After the Rain

This is the first book I read by Karen White and I hope to see more from her. Her writing style is starkly and humorously descriptive. An example is when one of Joe's children hands Suzanne his toy airplane and "she reacted as though he'd handed her a large insect." Perfect! Wonderful. I can both see and feel that reaction. Just what I want from an author. Good story, not too sappy, not really that predictable, a little non-believable in parts, but an overall good read. I didn't realize this was a sequel and I'm glad I didn't. I like the mystery surrounding Suzanne and Joe.

A woman on the run, photographer Suzanne disembarks the bus on a whim, choosing to stay in Walton, Georgia. Unused to children, her comment regarding leash laws and children captures Joe's attention. Introducing herself as Suzanne Paris, she quickly learns that Joe is the town mayor who also happens to be the widowed father of six children. While she knows she cannot remain in Walton long without endangering her safety, Suzanne quickly finds herself falling in love with the citizens of Walton and their mayor. Unlike the citizens of Walton who proudly cling to their deep southern roots, Suzanne is a drifter without ties to her past. Her alcoholic mother had disappeared when she was a teen, leaving behind only a necklace with the inscription, "A life without rain is like the sun without shade." Foster homes and emotional damage have exacted their toll, but Suzanne soon discovers the rain and the sun of Walton. Suzanne blossoms under the warmth of new friends and longs to linger in the healing atmosphere and near Joe and his remarkable children.Author Lisa Plumley pens an elegantly enchanting southern novel in AFTER THE RAIN. Fans of FALLING HOME will welcome the return of favorite characters the beauty of Plumley's evocative prose. Indeed, readers will find themselves chuckling and tearful as the powerful characterizations sweep them into the marvelous small Georgia town and its memorable citizens. As the town conspires to protect Suzanne from threats of the past, she finds redemption and healing in the most unexpected of ways. Readers will be extremely reluctant to depart and will be clamoring for yet another sequel. AFTER THE RAIN comes very highly recommended.

I love it when I stumble upon a book by an unknown (to me) author and am blown away. Well, I did and this author is guilty of having blown me away. Completely and thoroughly. I'll not bother with the storyline as others have taken care of that detail. I just want to convey the depth of feelings that come from reading this book. I heartily recommend curling up in a favorite spot to savor it. Make sure it's a comfortable spot though as you won't be leaving it anytime soon.

Photographer Suzanne Paris flees her unhappy past taking a bus to Atlanta. When the bus discharges passengers in Walton, Georgia, Suzanne makes an instant decision and disembarks.Almost immediately, Suzanne finds a teen handing her an infant to hold for a second. Not used to chidlren, Suzanne struggles for a moment while the child wails that a stranger has her. Mayor Joe Walton, single father of six children, including the squirming kid arrives to take away the child from an uncomfortable Suzanne. Though Joe is busy with his work and raising his family he cannot stop his desire to know the visitor better. Suzanne has secrets and realizes she cannot stay much longer in the quietest town she has ever visited, but Joe is piercing the armor surrounding her heart.AFTER THE RAIN reads like an old-fashioned love story starring two charming protagonists who deserve more in life and may achieve that if they can find a way to be together. The story line is a character study as Karen White enables the audience to see deep inside the souls of Joe and Suzanne. The secondary cast enables deeper looks at the lead duo. Contemporary romance readers will appreciate this regional captivating tale.Harriet Klausner

Suzanne Paris is on the run, her ex fiancé Anthony deSalvo making her life miserable, when she makes a snap decision to get off her Atlanta bound bus in Walton, Georgia. Trying to find a ride into town, she encounters mayor Joe Warner, his 6 kids along with Aunt Lucinda, who insist she accompany them. Walton is a small town, not even boasting a hotel, so Joe finds a place for Suzanne to stay, and unknowingly ensconces her into his, and his family's life. Suzanne is unfamiliar with children, but Joe's kids seem to grow on her as she does them. Joe, being the mayor, teacher and single dad, doesn't have much time left for relationships, and really hasn't considered once since his wife passed away. But as the story progresses, he and Suzanne have something going on between them that can't be ignored, and with the help of the kids and huge cast of secondary characters, manage to snag time for themselves. Suzanne knows the day will come when her past will catch up with her and she will have to move on, but this is made more difficult as Joe and half the population of Walton entwine themselves around her heart. As Joe and Suzanne chip away at the armor surrounding their souls, and the local bully running against Joe for mayor try to make things more difficult for them, the reader can only hope that they get what they deserve in life, that being each other. This is an exceptional book!