2025 is the ninth year that I’ve kept a file on my top ten Christian reads for the year. You can follow my reviews on Goodreads or BookBub. Sadly, once again, I felt that only nine books were worthy of being mentioned. I hope for more good books next year.

I continued to read quite a few Biblical-era fiction authors because this is the genre of the series I am currently writing (and will be for some years).

1. Leaving Yesterday by Kathryn Cushman

One of only two five-star ratings for the year.

Wow. What a ride with this gritty, realistic novel that looks at the question, ‘What would a mother do to protect a child?’ and ‘would it be right?’
Excellent writing.
Unputdownable (I had a late night because I had to read the last half).
This is my third novel by the author, and I kept reading because the others were so good.
Real struggles, real resolutions, and plenty of spiritual and life lessons along the way. This will linger long in my mind.

Blurb:

Alisa Stewart feels like she’s lost two sons: her youngest to a terrible tragedy and her eldest, Kurt, to a life ruined by addiction. But now Kurt has checked himself into rehab and found a healing faith that seems real. It’s like he’s been raised from the dead. Then a detective arrives at Alisa’s door asking questions about a murder–the death of a drug dealer before Kurt entered rehab. Alisa fears losing her son again, and when she finds evidence linking him to the killing, she destroys it. Her boy is different now. He’s changed and deserves a second chance. But when another man is charged with the crime, Alisa finds herself facing an impossible choice: be silent and keep her son or give up everything for the truth.

2. A Light Undimmed by April Gardner

This is the first in a trilogy. Very unusual to read a novel set in the last days of Jerusalem as the Babylonians camped outside the walls.

Excellent writing and a story that draws you along.

Strong spiritual content and a heroine who seeks to honour God first.
Encouraging.

Blurb:

Pawned to the besieging Butcher of Babylon, one Hebrew noblewoman determines to shine with Yahweh’s light while seeking to be of use to the innocents of doomed Jerusalem.

In besieged Jerusalem, a Judean noblewoman is thrust into the perilous role of courier. Sent to Babylon’s commanding general, she soon discovers she is more than a messenger—she’s a pawn to a wicked king and a servant to a mighty God. Most surprising yet is the curious mind of Babylon’s bloodiest general—could Judah’s Yahweh truly be the God Most High?

Faced with the impossible, Liora must be bold, speak Truth, and do so without knowing whether the Butcher of Babylon will release her in the end…or keep her as his own.

In this tale of war, deception, and betrayal, one woman emerges as a beacon, a light undimmed in the shadows of Jerusalem’s ruins.

3. Leading Philippi by Jenifer Jennings

Jenifer is another of the authors that I invite to participate in my September Biblical-era fiction giveaways. Her series on the siblings of Jesus is excellent and she has several other series.

Another book that turns familiar names into real people with real fears and struggles. Loved this novel and look forward to others in the series.

Blurb:

In the raging sea of fear, Epaphroditus finds his faith.

In the bustling colony of Philippi, Epaphroditus, the son of a traveling merchant, finds himself ensnared in the threads of destiny. Blessed with wealth and privilege, his life is shadowed by a prophecy whispered by one of Aphrodite’s a grim fate aboard a ship awaits Epaphroditus.

Living vicariously through his best friend Luke, a compassionate physician traversing the seas to aid the afflicted, Epaphroditus grapples with the threat of mortality and the uncertainty of his future. When a bold traveler named Paul arrives, bearing tales of a humble craftsman from Nazareth named Jesus, Epaphroditus finds himself drawn into a journey of faith.

Join Epaphroditus on his extraordinary odyssey, where he discovers the transformative power of grace and the strength to battle fear with faith. Dare to embark on a journey that will stir your soul and ignite your faith as the letter of Philippians comes to life in Leading Philippi , Book 1 of the Paul’s Patrons series.

4. What Loyalty Demands by Carol Ashby

Carol writes one book a year and it is always worth waiting for. This was my second 5-star read for the year. Meticulously researched, I learn more about the Roman-era each time. Her books can be read in any order. It is also fantastic to read books that show you about times when following Jesus could mean your death.

Blurb:

When simmering unrest becomes open rebellion, do you do what’s right or what loyalty demands?

Scorned by his family since birth, Rogatus is a loner who relies on no one. He only needs two more years as a tribune, and he’ll have earned enough that the future he wants is assured, no matter what his father does to him. But as he begins his final command in Britannia, he meets the people who might end his loneliness…or his life.

With a Roman mother and British centurion father, Narina is at home in both tribal and Roman worlds. As the only Christian, she’s the peacemaker between her Roman brothers and British cousins. Cousin Sulio hates most Romans, but he loves her like a sister. When Rogatus brings his cavalrymen to their town, their chieftain wants Sulio to befriend the tribune to learn what the Romans are up to. As the tribune’s interest in Narina grows, Sulio wants to quench that before she gets hurt. But how can he do both?

When unrest becomes rebellion, old loyalties create mortal enemies. Narina has God to guide her, but her Roman friend and British cousin aren’t Christians. How can she get two strong men, who seem destined to be enemies, to choose life over death before it’s too late?

5. Stand by me by Neta Jackson

Solid contemporary fiction with strong writing and relateable story. Excellent character development and discussion questions at the end of the book. Would make a good book club book.

Blurb:

Sometimes the person you most need is the one least like you.

Kathryn Davies is a bright young woman from a prominent Phoenix family. But after making a leap of faith at a Christian music fest, dropping out of med school, and moving to inner city Chicago, her family all but disowns her.

When Kat discovers SouledOut Community Church, she longs to become a part of the multicultural church family. But her tendency to immediately say whatever she’s thinking steps on the toes of nearly everyone she meets—especially Avis Douglass.

Avis has a strong faith, is the principal of one of Chicago’s highest performing elementary schools, and is a founding member of SouledOut. But the country’s economic downturn has thrown both her and her husband’s jobs in question. And Avis hasn’t heard from her youngest daughter in months—an estrangement that gnaws at her every day. Where is God in this?

Kat’s flamboyant zeal for living a “radical” Christian life is a stark contrast to Avis’s more reserved faith. But in God’s timing, the two women discover they need each other in ways neither of them expected.

6. Like Stars that Shine by Jenny Glazebrook

This series is a multi-author effort where the characters are all connected with Trinity Lakes (a made up town in the US). I am not much of a romance reader but wanted to support Aussie/Kiwi authors (as most of these authors are).

My review:

This is a clever series with all the characters interacting and a single author’s books also have an internal connection.
I am not a big romance reader but I appreciate all of this author’s books because they cover realistic issues (choosing the wrong boyfriend and the consequences in this book) and deeper spiritual issues. Jenny’s background in pastoral care is obvious.

Blurb:

She is returning home.
He has never had a home.
Esther Ladan has lost all confidence in her ability to read people. A very public break-up with her boyfriend has dealt a devasting blow to her heart and her pride.
Now two of the town’s most big-hearted, big-mouthed elderly ladies are determined to find her perfect match.
After years in witness protection, Tanner Elliott is finally free to live his life without looking over his shoulder. Still, he’s learned to be more observant than most and he’s an expert in reading body language.
When Esther asks him to scrutinize the dates her friends arrange for her, the results are not what either of them expect.
Can Esther and Tanner overcome their difficult pasts, learn to trust Jesus with their hearts, and shine for Him in a broken world?

7. Wanderer’s Legacy by Natasha Woodcraft

This is the third in a trilogy about the early days of chaos from Cain to Noah. A difficult series to write but one that has been very worthwhile.

My review:

This is the final book in a trilogy of ancient, pre-Noah times. This is one brave author for she has tackled stories set in times that so little is known about and done a sterling job. Many of the characters reject their creator and make choices that lead them far from him yet there is always a remnant of faithful folk. This third book also looks deep into a dysfunctional marriage bringing forth lessons still relevant today.

Blurb:

Adah lives trapped between the life she longed for and the life she chose. She’s failed to produce an heir for her once devoted husband. As Lamech becomes increasingly unpredictable and domineering, Adah seeks refuge in legends about the mysterious Wanderer.

Then Lamech takes another wife. Adah flees to her family home, where freedom causes hope to rise once more. But her body hides a secret that will propel her back into danger. Can a legend come to her rescue? Or does someone else hold the power to help her dwell in safety?

8. Jennie Hudson Taylor by Marion Osgood

I have read many Hudson Taylor biographies and several about his first wife, Maria, but never anything about his second wife, Jennie. This book corrects this imbalance.

My review:

Strong writing that drew me in.
Wonderful to read the story of a woman who has been overshadowed and almost forgotten. Jennie was amazing! and used by God to reach and encourage many.
What might have been the result if she hadn’t married Hudson Taylor?

Blurb:

Jennie Hudson Taylor tells the untold story of the second wife of James Hudson Taylor and her extraordinary ministry with the China Inland Mission.
It is difficult to over-estimate just how remarkable Jennie Taylor was. Against the backdrop of the considerable societal restraints placed on Victorian women, this easy-going yet adventurous woman was prepared to follow God’s call, becoming a true pioneer on the mission field in China.
In the name of the gospel, Jennie led a party of women hundreds of miles further into inland China than any other western woman had gone before, and founded and ran two schools. She survived two typhoons, cholera, near death in childbirth, and coped with the administration of the China Inland Mission whilst enduring long periods away from her husband James Hudson Taylor.
In Jennie Hudson Taylor, Marion Osgood brings Jennie out of the shadows of her more well-known husband James Hudson Taylor, providing an eye-opening biography of this amazing missionary pioneer and woman of faith, and reveals the outstanding contribution Jennie made to the gospel through the China Inland Mission.
Jennie Hudson give you a fresh perspective on the life and times of the famous missionary James Hudson TaylorWill inspire your faith journey as you discover a truly amazing woman of faith who dedicated her life to GodHelps you discover a woman’s perspective of pioneering missionary work that challenged the normal conventions of the Victorian eraMakes an inspirational gift for anyone who loves to hear about God at work in the world

9. In the Shadow of Chedis and Minarets by Andrea Witbooi

Biography/memoir is my favourite genre to read.

My review:

I read this book in one day. Great first line that will hook you in.
An encouraging read as the author faces challenges including it being illegal to marry her fiance, loneliness, challenging living conditions, her own weakness… and a testimony to how Jesus was greater than any challenge.

Blurb:

Born in South Africa in 1956, Andrea Witbooi grows up between two opposing the rule of apartheid with its enforced racial segregation and discrimination, and the law of God to love your neighbour as yourself. Through the life and ministry of her father, she witnesses how the love of Jesus overcomes hatred and brings hope, healing and transformation to youngsters living in perilous conditions in Johannesburg’s townships. This awakens a deep yearning to also invest her life for God’s purposes. But where and how?
Following God’s prompting, her adventurous journey leads her to the Kingdom of Thailand. She studies the Thai language and grapples with everyday life ruled by unfamiliar cultural norms embedded in a Buddhist worldview. Then another move takes her to the Muslim dominated South of Thailand. Together with her growing family, she makes her home in provincial towns and villages, where the pillars of Islam determine the religious, behavioural and dietary rules of the local communities. As a Christian foreigner, she experiences both friendship and hostility, trust and suspicion, acceptance and rejection.
This biographical narrative reflects how God’s comforting nearness, help and protection carried Andrea Witbooi through times of upheaval and feelings of up-rootedness, loneliness and confusion. Her story also opens a window into the daily lives and struggles of Thai and Malay individuals and families whom she grew to love deeply.

My own writing in 2025

Back in 2023, I launched a new genre (historical, Biblical-era), and I have just published the fifth book in the series. The series is called Light of Nations and looks at how outsiders of God’s covenant with Israel came to know and follow Him. Initially, this series was six books, and then nine, but now I have ideas for twelve or even fifteen. The reason for multiples of three in my series is that it makes it easier to do collections of three books each.

The series is based on the verse from Isaiah 49: 6b (ESV):

I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

I will likely only publish one novel each year as I work full-time apart from writing and am caring for family needs.

Subscribers to ‘storytellerfriends‘ will receive regular updates. If you like having input into titles, covers, and praying regularly for this book ministries please join the Facebook group.

Blurb for Loss and Loyalty:

What makes someone family—blood, love, or something more?

Arielle believed she was an Israelite—until her brother confessed the truth: she was found as an infant on their doorstep in Moab. After tragedy strikes and the men of her household are snatched away, Arielle must leave the only land she’s ever known and any hope of finding her birth family to follow her adopted family to Bethlehem. But Bethlehem is not the land of plenty described in the stories of God’s promises once told to Arielle by her beloved adopted father.

Treated as outsiders, they must scrape together a life among people who barely tolerate them. The God of Israel is said to protect the orphan and the widow—but what happens when His people reject His laws? As Arielle wrestles with loss, identity, and the silence of a God she’s unsure how to trust, one question haunts her: if her own birth parents abandoned her, why wouldn’t a foreign God do the same?

To belong, Arielle must choose where her loyalty lies—between the past that shaped her and the God who might yet have a purpose for her future.

Abandoned. Unseen. Not forgotten.

Meanwhile, I am working hard on Book 6 in the series about the Philistines.

Where can you buy Loss and Loyalty?

My first choice would be that you buy it directly from my online PayHip store. This store uses PayPal or Stripe (Visa or Mastercard) to process your payments and has a general SAVE10% coupon that can be applied at checkout. You can also leave reviews directly on my store. Scroll down to the bottom of the purchase page and click on the green ‘write a review’ button.

Of course, you can also buy it from other distributors.