Luke 15 The Parable of the Lost Sheep15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Hi Friends!  I hope your 2020 is starting well!
I've been in a local Christian fiction book club for many years----before I ever thought of writing a novel. I thought it would be fun to share with you what we read in 2019 and our plans for reading in 2020!
A quick note that I had a Bookbub deal this week, so The Art of Rivers is only 99 cents through the 30th. Here's the link on Amazon!
Okay, last year's novels:
Here Burns My Candle Liz Curtis Higgs
Heir of Hope Stephenia McGee
If I’m Found Terri Blackstock
All Made Up Kara Isaac
The Masterpiece Francine Rivers
Before We Were Yours Lisa Wingate
A Broken Kind of Beautiful Katie Ganshert
The Art of Rivers Janet W. Ferguson
The House on Foster Hill  Jaime Jo Wright
The Lady and the Mountain Man Misty M. Beller
The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas Witemeyer et al
Star Rising by Janet W. Ferguson
I can honestly say I enjoyed every one of these!! And they were kind enough to read 2 of my novels. They are my Guinea pigs, LOL!
The 2020 List!
If I Live Terri Blackstock
Whose Waves These Are  Amanda Dykes
Christmas Roses Amanda Cabot
The Lady and the Mountain Doctor Misty M. Beller
The End of the Magi Patrick Carr
The Line Between Tosca Lee
The Plum Blooms in Winter Linda Thompson
Mine is the Night Liz Curtis Higgs
Isaiah's Daughter Mesu Andrews
Claiming Mariah Pam Hillman
Five Days in Skye Carla Laureano
Have you read any of these books? Are you in a book club? I'd love to hear some of your favs. Leave a comment on my blog here! 

​I just wanted to let you know Star Rising is live today! I've included a favorite scene set at the Bunratty Castle. We almost didn’t go, because some of the travel books said that it was too touristy. Apparently, we like touristy stuff!

The castle sits on a good bit of land where they have a folk park. In that area, they try to recreate life in Irish history with a little village that demonstrates the old ways of doing things. Picture thatched roofs on stone cottages. Then, we toured the castle and had a medieval banquet there. They had singers, harpists, other instruments being played, and actors who entertained, while we ate a meal served family-style at long banquet tables. No silverware, just your fingers to eat with, LOL!

Here’s a small excerpt of Star Rising, where the hero Paul is picked to be the “scoundrel” by the actors and forced to sing a song to be set free. Don’t worry, because he deserves the punishment/embarrassment at this point in the story!
“Fetch the prisoner from the dungeon.” The earl clapped his hands, and the two men escorted Paul back to the stage but remained at his side. “The king and queen have resolved to grant mercy on our villain. But first the scoundrel must”—the actor gave a dramatic pause, waggling his eyebrows, and Paul readied himself for more humiliation—“perform a melody of their Royal Highness’s choosing.”
Yep. More humiliation. Good thing he’d had a few glasses of wine.
“What will you have the scoundrel sing, Your Majesties? Danny Boy? I’m a Little Teapot? Don’t Go Drinking with Hobbits?”
Paul groaned. Star and Will had to come up with better choices than those.
Star shot an apologetic look Paul’s way, then leaned close to Will. They discussed back and forth, shaking their heads as they selected his penalty.
Finally, Star nodded, and Will smiled. Will stood and shouted, “Do you know Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey? Maybe a little dance to go with it?”
Paul rolled his eyes. “Unfortunately.” One of his boss’s girlfriends had been a huge Journey fan and had played the group on the plane every flight. Plus, most every cover band in the world played that song.
“We’ve a treaty, then.” The earl raised one hand high in the air. “Singing and dancing to Don’t Stop Believin’. We will judge if your frolicking entails the proper amount of punch.” Wiggling his hips, the earl turned in a circle, and the audience laughed. “Go forth, scoundrel.”
Paul did his best to get out of trouble! I think you’ll enjoy the scene when you get to it in the book!
This was a fun book to write. It has funny moments like this one, but it also grapples with having faith when life falls apart. I hope you like it!
You can order your copy on Amazon Barnes & Noble iBooks or Kobo now for 2.99!

Well, my blog will only allow so many pictures in one post!! Wish I could post them all!! Christian fiction readers, bloggers, and writers are a wonderful, supportive group to be a part of!

I'm praying right now for God's blessings and peace and hope in Christ for you during this busy season :) Let me know what you're up to! Can I pray for you? Leave a comment or message me!
Sincerely,
Janet

Get Jennifer's book When I Come Home Again on Amazon Here for $2.99
Get Misty's book Freedom in the Mountain Wind for 99 cents on these retailers: 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YX9DCJ5
https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1482956428
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/freedom-in-the-mountain-wind
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/freedom-in-the-mountain-wind-misty-m-beller/1134011817?ean=2940163594061
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Misty_M_Beller_Freedom_in_the_Mountain_Wind?id=CWy1DwAAQBAJ
Preorder my novel Star Rising for $2.99 on these retailers
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z4B6Y4F?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1485295503
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/star-rising
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/star-rising-janet-w-ferguson/1134431372
​

A wise teacher once told me, “Be thankful for a normal day.”  She’d been through some extremely difficult times, and she’d learned to appreciate the days when nothing serious was happening—when she wasn’t in the midst of a storm.  I’ve tried to remember that over the years. I’ve heard to be thankful when the laundry is piled high, because you have clothes, and when the dishes are dirty, because you have food. To be thankful when politicians argue, because, in our country, they can.
​
And that’s all so true.

But what I’ve also tried to learn, as I’ve grown older, is to be thankful for something—anything—when I am in the storm. When it is not a normal day.
All of us have challenging times, whether over health or finances or family or jobs. It’s so hard to get off the hamster wheel of anxiety during those times. Fear tries to shackle us.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) says:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When anxiety or depression locks us down, clutches our chests, steals our breath, the writer of Philippians instructs us to pray with thanksgiving. That’s incredibly difficult. Impossible, even, without God.

But I believe that tactic works, because we are in a battle, and thankfulness can be a weapon.

So when we’re in the storm and under the harshest trials, can we find something to give thanks for? A sunset, a pillow, a friend’s call, a roof, a butterfly, a pet, running water…forgiveness, mercy, freedom. If we really try to count our blessings, like that old hymn says, we may find comfort and remember that God is in control.

It would be pretty boring writing without you, my friends, on this journey! 
I am thankful for you!
Blessings to you and your loved ones this Thanksgiving!
What are you thankful for this year?
You can leave a comment below :) 

P.S. If you feel like reading over the holidays, here are some Christian or clean novels at free or 99 cents Nov. 28-Dec. 2. Click this link to find them and enjoy! 
​Link to books

A little about Star Rising:
Star Youngblood has always been a fighter–a necessity after her mother married a monster of a man. Now, she’s finally on the path to the stable life she’s always wanted. Her employer, Priscilla Kelly, is a sweet woman ravaged by rheumatoid arthritis, and Star will do anything to help her. Even if that means going toe to toe with Mrs. Kelly’s neglectful son.

After being betrayed on the mission field and devastated by the tragic death of his father, Paul Kelly gave up on God. He lives life on his own terms, biding his time as a corporate pilot until he can save enough money to begin his own flight school closer to home. His mother is all he has left, and he wants to be near her. He just didn’t expect her health to decline so quickly. When he discovers his mother has taken in a stray—a woman he’s not at all sure can be trusted—his protective instincts kick into high gear. Paul’s handled a lot of turbulence, but he’s never gone up against a force like Star.

As Paul and Star strive to protect his mother in their own ways, they soon find their  hearts are at the greatest risk.


I just put this novel up to preorder on Amazon! I hope you're as excited about it as I am!!

What's on your bucket list?

​With Patricia Bradly, Stephenia H. McGee, and Pam Hillman!

Deep in the Mississippi pines, at a rustic hunting cabin, four women conjured murder and mayhem and sickness. They planned disaster after disaster for individuals who’d done them absolutely no harm. The betrayal, the surgeries, the unfair attacks, oh my!
Good thing they weren’t real people, but only imagined characters for four Mississippi authors’ future novels. 

  CBA Bestselling author PAM HILLMAN was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn't afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove an Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn't mind raking. Raking hay doesn't take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that's the kind of life every girl should dream of.
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The Crossing at Cypress Creek only $1.99! Amazon

Award winning author of seven historical novels, Stephenia H. McGee writes stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. When she's not twirling around in hoop skirts, reading, or sipping sweet tea on the front porch, she's a homeschool mom of two boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Stephenia lives in Mississippi with her sons, handsome hubby, three dogs, and one anti-social cat. Visit her at www.StepheniaMcGee.com for books and updates.
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The Whistle Walk and Heir of Hope to $.99! Amazon
​

'Okay, pretty much every time we go on a vacation we argue.

When my children were around seven and three-years-old, they were arguing as we wound around a loopy interstate bridge on I-285 in Atlanta during crazy traffic. One of them was so upset, he actually threw up. My husband and I were at our wits' end with each other, too, at that point. So I made an announcement: We were grounded from traveling for a year!

And we stayed home for the better part of a year. 

But then... I sort of missed all that crammed-up together time. I missed the adventure of seeing new things or visiting old friends or reconnecting with family.

I un-grounded us. And we planned another trip!

I can't say that we will ever stop getting on each others' last nerve after a couple of days of being together 24/7, but I do want to commit to trying again. And again. And again!
Isn't that what family is about? Not giving up on each other? Spending time together? Even when it's not all roses and  sunshine.

It was on one of those vacations, four years ago, that the idea for The Art of Rivers came to me. We were in St. Simons, Georgia. Soaked in history, it's a quaint seaside town with beautiful moss-covered old oaks. And it has a beach (my happy place)! I highly recommend visiting there if you are in the area. I'm sharing a few pics.

Release day eve is always exciting and nerve-racking. As my 7th book releases tomorrow, I am praying it finds its audience and brings healing.
Here's my letter to readers:
In 2017, the year I started this novel, drug overdoses killed over 70,000 people in the United States. More people in our country died that year from this epidemic than those who were killed by guns, car crashes, or HIV/AIDS. Addiction isn’t the plight of any one demographic. Drug addiction and alcoholism are devastating our children, parents, sisters, brothers, cousins, and neighbors. If your life hasn’t been touched by this issue, count yourself blessed.

Addiction is a cunning and dangerous enemy, stealing the lives of medical professionals, teachers, law enforcement officers—any career you could name, along with teenagers and the homeless. There aren’t enough jails or enough funds to incarcerate all these members of our communities. We have to find ways to rehabilitate. In my county, the sheriff’s department is trying innovative ways to help the prisoners who struggle with addiction. Our local lawmakers are grappling with the issue. I don’t have the answers. 

There is heartbreak for those who love addicts or alcoholics and are at a loss as to what to do. Al-Anon is a wonderful support group for families who find themselves in this position. I interviewed dear people who battle addiction and those who try to pull people from its deadly grip. Twelve step programs like AA, NA, and Celebrate Recovery can help. If you are struggling with addiction, if you know somebody who is, or if you feel moved by this issue, please be in prayer for addicts, for their loved ones, for the community of people God has raised to support them, and for lawmakers as they contend with the issues. God’s life-changing power is real. He is the One who offers true freedom.

Not everyone gets a happy ending to their addiction story in real life. If that’s your family’s reality, if you’ve lost someone, I’m so sorry for your heartbreak. Know that you are not alone, and our Heavenly Father can bring healing.

There is power, hope, and peace in Him,

Janet W. Ferguson

​Let me know if I can pray for you!

Though I have always love to read nonfiction and fiction, writing books has been a wonderful adventure I never expected to take. Meeting sweet readers and fantastic authors has been such a blessing!
I didn’t grow up thinking I wanted to write a novel, but in my 40s, the story idea for Leaving Oxford refused to go away. Some of the first advice I received from a literary agent after I finished that manuscript was to find good critique partners. Through the American Christian Fiction Writers organization (ACFW), I met so many amazing Christian authors, even fan-girling over some like Francine Rivers. I’ve critiqued with many wonderful writers over the years. We helped each other become better writers. I am reminded of the verse in Proverbs: As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Today, I want to introduce you to two of those Christian authors that I respect so much. I consider them dear friends now. I hope that's okay with you :)

Misty Beller a multi-published, prolific Christian author of sweet historical fiction novels set out West in the 1800s. More than just being a critique partner, Misty has been my guide in all things marketing, advertising, business, and technology. (The tech part drives me crazy!) I’m so thankful for Misty’s expertise! She’s such a sweet and gentle spirit too. Misty has this unique way of reining me in when I leave positive town and venture down a negative path. I need that kind of friend!
I am so excited she will have books releasing from her dream publisher, Bethany House, starting in October. In the meantime, she has 19 other novels for you read. Here’s the latest one releasing, and it’s only 99 cents!

Jennifer Rodewald is another Christian author who I love! As soon as I opened her first sub for critiquing, I knew she had an amazing talent. And heart. She pushes me to dig deep into my characters and their emotions. Jennifer doesn’t shy away from tough subjects like alcoholism or marital problems, but she’s versatile. She also writes sweet rom-coms plus dystopian young adult novels as J. Rodes.

Jen has a 99 cent deal on one of her novels too.