Summer Rain
by Cherlisa Starks Richardson
Paperback: 250 pages
Publisher: Purple Phoenix Publishing LLC
(November 27, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0991095006
ISBN-13: 978-0991095001
About
The Book
Sixteen-year-old Summer McClain seemingly
has it all—a doting mother and father, two best friends who stick closer than
glue, and a grandmother who can cook the pants off any chef who dares to go up
against her. Her world is perfect in every way—until tragedy strikes the core
of her family.
When Summer thinks the worst thing in her life has happened, she’s dealt more blows that make her question her young faith. Her two best friends, who should be there to love her through her devastation, have personal issues of their own, and on top of that, a girl at school
When Summer thinks the worst thing in her life has happened, she’s dealt more blows that make her question her young faith. Her two best friends, who should be there to love her through her devastation, have personal issues of their own, and on top of that, a girl at school
In her debut novel, Summer Rain, Cherlisa Starks Richardson has woven together a gripping novel that shows the faith even a child must have to endure when challenged with the pain life sometimes presents.
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My Thoughts:
Summer Rain is a
novel that deals with tough subjects for teenagers. Bullying, parental death
and depression are some of the themes. Cherlisa Richardson handles them well
and blends the three themes into a cohesive whole.
I thought the characters were well-written and believable. The
main character Summer loses her father David, a policeman, when he is murdered
on the job. The grieving that she, her mother Simone and grandmother Big Momma
go through has a very real feel to it. I was near tears at one point in the
book.
Summer finds it very difficult to rely on God through her
father’s death and the troubles she has following that time. She feels that God
has deserted her even though she knows that He has promised that He would never
leave her or forsake her. Summer isolates herself from her family and friends,
spending a lot of time alone in her room and doesn’t talk to them about some of
the issues arising in her life or allowing them to talk with her about their
issues.
This book flowed very nicely and did an excellent job of
holding the reader’s attention. I found myself invested in the characters. I
cried with them and rejoiced with them. Cherlisa seems to have a gift for
touching her reader’s hearts.
I thought the twist in the plot that she added (I won’t tell
you what it was or it will spoil it) was excellent and added much to the story.
It gave the story so much more depth to the story as well bringing in the
dimension of forgiveness to an even greater degree.
Cherlisa Richardson shows great promise as a novelist with
her debut novel Summer Rain. This was
a touching novel in the teen/young adult genre. I gave Summer Rain 5 stars out of 5.
I was provided with a free copy of Summer Rain in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive
opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.
Cherlisa Starks Richardson is a graduate of
Indiana State University and also has an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Mrs. Richardson is a motivational speaker and a school board member in her
township. She and her family lives in Indiana. For more information, visit her
website at www.cherlisarichardson.com
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How does a first time author get started writing?
by Cherlisa Stark Richardson
The most important thing is to just write. Once you
have an idea of what you want to write about, start getting those ideas out of
your head by writing them down. Even if the ideas don’t come to you in the
right order, write them down and worry about putting them in order. A lot of
people say that they want to write a book and that they have a fabulous idea
but it will never come to fruition if you never get started. I suggest keeping
a journal with you everywhere you go. If you’re like me, you never know when or
where you’ll be when an idea will come to you. There are times when a whole
scene will begin to play out in my mind and I could be in the grocery store. I
simply pull out my journal or small notepad from my purse and I write it down.
I may look crazy to people but writers look crazy, a lot, but the end result is
amazing. Some of my best scenes come to me in the strangest places. I can’t
count on me remembering them when I get home.
I also recommend investing in yourself as a writer
and really learning the craft of writing and the publishing industry. You may
be gifted as a writer but good writers really perfect their craft. The way I
did that was by first finding writing conferences to attend. By going to
conferences I learned a lot and I met other writers that I developed
relationships with. We began supporting and encouraging one another. I also
bought books about writing and I read them. I got magazine subscriptions. For
example, Writer’s Digest is an excellent one. There are really good writing blogs
that give great advice about writing. For example, Live Write Thrive. One of my
best writing friends, Author Daphine Glenn Robinson gives great writing tips on
her blog. A lot of authors do. Another place to learn the craft is to check at
your local library. Lots of libraries offer free writing courses. All of these
things will put a first time writer on the right path but I’ll still reiterate
that none of it will matter if you don’t start writing. While learning the
craft you have to write.
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