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.

For Christian Parents (and those who love them)

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Familiar with these questions?

Parenting questions

Parenting comes with a lot of second-guessing and what-ifs. We need friends, listening ears, prayer partners.

We also need to keep a good connection with God. He’s the source of hope, wisdom, strength, patience… and everything else that equips us to raise our kids well.

That’s why I’m excited about Powerline365 from Choose NOW Ministries. Yes, I’m published by a branch of this ministry and can’t claim to be impartial. But I’m not obligated promote this; I’m sharing it with you like any other resource I see value in.

Our teens are navigating dangerous times. Suicides. Drugs. Cyber-bullying. Stress. Negative self-esteem. The enemy of our souls is hitting them hard, and I don’t want to see a generation lost.

If we strengthen the parents, won’t that help the teens? Won’t it better equip those teens in their relationships with their peers?

I’m beyond grateful at how well the teen years have gone so far in our home, but still I wish I’d had a resource like Powerline365 from the beginning. Imagine, a burst of encouragement every day, specifically focused on this particular part of our lives.

The Powerline365 project is being done through crowdfunding, which is essentially pre-ordering. If it’s not fully funded by midnight, January 31, contributors get their money back. There are different funding levels, based on what you want in return.

One of the things I see potential for with Powerline365 is in parenting and Bible study groups. Imagine the difference that could make! Some of the higher funding levels provide opportunities like live Skype discussions led by parenting expert and Powerline365 creator Nicole O’Dell.

Parenting. There are no guarantees, except that you’ll be stretched beyond your limits and that God will make a difference. (Click to tweet)

Please click over to the Powerline365 page and have a look. See why this project is on Nicole O’Dell’s heart, and why she’s such a great choice to create it. Hear why Clay Crosse and Renee Crosse of Holy Homes Ministry believe it’s a project worth endorsing. Consider sharing it with your friends and on social media.

If Powerline365 is not for you, thanks for taking time to read this far. If it is for you, and you decide to participate in funding this campaign, come back here afterward and tell me in the comments. You’ll be eligible for a Spark30: thirty days of emailed devotionals from Powerline365. These—and any of the other Powerline365 options—can be gifted.

Here’s the link: Powerline365. (Remember to come back here if you decide to contribute, so I can add you to the list of Spark30 recipients.)

What Are You Looking At?

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And Moses answered, “Look at me. I stutter. Why would Pharaoh listen to me?”

God told Moses, “Look at me. I’ll make you as a god to Pharaoh and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.”
Exodus 6:30-7:1, MSG*

God called Moses to a mind-breaking task: to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Oh, yes, and to be messenger to Pharaoh, who had no intention of letting them go.

Poor Moses, no wonder he felt overwhelmed from the moment God first called him. Exiled from Egypt as a murderer, living as a shepherd, and he had trouble speaking. Hardly an ideal mouthpiece for the Almighty.

Good thing he had no idea how the people would behave once he got them out!

By the time he reaches today’s verses, he’s already tried to talk God out of this several times. He’s back in Egypt with Aaron. They’ve spoken to Pharaoh, who responded by increasing the Israelite slaves’ workload. Now Moses’ own people are angry with him.

Moses complains to God, who repeats the command to confront Pharaoh and to lead the people out of Egypt.

Moses: Look at me! Everyone’s mad at me. I can’t even speak clearly! I can’t do this—it’s hopeless!

God: Look at Me.

We likely haven’t been assigned such an enormous task, although sometimes it feels that way. But don’t we respond the same way? Look at me, my weakness… the obstacles…?

Can you hear God’s whisper? Look at Me. (click to tweet this)

I don’t think He shouts it, in anger or blame. I think He whispers it. With encouragement, reaching out His hand to lift us up.

Our God, You are mighty to save and powerful to change hearts and circumstances. We praise You for dramatic miracles like the Israelites saw in the Egyptian Exodus. We praise You for invisible miracles that strengthen our spirits and enable us to serve You faithfully in the day-to-day of our lives. Forgive us for looking at our weakness. Teach us to look at You, Your strength and Your promises. Let everyone see the difference You make.

∞

A good song to keep us focused is Matt Maher‘s “Your Grace is Enough.”

*The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Review: Butterfly Palace, by Colleen Coble

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Butterfly Palace by Colleen CobleButterfly Palace, by Colleen Coble (Thomas Nelson, 2014)

In 1904 Lily Donaldson leaves small-town Texas to work for the wealthy Marshall family in Austin. It’s not the best time to enter domestic service in the city, with the Servant Girl Killer on the loose. When Lily saves a young woman from an attacker, does she catch his attention?

Lily is a confident young woman, hard-working and skilled, but the opulent home they call the Butterfly Palace takes a bit of getting used to. And she’s creeped out by Mr. Marshall’s collection of exotic butterflies.

She’s even more upset to meet her former fiancé, who deserted her at her father’s death. He’s using an assumed name, Drew Hawkes, and passing himself off as a businessman. Drew is a guest in her employers’ home, so Lily can’t avoid him—or the hurt that seeing him brings. She discovers he’s working with the Secret Service to break a counterfeiting ring.

Lily is assigned as ladies’ maid to Belle, the family’s beautiful niece. Belle has her eye on Drew, but her aunt and uncle have a more suitable match in mind. At first this looks like the familiar story of good servant vs. shallow rich woman, but the story doesn’t stop there.

Belle has been sheltered all her life, but she’s intelligent and courageous. When she discovers a plot to kill her uncle, Drew connects it to the counterfeiters. Despite their differences, Belle and Lily team up to help Drew uncover the villains. Will they be in time to save Mr. Marshall’s life?

I had no idea butterfly collecting was such a big thing among the rich of the day: sending explorers to Africa to collect specimens and cocoons, flaunting the owner’s latest acquisitions, and rivalry among collectors.

Butterfly Palace is another richly-crafted romantic suspense from best-selling author Colleen Coble, who writes both historical and contemporaries. For more about the author and her many books, visit her website. Or click directly to her Butterfly Palace page to view the trailer—and discover why this book has such a special place in the author’s heart. To read a preview, visit the Thomas Nelson site.

[A review copy was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.]

2014 Writing Goals

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Do or do not. There is no try. ~Yoda

Master Yoda is my favourite Little Green Man, but I disagree with him on the subject of trying. I think his context uses try in the sense of “maybe, I wish I could, we’ll see.”

Sometimes we try honestly and in our full strength—and we fail. Because of ourselves or because of things outside our control. We have tried. Our best. But it wasn’t enough.

I’m learning to hold my plans lightly, knowing God reserves the right to redirect my schedule. As such, I keep it fluid (sounds better than vague) because otherwise I’ll find myself defending The Plan instead of adjusting when life throws something unexpected my way.

But I’ve found a fun-looking blog hop for writers, and post #1 is to be on our goals for 2014. And we do need to know our targets or we’re unlikely to hit them. So here goes:

Fiction:

  • Early 2014: revisions and editing of Secrets and Lies, the next novel in my Redemption’s Edge series, releasing this year (date TBA) from Choose NOW Publishing.
  • April and ongoing: first draft of Redemption’s Edge #3, title TBA

Blogging:

  • weekly book reviews, devotionals and features

Networking:

  • keep connected with my writing communities and with friends and readers, for encouragement and for fun

Learning:

  • working with the Choose Now editing team is like a personal writing course
  • go back through the To Write a Story course emails I signed up for in the fall but didn’t have time to assimilate
  • continue learning the wonderful writers’ tool that is Scrivener
  • read books on marketing and apply what I learn

Click the button below to read what other writers are setting as their goals for the year… or if you’re a writer, click over and add a link to your own writing goals.

Blog hop for writers

 

 

Into the Inner Sanctuary

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This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:19-20, NLT*

The hope this verse mentions is the hope of our salvation, of eternal life in restored relationship with God.

Think about the Temple imagery for a minute: only the High Priest was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. First he offered sacrifices for his own sins, and then, once clean, for the sins of the people.

There were special clothes to wear, special rituals of preparation. I’m told his robes had bells, and he wore a rope around one ankle in case he committed an offense and was struck dead, so the other priests could pull him out.

This was a big deal.

And now, Jesus has gone into this place of most intimate communion with God, once for all to atone for our sins… and once we’ve received this we’re invited through the curtain ourselves.

Into God’s inner sanctuary. Into His presence. With no guilt, no fear of destruction. What a gift is ours!

Holy and righteous God, we could never be worthy to even crawl into Your presence by our own merit, but You have made a way to wash us clean so we can come to You boldly and with confidence—and with reverent fear. Thank You for restoring us, for loving and rescuing us. Let us not neglect the privilege of spending time with You.

∞

Our song is “Because of Your Love,” sung by Paul Baloche, written by Brenton Brown

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Review: The Emperor’s Soul, by Brandon Sanderson

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The Emperor's Soul, by Brandon SandersonThe Emperor’s Soul, by Brandon Sanderson (Tachyon Publications, 2012)

Shai is a Forger. On her planet, that means a whole lot more than it does on ours. Instead of fabricating a reproduction of an original art piece, these Forgers replicate it through magic.

Forging is convenient. The Imperial Palace is furnished with junk—junk that’s been Forged into beautiful, period pieces. Unfortunately, humans can be Forged too. Thus it’s illegal outside of carefully-controlled use.

Shai is one of the best. Betrayed by an accomplice and sentenced to death, she’s offered one final chance: the impossible task of Forging the Emperor, who has been brain-damaged in an assassination attempt. With half the time she needs, no certainty of success, and the knowledge that her captors will kill her in the end, Shai sets to work—on the Emperor’s soul and on her escape plans.

There’s so much in this short novella. Shai is a person of integrity, an artist and a shrewd observer. Why does she Forge instead of creating original art? The ruling council who control her need the Emperor alive to prevent a power shift and thus maintain their own positions. What might they try for personal gain? And how much forbidden magic will they need to allow?

The ending grows organically from the story, yet I didn’t anticipate it. And the time spent with Shai and her counterpart, Gaotona, feels like time spent with friends. Definitely a satisfying read, and it won the 2013 Hugo Award for best novella. Click here for an excerpt of The Emperor’s Soul.

Brandon Sanderson is perhaps best known for his Mistborn books and as the author chosen to complete the Wheel of Time series after Robert Jordan’s death. You can find him at his website. Writers may be interested in his archived course material at Write About Dragons, and his podcasts at Writing Excuses.

[Review copy from my personal library.]

Picks from 2013

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My favourites from 2013:

Books

Best of the year: also most satisfying series wrap-up:

Most satisfying mystery, and very close to best of the year:

Most can’t-wait-to-read-the-next-one mystery:

Most life-changing (fiction):

Most life-changing (non-fiction):

Most satisfying science fiction (and action):

Most satisfying fantasy novel:

Most satisfying speculative fiction:

  • Mask, by Kerry Nietz

Most satisfying historical:

Most laugh-inducing:

Most personally helpful writing how-to:

Blogs

Most life-changing posts:

Unbelief, or Rest?

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So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.
Hebrews 3:19, NLT*

“They” were the Israelites, led by Moses. The people who heard God’s voice on the mountain and begged in terror not to hear it again. The people who experienced the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the manna in the desert. The people who swore to follow and obey God.

Hebrews 3:16-18 says they rebelled, made God angry, sinned. Disobeyed Him. Not just with the golden calf, but by refusing to enter the Promised Land because they trusted their fears more than they trusted God.

A lot of their disobedience came from unbelief. Aren’t we the same?

Sometimes we don’t believe because we don’t want to—we don’t want to obey, or to let go of our own ways or understandings.

But sometimes we don’t believe because we’re afraid. That’s when we need to pray, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” (See Mark 9:22-24)

God knows our weakness, and He wants us to get it right. He wants us to enter His rest, that’s why He invited us. We only need to ask.

Thank You, God, that You don’t disqualify us for our weakness, but You invite us to ask for help. Thank You for such grace and love to help us, again and again, when we’re in need. Help us remember to ask You—help us believe and obey.

∞

We had this song back in November, but it fits again here: Brian Doerksen’s “Enter the Rest of God.”

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Review: God’s Daughter, by Heather Day Gilbert

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God's Daughter, by Heather Day GilbertGod’s Daughter, by Heather Day Gilbert (Createspace, 2013)

If all you know about Vikings are the names Eric the Red and Leif Ericsson, God’s Daughter is a great way to learn more and to perhaps break some stereotypes. For example, I didn’t know they had any exposure to Christianity. Or that Eric’s name is properly spelled Eiric.

Many of the novel’s characters are genuine historical figures, and their voyage actually happened around 1000 AD. The setting and events have been meticulously researched to allow Heather Day Gilbert to weave a story that feels true.

The main character, a Viking woman named Gudrid, travels with her sailor-trader husband and his crew in search of Leif Ericsson’s Vinland. This man, Finn, is Gudrid’s third husband, the first two having died of “the shivering sickness.” She knows he loves her, but why can’t he be more thoughtful and protective, like his business partner, Snorri?

Together, then separately, they face down mutineers among the crew, attacking natives, and other dangers. Likely none of us have experienced Gudrid and Finn’s dangers, but just as likely we’ve all had trouble with comparisons and expectations. This is a subplot to the main story of the voyage, but for me it makes a connecting point that brings the characters even more alive.

Gudrid is one of the few Christians in the story, and she lives her faith the best she can based on what she’s been taught. She longs for her own copy of the Holy Book—and to be able to read—so she could learn more. As the story progresses, she articulates her turmoil this way:

Can I ever be happy where I am, with my own husband? What is wrong with me? And why do I always search for a protector? [Kindle location 3130]

She trusts God, but she’s still working toward the understanding that in Him alone can she find the protection and the love she craves.

God’s Daughter is a satisfying historical novel with characters I cared about. Details like methods of treating illness and the differences between Europeans’ and Vikings’ approaches to toilet training (Gudrid and Finn have a young son) flow naturally to help readers imagine the story world. There are no information dumps in this novel, nor any of the other awkward moments that can come with a debut novel.

My favourite line: Gudrid describes Snorri as “rubbing his hand over his bald head in a gesture that always makes me think he misses his hair.” [Kindle location 1521]

Heather Day Gilbert has crafted an amazing tale, brimming with adventure, compassion and insight. There’s much more to God’s Daughter than I can capture in a review, so let me just say I highly recommend this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to the sequel, Forest Child.

You can find Heather Day Gilbert at her website, along with maps, a glossary and other bonus features related to the novel. Take a few minutes to read the opening chapters of God’s Daughter (and be prepared to want more).

[Review copy from my personal library.]