Life-Changing Fiction

In this episode, McKenna sits down with author Kelli Galyean to discuss her book I Know the Feeling.

Together they dive into a powerful conversation about God’s mercy, discernment, identity, and spiritual growth.

Throughout the conversation, Kelli shares encouragement about returning to the Lord and embracing the truth that He greets us with open arms and new mercy every single day. They also unpack the importance of discerning truth from lies, filtering our thoughts through Scripture, and remembering that if something does not align with God’s Word, it is not from Him.

This episode also touches on:

• The danger of perfectionism in the Christian life
• Why we should never write people off
• The power of Christian community and unity
• Lessons from the Book of Acts
• How the people around us shape who we become
• The value of studying God’s Word
• Why joy and fun matter in our faith journeys

Through honest conversation and biblical encouragement, this episode serves as a reminder that God is still working in us, refining us, and drawing us closer to Him every day.

Key Scripture:
Philippians 1:6

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs encouragement today.

Grab Your Copy of McKenna's Free Novella, Beyond the Promise of Life

Connect with Kelli

In this episode of Life-Changing Fiction, McKenna sits down with author Kelli A. Galyean to discuss her novel, How Can It Be? a story that explores the unseen burdens people carry, the depth of God’s grace, and the transformative power of His love.

Together, we unpack how fiction can reflect real-life healing journeys and point us back to the truth of the Gospel: that no past is too heavy, no story too broken, and no person beyond redemption.

This conversation is a reminder that while our past may be true, the truest thing about us is the salvation we have in Jesus Christ.

Key Question: Who is God inviting me to love, and what is my first step toward that?

Download McKenna's Free Novella

Connect with Kelli:

Website

Instagram

KEYWORDS:

Christian fiction podcast, faith-based books, redemption stories, God’s grace, healing through fiction, Christian author interview, forgiveness and faith, new creation in Christ, biblical truth in novels, spiritual growth podcast

In this episode, McKenna dives into An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers with special guest Madison Unruh, unpacking its powerful themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, and redemption.

 Book Summary

Set in Ephesus, An Echo in the Darkness continues the story of Hadassah, a Christian who survives persecution but is left physically scarred, struggling to live the life God has called her to.

Meanwhile, Marcus Valerian wrestles with the growing impact of Hadassah’s faith on his life and the loss of her. In his grief, he searches for the God of Hadassah for answers.

Key Takeaways from our Conversation:

• Obedience to God often comes before understanding 
• Forgiveness is costly, but it leads to freedom 
• God is present in every season 
• Spiritual healing matters more than temporary physical healing 
• No part of your story is wasted

Key Themes

• Sacrifice 
• Forgiveness 
• Redemption 
• Obedience despite fear and anger 
• Faith in suffering 
• Purpose in pain 
• Spiritual vs physical healing 

Grab Your Copy of McKenna's Free Novella

Beyond the Promise of Life

Connect with Madison

https://madisonunruh.com/

Instagram

In today’s episode, we’re diving into McKenna's favorite book, A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers, with children's book author Kelsey Janae Weber.

Book Summary

A Voice in the Wind is set in ancient Rome after the fall of Jerusalem. It follows Hadassah, a young Messianic Jew who is taken into slavery and brought into a Roman household.

Despite loss, uncertainty, and danger, Hadassah lives with a steady, unwavering faith that quietly transforms those around her, including members of the powerful Valerian family.

As their lives intertwine, the story explores love, redemption, spiritual hunger, and the tension between worldly power and eternal truth.

This story is often called one of the greatest love stories ever told, but it’s not just romance. It’s a powerful look at faith under fire, the cost of following Christ, and what it means to live with quiet, steady obedience when everything around you feels uncertain.

Topics We Discuss

• ​Why A Voice in the Wind still resonates so deeply with readers
• ​Hadassah’s quiet faith and why it’s more powerful than it looks
• ​Living with courage when following Christ feels costly
• ​The spiritual impact of consistent faithfulness
• ​How prayer can be woven into everyday life
• ​The realities of following Christ
• ​Why we ultimately have nothing to lose when our lives are rooted in Him

A life rooted in Christ cannot be shaken

Story Tropes

• ​Faith under persecution
• ​Opposites attract
• ​Quiet heroine
• ​Forbidden romance
• ​Roman Empire
• ​Class-cross romance

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

https://BookHip.com/JXVFZGS

Connect with Kelsey:

https://kelseyjanaeweber.com/

In this conversation, I sit down with author Hannah Linder to explore her story, The Red Cottage.

We dive into the heroine Meg’s unique journey of experiencing life and love for the first time after losing her memory, and how that innocence contrasts with Tom’s struggle with unbelief, shame, and unanswered prayer. Together, their story reveals how trials refine us, deepen our love, and expose where we’ve placed our hope.

Episode Highlights:

• Meg’s steady faith contrasted with Tom’s struggle with unbelief
• How Tom’s shame shapes his inability to face God
• The danger of making people your “lifeline” instead of God
• How loss ultimately reveals where our hope truly lies
• Why trials are necessary for deeper, more resilient love

Connect with Hannah:

Hannah's Website: https://hannahlinderbooks.com/

Purchase The Red Cottage

Hannah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlinderbooks/

Join Hannah's Newsletter: https://hannahlinderbooks.com/newsletter/

Connect with McKenna:

Join McKenna's Newsletter:

https://mckenna-kyllo-1.kit.com/475efa56dd

McKenna's Website: https://mckennakyllo.com/

McKenna's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckennakyllobooks/

In this episode, I’m joined by Christian author Grace MacPherson to discuss her novel Domitian and the powerful themes of surrender, loss, and sacrificial love woven throughout the story.

We explore what it looks like to release the battle you’re fighting, trust God with the outcome, and choose love even when it costs everything.

About the Book

Domitian follows Flavia, a nineteen-year-old queen whose life is shattered when her husband is killed, forcing her into a marriage of convenience with her brother-in-law to preserve the kingdom. As political danger rises, she must learn who to trust while wrestling with grief, duty, and the possibility of unexpected love.  

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• At what point do you surrender the battle you’re fighting?

• How do you trust God after loss?

• What does surrender look like in real life?

• Is love a feeling or a choice?

• What does Christ-like love require?

Connect with Grace:

• Website: authorgracemacpherson.com

• Book discussed: Domitian

Connect with McKenna:

• Website: https://mckennakyllo.com/
• Newsletter: https://mckenna-kyllo-1.kit.com/475efa56dd

In this episode, McKenna sits down with middle grade fantasy author Rachel Keith to explore the heart behind the Lightraider Academy series, a series rooted in spiritual warfare, faith, and the deeper purposes of God.

Series Overview: 

The Lightraider Academy series follows young warriors being trained not just in skill, but in spiritual discernment and reliance on God. As darkness spreads and unseen forces wage war, these characters must learn that victory doesn’t come from strength alone but from reliance on the High One.

Key Takeaways

• Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons.
• Prayer is about surrender, not control.
• God’s answers are always good
• God is never absent, even in silence.

Tropes in Lightraider Academy

• Spiritual Warfare
• Good vs Evil
• Training Academy
• Chosen Ones / Called Leaders
• Faith Tested Through Loss
• The Cost of Disobedience
• Redemption Arc
• Mentor Figures & Spiritual Guidance
• Light vs Darkness 
• Sacrificial Love

This conversation is a powerful reminder that the battles we face aren’t just physical and neither are the victories. Through story, prayer, and faith, Lightraider Academy invites us to trust that God is always working for a greater purpose, even when we don’t understand the outcome.

Books – Rachel Keith Books

McKenna Kyllo | Instagram | Linktree

Get a sneak peak into the first 2 pages of my upcoming novella. Beyond the Promise of Life, releasing April 2026!

What does a heart do when the promise it trusted falls to pieces?

Emma Johnston's situation seems hopeless after she is left destitute. But when her secret romance with a servant in her father’s household blossoms into marriage, Emma believes she has finally stepped into the future God intended for her.

Moving across country to Aspen, Colorado, Emma and Fred must build a life upon the dreams of miners and the vision for a thriving city.

But when loss begins to shadow their marriage, Emma must decide if she will allow grief to steal the light in her life. As faith falters and sorrow tightens its grip, only one question remains:

Will she close her heart to the Lord’s purposes, or open her life up to be used for His glory?

Beyond the Promise of Life is a sweeping romantic prequel about marriage tested by suffering, a woman’s wrestling with God, and the strength it takes to keep trusting when every dream seems to be slipping through your hands.

Be the first to read it by joining McKenna's Newsletter:

https://mckenna-kyllo-1.kit.com/475efa56dd

Today McKenna sits down for a solo episode to chat about 8 works of fiction that have held some of the greatest impact on her own life. She discusses:

A Voice in the Wind and An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers

Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset

The Last Jihad Series by Joel C. Rosenburg

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Eternal by Lisa Scottoline

Connect with McKenna:

https://mckenna-kyllo-1.kit.com/475efa56dd

https://mckennakyllo.com/

In this episode of Life-Changing Fiction, McKenna sits down with author Emily Ann to talk about her historical romance novel, Where I Stand, which is a story of courage, surrender, steadfast faith, and love forged in the shadow of war.

Historical fiction does more than transport us to another era, pit teaches us. Emily shares how writing historical fiction allows us to uncover forgotten events, wrestle with moral complexity, and explore timeless spiritual truths through the stories of others.

We Discuss:

• Why historical fiction is such a powerful teacher of forgotten or overlooked events
• How fiction allows us to explore moral complexity in ways history textbooks cannot
• The reality of evil in the world and the responsibility of righteous people to rise against evil
• Why goodness has nothing to do with circumstances but is rooted in one's spirit
• Choosing what to do in the midst of fear
• The internal longing to become what we admire in others
• The reward of hard work and watching something flourish
• Remaining steadfast in the Lord’s plans even when they are unclear
• Seeing God’s faithfulness throughout all of history
• How remembering the past strengthens present trust
• What happens when we step aside and allow the Lord to work
• Why surrender is at the root of every transformation in the novel
• How friendship shapes, sharpens, and changes u

Tropes in Where I Stand:

• Enemies to Lovers
• Opposites Attract
• Slow Burn Romance
• Wartime Romance

Connect with Emily:

Instagram

Connect with McKenna:

Newsletter

Website

Instagram