It’s time to begin building your reading list for the New Year! Why only 8 Most Anticipated for 2025? The truth is, we could only fit 8 circles on the form with the titles! (Same as 2024 poll)
Why do a “Most Anticipated” post at all? It’s my devious plan to help readers deepen their love for the Biblical fiction and their knowledge of the Bible!
You’ll find many of the Biblical fiction titles listed below on Goodreads’ Most Anticipated Christian Fiction 2025 List. PLEASE CLICK HERE to VOTE. Let’s put Biblical fiction at the top of Goodread’s Most Anticipated 2025 Fiction!
This Post Is For You BibFic Lovers!
We’re doing a SEPARATE poll for the 8 Most Anticipated Biblical Fiction of 2025! What’s the difference between Christian fiction and Biblical fiction?
- Christian fiction can be a novel about any story in an array of genres–Contemporary, Historical, Suspense, Amish, Speculative, etc.–that’s written from a Christian point-of-view.
- Biblical fiction (at least as defined for this blog post) is a novel written to bring out vivid details about stories we read in the Bible OR stories written about the early Church in which the disciples or early Church fathers play a role (in person or are mentioned) in the overall plot.
I’m Sure We’ve Missed Some…
My assistant and I have asked publishers and established indie authors to shake the social-media bushes to discover who might have a viable publication sometime in 2025. Inevitably, I’m sure we’ve missed some.
If your 2025 new release has been overlooked, please forgive me. Though I can’t add your title to the poll at this stage (after this post is live), please contact me in November 2025 if you have a 2026 title to release. Thanks, in advance, for your grace and understanding.
Don’t Recognize An Author?
You may not recognize some names listed below. Hooray! There’s nothing like finding a NEW favorite author.
It’s important to do a little research before you vote. The books already listed on Amazon have clickable links (my aff links for which I receive a very small percentage of each sale). I’ve also provided a clickable link with each author’s name connecting to their website or Amazon author page.
Take your time
Get to know the amazing authors who have studied and researched God’s Word to bring you details you might not have known before.
Speaking of research and details, I haven’t read all the books listed, so I can’t vouch for the authenticity or theological leanings within the titles below. Do your research, and let the Holy Spirit help you discern which books are right for you in 2025!
When you’ve decided which of these FABULOUS releases are the top 8 Biblical Fiction novels for your 2025 TBR list, CLICK HERE to make your vote count!
Deadline to vote is December 31, 2024 at Noon (EST)!
We’ll tabulate YOUR CHOICES with the others and publish the results in my regularly scheduled January newsletter (CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE). We’ll also publish results right here in January’s blog post! So, be sure to bookmark this page!
Books Are Listed By Month of Publication (in order of pub date):
January Releases
January 21, 2025
Before the King by Heather Kaufman
Joanna’s wealthy family aspires to Herod’s inner circle, but when her father’s esteemed position in the Sepphoris Sanhedrin is threatened, her family harbors a dark secret. Entangled in the complexities of aristocratic life and an impending arranged marriage, Joanna is caught between her own desires and maintaining appearances. When tragedy strikes, Joanna grapples with a new future that challenges her sense of duty and hope for love.
Years later, Joanna is forever changed when a rabbi comes preaching a new kingdom and healing the sick. As she contributes to his ministry, Joanna treads a perilous path between a court that mocks Jesus of Nazareth, disciples who view her with suspicion, and a husband who guards his own secrets. With pressure increasing on all sides, Joanna must decide where her allegiances lie and protect her relationship to the Christ, whose message is as compelling as it is dangerous.
January date TBD
Bronze and Brokenness – Midianites (Book #2 in Light of the Nations) by Christine Dillon (not yet on Amazon)
See description of Wells and Wanderers – Amorites (Book #1 in Light of the Nations series)
February Releases
February 11, 2025
As Sure As The Sea by Jamie Ogle
Once she denied everything she believed in. Now she’d give anything to choose differently. But in the shadow of the Roman Empire’s persecution and the shame of her past, she fears that what she wants most will be forever out of reach.
Eastern Roman Empire, AD 310.
In the shadow of Emperor Diocletian’s anti-Christian edicts, Demitria makes a meager living harvesting coral and pearls for a merchant who turns a blind eye to her faith. By night, Demi goes upriver with her brother, Theseus, to obtain provisions for fellow believers in the port city of Myra. While willing to risk her own life to ensure others are safe and fed, Demi lives with a desperate fear for those she loves and carries secret shame over her greatest failure. When Theseus is injured in a diving accident, all seems lost, until a stranger named Nikolas appears on the beach and offers help.
Arriving in a sinking boat, Nikolas is burdened by guilt over his older brother’s tragic death. Though the wealth he inherited from a prosperous shipping business now rests at the bottom of the sea, as the new pastor in Myra, he is determined to recover it and use it for good. As the violence against Christians increases, Demi helps Nikolas retrieve his lost fortune and distribute it to those in dire need.
Despite wondering if she can ever be worthy, Demi is drawn to Nikolas and longs to trust in his belief that freedom can be found in forgiveness. Then one terrifying night, everything changes as the Roman Empire’s fury rains down. Demi has no other choice but to decide if she has the courage to do what she once failed to . . . and if the faith she calls her own is sure enough to carry her.
February 18, 2025
Dawn of Grace by Jill Eileen Smith
From her earliest days, Mary Magdalene has known fear and loss at a level so deep she has no hope of surfacing. Bound to the demons within her and incapable of freeing herself, Mary walks in shadow–until one day she encounters a healer, a rabbi who is radically different from the religious leaders and family members who could do nothing to help her. One touch from Jesus and Mary is never the same.
Now Mary’s one mission in life is to serve the one who freed her. She is determined never to leave his side, fearing that if she loses him, she’ll return to her former bondage. Even when the unthinkable happens and her savior is arrested and sentenced to execution, she cannot abandon him as so many others did. Let her be buried in his tomb, for she cannot live without him.
On the brink of despair, Mary is about to discover that while the life of faith is never perfect, perfect love casts out fear–and Jesus makes all things new.
February date TBD
The Ephesus Pages: Mysteries in Ephesus (Part II) by MJ Elliott
CLICK HERE to see info on .
Among the Giants by Jenelle Hovde (Available through Guideposts Mysteries & Wonders series; not on Amazon)
Achsah has heard her father’s stories of entering the promised land only to be forced to turn back. For many years, the Israelites have battled the giants—first under Joshua’s leadership, then that of her father, Caleb. He has his warriors’ respect, yet they refuse to advance and end the fight against the last tribe of giants. Especially when Joshua’s death threatens their confidence. Achsah’s faith, however, remains steadfast that Yahweh will provide a victory. To inspire his warriors, Caleb promises Achsah’s hand to the man who conquers Kiriath-sepher. Achsah doubts that anyone would want a strong-willed woman like herself. But to her great surprise, Othniel—a quiet man favored by her father—rises to the challenge. He carries a secret devotion to the fierce Achsah and hopes to win her heart. Can she return his love and encourage his leadership as the first judge of Israel? And together, can they return the Israelites to the One True God before disaster strikes again.
March Releases
March 4, 2025
Daughter of Rome by Angela Hunt
In Nero’s Rome, Calandra helps her father, a renowned sculptor, complete the most significant commission of his illustrious career. But then a catastrophic fire nearly destroys the imperial city, leaving Calandra reliant on a group of Christians–unusual individuals unlike any she has encountered before. Intrigued by their worship of the Son of an invisible God, Calandra grapples with her mistrust, only to find herself indebted to these believers as they help her rebuild her shattered world.
When Emperor Nero begins constructing his opulent Golden House, the people of Rome grow resentful, suspecting him of starting the fire in order to clear the land for his immense palace. Needing a scapegoat, Nero points at those who follow the Jewish Messiah, forcing Calandra to make an impossible choice between right and wrong, friends and family, love and death.
March 11, 2025
The Pharisee’s Wife by Janette Oke
From the beloved author of Love Comes Softly comes an inspiring work of historical fiction about a young Jewish woman, plucked from obscurity and thrust on a perilous journey, only to witness the world’s most life-changing story.
Like most young women in ancient Israel, Mary has little control over her own destiny. When Enos, a rising Pharisee, sees her one day in the market―the most beautiful woman he has ever laid eyes on―and determines to make her his wife, Mary’s fate is quickly sealed. His exorbitant bride price is the only hope her parents have of escaping abject poverty, but surely the fact that such a devout and esteemed man has chosen a girl of her station must be a sign of blessing.
When Mary enters training to become the proper Pharisee’s wife, it is as though she has been abandoned in a foreign land, where one misstep could cost her greatly. That feeling only deepens when she discovers Enos is all she feared he might be, treating her merely as a prize he has won―and worse. Then rumors of a miracle-working, traveling Prophet change everything, and Mary and Enos are swept up in events that will challenge all they hold dear and forever alter both their futures.
April Release
April 10, 2025
The Wanderer’s Legacy by Natasha Woodcraft
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?
The Wanderer’s Legacy is the third book in The Wanderer Series, but it can be read as a standalone novel. It explores the tale of Lamech and his two wives from Genesis 4 in Biblical Historical Fiction. If you love fresh spins on ancient Bible stories and books that dive deep into the human condition, then you’ll love The Wanderer’s Legacy.
Date TBD Spring Releases
The Lion of Corinth by Katrina D. Hamel
The Struggle for Hope: The Story of Gomer by Marilyn Parker
May Releases
May 5, 2025
Mantle (Book III in Whispers on the Wind series) by Dana McNeely
Reflected against the blaze of fiery chariots and the whirlwind of heaven’s call, young Jaedon must confront the injustice of his past and the uncertainty of his future. Mantle, the third book in the Whispers on the Wind series, follows the intertwining journeys of Elisha, Jaedon, and the ambitious Gehazi as they confront prophecy, love, and the divine hand of Yahweh.
May 16, 2025
Salome: Captivating 1st Century Biblical Novel (Servant Siblings Book 7) by Jenifer Jennings
From quiet obedience to bold defiance, Salome’s stand places her fate in jeopardy.
Salome bat Joseph struggled to make herself heard as the youngest of eight siblings, often choosing silence over conflict. Raised fatherless and cared for by her oldest brother Jesus, His strong, nurturing presence was the only fatherly influence she had known.
After Jesus revealed Himself as the Messiah, Salome eagerly followed Him, inspired by His strength and the transformative power He represented. Under His guidance, she learns to use her voice to advocate for change and to speak the truth with boldness.
When the Pharisees send one of their own to hunt down followers of the Way, Salome bravely speaks out against them. Her defiance leads to her imprisonment by the Romans, leaving her fate uncertain. Will Salome’s words secure her freedom, or will they seal her doom?
Explore the passion, conflict, and sacrifice of the early church in Salome, Book 7 of the Servant Siblings series.
May 25, 2025
The Hope of Inheritance by MJ Elliott
One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors. Together Their Message will Speak to Many.The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place… on the surface. That is until fire reigned down and destroyed it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to continue spreading that truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of this calling and the message is clear, the hope of inheritance is Christ living within each of us.In the echoes of persecution, suffering, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering. Each one has endured their own journey for such a time as this, and have been given a different message they were each called to teach.Silas, Luke, John-Mark, and Timothy all knew Peter and Paul and the message God spoke through them. Will they complete this mysterious letter before they are all killed just like those who came before them? This story is the epic journey these four brothers in Christ experienced as God prepared their hearts to write that Letter and how HE led them through it. Are you ready for the Journey?
June Releases
June 3, 2025
A Faith Untamed by April Gardner
He breached her city, chained her king. Neither her faith nor her heart is as easily conquered.
Jerusalem 587 BC
Liora bat Chesed, once a noblewoman of Jerusalem, now finds herself bound to Babylon’s highest general—the man who captured Jerusalem while calling her the light of his soul. Liora’s future seems sealed, but one vow holds him at bay: a rash promise he made to Yahweh.
General Nebuzaradan is a man feared by all, but even the Butcher of Babylon must bend his iron will to the God of Judah. While his soldiers strip the Temple and systematically burn the city, he chafes under the shackles of his vow. Never one to concede defeat, Nebuzaradan seeks counsel from the prophet Jeremiah, desperate for a way to bypass his sworn oath. Then a Babylonian prince arrives and threatens Nebuzaradan’s authority over the city…and Liora.
Expected to despise the man bringing her city to ruins, Liora feels the lash of judgment from those around her. She can’t bring herself to hate him, but neither will she let him tear down the walls of her heart. While a Babylonian prince wants her as an interpreter and a rebel from the hills wants her as a spy, Nebuzaradan simply wants her. As Jerusalem burns, Liora is thrust into the dangerous political games between prince and general, rebel and the people of her heart.
In a world of destruction and intrigue, Liora is once again a tool in the hands of power-hungry men—only her untamable faith in Yahweh will guide her through.
June date TBD
And They Were Persuaded by Naomi Craig and Donna E. Lane (not yet on Amazon)
In the bustling cities and remote corners of the ancient world, four extraordinary individuals join the Apostle Paul to spread the transformative message of Jesus Christ and bring the gospel to life, facing relentless persecution and trials that test their faith and courage.
Barnabas, the Son of Encouragement, stands unwaveringly by Paul’s side, offering comfort and strength in times of adversity. Timothy, a young and eager disciple, learns to navigate the complexities of leadership as he shoulders the weight of Paul’s teachings.
Damaris, a seeker of truth, finds herself drawn to the message of hope and redemption. Her journey from skepticism to faith mirrors the challenges faced by those grappling with the radical message of Jesus. Epaphroditus, a steadfast companion, exemplifies selfless dedication as he endures hardships for the sake of the gospel.
Against the backdrop of a world hostile to their beliefs, the characters confront persecution, political intrigue, and personal trials. The novel explores the bonds forged in the crucible of adversity and the enduring power of faith in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Their stories paint a vivid portrait of the challenges faced by the early Christian community, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of faith.
July Release
July date TBD
Star of Wonder by Robin Lee Hatcher (Available through Guideposts Mysteries & Wonders series; not on Amazon)
Dobah’s lonely widowed life changes the night her cousin Yosef arrives with his wife, Miryam, and their newborn son, Yeshua. The baby was born under a brilliant light in the sky that could only have come from Adonai. With the arrival of the Magi from the East looking for the King of the Jews, Dobah knows her cousin’s son is blessed.
But along with the Magi comes warning of danger on the horizon. When Yosef receives a message from Adonai, he knows he and his family must flee. He advises Dobah that it would be best for her and her son, Levi, to leave as well. But they won’t be alone. Menes, the Magi’s guide, pledges to help and protect Dobah and Levi. Together, they will undertake a long journey of faith, love, and the promise of a better future for all mankind.
August Releases
August 5, 2025
Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette
Gavriel, a soldier in the elite company of Yonatan–son of King Saul–dreams of forging his destiny through crafting weapons with his own hands. Despite earning his place among Israel’s finest, he is haunted by a dark past that no distraction can dispel. When his reckless behavior forces Yonatan to present him with an ultimatum, Gavriel is sent on a mission to persuade a distant tribe to sever their ties with the Amalekites.
Zahava, a gifted goldsmith hidden behind her father’s legacy, lives in the shadows due to her physical affliction. Her talent, unmatched and unrecognized, is a closely guarded secret within her family. Disheartened by a love that seems unattainable, she resigns herself to a life of obscurity. However, when Gavriel arrives in her village, they’re tangled together in a way no one could have imagined. As they navigate through unforeseen dangers and enemy threats, Gavriel must confront his past and either bend his knee to the One True King or lose his love forever.
Set against the backdrop of ancient Israel, bestselling author Connilyn Cossette breathes life into the Old Testament era with this exhilarating tale of redemption, courage, and sacrifice.
August 19, 2025
Noble: The Story of Maakah by Mesu Andrews
Princess Maakah of Geshur is duty-bound to create a political alliance for her father through marriage. The cancellation by King Saul of her betrothal to his fourth-born son compels Maakah’s father to arrange an unexpected marriage to the rebel David ben Jesse, a shepherd-warrior anointed years earlier as Israel’s future king. Taken aback by stories of David’s fierceness and lowly birth, Maakah considers the match a degrading fate but obeys her father’s wishes out of duty as her nation’s only heir.
While alliances shift and enemies loom, Maakah navigates the delicate balance between her noble heritage and her growing respect for David’s faith and leadership. When David and his army move to Hebron, and he becomes king over Judah, Maakah faces prejudice and suspicion from David’s home tribe. In a land torn by war and divided loyalties, she must choose where her allegiance lies: with her people and heritage, or with an extraordinary destiny alongside David that beckons her from within.
Through Maakah’s lens of nobility, courage, and love, beloved author Mesu Andrews skillfully presents a biblical tale of King David and his royal household.
September Release
September Date TBD
Survival Secrets (Book II of The Magi’s Encounters) by Lana Christian
Akilah and the Wise Men’s caravan flight from Herod’s wrath pushes them into the Wilderness of Paran, where the only route to safety is to reach Egypt. At odds with the harsh terrain, hobbled by the capture of one of their own, each Wise Man’s faith is tested severely in different ways. At the same time, Akilah’s cousin, Farzaneh, is on a spiritual journey of her own. Traveling to Arbela to settle her husband’s final affairs, her greater goal is to learn why he became a God-fearer so in life after helping the Jews in Arbela rebuild the area’s water systems. Akilah, his father, and Farzaneh need to learn the power of forgiveness—while power plays in Herod’s now-divided kingdom and Persia’s rise of a new king, a half-breed Roman, will change the course of everyone’s destiny forever—as will another encounter with Yeshua.
October Release
October Date TBD
Leading Philip by Jenifer Jennings
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 priestesses: a grim fate aboard a ship awaits him.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.
Date TBD Fall Release
Truth and the Way–Roman Britain (working title) – next in the Light in the Empire series by Carol Ashby
November Release
November Date TBD
Book II in Queen Esther’s Court series by Tessa Afshar – (Title Reveal late Dec. ’24)
In ancient Persia, a Jewish potter must risk everything to help the queen . . . and find her second chance at love.
Sazana’s master, Lord Haman, does not know Sazana is really Shoshana—one of the Jews he loathes so much. When tragedy strikes, Sazana must join forces with Jadon, the man who broke her heart five years earlier, and find the lost artifact that will help Queen Esther protect the lives of the Jewish people.
December Release
- (No entries listed)
After You’ve Done Your Research
Keep in mind: those releases planned for later in the year don’t have as much info to share yet. For those, you’ll simply need to consider the author, their website, and the author’s past books to decide if their 2025 release intrigues you enough to become one of your top 8 choices!
After you’ve determined your 8 Most Anticipated Biblical Fiction Titles for 2025, CLICK HERE TO VOTE! You’ll be taken to a Google form. You’ll be able to vote only once and for only 8 titles.
