Friday, December 19, 2008

CFBA - Where Do I Go?

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Where Do I Go?
by Neta Jackson - Thomas Nelson (December 9, 2008)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books. In addition to writing several books about Christian community, the Jacksons have coauthored numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.

Dave and Neta live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years they were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. They are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.

They're trying something new! Not just new for them, but something completely new in Christian fiction: “Parallel novels,” two stories taking place in the same time frame, same neighborhood, involving some of the same characters living through their own dramas and crises but interacting with and affecting one another … just the way it happens in real life.

It’s something that only a husband and wife writing team could pull off. While Neta has Where Do I Go?, her husband Dave has written Harry Bentley's Second Chance.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A story of seeking-and finding-God's will in unlikely places.

Gabrielle Fairbanks has nearly lost touch with the carefree, spirited young woman she was when she married her husband fifteen years ago. But when the couple moves to Chicago to accommodate Philip's business ambitions, Gabby finds the chance to make herself useful. It's there she meets the women of Manna House Women's Shelter; they need a Program Director-and she has a degree in social work. She's in her element, feeling God's call on her life at last, even though Philip doesn't like the changes he sees in her. But things get rough when Philip gives Gabby an ultimatum: quit her job at the shelter or risk divorce and losing custody of their sons. Gabby must take refuge, as in the song they sing at Sunday night worship: "Where do I go when there's no one else to turn to? . . . I go to the Rock I know that's able, I go to the Rock."

Romantic Times Book Reviews says, “Exquisite characters coupled with God's mercy and love emanate from each page.”

Publisher's Weekly adds, “Jackson's Yada Yada series has sold half a million copies, and this new offshoot series ... promises the same.... The book's dramatic ending ... leav[es] readers eager for the next installment in the series.”

To read the Prologue and first Chapter of Where Do I Go?, go HERE

MY REVIEW

I was so excited to see this book on the review list as I just love Neta Jackson books. Her Yada Yada series is legendary and I predict this new series will be even greater.

Gabby is the type of person that I honestly would want as a BFF. She's not afraid to kick off her shoes and dance on the shore to celebrate life. And yet she's just as willing to be introspective and open to new ideas.

She is married to a fast-paced, high-powered executive who moves her into a penthouse apartment. The people that Gabby meets and befriends are so real that I would love to sit and have a cup of coffee with them. Her husband is not nearly as approving.

I read this book so fast because I got so involved in Gabby's life and quest for answers. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. And I plan on ordering her husband's parallel novel that has some of the same characters as this book. Definitely this is one of my favorite books of this year.

2 comments:

Debby said...

I'm going to refer my daughter to your review. She finished the Yada Yada series just a bit ago and loved it. I haven't had time as yet. I just picked up one of the Jackson's missionary stories for kids for one of my grandkids for Christmas and ordered several more on Amazon. Recommended by my daughter.

Unknown said...

What an amazing idea for a double story line. That sounds intriguing.