Leaving Yesterday [Paperback]

Kathryn Cushman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

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. 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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cushman's (Waiting for Daybreak) latest faith-based novel begins with a jolt. As a police officer arrives on the doorstep of Alisa Stewart's home, she fears that her only living son, Kurt, has been killed in the course of his dark lifestyle, living on the streets and using drugs. Her terror is calmed when she learns her son is only needed for an investigation into the beating death of a local dealer, and she's further assuaged when Kurt himself calls to say he is now in rehab. Latching onto this unexpected and desperately needed ray of hope, Alisa is deceived by her own optimism. As past secrets are revealed, she is forced to consider justice and mercy's conflicting demands. Though Kurt's struggle dominates the novel, Alisa faces additional personal crises— her husband threatens divorce and she's tempted by the possibility of an affair. The number of crises facing her is overwhelming and at times distracts from the power of the central conflict. However, the novel offers a denouement that will satisfy evangelical Christian readers with its resolution while maintaining its reality. (Oct.)
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Review

Cushman's novel is a profoundly moving portrait of a mother's quest to protect her son at all costs. You won't soon forget this page-turner. --Romantic Times Book Reviews, October 2009

"Cushman does a good job of bringing up some weighty themes even as she weaves this entertaining story. No mother will be able to read this book without asking herself if she would she go to the lengths Alisa did if she were in the same shoes.... For a hard-to-put-down read that will prompt you to take a thoughtful look at your role as a parent and as a child, Leaving Yesterday is an excellent choice." --Violet Nesdoly, Blogcritics.org

"This is a heart-rending story that actually radiates hope. Just not the kind of hope we're used to seeing in today's modern church. Alisa is the kind of woman I'd want as my friend---my closest friend.

"I only hope, after reading this novel, that I can be the kind of friend women like Alisa need in their lives. Kathryn Cushman writes stories with heart and passion, about people who could very well be living in your neighborhood.... I challenge you to read one Kathryn Cushman novel without a package of tissues at your side!" --Deena Peterson, TitleTrakk.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House; Original edition (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764203827
• ISBN-13: 978-0764203824
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,232,341 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!, December 22, 2009

By 

C. Fesler (Kansas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Leaving Yesterday (Paperback)

Wow! This was a very interesting book! This is an example of how much a mother loves her children and how far she will go to protect them from themselves. Alisa Stewart is quite a mom! She has been through so much with the death of one son and the separation from her husband. Her remaining son, Kurt, has been walking the path of a drug addict. All of a sudden he calls and tells his mom that he is clean and in a drug rehab. In the same time frame a detective shows up with Kurt's name on a list of money owed to a drug dealer that has recently been beaten to death. There are many twists and turns in this story and in order to keep from giving something away I can't say more about the plot :) I enjoyed reading this book and found it hard to put down! I enjoyed the author's style of writing and I look forward to reading more from her. I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me the opportunity to review their books and the free copy that I received.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down., November 8, 2009

By 

Bonnie Leon "Unveiling Truth Through Fiction" (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Leaving Yesterday (Paperback)

Once I started reading, I couldn't put down "Leaving Yesterday". What a wonderful book!

It's more than a prodigal story, though it is that. There's so much about faith and courage and God's sovereignty in this story. I grew to love and care about each of the characters and read late into the night because I had to know what happens to them.

Kathryn did a wonderful job of revealing who the characters are and intermingled the plot in such a way that our discoveries about the people in this tale felt natural. Great pacing.

I'm definitely going to read more of Kathryn's stories.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leaving Yesterday will leave you satisfied!, October 30, 2009

By 

Lynda Schab "Writer/Book Reviewer" (Michigan) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Leaving Yesterday (Paperback)

Recently, someone posted on a message board I regularly visit that they are tired of sappy Christian novels that always include the message of salvation. They wanted to see stories that deal with believing characters who that struggle with everyday choices and issues. Issues that aren't always able to be wrapped up in a pretty little bow.

Well, let me introduce you to Leaving Yesterday, by Kathryn Cushman.

This was the first novel I've read by this author and I have to say it definitely won't be my last.

Alisa Stewart has experienced more than her share of heartache. First, she lost a son to murder. Then, her other son, Kurt, left home for a life of drug use and addiction. On top of that, she and her husband are separated, leaving Alisa to deal with her pain alone while taking care of their 10-year-old daughter.

When a police officer appears at her door, Alisa fears the worst - that her prodigal son, whome she hasn't heard from in forever, is dead. But the officer is only there following a lead on a recent murder about which her son may have information.

When Kurt calls out of the blue, saying he's checked himself into rehab, Alisa is overcome with joy that God has finally answered her prayers. Then the cop returns and makes it clear that Kurt is a suspect in the murder. But Alisa refuses to believe it. Her son may have fallen into addiction, but murder? No way. When questions begin to arise, she reluctantly finds herself doubting her son. And those doubts are what prompt her to make a choice: "keep silent and keep her son...or risk everything in a quest for the truth."* (tag from the back cover)

This story is about just how far a mother is willing to go to protect her child. Alisa is a Bible believing Christian who is faced with tough choices. Choices that will ultimately bring her closer to or farther away from God. Choices we all face. This book makes the consequences of sin very clear. It also shows what happens when we do things God's way instead of our own.

I loved the pacing of this book, which kept me turning pages. But more than that, it was the characters who stole my heart. I couldn't help but be drawn to Alisa as her mind and heart battled over the right thing to do. A mother myself, how could I not understand the depths of desperation she felt?

The secondary characters were also well developed, especially neighbor-slash-lawyer, Lacey, who brought a bit of humor to the story.

Leaving Yesterday was honest, heart-wrenching, emotional, and real. I would not describe this novel as one ending as "happily-ever-after" with a neat and tidy bow on top. In essence, this is a story that not only leaves yesterday behind but also offers hope for tomorrow.