Thunder and Rain: A Novel

Charles Martin

Apr 2012 · Sold by Center Street

About this ebook

As a result of his hard exterior and lonely tendencies, Tyler Steele finds himself a single father alone in the world - until a stranger and her daughter show up and change his life.
Third generation Texas Ranger Tyler Steele is the last of a dying breed-- a modern day cowboy hero living in a world that doesn't quite understand his powerful sense of right and wrong and instinct to defend those who can't defend themselves. Despite his strong moral compass, Ty has trouble seeing his greatest weakness. His hard outer shell, the one essential to his work, made him incapable of forging the emotional connection his wife Andie so desperately needed.

Now retired, rasing their son Brodie on his own, and at risk of losing his ranch, Ty does not know how to rebuild from the rubble of his life. The answer comes in the form of Samantha and her daughter Hope, on the run from a seemingly inescapable situation. They are in danger, desperate, and alone. Though they are strangers, Ty knows he can help-- protecting the innocent is what he does best. As his relationship with Sam and Hope unfolds, Ty realizes he must confront his true weaknesses if he wants to become the man he needs to be.

Ratings and reviews

Move over Walker; there’s a new Texas Ranger hero in town. I have always been a romantic at heart, especially when it comes to Texas Rangers. They are true heroes with a thankless job. While listening to "Thunder and Rain" I had to keep reminding myself that Tyler Steele is a character in a book and not a real person. Retired Texas Ranger, Tyler Steele, carries a heavy burden; he has a ten year old son, a wife who is an addict, and a cart load of debt. Steele was driving home one night when he ran into a car stalled in the middle of the road. Inside he found a hamster, a woman and a girl. They were dirty, down on their luck and on the run from an evil officer of the law. Their situation was hopeless. Steele offered them his protection. Charles Martin is quite a writer! He managed to combine romance, action, drama, and danger all in one book. Usually romance is written from the point of view of the female lead. That is what makes this book unique; the plot is told from the perspective of Texas Ranger Tyler Steele and Hope, a ten year old girl. The narrative moves back and forth between Tyler and Hope. Another unique feature in this book is Hope’s narrative; it is written as a journal or letter to God. Her words are from the heart and written in a conversational manner. This is my kind of book! I am not familiar with the art of Charles Martin but he now goes to the top of my 'to watch for' list. This review is of the audio format in which the readers are Daniel May and Luci Christian Bell. Their voices brought Steele and Hope to life and they marched off the CD and into my heart.

It's about the most honorable man of integrity you could ever dream of. It's about doing what is right no matter how hard it is. It's about helping and protecting others when they can't help and protect themselves, without any motive of personal gain. It's about hope, faith and love. It's about not giving up, ever. The best novel I have read in a long time.

I enjoyed the entire book. Its a change of pace for this author, writing a western, but the theme of cleansing water is familiar. I liked the characters and the evolution of the story.