Chasing Hope

Kathryn Cushman. Bloomington, Minn.: Bethany House, 2013. 314 pp. (Paperback).

The author of “Chasing Hope” is almost an Alabama girl, hailing from Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and graduating from Samford University in Birmingham. She now lives in Southern California, but we won’t hold that against her … except when it’s 30 degrees here. I hadn’t heard of her until someone suggested via a staff member of The Alabama Baptist that I look her up and review her latest book.

Thanks to whoever sent me that message. I have discovered a new fiction writer that I intend to follow. “Chasing Hope” is well written with a solid message embedded in the story. To quote from the author’s blog, the book tackles “chronic illness, lost dreams and God’s call on our lives.” To quote from me, the appreciative reader, it approaches them in a way you don’t often see in a Christian fiction book. The fact is we all face disappointment, even devastation. But God uses them, if we let Him, to direct us to where His will leads. It is refreshing to see the honesty of the story as the author shows the pain — both physical and emotional — of the main character.

I suppose this is considered “chick lit” — sorry guys. But for you chicks out there: if you haven’t discovered Kathryn Cushman, look her up. If you have — why didn’t you tell me earlier?