The Sound of Rain - Softcover

Sarah Loudin Thomas

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0764219618 ISBN 13: 9780764219610

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers, 2017

Synopsis

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.

About this title

From the Author

A book from my heart. The hero is inspired by some of my favorite men--my Great Uncle Judd who died a bachelor--my--Great Uncle Harry who inspired (and lived) the opening scene--and my baby brother Daniel who's my favorite West Virginia mountain man.

From the Back Cover

In the Dark of the Mine, In the Face of Rising Water,
In the Shadows of the Hills, Faith Will See Them Through

Judd Markley knows he can never set foot underground again. The mine collapse that nearly killed him and claimed his brother's life means leaving West Virginia forever. Although that hard Appalachian world is all he knows, he puts it behind him and heads for the open sky of the thriving town of 1954 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Larkin Heyward's life in the beach town is uncomplicated, mostly volunteer work and dancing at the Pavilion. But she dreams of one day doing more and being more--maybe moving to the hills and 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 hurricane that changes Myrtle Beach forever, Judd's and Larkin's dreams pull them in divergent directions. It will take a significant sacrifice to keep them together--or maybe, it will take a miracle.

"Thomas is a master storyteller, and her latest novel does not disappoint. Readers are quickly invested in the lives of the characters as their stories unfold. The interpersonal dynamics are realistic, and readers will relate to what the characters are facing. . . . Beautifully written and rich with atmosphere, The Sound of Rain is a novel readers won't want to miss."--RT Book Reviews

"Thomas delivers an enjoyable and earnest inspirational romance that examines legacy and longing. Balancing family drama with personal expectations in love and in the sacrifices we make for it, the novel is set amid landmarks along the coastal boardwalk and rich in details about the 1950s U.S. Forest Service. Thomas' characters are incredibly relatable as they grapple with the fear of failure and the struggle to find and hold on to love."--Booklist

"Thomas's easy prose, flavored with Appalachian dialect, light tone, and steady pace as the relationship between Larkin and Judd slowly blooms, make this an enjoyable historical romance."--Library Journal

"Fans of Jane Kirkpatrick will enjoy this book that is filled with engaging characters who seek God's best for their lives."--Christian Market

About this edition

• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0764219618
• ISBN 13: 9780764219610
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336