Rainwater Mass Market Paperback – 23 Nov. 2010

Good book , very good author

Not like some of the Sandra Brown novels I've read, as it wasn't a modern setting. Quite a disturbing subject insome ways, but very readable and gripping, with a huge surprise at the end. Really enjoyed it

Brilliant

Very different from Sandra Brown's current (excellent) style, but a deeply moving story, beautifully written.

Rain. Life-giving. Life-sustaining. It brings relief to sunbaked earth, parched throats, and withered spirits. Sandra Brown’s Rainwater is set in a small Texas town in 1934 amidst the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and the heat of racial tension. One day seems much like another. When dark clouds appear, they bring thunder with very little moisture.Ella Barron toils 24-7 running a boarding house to provide for herself and Solly, her 10-year-old developmentally challenged son. She is a caring, fiercely independent woman who wants the best for her boy. When the local doctor appears at her door with a request that she take in a new boarder, she hesitates, then reluctantly agrees. When she learns that he is dying, how can she refuse? When this soft-spoken, restrained stranger comes into her home, her life begins to change in more ways than she can possibly imagine.This was my first time reading anything written by Sandra Brown, and I am so glad I did. As David Rainwater says when Ella Barron asks him about the ending of A Farewell to Arms, even knowing that it is very sad, he is glad he hadn’t deprived himself of reading the beautiful story. That sums up my feelings about Rainwater as well. It is both gentle and harsh; Mr. Rainwater is kind and respectful, yet he remains firm in his beliefs when he stands with the blacks and whites of shantytown against Conrad Ellis and his gang. He works patiently with young Solomon, but he loses his temper when Mrs. Barron persists in questioning him about how he is feeling. Mrs. Barron, too, goes above and beyond the call to help others. Sometimes she cannot contain her frustrations as she is overwhelmed by the injustices of society plus the struggles of her daily life with a son she cannot reach. Circumstances in Gilead are cruel; people and cattle alike suffer hunger, despair, and death. In the aftermath, friends and strangers come together to offer aid and comfort.I liked Ella Barron. She has high standards for herself and her house. She is fiercely protective of Solomon (“Solly”), her only child. She has a heart of gold; in a time when many whites segregate and discriminate – this book does not shy away from using derogatory terms – Mrs. Barron sees only human beings in need. She guards her own privacy as closely as she does her son’s safely, so when Mr. Rainwater’s calm demeanor and considerate words begin to break down her barriers, she nearly panics.David Rainwater, clearly, is someone special. He brings hope and dignity to those who have little. He gives of himself, despite his pain and imminent death, so that others might have better lives. For Ella Barron and her son Solly, Mr. Rainwater is redemption.I loved Mr. Rainwater and Mrs. Barron. I loved how they are revealed slowly and how their relationship grows, carefully and cautiously. I also liked the kindness they showed to Margaret, Brother Calvin, and Margaret’s son Jimmy, to the farmers, and to all those who lived in shantytown, regardless of race. Although this story takes place in the 1930s, it felt timeless. Our world continues to face some of the same struggles today. I felt that Ms. Brown captured the hardships, tensions, the despair, and the joys that all humans share. On a personal note, I have had years of experience working with autistic adults and have a close family member with autistic twins; I felt that Ms. Brown portrayed Solly realistically and compassionately, taking into consideration the lack of understanding of autism in those times.Rainwater was a fast, easy read. It was hard to put down, but I was sorry to see it end. Everything about it touched my heart. I finished reading it on Easter Sunday, which struck me as quite appropriate. Not surprisingly, few teardrops trickled down my face as I read the final pages.5 stars

Ella Barron, single mom to Solly runs a boarding house. David Rainwater comes to stay and both his and Ella's life changes.This story is set within the great depression and the era known as the Dust Bowel. I have to say that I know very little about this time.I have read many books by Sandra Brown and this is not like her typical romantic suspense. The story is quite touching at times and one could say quite sad. There is s romance, this is no spoiler because after all the book is by SB. Theres a little more story because of the book not being a crime novel, although it does have a bit of a twist.This version I read was condensed because it is featured in a readers digest edition. How much was taken out I dont know but it hasn't seemed to make much difference. A nice read but not what I would expect from Sandra Brown.

This is set in Depression- era America, which is a change of time span for Sandra Brown. However, the settings and characters are almost familiar from her other books featuring the Deep South. Whilst there is some "stereotyping", the characters are still believable.It is an old-fashioned romance which builds up the relationship between the two main characters slowly, through what is said ( or not) and long, lingering glances. You could give it to your granny to read safely! However, the other threads of the story mean that, although the story is told simply,there is more than enough to keep the reader hooked.In short, Ella runs a boarding house and aquires a new boarder, Mr Rainwater. His influence on her autistic son, Solly, and on the community she lives in form two major threads of the story. For such an aytpical hero ( no muscle-bound, gun -toting hero here) David Rainwater manages to be quite sexy in an under-stated way. The whole romance is set in a series of notable events for the community and the element of tragedy runs through the book from quite early on. You may need tissues!Different, simple and enjoyable.

A beautiful and well written story. Clean romance is refreshing to read. I'm a new fan of Sandra Brown.

I was enchanted with this story laid in Texas during the depression. Ella owns a boarding house. Her occupant, Mr. Rainwater, an unusual gentleman, impacts her life and that of her strange 10 year son Solly in a surprising way. The novel involves other characters who help the reader visualize the desperation, hunger and hatred often prevailing at this time. I recommended this book for my book club because it is relatively short, an easy read, and well written. Although some events are violent, heartwarming moments exist.

Captivating ,very difficult to put down ! It reveals the strenght of a woman for her loved one and how to survive

This novel is very different from anything else I've read by Sandra Brown! The timeline of the story (during the depression) made it especially interesting as well as gaining insight into the lives of the people in the region of Texas in which it is set. The character of Solly, as an autistic boy, was described so accurately and the fact that the doctor was aware of the condition and was such a support to his mother was pleasantly surprising to me! The story was gripping, emotional with tense moments. It had me crying in many different parts. I couldn't put it down!

Tear jerker, but I love anything written by Sandra Brown!

One of five books I read on our 14-day cruise. I really enjoyed this book. It is not a carbon copy, predictable book. Read it, you won't regret it!

loved this book.Very emotional and heart rending. A bit different from her ususal books which is what makes it unique.

I loved this story. I fell in love with Rainwater and when you read it, you'll understand. Though similar in a certain way to Bridges of Madison County, it holds you from beginning to end.

Brilliant as usual. A book that is hard to put down

Nice read. I love her stories

excellant book. cried like a baby.

Very enjoyable.

The character development was good. But the plot moved very slowly was little suspense. One of Sandra Brown's weaker novels.

I've read a lot of Sandra Brown's books but this one is a definite "not to read". It is absolutely boring! I like a book that once you start reading you can't put it down. Rainwater is a book you will want to put down and not continue to read. There is really no romance worth reading about in this book. The killing of the animals in this book was very sad and I can't image why Sandra Brown would write such a book or where she got her idea for this book. There were no real sparks of romance....just a few moments when the lover's hearts fluttered each other. I was very disappointed in this book and will now put it back on my bookshelf to collect dust.

Zum Inhalt ist bereits alles gesagt, mehr würde die Lesefreude beeinträchtigen. Lesefreude, nicht Lesespaß? Jawohl, denn das Buch ist weder witzig noch lustig noch auf rasante Effekte angelegt. Sandra Brown hat vielmehr mit diesem Buch eine Art Reifeprüfung abgelegt und ein sehr düsteres Kapitel der jüngeren amerikanischen Vergangenheit in herzerwärmender, ergreifender Weise aufgegriffen und verarbeitet.Die Fans von Sandra Browns spannenden Gegenwartsromanen werden erstaunt bis enttäuscht sein. Tatsächlich aber wäre zu wünschen, daß eine Reihe anderer Schriftstellerkolleginnen mit zunehmendem Alter eine derartige Entwicklung zur ernsthaften Schriftstellerei durchlaufen würden. Aber, keine Angst für die Fans: dieses Buch war dem Vernehmen nach ein Ausnahmewerk, der nächste Thriller wird demnächst erscheinen.

*A beautiful and powerful love story by bestselling author Sandra Brown that captivates your heart, mind, and soul once you start reading and it's impossible to put down until the heartwarming ending......... When a young couple decided to walk into a little antique shop out of the blue, they are instantly drawn to the elderly shopkeeper. He is not only friendly but very informative about the history of the town. Before long, he tells them a very interesting story from the past and they find themselves taking in every detail and not wanting to leave. During the great depression when the entire world was suffering and the economy couldn't even feed the average family, Mrs. Ella Barron thought she had it a little better than most. Owning her own house and taking in boarders was the best and sensible thing to do was her thinking and it also stabalized and secured a home for her little boy Solly. Deserted by her husband several years earlier and left with a disabled child was alright with her. Now, the most important person in her life was Solly and that is all that mattered to her. She didn't need anybody else and that was enough for her that is before the town doctor Murdoch Kincaide brought his distant cousin to her house looking to rent a room. Enter tall, dark, and very handsome David Rainwater with the most beautiful blue eyes. So flustered by him and known by the people in town that Miss Ella runs a tight ship, she's at a loss for words. Still out of curiousity, she asked the doctor why her? Why would he want to live in her house and not at the doctor's? Doc explains that his two boys are driving him crazy and besides, the man is dying. Taken back by this information, Ella allows Mr. Rainwater to move in. In view of everything she is told, she is still worried if she did the right thing but instead finds herself worrying about him too. Having her own problems with her son Solly and with him constantly throwing temper tantrums unable to speak with no attention span whatsoever, there are days where she feels that she is slowly going out of her mind. Until one day when all was quiet and she was looking for her son and she was amazed that he was with Mr. Rainwater and he introduced dominos and playing cards to the boy and he was connecting all the dots and all the numbers. At first being jealous, she was now becoming automatically grateful for what Mr. Rainwater accomplished with the boy giving her approval to his urging and allowed him to work with the boy on a daily basis. Not long after, everybody in town loved Mr. Rainwater and the kindness he showed to all those he came across including Ella herself. Living in a small town in Texas, the racial hatred was getting out of control and there was Mr. Rainwater helping these people too. God bless him was what everybody was saying about him as well,but David Rainwater was hiding a secret of his own. He was desperately in love with Ella Barron and on one lonely and rainy night, he confessed his love to her. Did Ella and Mr. Rainwater have a passionate love affair? Did he live longer than anticipated? Did they ever find out what was wrong with Solly? Did Ella ever get the chance to tell David Rainwater how she really felt about him? And last but not least, who is the old man in the antique shop and what is his connection to this story?............this is a must read and my congratulations to miss Sandra Brown. Any author who can make me laugh outright or make me cry hysterically is an exceptional author.....thank you miss Brown,........thank you♡♡