Claire St. John (The Family Circle Series Book 1)

A Story of Loss, Faith, and Redemption

Claire St. John had everything she ever wanted—until a devastating miscarriage shattered her world and her faith. Grief-stricken and angry, Claire begins to push away those she loves and questions the God she once trusted. But an unexpected connection with Nurse Reese, a woman waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant, sparks a new path forward. As their lives intertwine, Claire must confront what it truly means to believe when everything feels broken.

In this heartfelt and emotional debut from Amanda Umfress, Claire St. John explores the beauty of grace, the power of purpose, and the unbreakable threads that bind us—even in the darkest seasons.

Start reading Claire St. John today and discover a powerful story of hope, healing, and the unexpected ways love carries on.

Excerpt from the book

In the chapel, Claire St. John held a raveling hymnbook in one hand while the other hand rested on her stomach. Bridging the old and new, the fresh sun beamed through the stain glass windows, generating a kaleidoscope on the aged, mahogany pulpit. Vibrant flowers throughout the chapel fostered spring. Claire closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, taking in the flowers’ aroma. She listened to the organ’s melodies, and the congregation’s voices hummed below the joyful music of praise.

Though she tried to focus on the moment, her thoughts drifted toward the strange twinges in her lower abdomen. Today marked Claire’s twelfth week of pregnancy with her first child. As the music ended, she placed her hymnbook into the holder and lowered herself down onto the pew beside her husband Jack. She watched as the pastor took his place behind the wooden pulpit.

Claire studied Pastor David Mize. A tall man in his early thirties with sandy blonde hair that tipped his white shirt collar, he was originally from Kentucky and had joined Victory Baptist Church in Nashville ten years ago, long before she and Jack became members. Since joining the church five years’ ago, Jack and Claire’s friendship had blossomed with David, his wife Macy, and their three young daughters. In fact, Macy had become her best friend.

Claire’s gaze shifted toward Macy, who sat on the first pew with her Bible on her lap. Dressed in a blue dress with a white shawl to protect her from the spring chill, her sandy blonde curls soaked up the colors of the chapel like sponges, and the light illuminated her freckles, which danced along the bridge of her nose. At thirty-two, Macy was beautiful, and she, David, and their children portrayed the perfect Christian family. Claire felt her cheeks redden as a familiar pang of envy rushed through her body. She shook her head, as if to wash it away, and she rubbed her belly again and smiled at Jack. Pastor David’s voice broke through Claire’s thoughts, and he spoke clearly as he addressed the congregation.

“Good morning everyone! What a glorious day it is to be here together. The music this morning was a blessing, and I know I won’t be able to compete with such wonderfulness, but bear with me.”

A soft chuckle echoed through the congregation, and Claire forced herself to smile and focus on the preacher’s words.

David smiled pleasantly and continued. “Please turn your bibles to Revelations 21:4 for our scripture reading today. ‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’”

The verse forced Claire to swallow loudly, and Jack cast a worried glance toward her. She smiled at Jack and focused once again on David as he lowered his bible and turned his attention to the congregation.

“We all face a time in our life that leaves us wondering why sorrow and pain exist. Maybe you often think, ‘Why me?’ Or maybe you think, ‘This isn’t fair. I am a Christian; bad things are not supposed to happen to me.’”