I had no idea what to expect going in to this story. But I loved every. minute. of. it. Opal is such a good character and a good person. Her internal struggles are relatable, in a way. She is relatable in the way that she doesn't necessarily see the same thing in herself that everyone else does. The story is gutwrenching at times. I sobbed through the entire end. I loved the way the novel portrays the relationship between "good" white people and black people. I appreciated that the "good" white characters often times just wanted to help, but that didn't negate the harm that they actively did to the black characters. Man, there are just so many well-done things in this novel. I think I will need to read it again at some point. ( )

Opal gets one of her feelings that something bad may be looming on the horizon just as the summer of her 18th year is fixing to start. The year is 1936, the place is Parsons, Georgia and the trouble most certainly could be related to the tenuous relationship between the white folks and black folks in Opal's community. Opal would like nothing more than to enjoy outings with her cousins and friends, evenings with her grandmother, and days working for Miss Peggy. But the arrival of the Klan will test everything that Opal knows about life and keep her from living her life unnoticed. She and the other members of the community must discover how they will respond to evil and cling to faith in adversity.
This was a powerful story. I loved the descriptions of Opal's tight knit community and the pleasures that they enjoyed. The scenes were well written and painted many vivid pictures in my mind. It's a pity that some of them were sad and disturbing, but it's important to confront the evils of history and seek ways to keep it from repeating itself. Opal learned how to live through hard times with her head held high and her faith intact, and I'm glad this author is giving us stories like these to add to the Christian fiction genre. ( )

This was a powerful book about racial tensions in a small town in Georgia during the late 1930s. Opal is our main character. She is a young, black 18 year old woman. She enjoys the work she does as a housekeeper for Ms. Peggy. The Klu Klux Klan comes sweeping through the town one night and causes issue. When Opal is later attacked one night, tensions in the town are high. Opal finds herself caught between her friendship between her white employers son, Jimmy Earl and her romantic interest in Cedric. Cedric is eager to protect Opal, but Opal just wants to find a peaceful way to exist.
This was a story filled with faith, hope and perseverance. I definitely recommend this! I received a complimentary e-book from Netgally.com in exchange for a review. ( )

This is a poignant novel told through the eyes of Opal, a young girl trying her best to navigate life in a 1930s segregated world, as the battle for freedom rings. She realizes, “You can change the law, but you can’t make people follow it.”

This author does her best to help readers walk in the characters shoes. Giving them a peek into Opal’s world as she works in a white person’s house with her granny. Opal is wise to the rules of society and the hatred present in certain parts of her community. Growing up was hard for Opal and others as they did their best to navigate a racist world. The characters are complex, relatable, and brave, they have a strong sense of place as they struggle to make hard choices.

This riveting story has Opal and her family sitting on volatile information, realizing the truth of the matter will create an explosion no one wants, and many will hurt! There are a wide range of emotions expressed through colorful main and minor characters that moves readers to tears, a giggle or two (getting a look at family gatherings on the porch) as they seek justice.

I enjoyed how Opal describes her special times with family, “Summer nights in Colored Town were always my favorite. I looked around my granny’s porch, seeing all of my aunties, uncles, and cousins, and a smattering of neighbors and friends. As always, I felt so much love for all of them that it seemed like my heart might just burst wide open.”

The author pulled me in deep with her note to readers she says, “Racism in the 1930s was rampant throughout the country…Because my goal as a writer is always to strive to be historically accurate, there are occasions when characters in the book, who are members of the Ku Klux Klan, (in Parsons, GA) use the “N” word.” My intent in using this word is not to shock but to punctuate the fact that racism was brutal and still is brutal…I have been the target of the hate that word gives, and I want the readers of this book to understand the full weight of a word so powerful that it is now referred to by its first letter.”

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. Her books will be a great book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org ( )

When Stars Rain Down by Angela Jackson-Brown is a Southern historical fiction set in the 1930s in small-town Georgia. The story follows Opal Pruitt as she comes of age--finding love, responsibility, and freedom as well as fear, hate, and pain.
Opal’s story gripped me from the very beginning. It is incredibly raw and genuine, and I stayed up late on more than one occasion to keep reading. This story and its insights into the fear and destruction hate can cause are timely and welcome. The characters are vivid and memorable. The history, while sometimes dark, was blended into the story seamlessly. And even though some of the words used may be uncomfortable to read, they are true to the time and necessary to create the proper environment for the story.
This is my first novel by Angela Jackson-Brown, and I hope I get to read her work again soon. She really brought the entire town of Parsons, Georgia to life for me. Any fan of historical fiction will enjoy this story.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )