Leaving Yesterday

Tomorrow's Promise Collection #3

by Kathryn Cushman

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.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Adult, Audiobook, Contemporary, Drama

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Author Kathryn "Katie" Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy.

She is the author of ten novels, including the newly released, "The Plans We Made", which she co-authored with Lauren Beccue.

Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California.

Visit her Web site at www.kathryncushman.com

Reviews

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most appealing aspects of this book for me was the originality of the story. And this was an original story, but the message is very simple and one we cannot hear too much. The overall message is that our sins have consequences and our sins do not just affect us, they affect everyone around us. It is so important to trust God to help us make the right choices and help us when we have made mistakes. Kathryn has delivered this message through Alisa’s story in a beautiful way. Although, I do think the end was a bit too tidy for reality, but that is what makes this fiction and that is what makes this inspirational.

Leaving Yesterday has a little bit of everything that I enjoy in a good story. It has some suspense, some romance, and a lot of inspiration from the Word of God. Alisa was just an average, ordinary mom trying to protect her family after being ripped apart by tragedy. Her unconditional love for Kurt could be felt right from the dramatic beginning. This book is a fast read with enough momentum to keep the pages turning right from the start. It is a book about acceptance, love, forgiveness, and above all, trusting God to get us through when life is out of control.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A novel about a mother who has experienced grief, loss, and heartache for her two sons.

This mother suffers the loss of one son and finds out her other son is a possible murder suspect after he has spent considerable time away from family and home. Paths were separated due to the son's severe drug addiction.

The effects are shown on the whole family (there are other contributing factors, of course) and the main character here reveals what can happen when she pretends all is well when it simply isn't. Many Christian women, including this writer --- can relate to presenting things the way they should be instead of how they actually are.

The path seems safer that way ... but is it?

This story shows how it can look on the other side of the truth and makes you ask... "What would I do?"

My honest regard for this book is that I didn't really enjoy it. I had a hard time getting into it and an even harder time connecting with the characters ... especially the main one. Even though I am one who feels I must finish any book I start, I had to push myself hard to finish this one and I only did so because I got it to read and review.

Almost the entire book is a record of the main character's endless thoughts and her constant dragging through of assuming the worst seemed endless.

She came across as self focused --- constantly worrying about what others would think. The thing is, she never showed much care for any of them unless they were doing something concerning herself.

I am glad to be done with this book.

Everything was just too?

Perfect, perhaps?

I know the thought was to present someone who seemed perfect in every way who did less than perfect things when faced with hardship. I guess she really was too perfect for me to relate with. She was excellent at her job, at speaking, at writing, at motherhood, in appearance, with a beautiful home in a beautiful neighborhood.

In all of that, though --- she did nothing for anyone even once that I recall other than for her own family and visiting a neighbor who did more for her anyway.

Maybe this would go over better with someone more like the main character who I cannot even recall the name of. I am usually not so harsh with my book reviews but I will end this with one of the strong points being the point that "dirty" and bad things can go on in the best looking families. It also leaves me with the hope that I will have compassion on the woman I see who seems to have it all ... knowing the battle she might be having in keeping that pretense up for everyone in her life.

Bethany House sent this book to me at no charge so I could read and review it. Love this publishing company!

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Beckie Burnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tragic murder of a son sets events for Alisa Stewart and her family. Leaving Yesterday explores the aftermath of such an event. A marriage that is fractured, another son who spirals into drug abuse, and a mistrust of God’s ability to do the right thing all play a role in the actions of main character Alisa. I have to say that this book was hard for me to read. No, it wasn’t graphic in any way, but it was very real. I could see how the bad choices Alisa made would impact the outcome of her story and could do nothing to stop it! It certainly made me think! Alisa believes in God with her whole heart, but when it comes right down to it, she feels that she knows best how to handle the tough situations her family face. Boy, can I relate! Maybe that was why it was so hard to read. It laid bare my tendency to manage the world around me to reflect how I want things to be. Like Alisa, it never works out well! Cushman did a good job of showing how one deceit leads to another, and the barriers that our actions can put up in our relationship with God. The audiobook was well-done and kept me engaged. With its many spiritual themes, Leaving Yesterday would make a great choice for a book club.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(I downloaded the audiobook from Libby. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Christine Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a ride with this gritty, realistic novel that looks at the question, 'What would a mother do to protect a child?' and 'would it be right?'
Excellent writing.
Unputdownable (I had a late night because I had to read the last half).
This is only my second novel by the author, and I kept reading because the other was so good.
Real struggles, real resolutions, and plenty of spiritual and life lessons along the way. This will be one of my top ten for the year and will linger long in my mind.

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat of a thought provoking novel. What would you do if in the place of this mother who discovers her son probably killed someone? We mothers will fight and protect our children but to what extent? I didn't see the ending coming so I was intrigued how this story would play out. I'd give it 3.5 stars just cause it dragged in places.
Even though it was about a Christian family and lots of biblical references, it wasn't too preachy or over the top.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a refreshing change of pace from the Karen Kingsbury-esque Christian fiction that wraps everything in a pretty bow. This is real and raw and messy. Much like real life. Just because one believes in Jesus does not exempt them from the harsh realities of sin. I wasn't sure where the plot was going at times, but it "resolved" well and realistically.

[Ruth Turville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and thought provoking!

I could hardly put this book down! As a Christian I was shocked, uplifted, sympathetic, and praised God through this book! Beautifully written. Thank you.

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Christian novel presents a mother's dilemma of choosing between her family and doing the "right thing." It keeps your interest and urges you to keep reading to discover the outcome.

[Sharon Valle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be inspirational. It brought me to tears at times. This doesn’t happen often.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

She handled a diffiicult subject well. Good character development.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mother is faced with one of the most difficult decisions possible. Will she do the right thing? A very powerful book!

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting treatment of a moral dilemma. I will try to read more.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kathryn has a way to make us really connect with her characters and keep us guessing, hoping and staying awake late to find out what is going to happen!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story. The mom really wanted to believe in her son. I think she took a lot of chances but I am glad it worked out for them in the end.

[Amanda Deloris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Right away was hooked. The middle kind of dragged, but was overall pretty good.

[Carolyn Lockwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Really thought-provoking. What would I have done in her situation?

[Barb Ratcliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book that shows how our messed up plans can be made right when we depend on God.

[Adair · Rating 1 out of 5]

didn't really do anything for me kept reading in hopes that it would improve this is the 1st of her books I've found blah

[Nina Sonner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Novel

Kathryn Cushman is a gifted author who creates characters which capture your heart with love, mystery, justice ,adventure and encouragement.

[Eunice Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for this book about family's struggling with loss of a child and drug addiction. What would I do ,it covers how we can ne as Christians

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too depressing to read at Christmas. Dnf

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alisa Stewart, a mother who is bound up in grief. Her oldest son was beaten to death while witnessing to a group at Mardis Gras. This drove her youngest son Kurt to drugs. A junkie. She would have never dreamed this would be how her life was, one son dead, another son a junkie, only God knew where he was. And now the police are looking for Kurt. He is a person of interest in a murder investigation.

Separated from her husband Rick, Alisa works at her church as a women's minister. She also teaches grief seminars. Reeling from the news that the police are looking for Kurt, she truly is overwhelmed.
However a phone call would change all that. Kurt calls to tell her that he is in rehab. Relieved and excited that he is overcoming his drug habit, she is convinced her family is on the way to being mended.

However there are twists and turns around each corner. This book will grab your attention. You will not want to put it down as you wonder what will be thrown Alisa and Rick's way next? Will an innocent man be convicted of murder? Will Kurt return to drugs? Why is he needing so much money? Why is he borrowing from both she and Rick? And just for a unexpected twist, will Alisa revive an old friendship, where the attraction is strong? Truly full of twists and surprises this book is a book to read cover to cover. A reading and discussion guide at the end, for book clubs. 311 pages $13.99 US 4 stars.

This book was provided by Bethany House Publishers for review purposes only. No cash or payment was received for this review.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alisa Stewart is a mother who lost both her sons - one to death, and other to drug abuse. She has lost hope that her one son that was still alive would ever become the person he once was; happy, healthy, and the leader of every group. But when a detective arrives at her door following Kurt's call from rehab saying he's turning his life around and staying clean, she can't help but want to protect him.

Afraid Kurt is going to loose his second chance at life, she destroys the evidence that links her son to the murder the detective keeps asking questions about. But when another woman's son is put in jail for the crime her son committed, she is faced with an impossible choice. Give up her son who has become a better person, to save a boy that didn't deserve a second chance. Will Alisa give up everything for the truth?

At first, I was distracted by the story being told in first person, but as the book progressed it lent charm to the story and I really got into it. The contrasts between the characters that are Alisa's sons was a great pull for me in this book, and I enjoyed her character development as well as the relationship with her husband. Despite the one bad decision she made in the story, there were several she almost committed but didn't; which was to her credit and the saving of her marriage. It was a touching story of how one woman dealt with the grief of the loss of her sons, and a beautiful story how there is life after death in Jesus Christ.

[Jennifer AlLee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only thing worse than losing one son is losing two. In Leaving Yesterday, Kathryn Cushman delves into the mind of woman desperate to save the son she has left.

After the brutal murder of her youngest son, Alisa Stewart sees her eldest, Kurt, slip into a lifestyle ruled by his addiction. To Alisa, it's almost as though he died, too. But then Kurt calls home one day. He has turned his life around. He's gotten through rehab, is working hard, and gone back to college. So when evidence links Kurt with the murder of a drug dealer, Alisa doesn't want to face it. Her son isn't the man he used to be. He's worked so hard, he deserves a second chance, and Alisa is determined to give it to him at any cost.

Cushman asks hard questions: Should a man be judged on his past deeds or on the road he's on? Is one life worth more than another? Is there ever any justification for deceit? As a mother, I could feel the pain and confusion Alisa was going through. In a desperate attempt to save her child, a mother might act in a way completely contrary to her character. Cushman examines not only Alisa's motivation, but also the aftermath of her decisions.

There are no easy answers in Leaving Yesterday. But there is hope. It's a compelling, hard-to-put-down story of one family's journey through grief and restoration.

[Chickadee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve seen many websites lately that are calling Kathryn Cushman the new Karen Kingsbury.


With a similar style as Kingsbury’s and three novels under her belt, Kathryn Cushman is carving out a space for herself in the literary world. In her latest book, "Leaving Yesterday", Cushman tells the heart wrenching story of Alisa Stewart, a woman who has lost her firstborn son and is on the brink of losing another son, along with her marriage.


Attempting to hold what is left of her life and marriage together, Alisa struggles with a roller coaster of emotions as her son Kurt battles his drug addiction and a possible conviction for murder. At a time when she needs her husband Rick the most – they are the farthest apart. Though separated and attempting to share their daughter’s time evenly between two households, Rick sends mixed signals that he may still love her which confuses Alisa even more. Rick also questions Alisa’s faith and this leads to some custody issues with their daughter. Alisa finds herself standing on the edge of losing everything and everyone she cares about – all while desperately trying to keep her eyes on God and trust in Him. A story mixed with both heartache and hope that you will not want to miss!

Read my other book reviews at: http://redlilycafe.blogspot.com

[Rev. Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is Wow! Another wonderful real-life novel by Kathryn Cushman. Parents are first faced with the death of their oldest son, who is beaten to death by thugs in New Orleans while there on a mission trip with other church members trying to carry the Gospel to young people. They are next faced with the other son turning to drugs to handle his grief that he had not accompanied his brother on the trip and protected him. The parents end up separating, unable to deal with all the issues and their own grief. After a long absence, the mother receives a phone call from the younger son, and learns that he is in drug rehab. On the same day, she receives a call from a police detective looking for her son as a person of interest in the murder of a drug dealer. Caught in the middle of all this is the youngest child, a daughter who worships her brother. That is all I will say about this novel, other than it brought to my mind the women in my life who are dealing with addicted children, and hope that the ending might bring some hope to their lives in the redemptive powers of God. I was reminded of the Scripture that I have always lived by: “Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6)”

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leaving Yesterday, by Kathryn Cushman is a captivating book about a mother (Alisa) who has lost a son to murder and her second son (Kurt) has embraced a life of hard drugs. Living on the streets and with no contact with his family, Alisa is overjoyed to finally hear from Kurt and learn he has checked himself into rehab. Feeling hope for the first time in years, her hopes are dashed by the revelation that he is a suspect in the murder of a drug dealer.

Alisa discovers hard evidence of Kurt's guilt and the majority of the story is devoted to her struggle to hide or disclose the evidence.

Subplots within the story are her struggling marriage and her work in women's ministry.

Kurt and Alisa are faced with horrific decisions and both have to decide between safety and doing the right thing. Their story is realistic and their poor choices reverberate throughout the book, as does their wisdom. A unique combination, for sure.

This was my first book by Kathryn Cushman and I enjoyed her writing. Her first-person writing style took me a bit to get used to, but I did adjust. However, I think the read would have been smoother in third-person.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Leaving Yesterday" is a Christian general fiction. The characters were complex and dealt with realistic issues. I understood why they acted as they did even if I didn't agree with it. The suspense was created by the uncertainty about whether Alisa's son did kill the guy or not and whether her husband was going to divorce her or not.

I'd thought this would be a story about a mother having to decide whether or not to turn her son in and dealing with trusting that God will help the police uncover the truth. But Alisa was so deeply in denial about everything that it was more about her leaving the perceived safety of the pretense she was living to face the truth.

Alisa was a Christian struggling to understand why God was letting all these bad things happen to her family. Her belief (or hope) that God would reward her suffering with her desired "happy ending" was partly why she was in denial. The Christian message was woven throughout the story and felt natural and not "lecture-y" to me.

There was a minor amount of "he cursed" style bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this thought-provoking novel.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.