With her tenant-farming family in the grip of Arkansas’s worst drought, twenty-two-year-old Bryony Linwood’s faith is challenged daily. Their cotton crop is withering in the fields and debts are mounting, but she is determined to keep her family from starvation. Desperate, she strikes a deal with their iron-fisted landlord, Sebastian Heath: work as a housemaid to pay off what her grandfather owes. It’s meant to be temporary—just until times get better. But beneath Bryony’s forced optimism and dogged determination lies a heart as dry and despairing as the scorched earth around her.

Working in Sebastian’s grand mansion, she discovers something unexpected in his reclusive son, Michael, a haunted WWI veteran with a gift for capturing nature’s beauty in meticulous botanical illustrations. Barely surviving the war was only the beginning. Twelve years later, Michael is still fighting, coerced by his domineering father into a life of ledgers and tenant contracts while his artistic soul withers. God, if He exists at all, feels as absent to Michael as the rain. But when Bryony arrives, humming in the hallways and seeing past his scars to the man beneath, something long dormant begins to stir.

As their friendship deepens into a love neither can deny, Bryony uncovers ugly secrets within the Heath family that threaten to crack her stubborn faith, even as Michael finds himself drawn toward a hope he long abandoned. In the end, they’ll discover that God’s grace—like rain on parched ground—can heal broken spirits, bring new life, and coax beauty from the most unlikely places.

What readers are saying . . .

The drought and early depression years of the1930’s in Arkansas are the bleak stage for this story of family hardships, determination, and the priceless gift of caring for one’s fellowman. Rich characters, with their own secrets and surprises, are endearing, and make this a lovely read.—Amazon reviewer

Loved, loved your book The Sweetest Rain. Could not put it down.–from a reader’s letter

Impeccable writing and well-developed characters made this novel one of my new favorites. Although forbidden love between a man and woman of different stations or classes is a common trope, nothing about this story felt tired or cliché. —Amazon reviewer

Myra Johnson has a gift for beautiful writing that makes you feel deeply for the characters. . . . she didn’t go for simple answers. Instead she made it feel real, like people you love struggling and surviving and thriving through their own wisdom and God’s grace. —Mary Connealy, Amazon review

There is so much to say about this book, starting with the wonderful cover that is closely linked to the main character, Bryony, who has a beautiful name. She is a strong, independent heroine who is willing to do whatever it takes to hold her family together. … The characters also demonstrate sacrificial love, which may remind the reader of what God did for us through Jesus. This book was different from what I normally read, but I found it to be extremely engaging. I told myself, “Just one more chapter.” on more than one occasion! I look forward to reading the second book in the series. —Amazon reviewer

I have to admit to a fascination with stories set during the Depression era and there just aren’t enough of them out there. In The Sweetest Rain, drought-stricken Arkansas takes on a personality all its own. It makes for a gritty read at times, but also for an awe-inspiring one. … And here’s the incredible strength to their love story — they both have what the other wants most. … The way Johnson meshes these needs, merges their worlds and brings them together is truly astounding. Compelling secondary characters flesh out the story, bringing depth and no shortage of surprises to the plot. A complicated, emotional read about learning how to let go of the past in order to grab hold of the future. –Kav, Amazon review

Such a splendid beginning to what promises to be a fantastic new series! . . . The Sweetest Rain sings with characters who became my friends and family as I read, their personalities almost tangible. . . . The Sweetest Rain is a refreshing tale of hope, family, determination, and love. The romance captured my heart, and the setting created the perfect storm for Bryony and Michael. I am so looking forward to the rest of this series with much anticipation! Highly recommended for any historical fiction fan! —Reading is My Superpower

 

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