The Leaving Paperback - 2011

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury, known for her heart-stirring stories of faith and family comes the first book in the Bailey Flanigan series. Praised by Library Journal as "emotionally charged" with "well-drawn characters struggling with their faith," Leaving is perfect for fans of Janette Oke.

Bailey Flanigan has spent her life dreaming of the stage, and now, she finally has her chance--a role in a Broadway musical that could launch her career. But chasing her dreams means leaving behind everything she's ever known: her close-knit family, her hometown of Bloomington, Indiana . . . and Cody Coleman, the only man she's ever truly loved.

Cody has been struggling with his own problems. In order to be closer to his mother, who's in prison for a drug charge, Cody takes a coaching job in a small community outside Indianapolis. New friends, distance, and circumstances expose cracks in his relationship with Bailey. Love, loneliness, big opportunities, and even bigger decisions put these two young people to the test.

Can love survive when dreams pull you in different directions? And when is holding on an act of faith . . . and when is it time to let go?

CBA Retailers and Resources calls Leaving "another Kingsbury hit" filled with "hometown stories and the different kinds of 'leaving' that occur in life."

Leaving is the first book in the beloved Bailey Flanigan series, featuring members of the popular Baxter family from Kingsbury's Redemption series, now streaming online.