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Dave Jackson | Moments of Intense Fellowship
June 19, 2013
The characters in Neta
Jackson's Yada Yada novels are definitely three-dimensional. But sometimes
even she doesn't know who she's dealing with. Which is what I told my wife about
the affable doorman she introduced in her YY House of Hope series. I immediately liked Harry Bentley and asked if I could tell his story
while she dealt with Gabby Fairbanks, whose scumbag husband was kicking her out
of her penthouse apartment in Harry's building along Chicago's beautiful lakefront. It turns out that Harry, who looks a little like Louis Gossett Jr., was a
Chicago cop who'd risked his life crossing the "thin blue line" to blow the
whistle on his corrupt boss. (Of course, we don't have any corruption here in
Chicago . . . but, hey, this is fiction, so I can do anything I want for a good
story.) Harry had been given early retirement to keep him on ice until the
trial. But his old boss found out . . . Wait a minute. This is turning into a spoiler. Suffice it to say that Harry's life got a little complicated, especially when
DCFS asked him to take in his ten-year-old grandson—who he didn't even
know he had—not to mention falling in love with the stately Estelle, also
one of Neta's characters. Neta and I ended up having numerous "moments of
intense fellowship" as we tried to sort out all the drama in the lives of these
characters who populated our books. But the process birthed a new genre of fiction we're calling "Parallel Novels,"
where each novel has its own drama and story arc, but whose characters' lives
become intertwined and affect one another . . . just like in real life. After four books in the House of Hope series paralleled by two Harry
Bentley novels, readers begged for more and began scolding us for not writing
fast enough. We were having so much fun with this storytelling technique, we
developed a new series of parallel novels called Windy City Neighbors,
each of us writing different books though both of our names go on all of them.
(You have to guess who wrote what.) Which means a lot more "moments of intense
fellowship" are going on in our home office these days! Since all our adult novels are set in Chicago and involve a multi-ethnic cast of
characters, we moved Harry and Estelle Bentley (and grandson, DaShawn) from
their cramped apartment to a new house on Beecham Street, where the
residents—as in many American neighborhoods—are so isolated from one
another that an old woman nearly dies before anyone helps her. But when the
Bentleys move in, they shake things up, and little by little Beecham Street
becomes a place of hope. Welcome to the neighborhood! One commenter will win copy of GROUNDED plus a
Grounded pen and pad pack! Dave and Neta Jackson are a
husband-wife writing team, the authors or coauthors of more than 120 books that
have sold over 2.5 million copies. They are best known for Neta's Yada Yada
Prayer Group series and their forty-volume Trailblazer series. The Windy City
Neighbors series begins with GROUNDED (available
now), paralleled by DERAILED (coming out in October). The Jacksons
live in the Chicago area, where their novels are set.
Comments
28 comments posted.
Re: Dave Jackson | Moments of Intense Fellowship
Hello: I am sorry to say that I have never read any of the books written by these two authors, but that comment will never be able to be said again, as I plan on ordering some of their books very soon. I very much like the concept of the books and I am anxious to get reading. Thank you for including me in this giveaway. I still cannot believe that I have not ever had the occasion to read these books with all that I read each year. My oh my. Keep up the great work too.
Sincerely,
Cynthia
(Cynthia Blain 12:41pm June 19, 2013)
Ooh!! These sound like lots of fun!! And I love reading about Chicago! JA Konrath's series is set there and I just love it!
(Kelli Jo Calvert 1:15pm June 19, 2013)
I simply LOVE Dave and Neta Jackson's books. Deep, uplifting, convicting, sometimes needing tissues. Try to space my reading out so it never ends. :-) Thank you for doing this giveaway!
(Carol Graft 1:21pm June 19, 2013)
I have read every Yada Yada book I could find and loved them
all! Looking forward to reading the new series.
(Callie Redden 1:31pm June 19, 2013)
Love to read have to read these too thank you so much
(Ava Curtis 1:45pm June 19, 2013)
I was introduced to the YadaYada series a few years ago when
a friend's sister would share her books with me. I loved
each one. Where there were gaps in the series, I purchased
or borrowed a book from the library. My highest praise of
any title was when I gave one of the books as a birthday
gift to another friend. She was instantly hooked, too.
Then life "intervened" and my voracious reading was
interrupted. I feel a resurgence of energy and I'm ready to
climb back into my reading chair.
The stories were always "page turners," lesson imparting,
endearing, relate-able, and current. And, best of all, the
characters represented the diversity of our Christian
experience.
(Marsha Botts 2:06pm June 19, 2013)
I love all the Yada Yada, House of Hope & Souled Out Sister books. About
4 years ago, I was introduced to Dave & Neta by a librarian. I'd read all the
books by another Christian Fiction author, and she had nothing new on the
horizon. My librarian friend encouraged me to read the Yada Yada Prayer
Group series while I awaited a new book by my old, familiar author. I
became hooked and now await new titles by Dave & Neta. I've shared their
books with friends & even led a book group on one title. I cannot wait to
read Grounded!
(Ginger Sain 2:14pm June 19, 2013)
Wonderful Book Grounded. Can not wait for the next book.
(Leslie Schilling 2:49pm June 19, 2013)
I have to say I'm sorry I haven't read a book you wrote, Dave,
but I have read some of Neta's books. She has brought politics
and ethics together with some "knotty" problems for her
ladies. Love the way she works thing out. Looking forward to
moving into your books soon.
(Ronald Richardson 2:57pm June 19, 2013)
I seem to have trouble finding your books, Dave, but I can always find Neta's! I
love how real the fictional world becomes in the stories. You never know who is
going to drop by...
(Diane Stiles 5:54pm June 19, 2013)
sounds like really good series i would enjoy reading
(Denise Smith 6:41pm June 19, 2013)
i love series, and will definitely check these out!!
(Debi Brown 7:10pm June 19, 2013)
What a great synopsis of this book! I can't wait to read it!
(Shelley Pierce 9:30pm June 19, 2013)
sounds like a must read,,,love to win and share with my friends and local library...thanks
(Kimberly Hoefs 10:49pm June 19, 2013)
Wow, Congratulations go out to Dave and Neta Jackson for
being a husband and wife writing team with over 120 books.
What a blessing from GOD!!! Thanks for all the fantastic
books and thanks for writing about Windy City Chicago too. A
great place to visit and live too. Now, that my husband and
I are retired we could make a great book writing duo like
you two are doing. I would love to win and read a copy of
GROUNDED plus the Grounded Pen and Pad Pack too. Thank You
very much. Cecilia CECE and hubby Jesus
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 10:55pm June 19, 2013)
i have not read them yet but i plan to now, sound good. thanks too
(Debbi Shaw 12:27pm June 20, 2013)
I love series, keeps you going for more than a weekend!
(Darci Paice 1:55am June 20, 2013)
good reads. enjoyable and entertaining. Thanks
(Lisa Fitzgibbons 5:45am June 20, 2013)
I have not read these books yet, but they sound really good. Will be putting them on my list of books to read. Thank you for the giveaway.
(Aimee Robison 7:20am June 20, 2013)
I haven't read the series yet, but they sound interesting. Thanks,
(Pam Howell 8:24am June 20, 2013)
I haven't read any of your books, but if the setting is in Chicago, I'm sure you're not at a loss for material!! It sounds like you and you're Wife are definately on the same wavelength, as far as characters are concerned, and I'm looking forward to starting another series, where I'll be familiar with the characters, as well as get to know new ones. It sounds like you have quite a following, so you must be doing something right!! Congratulations, and I'm sure that I'll be joining your group of followers!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:06am June 20, 2013)
Your books sound unique and enjoyable. Love the setting and
characters. Best wishes.
(Sharon Berger 10:51am June 20, 2013)
Your books would be a new experience for me...sound very
interesting. I know my daughter would be clamouring to read
it after me...
(Diana Corlett 1:39pm June 20, 2013)
Somehow I have never heard of this series, I'm definitley going to have to add it to my list of books to check out.
(Jamie Fortney 1:48pm June 20, 2013)
I have never read any of your books before, but to have written 120 books is quite an accomplishment...WOW! I will have to check out Neta's YY House of Hope series also. I'm betting our library has some of them. Grounded sounds like a good one for me to get started on in your new Windy City Neighbors series. I hope they do well for you both!
(Linda Luinstra 5:37pm June 20, 2013)
Although I have not read the series I surely would like to. Thanks so much!
(Bonnie Capuano 6:12pm June 20, 2013)
Chicago did have a period of corruption. It was during Al Capone's time. Today in Chicago, probably not. But your book go me interest in reading.
(Kai Wong 12:48pm June 21, 2013)
I love reading books and series written in collaboration. I'm
always impressed.
(Mary Preston 11:42pm June 21, 2013)
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