Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Rain Song
Bethany House (October 1, 2008)
by
Alice J. Wisler

Nicole Michelin avoids airplanes, motorcycles, and most of all, Japan, where her parents once were missionaries. Something happened in Japan...something that sent Nicole and her father back to America alone...something of which Nicole knows only bits and pieces. But she is content with life in little Mount Olive, North Carolina, with her quirky relatives, tank of lively fish, and plenty of homemade pineapple chutney. Through her online column for the Pretty Fishy Web site, she meets Harrison Michaels, who, much to her dismay, lives in Japan. She attempts to avoid him, but his emails tug at her heart. Then Harrison reveals that he knew her as a child in Japan. In fact, he knows more about her childhood than she does.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Rain Song, go HERE

Alice sold her first story to David C. Cook for a take-home Sunday School paper called Sprint. The year was 1988, this was her first submission to a paying market, and the check sent to her was for $125.00.

She was on her way!

Since then, Alice has sold articles and devotions to the Upper Room, Alive Now, Standard Publishing, ByLine magazine and others.

In 2006 she sent her novel Rain Songto Bethany House...and the rest is history! She signed a two -book deal and the second, How Sweet It Is will be out in 2009.

This book is currently "on my nightstand".  So far, I've really been enjoying this one.  It does not read like a first novel at all - it is extremely well-written. I'll be  back to share my final thoughts once I've finished the book.
UPDATED 11/7/08: My original assessment of this book proved to be true!  Alice J. Wisler definitely has a gift for writing.  Her style is unique - interesting and fun to read in a voice all her own (which I think is unusual in today's Christian fiction market where so many books start to sound alike after awhile). 
Her main character, Nicole, has an endearing personality.  From the  very first page, you find yourself cheering for her to overcome her fears and insecurities. I found myself reverting back to "cheerleader mode" - wanting to say "You can do it! 3 cheers for Nicole!"  The supporting characters in the book are also very memorable - I love the choice of names and the extreme variety of personalities that are represented here. 
The end is satisfying.  Though, I must admit, I find myself longing for book 2 - wonder if there's one in the works?!