After the Rains (Beneath a Southern Sky Series #2) [Paperback]

Deborah Raney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Picking up several years after the point at which her previous novel, Beneath a Southern Sky, left off, Raney again explores the long-term ramifications of careless choices, developing themes of God's forgiveness and grace along the way. Natalie Camfield, who was a small child in the previous installment, is now a discontented teen haunted by the heartbreaking choice her mother made long ago that has kept Natalie from her birth father. Rebellious, angry and feeling like an outsider in her family, Natalie makes her own wrong decisions, the implications of which reverberate throughout the rest of the novel. Natalie's desire for forgiveness eventually takes her to Colombia to visit her birth father, a missionary doctor. There, Natalie finds her true calling and-rather predictably-romance, as she learns that God's grace cannot be earned. Writing troubles, however, mar the novel. The prologue telegraphs much about one of the central events, diminishing the narrative tension, and the drunk-driving scenario is an overused device in current CBA novels. Characters smile, grin or laugh far too frequently (if it's a serious scene, they smile weakly, wryly or sadly), and there are entire sections where the word "she" begins almost every sentence. The most appealing element of the novel, however, is its compelling message that God can redeem poor choices, no matter how tragic the initial consequences.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Romantic Times Book Club gave After the Rains a 4 1/2-star Top Pick review
"...a moving story of redemption and forgiveness...Don't pass on this one...and be sure to have a box of tissues handy!"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578565766
• ISBN-13: 978-1578565764
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #843,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I went from full-time stay-at-home mom for 20 years to pretty much full-time author. My passion is my family-my husband and I have been married for 37 years and have four kids, and four darling grandkids! But since, if a mom does her job right, she eventually puts herself OUT of a job, I'm delighted to have the privilege of working as a novelist. I absolutely love the writing life.

I've had a couple of non-fiction books published and contributed to some anthologies, as well as writing magazine articles. But my first love is fiction. I have written more than 25 novels and am now working on a new book for Howard/Simon & Schuster. A typical writing day begins early-often before 6 a.m.-with the business side of things: answering e-mail and reader mail, updating my Web site, reading for research. We're new empty-nesters so our routine is much quieter than it was when we had four kids at home. When my writing time begins, I have a routine that sets the stage, starting with lighting scented candles, choosing mood music on Pandora, and brewing a pot of coffee. Lately I've been enjoying coffee our son sent me from Germany. I have a cozy office that looks out over our front yard where I can watch for the UPS man and the mailman. But since I write on a laptop, I often take my computer to the kitchen counter or a chair by the fireplace, or, if the weather is nice, out on the deck where my feline friend keeps me company. I try to wrap up the day's words (usually 1000-1500 a day) by dinnertime.

Believe it or not, my first choice of activities for the evening is READING-a great novel, of course! As much as I enjoy the actual process of writing, I am an extrovert by nature, and doubt I'd last long in this business were it not for the company of several wonderful online writers' groups, the joy of connecting with other authors at retreats and conventions, and meeting aspiring writers when I teach at conferences around the country.

Probably the most exciting event in my writing life so far was when my first novel was made into a film by World Wide Pictures. Certainly a dream come true! I believe writing is a calling from God on my life-one I've felt since I was a twelve-year-old girl-and I feel blessed beyond words to have answered that call.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling, evocative, heart-warming story., November 4, 2002

By 

Jill E. Smith "Writer - Visit me at www.jille... (Southeastern Lower, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: After the Rains (Beneath a Southern Sky Series #2) (Paperback)

If ever a sequel could surpass its predecessor, this book has done it. After the Rains by Deborah Raney is the story of Natalie Camfield, daughter of Nathan Camfield and his wife, Daria. In the first book in this series, we meet Daria and Nathan when they are missionaries in Colombia, South America. Daria is forced to deal with Nathan's untimely death, only to discover a year and a half later, after she is married to another man, that Nathan is still alive. Award winning, Beneath a Southern Sky is that poignant, stirring story of the choices Daria must make between two husbands.

After the Rains continues the story of their daughter Natalie and the tragedy that follows a moment of teenage rebellion. Can God forgive? And if He does forgive, will Natalie ever be free of the guilt and the harsh memories that dog her steps throughout her young adult years?

Deborah Raney is a master of asking the tough questions and showing the inevitable consequences of sinful choices. This story evokes much emotion - from tears to romantic yearnings to satisfying joy. I found this book to be a compelling read, which I highly recommend to anyone who loves a truly good story. But keep a box of tissues handy. Oh, and if you haven't read Beneath a Southern Sky, be sure to read that first. Both books excel in the craft of good writing - you won't be disappointed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An emotional story that will keep you reading all night., October 5, 2002

By 

Robin Bayne "rlbayne" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: After the Rains (Beneath a Southern Sky Series #2) (Paperback)

This sequel to "Beneath a Southern Sky" is a wonderful story that while different from the first, is magicial in its own way. The characters are real and fully developed. We can feel the heroine's pain at her mistakes from the past, and identify with her that sometimes you just can't go back and fix things. We must move on. Grab a box of tissues and spend your evening with Deb Raney. Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A heartwrenching story of forgiveness, November 13, 2002

By 

Colleen Coble (IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: After the Rains (Beneath a Southern Sky Series #2) (Paperback)

Deb Raney has a way of gripping you by the throat with emotions and literally transporting you into the lives of her characters. After the Rains is her best yet and showed the way it's so hard to forgive ourselves for our sins. I lived every page with the characters. You've got to read this one!