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Book Review

Publisher's Note:

During World War II, an American soldier encounters a German woman living a secret life in bomb-blighted London. In September of 1940, during the Blitz in London, Audrey Stocking is blending in with other civilians who are trying to survive the nightly bombings, but she has a secret. She's not British; she's German. Her fake passport and nearly perfect English allow her to blend in as she works hard to help evacuate British children into the countryside. Audrey longs to reunite with her family in Hamburg, but her double life, the bombings, and the watchful British Military Intelligence have forced her to stay put. And then there are the paralyzing nightmares . . . Lieutenant Wesley Bowers, an American soldier training with London's Bomb Disposal Company 5, meets Audrey when an air raid leaves an unexploded bomb on the floor of her flat. She is attractive, intelligent, and compassionate, and there's an immediate connection between them. As they get to know each other, Wesley realizes Audrey is the one bright spot amid the war's unending bleakness and constant threat of death. But will he still feel the same if he discovers the secrets she is hiding? Secrets even Audrey is unaware of? In Times of Rain and War is a gripping and heartbreakingly beautiful story about the strength and resilience of the human heart and spirit, reminding us there is always hope in hard times.…

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In Times of Rain and War

by Camron Wright

Overall Book Review:

In Times of Rain and War is a powerful, heart-wrenching story by bestselling author Camron Wright. Filled with intrigue and mystery, this World War II drama includes vivid descriptions, authentic accents, and figurative language galore. This novel is inspired by a real person, Lt. Wesley Bowers, during his service on a bomb disposal team in London. Wright has done impeccable research, writing technical bomb descriptions that are easy to understand. Wright also captures the many emotions of wartime through letters that are sprinkled throughout the narrative. The book’s characters are realistic, showing vulnerabilities and suffering from real consequences like PTSD and panic attacks. While many tender scenes dot these pages, the ending of In Times of Rain and War will bring both tears and sweet satisfaction.

Review of an Advance Reading Copy from Shadow Mountain Publishing


Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: 1 religious exclamation; 4 mild obscenities; 1 derogatory name. 

Violence/Gore:  A verbal threat, frequent secondhand reports of violence including bombings, explosions, murder, cleaning up dead bodies, air battles and crashes, injuries and death from bomb removal, recalling a Great War battle, and mentioning an eye injury; a few brief scenes of violence include a man being shot and a character injured and buried alive in a bombed-out building. A bombing destroys property without casualties. A few brief non-detailed scenes of violent death involve a man holding a woman at gunpoint and bomb explosions. A brief scene of blood and gore involves a character who was shot and killed. An extended incident (a few paragraphs) involving blood and gore details dismembered bodies discovered after a bomb explosion. 

Sex/Nudity:  A few incidents of kissing; a joke about a brothel. 

Mature Subject Matter:

War, death of family members and friends, murder, bombs, downed enemy aircraft, anxiety and PTSD, panic attacks, Jewish heritage, Kristallnacht, forgeries, arrest, finding bodies and talk of mortality. 

Alcohol / Drug Use:

A scene takes place in a pub; a character professes to “need a drink”; mention of pubs; a teen smokes throughout the novel; other adult characters smoke infrequently; mention of a cigarette vendor. 

Overall Book Rating
Profanity/Language
Rating:
3
10
Violence/Gore
Rating:
5
10
Sex/Nudity
Rating:
2
10

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About the Reviewer

My mother was the one who sparked my love of books. Long before school instruction, she sat me down and taught me to read. My childhood was filled with trips to the library and bookmobile to find great books. My first loves were The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Pippi Longstocking series by Astrid Lingren. Now as a mom and speech pathologist, I am constantly looking for good, clean books to use at home and in therapy. I enjoy reading many different genres, but my favorites are usually historical fiction. I married my best friend, the “boy next door”, and we have a beautiful little girl who we often find sprawled out on the floor, flipping through picture books. Together our family likes to swim, run and play tennis. Besides reading, I also love to bake, garden and travel.