Spring Into Reading with Star Rising

Posted by abakersp in Spring Into Reading / 4 Comments

Hello reader friends! Welcome to my Spring Into Reading Event! Every day this month I’m going to feature a new release (or will be released) book for you to add to your TBR. There will be guest posts, giveaways, book excerpts, and more! So make sure you come back daily and see what book is in the spotlight next! And if you’ve missed any, be sure to click on the “Spring Into Reading” tab and look at the other posts!

Today I am excited to share an excerpt of Star Rising with you, a novel by the lovely Janet Ferguson! This book is a GREAT read – but I highly recommend reading the first books in the series before reading this one. They are too good to miss 🙂

ABOUT THE BOOK

Star Rising: A Coastal Hearts Novel by [Janet W. Ferguson]

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 own hearts are at the greatest risk.

Amazon

EXCERPT FROM STAR RISING

Thunder rumbled closer, rattling the windows. Star chewed her lip, deliberating what to say.

“Paul, I’m not claiming to have been perfect in the past, but I’m a new person now.”

Sighing, Paul’s forehead dropped to touch hers. His hands rubbed up and down her arms. “I’ll wait as long as you need.”

Her heart both expanded and broke. Did he get that she meant until marriage? Maybe they could talk about that back home. “So, see you at breakfast?” She nuzzled his nose with hers.

“Breakfast, but I’m not going to St. Patrick’s or Christ’s Church.”

Star pulled back to study him. “Why not?”

His expression soured. “I have no desire to pay tribute to a phony belief system that’s robbed millions of people for two thousand years.”

“Paul, that’s not what the church is or was ever intended to be, and you know it. Sure, there’ve been some bad people who claimed they were Christians, and there always will be, but the true church is the Body of Christ, the people who bow their knee and offer everything to a loving, risen Lord.”

His hands dropped to his sides, a damp chill taking their place. “I don’t find anything loving about the God who demolished my dreams and killed my father.”

She pictured the spinning clay at the potter’s wheel. When two people believe different things, the weight will be off. It makes a mess.

She and Paul were too different. If they continued on like this, one or the other of them would bend on what they believed.

And she refused to let it be her. As much as it tore her to pieces, she couldn’t let this relationship go any farther.

Determination rose up within her. She’d come too far in the past year, and she wouldn’t give up her faith or her heavenly Father.

“I can’t do this.” She backed two steps away from him.

“What?” His mouth gaped. Lightning flashed and reflected in his eyes.

“You and me.” Tears burned behind her eyes.

“I don’t understand.” Disbelief creased Paul’s forehead. “You love Mom, she loves you. I’m crazy about you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone.” He reached out and caressed her cheek. “I…I’m falling in love with you. I’ll take care of you. We’ll take care of each other.”

Star’s tears dripped and cascaded to the ground, matching the storm raging around them. “We don’t believe the same things. A plane won’t fly with two pilots trying to go separate places.”

“You mean the stuff I said about God? The church?” He scoffed. “You’d let your Christianity stand between us?”

“I’m falling in love with you, too, Paul. Like as-deep-and-wide-as-that-ocean-we-crossed in love with you. And I adore your mom. There’s nothing more I’d want than to be part of your family.” Her voice broke, and she took his hand. “But I can’t. Because I think you still believe in God. You’re just furious with Him that life didn’t go the way you wanted it. Now you hate Him.” She shook her head. “And that’s why I can’t do this. Because as much as I want to be with you, I love Jesus more.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Janet W. Ferguson

Janet W. Ferguson is a Grace Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She grew up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served as a children’s minister and a church youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. She writes humorous inspirational fiction for people with real lives and real problems. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space.

Connect with Janet:

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/janet-w-ferguson

https://www.facebook.com/Janet.Ferguson.author

http://www.janetfergusonauthor.com/

https://www.pinterest.com/janetwferguson/

https://twitter.com/JanetwFerguson

GIVEAWAY

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Star Rising has a great message about Jesus accepting people for who they are. What kind of messages do you like to see in the fiction stories you read? Don’t forget to stop back every day this month for more great reads, and if you’ve missed any days, go back and check them out!

4 responses to “Spring Into Reading with Star Rising

  1. Janet A Ferguson

    Thank you so much for featuring Star Rising!! I hope your readers enjoy!
    Hugs,
    Janet