Thunder and Rain

A Novel

By: Charles Martin

Narrated by: Daniel May, Luci Christian Bell

Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

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, raising 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.

©2012 Charles Martin (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Charles Martin can write!!!!!!

Another Charles Martin book that is just amazing. He brings everything to life. Twists, turns, tears.... A must listen. Sometimes the accents were a bit annoying but not enough to stop listening. It held my interest from the first page. I will continue to listen to his books.

Why did I wait to listen to this??!!!!

I fell in love with the characters, cried, cheered and celebrated their journeys.
Charles Martin knows how to reach in and grab your heart with the words and great characters

Martin Depicts Life

There's so much life, real life, in every Charles Martin book. He doesn't sugar-coat or fantasize how we think life should be but describes the pain and stress of daily decisions. The characters and plots have been different enough for them to stand on their own and be remembered. I look forward to reading or listening to more of his books.

Wow

This is a must read in my opinion. I don't do many reviews but wow I'm glad I stumbled on this book!

Wonderful story!

Being a native Texan I can relate to the author’s depiction of what a real man is all about. In this era of wokeness, Steele is a refreshing character who counters the narrative of toxic masculinity.

Beautiful story!

Very much enjoyed the story and the people reading it did a remarkable job! Loved the ending!

Thunder and Rain

Ohhhhh I love this book! What a fabulous story and wonderful characters. I’ve now read quite a few Charles Martin books but I must say this is my absolute favorite. 10 stars

*Speechless*

Every audiobook I've listened to by this author has moved me to the point that I'm incapable of expressing just what the book means to me. I don't know enough superlatives, I don't have the skill or where-with-all (as Tyler would probably say) to get across just how meaningful, how profound, how beautiful this story is.

Tyler, AKA "Cowboy," is West Texas born and bred. As with any Texan I've ever known, he's not only pleased but proud of that fact. I understand. He is the essential Texas Ranger. In fact, it runs so deeply in his blood he simply doesn't know how to do anything else. Although he does have a spectacular herd of cattle. To call his life complicated would be to understate the situation. There are a lot of questions he can't answer at the moment. But when he bumps into a beat-up old truck on the highway with a dirty, terrified woman and a sick little girl in the back, he knows what he's got to do. Protect them.

Ty is not perfect, and he's aware of that. But he does his best to raise his 11-year-old son by himself and keep the ranch up and running. While the reader/listener can see mistakes he's made in his lifetime and regrets he carries, it's hard not to see him as something so special, so far above the norm that he deserves a better life than the one that's currently having its way with him. He's not alone. The woman and little girl he picked up on the highway have turned out to be very special people as well. In fact, all of the characters in this novel are brilliant in their unique ways. But you've just got to love the little girl, Hope. She keeps a journal with her constantly where she writes to God about what she's feeling. Her words throughout the story are poignant, heartfelt, and genuine. Many of the things she says to God are things most of us have thought at one time. Hope just has the guts to write them.

Charles Martin has a gift unlike any current author I'm aware of. He writes deep stories that resonate with the reader's soul, stay on the mind long after the story is done, and dig deep into the heart. Once I discovered him, I always keep one of his stories in my queue for those days that just don't seem to make sense. While his stories will run the entire spectrum of emotion, they are always balanced heavier on the side of joy. They always bring a certain peace that I simply can't get from any other author. By the time I finish any one of his books, I know that there's a plan, a purpose, and joy- always and all ways.

If you are new to Charles Martin, this is a great place to discover his wonderful work. The narration is brilliant, the prose is mesmerizing, and the story will encourage you, lift you up, and give you pause to consider things a bit while still being exceedingly entertaining. Many readers will enjoy this story, as it defies genre specifics. But especially fans of thrillers, suspense, general fiction with stellar characters, romantic suspense, and tales about the modern West and Texas Rangers. It's all here.

Wow what a great story !

Charles Martin has a way of writing that you can really get into the book and understand the whole story that he is meaning to portray. Thank you for giving us a chance to see a different world through your words.

Moving story

Great story. I like the Bible references. It is a very interesting read and you feel like you’re part of the story. A must read.