The Kind of Love That Saves You
by Amy Yurk

List Price: $5.99
Pages: 256
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 0553582178
Publisher: Bantam

A new voice in women's fiction bursts onto the scene with this enthralling debut by Amy Yurk, a novelist blessed with rare wisdom, dazzling eloquence, and a deep understanding of what it means to be human.

Sarah Strickland and her best friend, Calista, have been like sisters since the first day of kindergarten, sharing good times and weathering crises for more than twenty years. Together they've navigated the terrain of school, friendship, romances, breakups, love, and marriage.

But in one shattering second Sarah's world changes, and the landscape she enters is one she could not have envisioned. Much as Calista wants to help, she cannot comprehend this dark emotional territory -- and only time will tell if their friendship will be healed ... or torn apart forever.

A celebration of life, hope, and the healing power of love, The Kind of Love That Saves You is an electrifying debut, an unforgettable story that will make you smile through your tears ... and treasure the loved ones in your life even more.

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1. Why do you think Sarah wants to have a child so badly? What does she expect from motherhood?

2. At first, Gavin wants to wait to have a child because he doesn't feel "ready". What does that "ready" feeling mean? Can a person ever be truly prepared for parenthood?

3. What sustains Sarah when she eventually does have the baby?

4. What is the real reason behind Sarah's resentment of Julie? Is she jealous of Julie's looks, or is it something more deep and fundamental?

5. What are some of the main reasons for Calista and Mike's marriage problems?

6. Are Sarah's visions of Gavin "real"? What causes them?

7. Sarah's friends are helping her heal. How else is this healing achieved? Who else experiences it?

8. Each of Sarah's friends contributes something different to Sarah's recovery. What does Calista do to help? What does Julie do? And what do Calista and Julie do together that helps Sarah?

9. How would Sarah's feelings for her child be different if she had turned out to be a boy?

10. Sarah's mother has never been a source of strength or comfort for Sarah. What substitutes does Sarah find for a mother's comfort? Why do you think her mother is able to change at the story's end?

11. What important roles did Sarah's grandmother fulfill in Sarah's life?

12. Usually, writers create dialogue by putting each person's lines in a different paragraph. Why does the author make different characters speak to each other within the same paragraph in this book? What kind of atmosphere does this writing style create?

13. Do you think the author is trying to tell us something by having Gavin die on New Year's Eve? What kind of beginning does this symbolize for Sarah?

14. Why does it take so long for Sarah to bury Gavin's ashes? What needs to happen before she can bury him?

15. What are the differences in the ways Julie and Kate help Sara? Why does she need both of them?

16. Why do Calista's efforts to make Sarah fell better usually make Sarah fell depressed or angry instead? What kind of behavior would be more comforting?

17. How does Calista finally come to terms with Sarah's grief?

18. What are the main things that help to pull Sarah out of her depression and make her ready to begin a new life for herself?

19. What is the kind of love that saves you?

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"A startling and powerful novel, filled with love and an almost miraculous friendship."

—Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author of Cloud Nine

"Amy Yurk's first novel does wonderful justice to women and the bonds of friendship. ... Please don't miss this extraordinary piece of work."

—Rendezvous

"Endearing and often hilarious."

—Booklist

"A heartbreaker ... A great read and a great first effort by Yurk."

—Greensboro News & Record