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The Bible of Blackwater County
What first struck me is how confidently The Bible of Blackwater County builds its world. From the opening pages, author Jenny Cafaro gives Blackwater County the weight of a lived-in place, not just a backdrop, with Bessie’s voice carrying gossip, pain, memory, and warning all at once. The setup is instantly compelling: an eighteen-year-old Bessie is being drawn into marriage with sixty-two-year-old Grady Richardson, and the novel makes that fact feel both personal and social, like one woman’s crisis and a whole community’s moral failure rolled into one. The Depression-era Appalachian setting feels gritty without turning into museum glass, which helps the book feel alive instead of dutiful.
The strongest thing here is the narration. Bessie doesn’t sound polished, and that’s exactly why she works. Her voice has texture, humor, anger, and a kind of hard-earned clarity that keeps the book from slipping into generic historical fiction. Even when the prose is dealing with cruelty, judgment, and the way a town can feed on scandal, it keeps its grip on the intimate human cost. There’s a line early on about truth being messy and bloody and not always making sense, and that idea seems to shape the whole novel. Cafaro is more interested in emotional truth than tidy storytelling, and the book is better for it.
The novel doesn’t beg the reader to admire its seriousness. It trusts the material. The dedication to Grandmaw Bessie and the framing as a story drawn from family history and a newspaper article could have pushed the book toward reverence, but instead, it feels urgent and personal. The result is a story that is raw without being shapeless. At the same time, that rawness may be a challenge for some readers. The trigger warning is there for a reason, and the book seems willing to sit in ugliness. Still, that choice feels honest to the world it’s portraying.
The Bible of Blackwater County is a memorable, voice-driven novel that succeeds because it feels told rather than manufactured. Its biggest strength is the sense that someone is finally saying the thing that was buried for too long. That gives the book a pulse that will stick with readers. It’s not always easy, and I would not call it subtle in the delicate literary sense, but it’s vivid, emotionally committed, and grounded in a strong sense of place. For readers who want historical fiction with bite, personality, and a narrator who feels like a real person, this book has a lot going for it.
Pages: 399 | ASIN : B0G5Z9KQ42
Quiet Sacrifice
Family follows a grieving woman who stumbles upon a family secret when she attempts to trace threatening letters back to their mysterious sender. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
There is a very old, soft leather wallet from before the Civil War that has been handed down in my family. In it are letters. They outline one man’s attempt to hold on to our family’s good reputation when his brother‑in‑law and sister allegedly stole their father’s cash, leaving many debts. This was a family matter—no charges made in a court of law, but a conviction made in the court of public opinion. The man’s sister blamed him. The brother‑in‑law and sister left for Ohio.
The man stayed. He worked for years to pay off every one of those debts and avoid selling his father’s farm in a depressed market. When prices finally rebounded, he did sell it, then sent money to his brothers—and yes, to his sister.
That mixture of duty, hurt, and quiet sacrifice stayed with me. Family is my way of exploring what happens when secrets, loyalty, and public reputation collide in another time and place.
Were there any twists or revelations that changed during the writing process?
Yes. I’ve worked with this story for years, so there have been more changes than I can easily count. But that’s part of what I enjoy about writing. I originally drafted more than twenty books in this series just for my own pleasure, and now I’m editing them so I can share them with others. Each book goes through several iterations as the characters and their choices become clearer to me.
The revelation I enjoyed most in Family was the carriage scene where the older, married people are sharing their most embarrassing courting stories. Those moments arrived quite naturally on the page—and yes, both stories are drawn from my own experience. I laughed while I wrote them.
Faith is woven naturally into the characters’ lives rather than presented as a simple solution to problems. Why was that approach important to you?
I chose to write about 1619 London because faith was central to life then. For many people, it was simply the air they breathed. I wanted to give readers a chance to think about how people can live with faith in that kind of world—sometimes through short, sincere prayers in the moment, sometimes through wrestling with God rather than receiving quick, tidy answers.
My hope is to gently encourage readers who are inclined toward faith to consider weaving it into their ordinary days—not because I think they “should,” that’s between them and God, but because of the comfort and peace it often brings. I admire people who can quote chapter and verse. I can’t. And I don’t believe the insight and comfort I gain from a passage is always the same as what someone else might take from it. That’s part of the beauty for me.
On my website I offer a free 35‑page booklet titled Living With Faith… When You Feel… It looks at feelings many of us experience at one time or another—being overwhelmed, afraid of the future, and discouraged. It’s not a project or a checklist; it’s meant to be a quiet companion. You choose a verse that might speak to how you’re feeling and let it sit with you. No memorizing. No turning it into another task in an already busy life. Put it near your coffee maker or toothbrush, let your eyes land on it, and allow its meaning to stretch forward to greet you where you are on your journey.
That’s the kind of faith I wanted to reflect in Family: honest, present, sometimes questioning, always entwined with real life.
What is the next book you are working on? When can readers expect to see it released?
Thankless Child, book three in the On The Wings Of Angels series, is set in 1619 London. Elizabeth Bowmar’s life is shattered when she tries to help an old friend. Forced into an uneasy alliance, she must unravel a conspiracy of greed and betrayal to save herself and expose the corruption strangling the city.
Thankless Child is currently in edit and will be released in a few months. I’m excited to bring readers back into Elizabeth’s world as she faces new dangers and deeper questions of justice, loyalty, and faith.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Website | Amazon
Amidst the shadows of 1619 London, Elizabeth Bowmar, a young midwife devoted to helping others, confronts an unseen menace that strikes at the heart of her own household. Whispers in darkened doorways, missing letters, and subtle threats all point to a danger that knows her routines, her loyalties, and her weaknesses far too well.
As conspiracy and fear tighten around her family, Elizabeth must trace the threat back to its source before it destroys the people she loves—and the hard‑won future she is only beginning to claim. Her world may be 1619, with cobbled streets and dim candlelight, but her fight for independence and the right to choose her own path is timeless.
When every choice seems to carry a cost, Elizabeth must decide whom to trust, how fiercely to protect her family, and how far faith can carry her when those closest to her may be hiding the deepest secrets.
Set against a richly drawn London on the brink of upheaval, Family weaves together mystery, faith, and love as Elizabeth uncovers a plot that could shatter more than her home. Step into a world where history unfolds, faith prevails, and love stirs in this gripping Christian historical mystery, Book Two of the On the Wings of Angels series.
Family will appeal to readers who enjoy the rich historical atmosphere and slow‑building romance of Julie Klassen and the faith‑forward intrigue of Roseanna M. White.
Family: A Christian Historical Mystery
Family, by KT McWilliams, is a historical fiction novel with a strong thread of faith and a steady mystery engine. It follows Elizabeth Bowmar in London in 1619 as she grieves her father’s murder, chafes under the strict protection and reputation-guarding rules of her guardian Edmund, and gets pulled into a growing danger around threatening “pay” letters and a missing sender. As Elizabeth and a small circle of allies try to trace the threats, the investigation cracks open something bigger than street crime: a family secret that reshapes how she understands loyalty, love, and the people she thought she knew.
Elizabeth’s inner life is intense in a way that feels earned. She’s smart, bruised, devout, and stubborn, and she finds herself in situations where those traits clash. Sometimes that clash is almost funny, like when “basic kindness” turns into a social catastrophe because London is watching and Edmund is keeping score. Other times it’s heavier, especially when her fear of losing Edmund starts echoing her earlier loss, and you can feel her trying to think her way out of panic. I also appreciated how the faith element is woven in as a lived posture. “God’s plan” shows up as something characters wrestle with, not something that magically fixes the plot.
McWilliams makes some clear authorial choices that shape the reading experience. One is the emphasis on “family” as a moral problem, not just a warm theme. The betrayal isn’t treated like a twist for shock value. It lands like a winter draft through a room you thought was sealed, and the aftermath is where the book does its real work: the stunned bargaining, the anger, the exhausted attempt to keep living anyway. Another choice is how plot and relationships braid together. The mystery around the letters and the contract pressure keep things moving, while the social world pushes Elizabeth toward decisions she does not want to make. I’ll be candid, the prose occasionally leans hard into explanation or repeated reminders of the social rules. But it also delivers small, tactile moments that ground the story, and the dialogue-driven scenes tend to snap into focus fast.
I’d recommend Family most to readers who like historical fiction that feels emotional and values-driven, with clean romance energy and a mystery plot that is more about people than puzzles. If you enjoy stories where characters grow through pressure, especially pressure framed through faith and conscience, you’ll probably settle into this one quickly. If you want a reflective, story-first read about what we owe our families, what they owe us, and what happens when the truth finally gets daylight, you’ll enjoy this book.
Pages: 305 | ASIN : B0GKYJB57Q
The Legacy of Prairie Winds: Third Edition
The Legacy of Prairie Winds is a sweeping historical fiction novel that follows young Johann Gehring, a German immigrant who leaves everything he knows in 1881 to build a life on the wide-open prairie of Nebraska. The book opens with vivid scenes of his family conflict, his difficult voyage across the Atlantic, and his first uncertain steps into a new world. From there, it widens into a multi-generational story about hardship, faith, love, and the slow shaping of a family’s place on the land. The tone shifts between raw struggle and quiet beauty, giving the reader a sense of how fragile and powerful hope can be in an unforgiving landscape.
I kept feeling as if the author were guiding me by the elbow, pointing out details I might miss on my own. The depictions of the Sandhills, for example, stay with me. The grasslands are described with a kind of reverence, but they’re never sentimental. They’re hard, windswept, and sometimes lonely, which makes Johann’s determination feel all the more human. I rooted for him from the start. His fight with his father, his fear on the ship, and his first shaky steps in Nebraska all felt believable because they’re grounded in everyday sensations. The book doesn’t rush. It lets moments breathe, even the uncomfortable ones.
I also appreciated how the story handles the emotional weight of immigration. The scenes of steerage life on the ship, the seasickness, the smell, the fear of disease, and the simple joy of fresh air form a collage of what leaving home really costs. Yet the author doesn’t lean on drama alone. There are tender beats too, especially Johann’s fleeting friendship with Astrid, which adds a spark of warmth in the middle of all the uncertainty. Some passages read almost like oral history, others like a quiet journal entry. The rhythm switches between short, sharp observations and longer, reflective stretches, mirroring the uneven pace of real life. It made me slow down and sit with the characters instead of just watching them move.
By the end, I felt the book was less about the events themselves and more about how people hold on to themselves while the world shifts under their feet. The prairie becomes a character. So does the wind. So does hope. If you enjoy historical fiction that feels intimate rather than sprawling, or stories about immigration, family legacy, and the grit behind ordinary lives, this book will speak to you. It’s a gentle but steady read, ideal for someone who wants to be immersed in a place and a time rather than hurried through them.
Pages: 380 | ASIN : B0FC2Z7SP8
Counterintuitive and Countercultural
New Star follows a Persian Magus as he risks everything to uncover the truth behind a mysterious celestial sign, blending biblical intrigue, spiritual longing, and historical peril in a richly imagined post-Nativity world. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Most of what we think we know about the Wise Men is tradition, not truth. Even when we read about them in the Gospel of Matthew, we skim over the verses because we think we already know their story. Those 2D, stained-glass figures deserve to be seen as 3D real people. Their story is compelling, and I wanted to convey it in a way that aligned with Scripture, culture, and world events of that time.
What inspired you to reimagine the story of the Magi, especially from such an emotionally intimate perspective?
The Parthian Empire tolerated many religions but had a national religion that the Magi society upheld and practiced. What would happen to the religious fabric of the empire if some Magi started to believe and practice something else? I feel that’s what happened to the Magi in real life. They went way out on a limb to believe something that was counterintuitive and countercultural. They risked their reputations, their careers, and more to pursue finding the prophesied Christ child. They had to weigh the risk and cost of their newfound belief.
How did you balance historical accuracy with creative storytelling when reconstructing the world of ancient Persia and Judea?
First and foremost, I remain true to the biblical narrative. That’s my north star for writing biblical fiction. Scriptures tell us what the Magi did, but not the reasons for their choices. To discern the “why” behind their story, I dug into historical records of that time to learn about the world they lived in. When Christ was born, the Roman and Parthian empires were the world’s biggest superpowers. They were often at odds with each other, and they ruled in dramatically different ways. Against that backdrop is the rich history of Magi society, an elite group of Persian priest-scholars that massively influenced the Parthian Empire’s religion, science, and government. The Magi served multiple religions while upholding their empire’s official religion. Understanding the world in which the Magi lived enabled me to write authentic scenes with believable reactions to the pressures they would have faced in pursuing a controversial study of a star linked to some foreign religious writings.
Akilah’s inner journey is so compelling—was his character influenced by any real historical figures or personal experiences?
Thank you for that high compliment. Akilah is not based on a specific person, but I think he universally reflects people’s experience when they question what they previously thought was true. New Star provides a safe space in which to do that.
New Star is the first book in the series The Magi’s Encounters. We know the Magi’s story didn’t end when they tried to circumvent Herod. Survival Secrets, which will release Sept. 24 of this year, is all about the Magi’s struggles to return home.
Author Links: GoodReads | New Star | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
When he and his colleagues uncover a few Jewish prophecies linking the star to an eternal king, Akilah becomes the target of Persia’s religious and governmental conflicts. Jailed for crimes he didn’t commit, Akilah must rely on questionable resources to free himself and reach Jerusalem.
Persia’s purists aren’t the only ones bent on keeping their country free of Jewish influences. As dangers at home and abroad plunge Akilah and his colleagues into three countries’ religious conflicts and circumstances beyond their imagining, Akilah realizes his knowledge of Jesus could potentially destroy Magi society and its power over Persia’s official religion and government. Untrusting of his Council, a thousand miles from aid, and bound in a potentially career-ending contract, Akilah must decide how far he will go to protect what he knows of Jesus—and whether the cost of his belief is worth the risk.
Redemption Over Shame
A Certain Man is a searing, lyrical reimagining of the woman at the well, following a fierce Samaritan woman’s battle for freedom, faith, and healing in a world that seeks to break her. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Actually, the inspiration came from the phrase that Jesus used to start several parables. “There was a certain man…” There are Bible scholars who teach that this was a sign to those listening that He was about to speak a true story of real people. I began to contemplate who these people would have been and what their back story would be. So the kernel of the story actually began with Samuel. Then my imaginings expanded to who he would have loved.
How did you balance historical authenticity with creative liberty, especially in reimagining familiar Gospel moments?
I never want to sacrifice Scripture for story. So when Jesus is “onstage” in the Bible, I do not add to His words. But, for instance, the Bible says that Jesus stayed in Samaria for two days after He met the woman at the well. So then this period is open for fiction. Even so, I am careful that He does not teach something that is not found elsewhere in scripture. Sometimes, like the encounter with the woman at the well, the narrative is very sparse and seems to jump from topic to topic. So here I used Mara’s thoughts to try to “fill out” the story. Jesus of course knows her thoughts and answers her. The challenge is to stay authentic to the intent and meaning of scripture without making Jesus a two-dimensional character. He was fully human and fully divine… and that is compelling.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The book explores themes of faithfulness, loyalty, and freedom particularly for women in a culture that often considered them chattel. Further, the hero and heroine must learn to forgive others and each other, choose good over evil, and redemption over shame.
Mara’s journey is steeped in trauma and spiritual transformation. How did you approach writing those darker, more intimate scenes?
The times of the Bible were scandalous and treacherous. While I did not want to include any gratuitous violence or sexuality, I did want the story to ring true in a tasteful way that dealt with very real issues. While there are humorous and lighter moments I wanted the reader to be brought into the times as they were. I believe “there is nothing new under the sun” and that the struggles of my characters to speak to hearts today.
The woman at the well has often been considered to be a loose woman, a harlot. But Jesus says she had five husbands. It is only the sixth man who is not her husband. What would make her give up on marriage, give up the security of a husband supporting and protecting her? I tried to read between the lines of scripture and use research of the time period to flesh out a plausible back story for each of my characters.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Touch of Power
Touch of Power by D.M. Griffin is a compelling fictional retelling of the biblical narrative of the woman with the issue of blood. Set in an evocative historical backdrop, the story delves into Eliora’s struggles, pain, and redemption. From her early life as a spirited young woman to her transformative encounter with Christ, Griffin masterfully intertwines biblical themes with rich storytelling. The novel also explores faith, suffering, and the profound love of God as characters confront personal trials and societal expectations.
The writing style is immersive with moral undertones. For instance, the description of Eliora’s internal struggle with her illness and faith feels deeply personal yet slightly repetitive. One poignant scene involves Eliora realizing her worth beyond societal judgments, a theme mirrored beautifully in her interactions with Martha and her siblings. However, the pacing occasionally falters, especially during long monologues that, while poetic, slow the narrative’s momentum. The ideas explored in the book are timeless and meaningful. The transformation of Eliora, as she wrestles with abandonment and spiritual awakening, is deeply moving. Griffin’s depiction of secondary characters, such as Martha’s quiet strength or the cynical yet hopeful Tithe, adds depth to the narrative. The central message—faith in God’s timing and love—resonates powerfully, particularly in the climactic scene where Eliora’s healing signifies both physical and spiritual restoration. What I found most intriguing was the symbolic thread of divine sovereignty running throughout the novel. Griffin doesn’t shy away from exploring complex questions about human suffering and divine purpose.
Touch of Power is a thoughtful and inspiring read, particularly for those who enjoy faith-based fiction with a historical setting. It is perfect for readers seeking a blend of biblical storytelling, personal redemption, and spiritual encouragement. It leaves a lasting impression of God’s love and the power of faith to transform lives.
Pages: 444 | ASIN : B0CW1BF2XC
Galatians 6:9
In Due Season follows a fourteen-year-old boy who escapes a life of abuse by stowing away on a ship bound for the colonies, where he grows deeper in his Christian faith. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I like to “hook” my readers from page one of my stories, and an escape scene does just that. I’ve always been a fan of Charles Dickens, so I wanted to start with an “Oliver” twist by setting the story in a London workhouse. Five chapters later, he ends up in Williamsburg, Virginia, which is my favorite place to visit! I love the colonial era of American history, and with the Revolution taking place during the time of my story, there was a lot of action from which to draw. I also decided on the five major characters, all living in one household: James, the father, a loyalist with a debilitating disease; Bradley, his arrogant patriot son; Rebekah, James’ daughter embittered by her blindness and recent jilting by her fiance; Elizabeth, the newly orphaned housekeeper who is also tasked with the impossible job of helping Rebekah out of her self-pity, and John, the mistreated indentured servant. I had a general plot in mind, but with the characters’ differences and unique situations causing internal and external conflicts, they practically wrote the story themselves!
John endures many hardships and setbacks, but these only strengthen his faith as he moves forward. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development and the development of his faith?
I love the character of John. He has suffered much, but because of a man who cares about his dire situation, he realizes God’s love for him and gives his heart to Christ. That decision, although he’s not perfect and struggles with anger, hurt, and bitterness, allows him to have the inner strength to face more difficulties. He grows in patience, love, and most importantly, the ability and desire to forgive.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Forgiveness is a major theme, not just in this book but in most of my stories. The title, In Due Season, is taken from the Scripture verse, Galatians 6:9 – “Be not weary in well doing, for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not.” This is the promise Elizabeth clings to when the progress in helping Rebekah seems slow.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
I never intended for this to be more than a standalone book. However, it is now Book 1 in a trilogy. Book 2, Season of Uncertainty, is scheduled to be released on October 1st! It covers 1778-1781. I was amazed when researching for the book how many things relating to the American Revolution happened in and around Williamsburg. It’s made for a very exciting story! The beloved characters from Book 1 are back, and some new characters are introduced. (There’s some sweet romance, too, as in all my books, but, as usual, it takes a back seat to the main plot.)
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Website
