The Sound of Rain By Sarah Loudin Thomas Will Capture Your Heart

Sarah Loudin Thomas has captured this reader once again. Set in 1954, The Sound of Rain is a romance of culture, events and a young couple that under normal circumstances would never have come together.  Judd Markley is a hero in a quiet, unassuming way that allows him to captures the interest of our heroine, Larkin Heyward. 

The back cover of the novel paints the picture that drew me in at the start: "In the Dark of the mine, In the Face of rising Water, 

In the shadows of the Hills, faith will see them through

Judd Markley knew he could never set foot underground again. The mine collapse that nearly killed him and claimed his brother's life meant leaving West Virginia forever. Although that hard Appalachian world was all he knew, he put it behind him and headed for the open sky of the thriving town of 1954 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Larkin Heyward's life in the beach town is uncomplicated, mostly volunteer work and dancing at the Pavilion. But she dreams of one day doing more and being more--maybe moving to the hills and hollers of Kentucky to help the poor children of Appalachia. But she's never even met someone who's lived there--until she encounters Judd, the newest employee at her father's timber company.

Drawn together in the wake of a hurricane that changes Myrtle Beach forever, Judd's and Larkin's dreams pull them in divergent directions. It will take a significant sacrifice to keep them together--or maybe, it will take a miracle."

My Thoughts:

This book brings 1954 alive with a young man and woman looking for their purpose in life.  Fate brings them together and they are as unlikely to get together as oil and vinegar.  She is the only daughter of a wealthy timber company owner.  She has the finest clothes, a snappy convertible and the beauty to capture any worthwhile young man in the whole of the county.

He is a young man who arrived in Myrtle Beach on the Greyhound bus. He is recovering from the collapse of the coal mine that took the life of his younger brother Joe, leaving him behind with an injured leg along with a wounded heart. Wise beyond his years, he sets out to live the dreams Joe might have had if he hadn't been taken so young. Along the way, he sees much, says less and has a special insight on beyond his 27 years.  

I recommend this book without hesitation. Sarah Loudin Thomas created well developed characters set in colorful surroundings.  I could almost feel myself in the midst of the hurricane or in the dampness of the mine in Bethel, West Virginia. The wise yet colorful Granny Jane comes alive....but wait I must stop here lest I begin to spoil the story for new readers of this wonderful book.  Get your copy from your favorite seller of Christian Fiction!  As for me, I am already looking forward to her next book!