Heaven's Prey
Page 26
Want more? See the buy links on my website’s Secrets and Lies page, or at your favourite online retailer.
Acknowledgements
Heaven’s Prey is the story of some of the voices in my head, but I needed many real-life voices to help me discover how best to tell it. My earliest notes go back almost 20 years, so you can imagine how many people have made a difference along the way. I can’t list them all here, but I’m deeply grateful to each one.
Thank you to my key supporters:
My amazing husband, Russell, for believing in me even when I haven’t believed in myself, for supporting my writing habit, and for patient IT help (including a dramatic tech rescue of the entire manuscript in my pre-backup days). My sons Adam, Andrew, and Matthew, fine young men who warm my heart, make me laugh, and inspire me. My daughter-in-heart, photographer Amanda Walker, who took my author photo. My parents, Fred and Beverlee Wamboldt, who encouraged me to the point of sometimes paying my airfare to writing conferences. Extended family and friends (some of whom read earlier drafts of this novel even though it’s not their usual fare) for enduring my quirks.
Thank you to my writing family:
The members of the Metro Christian Writers critique group, past and present (especially Sheila Boissonneault who instigated it all, Cynthia d’Entremont for her big-picture insights, and Patricia Thomas, whose sharp editorial eye saw what needed fixing in my final draft), InScribe Christian Writers Fellowship (especially Lyn Kublick and Eunice Matchett), The Word Guild (especially NJ Lindquist, Elma Schemenauer and Mary Waind), and American Christian Fiction Writers.
Thank you to Leslie H. Stobbe, my agent, for wise advice, encouragement and reality checks along the way, and to Choose NOW Publishing, especially Nicole O’Dell, for taking a chance on a debut novelist, and Valerie Comer and Angela Breidenbach for their keen insights in editing and marketing. Thank you to Christina Fuselli for her amazing cover art.
A special thanks to retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, Robert Chase, serving at the Chester, Nova Scotia detachment when I visited with questions. His helpful input on police procedures shaped the final chapters of the story. As well, special thanks to author Judith James for her enlightening information on Kingston Penitentiary. Anything I got right, the credit goes to these two patient and generous individuals. Anything I got wrong, that’s me.
Above all, I thank God for allowing me to write and for giving me the ideas and the push I needed to use them.
Discussion Questions
1. Harry had a few tenuous first contacts with God as a boy. How did these impact God’s continuing pull on his life? Was God more faithful to the initial agreement than Harry was?
2. Harry’s mother chose to remain in an abusive situation. Was this the best choice? How did it affect her children? How might things have turned out differently if she had gone to a women’s shelter? Do you think that would have been a better choice?
3. The Bible speaks of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as “the unforgivable sin.” (Mathew 12:21-22, Luke 12:10) Different denominations understand that spiritual concept in different ways. What is unforgivable? Are there categories of sin? Would someone like Harry be cut off from the hope of Heaven by his choices? What about Tony? Ruth? Me? You?
4. Do you see evidence of how God prepared Ruth for the role that she was intended to play? Did knowing God’s character help Ruth to trust Him? How well do you know Him?
5. What effect did Ruth’s commitment to prayer have in her life? How did her prayers impact those around her? God is sovereign, and yet sometimes it seems as if He waits to be asked before He will intervene—as if He wants to be invited rather than violating our freedom of choice. Do you sense His gentle nudge to pray about a particular individual or situation? What do you think He might want to do in response to prayer?
6. Susan was faithful in the fire. Do you think she would say that the cost was too high to win a lost soul? What if Harry hadn’t responded to his chances? Was it worth the risk? Are there some things that are off-limits to God, things that would be too much for Him to ask of you?
7. Ruth and Pastor John both faced the hard questions about why God allowed Susan’s tragic death, but one looked at the tragedy and one looked at God. Which seems closer to your own heart? Which was healthier? Can you surrender your questions to God and trust Him in the darkness?
8. Harry chose to turn himself in and return to prison. Have you ever had to make a hard choice to obey God? How did He sustain you? Is there something you’re holding out on Him about now?
9. Harry and Ruth each had a few encouragers throughout their lives. Who has been your encourager? Do you have someone whom you can encourage?
10. Do you think there can be a danger in success? Are there stronger temptations for those in the public eye, or the rich or beautiful? Would it be useful to pray for those in the spotlight—especially Christians?
Other Books in the Redemption’s Edge Series:
(available in ebook and print)
Secrets and Lies (book 2)
A single mother with a teenage son becomes a pawn in a drug lord’s vengeance against her convict brother.
Carol Daniels thinks she out-ran her enemies, until a detective arrives at her door with a warning. Minor incidents take on a sinister meaning. An anonymous phone call warns her not to hide again.
Now she must cooperate with a drug lord while the police work to trap him. Carol has always handled crisis alone, but this one might break her. Late-night deejay Joey Hill offers friendship and moral support. Can she trust him? One thing’s certain. She can’t risk prayer.
Want more? See the buy links on my website’s Secrets and Lies page, or at your favourite online retailer.
Without Proof (book 3)
“Asking questions could cost your life.”
Two years after the plane crash that killed her fiancé, Amy Silver has fallen for his best friend, artist Michael Stratton. When a local reporter claims the small aircraft may have been sabotaged, it reopens Amy’s grief.
Anonymous warnings and threats are Amy’s only proof that the tragedy was deliberate, and she has nowhere to turn. The authorities don’t believe her, God is not an option, and Michael’s protection is starting to feel like a cage.
How will Amy find the truth?
Want more? See the buy links on my website’s Without Proof page, or at your favourite online retailer.
Heaven’s Prey, A Redemption’s Edge Novel
First edition: Choose NOW Publishing, 2013.
Second edition: Janet Sketchley, 2014.
© 2013, 2014 by Janet Sketchley www.janetsketchley.ca
ISBN (epub) 978-0-9938743-1-4
ISBN (mobi) 978-0-9938743-6-9
ISBN (print) 978-0-9938743-0-7
All rights reserved, in all media. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed or electronic reviews, without written permission of the author.
Permissions requests may be directed to the author via the contact page on her website: janetsketchley.ca/contact/
This book is a work of fiction. Opinions expressed by the characters do not necessarily reflect those of the author. No character or event in this book is intended to represent any individual, living or deceased. The author has taken artistic liberties with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment in Chester, Nova Scotia, and Kingston Penitentiary in Ontario.
All Scripture references are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Edited by Angela Breidenbach.
Cover design by Christina Fuselli; front-cover photograph by Christine Kidd.
Published in Canada by Janet Sketchley.
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