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.
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.) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 8 Reviews Showing:
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Martha Artyomenko (Kalispell), November 13, 2009
Alisa Stewart is a mother, a writer, a gifted church speaker. She has taken the things that have made her life hard and turned them into good, the perfect story of turning trials into gold. But when the police officer showed up at her door, her heart just about quit. Her son Kurt has made bad choices and she is just sure he is going to be dead one of these times. When the police surprise her that they are not notifying her of his death, the relief quickly turns to fear for her son when they need to talk to him. As this story progresses, you become engrossed in the story of this mother's love for her son who is not making good choices and is possibly a murder suspect. You feel her joy as she sees him making good choices and agonize with her over each new development.
This book is skillfully written and was one of those books where you knew what the right thing for the character to do and I found myself talking to Alisa more than once!! This book will for sure challenge your thought processes on how far will you let love go and when is it more loving to let someone learn on their own without stepping in and making more messes for others in your family.
I highly recommend this novel to encourage you and think deeply as it is for sure a deep thinking inspirational fiction novel. The writing is excellent and will draw you into their lives to feel the pain of a mother and maybe understand why people make choices for love, even when they know better.- Martha
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Bonnie Leon (Roseburg, Oregon), November 08, 2009
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 story felt natural. Great pacing.
I'm definitely going to read more of Kathryn's stories.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Debbie (Huntsville, AL), November 02, 2009
Leaving Yesterday, by Kathryn Cushman, is a story of hope and tragedy and of struggling family relationships.
Alisa Stewart is recently separated from her husband. She has one son that died tragically and another who seems to be lost to his drug addiction. In a surprising turn of events, Alisa is elated that her son, Kurt, has checked into rehab. and is seeming to turn his life around. Then she discovers that he may have been involved in a recent murder. This riveting story tells of Alisa’s conflict between believing in and doubting her son, between helping him succeed in his new life or digging deeper to find a truth that may not be pleasant.
This book was hard to put down. The characters were very real and the story compelling. I appreciated the way the main character’s faith was both strengthened and challenged by her difficulties. Highly recommended.
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers for review purposes.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deborah (Reston, VA), October 16, 2009
Bethany House has been on a roll with their contemporary literary fiction lately. They have been putting out books that directly touch you without being preachy or over dramatic. This latest book by Kathryn Cushman is no exception. Since I am not a mother, one would think that it would seem as it would be hard for me to understand exactly what Alisa is going through. How would I be able fully comprehend what it would mean to have a son who was living out your worst nightmare? This book however paints out Alisa's hopes and fears so clearly, it was actually like I was in her thoughts. The story is completely engaging and I was sucked into the story. Even though it may not have been actions I would have done myself, I totally understand why Alisa did what she did. You will do anything and everything to protect the ones you love. Without spoiling anything, I just want to say that you shouldn't expect a candy coated, happy ending here. This book portrays the real world and people face the consequences of their actions. This is way more powerful than a miracle ending where someone or something comes in to save the day. Also of interest, is the minor storyline between Alisa and her male married neighbor. I was intrigued as to where that plot would go and was surprised by the situation.
I've read several reviews where there have been comparisons between Cushman and Karen Kingsbury. Ok, in my honest opinion, Cushman's books blow Kingsbury's books out of the water. For starters, you don't always have the happy ending in Cushman's books. There isn't unnecessary soap opera drama. The characters are actually believable. These books are just contemporary women's fiction. They are stories that touch deep at your heart without have to resort to feeling as they are manipulating your tear ducts. VERY highly recommended.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Christy Lockstein (Oconto Falls, WIsconsin), October 15, 2009
Leaving Yesterday by Kathryn Cushman is a absorbing novel about a mother's love. Alisa Stewart has spent the last several years coping with the brutal murder of her eldest son and her younger son's ensuing descent into drug addiction. Kurt has dropped out of his parents' lives, so when a police detective stops by asking his whereabouts in regards to a murder, Alisa is sickened with fear. Kurt's subsequent phone call from rehab alleviates her fears, and she is thrilled to have hope in a future for him again. But when the questions about the murder continue, Alisa has to decide just how deep her love for Kurt runs. Cushman tackles a difficult topic with compassion and incisiveness. The reader exults and aches with Alisa in her quest to save her son. There are extra layers to the story with Alisa's career as a speaker about grief recovery and her faltering marriage. The story flows so naturally it's hard to believe that this isn't a nonfiction memoir. Cushman is a superb author.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Michelle Sutton (AZ), October 13, 2009
I know a book is really good when I can't put it down. I read this book straight through in one day. I couldn't help imagining myself in a similar situation and I felt the character's angst throughout the story. I thought the author did a great job with tension, realism, and upping the stakes with every chapter. This mother's denial was totally understandable even though it was wrong. A few shocking things occurred in this story that made it all the more real to me. Half the time I wasn't sure if things revealed were the truth or a scam. And there was a lot of anger expressed, which made sense given the situations in the story. The temptation to sin in other areas and the lack of desire to pray just added to the dynamics of this complicated situation. It's hard to do a review of this book without spoilers so I'll just say that I was pleasantly surprised at how well the author showed the consequences of sin and the rewards of doing the right thing even when it could cost you everything.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Carrie (Padgett), September 26, 2009
I loved Kathryn Cushman's earlier novels and Leaving Yesterday is even better. She does an outstanding job bringing her reader into the situations and life of her characters until we're just as heartbroken.
Alisa Stewart is mom to a prodigal. It seems like her prayers have been answered when Kurt checks himself into rehab and emerges clean, sober, and determined to rebuild his life. But Alisa finds evidence implicating Kurt in a horrendous crime and her actions sets her family on a course of lies and deception.
For Alisa to do the right thing will sentence her son to prison. To keep quiet will give him a chance to live that changed life.
Kathryn Cushman has written another winner!
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jeanne (Wenatchee, WA), September 22, 2009
Cushman sets up a tense what-if situation: what if your prodigal son is a murderer trying to turn his life around, and your lie could free him? The book reminds us that truthfulness, even at an excruciating cost, is the God-honoring choice. Cushman is a new author to me, and the book was a gift, but because I've witnessed the angst of friends with prodigal children, I wondered what she would do with that plot and other subplots about fractured families. Unfortunately, her fiction world is more real that we want to think.
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