Janet Sketchley's Blog: Tenacity, page 9

Review: A Tiding of Magpies, by Steve Burrows

A Tiding of Magpies, by Steve Burrows (Dundurn Press, 2018)

This time, DCI Dominic Jejeune (a Canadian working in England) and his team work to solve a local murder while he���s involved in an investigative review of the high profile case that launched his career. Jejeune is not the only one with regrets about that case��� or with a suspicion all might not have been as it seemed.

I���m really enjoying the Birder Murder Mystery series. Each book has a strong sense of place, engaging ch...

Review: Renaissance, by Susan Fish

Renaissance, by Susan Fish (Raven, 2023)

First things first: this cover, on the paperback held in my hand, is absolutely gorgeous. The golden light (especially on the grass), the huge tree, the stone wall and clouds. It speaks rest to me, and warmth.

The story also brings rest. Evocative prose draws us into Liz���s struggles and into the beautiful Italian setting. If you haven���t (yet) experienced any mid-life reshapings of your identity, you���ve likely felt the hurt of being left ou...

Book Review: Renaissance, by Susan Fish

Renaissance, by Susan Fish (Raven, 2023)

First things first: this cover, on the paperback held in my hand, is absolutely gorgeous. The golden light (especially on the grass), the huge tree, the stone wall and clouds. It speaks rest to me, and warmth.

The story also brings rest. Evocative prose draws us into Liz���s struggles and into the beautiful Italian setting. If you haven���t (yet) experienced any mid-life reshapings of your identity, you���ve likely felt the hurt of being left ou...

New Releases in Christian Fiction (April 2024)

April 2024 New Releases

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

Contemporary Romance:

Love in Tandem by Becca Kinzer — She���s perfectly content leading a quiet life in her small hometown. He���s an adventurer with unquenchable wanderlust. The two couldn���t be any more opposite if they tried. But a tandem bicycle and a 500-mile road trip just might change all that. (Contemporary Romance from Tyndale House)

Playing For Keeps by Deborah Raney — Th...

Stepping Back (Guest Post)

Photo credit: Steph Beth NickelStepping Backby Steph Beth Nickel

Good Friday ��� the perfect day to step back from the everyday.

Not simply a day off work, but a day to focus once again on what the Lord did for us approximately 2,000 years ago.

As Christians, this reality is the basis for all we believe. For all we do. At least it should be.

While attending a Good Friday service and fellowshipping at a church potluck may be on our agenda, more importantly, this is the perfect...

Review: The Elisha Code and the Coming Revival, by David Kitz and Dr. Ed Hird

The Elisha Code and the Coming Revival, by David Kitz and Dr. Ed Hird (Word Alive Press, 2023)

If John the Baptist fulfilled the role of the Old Testament prophet Elijah, was there a corresponding prophet Elisha to follow him with a double blessing of power? The authors of The Elisha Code and the Coming Revival point to Jesus as a type of second Elisha���not in the sense of denying His deity, but as continuing and building on John���s call to repentance and allegiance to a new Kingdom.

...

3 Fun Mysteries Set in Nova Scotia

Out of the many mysteries set in Nova Scotia, here are three I’d suggest you try (in alphabetical order):

Crafting for Murder, by Barbara Emodi

Secrets and schemes and small-town murder. Read my review.

Murder in Hum Harbour, by Jayne E. Self

Mystery and romance in a small coastal town. Read my review.

Oak Island Revenge, by Cynthia d���Entremont

Coming of age in the 1950s. Small-town secrets–with rumours of treasure. Read my review.

...

New Releases in Christian Fiction (March 2024)

March 2024 New Releases

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

Contemporary Romance:

For Better or For Granted by Amy R. Anguish — Divorce was never in the plans for Genevieve Stewart. Only four years into marriage, and everything has gone wrong. If only she could find her way back to the way things were before Scott���s job took all his time and energy, leaving nothing for her. Scott Stewart achieved his goal of becoming a high school principal...

Review: The Divine Proverb of Streusel, by Sara Brunsvold

The Divine Proverb of Streusel, by Sara Brunsvold (Revell, 2024)

Sometimes when life hurts, you run away. Even from the people you love.

Nikki has so much going for her: a solid faith, a loving mom and sister, a good friend at the school where she teaches, and a caring guy who���s been talking about rings. But second-hand news of her unfaithful father���s remarriage���so soon after the divorce that bankrupted her mother���leaves her unable to face any of them.

She flees to the one ...

You Learn Something New Every Day (Guest Post)

Image by WOKANDAPIX from PixabayYou Learn Something New Every DayBy Steph Beth Nickel

When you stumble across information you didn���t know previously, do you find yourself saying, ���You learn something new every day���?

We cannot, however, hope to stumble across the facts and insights we need simply by chance. It���s important to develop a reliable system to expand our knowledge base.

Here are nine of my favourite ways to learn new things:

Read both fiction and nonfiction ...