Author Archives: Janet Sketchley

About Janet Sketchley

Janet Sketchley is an Atlantic Canadian writer whose Redemption’s Edge Christian suspense novels have each been finalists in The Word Awards. She's also the author of the devotional collection, A Year of Tenacity. Janet blogs about faith and books. She loves Jesus and her family, and enjoys reading, worship music, and tea. Fans of Christian suspense are invited to join her writing journey through her monthly newsletter: bit.ly/JanetSketchleyNews.

New Releases in Christian Fiction (February 2026)

February 2026 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Children’s Middle Grade /Chapter:


The Cowbird’s Truth by Erin Greneaux — What happens when the most dangerous enemy turns out to be yourself? Maya and Everly continue their quest to find the missing Virtue Gems, and this time, their greatest challenge may be each other. When the evil Deceptra offers them surprising help, including a powerful stone, the sisters must decide whether they can trust her. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Independently Published)


Apple Butter Adventure by Jennifer E. Tirrell and Lisa M. Pritchard — Join four preteen cousins as they take their first steps toward becoming the kind of young men and women who can be trusted–brave, responsible, and ready to help–right here in the first book of a brand-new mystery series. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Turtledove Publishing)


The Case of the Midnight Mystery by Becca Wierwille — In this Christian mystery for kids, a girl and her canine sidekick must figure out why strange things keep happening at wilderness camp—in the middle of the night. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance:


Mesmerize by Darlene M. Corbett — She gave him up but hope to win him back through stories. Set against the backdrop of Las Vegas, Boston, and Dubai, a dazzling romance comes to life. Can a storyteller win back the love of her life through tales sprinkled with faith and love. (Contemporary Romance from WordCrafts Press)


A Texas Easter Blessing by Mindy Obenhaus — After his marriage fails, single father Ryder Sinclair returns to his hometown with his young son to care for his ailing mother. He’s surprised to run into his teenage crush, Kendall Hunt, whose career as a professional chef has been shaken by scandal. As the two work together to save an Easter event usually hosted by Ryder’s mother, Kendall finds herself longing for this sense of family with Ryder and little Shepard. But when she has a chance to go back to the life she once knew, will she choose the dream she’s spent years chasing…or the new dream that has taken hold of her heart? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])


Hearts on the Fly by Toni Shiloh — Jabari Hall has spent his entire life chasing victory on the ice–but one devastating hit leaves him benched, not just from hockey but from the future he thought he had. Now, as he struggles with deteriorating eyesight, his well-meaning teammates set him up on a date, hoping it will cheer him up–only the date they choose is none other than Val Elliott, his ex’s sister. Val never expected to be sitting across from Jabari, especially after the way he broke her sister’s heart. But when Jabari opens up about his diagnosis, Val’s guarded heart softens, and she offers him a listening ear. What begins as a simple friendship quickly turns into something more. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Historical Biblical:


A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith — In ancient Israel, soon after Nessa is of marriageable age, her father gives her to a wealthy widowed friend, capitalizing on her beauty to bring in the highest bride-price he can find. Nessa is devastated, as she had begged to marry Lavi, who returned her love and saw more in her beyond her appearance. But Nessa’s betrothal leads to Lavi’s departure, compounding her grief, and she can never forget her forbidden first love. (Historical/Biblical from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])

Historical Romance:


Mail-Order Baroness by Misty M. Beller — Five sons of an English duke, all raised in the Rocky Mountains…James Balfour, the charming middle son of an English duke, is determined to prove he’s capable of taking leadership of his family’s Montana ranch as the next deadly winter approaches. With the household stretched to its limits, James crafts a clever plan to hire Rose Prescott—his childhood best friend—and to right an old wrong. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Ambush of the Heart by Mary Connealy — As Owen Riley and his fellow Marshals escort Delaney Bridger, her brother, and an escaped prisoner to Fort Russell, a gang of outlaws ambushes them, bringing death and devastation to their party. With their lives on the line and the outlaws in pursuit, Owen directs the rest of his battered group to seek hiding at a remote ranch. After the attack leaves her brother Boone seriously injured, Delaney helps Owen, nursing Boone and a wounded Marshal back to health while danger looms ever closer. Despite the threat at their heels, romance sparks between Owen and Delaney as they fight for survival on their perilous trek to the fort. Can they overcome the obstacles and find a future together? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])


Undercover Wish by Danielle Grandinetti — CHICAGO, Ill., 1892—Stunt reporter Ali Di Stasio will risk anything to expose the truth and protect her fellow orphans, including rummaging through trash bins and putting herself in the crosshairs of the dangerous elite. After living on the streets, she knows every corner of her city, which means she can stay one step ahead of the cops, the powerful men who’d love to silence her before she can reveal their secrets, and the occasional wealthy bachelor wandering through her alleyways, lost and in danger of being mugged. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


To Find Where She Belongs by Robin Lee Hatcher — Guilt followed her across an ocean. Grace called her home. Desperate to leave Hooke Manor, Keely Boyle does what she feels she must in order to flee England for America, hoping to make a new life with the help of a man who befriended her years before. But when she arrives at Eden’s Gate, a large cattle ranch in the shadows of the Tetons, it is William Overstreet who offers her a fresh start. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Risky Business by Kimberly Keagan — An American heiress. A British barrister with a need for speed. The London social season that changes everything. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


The Caregiver at Wounded Knee by Debby Lee — Rose Rushing Water, an Oglala Sioux trained back East in nursing, is torn between two brothers–one who seeks to appease the government and one who fights to cling to the old ways at all costs. Tribal policeman Nathaniel Gray Cloud struggles to keep peace on the reservation and support his sister, who is also desperate to hold on to family traditions. Can Rose and Nathaniel find a peace that comes only from God, or will they lose their families and their lives as tensions reach a boiling point at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)


Texas Reclaimed by Sherry Shindelar — Cora Scott is determined to hold onto her family’s Texas ranch and provide a stable home for her young half-brother, Charlie, despite the mounting challenges of post-Civil War frontier life. But when a scheming creditor threatens to seize their land, she must accept help from Ben McKenzie, a former Yankee soldier sent by her late brother. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


Mists Over the Channel Islands by Sarah Sundin — In World War II, Dr. Ivy Picot risks her life to treat men who have escaped from the German forced labor camps in her native Jersey. But when Dutch engineer Gerrit van der Zee sneaks maps of fortifications off the island, it could cost them both everything they love. (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])


Mining for Love by Candice Sue Patterson — Petite, fierce, and respected by the men who work for her, Daisy Connelly rules her rare watermelon tourmaline mine in Newry, Maine, with an iron will. When profits begin to vanish and the local sheriff refuses to intervene, Daisy realizes someone is stealing from her—and that remaining an unmarried woman may make her an easy target. So she does the unthinkable. Daisy proposes a marriage of convenience to private investigator Samson Gray, hoping a sudden husband will draw the culprit into the open. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Romantic Suspense:


Deadly Rodeo Threat by Sami A. Abrams — A trail of missing women…leads him right into a killer’s trap. When his twin sister disappears, Navy SEAL Logan Russell’s search for her leads him deep into the woods, where he finds her best friend in the clutches of a masked assailant. Sheriff Isabelle Sinclair is determined to solve Lisa’s mysterious disappearance the night of her last rodeo—and someone will do anything to keep her from digging too deep (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin])


Deadly Currents by Elizabeth Goddard — Investigative journalist Cressida arrives in Hidden Bay after a worldwide journey to finish her late father’s manuscript on shipwrecks. As she tries to discover the story behind the “ghost ship” Specter’s Bounty, her only lead is a name her father left behind–Evelyn Monroe. As Cressida uncovers more about the ship, she quickly realizes that her research has placed her in the crosshairs of dangerous forces. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])


Asher by Melanie D. Snitker — Nova Sheridan’s world is shattered when a corporate conference becomes a hunting ground. With two of her colleagues murdered and a mysterious package left in her care, she finds herself in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer. Unsure of who to trust, Nova turns to her old college friend, Asher Durham, a seasoned security specialist. As they navigate a web of deception and danger, Nova and Asher must rely on their wits and each other to survive. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)


A Royal Request by Paige Edwards — A forged signature. A splintering romance. And a stalker who won’t quit until death do they part. Anabelle thought the flowers were from her boyfriend… She was wrong. (Romantic Suspense from Balquidder Books)

Speculative Fiction/Fantasy:



The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin — When Emlyn DuLaine accidentally bridges multiple storyworlds, she must untangle their collapsing realities—and rescue her long-lost sister Camille from a storybook trap—before a plan seventeen years in the making shatters the universe for good. (Speculative/Fantasy from Enclave Publishing [Oasis Family Media])

 

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

On Living Stone by Heather Kaufman — An unexpected romance and the gift of two sons, James and John, leave Salome hopeful and resolved to prove herself as a mother. Salome’s dreams are challenged, however, when her sons answer the call to follow Jesus of Nazareth. (Biblical/Historical)

Threads of Grace by Tara Baisden — When a January storm sends her new landlord to her door because of a roof leak, quilt shop owner Melanie Harper has no idea that this quiet, guarded doctor will unravel every careful protection she has spent years stitching around her heart. (Contemporary Romance)

Katie’s Cowboy by Ruth Kyser — Following in his father’s footsteps, C.J. Morgan is an FBI agent. Growing up, that was all he ever wanted to be. But when his grandfather passes away and C.J. returns to Bluecreek Ranch, he’s filled with doubts about his future. Then C.J. meets Katie Jo MacAllister… (Contemporary Romance)

Rebuilding His Trust by Jenna Mindel — Meredith and Jace, who’ve guarded their hearts because of past hurts, find the greatest gift of love. (Contemporary Romance)

The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano — A high-powered Wall Street career, a beautiful family in a quiet suburban neighborhood―she seems to have everything. Which means she has everything to lose. (Contemporary Suspense)

Through Smoke and Secrets by Rebecca Hemlock — A century-old secret. A relentless enemy. One Locket that was never meant to be found. (Crime Suspense)

Severed Ties by Taylor S. Newport — He’s left the past where it belongs. But then it comes knocking at his door. (Military Suspense)

Where Men Stand by Charlene Amsden — On his first day out of prison, Martin “Kage” Kincaid has to decide if he is going to live up to the Biblical principles he learned, or choose to walk away and let injustice prevail. (Romantic Suspense)

Love on the Frontier Trail by Shannon McNear, Andrea Byrd, Pegg Thomas, Susan F. Craft, Denise Farnsworth, Megan Soja — Journey across the rugged wilds of early America in a sweeping collection of historical romances where danger presses close, faith lights the way, and courage opens the door to unexpected love. (Historical Romance)

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Review: Swan Song, by Edmund Crispin

Book cover featuring tall, older-style buildings and a wide street with bicyclists and a couple old cars. Text: Edmund Crispin, Swan Song.

Swan Song, by Edmund Crispin (Collins Crime Club, 2018; originally published 1947)

An offensive but popular opera singer. A cast who loathes him. And a new director he’s trying to ruin.

Almost everyone would be happy to see Edwin Shorthouse dead—but as the book’s back cover description asks, “Who amongst them has the fiendish ingenuity to kill him in his own locked dressing room?”

The time: post-war England. The town: Oxford. The tone: omniscient and gently old-fashioned, with some complex sentences and rare vocabulary. I read it as a paperback, and an ebook with digital dictionary would have been a plus.

This is one of those books to read slowly and appreciate the atmosphere—and the locked room puzzle. Readers familiar with Wagner’s Die Meistersinger will understand the references, but I didn’t bother to look them up and still followed the story. In places that was tricky, as there’s a full cast of characters and the names would get mixed up in my mind.

Swan Song is actually number 4 in the Gervase Fen series, Mr. Fen being an Oxford professor and amateur sleuth. Goodreads lists eleven books, and there may be more. Edmund Crispin is the pseudonym of composer Robert Bruce Montgomery. For more about his books and music, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Crispin.

[Review copy from the public library.]

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Books I’m Reading (Guest Post)

Image shows one hardcover book (red binding) balanced open on top of two other hardcover books (blue and orange bindings).
Image by Hermann Traub from Pixabay

Books I’m Reading

by Steph Beth Nickel

I’m one of those odd ducks who like to have several books on the go at any one time. Below are some of those I’m actively reading and whether I would recommend you grab a copy.

Nonfiction

Matthew: Pray Like This by Barb Roose

This is a unique six-week study of the Lord’s Prayer and how to use it as a springboard for the reader’s personal prayer times. It is a combo study and workbook, and I would recommend it for those interested in deepening their prayer life. Rather than completing the book in the recommended six weeks, readers may want to take a couple of days on each chapter, making it a twelve-week study.

The Plan: Managing Your Time Like a Lazy Genius by Kendra Adachi

January seems like the perfect time to (re)read this book by the host of the podcast The Lazy Genius, who encourages us to “be a genius about things that matter and lazy about things that don’t.” The Plan is a unique time management book written by a woman for women, taking into account our individuality and encouraging us to make plans based on our personal priorities. This isn’t a cookie cutter approach, and I highly recommend it to women of all ages.

Gazing at God by Sharon Hodde Miller

Immediately after completing this 40-day study, I began again. This book is a follow-up to the author’s earlier work Free of Me. I highly recommend both of these books, which I will be reading once every year or two. I recommend them to those who, while not neglecting or demeaning themselves, want to move from being self-focused to being God-focused.

Fiction

Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson

This is a collection of the author’s short pieces. So far, they have all qualified as science fiction rather than fantasy. As is often the case with a collection of writings, it’s likely readers will enjoy some more than others. That’s what I’ve found with this book. Still, there are far more stories that I would recommend than those I wouldn’t. If you enjoy Sanderson’s writing, especially his sci-fi, I encourage you to grab a copy.

The Wild Card by Emma St. Clair

While, of course, I have my favourites, I pick up every book by this author. One of the things I like best about her series is visiting “old friends.” While each book in a series features a different couple, those readers have met before are secondary characters or, at least, make an appearance. The Wild Card is a clean rom-com that takes place in the imaginary town of Sheet Cake, Texas. I suggest reading the other books in the series before picking up this one. I recommend Emma St. Clair’s writing to those who enjoy a lighthearted read, yet one that doesn’t shy away from real-life issues.

Lightshed by Crystal D. Grant

This book is the second in The Gateway Trilogy. The Amazon description of the first book, Shadowcast, reads as follows: “After witnessing the brutal death of his brother at the hands of the Steward Knights, Mason Grey turns to vengeance . . . Seria Gayle longs to be seen as more than the town washerwoman. When she finds an injured [man] in the woods, she welcomes the chance to use her healing skills and hopes it will earn her some respect. But as she nurses the sullen stranger back to health, she discovers he is nothing like the knights she has long admired . . .” This trilogy is a study of good and evil and asks the question, “Is redemption available to one who is blinded by unforgiveness and bent on vengeance, one who can control the minds of his adversaries and is allied with evil?” I look forward to completing Lightshed and then reading the last book of the trilogy, Darkend.

Happy reading, all!


Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

New Releases in Christian Fiction (January 2026)

January 2026 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Action/Adventure:



Fire Between Two Skies by R.F. Whong — Two eras. One relentless quest for truth amid desires and temptation. Across the centuries, two men are bound by parallel destinies that echo through time. Book 3 of this dual-time odyssey delves deep into the passions and struggles that connect their worlds. (Action/Adventure, Independently Published)

Amish (Contemporary and Romance):



Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer by Anne Blackburne — Jane must overcome her disappointment upon discovering that the man she’s loved since childhood is the same person who gave her a hated nickname in their school days; can she and Sam overcome her distrust and his guilt and shyness and find their way to a shared future? (Amish Romance from Barbour Publishing)


An Amish Second Chance by Beth Wiseman — Can Hope and Rueben share the secrets that they’ve held close to their hearts and have the second chance they long for? (Amish Contemporary, Independently Published)

Children’s Middle Grade /Chapter:


The Case of the Four-Legged Friend by Becca Wierwille — In this Christian mystery for kids, a girl must find a dog’s home before he’s sent to the animal shelter. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Independently Published)

General Historical:


What Loyalty Demands by Carol Ashby — When rebellion breaks out in Roman Britain, the protective British cousin of a Christian woman and the Roman tribune who wants a future with her discover how enmity born of conflicting loyalties can be overcome when believers serve as the peacemakers Jesus commanded them to be. (General Historical from Cerrillo Press)

Historical Romance:


Far Grander Than Paradise by Barbara Blythe — She needs to find her father. He needs to atone for his dead brother’s sins. Can they find what they seek on a voyage that takes them halfway around the world? (Historical Romance from Elk Lake Publishing)


Whispers in the Valley by Amanda Cabot — A woman whose life is in shambles. A man who’s fighting for his future. A decades-old mystery. Carr Valley will never be the same. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Love Under Construction by Linda Shenton Matchett — Nadine Krause took in boarders to help her family climb out of debt after her father’s death. Business has gone well, and she’s earned enough to expand the house. When her brother’s friend agrees to take the job – the only man in town willing to work for a woman – sparks fly. But not the good kind. Or are they? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)

Romantic Suspense:


Hidden Talent by Bettie Boswell — When author Leah Beach is threated because of a new rescue mule she’s modeled one of her comic characters after, she seeks help from a reluctant body guard, Carlton Marsh, who soon discovers the threat is real. (Romantic Suspense from Mt. Zion Ridge Press)


Fighting for You by Robin Patchen — She’s running from her past. He’s protecting his future. Together, they must fight for what matters most. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)


Trapped on the Alaskan Glacier by Megan Short — Forced into hiding after witnessing a double murder by an organized-crime gang, Beth Ryder’s identity is suddenly leaked online and a kill order is placed on her head. Her survival is now in the hands of US Marshal Jake Cruz, who is determined to keep her alive. But when it becomes clear that more than one group is targeting Beth, the stakes are higher than ever. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])


Deadly Secrets by Penny Zeller — Betrayal has consequences… Harper Amerson loves her job as a real estate agent. That is, until it becomes clear that someone is watching her. What happens when she attempts to sell the land someone doesn’t want sold? (Romantic Suspense from Maplebrook Publishing)

Speculative Fiction:



Cerulean Rose by Demi Griffin — A mysterious, in-depth re-telling of Cinderella. (Speculative/Romantic Fantasy, Independently Published)


Braving Fiery Waters by Sarah Hanks — Her husband died in a fire. Now she’s heading straight into one. Marina Stone planned an ideal family vacation, perfect for reconnecting with her two teenagers after their father’s death. But those plans go drastically away when she time sails to the White Cloud in the year 1849. Now she must face her greatest fears and complete a mystery mission before she can return to her life and children. (Speculative/Time Travel, Independently Published)

 

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

Death on Wolfe Mountain by Lynne Waite chapman — Who was the man found dead on Wolfe Mountain and how did his body get there? (Cozy Mystery)

Love & Cheer – Holidays in Hallbrook by Elsie Davis — Talia Hunter’s promotion is riding on one flawless New Year’s Eve company gala. But when her caterer cancels at the eleventh hour, her career is on the line. And with her six-year-old daughter, Nicole, on a holiday school break, everything is more complicated as Talia tries to juggle life. She needs a miracle, except the only chef available on such a big party night is a man from her past…one she would rather avoid. (Contemporary Romance)

Eye of the Mind by Sara Davison — After witnessing a murder, firefighter Jules Adler must work with police sketch artist Dante de Marco to come up with a likeness of the killer before he tracks her down and silences her forever. (Romantic Suspense)

A Certain Mercy by Linda Dindzans MD — From the opulent danger of Herod’s court to the quiet refuge of Bethany, from the shadow of the Cross to the glory of the Resurrection, A Certain Mercy weaves a powerful story of forbidden love, devastating betrayal, and the transforming grace of Christ. (General Historical)

Colors of the Ocean by Cheryl Fitzgerald — A multi-generational story that follows thirteen-year-old Roxi on a transformative journey as she sails across the Pacific Ocean with grandparents she barely knows. Along the way she must navigate stormy conflicts in several relationships and within herself. (General Contemporary/Young Adult)

Feuding with the Cowboy by Louise M. Gouge — He once defied his family for love; can he risk it again? (Contemporary Romance)

Into the Promised Land by Sarah Heatwole — Into the Promised Land is a tale of courage to forge a new path, as Andy and Sylvia navigate the balance between Amish tradition and the compelling call of forgiveness and freedom in Jesus, until their Amish community demands a choice between faith and belonging. (General Historical)


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Picks from 2025

Goodreads tells me I read 74 books in 2025.

From those 74 books in 2025, here are my top picks:

Book of the year, fiction: Under Lock and Skeleton Key, by Gigi Pangian

Book of the year, nonfiction: A Non-Anxious Life: Experiencing the Peace of God’s Presence, by Alan Fadling (I haven’t reviewed this one yet because I want to re-read it first.)

Author of the year, fiction: Gigi Pandian. I’m enjoying all three of her series: The Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt, The Accidental Alchemist, and The Secret Staircase. Eight books read this year. I’m not rushing!

Author of the year, nonfiction: Pete Greig. five books read this year, with at least two on the list to read again. My best suggestion: listen to the audiobooks and read the print versions for highlighting and notes.

New-to-me genre: Japanese Cozy Cat Fiction. I didn’t know this was a thing. It’s very pleasant.

Christian living: How to Hear God: a simple guide for normal people, by Pete Greig (It was hard to choose which of his books for this)

Fantasy: Wind and Truth, by Brandon Sanderson

Heartwarming read: The Travelling Cat Chronicles, by Hiro Arikawa

Mystery/suspense: The Accidental Alchemist, by Gigi Pangian

Nova Scotia fiction: The Fundy Vault, by Linda Moore

Science fiction: The Icarus Changeling, by Timothy Zahn

To see what I loved most about my top three picks for 2025, see my entry at Shepherd.com.

Some of these books were produced in 2025, some previously. Pop a note into the comments with your own favourites?

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Green Dory Inn Ebook Sale

Against a faded background of trees and a hooded figure: Two book covers plus text. Book covers Unknown Enemy and Hidden Secrets, books 1 and 2  in the Green Dory Inn mystery series by Janet Sketchley. Text: "The Green Dory Inn. Come for the mysteries. Stay for the characters. Unknown Enemy, book 1, only 99 cents. Hidden Secrets, book 2, only $2.99. Sale ends Jan. 21, 2026. Available for Apple, Google Play Books, Kindle, Kobo, Nook & more."

From January 8-21, the first two books in my Green Dory Inn mystery series are on sale.

Unknown Enemy: Who’s playing mind games with the inn’s owner? Can a young woman with a traumatic past discover the truth? 

Alert readers will notice they can scoop this up for free by signing up for my newsletter. Don’t want to do that but still want to read it? It’s only 99 cents until January 21, 2026.

Hidden Secrets: Past secrets. Present threats. And a woman determined to uncover the truth.

Discounted to $2.99 or USD equivalent (except $3.99 in Canada because I’m horrified by the exchange rate). The buy link for most ebook platforms is books2read.com/hidden-secrets.


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Are You a Goal-Setter? (Guest Post)

An empty coil notebook with lined pages lies open on a pale wooden tabletop with a collection of various coloured pencils, pens, and markers.
Image by freestocks-photos from Pixabay

Are You a Goal-Setter?

by Steph Beth Nickel

Perhaps you’re like me. You enjoy setting goals and listing what you would like to accomplish in the new year—even if you know you will only achieve a fraction of those goals (at best). Although those around you may not be able to understand, the act of creating this list in and of itself brings a sense of excitement and anticipation even if you know it’s more of a thought experiment than a roadmap.

Maybe you shy away from setting goals because you feel like a failure if you don’t reach them. Or perhaps, you set only a limited number of achievable goals so you can check them off your list in short order and then go on to create another brief list.

No matter what kind of a goal-setter you are (or aren’t), here are six pointers when it comes to considering what you want to achieve in 2026:

  1. Make a list of things that are important to you (i.e.: relationships with family and friends, your physical health, your emotional / mental health, time management, career goals, etc., etc.).
  2. List one achievable goal that you could reach by the end of January (or the end of March at the latest) and one “pie-in-the-sky” goal for each category. (If listing a plethora of goals brings you joy, go for it!)
  3. Now, break down each achievable goal into its most basic components. (For example, say your goal is to write the first draft of a novella in the first quarter [Q1] of 2026. Step #1 could simply be to write for at least 15 minutes or until you’ve added 250 words to the manuscript for three days the first week and slowly increase from there. If checkmarks, stickers, or smiley faces on a physical calendar give you a boost, let the endorphins flow—no matter how old you are. I’m 64 and love stickers and checkmarks—but especially stickers.)
  4. This suggestion might be a little more challenging, but it’s important. Although the overarching categories you listed may all seem to have equal importance, it’s good to prioritize them—at least the highest ranking two or three.
  5. When you’ve chosen your highest priority categories, chose one specific goal in each and then one achievable, targeted goal. (Let’s say improving your physical health and connecting with extended family members are two of your top priorities. Your specific goals could be to develop the habit of eating better and emailing, texting, or popping a physical note in the mail each week. Zeroing down even further, you could add a serving of vegetables to each evening meal and create a list of four to eight family members you will touch base with in January.)
  6. And remember not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. If you don’t achieve your goal today, remind yourself that tomorrow is another day. If you are consistently “falling short,” adjust your goals. It’s okay to do so. Really, it is.

You’ll notice that I haven’t listed any “negative goals.”

Do I have at least one bad habit I want to stop? Sure I do.

Could I apply guilt and shame to my goal-setting (such as “stop eating such and such” or “stay off social media entirely”)? Absolutely.

Could I label myself a failure if I don’t achieve my Q1 goals—again? I could.

However…

By listing those things I want to accomplish, seeking to add “positives” rather than eliminate “negatives,” and focusing on a limited number of goals at any given time, I’m far more likely to achieve at least some of them.

What’s your #1 goal for 2026? What’s the first step you intend to take to achieve it? Are you like me and simply enjoy creating the list?


Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Wonder and Trust (December 26)

Today is December 26, 2025, and I thought I’d share the day’s devotional from my book, Tenacity at Christmas: 31 Daily Devotions for December.

Book cover: Against a green background, a golden outline of a manger in a shelter. Text: Tenacity at Christmas: 31 Daily Devotions for December, by Janet Sketchley

All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.
Luke 2:18-19, NLT*

The shepherds saw wonders. Mary herself saw wonders! She held the Wonder of the world in her arms.

Do you think what she experienced in Bethlehem helped her keep hoping in the difficult days ahead? Surely it helped her worship this God who loved and chose her. She’d already seen Him provide, and she knew He wouldn’t abandon her and Joseph now.

Let’s be encouraged and inspired by Mary’s humble sense of obedience and trust. Let’s consciously keep in our hearts those precious times we’ve seen God touch our lives, and think about them often.

Maybe as we begin a new year it’s time to start (or re-start) a journal for gratitude or to track answered prayer. Or perhaps it’s time for a fresh commitment to keep watch for “God moments” in our days.

Precious, loving God, You are so kind in the ways You involve Yourself in my daily life. Whether it’s something major like Your call on Mary’s life or something as simple as helping me find a lost item, please help me recognize Your care. Help me keep these things in my own heart and think about them often, especially when the times of trouble come. May my spirit be kept in Your perfect peace because I know I can trust in You.

*Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.


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Music Review: The Advent of Christmas, by Matt Maher

Against a purple sky a bright star shines down on silhouettes of a man, a woman, a baby in a manger, and a donkey. Text "Matt Maher The Advent of Christmas"

The Advent of Christmas, by Matt Maher (album, 2018)

With the music of The Advent of Christmas, Matt Maher delivers a feast of Christmas songs old and new, quietly worshipful and rollicking fun. (I think it was “Little Merry Christmas” that had me dancing on the treadmill at the gym—and which also has some clever wordplay.) There’s also the haunting “When I Think of Christmas.”

With some of the old standards, I love the way he weaves new colours into the original songs. I confess to finding the traditional “The First Noel” tedious with its repetition. This version keeps enough of the original to carry the story while bringing new lyrics to refresh it. There’s one spot where instead of finishing a line, he sings “Born is the King…” and the instruments carry the melody for “of Israel.” Anyone who knows the song will finish the line in their head, becoming part of the song.

My most-loved songs on the album are “He Shall Reign Forevermore,” “Born on That Day,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “Always Carry You (with Amy Grant),” “Love Came Down to Bethlehem,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”…. There’s not a weak song on the album, and they all have a solid place in my playlist.

This has been my favourite Christmas album for the past few years, and I highly recommend it. The physical CD is sold out on his site and possibly on Amazon, but the album is available for download or streaming at the standard outlets. Give it a listen and let it become part of your Christmas this year.

Award-winning artist Matt Maher has released multiple albums and is the writer behind songs like “Lord, I Need You,” “Hold Us Together,” and  “Because He Lives (Amen).” He has also written a children’s book, also titled  The Advent of Christmas. For more about him or to view videos of his music, visit https://mattmahermusic.com/about/

[Review copy from my personal playlist.]

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Review: Slay Bells Ringing, by Emily James

Red-patterned book cover featuring a gingerbread figure with x-ed out eyes. Text: A Murder Mystery Duet Slay Bells Ringing, Emily James.

Slay Bells Ringing, by Emily James (Stronghold Books, 2019)

Two short-but-fun mysteries set at Christmas:

“Unsilent Nights” (Maple Syrup Mysteries) Lawyer and maple syrup farm owner Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes can’t even go on her honeymoon without landing in a mystery that needs solving. Watch her stare down cruise ships officials in flip-flops and shorts.

“Ginger Dead Man” (Cupcake Truck Mysteries) Isabel Addington is on the run from her abusive ex, running a mobile food truck. She’s sleeping in the truck too, but that doesn’t make her homeless, right? She needs to keep off-grid, but she can’t walk away when a homeless man’s murder may go unsolved.

Emily James writes mysteries that are fast, clean, and funny in places. I appreciate the way she really understands her protagonists and the details in their lives.

As well as the Maple Syrup Mysteries and Cupcake Truck Mysteries, Emily James has also written the Cat and Mouse Whodunits. For more about the author and her work, visit authoremilyjames.com.

[Review copy from the public library via the Hoopla Digital app.]

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