Four Faith-Centered Works Bring Diverse Spiritual Perspectives to Frankfurt Book Fair 2026

Four works shaped by questions of faith, scripture, perseverance, and spiritual identity will come together at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026 as part of The Maple Staple’s exhibition, with Inks & Bindings joining as co-exhibitor.

From October 7 to 11, the books by Kurt Bennie Hedstrom, Vera Simpson Gaines, and Lisa N. Phillips will be available for visitors to see in person at Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, at Hall 5.1, Stand D86.

Kurt Bennie Hedstrom brings biblical inquiry and spiritual reflection together in “Sons of God: A Chance Encounter with the Law.” The book follows Kurt, a seeker of truth who enters into an imagined dialogue with the personified Law of the Old Testament as he raises difficult questions about salvation, evil, suffering, the Old and New Covenants, and the purpose of the Law. The conversation examines how the Law and the grace revealed through Christ relate to one another while addressing what the author describes as common misconceptions surrounding Scripture.

Hedstrom earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University and worked in manufacturing and construction as both an engineer and manager. After giving his life to the Lord in 1988, he devoted increasing attention to the study of Scripture, including a period away from the workforce in 2003 dedicated to that pursuit.

Hedstrom’s second work, “Lord, Are You Kidding Me?!,” approaches faith through a collection of revelations and scriptural studies that challenge traditional church doctrine. The book considers subjects including healing, spiritual authority, the Bride of Christ, the Ten Virgins, and the nature of human and spiritual beings. Written from what Hedstrom describes as a conviction to follow God’s direction, the work encourages readers to examine Scripture and seek spiritual understanding for themselves.

Together, his two books reflect an extended personal pursuit of biblical knowledge and questions about how faith is lived and understood.

Vera Simpson Gaines’ “Llámame Jobulene: Una historia de valentía y determinación,” the Spanish edition of “Call Me Jobulene: A Story of Courage and Determination,” recounts the author’s experiences with loss, family difficulties, and other hardships through a deeply rooted faith in God. Gaines describes drawing strength from her belief that God can carry people through life’s trials and presents the book as a story of hope, courage, and determination.

Her writing career began after losing her eye, and she went on to publish works including “Are You A Job In Modern Times?,” written for Katrina victims, and “All Is Well With My Soul,” a daily devotional. Gaines previously worked as a teacher and in educational research after graduating with a degree in 1972.

Lisa N. Phillips explores rejection, identity, and restoration through faith in “Written Off: Navigating Rejection and Faith in the Search for Love, Family, and Belonging.” Drawing from her own experience of parental rejection and generational wounds, Phillips examines how painful experiences can shape identity while presenting faith as part of a process toward forgiveness, renewal, and belonging. The book is part of the author’s The Approved in Christ Series and represents a journey from rejection toward restoration.

Phillips is a faith-driven author, certified children’s mindset and confidence coach, and advocate for emotional and spiritual healing. She also wrote “Faith Steps for Military Families: Spiritual Readiness Through the Psalms of Ascent” and has a background in early childhood education.

Taken together, the four books approach spiritual life from different vantage points, with questions about scripture, personal hardship, healing, and identity at the center of their respective narratives. Their presence at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair offers an opportunity to encounter these varied perspectives within a single exhibition dedicated to independent authors and their work.

The collection will be part of The Maple Staple and Inks & Bindings’ presentation at Stand D86 in Hall 5.1. Those interested in exploring the wider selection can learn more through The Maple Staple’s Frankfurt Connect profile or the bookstore’s dedicated Frankfurt Book Fair 2026 page. The four titles are also available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other leading book retailers worldwide.

Contact Information

Emmanuel Laguardia

Director

Bookside Press

Contact via E-mail