Rain Dance

Touching, engrossing

For me, the mark of good writing is when I can really identify with the main characters; when I care deeply about what happens,
though I may have nothing in common with them. Such is the case with RAIN DANCE.

I have had two healthy pregnancies. I've never been tempted to have an abortion--in fact I'm strongly opposed to it. Still,
I quickly became enmeshed in the tangled emotional and medical situations encountered by Jonica, who can't seem to have children,
and Stacie, who is about to have an abortion (and ultimately does).

Beginning in the waiting room of a doctor's office, the story quickly moves into the emotional struggles of each woman and how
it affects their burgeoning friendship. Jonica, a committed Christian, questions why God would withhold this much-longed-for blessing
from her and her husband. After all, they "followed the rules." But Jonica has even more to endure from the insensitive attitudes of
two church members and even her own sister-in-law.

Stacie, a non-believer raised to consider her own ambitions over all else, is at first angry at Jonica and fully intends to tell her off for
sharing a pro-life article with her. However, Jonica's gentle demeanor seems to drain the hostility away and Stacie finds this new
friendship emotionally nourishing in a time of particular heartbreak. "No one warned me," she says, "about the grief."

For me, Jonica models a particularly loving way of reacting to the hostility of those who don't know Christ. Not totally sure of herself,
she does her best and leads with her heart and Scripture, trusting God to do the rest.

The unfolding story goes much further into the lives into the two women, revealing where and how mistakes can echo down the generations
and how God's love can pull good out of the ashes. I especially liked the way author Dekok portrayed the two marriages, depicting passion
in a vivid but tasteful way and not tiptoeing around the agony felt by the wives and husbands alike.

This is a fine, engrossing, well-written book that kept me reading late into the night. It's a cliche, but I really couldn't put it down.

Standing ovation and 2 thumbs up!

Rain Dance is an amazingly vivid and alive book about abortion, infertility, loss and friendship. A book has never gotten me quite like Rain Dance did. I was reading a very vivid part toward the beginning of the book and I actually got very light-headed and nauseous. I had to stop reading for this reason, but my mind continued to play out the way things could go.

This is the first book of Joy's that I've had to privilege to read and I will be a faithful reader from here on out. She has a wonderful gift of making her story as though you are the character and the situations play out so alive.
I especially liked the way she wrote and shared to intimacy of the marriage without explicit detail and raw images. She opens up the heart and minds of her characters and you feel as though you've been best friends with them all along.

Rain Dance is a book that cant be put down. As God leads and Jonica follows, you never really known how things are going to play out. Just as in the real life of Christians following God today; the journey is often hard and the way is unknown, but God's still small voice will lead us and direct us and even pull us back on course when we get full of ourselves.

Rain Dance is full of God's hand at work and will inspire you. Whether you are living with a hurt of your own or whether you are seeking out God to fill the void in your life, you'll be drawn through this story and Joy's amazing writing skills to the God of healing, restoration and love.

Rain Dance has reminded me:

"I can preach a better sermon with my life, than with my lips."
-Goldsmith

Thank you Joy for doing an wonderfully fantastic job on such a hard hush-hush topic. I give it 5 stars, a stand ovation and two thumbs up!

A Compelling Story of Friendship

Rain Dance is a gripping story about the power of love. This book turns the impossible into the possible through the power of Christ's love. In the most dire of circumstances, when two women at complete opposite ends of the spectrum are at their lowest, they reach out to one another. In that moment a seed is planted that forever changes their lives. What I love about this book is that the characters are very real. Everything doesn't end up in a pretty package tied up with a bow. It isn't a fairytale, BUT everyone does live happily ever after because of the promise Christians have in Romans 8:28. While the topics may be tough for many to consider, I highly recommend Rain Dance to all women because of the underlying theme of the true bond of a very special friendship.

Beautiful story of friendship

Rain Dance by Joy DeKok is a moving look at the power of friendship and faith. Jonica is in her fertility specialist's office to end treatment in acceptance of her barrenness as part of God's plan when she meets Stacie who is there to schedule an abortion for a child who doesn't fit into the plan of her busy life. That fateful meeting will leave both women both permanently changed. Stacie's marriage falls apart in the wake of the abortion, and she turns her anger on Jonica who instead embraces her and the women find a way to bridge the gap between them. DeKok uses Jonica to tell of her own struggle with infertility and she offers up a valuable lesson for anyone who judges couples who are childless. Jonica's faith carrier her through every storm and intrigues Stacie into checking it out for herself. The book is a wonderful read about friendship and how to love those who may be so different from us. The only trouble I had with it was discovering 2/3 of the way through that Jonica is only 24. Based on her career, lifestyle, and attitude, I assumed that she was closer to thirty or even in her mid-thirties. Despite that small issue, it's a great read that should encourage readers on both sides of the abortion debate.

Heart Wrenching, Yet Joyous

In Rain Dance, Joy DeKok skillfully takes readers on a journey of turmoil, anguish, healing, and joy. She beautifully portrays the deep, heart wrenching emotions many women¿Christian and non-Christian¿experience in dealing with infertility or the aftermath of abortion. The author completes the portrait by demonstrating that healing and freedom are attainable through God¿s love and grace.

Two Stories For The Price Of One!

I love the way Joy DeKok tells this story from two different points of view. She has a unique writing style; I can't wait for her next novel.

A must read for post abortion men/women---and their friends!

A woman struggling with infertility befriends a post-abortion woman. A stirring example of the kindness and understanding (grace) we are called to give to others presented with the compelling message of the difference compassion makes in the life of a woman wounded by the lies of abortion. So many post-abortion men and women suffer in secret silence. Without being preachy, this story offers hope for the wounded and those who walk with them.

I Couldn't Put This Book Down!

Rain Dance was a wonderfully written book with a unique format that was so refreshing! I was tremendously impressed with how the author was able to relate the feelings and experiences of both the infertile woman and the post-abortive woman, without judging either one for their decisions. I became so involved in the character's lives that I just couldn't put this book down!

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.