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Tucker #3

April's Rain

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Eight years after losing her closest friend, Tucker struggles to keep her rebellious, self-destructive granddaughter under control. When April accidentally kills her boyfriend while defending herself from his attack, Judge Jack helps Tucker ferry her granddaughter away to Spirit Lake, a remote treatment facility in the mountains of eastern Tennessee. There, April creates a false identity, painting herself as a young socialite, and blocks Tucker’s attempts at communication.

Tucker’s grandson March, missing for eight years, is discovered half-dead, having lost both his sight and his memories. As he recovers, March’s blindness persists but fragments of his life reemerge. When he finds himself at Spirit Lake, he runs headlong into his past.

Will Tucker be able to reunite her family after their paths have splintered?

Revised edition: This edition of April’s Rain includes editorial revisions.

363 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2013

726 people are currently reading
743 people want to read

About the author

David Johnson

21 books179 followers
David Johnson has developed a reputation as a writer of "books with heart." His books feature strong, unforgettable characters from humble backgrounds who have to grapple with the unexpected turns of everyday life.

He is the author of the riveting "Tucker" series, one of the best-selling series on Amazon. The series has collected over 5,000 reviews, averaging 4.7 stars, and sales of the books will soon approach 500,000 copies.

Toby, his next book, following the Tucker series, is a story about a dog, a woman who has gotten lost in addiction, and a hermit who has hidden from his past for decades.

The Woodcutter's Wife, a Civil War era, historical romance, was his next book. It is a story of love lost and love found.

And his newest release is The Last Patient. A story of secrets, resentment, regret, and redemption.

David maintains a very busy life outside of writing. He's a full-time Marriage and Family Therapist, is Director of a community chorus that performs all across the Southeast, performing 15 shows a year. He maintains a blog: www.thefrontwindow.wordpress.com . He's been married for 44 years, has two daughters and six grandchildren.

He would love to hear from you. Send him a note to davidjohnsonbooks@gmail.com and join him on Facebook - David Johnson, author

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5 stars
2,367 (60%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
Profile Image for Judy Collins.
3,264 reviews443 followers
December 11, 2014
A special thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

APRIL’S RAIN, the third installment in The Tucker Series, by master storyteller, David Johnson --is an explosive, inspiring and emotional reunion of Tucker and her beloved family. After many years of tears, fears and pain, they all come together, different people having faced many tragedies and heartaches, for a heartfelt reunion with tears of joy!

Come inside and sit a while, enjoy some homemade pie, coffee, music, laughter, and some sweet southern stories which will warm your heart. You cannot read just one book, you will find yourself hardly stopping to write a review, before moving on to the next. (I am into Book 4 MARCH ON tonight). I will be so sad when this series ends; however, just heard today, another one coming- Yeah!

Having fallen in love with Tucker in Book 1, raising her three grandchildren, in Book 2, the unexpected gift of friendship and gift from Ella, and now in Book 3, when I did not think it could get any better.

APRIL’S RAIN brought more tears than the others. As a reader you are invested in the lives of these lovable and flawed characters— you root for and pray for their well- being, for triumph over tragedy.

Poor Tucker cannot catch a break, with her troubled two younger grandchildren— March has been missing for eight years, and we find in Book 3 where he has been all this time, and it is not pretty. He is lucky to have survived and is now blind. He also has been sent some angels to rescue him, and now fate steps in to reunite him with his long lost sister. Readers will also get to hear from August as Smiley has taken him under his wing as a great dad.

April, now a teen has not been an easy child. She is angry and bitter, and she too has had a rough life. When her life takes yet another downward turn, Tucker once again steps in, this time she plays tough love and sends her to Spirit Lake. At first you will wonder what kind of place is this? However, keep reading, as through the tough times, April will be able to forgive herself and find peace with God and her family. (glad to see Jack stepping in to help).

APRIL'S RAIN crosses many genres, as a strong coming-of-age, ideal for teens and parents, alike, as well as, all the southern, social issues, family drama, suspense, fiction, humor, contemporary, and Christian readers; a book for young and older adults.

What a journey! The last part of the book, kept me glued to my e-reader. Johnson did a bang up job with the animal/human connection, and the setting to pull all the pieces of this powerful story, for a suspenseful yet satisfying ending.

As you can see by my previous reviews, I am so in love with this riveting series. David Johnson’s writing reminds me a little of Charles Martin (my favorite author), with some of his earlier books. He writes Christian fiction, with powerful messages, concentrating on the poor, flawed characters, racial, and human dynamics, set in the southern South Georgia area, similar to the Tennessee area.

Fans of Charles Martin and Ace Collins, will enjoy The Tucker Series with the deep love and connections of their history, friends, roots, southern food, humor, music, hospitality, family, and God’s power to heal and forgive, for some wisdom, self-discovery and old fashioned life lessons.

Will not mention Madea again, as I am aware I have mentioned it in the two previous reviews; however, every time I read Tucker's funny dialogue, cannot help but think of her; would love to see these two together.

Once again, David Johnson, a winner!
I would love to give Tucker and Smiley, a big hug as can see them sitting around the table in her mobile home laughing and crying, enjoying the reuniting of lost souls!

Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
Profile Image for Carmen Blankenship.
161 reviews65 followers
December 20, 2014
David Johnson has created a family and cast of charachters that I find myself thinking about as if they are part of my own life. Not since Lonesome Dove have been so entranced and invested in the welfare of fictional charachters.

After I read Unexpected Frost I had to take a minute to start this book. The pull of emotions I felt for all of the charachters when Ella passed was unexpected. I mean c'mon! I read A LOT and I love a lot of characters.but am rarely as affected as I have been in this series... Now mind you, I am as tall as Tucker and can be as fierce so don't you dare call me a sissy!

April's way brings us 8 years after the passing of the classy and sweet Ella. Our beautiful April has certainly grown and like both of us, is now having to face the demons of her passed. From the very beginning of this series we have known that April suffered some sort of abuse at the hands of her brothers. In April's way we also see just what losing Ella has done to her. April, like most of Tucker's family takes the hard road.

I will not fill this with spoilers. I WILL say, that as long as David Johnson is an author, I will be reading his work. This series goes in my top 5 favorite books (counting it as one). I have told every person I know to read this series. Now quit reading my review and buy this book already!
Thank you Negalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Judie Dooley.
298 reviews52 followers
January 6, 2015
I won this book on good reads. Thank you for picking me. I loved everything about it except the ending. It was like--"WHAT" I wanted more.. I had questions that were left unanswered. but I guess there will be another book in the series and I'll have to wait and read that. This book was great. The characters were supurbe and easy to relate to . The dialect of Tucker was easy to follow. The story was about April who comes from a dysfunctional farm family. She was always different (being poor) and was picked on by her classmates. She is being raised by here grandmother,Tucker. AS she becomes a teen-ager she becomes more and more troublesome until Tucker has to send her away to a place that she hopes will help her. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a good story that will leave you crying.
7 reviews
May 28, 2017
Excelent

The Tucker series is one of the most uplifting and moving books i have ever read. I'm 72 years old and have been reading books of all kinds all my life.
Profile Image for Cindy.
164 reviews6 followers
August 18, 2018
Love this series! Real life situations and relationship issues that when the truths are revealed, the healing can begin.
4 reviews1 follower
October 23, 2013
I so love reading the Tucker series. I am looking forward to book 5. (hope it comes out soon) I love in this book how they all come together once again.
Profile Image for Joyce.
1,262 reviews10 followers
March 10, 2023
This is the 3rd book in the Tucker series by David Johnson and once again I felt it was a fantastic novel. This novel focuses on Tucker's granddaughter April and her grandson March. March had run away several years ago and the family had not heard from him since. April who was now 17 had become a very troubled girl who was getting into all kinds of trouble. After the death of her grandmother, Ella, she had hardened her heart.

March was not mentioned in the last book in the series so it was interesting to see him reappear as a character. Apparently, he had gotten involved in criminal activity and been severely injured when a couple of men tossed him into a river. Fortunately, he survived but ended up blind. However, after much rehabilitation, he begins to turn his life around.

In desperation, Tucker sends April against her will to a special place in East Tennessee for troubled girls. I won't go any further into the plot to avoid spoiling it for others.

However, good things happen to Tucker, March and April. One of the best things that happens to each of these people is finding out they have been carrying unneeded guilt for years. Near the end of the book, Tucker finally understands that nothing she has done it outside the forgiveness of God.

This is definitely not a 'preachy' book but it has an important spiritual message.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
2,166 reviews38 followers
September 18, 2018
April’s Rain is the third book in the Tucker series. Like the second book, it is a short novel. But, unlike the second book, it is an unpleasant story. It begins eight years after An Unexpected Frost and continues the story of March, April and Tucker.

The book reminds me of the True Confessions magazines that my friends and I sneak read in our early teens. Perhaps “pulp fiction”is the best term for this book because the main purpose seems to be sensational or melodramatic.

Other problems:

The time frame was poorly handled as seasons, school years and events did not jive with each other.

A murder is very unsatisfactorily handled by the authorities. The author apparently has no idea of what happens in a murder investigation.

An obese woman is disrespected because of her size and treated comically. This was extremely surprising as the author claims to have been a family therapist.

My experience with this book was a big disappointment. I should not have wasted my time to read all of it.
291 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2023
Wow!

Goodness! April gets sent to Spirit Lake, a place for girls with problems. March shows up in this one and has amnesia for awhile after a bad fight. He is blind now. August is about to graduate from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville (Go Vols). He wants to become a lawyer.
After six months at Spirit Lake, April has a breakthrough. Levi, the name March was given in the hospital is now working there on a trial basis. Tucker is invited to come for a visit. Smiley and August come with her. They are assigned to do a family therapy project that involves Pablo,the donkey. When they have trouble getting him to move, March walks up and revealed himself,saying that now the family is complete! Oh, how these stories bring out my tears!! I laugh too! David Johnson is an amazing storyteller!!
Profile Image for Nancy.
491 reviews
October 4, 2018
This book is a continuation of the Tucker family stories and focuses on 2 of her grandchildren and their journeys. The overall story was good, but for the first time in this series much of the dialogue seemed hackneyed, cliche and amateur. I cringed many times while listening to it. I loved the part about caring for the animals, and how the horses reflect the people caring for them.

Tucker continues to delight in her homespun way, and the respectful way of dealing with her spiritual questions was uplifting.
Profile Image for Karen Prive.
289 reviews5 followers
January 14, 2019
Character-driven again

The third installment of the Tucker series, Aprul's Rain has a couple of strong plots and remarkable characters, but is a bit disjointed as the separate plots seem only loosely connected for much of the book. What struck me most impressive was Johnson's portrayal of the troubled adolescent April - right on. Yet I question a couple of characters' sudden resolutions - it seemed to me unlikely that they would have such dramatic revelations that there were no apparent doubt in their changes of attitude.
46 reviews2 followers
October 21, 2017
Let's Use Coincidence instead of a Plot.

This book has so many plot gaps it is almost silly. Reads more like Family counseling 101 than a continuation of the Tucker series. I love the sensual reality of the Tucker books as a southwestern transplant to KY and TN. But this book was " in sore need of a smack" from an editor. Be sure you read the first two books where the characters are developed or this one will make no sense.
Profile Image for Theresa.
12 reviews
March 20, 2019
I love the Tucker series. David has set the whole series in descriptions of their lives and the vivid smell of soil, trees and plants. I grew up in the countryside of Manitoba in early 50's. So as I read this series it brings back so many memories of so many things. It doesn't matter where you live.
Thankyou for this wonderful series but it breaks my heart that there is so much judgment of people today.
298 reviews3 followers
June 3, 2021
God's Grace is Bigger Than One's Mistakes!

When one gives heart and life to God Almighty, life doesn't become bed of roses, but God promises to go through any adversity that life throws at you. Thank you David Johnson for your inspiring "Tucker " series. I read n reread all 5 books and loved them all. Lord bless you! No matter who you are or what bad things you think you have done, Jesus forgives and loves you! Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Morgan Treece.
8 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2024
David Johnson did it again! Tuckers Way was so good that I couldn’t put it down. I had to skip the 2nd in the series, An Unexpected Frost. So, it was April’s Rain. I so enjoyed the growth of all the characters and their personalities.

I also enjoyed this series because it originated only an hour from where I live!

I actually was able to apply some of the book to my own life! Loved the last chapter! ❤️
584 reviews3 followers
December 21, 2017
April's Rain

David Johnson has written a great series. I'm ready to start book 4. He has great characters, and at times I feel like I'm right there with them. Sometimes life is hard no matter what age you are there are always consequences for every choice we make. For me this was a great read!
74 reviews2 followers
March 24, 2018
I am in love with Tucker - her character strengths and uniqueness fill me with joy and hope. This story continues the struggles hopes, fears and forgiveness of this mis-fit family - their love never ends, their hope never dies. April is finally free of her secrets and together they for a new and stronger bond. Family at its best.
Profile Image for Marsha.
7 reviews
April 26, 2018
Awesome

This is one of the best set of books I have read in a long time
I have laughed and cried and everything in between!!!
I highly recommend these
Even though they lived through hard times the lord has truly blessed them , I am aware this is a work of fiction, but the author has really made it all come to life.
24 reviews
May 7, 2018
Growth

The author incorporated much of his real life experiences that he encountered as a family therapist. April grew into a person of substance along with her brother,March but with the help of different people in their lives. It was interesting to watch how they matured in their life along with Tucker.
Profile Image for Beca Silva.
73 reviews
June 14, 2018
My least fav so far...

I felt like this book was written by two different people. There were areas that sound like the original author and areas that sound like a high school writer. Also, the reference to God is becoming a little over the top. The series didn't start off that way.
Profile Image for Roxana Garcia.
228 reviews5 followers
June 24, 2018
I have loved the Tucker series and getting to know each character. Each character has it's own hardships to overcome and this book gives you a glimpse of what happened to Match throughout the 8 years he's been gone. Seeing the family finally reunited after 8 long years had me in tears at the end of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
9 reviews
September 28, 2018
Great story about family, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

The story that has evolved in the Tucker Series has me spellbound! I love these characters, and I love learning more about them. In really looking forward to reading book 4! This story is a great read for anyone. It is a lesson in human nature, forgiveness, reconciliation, and God's grace .
34 reviews
October 2, 2018
Best of the series so far

I love this series of books and this one does not disappoint! Though this family goes through much more strife than most people can relate to - there are universals truths that reach in and give a firm tug to your heartstrings. Easy read that I didn’t want to end!
1 review
November 2, 2018
*****

***** He is a good therapist, but he knows nearly nothing about who the real GOD is or how these issues could really be settled so that these people would have their hearts changed & learn more than just self-forgiveness. He should quit trying to bring his faulty religion into his books.
Profile Image for Melody.
699 reviews12 followers
April 11, 2020
Oh my gosh! Out of the three books I’ve read, this is by far the most heart tugging one. I’m in tears, but they’re happy tears. Same characters, so you have to begin with Book 1. All I’m saying about this one.

So much learning goes on with each character and if you’re like me, you learn more about yourself.
Profile Image for Nanette Mitchell.
376 reviews
June 30, 2020
Amazing Grace

What a special story this was to read. Every Tucker book opens my eyes to how special it is to understand how the human heart can be transformed by the power of love sometimes harshly and sometimes gentle and Tucker reflects in her simple yet harsh way just how to live a life with purpose
1 review
March 12, 2023
Emotionally Good for the Soul!

This is my favorite book in the Tucker series.

I laughed, cried and lost sleep over wanting to finish the book which is very unusual for me.

I felt guilty because I read April’s Rain instead of my Bible on a couple of days. I justified myself because there are so many good thoughts and scripture in this book.

Thanks,
Christie Baker
53 reviews
September 19, 2024
Illuminating, inspiring, instructing...

David Johnson manages to creatively surprise the reader to believe in the ultimate goodness of a loving God without fictitiously or 'magically' making all problems vanish or trauma disappear. i am looking forward to the additional books in this series.
13 reviews
August 1, 2017
Loved this book

Another great book by David Johnson. Tucker becomes a little more mellow as the story goes on and you realize she is someone you might like for a friend because of her sincerity. Not a lot of class but pure honesty.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews

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