As a diehard fan of Sandra Brown’s work, I couldn’t wait to dig into Rainwater. An historical fiction novel set during the Great Depression, Rainwater is a departure from the romantic suspense for which Brown is most known. I enjoyed it very much. The time period came alive in the storytelling. The main characters were sympathetic while being very strong. The love story at the heart of the novel was more than a romance. It was the story of a deep, intense love involving sacrifice and courage. Brown succeeded in writing an emotional novel without being sappy. She also portrayed racial tensions and economic hardships with a deft hand. It helped that the story was told through flashback by a family member. Having the story narrated years after the fact made the tragedies and struggles less immediate and easier to deal with, especially at the book’s conclusion. I was touched by the story and the family devotion and love portrayed therein.