I live in Nova
Scotia, on Canada's east coast, with my husband and three
soon-to-leave-the-nest sons who add warmth, encouragement and laughter to my life. I'm
a writer-homemaker, learning to set boundaries between work-at-home and free
time. The tenacity of God is one of my themes in writing,
because it's something I've experienced in my own life.
What is your
novel, Heaven's Prey, about?
A
grieving woman is abducted by a serial killer—and it may be the answer to her
prayers.
Heaven’s Prey is
about a villain’s last chance at redemption and a vulnerable woman’s obedience
to pray for her enemy—not the gentle inspirational read many associate with the
Christian genre.
When did you
first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I was a child, I turned part of my closet into a
"writing office" and wrote some admittedly awful stuff that has not survived.
University papers cured me of writing until I became an at-home mom without
enough time to read. I started making up stories to amuse myself, and when the
seeds of Heaven's Prey came along I
didn't want to daydream them, so I started writing the story. Once I
rediscovered how much fun it is to write fiction, I didn't want to stop.
What would you
say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Each March I
bake a cake to celebrate my imaginary friends. There's so much uncertainty in
the publishing world, I think my family and I need a treat we can enjoy along
the way.
Where do you like
to write?
I'll write
anywhere I can be alone with my laptop. Instrumental music can help, but lyrics
distract me.
What do you like
to do when you're not writing?
I love reading,
music, knitting and cross-stitch... and tea. I get to the gym a few times a
week, and I sing in our church worship team.
What is your
favorite genre to read and why?
Action,
suspense, mystery, science fiction and fantasy are my top picks, and if they
have twist endings it's a bonus. I like stories that entertain and give hope,
and I try to avoid anything with brutality or sex or profanity. Those ones make
me uncomfortable.
What is
your least favorite genre to read?
Horror. My imagination's too vivid!
Horror. My imagination's too vivid!
Is there a place
you'd like to visit, but haven’t yet?
I'm enough of a
science fiction fan that my biggest dream is to get into space. Here on earth,
Australia and New Zealand top my wish list.
Do you have a
favorite Bible verse?
Proverbs
3:5-6 may be my life verses (perhaps because it'll take me a lifetime to apply
them). "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on
your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your
paths straight." (NIV)
The
older I get, the more I think the Christian life is summed up in the phrase
"trust and obey." Very simple. Very hard.
Do you have a
favorite song and/or movie?
I love too many
songs to pick just one! My favorite movie is either The Scarlet Pimpernel or the Lord
of the Rings trilogy. I'm also very fond of Casablanca.
What is your
favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving,
which Canadians celebrate on a different date than our US friends. I love
Christmas and Easter, but the commercialism and social pressures make them a
bit harder. With Thanksgiving, I can relax and be grateful for so many
blessings.
What is your
favorite season and why is it your fav?
I love them all, but autumn is my favourite. I live in Eastern Canada,
and the maple leaves turn these brilliant shades of orange and red. We also get
yellows and browns from other trees. When the leaves fall, it's a treat for me
to walk in the woods and scuff my feet through every pile of leaves I can find. Plus, cooler weather means
cozy sweaters and socks, fresh apples and homemade soup.
Snowstorms or
Thunderstorms? thunderstorms
Chocolate or
Vanilla? vanilla
Tea or
Coffee? tea
Call or
Text? email
Cats or Dogs? cats
Early-bird or
Night-owl? I'm still trying to find
my "awake" time
Introvert or
Extrovert? introvert
Facebook or
Twitter? Facebook
Mystery or
Romance? mystery
Sneakers or
Sandals? sandals
Are you
currently working on any new novels? If so, could you give us a
hint?
Heaven's Prey has
a few scenes with the villain's sister, Carol, and I'm working on her story,
called Secrets and Lies. What would
it be like to live with the public shame of having a dangerous offender for a
brother? What if his enemies, who can't get at him easily, decided to target
Carol and her son? And what if this single mom had to handle all this in her
own strength, because she was afraid to pray for help?
Thank you so
much for being here! Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers and
where can we find you on the web?
Thanks for hosting me, Melanie. This has been fun. I
most like to connect with readers at my website: janetsketchley.ca. It's kind of like
having them come to visit. Wish I could find a way to offer them tea and
cookies!
Readers of Christian suspense are invited to sign up
for my monthly newsletter, and the Heaven's Prey bonus features
page has a link to read chapter 1 for free, plus character
interviews and other tidbits. My blog, Tenacity, is part of the site, and I post weekly
reviews, devotionals and features. I also have
a Facebook author page
and I spend a bit of time on Twitter.
Author Bio:
Janet
Sketchley's debut novel, Heaven's Prey,
is a story of suspense and redemption. You'll find her Christian living
articles and book reviews at janetsketchley.ca, plus a true-life story in the
award-winning anthology, A Second Cup of
Hot Apple Cider. Janet lives and writes in east-coast Canada.
Website:
http://janetsketchley.ca/
Heaven's Prey
page: http://janetsketchley.ca/books/heavens-prey/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/JanetSketchley
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JanetSketchley
Enter for a chance to win a copy of Heaven's Prey! Giveaway is open internationally and the winner can choose either a print or eBook copy! Ends 5/22
How to enter: Sign into the Giveaway Tools form below (it might take a moment to load) and submit each entry you complete. Commenting alone will not get you entered – you must click enter on the form. Happy entering!
Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Giveaway Tools and announced here as well as emailed and will have up to one week to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Giveaway Tools or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. I am not responsible for any packages lost or damaged in the mail. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Giveaway Tools and announced here as well as emailed and will have up to one week to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Giveaway Tools or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. I am not responsible for any packages lost or damaged in the mail. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
This book sounds quite different than most I have read. I usually enjoy most Christian books and would like to read this one, as well.
ReplyDeleteJanet, "Heaven's Prey" sounds so good! I also see we have a few things in common. I'm a stay-at-home mom trying to be a writer, I've always wanted to visit New Zealand, I can't read horror, and I'm also involved with our church's worship team. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview, Janet and Melanie -- I enjoyed it!
Thank you for hosting me, Melanie, and I love that photo of the cat in the box!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, we have a few things in common indeed! Keep writing, and enjoy life along the way.
ReplyDeleteSonja, it's different all right :) But reader response has been good.
Thank you both for chatting!
Melanie and Janet--really enjoyed the interview. It was nice to meet Janet. I wish we could sit down and have a cup of tea together. Janet, I've always wanted to visit your part of Canada. It's one place my husband and did not make it to, when we had our motorhome. Your book sounds very intriguing. I'm looking forward to reading it. Thank you for offering a copy.
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie. Boy would this be a test of faith. But, I think she will pray for GOD to help her. I would love to win and be able to read this book. Sounds very suspenseful.. I think one of the hardest things to forgive is someone who murders a family member or even someone else. Sure have to have a strong faith.
ReplyDeleteKayM -- tea would be great! Motorhome travelling sounds like the perfect way to explore the country.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, it would be a test of faith indeed, and I hope none of us ever have to face one like it! Yes, the forgiveness would be very hard.
I find it amazing when people can forgive people who commit heinous crimes against a loved ones. This sounds like an intriguing read. God can help us do the most impossible things!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this opportunity to win this giveaway!
Sharon, we sure need God's help to forgive even small offences, let alone horrible ones! It's amazing what He can do in us when we cooperate. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThis book I need to read. I have heard of so many who forgive the murder in cases where it s a family member. I think that would be be of the hardest things to do, yet GOD tells us to forgive. I would sure need GOD's help in doing this. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMaxie, we'd sure need God's help to do this! We'd need His help even to be willing to obey and try to forgive. It's way beyond what humans can do.
ReplyDeleteInformative interview
ReplyDelete