• Redemption and restoration through Jesus
• The role Christian fiction can play in strengthening faith
• Addressing the realities of human trafficking through storytelling
• Finding hope, healing, and purpose in God's redemptive plan

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Life-Changing Fiction and leave a review. Your support helps more readers discover powerful stories that deepen faith, inspire hope, and point hearts toward Christ.

Organizations Stacy Discussed:

A21Exodus RoadProject RescueOperation for FreedomOUR RescueVentureInternational Justice Mission (IJM)Polaris ProjectTim Tebow Foundation Anew FloridaLife Impact International

Grab McKenna's Free Ebook

Connect with McKenna on Instagram

Connect with S.L. Klein on Instagram

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In this episode of Life-Changing Fiction, McKenna sits down with author Kaylee Scherer to discuss her novel The Fisherman's Wife and the themes woven throughout its pages. Together, we explore faith, identity, purpose, and God's restoration.

Key Talking Points:

• Kaylee's personal faith journey

• Finding your identity in Christ

• Why waiting seasons are often preparation seasons

• Trusting God's timing when life doesn't go according to plan

• The story of Peter's denial and Christ's restoration

If you enjoy conversations about Christian fiction, faith, redemption, and stories that point readers toward Christ, be sure to subscribe to Life-Changing Fiction and leave a review. Your support helps more readers discover faith-filled books that inspire deeper walks with God.

Grab McKenna's Free Ebook:

Beyond the Promise of Life

Connect with Kaylee:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kaylee_scherer_author/

The Fisherman's Wife

Have you ever wondered what to do when a door closes and the future feels uncertain? How do you discern God's calling, find your purpose, and trust Him when you're waiting for what's next?

In this episode of Life-Changing Fiction, McKenna sits down with Christian fiction author Melissa Alyse to discuss her novel, A Place to Belong. Together, they explore the difference between purpose and calling, the importance of biblical mentorship, and how God often uses closed doors to redirect us toward His greater plans.

Melissa shares how faith, community, and wise counsel can help us navigate seasons of uncertainty, while reminding us that our true place of belonging is found in Christ.

Whether you're in a season of waiting, searching for direction, or longing for deeper spiritual roots, this conversation offers encouragement and practical wisdom grounded in Scripture.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The inspiration behind A Place to Belong
• What to do when doors close and plans fall apart
• Learning to wait on God's timing and direction
• The difference between purpose and calling
• Why every person needs a mentor
• How creativity can be used to glorify God
• Finding your identity and belonging in Christ

If you love discovering faith-filled books and hearing from Christian authors, please:

• Follow the podcast
• Leave a rating and review
• Share this episode with a friend
• Join the conversation on McKenna's Bookstagram

Your support helps more readers discover inspiring Christian fiction and meaningful conversations about faith.

Download McKenna's Free Novella

Beyond the Promise of Life

Connect with Melissa

https://www.melissaalyse.com/

SEO Keywords

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In this episode of Life-Changing Fiction, McKenna sits down with award-winning author Anne Gibson to discuss her Christian romance novel, Misgivings. From swoon-worthy romance to powerful biblical truths, this conversation explores how faith grows through struggle, why God's grace never runs out, and how our past doesn't have to define our future.

Misgivings follows Dee, a woman whose painful past has left her skeptical of faith and reluctant to trust God. When she encounters believers who challenge her assumptions and demonstrate authentic Christianity, Dee begins a journey toward faith. But as Anne shares, finding God isn't the end of Dee's story. It's only the beginning. Like many believers, Dee must learn what it means to trust God daily while navigating doubt, disappointment, and the wounds of her past.

Main Topics Discussed:

• Christian romance tropes readers love
• Why faith doesn't eliminate life's struggles
• Sanctification and spiritual growth
• Learning to trust God after past hurts
• The power of Christian community
• Isaiah 41:10 and God's promises
• Lessons from the Book of Jonah
• Finding God's grace in every season
• Anchoring your life in Scripture

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow reader who loves Christian romance, stories of redemption, and faith-filled fiction.

Download McKenna's Novella as An Ebook, A Free Gift To You Here:

Beyond the Promise of Life

McKenna's Instagram:

@mckennakyllobooks

Connect with Anne

Anne's Instagram:

@authorannegibson

Website:

https://authorannegibson.com/

Purchase Misgivings:

https://authorannegibson.com/books

In this episode, McKenna sits down with author J Gordon Manias to discuss imagination, eternity, the human longing for more, and the spiritual themes behind his upcoming novel Apocalypsis .

If you love thoughtful fiction, faith-centered conversations, fantasy novels, or stories that point toward deeper truths, this episode is for you.

• Why fantasy stories resonate so deeply with readers
• How fiction helps us process life, suffering, and eternity
• God as Creator and humanity’s desire to create
• The spiritual themes behind Apocalypsis 
• Why humans long for something beyond this world
• The role of imagination in faith and storytelling
• How different people wrestle with eternity and meaning

Connect with J Gordon Manias

https://jgordonfiction.com/

Grab Your Free Copy of McKenna's Novella

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