It's been four years since Rebecca Wells, author of the bestselling book club classic Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, published a new book. Her last book, Ya-Yas in Bloom, looked at the Ya-Yas in their younger days. Now Wells forges all new territory and brings us a new character sure to rival the immortal Vivi Abbot Walker -- Calla Lily Ponder.
But when Tuck leaves Calla with a broken heart, she transforms hurt into inspiration and heads for the wild and colorful city of New Orleans to study at L'Académie de Beauté de Crescent. In that extravagant big river city, she finds her destiny—and comes to understand fully the power of her "healing hands" to change lives and soothe pain, including her own. When Tuck reappears years later, he presents her with an offer that is colored by the memories of lost love. But who knows how Calla Lily, a "daughter of the Moon Lady," will respond? I just love this video where Rebecca, in talking about the novel, talks about how the events, be they illnesses, loss or something else entirely, that knock us down in life are the very things that make us who we are A tale of family and friendship, tragedy and triumph, loss and love, The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder gives readers an unforgettable new heroine to treasure and features the warmth, humor, soul, and wonder that have made Wells a cherished writer for so many book clubs. Be sure to check out Rebecca Wells' new website, the reading group guide, and this Interview with Rebecca. Friend her on Facebook as well! To celebrate this brand new Rebecca Wells novel, I have 5 copies to give away. Comment on which Wells novel your book group (or you on your own) read and how it affected you. I'll choose 5 random winners from all comments received by midnight, Friday, July 10th. Tweet this giveaway and you'll get two entries into the drawing (please post a link to your tweet as a separate comment). The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder is the sweet, sexy, funny journey of Calla Lily's life set in Wells's expanding fictional Louisiana landscape. In the small river town of La Luna, Calla bursts into being, a force of nature as luminous as the flower she is named for. Under the loving light of the Moon Lady, the feminine force that will guide and protect her throughout her life, Calla enjoys a blissful childhood—until it is cut short. Her mother, M'Dear, a woman of rapture and love, teaches Calla compassion, and passes on to her the art of healing through the humble womanly art of "fixing hair." At her mother's side, Calla further learns that this same touch of hands on the human body can quiet her own soul. It is also on the banks of the La Luna River that Calla encounters sweet, succulent first love, with a boy named Tuck.
I read THE DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD with my book club as we are all long time friends and it gave us so much to talk about! We all discussed friends we had in our youth that we wish we had kept in touch with. Thanks for the contest. I found this post via my blog list.
Posted by: Karen Haney | July 08, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Not long after I read The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, a group of friends attended a wedding receptions together. We could have been the Ya Yas! I'm sure everyone else was talking about our antics (nothing outlandish, just totally enjoying ourselves), but as Ya Yas, we rocked that night!
Posted by: Cathy | July 08, 2009 at 03:15 PM
I absolutely loved The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood! It reminded me of the gang of girls that I grew up with. Times are different now days and children grow up and move on. I think it is rare when someone stays in the same town they grew up in. And so, the book made me wonder how different my life would have been different had me and my girlfriends all stayed in the same town as adults. Anyway, I loved the deep level of friendship they all shared. Can't wait to read the new book!
Posted by: Lisa | July 08, 2009 at 03:27 PM
I loved the Ya Ya Sisterhood too. I saw it with my own mother, and it helped us connect in a way we hadn't before. I also have the same connection with my girlfriends from college!
For all you Ya Ya girls I have to suggest purchasing the book at an online store called www.booksonboard.com. If you read eBooks or like audiobooks it's a great place to buy them! They have great introductory prices on new releases, and they offer rewards dollars. It's convenient and a steal!
Posted by: Taylor | July 08, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood - this book brought be back to my girlfriends of my youth and the secrets and promises we made to each other. Today, myself & one of my childhood friends are still best girlfriends and we both talk about the journeys our lives have taken. I recently re-connected with another old friend, and we're reminding each other of experiences we shared.
Posted by: Lisa C | July 09, 2009 at 02:43 PM
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