Hey there, my friend!

Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day with me. For that, I am deeply grateful. Today, I get to share a piece of news that still feels a bit unreal: 

Sinful Oath, Book One in the On The Wings Of Angels series, is a 2025 Finalist in the American Writing Awards subcategory of Religion—Christian Inspirational.

When I first saw the announcement, I think my brain stopped. I reread the line several times. From my heart came a rush of gratitude—to God, to the people who encouraged me when the manuscript was only a fragile idea, and to readers like you who care about stories of faith, courage, and justice in dark places.

This story, set in 1618 London, has traveled farther than I ever expected.

 

A World Darker Than Newgate

London in the early 1600s—the time of Shakespeare, the surrender of the Great O’Neil and the fall of Ireland, and the end of the reign of Elizabeth I and beginning of James I—has always fascinated me. 

The city was changing quickly—socially, politically, spiritually. There was the infamous Newgate Prison, overcrowded, filthy, and feared, holding those waiting to be hanged at Tyburn. There were more than 300 crimes punishable by hanging. Trials often lasted ten minutes.

Out of this world came Elizabeth Bowmar, the heroine of Sinful Oath.

She is a young midwife who steps into a life darker than even Newgate Prison. Sworn to protect a child, she’s pulled into a web of lethal secrets, whispered rumors of rebellion, and fears that the city itself may erupt. The streets she walks are full of danger, but also of neighbors, shopkeepers, and orphans trying to survive one more day.

Amidst it all, Elizabeth clings to the same God we cling to today.

 

I write Christian historical mysteries to help us reflect on our progress as human beings, and perhaps to give courage to those who, even now, are working to make life better for others. The shadows of 1618 London may feel distant, but echoes of injustice, poverty, and fear remain.

 

Faith in the Midst of Fear

One of the things I love most about Christian historical fiction is the chance to explore how faith plays out in very practical, sometimes frightening circumstances.

Elizabeth is not a woman preaching sermons from a pulpit. She is “the tall midwife with ice-blue eyes that helps those in need” in dangerous streets, making decisions about whom to trust, when to speak, and when to stay silent. She wrestles with fear, failure, and the weight of promises she has made.

She finds joy in helping others. The Scripture that drives her is:

“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:17.

Elizabeth’s London is full of alleys best avoided, whispers best ignored, and people who would prefer the truth remain buried. Yet the Lord is as present in those narrow lanes as He is in our modern neighborhoods, hospitals, offices, and homes.

I hope readers who walk alongside Elizabeth will be reminded that God’s presence is not confined to safe places.

 

A Quiet Honor

Awards are not why I write, but I won’t pretend this finalist honor didn’t bring me joy.

To have Sinful Oath recognized in the Religion—Christian Inspirational subcategory feels especially meaningful. This is a story with crime and danger, yes, but also a story about compassion, justice, and the quiet courage that grows from trusting God when the outcome is uncertain.

When I think about the American Writing Awards listing Sinful Oath beside other inspirational works, I picture all the people—like Elizabeth—who have taken risks both large and small to do what is right. Some are remembered in history books; most are not. Yet their faithfulness matters.

And so does yours.

Whatever your “1618 London” looks like—perhaps a difficult workplace, a strained family relationship, a health struggle, or a calling that feels too big—I hope this recognition serves as a small reminder that God uses ordinary people, doing the next right thing, in remarkable ways.

 

Stories as Acts of Kindness

In my newsletters, I often talk about kindness—how sometimes it’s as simple as holding a door, and other times it looks like offering a warm word to someone who feels unseen.

I think of stories as a form of kindness, too.

Authors give their time, imagination, and sometimes a bit of their own heartache to create worlds for readers to enter. Readers, in turn, give stories a place to land—a quiet corner of a life already full of responsibilities and noise. Each reading experience is a kind of exchange.

My hope is that Sinful Oath will be a kindness to you:

– A reminder that courage does not always roar; sometimes it is a tired woman choosing to persevere. 

– A picture of God’s faithfulness at a time in history when justice could feel out of reach. 

– A nudge toward hope in your own calling.

 

What Comes Next

Sinful Oath is the first book in the On The Wings Of Angels series, and Elizabeth’s journey is far from over. I’m continuing to work on the next books, exploring new corners of London, new moral dilemmas, and new ways in which faith must take root in hard soil.

Family will be released in January 2026. Amidst the shadows of 1618 London, Elizabeth Bowmar will confront an unseen menace targeting her family. As conspiracy and danger escalate, she must untangle the truth while facing her own fears, trusting that her fierce spirit and unwavering faith will be enough to protect those she loves.

If you’d like to:

– Read more about Sinful Oath 

– Be the first to hear more about Family and other upcoming books in the series

– Or share this story with a book club or friend

I invite you to visit my website at ktmcwilliams.com and sign up for my newsletter. Your presence on this journey means more than you know.

Thank you, my friend, for walking these streets—both historical and modern—with me.

All the very best, 

Katy