Leaving November, Clayburn Novels Series #2

Daughter of the town drunk, Vienne Kenney has escaped Clayburn for law school in California. But after failing the bar exam-twice-she is back home with her tail between her legs, managing Latte-dah, the Clayburn cafe turned upscale coffee shop. Jackson Linder runs the art gallery across the street and Vienne has had her eye on him since she was a skinny seventh grader and he was the hunky high school lifeguard who did not know she existed. Now it is his turn to fall for her and suddenly Clayburn seems like a pretty nice place to be...until Vienne discovers that Jack is fresh out of rehab and still struggling with the same addiction that ultimately killed her father.

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....

Discussion Questions

1. In Leaving November, Vienne Kenney has escaped the hometown where she always felt second-class because of her father's alcoholism. She's sought to become "somebody" by getting a law degree.

Have you ever sought validation by striving for outward things to make you feel worthy? A degree or title? A bigger home or fancier car? A prestigious address or a lucrative occupation? If so, have these things accomplished what you hoped they would, and given you a sense of worthiness? If not, why do you think that is? What happens to the temporary sense of worth such things can give when they are suddenly taken away from us, the way Vienne's future in the legal profession was when she failed the bar exam for the second time?

2. Jackson Linder comes home from nine months in rehab, still struggling with his desire for a drink. Have you ever suffered from an addiction that held you in its grip for months or years after you stopped the addictive behavior? Maybe you're struggling with an addiction or a bad habit right now. How do you continue to have hope in the face of ongoing temptation? What have you found that helps you in your struggle? If you've overcome a past addiction or bad habit, what secrets can you share with those still struggling?

3. While she felt humiliated about failing the bar two times, Vienne comes to realize that she really isn't cut out to be a lawyer. Her reasons for seeking a law degree had nothing to do with the way God had gifted her or with God's leading in her life. Instead it was all about trying to find self-worth.

How do you feel about Vienne "wasting" her law degree? Have you ever sought after something, only to realize once you attained it, that it wasn't what you wanted after all? How did you deal with that realization? Is it possible Vienne's education wasn't wasted after all, in spite of the fact that she's now running a coffee shop? Explain.

4. As Vienne becomes friends with Jack, she almost doesn't realize that she is falling in love with him. Have you had a similar experience? If so, what did you find to be the pros and cons of falling in love with someone who was a friend before they were a romantic interest? How did your story end?

5. The downside of Vienne's falling in love with Jack is that when she discovers Jack has struggled with an addiction to alcohol, she realizes he has the one fault she promised never to abide in a man (because of her father's alcoholism).

If you were in Vienne's shoes, how would you handle the situation? Would you break off all contact with Jack? Would you do as Vienne grudgingly did and try to remain friends, while putting aside thoughts of romance? Or are there other possibilities? Read Colossians 3:1-15 and 1 Peter 4:8 and discuss how these commands might apply to Jack and Vienne's situation.

6. Forgiveness is a large theme woven throughout Leaving November. Vienne is faced with forgiving her father (who never repented). Then she must forgive Jack's past. Jack has been forgiven of a great mistake (even though it was unintentional). Now, he must forgive his birth father, as well as forgiving Vienne for her judgment of him.

Forgiveness is difficult, especially when there is no remorse. Have you struggled to forgive someone in your life? In what situation(s)? What do you think it means to "forgive and forget"? Read Psalm 103:8-14. Is it possible to ever truly forget a wrong that was done to us? Why or why not?

7. Like Jack, Wren has to deal with events from her past that color her present life. How do you feel about the way Wren handled Marcus Tremaine's reentrance into her life? Do you think Wren gave Jack enough information about his father? Why or why not?

8. Jack's confrontation with his birth father left him feeling conflicted about what his response should be. What do you think about the way Jack handled his father's attempt to be a part of his life? How could Jack have handled it differently?

9. Jack's addiction to alcohol began as an escape from his shame and sorrow over the accident he inadvertently caused. Do you view Jack's addiction any differently knowing this? How do you think the circumstances might have changed the methods counselors used to help Jack recover?

Discuss some of the recovery techniques Jack used to remain sober. How did you feel about the way his recovery was portrayed in the book? Did you trust that Jack had his addictions under control by the end of the book? Why or why not? If Vienne were your daughter, would you be comfortable with her having a romantic relationship with Jack? Why or why not?

10. Vienne felt quite a bit of animosity toward Pete Truesdell. What reasons did she give for this, and did you think her feelings were justified? Is it possible there were other reasons Pete irritated Vienne that she wasn't willing to admit? What might those reasons have been?

11. Pete reveals to Jack that, for thirty-two years, he's struggled with the same addiction Jack is struggling with. How did that make Jack feel? When you're in the midst of a trial or temptation, is it helpful to know that others have the same struggle? Why or why not?

Read Romans 5:1-5 and Romans 12:15. In what ways can you find something positive in your own trials, knowing that someday you may be able to offer comfort to those who are walking in your shoes?

Leaving November by Deborah Raney proves that no matter how deeply buried, past mistakes tend to catch up with us at some point. For Vienne Kenney and Jackson Linder that time is now.

Leaving November is Raney’s second Clayburn novel that explores issues of regret and addiction, while also revealing the redemption of Christ’s love. As Vienne attempts to juggle owning a café and being back in her hometown after law school troubles, Jackson deals with the long-term effects of alcoholism. Will they be able to overcome their pasts in order to live in the present?

Winner of the RITA award, the HOLT Medallion, and the National Readers’ Choice Award, Deborah Raney grants fans another small-town romance that is sure to please many readers. The book includes somewhat believable characters, who are both honest and lovable, and an inviting world in which they live. The vulnerabilities of people who both fail and succeed, gain and lose love, work and play, presents a more realistic image of modern day Christians making an effort to lead a righteous life, even with sinful tendencies. However, with a predictable plot and no dynamic climax, Leaving November may lose some readers’ interest. It is a slow paced book that is purposely character driven rather than plot driven. It focuses more on the development of Vienne and Jackson rather than on the success of the café or the fulfillment of the dream to gain a law degee.

Readers might not like every aspect of the book, but with the help of some intriguing back-stories, a realistic romance, and an easy-to-picture café, the hope that shines through in the end is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face. -- Amy Nickerson www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

"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

Average Rating:

8 of 14 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)

Reviewed by Chandra Lynn (PA), September 11, 2008

Deborah Raney never disappoints. With skill, faith and depth, she tells stories that are real and filled with hope. Her characters could be your neighbor, your best friend, maybe even you. In Leaving November, she takes us back to the small town of Clayburn, Kansas where we meet some new characters and become reacquainted with old ones. Vienne Kenney, left Clayburn with plans never to return. Eight years and two failed bar exams later she is back. When her mother suffers a stroke, she determines to stay, refurbish Clayburn Diner into a coffee shop and run it until her mother recuperates. But will she ever get used to the small town gossip and find her place in the community and in God's plan? Jack Linder returns to Clayburn to face his largest challenge. He must reopen his art gallery and face his past mistakes without running to the crutch he used before. Will he be able to fight off temptation and convince Vienne that he truly has changed his ways? Deborah creates flawed characters you will love and a story you will believe. She weaves faith and truth masterfully in the pages and when you close the book you will want to visit Clayburn, Kansas again. I highly recommend Leaving November and the first book in the series, Remember to Forget.

Reviewed by Sally (Pembroke Pines, FL), September 03, 2008

As a child of an alcoholic, I can relate to Vienne Kenney. She does not really want to return to painful memories of Clayburn, KS after her mother's stroke, but she must. The business, a cafe, needs attention. Vienne turns the lunchroom into an upscale coffee shop and names it Latte-dah and meets a bit of opposition from some in the small town. Romantic tension is provided by Jackson Linder, Vienne's high school crush, when he returns from rehab to reopen his art shop across the street. Jackson has problems of his own as he struggles to stay sober. Can Vienne overlook Jackson's past? Will her mother approve the changes in the cafe? Will there be enough business to keep these two new business ventures going? This is the first book by Deborah Raney I've read, and what a delightful surprise it is! It will not be the last one of hers I read.

Reviewed by Nancy Jo Jenkins (Austin, Texas), August 22, 2008

In "Leaving November", award winning author Deb Raney has written another "Can't put the book down". This second book in the Clayburn series left me with a deep yearning for the release of her next book. As usual, Deb has the reader turning pages in anticipation of her character's life-choices in the small town of Clayburn, Kansas. Deb is second-to-none in creating believable, exciting characters and does so in "Leaving November". She also catches us up on the lives of characters we came to love in her first book in the series, "Remember to Forget". As I followed Vienne Kenney and Jackson Linder through the pages of "Leaving November", I was amazed at Deb's ability to connect the reader with the realities of life that Vienne and Jackson have to face, so that we "feel" their frustrations, fears, disappointments and temptations along with them. Vienne and Jackson face their deep-rooted problems head-on, yet in true-to-life experiences that tug on the heart. The couple's gradual love and trust for each other leaves the reader with a contented heart. But Deb didn't choose a "happily-ever-after" ending for her story, but one that whets the reader's appetite to read more about this couple we've invested our hearts in. Congratulations go to Deb Raney for writing such a wonderful story of faith and love, and triumph and victory. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Reviewed by Linda Rondeau (Malone, New York), July 09, 2008

In November, Vienne Kenney makes a life-changing decision. After failing the bar exam, again, she decides to return to Clayburn, the town she left eight years ago. She learns quickly that the ghosts of her past still inhibit the small town. Nor has she found the strength to forgive her alcoholic father. She tries to make a go of her mother’s café. With the help of town artist, Jackson Linder she might succeed at something. Jackson Linder left Clayburn eight months ago for reasons he would like to forget. Those who matter to him, realize the accident that took the life of his best friend’s wife wasn’t his fault. But he drank to forget and became chemically dependent. Months of rehab have sobered him. Trevor is remarried and happy. Can he return to a town full of gossips that won’t let him forget?Award winning author, Deb Raney has woven yet another great story of overcoming insurmountable odds through the grace available in Christ. Christians are not immune to disappoints, failures, and tragedies. Sometimes these experiences can alter our lives in ways we could never expect. Sometimes, we find God forgives our past more readily than our neighbors or church associates. Through Vienne and Jackson’s story, Leaving November, the heartwarming sequel to Remember to Forget, reminds us that our pasts are in the sea of God’s forgetfulness. Where they need to stay.

Reviewed by Marion Kelley Bullock (Texas), July 07, 2008

Vienne Kinney failed the bar exam— a second time. After she’d spent tens of thousands of dollars on a law degree that’s now useless. Then her mother suffered a stroke and Vienne came back home to Clayburn, Kansas, determined to make a go of the fancy coffee shop that was once her mother’s café. She must swallow her pride and try to forget that the townspeople probably view her as a failure— just like her father, who was the town drunk. Jackson Linder is back in Clayburn, after a mysterious absence of nine months. He must make his art gallery a success. How many people know his secret? He’s working hard and keeping busy shooting prayers up to God— the God whom he leans on. Vienne and Jackson, two new business owners, form a tenuous friendship. When she finds out about Jackson’s past, she vows to have nothing to do with him. If she dares to let herself fall for a man with the same addiction that killed her father, she fears it will end up like it did for her mom. Leaving November explores the curse of addiction, the healing balm of forgiveness, and the faith in God that makes it possible to succeed one day at a time. A beautiful story, I could never do it justice in a review. As have other Deb Raney books, it touched my heart in a special way. Vienne and Jackson, and even Pete, will live on in my memory because Deb made them real.

Reviewed by Brenda aka Maggie Brendan (Lott), June 10, 2008

This book is great summer reading because if you take it with you on vacation or to the pool you’ll not be able to put it down. In Leaving November, we visit the community of Clayburn again from the book Remember to Forget. The author pulled me in from the first page with Vienne’s return to Clayburn after she failed her bar exam for the second time, then stays to help her mother after a stroke. She turns her mother’s café into a coffee shop just across the street from the art gallery owned by Jack, who she had a crush on in her high school years. She plans to only stay in Clayburn until her mother’s health returns, but finds herself falling hard for Jack. But there is just one problem-- he has a past of his own to deal with. Alcohol. One that she swore to herself she would never allow into her life because of her father’s history. Crafted in such a way that we are able to see and understand Jack’s addiction gave me great insight on how one struggles to overcome alcoholism. This is a wonderful story of triumph over personal life issues that affect our relationships and at the very core of our lives. It’s a story of trust, love and forgiveness, which brings hope to each new day. This book is not to be missed!

Reviewed by Jill Eileen Smith (Southeastern Lower, Michigan), June 05, 2008

As with any reader, I have my favorite authors, those whose books I anticipate, who get pushed to the top of my to-be-read pile. Award-winning author Deborah Raney is one of those authors. She just happens to know how to capture my imagination and keep me turning pages. She has a tendency though, to rob me of my much-needed beauty sleep. Her newest release LEAVING NOVEMBER 'from Howard Books/Simon & Schuster' had me reading last night by flashlight! I never do that! Honest! I had already spent a few hours last evening reading this can't-put-it-down book and had about four chapters to go. I took a break to work on my work-in-progress ABIGAIL, then watched a rerun of House with my dear husband and scampered back upstairs to read the rest. Dear hubby came to bed, exhausted from having stayed up to watch the Red Wings go into triple or quadruple overtime and lose the night before, and hoped I didn't plan to have the light on much longer. I had two chapters left! But, sweet, kind wife that I am - I decided to grant him his wish and turned out the light. But you know, those chapters weren't that long, and there were only two left! So I dug in my nightstand drawer for my flashlight pen. I tend to want to spare the flashlight pen's batteries, but threw caution to the wind and turned it on to read. I wondered how she planned to wrap up the story. Would the ending satisfy? Many books struggle with this - I'm at that point myself right now! I am pleased to announce that this book is thoroughly satisfying and deserves every sort of award out there! LOVED IT! Deb's characters are so true-to-life - Jack was my favorite, but then I love a flawed yet tender hero - and Deb knows how to handle tough subjects yet leave the reader with hope. Great job, Deb!

Reviewed by Bonnie Engstrom (Scottsdale, AZ), June 01, 2008

Leaving November is another Deb Raney winner! Although the plot isn’t as deep as some of her previous novels, her characters are compelling, sensitive and real. Both Vienne, the heroine, and hero Jackson struggle with deep inner turmoil as a result of alcoholism. While half the town of Clayburn, Kansas knows their “secrets,” both are reluctant to admit them to each other. As their friendship develops into romantic longing, each reveals snippets of what’s buried inside to the other. As with most of Raney’s novels, trust is a major issue her characters deal with until they release their fears to God and allow Him to take control. As their faith deepens, Vienne and Jackson independently learn that leaning on God brings resolution and restitution, as well as life-long love for each other. The ending is especially satisfying because, in Raney style, it’s not candy-coated, but realistic and believable.

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