Stand by Me

Mar 16, 2012 Margaret rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

From the book:
Kathryn Davies is a bright young woman from a prominent Phoenix family. But after making a leap of faith at a Christian music fest, dropping out of med school, and moving to inner city Chicago, her family all but disowns her.

When Kat discovers SouledOut Community Church, she longs to become a part of the multicultural church family. But her tendency to immediately say whatever she's thinking steps on the toes of nearly everyone she meets-especially Avis Douglass.

Avis has a strong f...more From the book:
Kathryn Davies is a bright young woman from a prominent Phoenix family. But after making a leap of faith at a Christian music fest, dropping out of med school, and moving to inner city Chicago, her family all but disowns her.

When Kat discovers SouledOut Community Church, she longs to become a part of the multicultural church family. But her tendency to immediately say whatever she's thinking steps on the toes of nearly everyone she meets-especially Avis Douglass.

Avis has a strong faith, is the principal of one of Chicago's highest performing elementary schools, and is a founding member of SouledOut. But the country's economic downturn has thrown both her and her husband's jobs in question. And Avis hasn't heard from her youngest daughter in months-an estrangement that gnaws at her every day. Where is God in this?

Kat's flamboyant zeal for living a "radical" Christian life is a stark contrast to Avis's more reserved faith. But in God's timing, the two women discover they need each other in ways neither of them expected.

My review:
I wasn't sure what to think about this book at first. It takes place in Chicago at a diverse church called Souled Out Community Church. Avis is leading worship and four white college students are coming in. What is book is not is a sappy romance where everything is smooth sailing. What this book is, is a realistic picture of relationships including the one we as Christians have with Jesus. This is a truly Christian fiction book where the author was not afraid to proclaim the gospel or share bits of scripture throughout. I loved that she had the characters worshipping, praying, and ministering. A lot of times the author is so concerned about appealing to the crossover audiences, they forget to include Jesus.

As far as the characters, it was interesting to see the relationship between Avis and Kat develop. I feel like most of the story was about them even though the author did an excellent job of developing the other characters, especially Peter, Nick and Rochelle. Judging people is something that I think we all do. That type of attitude almost cost Avis her daughter and Kat a valuable friendship. It wasn't until they took a deeper look that they realized they needed each other.

What I took away the most is that having a relationship with Jesus is not just one thing. It's not just praying or worshiping or meeting for Bible Study. It's about living the life the Jesus lived. I think by the end of this book, each of the characters learned a lot more about their relationship with Jesus and some important ways to build on it. So did I.

I will look forward to future books in this series.

This book was provided to me by Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. All opinions expressed are 100% my own. (less)

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Jan 02, 2013 Mary M rated it 4 of 5 stars

As a longtime fan of Neta Jackson and the Yada Yadas, how could I not read this book? I did find it a little predictable at this point but enjoyed meeting characters old and new. I think Nick was my favourite of the new characters.

I liked the way in which the new characters were integrated into existing story lines and updates from old favourites. I especially liked "hearing" from Nony, even for just a moment in a letter.

This book didn't bring me a lot of new insights into my own behaviour and...more

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May 25, 2012 Marlene rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: firstreads, inspirational

A familiar character from the Yada Yada Prayer Group novels, Avis is an elementary school principal who exemplifies poise, strength of character, and maturity in her professional and Christian walk. She doesn’t just “do church,” but worships passionately. Outwardly, it would appear that she really has it all together, but inwardly, she is suffering deeply, understanding fully the psalmist’s account of tears being his food from morning to night. Finally opening up to her sisters in the prayer gro...more

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May 08, 2012 Marianne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Although I have read some of Neta Jackson's children novels, this is the first of her 'adult' novels I have read. What an awesome novel, following Katheryn Davies (also know as Kat with a K) from the exhibition tent at the Midwest Music Festival in Central Illinois where she became a born-again Christian, to a few years later when she is in College living out her Christianity. By coming into her life just after her decision to follow Christ, and continuing, we have a good example of her growth...more

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Apr 17, 2012 Clockstein Lockstein rated it 5 of 5 stars

Stand by Me by Neta Jackson is the first book in the SouledOut Sisters series, a spin-off from the Yada Yada Prayer Group series. Avis Douglass has long been the disciplinarian of Yada Yada, keeping her sisters in line like she does as the principal of a Chicago elementary school. But her life is taking some turns that leave her frustrated and distant from the Lord. When Kat Davies enters her life, Avis wants nothing to do with the do-good college student who has a whole lot of ideas about how o...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Melissa rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, novel

Oh boy, what to say about Stand by Me. I was so excited to see this as a book to review for Booksneeze, because I LOVE Neta Jackson...I'm a big fan of the Yada Yada books and the House of Hope. I did not like Stand by Me.

The concept was really good...get to know some of the other characters. I just really struggled with this book. First with the characters: Kat was incredibly annoying. Her friends had no back-bone. And the Douglas's were very shallow and very hypocritical. I had hoped that by r...more

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Apr 05, 2012 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Kathryn (Kat) Davies comes from a prominent Phoenix family, whose father wants her to go to med school so she could practice with him. After attending a Christian music fest, Kat becomes a Christian and drops out of med school and goes into education, creating a deeper chasm within her family. Kat also starts attending SouledOut Community Church in Chicago, a mixed race community of believers.

Avis Douglass is the principal of one of Chicago’s best performing elementary schools, an over-the-hill...more Kathryn (Kat) Davies comes from a prominent Phoenix family, whose father wants her to go to med school so she could practice with him. After attending a Christian music fest, Kat becomes a Christian and drops out of med school and goes into education, creating a deeper chasm within her family. Kat also starts attending SouledOut Community Church in Chicago, a mixed race community of believers.

Avis Douglass is the principal of one of Chicago’s best performing elementary schools, an over-the-hill newlywed–second time around for her, a founding member of SouledOut Community Church, and one of its main worship leaders. Her faith and relationship with the Lord is strong. However, her estrangement from her daughter haunts her every day, though she prays diligently for her.

Kat’s dramatic enthusiasm for living the “sold-out” Christian life clashes with Avis’ more stable, reserved faith. Therein develops the ‘grain of sand’ irritation in Avis’ shoe, so to speak. How can they develop a relationship when they are so different? Kat appears so care-free and Avis has an estranged daughter.

Neta draws out Kat’s outspoken mannerisms that wreak havoc in Avis’ spiritual walk, wondering how she can become so unglued when this young student speaks out so brashly. Though Kat seems mostly oblivious to Avis’ feelings, the tension is heightened when Kat and her friends rent the condo below the Douglass’s, one of whom is a guy. A secret known only to Kat, Brygitta and Rochelle turns into a conundrum for Kat. New in her faith, Kat wonders how God will bring it all to pass.

Faith, praise and prayer, especially through the Yada Yada prayer group, permeate the story line, but Neta keeps you intrigued as to how God will answer those prayers. His ways are higher than ours!

I found the interactions between the different races at the church to be honest and sincere, as well as the characters. Avis’ thought life becomes known to the reader, which adds depth to the story. Tensions do arise, particularly after Pastor Clark’s death. The possibility of dissension and racism rear their ugly heads. How will it all be worked out? Will the church survive? The author does a wonderful job of working through all the circumstances that touch not only Avis, but her daughter and Kat in a way that melts your heart. The touch of humor helps to level out the stress and tension.

God brings difficult people into our lives. It’s not to make our lives miserable, but to bring us to maturity. Stand by Me is a book that shows how God brings out that maturity, though we are sometimes kicking and screaming. The touch of humor levels out the stress and tension. I would summarize Stand by Me by this, “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

Special thanks to Rick Roberson The B&B Media Group, for sending me a review copy.(less)

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Apr 03, 2012 Jennifer Wedemeyer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-m-reviewing

I felt like a little kid in a candy store or a like it was Christmas morning when I saw this book up for review on BookSneeze. I don't know when I've been more excited to discover a book, I read all the Yada Yada series including the House of Hope and the Yada Yada Brothers series. Neta Jackson's book speak to me and I ALWAYS get something out of them spiritually as well as an enjoyable read. Neta didn't let me down this time either, I was so titillated to have all the Yada Yada ladies back in t...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, e-book, i-own-this, review-books, thomas-nelson, women, b-b-media

I had the extreme pleasure of reading all the Yada Yada Prayer Group series and going through the ladies struggles and triumphs that would have broken others, they came through with their faith in the Lord and their friendships intact – so when I had the chance to read Stand By Me which is the newest series for Neta Jackson, that includes the ladies from Yada Yada and some new characters, I just had to get my hands on it! This book did not disappoint, nor did Neta’s writing and well developed pl...more I had the extreme pleasure of reading all the Yada Yada Prayer Group series and going through the ladies struggles and triumphs that would have broken others, they came through with their faith in the Lord and their friendships intact – so when I had the chance to read Stand By Me which is the newest series for Neta Jackson, that includes the ladies from Yada Yada and some new characters, I just had to get my hands on it! This book did not disappoint, nor did Neta’s writing and well developed plot line and characters. I felt myself being wrapped into a family when I got to visit with the Yada Yada Sisters again and seeing life from young college-aged eyes was a wonderful time.

I did find myself getting annoyed at Kat, with all her earth crunchiness, not eating red meat, saving everyone and dumpster diving – but then I realized that was me at one time. I had stars in my eyes when I graduated college with a degree in social work – thought I would save all the poor children from their abusive parents – and then life hits, real life. While Kat doesn’t lose her naive outlook she does some maturing as the book goes on and I look forward to reading more about her adventures and how things go on with her family as she follows the Lord. I also found myself getting a little miffed by the whole black and white issue – but I also had to admit to myself that this still occurs, some white people don’t want to worship with blacks and vice versa. I have to say though that I loved how it was handled by the characters in the book, while they don’t back down they also don’t take it lying down – and even Avis does some ‘growing up’ even though she is a middle aged woman.

I found myself laughing out loud but also crying – crying from the pain that the characters experienced, some that I myself have gone through in real life. This book will have you facing your prejudices head on – whether it’s young people today coming to church in ripped pants or your viewpoint on another race or culture – it’ll make you think, even though it’s fiction there is much this book will have you thinking over even as you enjoy a book that I am not afraid to recommend to a friend and say it’s Christian.

**I was given an e-copy of this book through B and B media in exchange for my honest opinion, no other compensation was given.(less)

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Mar 28, 2012 Christian Fiction Addiction rated it 4 of 5 stars

Neta Jackson is an author who excells at creating true-to-life characters with heart, ones who will touch you with their quirks, their messy faith, their dreams and desires.

Stand By Me is a fabulous book where readers are reunited with favourite characters from past series, particularly with Avis Douglass, while being introduced to new characters like Kathryn Davies. Old or new, I felt the characters were beautifully developed and were a pleasure to get acquainted with again or for the first ti...more

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Mar 25, 2012 Paula Phillips rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

From the author of the YadaYada Prayer Group comes a new series SouledOut , I have to say personally I was a little disappointed in this book as I loved the YadaYada series and was looking forward to her new series. In Stand by Me , we meet two main women - On the left of the cover we have Avis and on the right we have Kat. The women are complete opposite , but it may just be that the statement of opposites attracting that will ring true in Stand By Me. Avis is celebrating her sixth wedding anni...more

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Mar 13, 2012 Cafelilybookreviews rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you thought Netta Jackson’s “Yada Yada Prayer Group” books were a hit, watch out for her new “SouledOut Sisters” novels!

Stand By Me is Book One in this new series, and it was fantastic! I wish I would’ve had the time to sit and read it all in one sitting. This book has a great variety of characters, humor and heartwarming moments. I was sad when I came to the end, and cannot wait to read Book Two.

This book focuses on the congregation of SouledOut Community Church, a multi-cultural church in a...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Title: STAND BY ME
Author: Neta Jackson
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
March 2012
ISBN: 978-1-59554-864-1
Genre: Inspirational/womens fiction

Kathryn Davies is a premed student in Arizona. She goes to Chicago with some friends and ends up accepting Christ, and then her whole life changes. Against her parents’ wishes, she enrolls in a university in Chicago, ditches her premed studies and takes up teaching. Her family all but disowns her.

Avis Douglass is a principle in a inner-city school, and she’s struggli...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Ramona rated it 3 of 5 stars

Continuing with the Yada Yada theme, Neta Jackson starts a new series highlighting another primary character from the Yada Yada prayer group. This time, Avis Douglas takes center stage as we get to learn more about the personal life of the calm, cool and collected Yada Yada group leader and principal at Bethune Elementary School. As the story goes deeper into Avis' personal life, the author introduces new characters to the story - Kathryn Davies (Kat) and a few of Kat's college friends. From the...more

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Aug 09, 2012 Paula rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2012, august-2012

Jackson's characters always aggravate me in the beginning, so maybe I will learn to like Kat as the series goes on. I did not care for Jodi Baxter of Yada Yada, and still think she is pretty dull compared to some of the other ladies. But overall, I loved that series. Gabby Fairbanks of House of Hope was extremely annyoing- Kat actually seems a lot like her - but again, once I got into the story (and the other characters) I enjoyed it. Hopefully, I will feel that way about the SouledOut Sisters s...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Proud Book Nerd rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: b-b-media-group, blog-tours, chick-lit, contemporary, faith-based-fiction, faith, first

I haven't before read any of Neta Jackson's books, although I've been meaning to read Yada Yada for quite some time now. I did not realize until I started reading that this is kind of a spin-off series. The good news is that it's written in such a way that I never felt lost. Although I'm guessing some of the events mentioned are shared in detail in one or another of the Yada Yada books. This has definitely piqued my interest and made me want to read it sooner, rather than later.

The characters we...more

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Apr 03, 2012 Alice Fleury rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Readers of Christian Stories

Recommended to Alice by: My first win in Goodreads giveaways

I haven't read anything by Neta Jackson before.

This book was courtesy of Thomas Nelson Publishers through Goodreads giveaways. Wow, they ship fast.

My biggest problem with this story was too much set-up, not enough conflict. I actually skipped some narrative, and put the book down several times as I grew weary of reading it. However, I had to see how it turned out.

The story didn't need the prologue about Kat and her choice to change her direction in college. This choice could've been introduced...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Kristilyn (Reading In Winter & Winter Distractions) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-my-ereader, read-in-2012, review-books-completed

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book complimentary from BookSneeze in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I’ve never been one to talk about religion. In fact, I sometimes wonder about it myself — am I religious? Could I be more religious? How do I go about inviting religion into my life? But I never go beyond the questions in my head. One thing that I’ll openly admit is that I’ve always seemed wary of organized religion, after going to church a few times growing up and finding it very monotono...more FTC Disclaimer: I received this book complimentary from BookSneeze in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I’ve never been one to talk about religion. In fact, I sometimes wonder about it myself — am I religious? Could I be more religious? How do I go about inviting religion into my life? But I never go beyond the questions in my head. One thing that I’ll openly admit is that I’ve always seemed wary of organized religion, after going to church a few times growing up and finding it very monotonous and boring.

Enter Stand by Me, a novel by author Neta Jackson. It’s about Kathryn, a young girl who drastically changes her life plans, drops out of med school, moves away from her home in Phoenix, and enters a Christian university after letting Jesus into her life. In her new home, she finds a wonderful church that’s housed inside of a mall and is a multi-culture, community church. The description made me think of one of those churches I’d only seen in movies — one which makes the churchgoers actually want to be there, one where you get involved and don’t just go because you feel you have to.

Of course, the novel isn’t just about Kathryn’s life change, but also about Avis, a mother who is worried about her daughter who seemed to have dropped off the planet. She can’t be reached by phone, her apartment seems to no longer exist and Avis doesn’t know what to do. It’s only when Kathryn and her three friends from school move into the apartment below Avis and her husband, and start to attend Avis’s church, that the two women can’t help but collide with one another, in more ways than one.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. I’ll admit that I’ve really been enjoying the offerings of the Thomas Nelson Publishing Company, but this one seemed a little different from my previous reads. First off, I really dislike the cover. I’m not sure what it is about it that irks me, but when I was perusing the selection of reads on Booksneeze, I hesitated on this one because of the cover alone.

The second thing is that I didn’t like either of the main characters. For someone who was as deeply religious as Avis, I wondered how she could have been so petty and judgemental towards Kathryn and her roommates — especially towards Kathryn. I felt that if Avis had such a problem with her that she would sit Kathryn down and talk to her, rather than be so judgemental. In the same sense, Kathryn bugged the crap out of me. I felt that she was too set in her ways and ignorant that she couldn’t be bothered with understanding another person’s point of view. Perhaps it was her age, but for someone who was in university and appeared so smart, I expected Kathryn to be a little smarter about her new neighbourhood and neighbours.

Of course, even though I really didn’t like the main characters, the story was alright, if not a little farfetched. There were a lot of loose strings left over at the end that I wished had been tied up, questions left unanswered. I really did like the story and felt there were a few ways that I could relate to Kathryn, most specifically in the way that her father called her new interest in religion her latest “distraction” — I’m known to harbour a lot of distractions and could see where he was coming from. Though, sometimes a distraction will actually stick and turn into something you love.

I’m always torn when thinking about books that seem to really push on the buttons of race and discrimination, especially this book. Part of me felt that since the novel centered around the church and people who were discovering the depths of their own personal religion, that race wouldn’t be an issue, but then another part of me realizes that discrimination is everywhere and even churchgoers suffer from it. It just shows that even if a person is devoutly religious, they too can slip up and it helps to deepen the bond between them and their saviour.

In the end, Stand By Me was a decent novel, though not one of my favourites in the Christian fiction category. It is full of very strong characters, some great discussion topics, and is a quick, fast-paced read.(less)

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Apr 24, 2012 Jamie rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book is about two women, one a young college girl practically disowned by her parents for becoming a Christian and abandoning pre-med studies to study at a Christian college. The other is a middle aged woman having trouble with her second husband and runaway adult daughter. Both women are committed to Christ, but when their lives cross, don't see eye to eye with each other. The story is about how it turns out they both need each other and tells of how God can use the most unusual or unexpec...more

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Apr 04, 2012 Katrina Burchett rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, christian-fiction

The bad economy has caused problems for Avis and her husband, Peter. Avis is also having a problem with her youngest daughter (not Peter’s biological child). Or maybe not a problem, but she’s very concerned about Rochelle and her grandson, Conny. And then there’s this new person who keeps showing up even though Avis really doesn’t have time for her.

I haven’t read Jackson’s Yada Yada Prayer Group novels, so this is the first I’ve been introduced to Avis Douglass. I liked Avis more than any other...more The bad economy has caused problems for Avis and her husband, Peter. Avis is also having a problem with her youngest daughter (not Peter’s biological child). Or maybe not a problem, but she’s very concerned about Rochelle and her grandson, Conny. And then there’s this new person who keeps showing up even though Avis really doesn’t have time for her.

I haven’t read Jackson’s Yada Yada Prayer Group novels, so this is the first I’ve been introduced to Avis Douglass. I liked Avis more than any other character in this book. She’s a strong black woman, a strong Christian woman, a devoted wife, and a loving mother and grandmother. Her story was most interesting. What was going on with her daughter? How were things going to turn out with her job? What decision would she and her husband make concerning their – or I should really say his – plans for their future? I kept turning the pages to find out the answers to these questions.

Kathryn ‘Kat’ Davies is a young college student and a Babe in Christ – a Christian who has just begun the spiritual life. Judging by the cover, I thought she and Avis were close friends, but that was not the case. Avis didn’t know what to think of Kat and sometimes neither did I. She was kinda out there every now and then. She’s a ‘we are the world’ character, which was good, but she had naively optimistic views. She was also flighty and so, so pushy and a bit irritating at times. And the whole dumpster thing? I didn’t like it at all.

There are parts of this story that made me feel as if I was reading inspirational and encouraging Bible devotions and I loved that. I could have been bothered by the conversation in the ladies restroom, but I appreciated the author’s honesty. I understood how Avis felt after what she’d overheard, but I hoped she’d do her best to get her mind back on Jesus. Jackson did not sugarcoat, but showed how some Christians feel about integration in the church and how two-faced some Christians can be. My thinking is this: Anyone who claims to be a Christian – a believer in Jesus Christ - has to know that GOD IS LOVE and LOVE is not rude, LOVE does not discriminate, and LOVE does not see a person as less than because of skin color.

Stand by Me was a pleasure to read. Jackson writes clever similes and her descriptive sentences helped me to get a good visual of the characters and the atmosphere - I felt as if I was right there. Jackson clearly shows that Christianity does not mean perfection; that although we Christians are saved by grace we’re not always so quick to show grace to others. I plan to read the next SouledOut Sisters novel.
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Jun 20, 2012 Monica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian, 2012

Well, I may be the crazy one around here but I had never heard of Neta Jackson before I found her book Stand by Me on Booksneeze! I really enjoyed this book but it took me a few chapters to get into it. It starts with a college student at a music festival in the midwest where she finds Jesus! This makes her decide to change the course of her future, which her parents aren't very happy about.

Kat, the college student, and some of her friends start attending Souledout Community Church. Avis, a midd...more

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Apr 04, 2012 Cheryl Olson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews-2012, booksneeze

Have you ever had that situation where you were reading a book and you find yourself just plain irked with the characters? I mean they were really getting under my skin, their choices, what they say, how they are treating the people in their lives, etc. As I started reading Stand by Me by Neta Jackson I gotta say, I was feeling a little irked.

If you have read any of the other novels by Neta Jackson , then you will see yourself once again returning to Chicago and once again you will see some of...more Have you ever had that situation where you were reading a book and you find yourself just plain irked with the characters? I mean they were really getting under my skin, their choices, what they say, how they are treating the people in their lives, etc. As I started reading Stand by Me by Neta Jackson I gotta say, I was feeling a little irked.

If you have read any of the other novels by Neta Jackson , then you will see yourself once again returning to Chicago and once again you will see some of her Yaya Yada prayer group characters in this novel, mainly Avis Douglass and her husband Peter as the novel opens with them celebrating their 6th anniversary. Sadly Avis’ daughter Rochelle is in a tough spot as she tries to make things work in her life, a single mom, HIV positive, an abusive ex-husband, and now she has lost another job and shown up on her Mother and Step-Father’s doorstep once again. Peter takes a stand and recommends using tough love with Rochelle in not letting her stay with them indefinitely. But the rub is that Rochelle has Conny- Avis’ 6 year old Grandson in tow, so poor Avis is conflicted in what the right thing to do is. Rochelle leaves with Conny and no word and no contact.

Enter in Kat Davies, a college student who is new to the Souled Out Community church that Avis and Peter are long time members and leaders of as well. Kat saunters in one Sunday with many friends in tow and sort of plops herself among them rather like a bull in a china shop. She is so eager to make a difference in an Urban experience program that she sometimes fails to see the people and their real needs. One of her counselors at her college urged her to “talk less and listen more” which she got a little bit better at as the book went on, but it was a real struggle for her. She is a relatively new Christian with lots of zeal but little discernment.

Kat and friends end up renting an apartment below the Douglass’ and Kat proceeds to rub Avis the wrong way again and again. This is where the irksome moments come into play as I kept getting mad at these characters for how they were treating each other, Avis’ constant irritation with Kat, Kat’s impulsiveness and tendency to run off at the mouth, Avis’ daughter continually shying away from getting help, etc. But as the story played out, as the character’s were honest with each other, etc. I realized that all this frustration with these characters was a good thing as it revealed to me that these characters read as real people. They all had their own inward motivations as to why they responded as they did and Neta Jackson does a great job with this storyline in making you really connect and care about these characters. I was irked because I really wanted the best for them. You see people are rarely what we take them as at face value, in that there is usually a lot going on and if we take the time to stop, care, listen and truly find out what their needs are, then amazing relationships are formed and especially with those people that we maybe didn’t like at first.

Great read! 4 stars

A free copy of this book was provided for me through the Booksneeze program through Thomas Nelson. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
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May 02, 2012 Patty rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this book, but I have read all of the Yada Yada Prayer Group books, and all of the next series of books, this is the first book of the 3rd series. so I was glad to get reaquainted with characters from the other books - House of Hope - that's the name of the second series. I knew it might come to me. I haven't written many reviews - I can see how they get so long! Anyway, I was glad to find out more about Avis, and was thrilled when Jodi Baxter appeared in this book, I don't remem...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I own the entire Yada Yada Prayer Group series and the Yada Yada House of Hope series, but I've never read any of them. Well, that's going to change now! I read Stand by Me (a Souled Out Sisters Novel) this weekend. It is a fast read, and I was totally immersed. Though I am a country/ small town girl and this focuses on inner city, I immediately connected with the characters. They were three-dimensional with very real emotions. Their flaws actually sometimes annoyed me, just like in real life!!...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Wanda (The Watered Soul) rated it 4 of 5 stars

In many ways Stand by Me by Neta Jackson is a book of opposites.

One character tries to discover their place in the world yet the other clings to stay in a familiar place.

One character is reserved while the other is outspoken.

One character dumpster dives by choice the other rescues food by necessity.

One character is on a second marriage but the other has the hints of unknown love in bloom.

The key characters Avis Douglas and Kathryn “Kat” Davies couldn’t be more different. Avis a middle-aged, Afri...more

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Mar 26, 2012 Bluerose's Heart rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian, little-no-romance

I've heard of the Yada Yada books, but I've never read any of them. Apparently, there are several different series, all revolving around the same Prayer Group. Stand by Me is the first book in the new series, Souled Out Sisters. The Yada Yada Prayer Group is still going strong, and it looks like some of the same characters are still around, but with some new ones added in, too.

Religion also plays a huge part in this book, so if you don't care to read "preachy" books, you might not care for this...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Sandra rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book follows the Yada Yada Prayer Group and The House of Hope series. A new series may be starting called the SouledOut Sisters. I don't believe this will be the only book is this series.

Even though Neta Jackson introduces new characters in this novel, she continues to follow the lives of characters from her first two series.

She explores family dynamics and racism in the Christian church as well.

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Apr 09, 2012 Maria M. Elmvang rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, 5-stars, christian, fiction, owned, read-in-a-day

The Lord knew what He was doing when He put Neta Jackson's book in my line of sight. I've been putting off reading this most recent instalment about the "SouledOut Sisters", because I worried that it wouldn't live up to my expectations. It did, and my soul lapped it up like a parched plant does water. Writing a proper review is pretty much impossible, as reading one of Neta Jackson's books usually turns out to basically be one long worship session and thus not relevant for a literary review. Suf...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Madelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Neta Jackson's two other series sucked me right in and this new series is no exception. It is full of characters from her other books plus some new ones, but deals with difficult issues including, living with HIV, poverty, homelessness, racism in the church, family relationships and still manages to include humor and a great story line. I have the next one on reserve.

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Apr 22, 2012 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

I had a rough time through a lot of this book because I didn't feel like Avis was the same Avis that I've gotten to know through the Yada Yada Prayer Group and the House of Hope books. The woman presented in this book was more judgemental, less...Avis, I guess. But then I started thinking, in the previous books we get to know Avis through the eyes of other characters, not her own. Now we get to know her as a whole person.

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title link	preview: Stand by Me
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Stand by Me (SouledOut Sisters #1)

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