First, I’d like to announce the winner of The Finder of Forgotten Things by Sarah Thomas for last week’s drawing. Drumroll……….,and the winner is Alyssa Schwarz. Congratulations! To discover what I’m giving away this week, keep reading.
My friend, award-winning author, Janet W. Ferguson just released her new book, Healing Skye. The setting for this novel is one of my favorite places in the world, Dauphin Island, AL. (D.I.) I love D.I. so much, that last year, my sister and I bought a beach house there together. To me, it’s the perfect place to spend time with family. It’s a tiny place with only ten restaurants (that’s including the gas station that sells fried chicken). It sort of has a Mayberry vibe but it also has a Sea Lab, historical Fort Gaines, and the Audubon Bird Sanctuary.
The main character in Janet’s novel is Skye, a marine biologist, researching manatees at the D.I. Sea Lab. I love Janet’s novels because her characters have depth. There are no cardboard characters in her books. There’s also a sweet romance and she also includes an element of faith.
Grab a cup of your favorite hot drink, (I’m savoring a hot cup of wassail as I write), and enjoy my chat with Janet.
Perhaps, let’s start with telling readers how many books you’ve written?
Healing Skye is my tenth book! I still can’t believe I finished one, ha!
Wow! That’s a lot of books. I’ve missed some so I’m going to have to check out your website. You know I love Dauphin Island, AL. Why did you choose the island for the setting of this story?
I love the beach in general, but my good friend’s daughter did an internship at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. When she told me about her research and the manatee migration patterns, I became intrigued.
That sounds so interesting. I’ve not seen manatees on D.I., but I’m going to be watching for them.
If Healing Skye turns into a movie, what actor would you like to play Sky and who would play Pete.
In my mind, Pete looks like the actor Lucas Bryant, only with a shadow of a beard. Maybe Kate Hudson for Skye?
Thanks for sharing that. Now, I’ll picture these two while I read the book. What came first for you, the plot or the characters?
Really, the heroine and the location came first. I pictured her as a marine biologist who loved animals but didn’t trust people because she’d been hurt in the past.
Sometimes, stories come easily, and sometimes, it’s like trudging through muck. Was this a difficult book to write?
Wow! I had so much research on the science part and the fishing charter information. It was fun, though. The other hard part was delving into Skye’s background of being abused. I did not enjoy going there, at all.
I understand how hard it can be to write about such a difficult topic. Readers may not realize how emotionally attached authors become to their characters. They are so real to us. What are some things you did to research this book?
Manatees, sea life, fishing were just a few. I actually swam with manatees in Florida as part of my research! They are so gentle and huge.
I would love to swim with manatees. I bet my grandchildren would too. What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing Healing Skye?
I found that for a small island in Alabama, there is a lot of information to be gleaned on Dauphin Island. Bird watchers come there to catch the flocks that are migrating. People fish. The scientists do research. They have a huge fishing rodeo in July.
My house is only about a five-minute walk to the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. It’s 138 acres of walking trails. There’s always something to see: herons, a variety of songbirds, even bald eagles and alligators. When we last visited in October, we saw many birdwatchers, but back to Healing Skye. What do you want your readers to take away from the story?
No matter what you’ve been through or will go through, God is still there with you, and He cares for you. He can heal your heart.
I don’t want to spoil the story for the reader, but is there something you edited out of the book that you can share?
LOL, I had a lot of edits, but I can’t remember anything good to share from them!
Where can readers find out more about your and your books?
My website https://www.janetfergusonauthor.com/ is the easiest place to find me.
Or https://www.bookbub.com/profile/janet-w-ferguson
https://www.facebook.com/Janet.Ferguson.author
What is your all-time favorite book?
So hard!! I really loved the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers, but I also love a lot of Lisa Wingate’s novels. Oh, Kara Isaac is so good too!
Can you share some comparable authors to your writing style?
Another hard one! I’ll tell you who I wish I wrote like maybe? Contemporary Christian authors like Karen Kingsbury, Kara Isaac, or Nicole Deese, to name just a few. I want to write contemporary Christian romance stories with realistic issues that make readers think about their faith, smile or laugh, and maybe shed a tear. Stories that honor God.
Thanks so much for stopping by to visit with us. Reader friends, for a chance to win a free Kindle copy of Star Rising, the story of Skye’s sister which preceded this one, and a T-shirt from Dauphin Island, make a comment. I’ll be visiting after Christmas so I can be sure to get your correct size. If the Sea Lab is open, I’ll stop by their gift shop and purchase a manatee T-shirt for you. I’ll announce the winner on December 27, 2021. I can’t wait to read Healing Sky while I’m visiting D.I.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
Warm regards,
Shelia
People can’t be trusted, but she’s forced to take a chance.
Animals always made more sense than humans did to marine biologist Skye Youngblood. After her mother’s suicide, she left Alabama and never looked back. These days, she pours her heart into protecting nature’s sea creatures. When she returns to Dauphin Island, Alabama, for a temporary manatee migration study, her dark past is much too close. She can’t let her guard down. But how can she keep her heart hidden when a kind man with a genuine smile makes her want a fresh start?
Charter fishing pays the bills for widower Pete Thompson and his little girl, but like his father, a pastor, Pete can’t help but fish for men. Only, after growing up under constant scrutiny as a preacher’s kid, Pete’s ways are a bit more unconventional. And the bulk of his life revolves around raising his precious daughter.
When he witnesses the car wreck of a new marine biologist on the island, it doesn’t take a genius to see that more than just her physical pain needs tending. Pete feels called to help Skye find true healing, but he’s navigating dangerous waters. And he’s not at all sure he’ll walk away unscathed.
Thank you so much for inviting me!! We both share a love for good books and Dauphin Island and so much more!
Book sounds like it will be good! I haven’t read any of her books but will be looking forward to reading it. I have a great love for birds and feed them everyday! I never been to Florida but sounds beautiful.
Thank you so much, Janice! I hope you enjoy! This book stands alone, so you don’t have to read any others.
Blessings,
Hi Janice,
I think it will be wonderful. I have a birdfeeder too and love seeing the cardinals, and finches.
Thanks for stopping by today.
Merry Christmas!
Shelia
Dauphin Island sounds like paradise. I enjoy watching manatees here off the gulf coast of Florida. They are beautiful, gentle creatures.
It truly is like heaven on earth. Thanks for stopping by.
Good luck in the drawing and Merry Christmas!
Shelia
That sounds amazing, Karen! They are so gentle. I hope you enjoy the story.
Blessings,
Janet
Hi Karen,
Congratulations! You are this week’s winner. Send an email to shelia@sheliastovall.com with your address the T-shirt size you want.
Also, I’ll ask Janet to send you the free Kindle version of Star Rising.
Thank you for being a subscriber to my blog/newsletter.
Warm regards,
Shelia
Hi Karen,
I’ve not heard from you. Please send an email to shelia@sheliastovall.com to claim your prize.
What a lovely post. I can picture your special town completely. I too love the ocean and old fashioned, quiet beach towns which are a wonderful place to enjoy life and this soothes my soul. I am so glad that they still exist and we can spend precious time there. It is meaningful and calming. Another era, world and place. Authentic and realistic issues in novels are unforgettable and I can relate to them since life is filled with drama and many difficulties and adversities.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas filled with joy.
Soothes my soul too, Anne. I hope you enjoy Healing Skye!
Merry Christmas
Thanks for stopping by.
Merry Christmas!
Shelia
I enjoyed this interview. I already have a kindle copy of Star Rising. Have a blessed week.
Hi Jan,
Lucky you! Thanks for stopping by.
Merry Christmas!
Shelia
Thank you for reading it, Jan! I hope you enjoy Healing Skye 🙂
This book sounds so good! I’ve always been fascinated by marine life, so the idea of this book really appeals to me. Thank you both very much for the chance to win, and Merry Christmas to you both!
Thanks, Megan! It was so interesting to research! I hope you like it!
Hi Megan,
I think it will be a wonderful book. You are very welcome for the chance to win. Good luck!
Merry Christmas!
Shelia
The book sounds good and I love the cover. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both.
Thank you so much, Jan! I love your name 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Janet
Hi Jan,
Thank you! I hope you get to spend the holiday with those you love best.
Merry Christmas!
Shelia
I enjoyed the interview. The book sounds good! I too like stories about realistic issues that make me think about my faith and shed a few tears. I’ve not read any of Janet’s books yet, so I’d love to win a copy of this one. Merry Christmas to you both!
Hi Deena,
Janet’s books always touch my heart. Good luck in the drawing.
Merry Christmas!
Shelia
The book sounds very interesting.
Hi Julie,
Thanks for stopping by. I think you will fall in love with Dauphin Island if you read the book.
Merry Christmas!
Shelia
I have read several of Janet’s books and enjoyed them. This sounds like a great addition to my stash!
Hi Paula,
I’m sure it thrills Janet to know you are a fan.
Merry Chrismtas!
Shelia
I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks.
Hi Bobbie,
Thanks for stopping by. I’m going to be reading your book during Christmas break.
Merry Christmas!
Shelia
Thank you introducing me to Janet Ferguson. I have not read any of her books. But I will have to start now. I love Christian fiction and I’m always on the lookout for new authors.
Hi Marsha,
I think you will enjoy her books.
Merry Christmas!
Shelia
I love this series ❤️
Merry Christmas!
Hi Natalya,
Thanks for stopping by. I’m sure it will make Janet happy to see your comment.
Merry Christmas!
Shelia