GRAND RAPIDS, MI — On May 29, 2025, the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference announced the winners of their annual Selah Awards. Three Kregel titles won first place.

The cruise-ship rom-com by Shannon Sue Dunlap Love Overboard won in Contemporary Romance. This laugh-out-loud novel features lovable characters, over-the-top situations, and a dash of mystery.

Humorous and heartwarming, The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoffs by Sharon J. Mondragón won in Women’s Contemporary. This novel wrestles with the loneliness of being the forgotten spouse of a dementia patient, showing readers how love and compassion can make all the difference.

The Appalachian novel Coal Black Lies by Cindy K. Sproles won in Historical/Biblical Fiction. Coal miner Joshua Morgan grapples with heartbreak, vengeance, and forgiveness in a sweet story about freedom and peace.

Kregel is pleased to congratulate all these winners. The full list of winners can be found here.

The mission of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference is to inspire writers to connect with God, other writers, and industry professionals as they embrace their calling with excellence. The Selah Awards open each year and accept books that were published within the last calendar year, from January to December, and include books published traditionally and nontraditionally.

Kregel Publications is an evangelical Christian publisher that aims to develop and distribute—with integrity and excellence—trusted, biblically based resources that lead individuals to know and serve Jesus Christ.  www.kregel.com

Contact:  Kregel Publicity Department, 616-451-4775, publicity@kregel.com

 

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — On June 5, two Kregel fiction titles were announced in the 2024 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards. One title won and the other received an honorable mention.

Tina Shelton’s debut novel This Ain’t No Promised Land won Gold in Multicultural. In 1980s South Side Chicago, a single mother abandons her three daughters and heads south to escape her past. The girls rely on their close-knit Black community, but it’s not enough to fix the damage of abandonment. Will their mother overcome her grief and embrace parenthood once again? Other Christian fiction authors describe this novel as “compelling,” “deeply evocative,” and “a powerful read!”

Something Borrowed by Allison Pittman, Rachel Scott McDaniel, and Susie Finkbeiner received an honorable mention in Religious. In this historical romance novella collection, three popular Christian fiction authors trace generations of wartime romances through a shared wedding dress. Other authors describe the book as “a captivating collection of stories,” “charming,” and “heart-stirring.”

The full list of winners was announced on the Foreword Reviews website and can be found here.

Since 1998, Foreword Reviews has provided trade book reviews of the best titles from independent presses. In print, and online, its FOLIO Award–winning design and editorial content makes the magazine a favorite among librarians, booksellers, and readers—an excellent resource when it comes to purchasing books. Foreword INDIES and the fee-for-review Clarion service complement their online content and print magazine, helping to showcase independent presses and their authors for over twenty-six years.

Kregel Publications is an evangelical Christian publisher that aims to develop and distribute—with integrity and excellence—trusted, biblically based resources that lead individuals to know and serve Jesus Christ.

Contact:  Kregel Publicity Department, 616-451-4775, publicity@kregel.com

JUNE 6, 2025 — NASHVILLE, TN — In a powerful and heartfelt moment at the Grand Ole Opry, Austin LeRette, the young man whose story has inspired millions, was honored with the Awe and Wonder Award at the 2025 K-LOVE Fan Awards. Best known as The Unbreakable Boy, Austin was celebrated for his unwavering joy and resilient spirit in the face of life’s challenges.

The award followed the February 2025 re-release of The Unbreakable Boy in paperback from Nelson Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, along with the debut of the major motion picture adaptation of the same name, which brought Austin’s remarkable story to an even wider audience.

Austin’s father, Scott LeRette, who co-authored the book chronicling their family’s remarkable journey, shared during the ceremony, “Austin has taught us all what it means to live with joy, strength, and an appreciation for life’s miracles. This award is a testament to his unwavering spirit and the love he brings into the world.”

Scott and Austin accepted the award to heartfelt applause, deeply moving the audience with the courage and authenticity of his story. You can watch the full award presentation here.

Towards the end of the ceremony, beloved artist Matthew West also shared a heartfelt prayer of gratitude, remarking, “We thank You for the inspiring story of Austin. We see his joy, we see his happiness, we see his strength, and we see his family’s witness. It’s an inspiration to all of us. May we all choose to place our stories in Your hands.”

The Awe and Wonder Award honors individuals who exemplify childlike faith, hope, and inspiration—qualities Austin embodies every day. His recognition underscores the transformative power of joy, resilience, and God’s grace lived out in real life.

Congratulations to Austin LeRette and the entire LeRette family on this meaningful and unforgettable milestone.

About Nelson Books
Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, is a leader in the Christian nonfiction publishing realm. Nelson Books is dedicated to acquiring, developing, and promoting authors whose content inspires, informs, and invokes real change. The imprint publishes dozens of new titles each year in the areas of spiritual growth, inspiration, and practical living with select memoirs, biography, history, and culture releases. The Nelson Books roster of best-selling authors includes Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, Bob Goff, John Eldredge, Dr. Anita Phillips, and Jefferson Bethke.

Contact:  Devin Duke, Sr. Publicity Manager, Nelson Books, Devin.Duke@HarperCollins.com

Helping Teens Build Deep Relationships and a Caring Community

RELEASING JULY 21, 2025 BY NEW GROWTH PRESS

The Gospel-Centered Community for Teens by bestselling authors Robert H. Thune and Will Walker gives teenagers biblical and practical guidance for building deep friendships and being part of a community where they can grow and flourish.

Have you ever noticed that it’s hard to live with people and it’s hard to live without them? Real relationships are hard to come by—it’s easy to feel isolated and alone even when surrounded by people at school and home. But deep friendships and being a part of a caring community make our lives more meaningful. In this small group study, teenagers will learn with others about God’s good plan for us to connect and grow together and how following Christ makes that possible.

The Spirit takes people from all different backgrounds and shapes them into a Christ-centered community that reflects Jesus. Teenagers will find a place to belong where people love, care for, enjoy, serve, and even challenge one another in good ways and find a place to belong.

• Eight-lesson small group study with leader’s notes.
• Each self-contained lesson includes a Bible passage, discussion questions, a short article and an application exercise.
• An easy-to-follow road map for building a beautiful community based on love for God and others.

The Gospel-Centered Community for Teens
by Robert H. Thune and Will Walker
July 21, 2025 / Retail Price: $16.99
Print ISBN: 978-1-64507-512-7
Religion / Christian Ministry / Youth

Robert H. Thune, MA (Reformed Theological Seminary) is founding and lead pastor of Coram Deo Church in Omaha, Nebraska. He is the author of Gospel Eldership, Gospel Training for Deacons, the coauthor of The Gospel-Centered Life, The Gospel-Centered Community, and The Gospel-Centered Community for Teens and the creator of the Daily Liturgy Podcast. In addition to his work as a pastor and writer, he helps to lead a classical Christian school, coaches and trains church leaders, and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition.

Will Walker, MA (Covenant Seminary) is the lead pastor of Providence Church in Austin, TX. He is the coauthor of​The Gospel-Centered Life,​The Gospel-Centered Community, The Gospel-Centered Community for Teens, and​Journey to the Cross.​Will and his wife Debbie are parents of two boys.​

For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com

On Monday, May 19, Today’s Jenna Bush Hager unveiled her fourth-annual Read with Jenna Jr. Summer Reading List for 2025 live on the Today Show Plaza, featuring 22 kid-friendly reads from picture books through young adult, including Sarah Arthur’s young adult fantasy novel Once a Queen (Book 1 in The Carrick Hall Novels), published by WaterBrook.

An ECPA bestseller, Once a Queen has received acclaim since its release in January 2024, including being a finalist for the 2025 ECPA Christian Book Awards—Young People’s Literature, as well as the 2024 Christy Awards—Young Adult, celebrating excellence in Christian fiction.

Once a Queen invites readers to join fourteen-year-old Eva as she uncovers dangerous secrets when she visits the manor of her estranged English grandmother, who may have once been a queen in another world.

“Once a Queen is a fantasy lover’s novel, blending classic fairy-tale homages with fresh takes on beloved tropes,” said Sarah Rubio, Executive Editor, PRH Christian. “But it’s also accessible for readers new to fantasy, with vivid, relatable characters and profound themes that will linger long after the last page is turned. I’m excited for many more readers to discover the joy to be found in losing themselves in this wonder-steeped story.”

The spellbinding sequel in the Carrick Hall Novels trilogy, Once a Castle (WaterBrook), recently published in February of this year. The highly anticipated final installment, Once a Crown (WaterBrook), is scheduled to release in Spring 2026.

To see the full list of the 2025 Read with Jenna, Jr Summer Reading picks, visit https://www.today.com/popculture/books/read-with-jenna-junior-book-list-2025-rcna203839.

Sarah Arthur is a fun-loving speaker and the bestselling author of a dozen books for teens and adults, including Once a Queen, Once a Castle, and Walking with Frodo. Among other nerdy adventures, she has served as preliminary fiction judge for the CT Book Awards, was a founding board member of the annual C. S. Lewis Festival in Northern Michigan, and codirects the Madeleine L’Engle Writing Retreats. For more information on Sarah Arthur, Once a Queen, and The Carrick Hall Novels, visit SarahArthur.com

WaterBrook is an imprint of PRH Christian Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC

In conjunction with acquiring the Spanish rights to Alan Paton’s other bestselling classic, Cry, the Beloved Country, Whitaker House is re-releasing Alan Paton’s Instrument of Peace, based on the prayers of St. Francis of Assisi.

“What an honor it is to bring back into print Instrument of Peace by Alan Paton,” commented Christine Whitaker, publisher at Whitaker House. “God works in such mysterious ways. Who knew that, twenty years ago, when I was right out of college, I would spend a month in South Africa and the trip would have a huge influence on my life —seeing the beauty of South Africa despite all of the loss and injustice. I hope this book will be a beacon of light and a call to bring our world together. As Saint Francis said, ‘It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.’”

Author and anti-apartheid activist Alan Paton drew upon the Prayer of Saint Francis to write Instrument of Peace (originally titled Instrument of Thy Peace) while his wife Dorrie lay dying of emphysema. Paton said he wrote this book for those:

• Who wish with all their hearts to be better, purer, less selfish, more useful
• Who do not wish to be cold in love, and who know that being cold in love is perhaps the worst sin of all
• Who wish to keep their faith bright and burning in a dark and faithless world
• Who seek not so much to lean on God as to be the active instrument of His peace

“Sometimes we cannot pray because we are fallen into a melancholy and therefore have for the time lost our hope and our faith and have no one to pray to,” Paton wrote. “I am in unrepayable debt to Francis of Assisi, for when I pray his prayer, or even remember it, my melancholy is dispelled, my self-pity comes to an end, my faith is restored, because of this majestic conception of what the work of a disciple should be.”

As to acquiring the Spanish language rights to Cry, the Beloved Country, Christine regards it, “An absolute privilege, as this book has sold 15 million copies and is a worldwide known classic in literature.” Whitaker Español will release the Spanish edition in 2026.

Instrument of Peace released May 13, 2025.

 

Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton, award-winning authors and Bible teachers, bring a timely word about suffering, faith, and perseverance to Multnomah with He Knows Our Frame: Biblical Reflections on the Nearness of Jesus.

Drawing vulnerably from their own struggles with chronic illness, Wetherell and Walton offer a compelling reminder that Jesus doesn’t stand apart from human weakness—he steps into it with us.

Through thirty reflective readings, they trace how the life of Jesus reveals the tender heart of God for hurting, doubting, and weary people.

The book is scheduled for publication in Summer 2026. World rights were acquired by Will Anderson, Senior Editor at Multnomah, from Don Gates at The Gates Group.

For rights inquiries, contact Denise Cronin, decronin@penguinrandomhouse.com

Multnomah is an imprint of PRH Christian, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.

 

CHARLOTTE, NC– The Good Book Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Jacob Iverson as Head of Marketing, joining the global team under the leadership of James Burstow, President and Chief Commercial Officer.

Previously serving as Book Marketing Manager at Moody Publishers, Iverson brings a wealth of industry experience in collaborating across teams and with a diverse range of authors to craft and execute effective marketing strategies. His strengths in project management, clear communication, and results-driven leadership make him well-equipped to advance The Good Book Company’s brand and lead its innovative marketing initiatives into the future.

He steps into the role following a transition by previous team leader, Bethany McIlrath, who requested a different position to adjust her schedule and allow a sharper focus on specific areas of her work.

Commenting on the appointment, James Burstow said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Jacob to the team. His passion for gospel-centered publishing and his proven expertise in marketing make him an excellent fit for this role. I’m excited to see how he will lead and develop our outstanding marketing team as we continue to serve readers all around the world with books and resources that will help them grow in their knowledge and love of the Lord Jesus.”

ABOUT THE GOOD BOOK COMPANY
Founded in 1991, The Good Book Company (TGBC) is an international Christian publisher. Their Bible studies, books, devotionals, videos, tracts, evangelistic courses, and training materials are used throughout the English-speaking world, and in translation in over 35 languages worldwide. Everyone at TGBC is passionate about the Lord Jesus, His word, His church, and His gospel of grace. They create and publish biblical, relevant, and accessible resources that will encourage Christians to keep going, keep growing, and keep sharing their faith.

Nashville, Tenn. (June 2, 2025) — Zondervan Gift, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, today announced the acquisition of New York Times bestselling author and actress Candace Cameron Bure’s backlist catalogue, which includes 16 previously published titles, along with the release of two new devotionals.

This expanded partnership marks a shared commitment to amplifying Bure’s voice of encouragement, faith, and authenticity—one that has inspired millions over the past two decades. Through this collaboration, Zondervan Gift aims to introduce her uplifting messages to a new generation of readers and reignite interest among longtime fans.

“Candace’s writing is warm, relatable, and deeply rooted in biblical truth—qualities that align beautifully with our mission,” said Laura Minchew, SVP Children’s and Gift Group Publisher. “We’re thrilled to bring her beloved backlist into our publishing family and to walk alongside her as she continues to pour faith and hope into the lives of readers through her new devotionals.”

The first release under this renewed partnership will be a newly repackaged edition of 100 Days of Joy and Strength, available at the end of June 2025. This refreshed version preserves the beloved devotional’s uplifting Scripture and heartfelt reflections while introducing a modern design and refreshed packaging created to captivate a new generation of readers.

Following in fall 2025, Bure will debut a brand-new devotional titled Rise and Renew: One Step Closer. This 30-day journey offers readers a spiritual reset—an invitation to embrace daily renewal through Scripture, guided reflection, and practical action steps.

“I’m incredibly thankful for this partnership with Zondervan,” said Candace Cameron Bure. “Their heart for meaningful, Christ-centered content makes them the perfect home for my books. Whether someone is picking up one of my devotionals for the first time or returning to them in a new season, my prayer is that these messages continue to speak life, joy, and hope into their everyday faith journey.”

Candace Cameron Bure is a New York Times bestselling author, producer, entrepreneur, and beloved television personality known for her decades-long career in family entertainment. She is both outspoken and passionate about her family and faith and continues to flourish in the entertainment industry as a role model to women of all ages.

Laura Minchew, SVP Children’s and Gift Group Publisher, acquired the books. Candace Cameron Bure represented by Redrock Entertainment Development.

Candace Cameron Bure is an actress, producer, and New York Times bestselling author beloved by millions worldwide as everyone’s big sister, D.J. Tanner, from the iconic television shows Full House and Fuller House, has starred in more than 50 Christmas and cozy mystery movies, and is a former cohost of The View. She is CEO of CandyRock Entertainment and host of her self-titled podcast. Candace is both outspoken and passionate about her family and faith and continues to flourish in the entertainment industry as a role model to women of all ages. https://candacecbure.com/  IG: candacecbure FB: Candace Cameron Bure

Zondervan, a worldwide leading Christian publisher of books and Bibles, is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. Its publications include a variety of Bible translations for all ages; books in different genres and subject areas for the general reader; curriculum for individual and group Bible study; books for children and young adults; academic resources including textbooks and reference books; ministry resources; and books on faith and culture. Zondervan is based in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, visit www.zondervan.com.

Media Contact:  Chasity Edwards, Zondervan Gift, chasity.edwards@harpercollins.com

May 2025 | LISLE, IL—Dr. Kevin Chapman has signed a contract with InterVarsity Press (IVP) for a follow-up to his first book, Mastering Our Emotions: Biblical Principles for Emotional Health. His second book will release in Spring 2027 and is tentatively titled Activating Joy.

While Mastering Our Emotions focused on addressing the downward spiral of negative thinking and feelings, Activating Joy will focus on understanding and intentionally strengthening our God-given capacity for an upward spiral.

“Activating Joy will follow a similar format as Mastering Our Emotions but will focus on ways to enhance positive emotionality with intentionality. This book will consider practical ways we as believers can ‘activate’ joy as opposed to trying to ‘find’ joy,” Chapman said.

Kelli Trujillo, the acquiring editor for both of Chapman’s books, said, “We all know from experience that willpower alone is not sufficient to the task. In his forthcoming second book with IVP, Activating Joy, Dr. Kevin Chapman will build upon the powerful impact of Mastering Our Emotions to help Christians more deeply understand our God-given capacity for joy. Dr. Chapman is a trusted voice whose deep faith integrates naturally with the therapeutic insights he offers. Drawing upon his expertise as a licensed clinical psychologist, in Activating Joy, Dr. Chapman will weave together insights from psychology with truth from Scripture to help Christians better understand their emotions and thoughts in order to truly live into God’s gift of deep and enduring joy.”

Dr. Kevin Chapman is a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialty in cognitive behavioral therapy. He is the founder and director of the Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders and has appeared on TLC as well as in USA Today, The Huffington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Chapman leads Sound Mind Ministries and hosts The Sound Mind Show (YouTube), which focuses on managing emotions from a biblical perspective.

Contact:  Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com