Janet W. Ferguson 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 few cats that allow them to share the space.
Welcome to the blog, Janet. I’m so glad you could join us today!
Can you tell us about one of your favorite characters you’ve written so far?
My favorite character I’ve written is a secondary character named Big Roy Bosarge. He’s the father of two of my heroines. He’s country smart and uses hilarious Southern sayings, and he’s good—the way a daddy should be. He offers wisdom when needed. He trusts, encourages, mentors, and he’s giving. I liked the portrait of a loving father he offers.
What are you writing/working on right now?
I’m writing a new story about a river bar pilot named Josh and a meteorologist named Maggie who grew up together and dated in high school until a disaster struck. It’s set in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The meteorologist left the Gulf Coast after her father who was also a river bar pilot died in Katrina. Maggie couldn’t go through the grief of losing someone else she loved to the Gulf. She has to come back to the coast because her sister is injured. A big surprise is the fact that Josh has moved in next door to her sister. And her sister had been babysitting his little boy.
I saw on your website that you’re a part of a book club. How fun! What was the last book you all read and what will you remember most about it?
Yes! I’ve been in a book club at over a decade now. We only read Christian fiction. At this writing, our most recent book was The Lady and the Lion Heart by Joanne Bischof. I loved that story. It’s a beautifully written character driven story that gives us a picture of Christs love for us. I definitely recommend it!
Oh, I LOVED that story. I definitely recommend it too. 😉
Can you share a piece of writing advice that has helped you?
Oh so many!! Here’s 3. Show don’t tell. Start your story with a bang! Writing with deep POV. I’ve read Jill Elizabeth Nelson’s little book called Rivet Your Readers with Deep POV many times.
What is one of your favorite Scripture verses?
Another hard question. Each book in my Southern Hearts Series is based on Isaiah 61.
Leaving Oxford~ Beauty for Ashes
Going Up South~ He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted
Tackling the Fields~ To proclaim freedom for the captives
Blown Together~ They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord
Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
I’d love to give an Ebook of Leaving Oxford to someone who comments!
Here’s a little more about the story.
Leaving Oxford: Christian Fiction~Faith, Humor, Romance, Southern Style
Escaping home to Oxford, Mississippi, seemed like a good idea. Until it wasn’t.
A year after a tragic accident in Los Angeles flipped her world upside down, advertising guru Sarah Beth LeClair is still hiding away in her charming hometown of Oxford, Mississippi. And she may well be stuck there forever. Suffering from panic attacks, she prays for healing. Instead, her answer comes in the form of an arrogant football coach and an ugly puppy.
Former celebrity college quarterback Jess McCoy dreamed of playing pro football. One freak hit destroyed his chances. Although he enjoys his work as the university’s offensive coordinator, his aspirations have shifted to coaching at the highest level. His plans of moving up are finally coming together—until he falls for a woman who won’t leave town.
As the deadline for Jess’s decision on his dream career looms, the bars around Sarah Beth’s heart only grow stronger. But it’s time to make a decision about leaving Oxford.
https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Oxford-Southern-Hearts-Book-ebook/dp/B01DJJKRJM/
Connect with me:
http://www.janetfergusonauthor.com/under-the-southern-sun
https://www.facebook.com/Janet.Ferguson.author/
https://www.instagram.com/janetwferguson/
https://twitter.com/JanetwFerguson
Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Janet. I look forward to following your stories from here. 🙂
GIVEAWAY!!
Janet has graciously offered to give away an Ebook copy of Leaving Oxford to one lucky reader. Enter below and it could be YOU! 
Thanks for entering! Contest ends May 30, 2017. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
I host a Christian Book Group with my church. Our most recent book was The Story Jar by Robin Lee Hatcher and Deborah Bedford. Next up Talon by Ronie Kendig.
Hi Joan! That sounds like a book I need to read! And I’m dying to read one by Ronie! I hear they’re great!
So glad you could join us, Joan. Those books are all new-to-me. I’ll have to look them up! 🙂
Thank you so much for having me here today, Savanna! You have a lovely blog!! I’m super-excited to be your guest!!
Thank you, Janet. I’m so happy to talk stories with you! Blessings on you and your writing. 🙂
I have joined some online book clubs but don’t have one in my area. I would highly recommend “Dear Mr Knightly” by Katherine Reay. Any of her books would be great.
I have that one on my kindle. Need to read it asap! 😉 Thanks for visiting, Arletta.
Hi Arletta! That is on my list! I’ve head great things about this book!
Sounds like a winner to me! Have a great day!
Sweet, Melanie! Thank you! I hope you like them!
Blessings
Thanks for stopping by, Melanie. Good luck in the drawing!
what a sweet interview. i look forward to reading some of Janet’s books. I usually read inspirational historical western or Amish or pre civil war era. I am trying to expand to modern times.
Hi Lori! We all have our favs! I hope you enjoy the series if you give it a shot 🙂
Blessings!
I’m glad you enjoyed our interview, Lori. I hope you’ll give Janet’s books a try. It’s fun to step out and try new genres from time to time. You might just discover a new favorite. 😉
No, I don’t belong to a book club. I would recommend The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron.
Thank you for the wonderful interview with Janet.
Hi Caryl! So appreciate you stopping in. Yes, you know I love that book by Kristy too. It comes highly recommended. 😉
Hi Caryl! Great to see you here! Thanks for the kind words! I really want to read that one!! Waiting on my Kindle. I just got back from Chicago and had hoped to read on the plane, but didn’t get a chance.
I’m not officially in a book club. I’ve attended a couple of their meetings to see author friends. And enjoyed it. I may start going regularly. They start back in the Fall. It’s a very large group.
Hi Nancy! I’m not a member of one either, but I love any opportunity to meet up with author friends. Hope you get to participate this fall. 😉
Hi Nancy! I stepped away a few days for vacation. Thanks for commenting. My book club has about 12 faithful attenders which makes a nice number. It started with just 4 ladies.