Book Review of When the Rain Ends

 

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I have read several books by Mary Ellen Taylor in the past and have always been moved by the way she develops her interesting characters.  This book was no exception.  It deals with a mother and daughter who have their life changed by a series of events and the way they manage the challenges that life throws their way.  A very interesting novel that has a lesson for all of us in dealing with life.

Book Summary

Dani Manchester is hit by two very challenging life events in a short time and it throws her into a very unsettling time.  Dani is an artist and seeing colors and shapes are important to her work.  When she learns that her eyesight is failing due to a genetic disease she is devastated and unsure where to go next.  Then her ex-husband and father to her teenage daughter dies and she feels everything that is important in her life is disappearing.

Dani and her daughter Bella live in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Dani makes the decision to move to a small town near the Virginia border.  Here she wants to make a new start.  The property she buys has some silos on them that Dani is planning to renovate and open an art gallery.  This is a big move for the single mother and daughter and Bella is rebelling about the move.  

In this moving story we hear how they meet some new people who become important in their new lives.  They work through their grief and come out stronger.

As in her other books, Mary Ellen Taylor does a wonderful job of developing her characters and you find yourself wanting to turn the pages to find out what will happen next.  

The Book on Amazon

Other Books I have Reviewed by Mary Ellen Taylor

Here are links to two other books that I reviewed by the author and thoroughly enjoyed.

The Brighter the Light- Book Review (reviewthisreviews.com)

Book Review of Honeysuckle Season (reviewthisreviews.com)

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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The Brighter the Light- Book Review

 

The Outer Banks

I always love stories that take place in locations I have seen on my travels.  When I saw Mary Ellen Taylor's latest book takes place in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, I was instantly drawn to the book.  The Outer Banks are wonderful and full of beautiful beaches and lighthouses.  I looked forward to an interesting story based on this locale and I was not disappointed.

Main Characters

There are two main characters in this story and the author takes us back and forth between both their stories.

          Ivy

We first meet Ivy when she comes to the Outer Banks to settle things after her grandmother has died.  Ivy had been raised for much of her young life by her grandmother, living in the Outer Banks.  When she graduates from high school she leaves for a new life in New York.

          Ruth

 Ruth is the grandmother, and we meet her through flashbacks to the 1950's when Ruth is running a resort on the Outer Banks.  She is a very colorful character that works hard and runs the resort.   She is an excellent cook who passes on her skills to Ivy.

Summary of Story

At the beginning of the story Ivy is returning to Nags Head, North Carolina in the Outer Banks. She has inherited a beach cottage from her grandmother and now she must return to sell the cottage and sort through all the belongings in the cottage.  Ivy dreads returning and seeing the best friend and ex-boyfriend who betrayed her.

Folk lore from the area talks about a ship that rises from the sea after strong storms and the secrets it holds.  After a storm, Ivy looks out the cottage window and sees the ship has again risen in the tides.  

The secret of the ship is not the only secrets that Ivy uncovers during her stay at the cottage.  She is conflicted about staying after a budding romance and memories from the past resurface.

My Recommendation

I really enjoyed this book.  It had a great setting, interesting characters, and a memorable story line.  I would recommend it for anyone looking for an interesting and thought-provoking summer read.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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