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Rainwater Audiobook
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(3.01) - 5,426 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A romantic historical novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Seeing Red about an independent woman who runs a boarding house in Dust Bowl Texas.
Ella Baron runs her Texas boarding house with the efficiency of a ship’s captain and the grace of a gentlewoman. She cooks, cleans, launders, and cares for her ten-year-old son, Solly, a sweet but challenging child whose busy behavior and failure to speak elicits undesired advice from others in town. Ella’s plate is full from sunup to sundown. When a room in her boarding house opens up, the respected town doctor brings Ella a new boarder―the handsome and gallant Mr. David Rainwater—but Ella is immediately resistant to opening up her home to this mysterious stranger.
Even with assurances that Mr. Rainwater is a man of impeccable character, a former cotton broker and a victim of the Great Depression, Ella stiffens at the thought of taking him in. Dr. Kincaid tells Ella in confidence that Mr. Rainwater won’t require the room for long: he is dying. Begrudgingly, Ella accepts Mr. Rainwater’s application to board, but she knows that something is happening; she is being swept along by an unusual series of events. Soon, this strong-minded, independent woman will realize that the living that she has eked out for herself in the small bubble of her town is about to change, whether she likes it or not...
Racial tensions, the financial strain of livelihoods in cotton drying up into dust, and the threat of political instability swirl together into a tornado on the horizon. One thing is certain: the winds of change are blowing all over Texas—and through the cracks in the life that Ella Barron has painstakingly built. This is the story of a woman who takes her life’s circumstances in both hands, but who will be forced to reckon with the chaos of her circumstances...
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"I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction set in the Dust Bowl in the Depression, with its strong central characters and their relationships. What a different life that was, difficult in so many ways, especially for women. The main character was "a hoot"."
— Joan (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A warm, nostalgic detour from the suspense queen’s comfort zone…satisfying.”
— People -
“Brown skillfully charts the progress of Ella and David’s quiet romance, while a contemporary frame adds a neat twist to this heartwarming but never cloying historical.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Brown, a master of contemporary romantic suspense, makes a huge genre leap…Many will be irresistibly drawn in by this mesmerizing little fable.”
— Booklist -
“Brown demonstrates her incredible breadth of talent and versatility with this touching tearjerker. A quiet, tender story.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
Rainwater Listener Reviews
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" I am not a huge Sandra Brown fan but I LOVED Rainwater! I listened to the audiobook read by Victor Slezak and was captivated by the story. "
— Laurie, 2/10/2014 -
" Recently discovered an author whose books I've read are good mysteries. Rainwater the best of 7 I've read so far. "
— Sharen, 2/8/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this book. A very fast read - it's not a long book but it was also hard to put down. "
— Jas, 2/1/2014 -
" Great yet on the sad side. "
— Laura, 1/30/2014 -
" A very different book for Sandra Brown on Autism during the 1940 when it did not even have a name. "
— Peggy, 1/29/2014 -
" Loved this book. It was such a wonderful portrayal of that time and the tensions that were surrounding it. And the ending took my breathe away and had tears streaming down my face, both sad and happy tears. Can't beat a book that makes you feel that way. "
— Shawn, 1/26/2014 -
" I listened to this book on CD. The narration really helped bring this sweet story and the characters alive. Very enjoyable book...unexpected ending. "
— Kimberly, 1/24/2014 -
" This reminded me of some books I have just read, "The Magic of Ordinary Days" and some others. But this was definitely not as good. Kind of slow, boring, and a little contrived. "
— Trisha, 1/17/2014 -
" Really liked this story. Different style for Sandra Brown but she did a great job with it. Light easy reading. "
— Jill, 1/9/2014 -
" Very touching and poignant story about depression era America. Good solid characters with a story to match. I would recommend this book. "
— Patricia, 12/25/2013 -
" A nice change from her usual work. Very readable, touching, good character development as is usual for her. "
— Faye, 11/30/2013 -
" Different from her usual work, this is an absorbing and moving novel. And a quick read! "
— Katharine, 10/13/2013 -
" Sandra did such a good job with the characters and the era the book took place in "
— Beskeslien, 6/14/2013 -
" This was a short read. This book was different than Sandra's other books. Set in the 1930's, it explores racial tensions of the time and of course she includes a love story. "
— Brenda, 5/28/2013 -
" This book was just O.K. to me. I thought a story that takes place during the Depression would be interesting and it was interesting for that reason. "
— Corrine, 3/7/2013 -
" Pretty decent. Shows what matters in life and bullying is not it. Funny how some things don't change. "
— Regina, 3/1/2013 -
" What a great book! Thanks to Julie for sharing it with me. "
— Kay, 5/2/2012 -
" Well written, poignant story. Not like any of her other books! "
— Debbie, 4/3/2012 -
" Excellent, light depiction of a location and time period I don't think much about. I love books about strong women. This one was simplistic but still engaging. "
— Rdtilludrop, 12/27/2011 -
" Quite a departure for Sandra Brown...loved it. "
— Jennifer, 11/18/2011 -
" OMG what an ending.... "
— Jean, 10/17/2011 -
" I was going to give this 4 stars, but the last 20 pages bumped it up to 5. I guess, I love what I am affectionately going to call sappy love stories. This the second one I have read in the last month and gave both 5 stars. I wish there was more to the story. "
— Dara, 6/21/2011 -
" Rainwater was a book I picked up at an airport for 1/2 priced. It keep me reading during my short bumpy flight and even after in bed that night. An easy feel good book with a bit of history of Texas during the dust bowls. Somewhat predictable but sweet and loving. The Skye in June "
— June, 6/21/2011 -
" This book is not a typical Sandra Brown book. It's about a man that is in the process of dying and how he helps other people. It is a good read. "
— Betty, 6/17/2011 -
" A wonderful book that reminds me of Steinbeck at his best. Different that any of Sandra's other books. Couldn't put it down. "
— D., 5/21/2011 -
" Best book I read this year! Young widow trying to survive during the <br/>great depression and raising an autistic child alone. A love story <br/>with a Sandra Brown twist in the end. "
— Cyndy, 5/15/2011 -
" Even though this was a very different book from the other Sandra Brown's I have read I loved it. The ending made me cry. "
— Vonda, 5/15/2011 -
" Loved this book. It was such a wonderful portrayal of that time and the tensions that were surrounding it. And the ending took my breathe away and had tears streaming down my face, both sad and happy tears. Can't beat a book that makes you feel that way. "
— Shawn, 5/10/2011 -
" Picked it up and read it in one sitting... captivating... painful racial issues, but reality nonetheless. Not earthshaking - but something to take my mind away which is what I needed :o) "
— Jo, 5/9/2011 -
" i probably would only give it 2.5 stars......it was an easy read and quite entertaining but kind of a typical romance. She does touch on some grittier subjects like the predjudice of the times not only against blacks but also against poor whites and those with learning differences. "
— Helgaklassen, 5/8/2011 -
" Novel SB yg lain dari yg lain...menawarkan crita yg tidak biasa. "
— Fiary, 5/7/2011 -
" Engaging book. Racial hatred is a strong theme. <br/>Romantic with a fairly nice ending. "
— Ilbenedict, 5/5/2011 -
" This should actually be a 3.5 I liked it, but found it slow moving at times. "
— M.G., 5/1/2011
About Sandra Brown
Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, of which five have made the number one spot. There are more than eighty million copies of her books in print, and her work has been translated into thirty-four languages. Visit her at www.SandraBrown.net.
About Victor Slezak
Victor Slezak is an audiobook narrator and actor whose films include The Siege, Just Cause, The Bridges of Madison County, and Beyond Rangoon. On television, he appeared in PBS’s The Ponder Heart and HBO’s Path to War. His Broadway performances include Salome, with Al Pacino, Jackie: An American Life, and The Graduate, opposite Kathleen Turner.