Canthany Rising-A Christian LitRPG Adventure by Kenneth Bliss

Julie — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Canthany Rising – New Entry into the Growing LitRPG Genre

The Literary Role-Playing Game genre, known as LitRPG, is a growing genre due to the many tabletop and online RPG systems existing today. My new book, Canthany Rising – A Christian LitRPG Adventure, is such a novelette which takes a new approach to the genre by scrapping many of the core tropes. Gone are the overpowered characters, cheat codes and “Munchkining.” The characters must learn how health points, skills, weapons, creation-magic and psionic systems work in this new world in order to survive. Actions have consequences. Death is real, and so is God.

Canthany Rising is also unusual in that it starts at the beginning, as in the Garden of Eden. Instead of humans being transported to the gaming world, seven animals are sent by God, who they call the Three-Who-Are-One, to the world of Canthany where they are transformed into humanoid forms. Unfortunately, a fallen angel, named Ashtoreth, follows them with the intent of enslaving them. God doesn’t leave them defenseless, though, He sends a pair of time-traveling servants to aid them.

Even with their help, surviving Day One will be a challenge.

Canthany Rising came about as part of a plan for a larger, connected universe. While adventures take place in Canthany, a set of science-fiction adventures take place on Earth in the near-future starting with my other novelette, The Accident. Psionics (telepathy, telekinetics), faith, angels and devils are the common components in both worlds.

In the larger universe, the two will eventually meet. This leaves Canthany with thousands of years in which it can host an array of genres, including western, steampunk, modern day and science-fiction. The only hindrance to writing them is time.

There is a dearth of books on the market which can claim to be clean, Christian and written for TTRPG or MMORPG gamers. Rising hopes to break through with its fresh take on the genre. Rising is intended to reach the Christian gamer audience looking for fun, action-filled stories with heart, morals, and faith. No profanity. No sex. Action/battle scenes will be prevalent, but they won’t be graphic in nature. These stories would be fit for teen readers and up. Church youth groups will love these stories.

Canthany Rising is one of three planned novelette-to-novella sized stories with the same core characters as they learn how to live in the world and systems. These, along with a planned novelette trilogy in the other world, will be released over the next two years.

Canthany Rising and The Accident are currently available on Amazon. If interested in either book, sign up for newsletters on my website and you will receive the first two chapter of both books.

Website link: https://www.kebauthor.com

Amazon links: https://www.amazon.com/Canthany-Rising-Christian-LitRPG-Adventure-ebook/dp/B0GZ598XPX

Author Bio: Kenneth Bliss is an unabashed nerd, having read hundreds of sci-fi/fantasy books and played TTRPG and MMORPG games for decades. He turned his sights to the written word to express his love of God, sci-fi/fantasy and psionics. He lives near a small town in Michigan with his two cats.

Fiction Finder: ACFW July 2026 New Releases

Julie — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 04:22:00 +0000

July 2026 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Contemporary Romance:
New Beginnings in Shady Springs by Sarah Anne Crouch — When the storm passes, can two guarded hearts believe in love again? Perfect for fans of heartwarming Christian romance, this tender small-town story weaves together friendship, faith, grief, and healing as two guarded hearts must decide whether love is worth trusting again. (Contemporary Romance from Scrivenings Press)

Second Shot at Love by Carolyn Miller — Ten years ago Genevieve Rivas made a mistake that changed her entire family. Since that, she’s done all she can to make up for it and make them proud and is now working as a junior doctor in one of Seattle’s leading hospitals. Everything is finally tracking as it should be, until one day a blast from the past re-enters her life. Ten years ago, Kyle Tinkler thought he had it all. Until a night of celebration went too far and he lost the person he held most dear as he chased his NHL dream. Now he might be Seattle’s top player, but his hard shot and skills on the ice aren’t enough to dodge the guilt now he’s returned to his old stomping ground. When injury reunites these two, regrets soar and secrets become increasingly hard to hide, threatening to fracture two families. And while God is a healer and redeemer of broken pasts, can they learn the power of forgiveness to find a way forward? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Trusting the Single Dad by Meghann Whistler — Former bad boy Devin Spencer never thought his past would follow him back to Cape Cod—but neither did Cassie Reed. Tasked with reopening her family’s beloved summer camp, Cassie is determined to keep her distance from the man. But Devin’s dedication to giving his young daughter a stable life starts to break down her walls. As they grow closer, Cassie’s heartbreaking secret and Devin’s troubled history threaten to keep them apart. Can they find the courage to face the past and create the family they’ve both been searching for? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Cozy Mystery: Dumpsters and Dragons by Susan Page Davis and Page M. Davis — They threw it away, and now they’ll kill to get it back. When garbage collector Cassie Willis finds coded documents in a dumpster, her routine route turns deadly. Chased by a sinister biker and pulled into a murder investigation, Cassie must follow hidden clues tied to an online game before the killer strikes again. Dumpsters and Dragons is a small-town suspense novel where faith, danger, and mystery collide. (Cozy Mystery from Scrivenings Press)

Crime Thriller/Suspense: When Daylight is Gone by Georgia Curtis Ling — The Pastors’ Wives Club is back! From #1 Amazon bestselling author Georgia Curtis Ling comes When Daylight Is Gone a new standalone novel in the Pastors’ Wives Club Suspense series. When a child is left for dead in the Appalachian wilderness, four pastors’ wives hunt a monstrous predator through a dark forest of buried sins. These unlikely warriors, armed with unshakable faith and a refusal to yield, are determined stop him before another child vanishes into the darkness. (Crime Thriller/Suspense, Independently Published)

General Historical:
The Amazing Crab Alley Revival by Sharon Wilharm — The year is 1897 and wealthy widow Lydia Culpepper is evaluating her mundane existence. For sixty-three years, she’s faithfully gone through the motions of fulfilling everyone else’s expectations for her life, but nothing she does is ever enough. She longs for something more. When a young boy comes to her house in search of his missing coon dog, she gets her wish. She meets Emily Reed, a young finishing school instructor, and Opal Jackson, an Irish single mother, and the three women join together on a mission that turns the First Baptist Church on its head. Suddenly, the town is in an uproar as lives are being changed. When Yellow Fever hits, it looks like their efforts may have been in vain, but the epidemic isn’t enough to thwart the fruits of the Crab Alley Revival. (General Historical from Elk Lake Publishing)

Historical Romance:

Beyond the Melody by Amanda Cabot — By the spring of 1946, life in Sweetwater Crossing is almost back to normal after the war. Not Anna Finley’s. She lost her chance at happily-ever-after when the man she loved was killed in France. Anna does her best to hide her sorrow and a secret that haunts her as she works on the jukeboxes she inherited when her brother died in combat. There’s no point in dreaming about what might have been. Jim Smythe is also grieving a shattered life. His fiancee broke their engagement, reminding him that a respected magazine said it should take no more than three weeks for a veteran to forget the war. But Jim cannot forget the men in his platoon who didn’t return home, and he’s made it his mission to visit each of the fallen soldiers’ families, hoping to give them some small measure of comfort. Sweetwater Crossing is his final stop. After that, he’ll have to return to Boston and the life that holds no appeal. If only he could find an alternative, one where people saw him for himself, not his family’s name. He’s given up hope that anyone will understand what his parents and fiancee did not, but everything changes when he enters a small cafe and sees a woman whose eyes reflect his own pain standing next to a jukebox. Jim knows he’ll never see her again, yet it somehow feels right to extend his hand and say, “May I have this dance?” It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment for two wounded people unless they can overcome their fears and find the courage to love again. (Historical Romance from ByDand Publishing)

To Fall in Love at Christmas by Robin Lee Hatcher — Alice MacPherson came to Idaho with nothing but her nursing skills, her Bible, and a lifetime of rules that have left her weary in both body and soul. Color, beauty, and celebration feel frivolous to her, a distraction from the seriousness of faith and her nursing profession. She expects nothing more for her future than work and solitude. Reverend Truman Blankenship has spent five years tending his small flock in Gibeon. Shy by nature, but strong in faith, he delights in the joy of Christ—especially at Christmastime, when he fills the church and parsonage with greenery, candles, and celebration. Thrown together in the homes of the sick, in the bustle of the town’s Christmas preparations, and in the laughter of children rehearsing a nativity play, Truman and Alice discover unexpected attraction. Her rigid beliefs may clash with his merry faith, but in the glow of Christmas, both will find that God’s love can heal the past—and open their hearts to a future filled with hope and joy. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

To Chase the Stars by Tara Johnson — A sailor hiding a dark past, and a woman on the run… Will they find what their hearts are looking for? Isabelle Holland is trapped in a life she never wanted. When her tyrannical aunt plans her marriage to an odious man, and with no word from her family in Charleston, she feels her life is over…until she meets a sea captain who can offer her a way to flee Savannah and unravel the mystery of her family’s secrets. Captain Henry Kincaid is running from the demons of his past. His only solace? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

A Mess of Dreams by Jessie Mattis — In spring of 1943, seventeen-year-old Lorene Stewart isn’t looking for complications. She’s content on her parents’ Illinois farm, longing for the day she might travel beyond the cornfields of Potomac. But when Amos Alexander chooses her angel food cake at the town cakewalk, everything changes. For the first time since tragedy struck her family long ago, Lorene’s heart stirs with hope. Yet as quickly as their romance sparks, a world torn apart by war threatens to extinguish it. When Lorene befriends Dietrich, a German POW whose kindness and mysterious past captivate her, she begins to question everything. How can someone deemed “the enemy” side with all that’s right and good? And what if Amos has inherited his father’s deep prejudice, which he swore to resist? Amos seems to know what he wants, but when his father forbids him to court Lorene, it’s unclear if he will honor his parents’ wishes or pursue true love no matter the cost. Lorene must discern who she can trust if her dreams are to become reality. Her hope of a future spent changing the world with the right man at her side depends on it. (Historical Romance from Ashberry Lane)

Romantic Suspense:

Trapped by Jerusha Agen — Her lies keep her safe. Until the truth shows up. And it’s carrying a gun. Kristen Grant will do anything to protect her adopted teen daughter from the dangers of their past. No matter how many secrets it requires, Kristen will ensure Rosalia enjoys a happy life and promising future Kristen didn’t have. His childhood friend may have a different name, but that doesn’t change the way he feels. Security specialist Sean Kingston never expected to meet his childhood buddy in sleepy little Leben Falls. She’s changed, shrouded in mystery and secrets she doesn’t want to share. But when a shooter wakes up the small town, it seems those secrets are going to get Kristen killed. Freedom has a price, and the enemy of Kristen’s past has come to collect. Will Kristen have to pay with her life, or can Sean and his God set her free? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Overdrive by Taylor S. Newport — The mission looked simple. But the enemy is closer, faster, and deadlier than they imagined. Tyler Reid needs a break, but trouble finds him first. A call from London pulls him into a missing-person case linked to a powerful surveillance project that’s suddenly worth killing for. The deeper he digs, the more bodies he finds—and the more obvious it becomes that someone wants the entire system for themselves. Alexandra “Alex” Romanova is looking for an escape from Veritek and the weight waiting for her back home. A trip with Tyler should’ve been the break they both needed. But when the case escalates and puts her company in the crosshairs, she goes with him—trying to keep him grounded even as the danger forces him to speed up. The investigation spirals into a breakneck pursuit, ambushes snapping at their heels as their unknown enemy stays one move ahead. Someone is erasing anyone tied to the project, leaving bodies instead of answers. With the elusive threat closing fast, Tyler and Alex are fighting to get ahead long enough to expose who’s hunting them. (Romantic Suspense from Whitewater River Publishing)

Western/Historical:

Seeds of Hope by Teresa Wells — Blooming Grove, Texas, 1896- Deputy Rabb Truitt has sworn to protect Blooming Grove. But when a clerical error sets a criminal free, Rabb blames himself. He should’ve admitted he can’t read, and now he must resign. If he failed the town once, he could fail it again. A recent survivor of a devastating fire, Sallie Parker refuses to let Rabb give up the job he loves. She helps him make sense of letters on the page, and as his knowledge grows, so do their feelings for each other. When a series of mysterious events surround Sallie’s school, Rabb fears a connection to cattle rustlers he’s pursuing. Each day without arrest, the demands for mob justice increase. Rabb races to protect the town and the woman he loves. But is he too late? (Western Historical from Scrivenings Press)

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Burns and Beauty – Philistines by Christine Dillon — Saphi has spent her life despising the mother who scarred her face and condemned her to obscurity as a temple sweeper in the house of Dagon. Scorned and friendless, she expects nothing from the Philistine gods except silence. Then the Philistines capture the ark of the God of Israel. (Contemporary Romance)

Dotty Makes a Difference by Jeni Jennings — What if what makes you different makes all the difference? Set against the stunning backdrop of gorgeous African landscapes, this heartwarming story of faith, courage, and friendship for readers 3-8 will inspire children to embrace their differences and see the beauty in all God’s creations. (Children’s/Picture Books)

Praying for Mr. Wright by Kimberly Kirkland Absher — A worship leader, a matchmaking scheme, and an unexpected love story. Praying for Mr. Wright is a warm, faith-filled contemporary Christian Romance about surrendering expectations, trusting God with your heart, and discovering that sometimes the answer to prayer looks nothing like the plan you imagined. (Contemporary Romance)

Diamonds & Dynamite by Jane Daly — When a stolen diamond, a deadly cartel, and a secretive mine collide, love might be the most explosive force of all. (Romantic Suspense)

Rainbow Valley by Cathe Swanson — The life they built is changing. The past they buried is calling. Rainbow Valley is a heartfelt story of marriage, faith, identity, and the courage to rediscover each other after a lifetime of becoming someone new. (Historical Romance)

Something New by Cathe Swanson — Coming home is the last thing Charlea wants—but it may be the beginning of everything she’s been searching for. (Contemporary Women’s Fiction)

You Were There by Melissa Knight

Julie — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000

How many of us “mature” folks remember what it was like to be seventeen? The highs and lows, dreaming of what our futures held, a hot mess of boldness and fear? I remember!

I’ve taught kids in public schools from K-12, with all kinds of backgrounds and world views. One day I discovered a discarded love note in my classroom after my students were dismissed. Though I’m not sure the writer or receiver were identified, the note was clearly written from a girl to a guy, expressing how much she thought of him and longed for his attention. Normal feelings, right?

The problem was, this was an elementary classroom of fifth graders.

Years later that experience, and others, influenced my desire to write Christian Young Adult fiction, specifically about dating and first love. I already knew the power of a good book, so why not show young teens, in an entertaining way, that God Himself loves romance? Why not mix humor and hope with hard, real-life issues, to attract a generation to the One who loves them most?

You Were There is the first book in my Rayburn High Romance series. It’s set in Texas, y’all, and follows Reese and Daniel’s story. Reese is not a Christian at the beginning, and her family history is a bit rough. She lives with her mom and grandma, and all three have broken hearts. Yet they also possess God-given grit: “stiffen your spine, girl!” Throughout the chapters they learn to recognize God’s presence and loving intervention throughout their lives, even when He seemed so distant.

Their pasts aren’t magically rewritten. Their problems don’t disappear. But they catch sight of hope and forgiveness through a Savior who loves them. I pray that’s the main takeaway for each and every one of my readers, from twelve to ninety-nine.

There are many YA Christian Fiction authors out there who write in various genres, and I hope you’ll check out not just my work but theirs as well. Please ask God to use our stories to reach a generation who navigate all kinds of distractions and challenges which many of us never had to face.

I would also be delighted if you follow me on these platforms:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0B1CK9Y88?ingress=0&visitId=7be87025-bcd5-4fe8-9b91-b8fa6f08faa1&ccs_id=39db18b0-678e-43b4-91dc-2e85ee00aa3f

Substack: https://substack.com/@melissaknightauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22503413.Melissa_Knight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071089929220

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaknight9307

Melissa Knight is the author of YA Christian Contemporary Romance books, including the High School 101 and Rayburn High Romance series. A veteran teacher in public schools, many of her short stories and articles have been published in various magazines and literature for teens and children. She’s made several moves as an oil field wife, leading to some of the best adventures and friendships of her life. Melissa and her husband (still her sweetheart) currently live in Texas, while their adult children are out there building their own legacies.