Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free to review.
Before the Rain Falls. Have you ever read a book in one sitting? I have read many books in one sitting…books I was unable to put down because they were that good. Before the Rain Falls is that kind of book. Camille Di Maio has written a book that will take your breath away…and make you want a mango margarita! You’ll see what I mean when you read the book.
Before the Rain Falls
After serving seventy years in prison for the murder of her sister, Eula, Della Lee has finally returned home to the Texas town of Puerto Pesar. She’s free from confinement—and ready to tell her secrets before it’s too late.
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.
My Review
I love Before the Rain Falls! In fact, I read this all in a matter of about 5 hours in the same day. I could not put it down. The way the author weaves the past and the present works so well in this book. Some books that do this feel so disjointed, but this one flows perfectly. I was completely drawn into this story and felt so many emotions while reading it. There are funny moments and heartbreaking moments.
I just wanted to jump into the book and jump from time period to time period to experience the story.
You will love the characters in Before the Rain Falls. Paloma’s relationship with her grandmother and her sister is so real. That’s the way these characters are. They are so well-written that you’ll begin to feel like they are real. The secondary characters are amazing as well. I especially love Arturo and his restaurant. He and his wife cook authentic Mexican food. I love how he pops up in the book at different times. Hazel, Della Lee’s prison roommate, is another of my favorite characters. She’s so mothering.
The way that the story plays out is perfect. I loved it and highly recommend it! I can’t wait for another book from Camille Di Maio.
Virgin Mango Margarita
I don’t drink alcohol because I hate the taste, but I will do virgin versions. That’s why I’m sharing this virgin mango margarita. This book made me crave one! I couldn’t find a recipe that sounded perfect, so I made up this version! I hope you like it! Just look at that tasty goodness…
Virgin Mango Margaritas
Ingredients
- 16 oz. frozen mango chunks
- juice of one lime
- 1-3 T. sugar
- 1 1/2 c. lemon-lime soda
Instructions
-
Rim your glass with a lime wedge and dip it white sugar and green sugar (or salt)
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Blend all of the ingredients until smooth
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Enjoy!
Mangos are my favorite fruit and I love a margarita in the summer. What a perfect mix!
I’ve had some virgin drinks that were as tasty as their alcoholic counterparts. I love cold, fruity drinks like this year round.
I love a good virgin mango margarita and this book sounds like my kind of book. I will definitely read it since you’ve already pulled me in with the description. And, I’ll make your drink to sip while reading.
I rarely read books in one sitting but if I do, it’s usually a suspense or mystery. Before the rain falls looks like a good one and can really take you into the stories as it looks they have weave the story well even when they flashback some parts of the story.
That sounds like a great read. I am always looking for books to add to my beach reading list, so thanks for the heads up on this one.
I love mango anything! This Mango Margarita sounds delicious. And this book sounds like the perfect vacation read!
I’ve never read Before the Rain Falls, but it sounds like a good book. May have to give it a read. The margaritas sound amazing, and the mango gives them such a beautiful color. I’m not much of a tequila fan, so these would be right up my alley.
This sounds like a great virgin margarita! I will have to get this book. I love any book that will keep me engrossed from beginning to end.
That looks so yummy! AND i’m trying to get back into reading! fingers crossed!
I don’t have much time to read, but that mango margarita looks good, even though it doesn’t have any booze!
This sounds like a book I would really enjoy I have to admit to being a big fan of such suspense books, I love the sound of the virgin Margarita as well yum!
I am adding that book to my list of books to read for the 3rd quarter of this year. It does look pretty interesting. Your mango margarita recipe looks awesome too. Mangoes are my favorite tropical fruit. Pineapples are a close second. 🙂
You know it is a good book when you can’t put it down! I am all for books like that! I love to read books of all kinds and am always on the look out for good recommendations, thanks for this one!
Virgin Mango Margaritas AND a good book? Yes please! One of my favorite summer pastimes is sipping a margarita (or two) while reading a book outside in the fresh air. I’ll definitely have to add this to my reading list.
Books that you can’t put down are the ones that you keep on your book shelves! I need a good last month summer read book! ANd this drink – my goodness. How tasty!
I love when a book is so good that you read it all in one sitting. This one sounds like a page turner! I love the era it’s set in.
I would love to have a mango margarita! Sounds delicious. This books also sounds like something I would enjoy reading.
Though I would love to finish reading a book in one sitting, it does not happen often. I have not read – Before the rain falls book. I would love to read it. I love mangoes and will try out Virgin Mango Margaritas.
You sat down for 5 hours to read this book? Oh wow it must be some book, I am super intrigued and want to read for myself plus the margaritas sounds lovely
I dont think there is a more perfect fruit on this earth than the mango. That book looks interesting as well!