Janet W. Ferguson Book List

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Coastal Hearts Series

Book 1: Magnolia Storms

Magnolia “Maggie” Marovich had much taken from her when the unladylike Katrina passed through their Mississippi town. Since then, maybe it was Maggie who took more from herself when she moved further inland. Leaving behind her family, her love, and perhaps even some of her faith.

Josh Bergeron loved being a bar pilot. Guiding ships to safety. Saving lives. Knowing he had to stay safe because another life depended on him. After Katrina, he had chosen this life over love. The past was behind him and he had moved forward. Staying in the place he loved even after it had been so destroyed.

When Maggie's sister has a freak accident...Maggie has to make a choice. Will she go back to the Coast and help her family—or will the storm that is brewing keep her away? She knows she only has one choice. To face her fears and return...even if she's driving into the eye of a storm that could take more from her.

Falling for Grace

Grace Logan needed time away to heal. Her divorce had been hard...the betrayal even harder. Especially this week. She was headed to her boss' beach house for peace and quiet. That was the plan. Unlike her name, Grace wasn't so graceful and one of her falls changed everything.

Seth Gibbs had run away from family and memories three years ago. Coming to the families beach house...he stayed. And his past stayed with him. Buried inside...but quite alive. When someone comes to stay at the neighbor’s house...he's torn between the past and present.

Even as Christians...there are battles to fight. Broken lives that God wants to heal...if only we let Him. And in the case of Grace and Seth, it seemed Grace was a Godsend, if Seth would let her be. Great story. If you cry easily, tissues nearby may be a good thing.

Book 3: The Art of Rivers

Rivers Sullivan had found happiness. True love. And then, it was all taken away. A year later, she travels to St. Simons to tie up the ends of her past. Get some properties ready to sell. Still raw and sore from her pain. And surprisingly, God starts a new work in her life in a way she never expected.

Cooper Knight was living one day at a time. His past always taunting him. His family had disowned him. Thankfully he had God and his sober living family. Even knowing God had forgiven him, Cooper continued to carry his guilt around.

I love Janet's writing. Real life situations that can make you laugh and cry. Like a certain adorable pet in this story. And she writes an excellent view of what it could be like to be a recovering addict. Each day a new day to live and not fall back. Loved it.

**Tissue alert

Book 4: Star Rising

Paul Kelly left God behind after a series of events he went through. He really doesn't like the man he works for, but it's good money. He plans to save enough to move back to Georgia and take care of his mother. All that changes when he gets a call about his mother being in the hospital.

Star Youngblood has come a long way in her life. Her childhood had been rotten to the core and she used drugs and alcohol to forget. But now, she's been clean for a year and she has God in her life. She fights her new beliefs when it comes to Mrs. Kelly's son though. She's been her caretaker and knows the son hasn't visited or called much. And now that he is here, she wishes he weren't.

Priscilla Kelly had a dream to visit Ireland for her anniversary, but plans change. Her husband passed away. She's decided to go anyway. Paul refuses to allow her to go...so she takes Star. Circumstances end up with Paul joining them. But it seems whatever could go wrong for Paul...did. I loved this story and it's amazing how often when God is working in our lives, we see it as punishment instead of polishing.

Book 5: For the Love of Joy

Davis Donnelly has overcome many things to get where he is now. But, before he enters into ministry, he was one small thing to finish. To seal up his past so he can move on to his future, serving Christ.

 Joy Donnelly is so busy in life: an ICU nurse, going to school and raising a very active toddler. The last thing she needed in her life was for her past to come knocking...and worse, an accident that has her depending on Davis’s help.

 Hank is a very active two- almost three-year-old. His antics had me laughing out loud often throughout the story. Although, there were times that I went through many tissues while reading as well. Another inspirational story that pulled at my emotions.

Book 6: Healing Skye

Pete Thompson happened upon a bad accident. After helping the driver get her pets out of the vehicle, he finds out it’s the person renting his late grandparents’ house. She’s a peculiar person. And he must be, too, as he starts hearing things in his head. Like this person needs his help. His hands are full already as a single parent.

Skye Youngblood, or Sydney “Syd” Smith as she’s calling herself, hated being back in Alabama. The fear she lives with is too real here. But Miss Lydia and Sparrow need her. So, she’ll be working on Dauphin Island at the Sea Lab for the next few months. As a loner, the job suits her, working with sea life and caring for two dogs and one cat. Animals that are broken, like she is.

A touching story about a woman who needs God in her life to help her heal from past abuse. A man who knows he’s nothing without God’s help. Unique characters, both human and animal, and a page-turning story on a sensitive subject. Very well written, considering the sensitive nature of the story.

Book 7: Holding On to Hope

Caleb Donnelly has been in love with Hope since he first met her. And Hope had been in love with Pete, who fell in love and married Skye, not Hope. So Caleb agreed to go to Wyoming to help her with a wedding their friend Andrew, Pete’s brother, had sprung on her. A wedding that was only two weeks away.

Hope Rodriguez wanted to prove that she could pull off this wedding. She worked for her mom’s event planning company but wanted to prove she could do it independently. While there with Caleb, she noticed so much about him that she had never seen before. Especially what a strong faith he had.

Another excellent adventure in this series. Caleb was so easy to fall in love with, a well-written character. And Hope had to get past what she wanted to see God’s plan for her life.

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Southern Hearts Series

Book 1: Leaving Oxford

Sarah Beth LeClair has a problem. She lives in Oxford, Mississippi and can't leave. She is held a prisoner there by her own fears. She has returned to her Christian faith and struggles with the question of why faith isn't enough to help her break through her fear.

Coach Jess McCoy is intrigued by Sarah from the first time he runs into her at the college they both work at. She's a bit quirky...but something about her draws him. Unfortunately, he may be drawn, but she seems to push away.

There are secondary stories going on as well. Jess's friends in Oxford and Sarah's friends back in LA. As God works in Sarah's life, He is also working through her. I really enjoyed this story and I'm looking forward to more from this author. I loved the real issues the characters face in their lives. This is a sweet inspirational story. Book two is Going Up South.

Book 2: Going Up South

Cassie Brooks lives a fairly quiet life in Oxford, Mississippi with her teenage son. The past two years had been rough after the embarrassment her ex-husband put her through, but she survived. When she sees her friends could use her help, she puts on her lawyer hat and offers to help.

Dylan Conner is angry. He has a son that he wasn't told about. A son who has another's man's name and is being raised by that man. He never wanted a family—or so he thought. One time holding that tiny bundle of baby boy changes everything.

This group of friends from the small town are doing their best to live Christ-like lives. And being humans—they trip and fall often. Nothing like a mission trip to a third world country to show this group how minor their issues are. I really enjoyed both of the stories in this series so far. Book one is called Leaving Oxford. The third book is Cole and Audrey's story; Tackling the Fields. 

Book 3: Tackling the Fields

Cole Sanders' life changed after a mission trip. It took that trip for him to see he needed God in his life. And it opened his eyes to the girl who had been tutoring him for a few years. Up until then, Cole had lived life as he wanted—mostly in worldly ways. Once back in Oxford, he found his newfound faith and his old life would take some adjustments.

Audrey Vaughn was used to being in the background. Invisible. Three years ago her life changed and she battled the past every day. And now she was dating the star quarterback. How could someone like Cole really like someone as plain as she was? And for how long would he want to be around her?

I just love this series. Real life situations are written into these fiction characters. Real life struggles that even Christians face. Being saved does not mean life gets easier, sometimes it's harder. I really loved watching Cole's life change—even as his world as he knew it was changing.

Book 4: Blown Together

Sam Conrad has had enough. He gave up his dreams long ago when his ex-fiance and father had convinced him how he had to live his life. Working for his dad—always under his thumb. No more. The final stick has broken the camel's back. Sam is leaving town and starting over.

Elinor Elizabeth Bosarge seems to attract disaster. She hates snakes—and the experiences to be hateful of them. She chooses bad men to date which equals very bad first dates. And her allergies and asthma add to her troubles. And now—now her dad has taken on another mentee. Yes...they are disasters for her too!

I loved this story. I've enjoyed the entire series but this book has laugh-out-loud humor and yet, keep the tissues handy as it draws tears, too. Both characters have backgrounds that makes it hard to trust new relationships. The reader can first meet Sam in the first book; Leaving Oxford. Cassie's story, Elinor's sister, is book two; Going Up South. 

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