BEFORE THE RAIN FALLS
by
CAMILLE DI MAIO
Genre: Women’s Fiction / Historical / Family
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Date of Publication: May 16, 2017
Number of Pages: 334
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After serving seventy years in prison for the murder of her sister, Eula, Della Lee has finally returned home to the Texas town of Puerto Pesar. She’s free from confinement—and ready to tell her secrets before it’s too late.
She finds a willing audience in journalist Mick Anders, who is reeling after his suspension from a Boston newspaper and in town, reluctantly, to investigate a mysterious portrait of Eula that reportedly sheds tears. He crosses paths with Dr. Paloma Vega, who’s visiting Puerto Pesar with her own mission: to take care of her ailing grandmother and to rescue her rebellious younger sister before something terrible happens. Paloma and Mick have their reasons to be in the hot, parched border town whose name translates as “Port of Regret.” But they don’t anticipate how their lives will be changed forever.
Moving and engrossing, this dual story alternates between Della’s dark ordeals of the 1940s and Paloma and Mick’s present-day search for answers―about roots, family, love, and what is truly important in life.
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Praise for Before the Rain Falls:
Still wiping away tears! Before the Rain Falls is simultaneously heartbreaking, hopeful, and joyous: a story of complex characters with varied pasts and bright futures. Loved it! – Jennifer B. on Goodreads
This novel takes readers on an emotional, fast-paced, ride through one sister’s journey to self, redemption, and the true meaning of “freedom.” – Nicole W. on Goodreads
There is romance, mystery, and secrets that are kept till the very end that will have you not wanting this beautifully written story to end. – Carol B. on Goodreads
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“But there are things you do because they’re right, not because they’re easy. Sacrifice is sanctifying.”
Before the Rain Falls by Camille Di Maio shows just how far a person will go to protect loved ones. The back story of Della Lee’s sacrifice and hardship broke my heart into a million pieces, and the modern story of Paloma Vega and her family and budding relationship with Mick pieced it back together again.
Jumping back and forth across decades can be difficult to pull off without becoming disruptive and annoying, but Di Miao does it seamlessly and effortlessly. The two stories intertwine and become one solid story, culminating in a bittersweet ending that will have you marveling at the sheer beauty of it all and lamenting Della’s lost years and her long road to redemption for putting family first.
While the overall story is compelling and wonderful, the developed characterization and descriptive settings bring it all to life and make you feel as if you are experiencing it right along with the characters. The writing is lyrical, and the plot is captivating, resulting in a story that will leave you breathless and running to hug your own family.
The romance aspect is realistic and not overdone, both between Della and Tomas in the past, and between Paloma and Mick in the present. The relationship between Della and Tomas shows the importance of cherishing every single minute together because your whole world can be turned upside down at any moment, even on your happiest of days.
I love the entire story, but I can’t stop thinking about that kooky prison rodeo. It’s like a dog and pony show that’s both funny and heartbreaking.
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a signed copy of Before the Rain Falls by Camille Di Maio.
Camille recently left an award-winning real estate career in San Antonio to become a full-time writer. Along with her husband of 19 years, she enjoys raising their four children. She has a bucket list that is never-ending and uses her adventures to inspire her writing. She’s lived in Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and California, and spends enough time in Hawai’i to feel like a local. She’s traveled to four continents (so far), and met Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. She just about fainted when she had a chance to meet her musical idol, Paul McCartney, too. Camille studied political science in college but found working on actual campaigns much more fun. She overdoses on goodies at farmer’s markets (justifying them by her support for local bakeries) and belts out Broadway tunes whenever the moment strikes. There’s almost nothing she wouldn’t try, so long as it doesn’t involve heights, roller skates, or anything illegal. The Memory of Us is Camille’s debut novel. Her second, Before the Rain Falls was released on May 16, 2017.
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May 17-31, 2017
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CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
| 5/17 | Promo | Texas Book Lover |
| 5/18 | Review | Momma On The Rocks |
| 5/19 | Excerpt 1 | My Book Fix Blog |
| 5/20 | Review | Books in the Garden |
| 5/21 | Promo | Margie’s Must Reads |
| 5/22 | Author Interview | Chapter Break Book Blog |
| 5/23 | Review | Syd Savvy |
| 5/24 | Promo | Books and Broomsticks |
| 5/25 | Guest Post | The Page Unbound |
| 5/26 | Review | Reading By Moonlight |
| 5/27 | Excerpt 2 | StoreyBook Reviews |
| 5/28 | Promo | Missus Gonzo |
| 5/29 | Review | Forgotten Winds |
| 5/30 | Deleted Scene | CGB Blog Tours |
| 5/31 | Review | The Librarian Talks |
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