Review: "Star Rising" by Janet W. Ferguson

Ever since COVID-19 overtook our collective consciousness, I've struggled to read. I just couldn't focus. But one day last week I decided to give Star Rising a try ... and I kept reading it until I'd finished it!

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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.

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When I picked up Star Rising, I was thrilled to discover that Star Youngblood, one of my favorite supporting characters from Ferguson's The Art of Rivers, would be the main character of Star Rising. (Yes, I probably should've gathered that from the title, but I didn't...)

I absolutely loved Star—her new faith, her determination to do the right thing (even when it's difficult), her compassionate heart. It took longer to warm up to Paul, with good reason. But as the story progressed, I came to pull for his happiness, too.

One thing I really appreciate about Janet W. Ferguson's novels is that her characters are real. By that I mean that they struggle with real life issues, both before and after conversion. It lends an authenticity to the stories that I enjoy.

It seems like I enjoy each Ferguson novel I read more than the last, and that's certainly true here. Star Rising is an excellent novel that I highly recommend! 5 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of The Art of Rivers (4-1/2 stars), Leaving Oxford (4 stars), Going Up South (4-1/2 stars), and Tackling the Fields (4 stars).

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Janet W. Ferguson grew up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served her church as a children’s minister and a youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a few cats that allow them to share the space.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from JustRead Publicity Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."