Stuck in sleepy New Smyrna Beach one last summer, Raine socks away her camp pay checks, worries about her druggy brother, and ignores trouble: Cal Koomer. She’s a plane ticket away from teaching orphans in Africa, and not even Cal’s surfer six-pack and the chinks she spies in his rebel armor will derail her. The artist in Cal begs to paint Raine’s ivory skin, high cheek bones, and internal sparklers behind her eyes, but falling for her would caterwaul him into his parents’ life. No thanks. The girl was self-righteous waiting to happen. Mom served sanctimony like vegetables, three servings a day, and he had a gut full. Rec Director Drew taunts her with ‘Rainey’ and calls her an enabler. He is so infernally there like a horsefly till he buzzes back to his ex. Raine’s brother tweaks. Her dream of Africa dies small deaths. Will she figure out what to fight for and what to free before it’s too late? For anyone who’s ever wrestled with her dreams.
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Sexual Content - 1/5
1/5
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Violence - 1/5
1/5
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Language - 1/5
1/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 2/5
2/5
Summary
This book follows the lives of four young adults. There is Raine who has always dreamed of going to Africa. Her heart is for the orphans there but is her motive to escape from under her dad’s thumb or her brother’s dependency upon her? She is teaching Bible at the Triple S Christian Camp for the summer. When her new friends tell her she hasn't experienced life being home schooled and not out in the world, her faith is challenged. Will she wait to hear what God desires for her or will her physical desires rule her decisions? Drew has been living the past years in a blur. He has lived waiting for the love of his life to walk back into it. Drew is the Rec Leader at the camp. He remembers the younger Raine who has now become a beautiful young woman. Drew struggles with dealing with the past and deciding on the future. Will the Lord give him a wife and family? Will his old flame return and if so, is it what he still wants? Cal is from the family where dad is a preacher and brother runs the camp. He is rebelling against giving into God. When he sees the beautiful Raine, something inside him wants to become a better person for her. But is he being led back to God or only trying to meet human expectations? Aly has been a lost little girl for some time. Her goody two shoes roommate wants to be friends but what does Raine know about life? Aly’s dad has been out of the picture for years so she’s replaces her dad with other guys to fill her need to be loved, yet she always ends up feeling empty. When she realizes there is one guy that 's always been there for her….and has cared for her….it’s too late. He is in love with someone else. And the big question she asks herself is, \"Can God forgive someone as sinful as me?\" Ann brings these characters to life. They are imperfect. A few think that drugs will help while others look for human comforters. One is just enabling another. As they hang onto their pasts or look into their futures….you will be pulled along into their lives. On the roller coaster of relationships that always take that sudden turn or drop off when you least expect it. It does have romance in it but so much more. Looking forward to her books coming out later this year.
Violence- I can't remember if there is much beyond them having to get away from a storm.
Language -There may not be any language. It was awhile ago I read this.