Before the Rain is told in a dual timeline format, Della Lee’s story from 1940’s and the current day in Puerto Pesar. In the 1940’s Della Lee finds the love of her life in Tomas and she also pleads guilty to murdering her sister and is sent to prison. In the present day granddaughter has returned to help care for her grandmother after she had a heart attack.

I was intrigued by both timelines. The idea of a new bride and loving sister killing her sister and being sent to a women’s prison was fascinating. The things she had to do just to stay alive along with the interesting people she met while incarcerated had me intrigued. The other time is Paloma’s story. I felt for Paloma, coming home to a sister that has grown up and turned into a young women that is so different from who she use to be and a grandmother recovering from a heart attack could not have been easy. Paloma ran from this place, she needed to get out of Puerto Pesar and do bigger and better things yet it is the place that needs her the most. Add to her life the journalist Mick Anders, who has his own reasons for running from his home, and her life gets more intriguing.

Before the Rain is a story of family, heartbreak, and finding out what is truly important in life.

Journalist Mick Anders is sent to the Texas town of Puerto Pesar to write a story about Della Lee, a woman just released from prison after serving a 70 year sentence for the murder of her sister, Eula. The story is divided between three protagonists, and the narrative alternates to include each of their points of view. Della Lee, Paloma Vega, a young doctor that’s returned to her hometown to care for her ailing grandmother and Mick. The story alternates between 1940 when Della Lee is sent to prison and present day. There’s a little romance with Mick and Paloma. The lives of all three changed unexpectedly during one of Mick’s interviews with Della. A wonderful heart felt story. I received this eARC from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! There were definitely some predictable parts, but it was an emotional story and kept me wanting to read more. I especially liked the portions of the story in the past-the present was not quite as interesting.

I couldn’t connect with this story. The premise was interesting but I tend to get bogged down by details that don’t make sense or are unbelievable. That was the case here. The story opens in a courtroom and when the verdict is read, the charge was never explained. “In the matter of the death” is so vague that I wasn’t sure if it was murder, premeditated murder, manslaughter etc. The circumstances surrounding Della’s release from prison after 70 years, returning to her old home without any mention of how she got there was puzzling and unrealistic. The details can make or break a story for me and in this case I couldn’t move past my questions to enjoy the story.

Compelling family drama, crossing generations. While it stretches plausibility a tad, it is done in such a satisfying manner that the reader is not put off. This was a very enjoyable read.

Vibrant! Smart! Compelling. The intertwining of the stories is masterfully done!

Captivating. That is the word I think of when I think of this amazing story.

Della comes home after being incarcerated for seventy years. It is time to tell her story, and a not-so-eager reporter comes along to tell it. Family secrets soon begin to come to light.

Camille Di Maio is a talented author who weaves together a wonderful story with solid, interesting characters and plots.

If you love books where the story goes between the generations and comes together in the end, you’ll love this one. I highly recommend.

This was an engrossing novel! I enjoyed the way that Della’s story was told and the way the sisters’ relationships were portrayed. The story alternates between the 1940s when Della was convicted of murdering her sister, Eula, to the present time. We also see an earlier time when Della reminisces back to when Eula and she were young children. It is set in Puerto Pesar, Texas. The most engrossing part of this novel was Della’s story. I eagerly read her story, wanting to know why she killed her sister, what would happen to her, and hoping desperately that things would improve for her. A parallel relationship of sisters exists with another set of characters, sisters Paloma and Mercedes. Camille has succeeded in writing a novel that is somehow heartbreaking and joyful all at the same time. She presents all of the characters in a well-developed and thorough manner.

"Before the Rain Falls" by Camille Di Maio

An absolutely stunning novel. Camille Di Maio has taken the present day story of Paloma Vega, a New York City doctor who has come home to take care of her grandmother and sister. The present and past story of Della Lee, who has spent 70 years in prison for killing her sister, but is now wanting and ready to tell her life story. And that of Mick Alders, a Boston reporter, sent to Puerto Pesar to follow up on a potential story and finds several along the way.

The author interweaves the lives of these three characters, as well as Paloma's grandmother and sister, in such a way that secrets are revealed, stories unfold, past harms are brought forth, and ones current path slowly becomes clear.

The characters in this novel are written so well that the reader truly feels they are with them. Be it in the penitentiary, with Paloma and Mick, with Mercedes, or whomever is the focus of the novel at that point. (At one point, I was so enthralled with the novel that in a scene with confetti I actually got up to wipe some of it out of my hair.). Each character has their own flaws and special personal aspects representative of just that person, which only makes each one more relatable and human.

The plot line is quite interesting, both present and past, that putting the novel down most likely will not happen. It is written so seamlessly and authentically that the reader feels present no matter where one is in the book. (See my example above.) There are some twists and turns that are not fully expected and will keep the reader on their toes.

This is a novel about family, love, dedication, history, misunderstanding, betrayal, truth, and ones life circumstances. "Before the Rain Falls," is a captivating and riveting novel that I more than highly recommend.

Rating: 5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Some books are good escape. Some are simply good stories. Some give food for thought. Some show us our past. Some show us our present. Some show us Texas. Some soothe a hurting heart. Some make you think about walking in another's shoes. Some take you out of your chair and put you right into a world you don't inhabit. This one does it all, I really loved it.
"Before the Rain Falls" cast a spell on me with its characters that came alive in the "Port of Regret," past and present. It is not just the story of the purported murderess, Della Lee, but also that of down and out reporter Mick Anders, and newly graduated doctor Paloma Vega, home for a spell to help her ailing grandmother and wayward leaning younger sister.

I was interested with each twist and each POV. In fact, the multiple viewpoints helped me digest what otherwise would have been a hard story, knowing that Della Lee spent all of her life in jail for a crime that she seemed incapable of committing. I was rooting for Mick to figure it out, while he took the time to remember what brought him to reporting in the first place. I was also hoping Paloma would find a way to live her passion, while finding more time for her family.

The stories of Della Lee captured me because the writing made it all unfold before my eyes, as if this were a more serious women's version of "Oh Brother Where Art Thou." And I loved the Texas diversity of the story as much as I loved the characters and the story itself. I'll definitely be reading more of Camille di Miao's writings.

Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book. It's a five star for me. Just needs an Audio!

You'll like this well written dual time line novel if you like family stories where secrets and lies can be corrosive but also redeeming. There's a great South Texas setting as well as a 1940s women's prison. Delia and Paloma are both nicely rounded and Mick makes a good partner as they explore the past. Some of this is predictable, which isn't entirely a bad thing, but it reads smoothly. This is satisfying women's fiction. Thanks to net galley for the ARC.

Before the Rain Falls is a hauntingly disturbing tale written in two eras.
Camille Di Maio addresses the two eras, and of family connections and tensions, flawlessly.
As Della's story unfolds, you will be thrown through every emotion possible.
In the mean while, there is a new relationship blooming. There are many unexpected heart wrenching details that add so many layers. I found myself having to take small breaks, just to absorb everything, and then rushing back for more. There is such an air of mystery, it is palpable. Just when you think you have all the answers, more is revealed.

I absolutely loved this novel from the beautiful cover! I loved Dellas story and how it overlapped Paola's story.

3.5 Della has been released after spending seventy in prison for the murder of her younger sister. She has returned to Puerto Pesa, Texas, her hometown. Mick Anders is a journalist, needing time away after a story that went horribly wrong, he comes to this town in Texas, looking for a new story. Dr. Paloma, returns here to help her abuela, who is recovering from a heart attack and to reconnect with her younger sister Mercedes. In alternating chapters we learn the story of all three of these characters.

There is much sadness here, but it is ultimately a story of truth,strong beliefs, personal awakenings and new chances to alter the course of their lives. This is, despite the serious overtones, a lighter read than that which I would normally choose, more romance than I usually read. It follows a rather predictable course, though I did enjoy the characters. Della in particular. This is a good read, perfect for summer. There are enough revelations to keep it interesting, and ultimately a feel good novel by books end.

ARC from Netgalley.

I loved the way three stories came together and there were two time frames that we learned a lot about. The characters were original and unique and I enjoyed their believable. The setting and the prison were adequately described and felt like a character themselves. I greatly enjoyed Di Maio's writing and cannot wait for her next book!

Good read that cover many decades. I enjoyed the writing so much that I went back and purchased her first book.

A poignant vivid piece of historical fiction, Before The Rain Falls is going to be raved about by readers!

Posted on: www.readingbetweenthepagesblog.wordpress.com
Date: 6/21/2017

Before the Rain Falls is a beautifully written story about love, hope, and family.

Della Lee Trujillo is 90 years old when she returns home to Puerto Pesar, Texas. In 1942 she was found guilty of killing her sister Eula Lee and received a sentence of 70 years.

Mick Anders is a newspaper journalist for a Boston paper. He found himself in a bit of trouble for an article he ran and was told to take a two-week leave. His boss has sent him to Puerto Pesar to chase a story of a crying portrait.

... a portrait was found in a thrift store and was thought to be leaking tears. The image was that of a young girl about four years old – Eula Lee, whose father owned the fish cannery that had been the town’s largest employer at the time. Her sister had murdered her years later. Della Lee had gone to prison and recently returned to the family house after seventy years of incarceration.

Paloma Vega has lived in New York for the past ten years. She recently graduated from college and has just been offered a job at Lenox Hill Hospital. Her grandmother, living in Puerto Pesar, had a heart attack, so Paloma has decided to take a leave of absence and return home for a few weeks to help her get back on her feet.

The story alternates between current day and the 1940’s. The current day changes perspective between Paloma and Mick. They travel separately to Puerto Pesar, completely unaware how their lives will change once they meet. Before arriving they each have very busy, successful, and fulfilling lives. Once they befriend each other, they discover things within themselves they didn’t even know existed.

The 1940’s is told from the perspective of Della Lee, starting with her being found guilty of murder and being taken away to prison. She slowly reveals the story of her childhood and life in prison. She opens up some very personal, old, painful wounds.

This is a story of self-discovery, finding happiness, and family. This story is slow to evolve, but it takes you on a real journey. I felt it was a bit predictable, but otherwise I loved this sweet story.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Camille Di Maio for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest opinion.

The cover art captivated my attention....however, this story captivated my heart. Loved it!!!!