Customer Reviews

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out (The Yada Yada Prayer Group, Book 7)

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out by Neta Jackson is sadly the last entry in this long-running, fantastic series. Jodi Baxter is getting ready for the holidays when she's mugged, throwing her plans into turmoil. But that's nothing compared to a surprise wedding, orphaned baby, and the end of Yada Yada as we know it. First of all, I was thrilled to find out that I was going to get to review this book. I've read the rest of the series and couldn't wait for this one. I was not disappointed. Jodi is still struggling to give it up to God, but the differences between this Jodi and the one from the first book are amazing. Jackson has done a terrific job allowing these characters to grow in realistic ways while bringing up tough topics for them (and us) to deal with. There are many lessons about God's love and how he works all things for good for those who love and believe in Him. Many scenes brought tears to my eyes, especially the scene when Denny took off his shoes; that brought chills. Other scenes had a bittersweet tint to them. Sweet because they demonstrated the Lord working, bitter because this is the end of the line. I am sad to see this series go, and it's one I regularly recommend to others for it's honest treatment of the races and racism, as well as other social justice issues. Jackson has enlightened me not only on God's love, but also how I view the world. I can't wait for the next series to start!

Although the final novella in the series is slimmer than its chunky predecessors, in THE YADA YADA PRAYER GROUP GETS DECKED OUT, Neta Jackson again offers an entertaining and often thought-provoking story with a rainbow cast of characters that has spanned seven books. Yada Yada fans won't want to miss it. If you haven't read the first six books, take note: you'll want to stop reading here and start with THE YADA YADA PRAYER GROUP and read them in order.

We left our characters in Chicago at the end of THE YADA YADA PRAYER GROUP GETS ROLLING in all various stages of crisis and growth. Manna House, the women's homeless shelter, had burned to the ground because of a dry Christmas tree and faulty wiring. Now, almost two years later, thanks in part to Chanda George's lottery winnings, a new brick building is in place and ready to be dedicated. Jodi and Denny Baxter's son Josh and his fiancée Edesa Reyes are still in love, but a new twist in their relationship raises question marks. Josh's sister Amanda is in college, a beloved four-footed member of the family is gone for good and the Baxters are discovering what it means to truly have an "empty nest."

More updates: SouledOut Community Church is blending the two original congregations, Uptown Community Church and New Morning Church, and is now a melting pot of races and cultures. The aging Ruth and Ben Garfield are now the parents of two-year-old twins, and "there ought to be medals for mothers in their fifties," sighs Ruth. Becky Wallace has a job with UPS and is able to take care of her young son, Little Andy, again.

A lot more has happened in two years. Hoshi Takahashi has returned to Japan, hoping to build a relationship with her estranged parents who disapprove of her Christian faith. Nonyameko and Mark Sisulu-Smith are in South Africa but coming home soon, and Florida Hickman's son Chris, who seemed headed for jail, is now enrolled in one of Chicago's elite art programs. Avis Johnson Douglass's daughter Rochelle and grandson Conny are independent again, after Rochelle escaped an abusive marriage and was diagnosed with HIV. Yo-Yo Spencer's brother is in the army and seems likely to be deployed to Iraq. And this is just the beginning of what's happening with the colorful and chaotic group.

Prayer, of course, is front and center, and with the Yada Yadas, it's vocal and enthusiastic ("Yes, Jesus! Mm-mm." "You're an on-time God!"). Prayer is especially important in the early pages for Jodi, when Amanda brings home a football player friend from college for Thanksgiving vacation that sets Jodi's teeth on edge. She and God have plenty of conversations in italics, which mostly serve to remind her that she needs to show the grace to Neil that she's been given herself: Thanks, God, for keeping me from shooting off my big fat mouth. Other events transpire that require prayer and lots of it: a baby is seemingly abandoned, a young women dies, a former student looks as if he's been abused, one of the Yada Yada women is mugged...well, there's not much that doesn't happen in the 200-plus pages.

A plot twist involving the young boy who stole a purse may seem like a stretch to some readers, but it won't keep you from grabbing a hanky before the final page is turned. Recipes and ideas for celebrating the holidays conclude this amazing series, which will be missed by legions of faith fiction fans.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

The last in the Yada yada Prayer Group series, in many ways this final book is my favorite. Some of my favorite characters come into their own in this culminating story. Neta Jackson has done an amazing job of creating a story and characters about which I genuinely care. This last book brought to mind and heart the many times I've been stretched as a parent by my children's choices - even their good ones!
And, good old Jodi is SO different from the irritating religious good-girl I found so annoying in book 1. Today, after watching her grow over 7 books, I'd love to be her friend. To call her up and say, "Let's meet midway between your house and mine and grab a cup of coffee!"

It has now been months, since I read the final installment of the series and I am still unhappy about this book. To me it felt like the author had been forced to write this final book. I had been looking forward to seeing the process, that the various characters would go through next. To me it was like your best friend moved away, you had no way to contact them and a year later they sent you a postcard that said that they got married, found the job of their dreams, their brother was in jail and they were now living in a religous community. I don't know what happened, but I do not feel that the author was truly interested in this last book. This would be a borrow, don't buy unless it's at a garage sale. Even better, skip reading it and imagine what was next yourself.

Excellent book. A good read for those who have read the previous Yada Yada books. Be sure to read them in order! Its exciting to see what will happen to the characters in each book and a real inspiration to those wishing to lead an involved Christian life.

What a fantastic novel that teaches dependence on our brothers and sisters and a deep desire to know Jesus better. Neta Jackson has challenged me to a deeper walk in the LORD. This last book, Gets Decked Out, is half the size of the other six but neatly ties up all the "ends." It brings to mind how God works "All things for our good." Jodie of book 7 is not the weak Christian we get so frustrated with in Book 1! What a joy to see her grow, as that is the desire of all Christians. There is no doubt that any book writen by Neta or her husand is well-written and well thought out. Cudos once again to the Yada Yada Series and its Author!
Dawn Kurtz, author of the Christian novel: Secret of the Mexican Doll

I bought a few of these books/this series a few years ago for my mother-in-law -- now year after year she requests them for Christmas or her birthday. They were delivered in a timely fashion, well before Christmas.

Will always buy on Amazon. I have not had any problems with item I have ordered.

Neta Jackson continues to suck me in to this story and strengthen my faith. I feel like I know the characters! I actually cry with them! I highly recommend this series... hated to see it end.

I have now read all 7 in the Yada Yada Prayer Group series. It is a wonderful series. I have also started Neta Jackson's next series House of Hope books. I love NetaJackson's writing. She must truly be a woman of God because her books have a way of encouraging you in the faith that make you want to know God better. She's not preachy. Keepwriting Neta!