The Design of Providence
Coming May 2026!
The Design of Providence: An Anthology Celebrating America’s 250 Years
Includes Prisoner’s Rest by Jayna Baas
Before there was a United States, there was a dream forged in the crucible of revolution—and a steadfast belief that a divine hand was shaping the nation’s destiny. From the bloody snow of the Boston Massacre to the treacherous battlefields of the South, the path to liberty was fraught with peril, heartbreak, and impossible choices.
In this landmark collection of historical short stories, ten authors of Christian fiction sweep you into the heart of the American Revolution. Journey alongside historical giants like George Washington and his steadfast valet, William Lee. Witness the fire of a young Andrew Jackson standing against British tyranny, and feel the tension as John Adams, America’s first ambassador, stands before the very king he defied.
Intertwining fact and fiction, each story masterfully explores the personal cost of allegiance, the agony of families divided by war, and the quiet, persistent thread of faith that wove through it all.
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with this immersive, faith-filled journey into the soul of a nation’s founding.
Includes short stories by Jayna Baas, Lynne Tagawa, Shannon McNear, Lynn Dean, Patience O’Brien, Avellina Balestri, John M. Cunningham Jr., Richard Tucker, Ted Lamb, and Nathan Stone
Content warnings: This anthology comprises stories from ten different authors. Stories contain varying levels of elements including, but not limited to, evangelical Christian content, Catholicism, graphic war violence, and romantic content.
First edition 2026
Paperback: ISBN 979-8-9942305-2-7
Summary: Short stories by ten authors commemorate the American Revolution through the eyes of both historical and fictional characters.
Praise for The Design of Providence
A unique collection of patriotic voices, each showcasing America’s independence with all its grit, grace, and glory. A remarkable tribute to our founders and the spirit of 1776 that has endured 250 years!
—Laura Frantz, Christy Award–winning author of The Belle of Chatham
“Adventuresome, gritty, and inspiring stories for the true historical fiction lover . . . If you want to dive into stories that make you feel what life was like during the American Revolution at its core, here’s your chance.”
—Naomi Musch, award-winning author of Season of My Enemy
The Authors Behind The Design of Providence
The Design of Providence began with the idea of author Lynne Basham Tagawa to create a fiction anthology celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Lynne pounds out historical fiction in South Texas and is a Selah Award finalist for A Fallen Sparrow: A Novel of the American Revolution. More recently, she’s dipped her toe into time travel with The Root of the Matter. Coffee and chocolate, in that order.
Lynne is joined by editor Jayna Baas (pronounced as in “baa, baa, black sheep”), a Carol Award finalist, author of the For Liberty & Conscience series, and director of The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network. Jayna writes and edits from beautiful northern Michigan, where she brings readers faith-filled adventures bursting with courageous characters and biblical truth.
Selah Award winner Shannon McNear brought her decades of experience in Christian historical fiction to this anthology. As the author of seven novels, Shannon loves losing herself in local history, but her greatest joy is in being a military and pastor’s wife, spending time outdoors with her grandbabies, and basking in the beauty of the northern prairies.
This anthology also features contributions from Lynn Dean, author of numerous award-winning historical fiction novels; John M. Cunningham Jr., a graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in history; Patience O’Brien, art teacher and thankful member of a four-generation family of police and military; and Avellina Balestri, Catholic author and Maryland’s representative in The Sons of the American Revolution National Orations Contest.
In addition to these historical fiction authors, history teacher Ted Lamb, literary writer Nathan Stone, and Marine Corps veteran and historical reenactor Richard Tucker contribute their own unique perspectives on both sides of the Revolution.