RAIN
Monique Howerton

RAIN is the coming of age story of Monica Walker. Alternating between the past and present, we learn about her extended family, the psychic/spiritual powers bequeathed to her by ancestry, and her struggle to find love.

Actually, Monica is in love with Pia. They would have the perfect relationship, if it weren't for Pia's girlfriend, Teri. Wanting to be the top priority in somebody's life, Monica goes on an erotic journey to find a lover to replace Pia. The book is spiked with highly charged sex scenes, but they are never gratuitous and help mark the path of Monica's self discovery.

Because it's told in the first person, we get everything from Monica's point of view. It can be a little frustrating when you have to deal with her logic/rationalizations for making a decision you know is going to be bad for her. However, the irritation comes from really caring about this character and wanting her to be happy.

Monica also has issues with her legacy, the power she has been trying to deny. With any spiritual gift comes responsibility and that's the last thing she wants. The problem is that she does not believe she is strong enough to follow the call of her destiny.

One thing is for sure, if the spiritual powers that be want appoint you to a mission, they don't let you go out unequipped. The path Monica travels leads to situations that force her to learn how to take care of herself. These triumphs and tragedies are preparing her for the larger spiritual battle to be waged in FIRE, a sequel scheduled to be published later this year.