Bloggy Book Review ::: Who Is My Shelter by Neta Jackson

I was recently emailed about the opportunity to review Neta Jackson's latest Yada Yada / House of Hope book, Who Is My Shelter? It's been a while since I've read any Christian fiction - not since my burnout from in at the end of 2009 - but as a fan of all the other Yada Yada books, I accepted this one. It did not disappoint.

This continues the story of Gabby - a 40ish mom of two, working at Manna House (a homeless shelter), and recovering from a violent and unexpected separation from her husband of 15 years. By this book in the series (#4), Gabby is on track to getting her life back together - she has a job and a place for her and her boys to live. However, the book starts with a bang when Gabby finds out that her husband has a serious gambling addiction and is in way over his head.

I won't give away much more of the story, but I will tell you why I enjoy these books by Neta Jackson so much. These characters are very real to me. They are not the cheesy Christian characters that you find in a lot of Christian fiction. The husbands and wives talk to each other normally - they fight and disagree and it's not always roses and Bible verses in every conversation. That is one of my complaints about most Christian fiction - it's just not how most of the people I know really talk to one another, married or not! Also, these characters are working through their faith just as I am on a daily basis. They struggle with prayer and whether God really hears. Gabby tries so hard to solve her problems when what she really needs to learn is to trust on God and watch Him work out the details before her eyes. The characters are real flawed people, struggling and growing in the faith, as I am. And it's encouraging to me.

If you haven't read any of the Yada Yada books (either series) and are looking for some fiction to read, I recommend these books!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and the BookSneeze blogging program for the free copy of this book I received.