Blog Tour: Before the Rain Falls

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.

Clear your schedule before you pick up Camille Di Maio’s book, because it is simply unputdownable. Before the Rain Falls is primarily the story of Della Lee, and her tale begins as she is released from prison, an elderly woman now, but it is also the story of Dr Paloma Vega, raised in Puerto Pesar and home to check in on her grandmother and sister, and of journalist Mick Anders, who travels to the tired, dusty South Texas town in search of a story that will resuscitate his career. Their lives cross and become intertwined. The story is skillfully presented in a dual timeline format: Della Lee’s story beginning in the ’40s up until her release from prison, and in present day as their individual paths and goals knit together.

The book opens slowly, appropriately setting the mood for the dusty & drought-stricken, tired and faded Puerto Pesar (which means “Port of Regret”). Di Maio’s writing will slowly draw you in. She is wonderful with setting the scene and in telling a story that is tragic and fascinating, with characters that are sharply drawn and clever. She did a particularly wonderful job of bringing the Women’s Prison and the convicts to life in a way that was sympathetic, vivid and, honestly,  simply fascinating.

Della Lee’s life is a captivating tale, as sad and harsh as it was, and is told by Della Lee with an honesty and humor (in spite of all she has been through) that speaks to her true character. This is a story of love and sacrifice, of standing behind your beliefs, and ultimately, one of redemption. Before the Rain Falls simply a wonderful book, and I cannot recommend it enough.  Fans of Sarah McCoy will love this book – it’s one of my must read books for 2017.