By Rebecca Wells
HarperCollins
Hardcover, Paperback, Audio CD (Unabridged), Audio Cassette (Abridged) and Large Print Editions

Rebecca Wells once again whisks the reader away to the world of Caro, Teensy, Necie and Vivi; the “Ya-yas.” In her previous novels, Wells has used reminiscing by different members of the Ya-ya clan to weave a wonderful story of memories of past actions and how they tie in with the present, and this new novel is no different.

Ya-Yas in Bloom Excerpt Well, not well enough. Saint Joseph is what masculine love is about. It is not about power. It is not about judging. It is about a quiet calm, a quiet love that is the only defense from loss. I don’t want to be a knight. I don’t want to ride on a white stallion with a spear and a shield. I want to hold my children in my arms. I want my hugs to be their protection. You do what you must, sir, but do not tell me I don’t understand. ©2005 Rebecca Wells Published with permission from HarperCollins

Ya-yas In Bloom introduces, in more depth, the relationships between the “Ya-yas,” the “Petites Ya-yas” and the “Tres Petite Ya-yas.” The reader is drawn into the complexity, rewards and heartaches of fatherhood as well, which is a new angle for the “ya-ya” novels.

The novel begins with Vivi, looking over a picture of her mother and her daughter. The reader once again learns more about Sidda, Lulu, Baylor and Little Shep and their parents. After the reminisces, different characters tell the story of the kidnapping of Rosalyn, the granddaughter of Necie. This painful event is summarized with reactions from all of the Ya-ya clan, as well as the painful and dramatic actions they all take to deal with the kidnapping and its aftermath.

Bookworm's Briefing
Another winner from Wells, this novel is even more hard-hitting on the tear ducts than the last two Ya-ya novels and uses more drama and suspense to hit home its points. It explores more raw emotions, relying less on comedy than on the believable interactions and reactions of the Ya-ya clan. It's worth a read after the first two in the series, Little Altars Everywhere and Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood.