"Inspirational Romance"

Natalie is a rebellious teenager. She never feels she fits in with her loving family. Perhaps it is because her real father is living in South America and although Cole Hunter treats her the same as his other "real" daughters, Natalie feels he treats her differently. She and Sara are the very best of friends and Natalie has had a crush on her brother Jon ever since they moved to town. When Jon invites her sister, Nicole, to the homecoming dance, Natalie is crushed. She is angry with her sister and with everyone in general but it is obvious that Nicole and Jon are in love.

Natalie is looking forward to going off to college without the restrictions her parents put on her. One evening she and Sara go to the big party at Hansen's. Sara didn't want to go but also did not want to leave her best friend there by herself. She knows there is drinking at the party and she is concerned about Natalie. After a few beers, Natalie is feeling pretty good while Sara waits for her in the car. When tragedy strikes, Natalie blames herself and is in deep depression. Her parents try to support her and her father, Nate Camfield who is a missionary, decides to come home from South America to see if he can help. He knows that if his daughter can accept God in her heart that she will be able to get through her problems.

BENEATH A SOUTHERN SKY, the first book of a series written by Deborah Raney, concerns Natalie's parents and father. AFTER THE RAINS, the second offering, is an inspirational story, featuring the life of Natalie. Natalie is angry and does not feel solace in the love of God as her friend Sara does. As loving as her mother and dad are, they cannot seem to reach her as she shuts them out of her thoughts. She is plagued by guilt and shame. Her parents and father are all good Christians and know that God will see her through and show her a better road for her life. There are some very touching scenes in the book as Natalie works out her feelings toward acceptance, God, and eventually love. AFTER THE RAINS is beautifully written, an easy read and a feel-good book.

Reviewed by Marilyn Heyman
Posted October 30, 2002

Long ago, Natalie's mother faced an agonizing choice between the two people she loved most, and the difficult resolution to her predicament affects Natalie throughout her young life--fueling a season of teenage rebellion that results in the death of her best friend. As a young woman, Natalie attempts to put her troubles behind her, ultimately finding solace in the arms of a man with close ties to the tragedy. Yet neither time nor love can liberate her from the past. Determined to confront her terrible guilt, Natalie embarks on a journey that will take her thousands of miles from home and straight into the life and heart of a man unlike any she has ever known. Confronted with a decision that echoes the one her mother faced so many years before, Natalie finds herself drawn to two men--each of whom holds a claim to her heart. But the sins of her past must be confronted, and an escape from her guilt found, before her heart will be free to find its home. Showing that God can forgive the gravest of sins, After the Rains beautifully illustrates that his forgiveness comes purely through loving mercy and grace, not by our human efforts to earn it.