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!

Miracle In A Dry Season in Review

I just finished my review copy of Miracle In A Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas this afternoon. In the quiet of a hot summer day what better plan than to finish a book I could barely put down only a day ago.  I am at that point every reader is at when a good book is finished and there is not another to take its place.

The story is set in 1954 in Wise, West Virginia. It is a small town with only one grocer, a place the town gathers for coffee and gossip. Robert and Delilah Thornton owners of the store have taken in their niece Perla Long, the young unwed mother of Sadie. The times are vastly different in 1954, a time when morals ran higher than one expects today when seemingly anything goes.  The town is suspicious of Perla who arouses curiosity as she cooks like a dream with a few simple ingredients.

Take Casewell Phillips, a youngish single man who accepts Delilah and Robert's invitation for Sunday dinner after meeting Perla at church. He isn't sure what to make of her situation but enjoys the finest pork roast he's ever eaten and isn't sure just how to thank her. He is taken with Sadie and  decides the thank you will be in the form of furniture for her doll.  He isn't looking for a relationship with Perla; after all, she is considered damaged goods and he couldn't think how any man could raise a daughter born out of wedlock.  Yet there is something about Perla that captivates Casewell and he can't get his mind off her gentle ways, her sweet Sadie and of course, her cooking!

The story weaves its way through these central characters to Casewell's harsh father John and his loving mother Emily. Pastor Longbourne, a stereotypical southern minister with a penchant for loud blustery sermons is a man without compassion or wisdom. The Talbot sisters, Liza and Angie, twins who both loved the same man have secrets that are waiting to come out into the open.

The town thrives with the same routine and stories until that dry summer that brought the drought. Wells dried up, crops failed and cattle were destroyed before they could die from lack of food and water. The drought brought out many things human nature tries to sweep under a rug. Tempers flared, people grew hungry and remembered the Great Depression of the 1930's. Perla, gifted cook that she was, fed the community with resources pooled together. Soon enough though, and with help fueled by an unlikely source, suspicions gave way to fear and mistrust and what unfolds can break the spirit if one is without faith.  

Without spoiling a wonderful story, the lessons learned are lessons from times long ago and yet ageless. The author has cast her characters in a way that could have walked off the streets in my own hometown in 1954 and shown their humanity, failings and grace. This story stirred my heart and I am looking forward to reading more books by Sarah Loudin Thomas.  Many thanks to Bethany House for the opportunity to read and review this book!