Last week before I left for Montgomery Bell State Park, I had the opportunity to read Janet W. Ferguson’s novel, Leaving Oxford. I’d been anxious to read it since our time together in Jackson, Mississippi when four of us brainstormed our next books.
What a treat it was! Set near my old stomping grounds of Oxford, Mississippi and much of it set at Ole Miss (University of Mississippi), I enjoyed recognizing many of the places Janet mentioned.
And now more about the book:
Leaving Oxford:
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.
Praise for Leaving Oxford
“Southern humor and charm shine through in Leaving Oxford, with characters you’ll feel like you’ve always known and a theme eternally relevant.” – Misty M. Beller, Christian historical romance author.
My take on Leaving Oxford:
Janet W. Ferguson drew me into Leaving Oxford on the first page when Sarah Beth mistook the swoon-worthy Coach Jess McCoy for a student. Then she got all flustered and said all the wrong things. And from that point on, I was rooting for both of them. I loved watching their relationship develop.
I also liked the way Janet Ferguson explored the panic attacks that Sarah Beth experiences, and the realistic picture of how the attacks affected her and the frustration she went through by not being able to stop them. Jess wanted to help her, but it’s hard to help someone who doesn’t trust you. And Jess has his own problems with an alum who wants to “help” the football program by offering a recruit an incentive to sign with Ole Miss. I loved the way Jess wouldn’t compromise his standards. The author did a great job with all the characters – these are people you would love to have as your friends.
This is the fourth book in the Southern Hearts Series and I’m on my way to pick up the other three! If you enjoy contemporary stories with three-dimensional characters, you will love this story.
In Leaving Oxford, Sarah Beth deals with panic attacks. She has been reluctant to take medicine, believing if she has enough faith, she can conquer the problem. What are your thoughts on this? I’ll give you my thoughts before next Friday in the comments. Leave your comment and I will enter you in a drawing for a book from my library.
[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]Escaping home to Oxford, Mississippi, seemed like a good idea. Until it wasn’t. See how Sarah Beth LeClair deals with panic attacks.[/tweet_box]
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Comments 61
I used to think faith and a little toughening up could cure panic attacks until I had one. Goodness gracious, you feel like you have no control over your body. I can understand why some people think they’re having a heart attack. If a person of faith has an ongoing anxiety/panic attack problem, I totally understand why he or she would ask for pharmacological help.
Author
Priscilla, you are so right. I wish everyone could walk in others’ shoes for just a minute or two and experience what the other person feels. I think it would bring understanding.
Hi Priscilla! That’s a lot of what this book explores. Sometimes the thorn in our flesh prayers aren’t answered the way we hope they’d be, but God is still with us!
Blessings
I agree with her. Really hate taking medicine.
Author
Ellen, I hate taking meds too, but sometimes medicine is what it takes to overcome a problem, whether it’s one you can see or one that’s inside us. Thanks for stopping by my blog
Hi Ellen, It’s hard to deal with the stigma of issues with the mind. We feel like we should just get over it, when sometimes that just doesn’t happen. Hugs!
I’ve had an anxiety problem with physical manifestations all my life. At one time I was unable to even get out of the house for many years. Only medication helped because it wasn’t linked to any particular stresses in my life. I had prayed and been prayed for and grown in my faith walk but just couldn’t overcome the problem. God CAN heal everything but some people still suffer with illness. In situations where healing doesn’t come I feel that getting medical help is o.k. Most Christians don’t criticize a diabetic for taking insulin but some will criticize a Christian for using meds for anxiety or depression.
Author
Christine, I so agree with you. God gave man the ability to develop medicine to help us, so we should avail ourselves of it!
Oh Christine! I’m so sorry! I’ve also struggled with anxiety which is why I wrote this novel. Everything you said is so true. Hugs and prayers and blessings sent your way!
Oh, I loved this book! And I am “collecting” the others in this series..anxious to read them!
I suffered mild panic attacks yrs. ago after being mugged at work….I feel blessed that I got over them in a “not long” time.
Author
Oh, my, Jackie! That would certainly cause me panic attacks! Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
Hey Jackie! So thank you you got over your issue! I’m thrilled you have enjoyed my books!! That makes me smile! Hope you have a great weekend!
Patricia, may I add….this is the FIRST book in that series! I am anxious to know when her book The Art of Rivers (in her Coastal Hearts series) is coming out…..any info??
Author
I know Janet has told me, but right now I can’t recall. I’ve emailed her and maybe she’ll drop by.
Jackie, I am still working on Art of Rivers! I need to get to work! Hope to finish this fall. I’ve had a lot of life interruptions. Thank you for asking 🙂
Blessings,
Janet
A good Christian therapist can definitely help with anxiety and panic attacks, but there does come a time when medication can be helpful. I think prayer, therapy +/- medication can all work together to bring stability and coping mechanisms that are needed to battle panic/anxiety.
Author
Mindy, I so agree. Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, all of these working together are important. I would never discount prayer or therapy to learn coping mechanisms. Thanks for chiming in!
Blessings
All three of my children have anxiety and panic attacks for 3 very different reasons. (Long stories…for another time) I was never a believer in medication for emotional issues because I felt it just covered up and didn’t actually deal with the underlying problem, and I still feel that way to a certain extent. But seeing how my adult children struggle has made me understand that medication can be helpful in controlling panic attacks and other issues for short periods of time while dealing with root causes. I still do not believe it is a good long-term solution, and faith goes a long way through all of it!
Author
What good insight, Linda. When I was a child, I had mild panic attacks when I heard anything that sounded like a tornado because a kid next door always teased me everytime a jet rumbled or it thundered–he kept telling me a tornado was coming and it was going to blow me away. Thanks for stopping by.
Linda, I’m sorry your children have dealt with the issue. It’s so hard. Working on the root issue is important, and medicine isn’t necessary for everyone, but it sure helps some of us at times when we can’t get that Pandora’s Box shut. Prayers for them!
Blessings
Our book club, Yarn Spinners, read and discussed this book earlier this year. AND, we had the great privilege of being joined by Janet and one of her friends. Janet is so gracious, so modest and has a wonderful sense of humor; and as with other authors who have joined us, I believe it is fun for the participants because we can ask the author questions about the characters and plot; the author also gets to receive feedback from people who have actually read the book! (We’ve also had the blessings of sharing books/discussions with Pat.) As far as medicines, anxiety issues, and Christians, I think that first we need to know ourselves and what might help us. And, we need to realize that something which helped another situation may not be the best answer for something new. If we ask God for wisdom first, then are willing to listen to and wait for the anwer, He will be faithful to help us have the courage to take the necessary path.
Author
Jan, what excellent advice you’ve given! And I know Janet had a great time when she came to your book club. I know I always do! Look forward to seeing you in October…
So true, Jan! And I had such a lovely time with your club! Of course, eating catfish with you was a blast, too! Hugs!
Having adopted a daughter with many issues, I’ve come to understand panic attacks better. Our daughter functions quite well on medication but not without any medication. So, I’m an advocate of medicine when needed as well as counseling.
Hi Suzanne! I love people who adopt! Praying for your daughter, and I’m glad she found something that helps.
Hugs
I have known people who have or had panic attacks but I honestly confess that I don’t understand them. Consequently, my inclination was they need to deal with it and get on with life. I don’t feel that way now but I lean towards a combination of faith, medicine, and counseling. This book sounds like one I would enjoy.
Author
I think you would really enjoy it, Edward. It will (regretfully) be among the books the June winner can claim!
Then tell that random. org I want this book. LOL!
Author
;-D
Edward, I used to feel the same way until I had my first panic attack. I was asking myself what just happened. It’s awful. It’s really hard to understand these things until it happens to your or someone you’re close to. I agree with you on the combination! I hope you enjoy the story 🙂
Blessings
There are so many different illnesses, issues, etc., that I think God uses doctors and medicines to help us be healed.
I really enjoyed reading your review of this book, and have added it to my own TBR.
Author
Totally agree, Rosalyn! Thanks for stopping by and I’m glad you enjoyed the review. Leaving Oxford is a great book!
Thank you so much. I hope you like the story. Blessings, Janet
I think it’s ok to take meds if we need them. But we need to be very careful we don’t be come dependent on them. We should be under a good doctors care who can help us monitor them. The key is a good doctor!!! This book looks really good and I would love to read it!
Author
I so agree, Faith!Thanks so much for stopping by!
Faith, I think I answered your comment in the wrong place. Read on down the row, ha!
I hate having to take medicine too! Book sounds great especially since I am very familiar with Oxford,MS . I live in Mississippi.
Author
Waving, Shelia! Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Shelia! Yay for another Mississippi girl! Blessings, Janet
Faith, Great point! We have to be very careful. Thank you! Hope you enjoy the novel!
Blessings
I’ve been there and found medication made me feel worse, so I learned to deal with it through praying and avoiding things that triggered them.
Author
Hi Lucy! I have ADHD and doctors prescribed medicine for me that made me feel terrible. The only one that made me feel normal was Ritalin and it sent my blood pressure sky high. So I know what you mean. Thanks for stopping by. BTW, writing has helped me channel my bouncing mind into my stories!
Hi Lucy! I’m so happy you found the answer that helped you. Sorry you went through it. Hugs and blessings sent your way.
I have white coat syndrome and no matter how much I pray, do relaxation breathing or even take extra BP meds that I take for situational hypertension or other meds, I still get anxious and my BP is always up. My doctor said that I probably just can’t help it. I am looking forward to reading Leaving Oxford. We visited Oxford when our son was considering law school at Ole Miss. Lovely school and town. Love the restaurants!
Author
Ole Miss is a beautiful campus, Gloria. Which law school did he choose? And the restaurants are great! Thanks for stopping by.
He was accepted into Florida State and since he wanted to practice law in Florida, it made sense to go to school here. He had already put a deposit at Ole Miss when he got a call from FSU but that’s how it goes sometimes.
Author
That’s great, Gloria! I know you’re proud of him
Gloria, So sorry you are going through that! Sometimes nothing works like it’s supposed to calm that adrenaline. Oxford is a lovely place. I enjoyed college there and my daughter did, as well.
My family has many who suffer from depression so I believe in the balanced approach of meds, counseling, and prayer. I read Leaving Oxford after I saw a review of it in a blog. I really enjoyed it. Of course, I had to get the other 3 in the series. Liked them, too. Can’t wait for the new one Janet is writing.
Author
I know, Sue! Going up South is at the top of my TBR table! Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Sue, The balanced approach is best. Prayers for you family with depression. That’s tough. I’m glad that you enjoyed Leaving Oxford and the others. I need to get to work on finishing the next one, I know!
Blessings
I’ve had one panic attack in my life. I cannot imagine having to go through life that way. If I did have them all the time, I would take the medicine if they helped.
Author
So would I, Janet. So would I. Thanks for stopping by!
Janet, They are bad! Sorry you had even one! Blessings, Janet (BTW: I like your name!)
Sometimes God miraculously heals us and sometimes He uses medication and Dr’s to help us. I think it’s guilt we try to put on ourselves saying we don’t have enough faith and that’s why we suffer. I don’t believe that’s what the Lord wants for us!
I’ve not read anything by Janet yet and I’ve heard great things about her writing 🙂
Hey Trixi! I agree with you so much! I hope you like my story!
Blessings,
Janet
Patricia, I’m so honored for you to read my story!!! Thank you! I’m happy we were able to get together and plan more stories that point others toward the Lord! Blessings and hugs, Janet
Pat, I love this book! I’ve never had a panic attack. I would have to seek the Lord regarding medication.
Author
I think praying about what course of action to take is the best practice, Caryl. I’ve had a couple of them and they are not pleasant! Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Caryl! I’m so happy you enjoyed my story! Glad you’ve never had a panic attack. Seeking the Lord is always the best plan! Hugs, Janet