The thing that first drew me to The Sound of Rain was the beautiful cover and I soon realized that it had an equally beautiful story withing it's pages.

The Sound of Rain is by Sarah Loudin Thomas. It is set in the 1950's in South Carolina. After a family tragedy Judd decides to never work in the mines again. He leaves his hometown in West Virginia to start a new live in Myrtle Beach South Carolina. It's not long before he begins to develop feelings for his bosses daughter.

Larkin has lived a life of simplicity. Because of her father's money she doesn't have many worries. She is free to live her life dancing and doing as she pleases, but she longs for something more meaningful. She wants to help the poor children in Kentucky, but leaving would mean leaving Judd. When a hurricane hits Larkin and Judd are drawn together and they both find their selves seeking God's will for their lives. Will it include each other or lead them down different paths?

If you've ever suffered loss. If you've ever sought after God's path for your life, this book will be one that you easily connect with. The story will tug at your heartstrings and leave you feeling encouraged.


***Thanks to Bethany House Publishing for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Judd blew out a breath. This whole family left him feeling like he was skating across a frozen pond in his stocking feet."
Christian Historical 1954. Simple people, simply told, but as complicated as real life is. Judd, a coal miner in West Virginia has a life altering accident. He leaves for a new job at a timber company in Myrtle Beach, following a dream - his brother's. It's a whole new life for him. There he meets the boss's daughter, Larkin. She has a dream of helping people, more specifically Appalachia hill people, near where Judd was from. This is a beautifully told story, vividly real, where you thoroughly get to know the people and it's easy to see their surroundings. You want the very best for each of them. A story that certainly holds your interest until the very end.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
#TheSoundOfRain #SarahLoudinThomas #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #5Stars

I have been reading and enjoying Sarah Loudin Thomas' books from the beginning. When I saw that The Sound of Rain was available I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. If you've read her works you know that the stories are mostly set in West Virginia. Through her words I've fallen in love with West Virginia even though I've never set foot in that state.

The Sound of Rain begins deep in a coal mine of West Virginia. The opening scene made me catch my breath. I'm not going to spoil the effect by talking about it but let's just say that my admiration of coal miners and the risks they encounter every day has gone up considerably.

Judd Markley is our main character and after a life-changing event he chooses to leave the mountains of West Virginia and make his way to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I love South Carolina and Sarah's descriptive words capture the essence of the place perfectly.

In South Carolina Judd trades in his minor's hat for a logger's chainsaw. Another fascinating job with a lot of risk involved. Shortly after arriving in Myrtle Beach Judd meets Larkin Heyward who just happens to be the daughter of the logging company's owner. The Heyward family appears to be a pillar of the community but underneath the surface are hurts that have torn the family apart.

The stories of Judd and Larkin continue to intersect in ways that Judd never intended but the draw of Larkin continues to bring him back again and again. I enjoyed going on this journey with them. Sarah's writing is very emotional which takes the story beyond the surface and goes deep to the root of the situation.

At the end of the book I wasn't ready for the story to be over. To me that's the sign of a good book. I'm hoping that we'll get to travel back in time and revisit this beautiful place and these interesting people again in a future book.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

Judd Markley heads away from West Virginia after surviving a coal mine collapse that took the life of his brother. Judd vows to live out his brother’s dream to explore more of the world. The trip takes Judd to Myrtle Beach where he quickly secures a job as a machine repair guy for the timber baron, Mr. Heyward. Into the picture comes the boss’s daughter, Larkin. She, though, has wanted for several years to leave Myrtle Beach and go to Appalachia to help the less fortunate that she is sure need her assistance. Her brother, Bud, estranged from the family, has gone before her and she longs to find him and join him.
Larkin reaches her destination, but it is not quite as she expected. It seems Larkin is the one who learns the lessons and her eyes become open to other ways of life that are enriching and fulfilling for its residents.
Predictably, Judd and Larkin fall in love. Thankfully, though, the love story is fresh and doesn’t get stuck in a formula.
.

The Sound of Rain
by Sarah Loudin Thomas
Bethany House

Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 07 Nov 2017


I am reviewing a copy of The Sound Of Rain through Bethany House and Netgalley:


Judd Markley looses his brother and nearly his own life in a cave in. A hard working Coal miner, after the accident though he vows to never go into a mine again. Judd Markley decides to leave everything knows in West Virginia to start a life in Myrtle Beach South California.


Larkin Heyward lives an uncomplicated life in Myrtle Beach, she mostly does volunteer work and dances at the papillon, but she longs to do more, Perhaps one day doing more maybe moving to the hollers of Kentucky one day to help the poor children of Appalachia. The problem was she had never even met anyone who lives there until she meets Judd.


When Judd and Larkin are drawn together by a devastating hurricane, they start seeking answers for what tomorrow may bring.



I give The Sound Of Rain, five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

When I started reading this book I was on the phone with Kristin (it’s a thing, just embrace it). She hasn’t read it yet and I was so into this story I kept telling her she needed to start it ‘right now’. Just to chapter 7 so we can talk about this thing. Just start it so I can get your opinion on this other thing. She still hasn’t started it yet and I’ve finished it just as enamored by the book’s first sentence as I was the last.

Imagine waking up in the most complete total darkness that you can imagine. So dark that the idea of light becomes foreign. Literally no light, fragments of anything resembling light. So dark you aren’t even sure you are alive. And that shoe you feel touching your head? It’s your own, but it’s still attached to your body. OK, I think I just painted a creepy vibe and this was totally not a creepy vibe. This was a moment of life that changed all the future moments of life. This was surviving a mine cave-in in the coal mines of West Virginia. This was surviving when your baby brother did not. This was healing from injuries that will forever be a reminder of what you lost. And in losing, what you gained.

This book had such interesting and quirky characters. They were true to their roots, who they were, and where they came from. In the healing from some deep hurts comes lightness and laughter. I’m gonna have to spoiler you here for a moment. Larkin is the quintessential spoiled daughter of a wealthy businessman. She’s got a heart that wants to help people, and an ego that has decided it must be the Appalachian Mountains. ‘But Appalachia is such a poor, backwards place. You hear about hillbillies and barefooted children who leave school before the eighth grade – things like that. I want to help.’ The same day she meets Judd she insults his heritage and can’t begin to understand why he won’t help her help ‘his people’. It’s good to know that entitlement was a thing, even in the 50’s. Even in his healing, Judd has an openness to him. An awareness that life is still living and he’s a part of that. He’s not quite ready to jump in the fray but he’s not holding himself back either.

Let’s be honest. They both had some growing up to do. Judd, with his straight arrow way, has to learn to be the man he was meant to be, not the dream of his brother’s that he is chasing in Myrtle Beach. Larkin has to learn that not everyone needs saving. Modern conveniences, like indoor plumbing and gas stoves, don’t fulfill your life. Sometimes the people who need the most help are the ones you don’t go looking for. There’s a lot of smaller stories in the greater story. They all weave together for the betterment of the whole. Reading as characters grow and change, for the better, with a little levity along the way is what makes this book a winner. It’s not a laugh a minute. It’s also not a dreary downer. This book is the perfect balance of finding your place in the world when you didn’t know you needed to find it.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House, NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

He closed his eyes and focused on the pain in his ribs, his leg, his head—anything but the pain in his heart. ~excerpt, Chapter 1

The Sound of Rain is the fifth story I’ve read by Sarah Loudin Thomas. She is a talented southern fiction storyteller with a spiritual, healing inclination.

I love the West Virginia, Kentucky, and South Carolina settings. The setting(s) add so much to the story. And the 1950s is a unique time period (for me) in historical fiction. The nostalgic feel is as much a character in the story as the main characters, Judd and Larkin.

Judd is an interesting man. He deals with his upended life the best he knows how, but something is missing. Larkin is the daughter of Judd’s new boss, has a completely different outlook and background than Judd. The two are attracted, but struggle with their dreams of the future.

Cons: I had one or two unanswered questions upon completion, and the pacing was a bit slower than I prefer.

You can’t go wrong with a SLT book. Ms. Thomas infuses her stories with tangible emotion and a sweet, spiritual thread.

The Sound of Rain is a sweet, clean, satisfying read.

Cover: Love it
Title: Love it
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Pages: 336
First Lines: Judd wanted to take a deep breath more than anything. But the weight on his chest, combined with the dust-laden air, made it impossible.

I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House and NetGalley.

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.

Judd Markley's brother, Joe, died in a mine cave-in. Judd vowed never to go back into a mine and so he headed south to Myrtle Beach. He started working for a timber company that allowed him to use his gift for mechanics.

Larkin Heyward is the daughter of Judd's boss, but she wants to make her life count for more than just being a candy striper at the hospital. She wants to go to the Appalachians and help those in need there.

Sarah Loudin Thomas writes of the Appalachians with a personal knowledge of the culture and the background of the peoples. The Sound of Rain encompasses the history of post-war America along with the devestation of Hurricane Hazel on Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She also takes on the interpersonal relationships within families and shows how they work or don't work--how dysfunction can turn around and become fully functional through conflict and its resolution.

Larkin's conflict is with her father because she wants to join her brother in Kentucky, but her father has disowned him and will disown her if she goes to him.

Judd's conflict is with the mines, the dangers and the life on the edge of disaster, as well as the cave-in that took his brother's life.

Sarah's writing is of such quality that it engages the reader from the very first page to the back flyleaf. Her characters are realistic and quite likable--with a few exceptions. Her settings are spot on for detail and involvement. Her plot moves at a good pace--not at all frenetic. This is a five star book with two thumbs up and no hurricanes to mess up your home.

My thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book.

I have been looking forward to reading more Sarah Loudin Thomas, ever since I read her novella Appalachian Serenade. One thing that really stood out to me in that story was the authors ability to connect with the senses of her readers. I was very happy to discover that this talent rang true once again in The Sound of Rain. From the mines of West Virginia to the prosperous Myrtle Beach and the poor hills of Kentucky, she painted a very vivid picture of the various settings. I could almost smell the smokey mountains and feel the humidity described in the southern states.

The 1950’s is a time period that interests me, however it isn’t very often that I come across historical fiction set in that era. Another aspect that caught my interest was the mention of Hurricane Hazel in the synopsis.

Judd Markley was an interesting character, who I liked from the start. However I never warmed to his female counterpart Larkin Heyward. In fact I found her more insufferable as the story went on. She was a very spoiled young woman and I felt that her dream to help people was more about drawing attention to herself than a genuine care for others. I didn’t think that she and Judd were a good match for each other at all.

Unfortunately my dislike for Larkin really took away from my enjoyment of this novel. Hopefully I will have better luck next time with this author as I would really like to read more Sarah Loudin Thomas.

I have been really conflicted over what my final rating for this book will be. The writing style is beautiful and lyrical, raising my overall rating, while there are plot holes big enough to chuck a horse through, which lowers the rating. Let's see if I can't talk it out with myself for my review.

The story opens with Judd Markley getting his leg broken with a mine collapse that kills his brother. If that isn't enough of a catalyst to make someone want to reinvent their life, it's hard to imagine what is. So he leaves Applachia and his family to hunt a job in forestry in SC. Learning forestry feels good, despite his bum leg, but what really sparks his interest is Larkin—who just so happens to be the owner's daughter.

Larkin is a young woman who loves going out dancing and likes to keep herself busy; since her father won't let her get a job, despite her being 21, she volunteers as a candy striper in a hospital. She's warm and friendly and glad to talk with the new guy in town.

There are some minor bits of conflict through the story, but primarily it's centered around their romance and Judd's getting his life on a new track. There's a hurricane and various other things for them to deal with together.

First off, the repeated use of "alright" drove me absolutely bonkers. One friend commented that perhaps it was intentional to be clear that it was Judd's POV, but no. Larkin and her father would absolutely know that that term is not found in the dictionary, especially in the 1960s. The correct spelling is two words: all right. Got it, editors?

The first big plot chuckhole has to do with the sea. A big deal is made (a chapter and a half) about him seeing the ocean, thinking it would have been a lot bigger, reminiscing about his little brother's doomed dream of crossing it. Uh, hello?? Judd is a Korean War vet! Just how can one arrive in Korea from Appalachia without ever seeing or crossing the ocean?

Another beach incident is his great difficulty of dealing with lust inspired by the scantily clad girls on the beach. This is described, but never dealt with. Does he stop feeling lust for bodies once he falls for Larkin? Does he realize it is a sin to deal with once he begins to open up to God again? We are never told.

Larkin's brother is a preacher in a small town, ministering to the impoverished folks of Appalachian Kentucky. He broke with his father to go, leaving his mother to pine for her boy, and his sister to miss her only sibling. The thread concerning Ben comes in about halfway, and while I liked Ben, I felt like he became more flat as a character toward the end.

There is a lot of Christian talk, and some very wise points, but Judd doesn't make me believe he has really found faith.

The romance is half telling, not showing. They have some chemistry toward the beginning, but in middle/end, I'm just not convinced about Judd and Larkin as a couple. I don't think they are going to work out without more major character renovations.

(The spoilers hereafter are real, folks. I'm about to talk about the ending. Click on spoiler at your peril!)

<spoiler>
Okay, first off. Larkin's great escape. Now, as a young woman of 21, I don't see that she was obliged to stay and let her father force her away from Christian work, but there are lots of other ways she could have accomplished her goals without her deceit and her running away alone with a single man and her careful deception of both of them. Why didn't her father demand they marry as soon as he caught up with them? Also, this part makes her seem more 16 than 21; she doesn't seem to have a real calling to spiritual ministry, though when she sees a physical need she wants to meet it. It felt very childish of her and pretty much a selfish wish to join her beloved brother rather than a calling on her life.

Second, Judd's faith. Ben carefully talks through with Judd what he actually has experienced from God and encourages him to give God another chance. Judd shares how he wanted to go forward in church, but was prevented by his father in boyhood. While he begins to go to church, and to pray, he doesn't ever have a salvation moment. When Larkin is talking about being led of God to marry him, I had a really hard time believing that God would lead her to marry anyone that wasn't a committed believer. I never got convinced that Judd was. His life turned around because of Larkin in it, he states more than once. Sorry, but God isn't in the business of salvation by romance. He saves by faith.

Third, the final denouement. Judd decides he is glad for her father to have manipulated him into marrying Larkin simply because he thinks he wants the career. He splutters a bit, but sits down and has drinks with her dad and basically tosses Larkin's dreams under the table. Not cool, Judd. Not cool.

</spoiler>

So I never really liked Judd personally as a character. Larkin seemed flighty and childish. The book has tons of promise but didn't deliver for me in the end. I'm not optimistic about this match, folks.

Content:
Swears "almighty" and "for heaven's sake"
Sexual: Judd has strong feelings of lust for girls on the beach
Drinking...teetotaler Judd comes to a point where he sits down for drinks with Larkin's dad and decides it isn't bad and is going to be a habit he will enjoy having with his father-in-law.

Thanks to the publisher for a free review copy. A favorable review was not required.

I've read all of Sarah Loudin Thomas' books ever since she wrote her first novella. I was sad that I didn't get to read this one right when it came out, but life was very busy then.

This book was beautiful. I love how she can take hardship and turn it into opportunity. I loved the friendships that came about in this book. I loved the redemption of more than one character. Truly, I just loved everything about it.

But honestly what I truly love about her books is the setting. I do not have any personal knowledge of the mountains of West Virginia or about mining camps or timber camps. But reading these books transports me not only to that time but also to those locations in a way that most authors cannot do. I love that in her books I can smell the wood burning cook stove and can feel the humidity of South Carolina. Few authors can transport you that well and I love her books for it.

I also really appreciated the love story in this book. In some ways it moved quickly but it felt genuine even it its speed. And the progression of the relationship made sense and was very sweet.

This book reminded me a little of Ruth in the Bible in the way that Larkin viewed marriage. I liked how important prayer was to many of the characters and appreciated how the Granny in Kentucky didn't waste any time in telling Larkin to talk to God about her problems.

The book Christy by Catherine Marshall has been coming up a lot lately. And I cannot help but think that everyone that loved that book or the TV show would enjoy Thomas' books too.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review.

I was interested in the book, The Sound of Rain, because of the settings of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, West Virginia and Kentucky. I lived and worked in Myrtle Beach just before Hurricane Hugo hit, then visited after Hugo and was amazed at the devastation to the area and changes to the shoreline. I also lived for a short while in St. Albans, West Virginia. In addition, I was interested because Sarah Loudin Thomas is a new author to me.

The story’s premise is about Judd Markley, a coal miner from West Virginia, and Larkin Heyward, the daughter of an affluent family in Myrtle Beach.

Judd leaves the hills of West Virginia and moves to Myrtle Beach after a coal mining accident left him permanently injured and killed his brother. His main reason for moving is to honor his brother’s dream of going to Myrtle Beach.

Larkin wants to move to Kentucky to give meaning to her life and help the poor who live there.

I am not sure how I feel about the book. Several elements of it are good, and other aspects made it less than enjoyable for me. The sequence of events during Hurricane Hazel didn’t seem realistic in many ways, especially considering the destruction it caused. Plus, Larkin’s deception toward Judd and deliberate disobedience to her father bothered me, too.

Overall, I felt the author tried to put too much into the book, making it feel watered down (no pun intended). There were characters I would have liked to have gotten to know better, for instance, Granny Jane, Ben and Larkin’s mother.

The Sound of Rain was interesting but not as compelling as other stories I have read.

I enjoyed reading about Myrtle Beach in 1954 and was sad to hear The Pavilion had its last season in 2006 and was demolished for redevelopment in 2007.

I received this book from NetGalley. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to have a digital ARC of The Sound of Rain by Sarah Loudin Thomas. If you are a fan of clean, sweet, southern romances, this is the book for you! A West Virginia man travels to Myrtle Beach, SC after a coal mining accident leaves him slightly wounded and looking for his purpose in life. While in Myrtle Beach, he finds an unlikely job for a coal miner - logging. He also unexpectantly meets the beautiful and vivacious Larkin. Larkin is the boss' daughter and dreams of going to Appalachia to minister to the unfortunate. The reader will learn a thing or two about the wisdom of waiting on God when the plans you've made just don't seem to be working out.

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.

Judd is trying to recover from losing his brother due to a mine cave in. The same cave in that broke Judd's leg and left him with a limp. He moves to Myrtle Beach and starts working in a lumber camp. This is his journey to forgive himself for living. He meets Larkin whose goal it is to help the poor Appalachia mountain people. Her problem is that her dad is dead set against her doing anything except staying home, marrying well, and being a socialite. Larkin has to determine what is actually God's will.

I recommend this book to everyone. The only thing is I thought the book had a rather abrupt ending.

When it comes to romance novels, I've become accustomed to archetypes that play out in a fun and light way. Judd seems the serious, heartbroken guy who moved across the country and Larkin the fun-loving, socialite. Within a few chapters, Sarah Loudin Thomas shifts gears and starts a whirlwind adventure that takes our characters from the coastline inland and back again with many twists and unexpected light moments. I love the descriptions, it's like standing there, hearing and seeing it as the characters do and each character has a depth and authenticity. This is my first outing with Sarah but I'll be back for more. I loved the ending which was as unconventional as this book and I highly recommend it. It's a four out of five on the en-JOY-meant scale.

Very sweet story! This novel takes place in the 50s where time moved slower and life was hard in many places. This is a very moving story with characters that rely on God to speak to their souls. Larkin, daughter of a wealthy family and Judd, a coal miner trying to find his way while working for Larkin's father fall in love. This is a story of love, family and faith in God. Highly recommended!

I have enjoyed Sarah Loudin Thomas's books since her very first. She writes convincingly of her subjects and time period. She manages to get to the depth of her characters' emotions and the lives they lead. It's like settling back and listening to someone tell a long, interesting tale. She is a good writer.

From the moment you are lowered into the deep dark West Virginia coal mine next to Judd Markley, you are pulling for him. You want to breath for him, you want to help dig him out of that awful cave-in, you want his brother Joe to be alive and okay. As he heads to Myrtle Beach SC that hot summer of 1954 to chase his brother’s dreams, the fondness you’ve had for Judd only grows and you want him to succeed.

Judd’s life runs slap into Larkin Heyward’s. At first you expect Larkin to be spoiled and self-focused, but you soon learn she has a servant’s heart with a will of strength to go with it. She also has a few dreams of her own to chase. Judd and Larkin are as different as day and night on the outside, but their care for others, love for what is right, and determination go hand in hand. They run in different directions for a while and even knowing their love for each other doesn’t allow then to turn away from what they believe God is calling them to do.

Larkin’s dad George Heyward is a tough man and his experiences with his own father have kept him from the relationships he most needs, in particular the one he needs with God. As Judd and Larkin live what they believe in front of George, it has an amazing effect on him.

The sound of rain is refreshing, especially after a dry spell, but it can also be intense, penetrating, and powerful. I would use all of these words to describe “The Sound of Rain” by Sarah Loudin Thomas. As usual, Sarah has done an excellent job of storytelling with great historical accuracy, along with really good theology.

A mine cave in and the resulting tragedy lead Judd Markley from West Virginia to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A man who is intent on doing his job well, in spite of his injured leg, he soon catches the notice of his superiors.

Myrtle Beach is a different world from the mountains of West Virginia. The heat and humidity are difficult to get used to, and when Judd experiences his first hurricane, the devastation that comes from the sky awes him.

A good-hearted man who makes an effort to offer kindness to those he crosses paths with, Judd’s path continues to cross that of his employer’s daughter.

Larkin is a pretty girl with dreams of moving to the Appalachian Mountains to help the people there—people like Judd.

Sarah Loudin Thomas takes readers back a few decades when life was a bit simpler but social classes were alive and well. As Judd and Larkin search for God’s call on their lives, there were times I wondered if these two would ever be on the same page as to their futures—a fantastic imitation of life. It is only in hindsight we see God’s hand directing our paths.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.