MY REVIEW:

As a lifelong Southerner, I am particularly fond of novels with a southern setting so I have loved reading all of Janet Ferguson’s novels. After watching the news on TV for hours during and after the devastation of hurricane Katrina, it was easy for me to understand Maggie’s fear of another storm. Although there were times when her character’s fear seemed to be a bit overboard, I had to admire the way she pushed past that fear to respond to her family’s need for help in a difficult situation.

Ferguson’s colorful yet realistic characters felt like old friends.  Fun and touching scenes with Josh’s little son J.D. added a special note to the story. I enjoyed reading about the struggles of Josh, Maggie,  and her family as they faced difficult challenges together. It was encouraging to see how their faith grew even as they walked through dark and scary situations.

“Magnolia Storms” is a great book and I can’t wait to see what Janet Ferguson has in store for her readers next.

I was the winner of a copy of this novel on the Life Fully Booked blog. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Maggie Marovich couldn’t save her father or her home from Hurricane Katrina, but she’s dedicated her life to meteorology so she can warn others when the monster storms approach. Except…she works three hours inland and rarely risks returning to her childhood hometown of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Both her single-parent sister and the ship pilot Maggie once loved refused to leave the Coast, despite Maggie’s requests. Now a hurricane’s headed toward Mississippi, and Maggie’s sister is seriously injured, leaving Maggie little choice but to head south—into the storm.

The water and tides flow through Josh Bergeron’s veins, and he can’t imagine giving up piloting—even for the love of his life, the infuriating Magnolia Marovich. He tried to move on without her, marrying and having a child. But after his wife abandons him and his little boy, his career choice is threatened by the weight of his parental responsibilities. Moving next door to Maggie’s sister and sharing their child care seems like the perfect set-up. Until Maggie blows back into town.

Being forced to lean on Josh for help washes up the wreckage in Maggie’s faith. Where was God during the destruction of Katrina? Why do some prayers seem to go unanswered? Between the hurricane looming in the Gulf and another gale raging in her heart, can Maggie overcome her past and find the trust to truly live?

*Magnolia Storms is a SARA’s Emma Merritt Contest finalist and First Impressions Contest finalist!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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.