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Friday, October 16, 2009

CFBA Blog Tour - Kathryn Cushman and Leaving Yesterday

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Leaving Yesterday
Bethany House - October 1, 2009)
by Kathryn Cushman


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATHRYN CUSHMAN: I graduated from Samford University with a degree in pharmacy, but I’ve known all my life that I wanted to write a novel “some day”. For me, “some day” came about five years ago, when I started writing and never looked back.

My third attempt became my first published novel.

A Promise to Remember was a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers Book-of-the-Year in the Women’s Fiction category, and Waiting for Daybreak was a finalist in Women’s Fiction for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. Leaving Yesterday just arrived on scene and I’m very excited about it!

On the homefront, I’ve been married to the wonderful and handsome Lee for over twenty years now, and our two daughters are currently braving the worlds of elementary and high school. We’ve lived in Santa Barbara for the last seventeen years. When I’m not writing or reading or braving seventy degree holidays, you’ll find me watching the younger daughter play softball, or the older daughter building amazing high school theater sets.

LEAVING YESTERDAY
by Kathryn Cushman
Published by Bethany House

ABOUT THE BOOK

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.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Leaving Yesterday, go HERE.

Readers, buy your copy of Leaving Yesterday today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Disclaimer from Katie: Let me say upfront, it is very difficult to discuss much of this book without giving spoilers. I’m going to answer to the extent I can, but I’ll be vague where necessary.

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I had actually written a completely different story originally. Since I was about to be at the same conference as my editor, I sent him an early draft so that we could discuss it. He didn’t like the story nearly as much as I did J. So, we sat there and talked for over an hour, and neither one of us could understand the other’s point of view. As we were wrapping up the meeting in frustration, I said something about a minor scene in the book. My editor laughed and said, “That would be a really dark place to end a book. That scene, then nothing.” Then he got this gleam in his eyes and said, “That would actually be a great place to start a book.” Twenty-four hours later (after much prayer and angst) I set aside the manuscript I’d written and started all over with the new idea.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

Thankfully, the experiences were the characters’ alone, and not mine. I’m perfectly happy living a dull and uneventful life. I did spend a lot of time asking “What would I do?” and “What would it take to make me do something else?” kind of questions. Alisa lives in a neighborhood similar to mine, the Templeton setting is very near where my in-laws live, so there were some similarities, but mostly at surface level.

3. If your hero/heroine were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

She would be rocky road, but covered in chocolate syrup. She wants to look smooth and put together on the outside, but inside there are plenty of bumpy issues she’s trying to cover up.

4. Are there any themes in Leaving Yesterday that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

The main theme is that one wrong decision makes the next wrong decision just a little easier. There are several lesser themes, but they all really stem from that one.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

As a mother, there were a lot of scenes that were difficult for me in this book. One particular scene toward the end between the mother and her young daughter (can’t be specific due to spoilers), I intentionally left off-camera because I didn’t want to face it. Of course, my editor said, “You need to show that scene.” I did, and I really liked the way it turned out, but I cried my way through the writing of it.

My favorite scenes were any of the scenes with Lacey. I enjoyed spending time with her.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

Desire of Heaven will be out in August 2010. It’s the first of a trilogy I am co-writing with Sheila Walsh (Women of Faith) about one woman’s growing awareness of the presence of angels. The romantic series will highlight the protagonist’s transforming encounter with God’s truth and grace.

* * * * *

Thank you, Katie, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Leaving Yesterday.

Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). You won't be entered in the drawing without it. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

12 comments:

Emma said...

Leaving Yesterday sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

The Herd said...

I would love to win this book--jnkbull@gmail.com

Carole said...

From the description, I believe that Kathryn writes the type of books that I enjoy reading and I'd love to read Leaving Yesterday. And her new series with Sheila Walsh sounds wonderful. Can't wait!

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Casey H. said...

I have heard great things about this book and I would LOVE to read it! Not to mention that the cover is very intriguing!

libraryhelper(at)harneyesd(dot)k12(dot)or(dot)us

Mark said...

I'd like to enter, sounds like a good book
marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Sounds great. I have read her other book. Please enter me. Blessings.
tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cherie J said...

Sounds like a great story. Please enter me in the drawing.

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Linda said...

Leaving yesterday is so touching. I would love to win. Please enter me.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book! Please enter me. Thanks.
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net

Kathryn Cushman said...

Hi Tiff,
Thanks so much for hosting me. Your blog is a great place to talk writing and books (two of my very favorite subjects!)

Lori (sugarandgrits) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I LOVE Katie Cushman books...please include me in this fabulous giveaway...thanks.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com