Leaving Yesterday

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Leaving Yesterday
Bethany House (October 1, 2009)
by
Kathryn Cushman


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I graduated from Samford University with a degree in pharmacy, but I’ve known all my life that I wanted to write a novel “some day”. For me, “some day” came about five years ago, when I started writing and never looked back.

My third attempt became my first published novel.

A Promise to Remember was a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers Book-of-the-Year in the Women’s Fiction category, and Waiting for Daybreak was a finalist in Women’s Fiction for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. Leaving Yesterday just arrived on scene and I’m very excited about it!

On the homefront, I’ve been married to the wonderful and handsome Lee for over twenty years now, and our two daughters are currently braving the worlds of elementary and high school. We’ve lived in Santa Barbara for the last seventeen years. When I’m not writing or reading or braving seventy degree holidays, you’ll find me watching the younger daughter play softball, or the older daughter building amazing high school theater sets



ABOUT THE BOOK
Alisa Stewart feels like she's lost two sons: her youngest to a terrible tragedy and her eldest, Kurt, to a life ruined by addiction. But now Kurt has checked himself into rehab and found a healing faith that seems real. It's like he's been raised from the dead.

But then a detective arrives at Alisa's door asking questions about a murder--the death of a drug dealer before Kurt entered rehab. Alisa fears losing her son again, and when she finds evidence linking him to the killing, she destroys it. Her boy is different now. He's changed and deserves a second chance.

But when another man is charged with the crime, Alisa finds herself facing an impossible choice: be silent and keep her son or give up everything for the truth.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Leaving Yesterday, go HERE

MY THOUGHTS
Remember the old song "Texas in My Rear View Mirror" that Mac Davis sang a few almost 30 years ago?! In this novel, Alisa is ready to sing "Happiness is Yesterday in my Rear View Mirror!" But unfortunately for her, Yesterday just won't stay put. This is a powerful novel with numerous layers and multiple contrasts. The fierce and unrelenting love of a mother for her child is a beautiful thing. . . but can it go too far? A life headed for destruction, turned around by God's grace and forgiveness. . .but must the consequences of the seeds sown in sin still be reaped? A stark look inward at what we think we deserve, for surely we aren't as sinful as those who are bent on destroying their lives. . . and a dazzling reminder of the cross, where the ground is level at its foot. And finally, the desperate attempt to keep wearing a "strong faith" mask. . .and the lessons learned about authenticity and true friendships when others are allowed inside one's pain. As this family's yesterdays impact their tomorrows, will they trust God for each today? Grab a copy of this book, walk their journey with them, and be challenged and encouraged in your own!