Inspy Romance

Inspy Romance—Fall in Love With a Good Book

Book Recommendation – Star Rising by Janet W. Ferguson

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Narelle here. Today I’m sharing with you my book recommendation for Star Rising (A Coastal Hearts Novel) by Inspy Romance author Janet W. Ferguson. In Australia our international border remains closed. The next best way to travel, imho, is via a great CCR book. Join me in journeying with Star and Paul on a fabulous tour of Ireland!

Book Description:

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.

Narelle’s Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading Star Rising and touring Ireland with the characters. Star is a survivor who has overcome the odds to get her life together. She’s a new Christian and believes her sobriety is anchored in her faith. Priscilla has been a lifeline for Star and has provided her with a much needed job. Star appreciates Priscilla and the people at the Re-Claimed ministry in St. Simons, Georgia, USA, who have helped her reclaim her life.

Priscilla’s son, Paul, is a corporate pilot based in Europe who works hard and plays hard. He kissed goodbye his faith and his youthful missionary dreams in Africa after being burned by hypocritical Christians. Paul lives for himself, hates his self absorbed and arrogant boss, and is saving money in order to return to the States and take care of his elderly mother.

Priscilla has health issues and has always dreamed of traveling to Ireland. With time against her, she makes a last minute booking to join a tour group in Ireland with Star as her companion and carer. Star and Paul do not get along at all when they first meet. I can understand why Star doesn’t have a high opinion of Paul and, like Star, it took me awhile to warm to his character. The journey to Ireland is hilarious because everything goes wrong. It’s those moments of stress where the polite social masks are removed that reveal a person’s true character.

Star and Priscilla are praying for Paul and his unbelief. The story has a strong faith element that is seamlessly woven in because the characters each have their own struggles in their faith journeys. Star and Paul are drawn to each other, a strong attraction simmers, and a holiday romance unfolds despite Star, in particular, having a list of reasons for why a long term relationship is an impossible dream.

Life is messy and the temptation to choose worldly pleasure over God’s best is not sugar-coated or downplayed in the story. I couldn’t put the book down because I had to know what happens next. I wanted to ride the rollercoaster of emotions with Star and Paul and discover how they’d achieve their happily-ever-after. Highly recommended for readers who are looking for a story that deals with heavier topics in a realistic manner with lighthearted moments.

Questions for you: Have you read Star Rising? Have you visited Ireland? Do you enjoy travelling abroad and exploring foreign settings via a good book? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Narelle Atkins (199 Posts)

A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.


Comments

  1. Yes I have read and enjoyed Star Rising!! In fact the whole series was incredible. No, I have never been to Ireland.
    Armchair travel is definitely the way to go these days!! Lol

  3. I haven’t read Star Rising but have it on my wish list. I have never been out of the country. Thank you for sharing. Blessings

  4. Thank you so much, Margaret!! It was fun research, and such a blessing that we were able to go.

  6. Narelle!! I’m so honored that you read and enjoyed my novel!!! Thank you so much!! Maybe some day I can visit where you live!
    Hugs,
    Janet

  8. I haven’t read this book, but it sounds good! I’d love to go Ireland! I’ve never been out of the US, though I’d like to go to Scotland, too!

  10. I haven’t read this one, but its on my want to read list. I love traveling via books. Its so fun, and economical :) .

  11. Have you read Star Rising? Not yet…but I love Janet’s stories!!!
    Have you visited Ireland? No
    Do you enjoy travelling abroad and exploring foreign settings via a good book? Yes, and in person too :)
    Can’t wait to read it!!!

  15. What a Great sounding book and the book cover is beautiful. I have not read this book yet. I have never visited Ireland but it is one of the places along with Scotland that I would love to actually visit. Yes, traveling via books is always so very nice to do, and I also like to travel in person. Have a great weekend and stay safe.

  17. I would love to go to Ireland, but it’s not going to happen, so back to books I go. I will travel the world through authors.

  21. I haven’t read the book and I haven’t been to Ireland. I love books set in other countries.

  22. I have not read Star Rising or visited Ireland! One thing I can do to remedy that is to read the book, but unfortunately, I can’t afford to visit Ireland (lol). Would love to be able to though :-)

    I do quite a lot of armchair traveling through the pages of a book. Whether it be all over America or the few stories I’ve read that take place in other countries. I so enjoy “visiting” & feeling like I’m playing tourist. I especially love when the author includes setting descriptions because I can envision it better in my mind. Like painting a picture for me to see.

    I also like characters who feel real to me, with the same kind of struggles I have. It helps me to bond with them & care for them which in turn makes a deep connection. If an author can do that, I’ll be a reader for life! :-)

  26. Hi Trudy, I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Star Rising and visit Scotland! I’d love to visit Scotland and learn more about my Scottish heritage. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  31. Hi Sandra, I’m content to read my way around the world. One day I’ll have an opportunity to travel to the places on my overseas wish list. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  33. Hi Trixi, In Star Rising the reader is playing tourist with the characters – which is so much fun! The setting is gorgeous and the characters are engaging. I hope you’ll have a chance to read it soon! Thanks for commenting. 😊

  34. I don’t have much interest in traveling internationally myself but I love to travel through books. I feel like I’ve been able to experience different places along with the characters.

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