Leaving November (Clayburn Novels Series #2) [Paperback]

Deborah Raney (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 4, 2008

Eight years ago, Vienne Kenney moved away from Clayburn and all its gossip to pursue a law degree in California. But now she has failed the bar exam again. Is she destined to be stuck forever, a failure -- just like her father -- in this two-horse Kansas town?

Nine months ago, Jackson Linder left Clayburn with no explanation to anybody. Now he, too, is back. He isn't sure he's ready to face the rumors and well-meaning questions of the town's busybodies. Yet he's determined, once more, to make his art gallery a success -- in spite of the secret that haunts him every day....

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Faith and love triumph in this small-town story of overcoming the past and finding hope for the future. Leaving November gently plays the heartstrings and embraces the spirit in the name of love." -- Linda Windsor, author of Wedding Bell Blues and For Pete's Sake

"Deb Raney's books have been an enjoyment and inspiration for me since her first, A Vow to Cherish. She has again touched my life with Leaving November. A gifted storyteller, she also has a way of having her characters learn to lean on God that causes me as a reader to relearn that same lesson. I highly recommend Leaving November." -- Yvonne Lehman, author of 46 novels and director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference

"I loved Leaving November by Deborah Raney! Raney's books always touch the heart in deep ways that keep me thinking about the undercurrents long after I turn the last page. The Clayburn series is a keeper!" -- Colleen Coble, author of Anathema

About the Author

Deborah Raney’s first novel, A Vow to Cherish, was awarded a Silver Angel from Excellence in Media and inspired the acclaimed World Wide Pictures film of the same title. Since then her books have won the RITA Award, the HOLT Medallion, and the National Readers’ Choice Award. Raney was also a finalist for the Christy Award. She and her husband, artist Ken Raney, make their home in their native Kansas.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Howard Books; Original edition (March 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416558292
• ISBN-13: 978-1416558293
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #488,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I went from full-time stay-at-home mom for 20 years to pretty much full-time author. My passion is my family-my husband and I have been married for 38 years and have four kids, and four darling grandkids! But since, if a mom does her job right, she eventually puts herself OUT of a job, I'm delighted to have the privilege of working as a novelist. I absolutely love the writing life.

I've had a couple of non-fiction books published and contributed to some anthologies, as well as writing magazine articles. But my first love is fiction. I have written more than 25 novels and am now working on a new book for Howard/Simon & Schuster. A typical writing day begins early-often before 6 a.m.-with the business side of things: answering e-mail and reader mail, updating my Web site, reading for research. We're new empty-nesters so our routine is much quieter than it was when we had four kids at home. When my writing time begins, I have a routine that sets the stage, starting with lighting scented candles, choosing mood music on Pandora, and brewing a pot of coffee. Lately I've been enjoying coffee our son sent me from Germany. I have a cozy office that looks out over our front yard where I can watch for the UPS man and the mailman. But since I write on a laptop, I often take my computer to the kitchen counter or a chair by the fireplace, or, if the weather is nice, out on the deck where my feline friend keeps me company. I try to wrap up the day's words (usually 1000-1500 a day) by dinnertime.

Believe it or not, my first choice of activities for the evening is READING-a great novel, of course! As much as I enjoy the actual process of writing, I am an extrovert by nature, and doubt I'd last long in this business were it not for the company of several wonderful online writers' groups, the joy of connecting with other authors at retreats and conventions, and meeting aspiring writers when I teach at conferences around the country.

Probably the most exciting event in my writing life so far was when my first novel was made into a film by World Wide Pictures. Certainly a dream come true! I believe writing is a calling from God on my life-one I've felt since I was a twelve-year-old girl-and I feel blessed beyond words to have answered that call.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Please forgive me if I act a little strange February 28, 2008

By Deborah VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Vienne Kenney has returned home after flunking the bar exam twice. Jack Linder has returned home also after completing a session in rehab. The two have plans to start anew in their hometown. Vienne is opening up a fancy coffee house while Jack paves the way for a new art gallery. Both of them face the trials of running a new business in a town and find themselves migrating towards the other for company. A relationship begins to grow until Vienne finds out about Jack's past. She has wounds that run deep invovling alcoholism and and the relationship begins to fray. It takes a true act of forgiveness before all can be well again.

Clayburn is a town I would like to visit. I could see myself visiting both the art gallery and the Latte-dah. In fact I would probably be a regular visitor at Vienne's coffee house since I love frequenting places like that. It sounds like a great place to hang out with a book and a cup of mocha. I understood her frustration at Pete's gang disrupting the ambiance of her place with their manure covered shoes and loud talking. It's tough to start business with customers insisting on doing things their way and not yours. Both Vienne and Jack had secrets in their life they didn't want to share. This was probably not the best way to start a friendship because it kept leading to awkward moments between the two of them. This story shows the effects of what alcoholism does to not only the person who drinks but to other members of the family. Vienne's reluctance to get close to Jack is not at all surprising due to everything she went through with her father. It was interesting to see a recovering alcoholic's struggle with addiction and how prayer was the main thing that Jack could rely on. It was also painful to hear all the gossip that was being spread about Jack. It's sad that people will spread lies without knowing the whole story and then make false assumptions about others. I also felt touched by her relationship with her mother. It's not easy to have a stroke victim in the family and it can be very trying just to communicate with them. Vienne showed wonderful patience and kindness toward her mother. It's refreshing to read about situations like this instead of hearing about adult children who just leave their parents in the care of others.

The story is not overly preachy but instead shows the power of forgiveness and the struggles that addiction causes. It's a really touching story that everyone should read. If this is your first Deborah Raney book, it will make you become a fan. Highly recommend.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't leave this one behind March 10, 2008

By Martha W. Rogers

Format:Paperback

If you enjoyed Remember to Forget, you won't want to miss Deb Raney's newest book, Leaving November. However it is a stand alone book and you don't have to read the first to truly enjoy the second. The town of Clayburn is again the setting for a wonderful story of forgiveness and renewal as Vienne Kenney deals with the past history of her father and learns the true meaning of love. Jackson Linder is learning to cope in the present by putting his complete trust in God and it takes every bit of that trust to overcome the attitudes of the citizens of Clayburn who are slow in accepting the new Jack. Deb weaves a love story that is filled with surprises and delights as hearts and attitudes are changed through God's unfailing love and His promise to give us the desires of our heart when we are obedient and trust Him. Deb never ceases to amaze me with the wonderful way she has of making her characters come alive in her stories. You want to know more about them and how their lives play out in the future. Don't miss this one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read March 4, 2008

By Cynthia Hickey

Format:Paperback

Moving back home is never as easy as it seems. Vienne Kenney thought she had her life planned out. Leave her po-dunk small town life behind her, pass her bar exam, and give everyone back home something to talk about.

She gives them something to talk about, all right. A failed bar exam, and turning her mother's café into a high faluting coffee shop. One where the overall wearing, manure boot wearing townies are not welcome. And there's Jackson. The man she had a crush on in high school. But Jackson, too, isn't what she had planned for her life.

In Leaving November, Deborah Raney shows the reader how what we have planned for our life, may not be God's plan, and how His plan is the best in the end. Come along for a fun, sweet, thought provoking ride.