
Before the Rain Falls by Camille Di Maio on Bette's Bookshelf
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.

Before the Rain Falls by Camille Di Maio on Bette's Bookshelf
An engrossing story of family, love, loss and secrets. Beautifully written with characters that are are both complex and likable. It is a unique story line told in dual time periods from the 1940's where we hear Della Lee's story of growing up in the small border town of Puerto Pesar, Texas and of her time spent in prison for the murder of her younger sister to present day where we meet a slightly jaded journalist who hopes to get Della’s story plus find out about the painting of her sister that supposedly sheds tears. A page turner with a twist to the ending. Highly recommended.
About Bette Lee Crosby
It is the wit and wisdom of that Southern Mama Crosby brings to her works of fiction; the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away. Her work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. She has since gone on to win nineteen awards for her work; these include: The Royal Palm Literary Award, the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal, Reader’s Favorite Award Gold Medal, and the Reviewer’s Choice Award.
USA Today Bestselling Author - Bette Lee Crosby
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