Bethany House Book Review: Kathryn Cushman’s Another Dawn

Kathryn “Katie” Cushman has been on my radar for awhile and thanks to Bethany House Publishers, one of her books recently landed in my eager hands. I had the privilege of reading her latest, Another Dawn.  Here is the back cover copy:

What Would You Give for a Second Chance to Make Things Right?

When life gets complicated, Grace Graham runs. She’s left romantic relationships, friendships, and even her family after the death of her mother. But now her sister, Jana, is giving her once last chance: Come home and help care for their father–whom Grace still blames for her mother’s death–or never show her face in Shoal Creek, Tennessee, again.

With her son, Dylan, in tow, Grace returns home from California. But is she returning for the right reasons? And when costly decisions from the past suddenly put her son’s life and the lives of other children in town at risk, will she have the strength to stand strong and await Another Dawn?

 

“Cushman crafts strong characters that are easy to connect with. Understanding, forgiveness and love abound in this modern twist on the prodigal child story.” —Romantic Times Book Reviews

At the end of the year I enjoy going through my reviews and choosing my favorites. I get that it is May and we have seven months to go.  Yet I don’t want you to miss how much this book got to me in a very good way.

Katie Cushman proved she can create multi dimensional characters and situations we can relate to long after the book is finished. I thought I was going to enjoy a nice read from an author I was interested in. I got so much more with Another Dawn.  Grace Graham’s story stretched me to the utmost emotional limits with her perspective on the past, her current issues and her plans for the future. Katie delivered a heartbreaking premise involving her entire family and the community she reluctantly returned to. The issue provides great backdrop for conversation, debate and reflection. I don’t just recommend this book for  yourself, I think this is a perfect book for a book group to tackle.

I don’t want to say too much because you need to read this book for yourself and not rely on me to reveal spoilers. Another Dawn provides fiction at its best and something I never saw coming: healing for my own issues.

I can’t recommend this book enough.