The Sound of Rain Review

About the Book

Judd Markley is a hardworking coal miner who rarely thinks much past tomorrow until he loses his brother–and nearly his own life–in a mine cave-in. Vowing never to enter the darkness of a mine again, he leaves all he knows in West Virginia to escape to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It’s 1954, the seaside community is thriving, and Judd soon hires on with a timber company.

Larkin Heyward’s life in Myrtle Beach is uncomplicated, mostly doing volunteer work and dancing at the Pavilion. But she dreams of one day doing more–maybe moving to the 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 devastating hurricane, Judd and Larkin each seek answers to what tomorrow will bring. As opposition rises against following their divergent dreams, they realize that it may take a miracle for them to be together.

My Perspective

This book had such a beautiful setting. The author did such a wonderful job describing it that it was hard not to imagine it in my mind. And to be honest, I thought she did a great job at describing everything in the story. You truly felt like you were a part of the storyline. Especially the scenes surrounding Judd. He was just a likeable character. Miner turned tree worker really – just itching to get away from the life he knew and start over. Maybe we’ve all felt like that a time or two and that is why I found myself drawn to him.

He was easily my favorite character, but I did struggle with the way he moved up the chain of command so easily at Larkin’s father’s business. Now, once you read you’ll understand that there was an intentional reason for that after awhile, but I felt at first it was a little bit too convenient. In that part of the world and in that time period, I just don’t see a new guy showing up and doing that. I would have liked to see him work at the bottom a little bit longer and have the necessary storyline perhaps happen a different way.

Besides this, I did enjoy the story, and I did like to see Judd and Larkin find their way. I think historical fiction fans will find they will easily get hooked into this storyline! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her Christian fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Her first novel, Miracle in a Dry Season, released August 2014. Married with one dog, she now lives in Western North Carolina, which is almost as beautiful as West Virginia.

Sarah is represented by Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency. You can visit her at www.SarahLoudinThomas.com.