Lucy Come Home

Jul 02, 2012 Brandi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

For fans of the Yada Yada series and its spin offs you are in for a complete treat with this one! If you’ve not read that series don’t worry, you can still enjoy this story as a stand-alone. You won’t have all the background that will make the story richer, but it will still be an excellent read. If I could make the decision for you I’d say read them all in order. Dave and Neta Jackson are master storytellers and you won’t be disappointed you took the time to meet all of the characters.

We met L...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Christian Fiction Addiction rated it 5 of 5 stars

Have you ever wondered how it is that someone became homeless, wandering the streets, seemingly with few connections to others? Lucy Come Home is a book that explores how Lucy, one of my favorite characters from the Yada Yada House of Hope series, came to wander the streets of Chicago and live a life of homelessness, and it is a well-written book indeed! Dave and Neta Jackson have penned a novel that is bittersweet, interspersing flash-backs of Lucy's teen years and the loss of her family and be...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fifteen-year-old Cindy Tucker (later known as Lucy Tucker) and her migrant worker parents and six siblings had moved to Michigan in the early 1940s to work the sugar beet fields, as the dust bowl years had claimed their farm. It was a hard life with little pay, if any, if the field boss, Buster Doyle, had his way. But Buster took a liking to Cindy and had her help with his pregnant wife and the commissary.

While in Michigan, Cindy met James Bodeen (aka “Bo”), who worked at his father’s Bodeen’s M...more Fifteen-year-old Cindy Tucker (later known as Lucy Tucker) and her migrant worker parents and six siblings had moved to Michigan in the early 1940s to work the sugar beet fields, as the dust bowl years had claimed their farm. It was a hard life with little pay, if any, if the field boss, Buster Doyle, had his way. But Buster took a liking to Cindy and had her help with his pregnant wife and the commissary.

While in Michigan, Cindy met James Bodeen (aka “Bo”), who worked at his father’s Bodeen’s Midway Rides Carnival. Life as a carny wasn’t any easier than a migrant worker. In searching for his dog, Jigger, one day, a chance encounter buds into an innocent romance between Bo and Lucy, which was carefully watched, yet encouraged by Cindy’s mother and father.

When things get out of hand, and a dead Buster Doyle is found, Cindy and Bo took off running. Both young people left family and everything behind, family that meant everything to Cindy. Their lives on the run took them to Canada and eventually back down to Chicago. What held Cindy and Bo together through their coming years was Jigger, Bo’s dog.

The story of Lucy Tucker, the crotchety old bag lady with the purple knit hat, is the intense storyline of Dave and Neta Jackson’s book, Lucy Come Home. It’s a story of heartache, loneliness, sweet love, hard work, loss, homelessness, and a highly guarded anonymity–a name will disclose her history!

Though the book starts out in normal chronological order, the Jackson’s present the full storyline by engaging Lucy’s times of reminiscing. It’s how we learn what happened to Lucy and Bo and how she ended up as a homeless bag lady, fearful of anyone finding out who she was. This method kept me hooked to the very end.

The Jackson’s draw you deep into the lives of each realistic character with very intricate, memorable details interspersed throughout the book. You become enmeshed with each character’s heartaches, joys, and idiosyncrasies. The life of the homeless is enumerated in all of its simple joys, harshness, danger, and loneliness. Yet the caring love of others is interwoven into their eccentric behaviors, particularly Lucy’s. It was their acceptance, faith, and respect kept her hanging around the homeless shelter most of the time.

Dave and Neta created a riveting book detailing life during the early and post WWII years, where the lack of communication with family is hard on Lucy. Telephones weren’t even in everyone’s home early on. That’s hard to comprehend since we live in a world of gadgets that keep us up-to-date with people minute by minute. However, cell phone use was in place towards the end of the book, by the time Lucy turned 80.

The haunting question for me is why Lucy decided on a life of homelessness and despondency. Her lack of hope is astounding, particularly when she was raised in the faith.

In fact, this book is part of A Yada Yada Journey of Hope series. “Yada” in Hebrew means “to know and be known intimately.” Thus are the ironies of Lucy’s anonymity and the sobering life of homelessness that she chose to live. What kept her from going home? Pride? Shame? This book touched me deeply, knowing that ‘there but for the grace of God, go I.’

This book was provided free by Amy Lathrop and Christen Krumm of Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was exchanged.(less)

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Jun 25, 2012 Ladette rated it 5 of 5 stars

Okay... so here was my first response after finishing this book (posted as my FB status):

"Wow, I am wrung out from the emotions of this book. Tears are pouring.... my throat aches and my heart is full. I need a break. I did finish it and it was good, but wow. I'm still not sure why it affected me this way, but I will NEVER look at a homeless person the same way again."

I am not really sure why I couldn't stop crying, even later when I was trying to explain to my teen daughters what happened in th...more Okay... so here was my first response after finishing this book (posted as my FB status):

"Wow, I am wrung out from the emotions of this book. Tears are pouring.... my throat aches and my heart is full. I need a break. I did finish it and it was good, but wow. I'm still not sure why it affected me this way, but I will NEVER look at a homeless person the same way again."

I am not really sure why I couldn't stop crying, even later when I was trying to explain to my teen daughters what happened in the book, I started crying again.

Dave and Neta Jackson weave a beautifully heartbreaking, yet hope-restoring story in the story of Lucinda Tucker.

Cindy's life is simple, yet hard from the beginning. Her family is taken from their farm in Arkansas before the Dust Bowl, to being migrant workers after the devastation of the Dust Bowl. They migrated from place to place trying to scrape out a living harvesting sugar beets or blueberries. They are a family of 9, the two parents and 7 children with Cindy being the oldest. When the "boss" comes and offers Cindy a job helping his bedridden, pregnant wife around the house and in the commissary, Cindy and her father take him up on the offer because it means more money (and "easier" work). Unfortunately, it also changes their lives forever.

Lucy's life is just hard. She scrounges for food and shelter and at times a job. She rambles along, thinking she is fine and that she doesn't need anyone. Then, a young woman comes along that NEEDS Lucy. As Lucy tries to help Fuzz Top and her mom (Martha), Lucy becomes close to them and isn't really sure how she feels about this... it's been so long since she's been close to anyone.

This story ends beautifully, but the process is a gut-wrenching, heart breaking, long line of disappointments and hurt. I have not often thought of "HOW does someone end up homeless?". While Lucy's story ends well, not every homeless person's story does. I am not sure if making the reader think about this was a goal in Dave and Neta's writing, but it definitely was an end result for me. I will NEVER look at a homeless person the same way again. Never.

I would definitely recommend this book to EVERYONE! I hope that it has changed my life and that it will change every other reader's life as well. Please, buy Lucy Come Home, read it... pass it along... buy it for your church library, just read it!

Oh, and the back of the book mentions the Yada Yada House of Hope series and a friend asked if she needed to read those first... NO, you don't have to read them first. I don't think I have read any of that series (I have read many of the Yada Yada Prayer Group series), and I had no problem getting the story.

Thanks for reading... Enjoy!!
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Jun 25, 2012 TAMMY CUEVAS rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

Cindy and her family are migrant farm workers in the early 1940's, moving from one job to the next, when she meets Bo, a carnival worker whose job has brought him to the same town. When the farm boss tries to take advantage of young Cindy, Bo comes to her defense, and the result causes the two of them to run away together.

Lucy is a bag lady from the streets of Chicago, whose gruff exterior hides a soft, vulnerable heart that she hides from the world. As Lucy and Cindy's stories come together, th...more

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Jun 24, 2012 Lisa Johnson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Title: Lucy Come Home
Author: Dave & Neta Jackson http://www.daveneta.com
Year: 2012
Pages: 424
Publisher: Castle Rock Creative, Inc.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for this honest review. http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/135...
Other reviews can be located or requested at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspo...
Wow! The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this work of fiction by the Jacksons. Dave and Neta Jackson keep the readers spellbound throughout the book by using flashba...more Title: Lucy Come Home
Author: Dave & Neta Jackson http://www.daveneta.com
Year: 2012
Pages: 424
Publisher: Castle Rock Creative, Inc.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for this honest review. http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/135...
Other reviews can be located or requested at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspo...
Wow! The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this work of fiction by the Jacksons. Dave and Neta Jackson keep the readers spellbound throughout the book by using flashbacks with their main character named Lucy. Lucy was raised in a family who eked out a living working at migrant farms and living in migrant camps.
Lucy becomes very mature at a young age as she learns to care for her younger siblings, almost becoming like a second mother to them. As Lucy begins to enter her teenage years and her body changes, the adventure begins to take a dangerous turn. Bo is a young man who has a similar background though he has mainly worked in carnivals traveling all over. Starting as a friendship, they begin a journey through their growing up years with them sometimes being together and other times apart.
Within the pages of this fictional work, we see friendship, faith, God, and other themes running from beginning to end of the Lucy Come Home. There are times when we see what life was like for Lucy as she was growing up as well as when she falls in love. The time frame of the story begins with the Dust Bowl, and then on to the Depression as well as World War II and beyond.
While you read this book, you see the depth of love and friendship people have for each other. You might be reminded of all that could happen in a lifetime, and be thankful for the times you have with family. This is also a story of looking for one lost lamb in a sense, one who has a hard time understanding the love of God as well as the love of family.
Times were sure hard then, trying to put food on the table was a daily struggle for life for all families. Yet Lucy’s family was blessed with another whose faith she remembered in her later years. A story like this tugs at your heart and reminds us what is most important in life, especially when one encounters life-changing events. Grab the book, a tall cool drink, a quiet place to curl up and get lost in a wonderful tale.
My rating for this book is five stars.
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Jun 22, 2012 Krystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lucy has been on the streets for a very long time. She values her independence and resilience, but is approaching very old age. The readers will receive flashbacks from Lucy's past as she tries to navigate her present situation. Lucy's family was nice enough, but experienced great difficulties to the Dust Bowl. Over the course of time, Lucy finds herself more and more displaced. She encounters some very bad situations that she must flee from and tries to make a home, however unstable, where and...more

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Jun 22, 2012 Ibjoy1953 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lucy Comes Home by Dave and Neta Jackson

Wow, what a wonderful heartwarming story about Lucy Tucker. We learn about Lucy’s life by the flashbacks she has of her life starting in the 1940’s and her life as it is now. We see how she handled the very difficult situations she was forced to be in, and how she is handling life today and a homeless woman. Her live was definitely not the best life from the beginning. Lucy lives in the Manna House Shelter, and seems to like it there just fine. I really gr...more

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Jun 20, 2012 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-literature, christian-fiction, contemporary-fiction

Ever since I was a young child, I have always been fascinated by the world of the people who work in carnivals and the rough life it must be, always traveling and never being in the same place twice. A homeless existence if you will. In the novel, Lucy Come Home by Dave and Neta Jackson, we get a different view of that homeless existence as the world of Lucy Tucker is paralleled between two different time periods in her life, one from her childhood and one later in life, more current.

The book op...more Ever since I was a young child, I have always been fascinated by the world of the people who work in carnivals and the rough life it must be, always traveling and never being in the same place twice. A homeless existence if you will. In the novel, Lucy Come Home by Dave and Neta Jackson, we get a different view of that homeless existence as the world of Lucy Tucker is paralleled between two different time periods in her life, one from her childhood and one later in life, more current.

The book opens as the reader is taken on a car trip with Lucy's family as they leave their home in Arkansas in 1942 just as the Dust Bowl has claimed the livelihood of their job prospects. Now becoming migrant workers that travel through different cities and states in search of work, they have wound up in Lapeer County, Michigan to harvest sugar beets until their contract expires. As they enter town, the carnival has come to town and is in the stages of being set-up. This is something all the kids in the Tucker family are drawn to but they know they can barely afford a loaf of bread and milk to make a meal, so attending the carnival will be only a dream.

When James Bodeen, whose father owns Bodeen Midway Rides and contracts with the local carnivals to provide all the rides, goes searching for his missing dog among the migrant camps, he meets Lucinda, or Cindy Tucker for the first time. Feeling an immediate attraction towards her, he invites her to the carnival after she finishes work at the migrant farm working at the commissary and helping to take care of the pregnant wife of the boss, Mr. Doyle. However Mr. Doyle has more interest in Cindy than simply providing her a place to work and when things get out of hand late one night, it will take Cindy and James on a journey for their very lives.

The story continues to flash back and forth from childhood to present day where we see Lucy is still homeless in both places and the way she has continued to make a life for herself along the difficult roads that lie ahead of her. You get a sense after reading this that Lucy was merely a victim of unfortunate circumstances that would continue to dictate in an unforeseen way how she would eventually wind up, always finding a home wherever she could. It makes her untrusting of the people she comes into contact with and you get a sense of that as you continue along in the story. I think this makes for a fantastic story by the time you get to the final pages and get a true sense for who Lucy has become.

I received this book compliments of Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. It often makes us take a look at the homeless people that surround us today and wonder just what their story is and how they have arrived at where they are today. I bet we would be more than surprised at what they would have to say, if we are only willing to listen. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and think everyone will take away something different from this novel. For me, it's simply NEVER to judge a book or a person by what we see. There is always more going on, than what you would think. (less)

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Jun 17, 2012 Beth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, book-review-tours

I received this book from the publisher free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy clean and uncomplicated stories. Christian fiction is not a genre that I typically read, but I wanted to try this one because I loved the story idea and wanted to learn just how this feisty yet kind eighty-year old homeless Lucinda had arrived at this point in her life. The book alternates between present day and Lucy's childhood/early adult years in the 1940's dus...more I received this book from the publisher free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy clean and uncomplicated stories. Christian fiction is not a genre that I typically read, but I wanted to try this one because I loved the story idea and wanted to learn just how this feisty yet kind eighty-year old homeless Lucinda had arrived at this point in her life. The book alternates between present day and Lucy's childhood/early adult years in the 1940's dust bowl era, as her own meaning of faith is evolving with life experience. I also found the carnival setting intriguing, back in the day when America was at war and families struggled to get by. Lending charm to the story, was Lucy's Arkansas family members southern accents and phraseology.

"If his dad noticed, he'd be madder'n a bee with its stinger in backward."

"Cindy stared at the creature in amazement, a smile spreading across her thin face. But when she didn't deliver another treat, the dog sprang straight up into the air and did a backward sommersault, landing on its feet, head cocked, ear aflop, and mouth hanging open...expecting. 'Wonkers! You some kinda trick dog, that's for sure! Okay, here!' She tossed him another bite, which was gone in a snap."

"Banana! How had Ma squirreled away a couple of bananas while they traveled in that hot old car from the blueberry fields? But she'd done it. Ma always seemed to find a way to add special touches to their family life, even when they had nothing. Her singing and Bible reading and little traditions--like her special banana cake for every birthday--helped keep the family together."

"Far as I was concerned, it's one of those things best put outta your mind. And I got quite a few of those, though they always seem to come back to haunt me whether I want 'em to or not."

"...Jeb Bodeen pulled Bo off the carousel and gave him his big chance to operate the Ridee-O. He coached Bo what he'd learned about using the clutch to give the ride a smooth start and then how to pop it in and out to jerk the riders around a little. 'They love it, and this is one ride that'll shake some change out of their pockets, so check underneath after you close down. That's money we don't have to report to the Chief."(less)

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Jun 30, 2012 Ruth Hill rated it 3 of 5 stars

While it is true that this is historical and it is a Christian book, I have to admit that I was quite disappointed in it. The story is very depressing--that makes it realistic, I guess. The romance is almost nonexistent. And I found absolutely no humor in it. It seems as though it was a myriad of missed opportunities that left me feeling quite unfilled.

I will admit that I found Lucy and Bo fairly delightful characters. I enjoyed the story between the two of them quite a bit. I felt for them each...more

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Jun 29, 2012 Victor Gentile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Dave and Neta Jackson in their new book “Lucy Come Home” Book One in Yada Yada Journey of Hope Series published by Castle Rock Creative, Inc. takes us into the life of Lucy Tucker.

From the back cover: Lucy Tucker has been on the streets of Chicago for 50 years. Why won’t she come home?

Fifteen-year-old Cindy worked long days beside her migrant worker family in Michigan’s sugar beet fields in the early 1940s – the “war years” – until she met a dashing young man from a traveling carnival, bringing...more Dave and Neta Jackson in their new book “Lucy Come Home” Book One in Yada Yada Journey of Hope Series published by Castle Rock Creative, Inc. takes us into the life of Lucy Tucker.

From the back cover: Lucy Tucker has been on the streets of Chicago for 50 years. Why won’t she come home?

Fifteen-year-old Cindy worked long days beside her migrant worker family in Michigan’s sugar beet fields in the early 1940s – the “war years” – until she met a dashing young man from a traveling carnival, bringing some joy and fun into her hard-scrabble life. But a tragic twist of fate – and a dead field boss – sent the two young people on the run, leaving behind family and everything she’d ever known.

Lucy Tucker, the crotchety old bag lady from the popular Yada Yada House of Hope series, is a veteran of the Chicago streets and not about to give up her independence, even as she approaches her 80th birthday. Until, that is, a young displaced woman with her gentle ageing mother and a dog named Dandy seem to need her – unsettling the secretive Lucy, who doesn’t let anyone get too close. But just when it seems her past is catching up with her to bring her in out of the cold…Lucy disappears again.

How these two tales intersect and intertwine between past and present gradually shines light into the dark corners of Lucy’s murky past. But…why won’t Lucy come home?

What do you do when you see a homeless person? Some cross the street to get away from them. Others walk by them and command them to get a job or get away. Very few, really, try to help or realize that they are real people with history. Dave and Neta Jackson have given us a great character in Lucy. She is given such a history and is such a real person that it is a shame that the book ends because we cannot hang out with her or the others in this book anymore. Get ready to go to the carnival and experience the sights, the smells, the colors, all from the insiders point of view. Honestly, I only knew about migrant workers from the old TV show, “The Fugitive” because he would do some work like that. Here we also have the insider point of view. “Lucy Come Home” is a wonderful, interesting story with power and depth that will keep you flipping pages.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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Jul 04, 2012 Lenore Webb rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was entranced while reading Lucy Come Home by Dave and Neta Jackson. I can't wait to share it with Granny M. She will really love reading this on our big ol front porch. That is her favorite place to read. It was wonderful to not only read the current story of Lucy but also her back story to understand how she became ensnared into her life. It made me thing of the paths I have taken. Looking back I wonder if I could pick and choose then which ones would I have avoided. Then if changing one of...more

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Jun 22, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Title: LUCY COME HOME
Authors: Dave and Neta Jackson
Publisher: Castle Rock Creative
June 2012
ISBN: 978-0982054437
Genre: Contemporary/women’s fiction

Lucy Tucker has lived on the streets of Chicago for over fifty years. Will she ever come home?

Fifteen-year-old Cindy worked long days beside her migrant worker family in Michigan’s sugar beet fields in the early 1940s until she meets a dashing young man, James Bodeen “Bo” from a traveling carnival. Bo brings some fun into her hard-scrabble life. But th...more
Title: LUCY COME HOME
Authors: Dave and Neta Jackson
Publisher: Castle Rock Creative
June 2012
ISBN: 978-0982054437
Genre: Contemporary/women’s fiction

Lucy Tucker has lived on the streets of Chicago for over fifty years. Will she ever come home?

Fifteen-year-old Cindy worked long days beside her migrant worker family in Michigan’s sugar beet fields in the early 1940s until she meets a dashing young man, James Bodeen “Bo” from a traveling carnival. Bo brings some fun into her hard-scrabble life. But then a twist of fate send Cindy and Bo running.

Lucy Tucker is an old bag lady from the popular Yada Yada House of Hope series. Lucy isn’t about to give up her “freedom” not even as she reaches her 80th birthday. At least until a young, displaced woman seems to need her… This makes Lucy uncomfortable as she doesn’t let anyone too close.

Just as it seems her past is about to catch up with her, Lucy disappears again.

I’m not really sure what to think of LUCY COME HOME. I know that some people wanted to know how Lucy got on the streets… I guess I’ve never been that curious. Life happens to good people. I didn’t like how the story jumped between past and present – it kept the reader disjointed and unable to completely get into the story.

I found it interesting to read a story about a migrant worker. I didn’t grow up in the ‘40s, but I did grow up in Michigan and was used to migrant workers coming in to work the blueberry fields an aunt and uncle owned, and other crops. I never thought about how hard their life must be, or why they might be doing it, and it was a good insight into their life.

Cindy is realistically developed though very naïve—and her parents were too in some ways. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but when Cindy was offered a job, red flags went up all over the place for me. I couldn’t believe they didn’t for her or her parents.
If you read the Yada Yada House of Hope series and are curious about Lucy, then you’ll want to read LUCY COME HOME. $15.99. 416 pages. 3.5 stars.
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Jun 17, 2012 Maureen Timerman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

Lucinda Tucker and her family live the lives of Migrant workers....since they lost their farm in the Dust Bowl. While on their way to pick beets, a carnival pulls into the town with them. Fate is set and Lucinda meets Bo.
We follow Lucy [Cindy] from a fifteen year old girl through to eighty years of age. This is a long book, but a compelling read. You will want a box of tissues handy...there are a lot of highs and lows. Through out the book you find God's hand leading their lives.
What a turn of e...more

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Apr 23, 2013 Carol rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-a-z-author-ch, 2013-hf-challenge, historical-fiction, 2013

I loved, loved this book! I enjoy reading a story that centers on one person and follows her life for a long period of time. Lucy Come Home (A Yada Yada Journey of Hope) by Dave and Neta Jackson, follows Lucinda Tucker for the time that she is called Cindy to when she was 80 and called Lucy.

Cindy is a migrant worker at the beginning of the book. Her family had lost so much previously from the Dust Bowl and later she turns up on the streets as a homeless lady. Her story really spoke to me. She ha...more

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Jun 14, 2012 JoyAnne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Now we know the rest of the story. Not only Lucy's childhood but her early years as well as what was happening during her disappearances in the recent books. Lucy has an interesting story and I'm so glad Neta has given us this look into her life.

Lucy and her carnie boyfriend run away after her boss is murdered. They leave family behind and don't look back. It's a really sad story considering they didn't have to run at all. The things they go through are heartwrenching.

If you've read the Yada Yad...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Andi Newberry ~Tubbs rated it 4 of 5 stars

Cindy and her family move from Arkansas when the Dust bowl hits and they loose their farm. As migrant workers they work the sugar beet fields in Michigan.
When the carnival arrives for Lapeer Days, Cindy meets a young man, Bo and for the first time in her young life she experiences some joy and fun.
Cindy is asked to help the boss man, Buster Doyle and things go down hill from there. Bo and her run from Michigan.
The book goes back and forth from the past to the present and we see Cindy / Lucy as...more

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Jun 27, 2012 Nancy rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a story of what is, what was and what might have been. Be prepared to cry. You just never know why that bag lady is living on the streets.

I really don’t know what to say. The tears just keep coming. Lucy has spent her life on a journey - a journey of hope and despair.

Lucy’s been through so much. Every time she thinks she finally has a home, something happens. She’s spent so many years on the street that going home feels frightening and claustrophobic.

Besides, she has a secret that makes...more

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Jun 20, 2012 Faye rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wow! So much more than the cover implies, the back cover description did not do this book justice at all.

I was taken away in the early 1940's before WWII broke out and people were still recovering from the Great Depression. Times were tough, and Cindy Tucker finds out just how hard life can be when the death of her boss sends her off with the kind young man from the traveling carnival. The tale is interwoven with another from the present day, about Cindy, now Lucy, a homeless woman who happens...more Wow! So much more than the cover implies, the back cover description did not do this book justice at all.

I was taken away in the early 1940's before WWII broke out and people were still recovering from the Great Depression. Times were tough, and Cindy Tucker finds out just how hard life can be when the death of her boss sends her off with the kind young man from the traveling carnival. The tale is interwoven with another from the present day, about Cindy, now Lucy, a homeless woman who happens upon a young woman and her family who need her. The two tales entwine into a wonderful tale of love and overcoming hardship through faith.

I loved the characters in this book and being with them as they overcame the many challenges in their lives. I think my favorite part was the part set in the 1940's because it was more of a love story and it showed how the seed of Cindy/Lucy's faith had been planted. Things certainly weren't easy for her in any part of the story.
Lucy Come Home was written in an easy to read fashion, that was both engaging and fit the story perfectly. The parts that were about Lucy in the present were in first person, while the past was in third person. I liked the realistic-ness of the tale and how things weren't easy. I think that Cindy and Bo might have been a little overboard with their trying to keep their identities a secret, but then I could see that jail would be a terrifying option and Bo was trying to keep them safe. I liked the human-ness of the characters and how they felt real, because they weren't perfect. Bo wasn't perfect, but he was a good guy.

Overall this is a book I would definitely recommend, and even though I am not familiar with the Yada Yada Series' at all, I was able to really enjoy this book that stood very well on its own. I really liked the dogs in the story, Jigger and Dandy, and thought they were a great way to add a certain depth and tie some things together. This book is so different than how I first thought it would be, and y'all should totally check it out :)

I received this book through Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review. Thanks.
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Mar 08, 2013 Cassi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Until reading this book for some reason I had always thought Lucy Tucker was black. I liked how the Jacksons alternated between Lucy's past and present, joining the two when she's reunited with her family after 60+ years. Normally when authors do that I get confused or lost and can't follow what's going on. This time everything was fluid and smooth. It was like two parallel roads that eventually intersected at the end.

Always love a good spinoff of a series. You see what you read in another book...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Kimberly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, blog-tour-reads, 2012-bookshelf

What a gem this book turned out to be, let me say it's been a while since I had the privlege to review such a thought provoking work of fiction that was such a touching read. I warn you if you're the type that cries over an emotional read you may want to have a box of tissues beside you just in case.

I was very impressed with the way that the husband ad wife author team laid out their story. It was seemlessly written and I felt as though I was actually in the story watching it all play out. I rea...more

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Jun 30, 2012 writer... rated it 4 of 5 stars

A captivating story of a 15 year old girl, Cindy, coming of age in the depression.
Travelling with her family of 9 as migrant workers, being taken advantage of by farm owners,
and regarded as less than in society, is the norm.
When a tiny dog arrives at their latest ramshackle migrant abode,
a bright spot of life arrives with him...

Bo is a young carnival worker, travelling town to town,
providing the thrill of the ride for those of the area and a life for the carnies.
When he goes out looking for his...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Kathy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! Of course I love anything by Neta Jackson. My only complaint is that it jumped between past and present with no real rhyme or reason and sometimes that threw me off. This book tells the story of Lucy and how she came to be homeless on the streets of Chicago. What a hard life she led! I loved how Neta snuck in references to the characters from her previous books that I love so much.

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Aug 22, 2012 Leigh Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book, was up late finishing it! This is a sister book to the series Yada Yada House of Hope that I read. Lucy is one of the main characters from that series, but you can read this book as a stand alone also. I love these authors, they really make you feel like you have known these people in real life.

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Jul 18, 2012 Sandra rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the most recent book in the Yada Yada Prayer Group/ House of Hope, Souled out Sisters series.

We finally learn more about Lucy, the 80 year-old lady, who lives on the streets of Chicago and meets up with some very interesting characters.

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Dec 12, 2012 Pamela Courtney rated it 4 of 5 stars

The last third of this book had me on an emotional roller coaster. Lucy's story made my heart ache. This was a good read I would suggest to those having trouble with letting God's light shine into the dark corners of their life.

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Jul 18, 2012 Dee Ann added it

Great book. If you've read the Yada Yada House of Hope series, this goes along with them.

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Jul 28, 2012 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

I loved learning Lucy's story, but this just didn't grab me as much as the other Yada Yada and House of Hope books

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May 24, 2013 Julie Gereda marked it as to-read

Not as engaging as the others but it was a nice read.

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title link	preview: Lucy Come Home
avg rating	preview: Lucy Come Home Goodreads rating: 4.21 (100 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13695423-lucy-come-home?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337111079l/13695423.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13695423-lucy-come-home?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Lucy Come Home by Dave Jackson[/url]

Lucy Come Home (A Yada Yada Journey of Hope)

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