Life-Changing Fiction

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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 Ch...

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 Go...

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 purpos...

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 pa...

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 fictio...

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 unpa...

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 sto...

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. Meanwhi...

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...

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 wher...

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 wh...

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 uns...

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...

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 Alexandr...

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, wr...

In this mic drop after mic drop episode, author Leah M. Taylor joins us to explore Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, a powerful retelling of the biblical story of Hosea that reveals just how far God’s love will go to redeem what was broken. This conversation dives into: How sin must be understood before grace can be fully felt Why Angel’s darkness is necessary to reveal the weight of redemption T...

In this episode, Laura Frantz, bestselling author and Christy Award winner, joins us to discuss The Indigo Heiress, a sweeping 18th-century story about faith, prayer, courage, and God’s faithfulness in uncertain times. At the heart of The Indigo Heiress is Juliette, a woman navigating overwhelming circumstances with courage, prayer, and unwavering dependence on God. Her story reminds us that even...

In today’s episode, McKenna sits down with author and teacher Kat Caldwell to explore her novel Bended Love. We discuss how Bended Love offers readers a better vision of romance than what mainstream culture is selling as well as the powerful truth that if you’re going to believe you’re enough, you have to live like you are. For the writers listening, Kat also shares insights into the mechanics of...

What does it mean to truly live intentionally, especially when life feels uncertain or out of our control? In this episode of Life-Changing Fiction , I’m joined by author S.L. Klein for a conversation about Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren and the deeper questions this story invites us to wrestle with. Together, we explore how fiction can gently awaken us to God’s presence, challenge us to examine our...

What happens when we are fully seen and fully loved? In this week’s episode of  Life-Changing Fiction , we explore a story that powerfully reminds us of a core Gospel truth:  Jesus will always love you and accept you.  Not the curated version of you. Not the healed version of you.  You, as you are. So many of us live in quiet fear that if others truly knew the deepest parts of us—our wounds, failu...

What does it look like when God pursues His children personally and uniquely? In this episode of  Life-Changing Fiction , I’m joined by author and reader Joanna K. Harris to discuss  The Number of Love  by Roseanna M. White , a story that explores how God knows us intimately and speaks to us in ways we can understand. We dive into how the novel’s two main characters understand God (as well as the...

In this episode of Life-Changing Fiction , I’m joined by bookstagrammer Megan Robertson ( @robertson.reads ) to discuss When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer. This is a powerful story that invites readers to wrestle with choice, free will, and the sovereignty of God. At the heart of this novel is Libby’s reality: living two lives and being forced to choose between them. As we explore her journey,...

Welcome to the very first episode of Life-Changing Fiction In this solo introduction, McKenna shares the heart behind the show, why fiction has played such a formative role in her own walk with Jesus, and what you can expect from upcoming conversations with authors and readers. Free Resource Mentioned in This Episode: Free Guide: Finding God Through Fiction Grab your copy here: https://mckenna-kyl...