Ada, Mich. (August 1, 2025)—Ashley Opliger, founder of the national nonprofit Bridget’s Cradles, landed on the USA Today Bestseller list with the release of her debut book, Cradled in Hope: Trusting Jesus to Heal Your Heart as He Holds Your Baby in Heaven—A Biblical Guide for Grieving Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss (available now via Bethany House).

The book solidifies Opliger as a bestselling author just one week after the July 22 release of Cradled in Hope. Opliger also joined previous bestsellers including Mel Robbins, Kristin Hannah, James Patterson, and more across all genres, but hers was the only Christian Living title to make the cut for the sales week ending Sunday, July 27.

Knowing well the overwhelming pain and hopelessness of losing a child after her daughter Bridget was born into heaven at 24 weeks, Ashley walked through a dark valley of grief while questioning God’s goodness. Sharing her story, she provides a safe space for grieving moms to cry, ask why, and bring their sadness, anger, bitterness, loneliness, and shame to One who can hold it all—Jesus. Cradled in Hope offers a tender yet profound guide for navigating pregnancy and infant loss through the lens of faith, showing readers how God cradles grieving moms in hope even as He cradles their babies in Heaven.

“Ashley writes with tenderness, authenticity, and unwavering faith. She poured her heart and experience into Cradled in Hope, and the result is nothing short of extraordinary,” says Jennifer Dukes Lee, Senior Acquisitions Editor for Bethany House. “From the beginning, Ashley wanted this book to be the gold standard for guiding women through the deep, personal grief of infant loss. And it is, indeed, the gold standard. Her vision was always to create a resource that would meet grieving mothers exactly where they are, and now seeing her book reach the USA Today bestseller list is a powerful affirmation that it’s doing just that. So many need this book, and we are honored to walk with Ashley on this publishing journey.”

See full list of the week’s bestsellers at https://www.usatoday.com/booklist.

Cradled in Hope: Trusting Jesus to Heal Your Heart as He Holds Your Baby in Heaven—A Biblical Guide for Grieving Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss by Ashley Opliger
(Bethany House; ISBN 9780764244346; ebook ISBN 9781493450862; $19.99)

Ashley Opliger is the founder and executive director of Bridget’s Cradles, a national nonprofit that provides hope and healing to over 30,000 bereaved families each year. Host of the award-winning podcast Cradled in Hope, she’s been a media guest and contributor to outlets such as Focus on the Family, Live Action, and American Family Association Journal. Ashley is also the leader of Hope Gatherings and Wave of Light, an annual event held on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. She is a sought-after speaker and podcaster. She lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband and two sons. Learn more at BridgetsCradles.com.

Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, seeks to uplift readers’ families, faith, and free time with our library of industry-leading fiction and bestselling, Christ-centered nonfiction.

Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers.

Contact:  Anne Van Solkema, (616) 676-9185 x152, avansolkema@bakerpublishinggroup.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Aug. 5, 2025—Christian publisher David C Cook announced today the appointment of Linda Howard as executive publisher. In this role, Howard will prioritize cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with authors, agents, and partners, and will oversee all aspects of trade book publishing, including acquisitions, editorial development, and production for the company’s growing brands, including The Action Bible and The Chosen series.

Howard, who most recently served as the associate publisher at Tyndale House Publishers, brings extensive experience in multiple genres. In her most recent role, she led the team that acquired and developed Christian children’s products and oversaw the strategy for Tyndale’s Kids Division. During her time with Tyndale, she also served as the senior product and marketing manager and ​guided the publisher’s relationship with Focus on the Family, overseeing their nonfiction, fiction, and kids’ titles.

“When we started our search for an executive publisher, we were looking for the right personality, experience, skillset and level of spiritual maturity,” said Bill Reeves, CEO of David C Cook. “We believe we’ve found that in Linda. Her character and work ethic are highly regarded throughout the publishing industry and she has a wealth of experience in areas in which we’re continuing to expand.  

“Linda has a proven track record of success,” Reeves continued. “She’s in touch with our customer base and she has a deep understanding of the value of multimedia. It will be great to have her on board as we launch Beloved—Francis Chan’s first new release since 2021—and other key titles this fall.”

Prior to her time with Tyndale, Howard worked for Wheaton College as assistant director of the Community School of the Arts. She is a graduate of ​the University of West Alabama, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in music education.

“It’s an honor to join a ministry that has faithfully served the church for 150 years,” said Howard. “I’m excited for the opportunity to work alongside a talented team on projects that will continue to equip today’s generations with resources to grow their ​faith.”

About David C Cook 
David C Cook is a nonprofit ministry dedicated to equipping the global church with leadership, discipleship and worship resources to help Christians grow in faith and pass it along to the next generation. Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family, is committed to taking songs of substance to the local church and its leaders around the world. Also part of the David C Cook family of brands, Group Publishing is a leader in vacation Bible school curriculum and creates a wide variety of award-winning, faith-based content, products and experiences for kids, teens and adults. Read more about David C Cook and its global ministry outreach at davidccook.org.

CONTACT:  Alli Ehrhardt, 541.973.1994

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Good Book Company is excited to release the Training Young Hearts series by Abbey Wedgeworth as a colorful box set, including a new Guide for Grown-ups. This box set completes the Life-the-Flap board book series collection.

Wedgeworth reflects, “We began crafting this series with the conviction that the books about Jesus shouldn’t be the boring ones, and now, we hear all the time that these titles are the favorites of the kids for whom they were created. But we also hear that this set of books is effectively doing what they were written to do: resourcing parents with language and tools to respond to common behaviors with gospel intentionality, and rescuing kids from guilt, shame, and the pressure to get it right on their own by encouraging them to look to Jesus. I am praying that the release of the box set and Guide for Grown-ups will mean that more kids and caregivers will not only enjoy the entire series but ultimately, hear the truth of the gospel and experience its changing power.”

Beloved for its use of a redemptive gospel framework and its playful illustrations, this series helps kids understand how to use their hands, feelings, mouth, and more in ways that are honoring to Jesus. The new Guide for Grown-ups explains the parenting principles behind the series, as well as offering practical advice on how to use moments of discipline as opportunities for gospel growth.

Series editor Katy Morgan says, “This is a very special series and I’m so delighted to see the board books come together in such a beautiful box. I’m praising God for the way he’s equipping so many parents and engaging so many little ones with these joyful and down-to-earth board books!”

The Training Young Series Box Set released August 1st.

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.

For media inquiries and access to promotional assets, contact:  publicity@thegoodbook.com.

From the bestselling author of Holy Hot Mess, a laugh-out-loud look at what happens when life goes a direction we didn’t expect and we are forced to reconsider the beliefs, assumptions, and stories that have always steered our course.

Mary Katherine Backstrom grew up the most basic of all youth group kids—pH level 14—and her faith only grew as she led youth ministry, served as a missionary, and went on to become a bestselling Christian author. She knew all the practiced, perfect Sunday school answers and was driving happily down the straight and narrow, until one day her young son asked a simple question: will my Jewish best friend go to hell?

In the months and years that followed, that single question continued to snowball. MK challenged and reconsidered every part of the faith she’d been raised to accept so completely. Not That Wheel, Jesus! is Mary Katherine’s hilarious journey from certainty to doubt to going nuclear on the socials (“it was my heresy era”), and then of slowly and painfully finding her way back to a different, less defined faith.

It’s the heartfelt and achingly honest story of a spirituality that went off the road and crashed and burned in spectacular fashion, right before God and everybody. And then, slowly, through grace and plenty of therapy, grew richer and deeper than she ever could have imagined.

Mary Katherine Backstrom is best known for her viral videos and candid writing on family, faith, and mental health. She has been featured on Today Show, CNN, and New York Times—but her friends and family are most impressed with her one-time appearance on Ellen. MK resides in Alabama with her children and two stinky dogs. When she isn’t writing, MK can be found in the woods, hiding from the all the world’s problems. 

UK-based publisher of Christian greeting cards and gifts now available to US and Canadian retailers via Anchor’s full-service distribution and fulfillment support.

New Kensington, PA | August 8, 2025 — In a major expansion of its international reach, UK-based Christian publisher Just Cards Direct has officially launched in the North American market. As the brand’s sole distribution and fulfillment partner in the US and Canada, Anchor will now make Just Cards Direct’s award-winning greeting cards and inspirational gifts widely accessible to retailers, churches, and consumers across the continent.

Founded in 2007, Just Cards Direct has built a strong reputation throughout the UK and Europe for its high-quality, Scripture-based designs offering everything from holiday and occasion cards to coloring bookmarks, coasters, and more. In February 2025, the Just Cards team was warmly received in the US, as they connected with Christian retailers at CPE in Florida.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Anchor to serve the Christian retail community here in the USA,” said Anne Stiles, Founder of Just Cards Direct. “Our heart is to equip churches, bookstores, and believers with encouraging, Bible-based products that speak hope and truth. It’s a joy to see our designs reaching new hands and hearts across the Atlantic.”

This marks the first time their full product line will be readily available in North America through a domestic distributor, and through this integrated logistics approach, Just Cards Direct now has a robust and streamlined infrastructure for both retail and online growth. Retailers interested in carrying Just Cards Direct can now place wholesale orders through Anchor and WordAlive.

About Just Cards Direct:
Just Cards Direct is a multi-award-winning Christian publisher based in the UK, offering inspirational greeting cards, gifts, bookmarks, coasters, and more. Known for their bold design and biblical messaging, their work has appeared in both retail shops and major publishers like Baker Books. Learn more at www.justcardsdirect.com.

About Anchor:
Part of the Whitaker Corporation, Anchor has served the Christian retail and inspirational gift industry since 1970. Located in western Pennsylvania, Anchor supplies books, Bibles, music, and gifts to Christian bookstores, churches, and general gift retailers across the country. With a longstanding commitment to quality and service, Anchor remains a trusted partner to thousands of stores and ministries nationwide providing distribution, marketing and sales

To learn more about fulfillment and distribution through Anchor, contact Beth Swaney at beth.swaney@anchordistributors.com.

Media Contact:  Beth Swaney, Anchor Distributors, 1-800-444-4484 x203, Beth.swaney@anchordistributors.com 

July 31, 2025 | Minneapolis, MN – BroadStreet Publishing is excited to announce the release of two compelling new titles in their best-selling Chosen series: The Chosen Devotional Book 5: To Be with Jesus by Dallas and Amanda Jenkins with Kristen Hendricks and The Chosen: Not My Will by New York Times bestselling author Jerry Jenkins.

In The Chosen Devotional Book 5: To Be with Jesus, readers are invited to deepen their walk with Christ through forty brand-new devotions. Written by Amanda Jenkins, Dallas Jenkins, and Kristen Hendricks, each devotion includes Scripture, a Gospel-centered insight, prayer prompts, and reflective questions to encourage spiritual growth.

Rooted in Jesus’ teachings, the devotional emphasizes the biblical call to love God and others (Matthew 22:37–39) and to live in truth (John 14:6–7), contrasting these with today’s culture of subjective “my truth” narratives. These 40 days with Jesus serve as a powerful reminder that while personal experiences shape us, God’s truth remains unchanging.

In the much-anticipated next novel in the series, The Chosen: Not My Will, Jerry Jenkins brings to life the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry—what we now call Holy Week. Beginning with His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and culminating in the agony of Gethsemane, this gripping narrative explores the emotional and spiritual journeys of key characters like Mary Magdalene, Claudia, and Judas, offering readers a deeper understanding of their humanity and motivations.

More than just companions to the series, these books expand on The Chosen’s powerful storytelling and spiritual depth.

Based on the first multi-season television series about the life of Jesus—with over 300 million viewers to date, 1 billion episode views and translated into 50+ languages—The Chosen continues to impact a global audience across platforms like Amazon Prime.

About BroadStreet® Publishing
BroadStreet® Publishing Group passionately creates meaningful, inspiring resources crafted with creativity, excellence, and elegance to communicate God’s truth. Its celebrated imprints—Belle City Gifts, BroadStreet Español, BookStreet, and BroadStreet Kids—offer a diverse array of Bible studies, biographies, devotionals, journals, gift books, planners, children’s literature, and Bible accessories. BroadStreet also publishes The Passion Translation (TPT), boasting over 1.5 million copies sold globally. More information is available at www.broadstreetpublishing.com.

Media Contact:  Ben Laurro, Ben@purepublicity.com

 

August 2025 | LISLE, IL — Malcolm Guite, poet, priest, and professor, has signed contracts with IVP Academic for the first three volumes in a new series tentatively titled Classic Poetry with Malcolm Guite. The first volume, tentatively titled How to Read Poetry, is projected to release in Fall 2028.

“I had the pleasure of taking a summer class on poetry with the inimitable Malcolm Guite during my time at Regent College, and it was one of the most impactful courses of my degree,” said acquiring editor Zachary Gordon. “All I wanted to do afterward was pull up an armchair and hear Professor Guite explain the classics again and again, and this series will capture some of that essence. Getting the opportunity to develop the idea of this series with Professor Guite and see some of the course material turned into book form is deeply gratifying.”

The second title in the series, tentatively titled George Herbert and John Donne, is projected to release in Fall 2029. The third untitled volume is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2030.

Guite (PhD, University of Durham) is the chaplain at Girton College, University of Cambridge, where he also teaches in the Faculty of Divinity. As a priest, poet, and songwriter, he travels and speaks regularly throughout the United Kingdom and North America. He is the author of Mariner: A Theological Voyage with Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Hodder, 2017; IVP Academic, 2018).

“Anyone who has ever met Malcolm Guite or heard him speak knows it’s unforgettable: the energy of his engagement with poetry is exceeded only by his deeply learned mastery of literary works across a span of centuries, all mixed with an undercurrent of mischievous humor that keeps you wondering what he’ll say next,” said Jon Boyd, associate publisher and academic editorial director at InterVarsity Press (IVP). “In this series, we get two treasures at once: not only volumes loaded with the gems of English poetry from throughout the last millennium, but also in Guite the benevolent superintending intelligence of one of the tradition’s great advocates and practitioners.”

How to Read Poetry will introduce the reader to poetry through a close reading of seven classic poems. These poems will chronologically take the reader through the English poetic tradition. Subsequent volumes in Classic Poetry with Malcolm Guite will cover topics like early English poetry, sonnets, and Romanticism. Each volume will have a comprehensive introduction, a study guide with questions for group discussion, and light annotations.

Guite said, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with IVP Academic to bring out fresh and accessible editions of works of classic poetry. These works are not only beautiful in themselves and full of insight and wisdom, but they also form an essential part of the heritage of the English-speaking world. They need to be read afresh in every generation, for they still have much to teach us. In late years literary criticism has been lost in a fog of theory, but my aim in these editions, following the example of C. S. Lewis’s great preface to Paradise Lost, is to give readers enough background information and critical insight to open the text and enable a fuller, deeper reading, but not to overwhelm them with the technical or theoretical detail that tends to clog purely academic editions.”

Contact:  Karin DeHaven, kdehaven@ivpress.com

Nashville, Tenn. — July 21, 2025— W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, is pleased to announce The Awe of God: The Astounding Way a Healthy Fear of God Transforms Your Life by John Bevere has sold more than 500,000 copies in print, eBook, and audio formats across the globe.

Released in 2023, The Awe of God invites readers to rediscover the profound reverence and wonder that comes from a deeper relationship with God. Combining biblical wisdom and Bevere’s decades of ministry experience, this powerful book equips readers to cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord, one that transforms lives and deepens spiritual growth.

“More than a half million copies of The Awe of God sold equates to many lives impacted and changed as a result of this powerful message,” said VP, Publisher for W Publishing, Damon Reiss. “This is a testament to the hunger for clear, uncompromising biblical truth in today’s world. W Publishing is honored to be in partnership with Messenger International and to have achieved this milestone together. We look forward to continually seeing the impact of John’s ministry on the world.”

“The healthy fear of God keeps us close to the One who created us and loves us deeply,” says Bevere, “In a day and hour where countless men and women have slipped away from the faith, it’s my hope and prayer The Awe of God will strengthen the lives of all who read it.”

John Bevere is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and evangelist, with more than 40 years of experience equipping believers to live out their faith with purpose and passion. Known for his ability to communicate challenging biblical concepts with clarity and conviction, Bevere’s books have been translated in over 130 languages and have sold millions of copies globally. Beyond writing, Bevere co-founded Messenger International with his wife, Lisa, a ministry dedicated to providing discipleship resources to the Church worldwide.

Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational product for more than 200 years. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information visit www.thomasnelson.com.

Contact:  Allison Carter, Sr. Publicity Dir., W Publishing Group, 615-902-2143, allison.carter@harpercollins.com

 

Jordan Raynor, award-winning author of Redeeming Your Time and The Sacredness of Secular Work, brings his passion for kingdom-minded entrepreneurship and productivity to WaterBrook in a two-book deal starting with Redeeming Your Goals. 

As a respected leader in the faith and work movement, Raynor offers a helpful framework for Christians who are driven to accomplish good work, but who want to avoid the self-centeredness and exhaustion of hustle culture. For anyone serious about applying the gospel to their work, this book offers clear steps for setting and executing God-glorifying goals. 

Scheduled for publication in Fall 2026, world rights were acquired by Will Anderson, Senior Editor at WaterBrook and Multnomah, from D.J. Snell at Legacy, LLC. 

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

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

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — B&H Academic, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources, has a lineup of significant theological, historical and practical works releasing this fall. From a theological exploration of bodily care to a deep dive into the story of the Southern Baptist Convention, the forthcoming titles reflect varied aspects of theology and Christian life that deserve to be studied—whether in the classroom, the church or home.

“The team at B&H Academic has poured our hearts into curating new books on vital topics like missions, theology, philosophy, discipleship, anthropology and administration,” said Michael McEwen, publisher for B&H Academic. “Our hope is that these resources will powerfully equip professors and pastors to disciple students and congregations, helping them experience the profound depth of Scripture and the beauty of Christ.”

“Nicaea for Today” by Coleman Ford and Shawn Wilhite, available Sept. 15

The year 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, and this book aims to make the ancient creed accessible to modern readers. It explores how Nicene theology continues to shape Christian belief and practice and helps readers understand the reasons behind renewed interest in creeds, as demonstrated by recent motions at Southern Baptist Convention annual meetings.

“The Devil Reads Nietzsche” by Michael McEwen, available Oct. 15

In this timely work of public theology, McEwen examines how Nietzsche’s ideas have shaped modern American culture in significant ways. With pastoral sensitivity, he critiques Nietzschean influence and helps readers respond to contemporary cultural ideologies with a biblical-theological perspective.

“Embodied Holiness” by Lainey Greer, available Oct. 15

Greer calls Christians to embrace bodily care as a form of worship in a culture that often separates body and spirit. With theological depth and practical insight from her background in exercise science, she challenges thoughts that devalue the body and offers a holistic vision of discipleship.

“The Baptist Story, 2nd Edition” by Anthony Chute, Nathan Finn and Michael Haykin, available Dec. 1

Updated from its 2015 release to include developments through the 2024 Southern Baptist Convention, this revised edition offers a compelling narrative of Baptist identity and global influence. With new chapters and reorganized content, “The Baptist Story” is an in-depth resource for students and church leaders seeking to understand the history of Baptist thought and practice.

Other fall titles include:

• “Children and Salvation” by Karen Kennemur, Kelly A. King, Shelly Melia and Donna B. Peavey
• “Missional Preaching” by Stephen Stallard
• “Acts and Paul’s Letters” by Mark L. Strauss
• “Church Administration, 3rd edition” by Robert H. Welch and Jody D. Dean
• “Bioethics and Medicine” by C. Ben Mitchell

In operation since 1891, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the leading providers of Christian resources, including Bibles, books, Bible studies, group curriculum, Christian music and movies, Vacation Bible School and church supplies, as well as camps and events for all ages. Lifeway is the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles. Based in Brentwood, Tennessee, Lifeway operates as a self-supporting nonprofit. For more information, visit Lifeway.com.

B&H Academic, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources, is dedicated to providing resources for undergraduate and graduate theological education, as well as pastors and ministry leaders. B&H Academic collaborates with authors, professors, and pastors who are at the forefront of their fields to publish biblically faithful resources that are academically challenging, promote the academy, and champion the church.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Jill Waggoner, jill.waggoner@lifeway.com

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written by Jill Waggoner, a writer for Lifeway Christian Resources