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Inside Rain
I will the rain to be the source of life . . .
Rain grapples with memories of a horrific past that leaves her far from unscathed. After witnessing her mother's gruesome murder as a child, she is now left piecing together the fragments of her shattered psyche as an adult. Quickly, she is drowning in years of frustration and confusion with no promise of relief. Sinister visions and undying spirits haunt Rain relentlessly, driving her deeper into darkness and lunacy. Rains grandmother, GiGi, tries her best to help Rain face the truth, urging her to confront her past, but the past is too painful--it's easier to hide.
As Rain struggles desperately to define herself, she's forced to brave her live-in a violent and narcissistic brother, Danny, who resents her weakness and Carmen, her promiscuous and hostile older sister, who wishes Rain would disappear. In her fragile mental state, Rain is ill-equipped to handle the chaos of their ruptured lives. When Rain, Carmen, and Danny are submerged into the horrors of prostitution, drug-addiction, domestic violence, and murder, Rain is left alone to face her internal demons and find her identity, with no one to answer to, but herself.
Rain grapples with memories of a horrific past that leaves her far from unscathed. After witnessing her mother's gruesome murder as a child, she is now left piecing together the fragments of her shattered psyche as an adult. Quickly, she is drowning in years of frustration and confusion with no promise of relief. Sinister visions and undying spirits haunt Rain relentlessly, driving her deeper into darkness and lunacy. Rains grandmother, GiGi, tries her best to help Rain face the truth, urging her to confront her past, but the past is too painful--it's easier to hide.
As Rain struggles desperately to define herself, she's forced to brave her live-in a violent and narcissistic brother, Danny, who resents her weakness and Carmen, her promiscuous and hostile older sister, who wishes Rain would disappear. In her fragile mental state, Rain is ill-equipped to handle the chaos of their ruptured lives. When Rain, Carmen, and Danny are submerged into the horrors of prostitution, drug-addiction, domestic violence, and murder, Rain is left alone to face her internal demons and find her identity, with no one to answer to, but herself.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2010
19 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
April 15, 2011
This is my second time reading a Monique D. Mensah book and let’s just say the first one had me screaming! Now going into Inside Rain I felt that this was a good read and pretty solid story line, but I was lacking the screaming. I guess I had high hopes. But I am one to always jump to conclusions because this book became an instant wow factor for me, shocking the book lover inside of me to life. This was an awesome sophomore novel for Mensah, her dark mind is eerily interesting.
This story was filled with sadness, stress, dark secrets, sex, neglect, terrors, and anything in between and when you reach the climax of this book you will be yelling oh no she didn’t. This book had me thinking about it long after I was done. Great job again.
Tamika Newhouse
AAMBC Reviewer
This story was filled with sadness, stress, dark secrets, sex, neglect, terrors, and anything in between and when you reach the climax of this book you will be yelling oh no she didn’t. This book had me thinking about it long after I was done. Great job again.
Tamika Newhouse
AAMBC Reviewer
April 25, 2011
In Monique Mensah's Inside Rain, we are introduced to a little girl who was traumatized. As she ages, she develops defense mechanisms to deal with the event. It was just a matter of time before the past came back to haunt her. During her adult years, she starts to remember and relive the tragedy. In the end, the truth is brought to light.
This is the first book I've read that made me think about the title. Inside Rain was a journey for me because I really felt I was inside Rain. The mind is a very mysterious thing. The ending caught me off guard. I never seen it coming. Monique Mensah did an excellent job of taking you through the web of events and landing you in complete awe.
This is the first book I've read that made me think about the title. Inside Rain was a journey for me because I really felt I was inside Rain. The mind is a very mysterious thing. The ending caught me off guard. I never seen it coming. Monique Mensah did an excellent job of taking you through the web of events and landing you in complete awe.
October 29, 2011
It never really pulled me in.
September 18, 2010
Hooked on Mensah's first book Who is he to You, I assumed that Inside Rain would be a continuation of her first debut. Inside Rain pulls you into the lives of Lorrian, Danny, and Carmen. These siblings lost their mom to a tragic death at a very early age. Due to her unfortunate death,they carry excessive baggage which results to them living very dysfunctional lives.
Rain has panic attacks and has created this imaginary relationship with a man name Kyle that lives on the lower level of their apartment flat,Carmen has a drug addiction and sleeps around,and Danny is a self centered woman beater. Death is never easy to deal with but loosing their mom the way they did plays a huge role in why they carry out the way they do. Thank God for Gi-Gi. She is there only saving grace. She assures and protects Rain during her psychotic episodes, puts Carmen in her place as necessary, and checks Danny about beating on his girlfriend. Despite of all that she does,she cant cure Rain from the abrupt illusions she continues to see of her mother. Carmen and Danny never see these images and have proclaimed their baby sister as a crazy woman who will never have a normal life.
The story line gets better by the page. Carmen hooks up with Street Thug Jay-Jay and Danny ends up in a situation with an alternative group of thugs. From Jay-Jay forcing Carmen to make a very unethical decision, to Jay-Jay revealing a tragic secret to Rain, this book forces your eyes to read more only to discover the end which will leave you with your mouth wide open. Once again Mensah has raised the bar on the literary stanza's.
Rain has panic attacks and has created this imaginary relationship with a man name Kyle that lives on the lower level of their apartment flat,Carmen has a drug addiction and sleeps around,and Danny is a self centered woman beater. Death is never easy to deal with but loosing their mom the way they did plays a huge role in why they carry out the way they do. Thank God for Gi-Gi. She is there only saving grace. She assures and protects Rain during her psychotic episodes, puts Carmen in her place as necessary, and checks Danny about beating on his girlfriend. Despite of all that she does,she cant cure Rain from the abrupt illusions she continues to see of her mother. Carmen and Danny never see these images and have proclaimed their baby sister as a crazy woman who will never have a normal life.
The story line gets better by the page. Carmen hooks up with Street Thug Jay-Jay and Danny ends up in a situation with an alternative group of thugs. From Jay-Jay forcing Carmen to make a very unethical decision, to Jay-Jay revealing a tragic secret to Rain, this book forces your eyes to read more only to discover the end which will leave you with your mouth wide open. Once again Mensah has raised the bar on the literary stanza's.
October 11, 2010
I don't want to give away the end, but that made the whole book. The entire story was gripping. The descriptions were vivid and I could actually picture what was happening as I read. I really liked how things were tied together in the end and even how the book ended. My initial reaction was, that's it? But after I thought about it, the ending is very real to real life and how stories like this most likely would end. The book was fantastic and I would definitely recommend it.
July 27, 2011
When I started this novel I did not think I would finish it. I felt it had too much raw sex . But, because I have read monique's other books, I decided to give it fair chance. well, she did it again----- suspense so thick I could not put it down. Monique has talent for writing like no other author I know. The ending really caught me off guard. I don't want to be a spoiler, you wil have to read it for yourself.
August 12, 2020
I really liked this book, but not as much as the author's first novel. I figured out the "twist" around chapter 7, but that did not take away from my experience. In fact, I think it made me more engrossed in the novel because I was picking up on all the little things that others will have to go back and read. I could not give it 5 stars for three reasons: first the ending annoyed me. I hope there is a sequel. Second, the editor did a terrible job and I was catching errors all over my Kindle version. I might be a jerk, but that takes away from the novel for me when it's happening all the time. Third, without giving away spoilers, I did not love the way mental health was portrayed in the novel.
The reason it got 4 stars is that I finished the book in less than 24 hours. I love the way the author creates real characters. I often read books and cannot relate to the people in them. I could see each of the three siblings in the book as real people. People actually in my life, but not necessarily people that I like. I loved the plot and how the mystery of Rain's mother's murder played out. I liked how trauma was dealt with because it felt very true to life. I really liked Danny's character, even while hating the character.
Overall, I really love this author. I am going to start her third novel TODAY because I love her writing that much.
The reason it got 4 stars is that I finished the book in less than 24 hours. I love the way the author creates real characters. I often read books and cannot relate to the people in them. I could see each of the three siblings in the book as real people. People actually in my life, but not necessarily people that I like. I loved the plot and how the mystery of Rain's mother's murder played out. I liked how trauma was dealt with because it felt very true to life. I really liked Danny's character, even while hating the character.
Overall, I really love this author. I am going to start her third novel TODAY because I love her writing that much.
December 29, 2019
I love this writer! Was not able to put down!
January 23, 2022
LOVE LOVE LOVE THOS BOOK
March 15, 2022
Challenging
Well written story. I did find it a challenging for the lifestyles presented are true, it is difficult to read about. Story had a surprising ending.
Well written story. I did find it a challenging for the lifestyles presented are true, it is difficult to read about. Story had a surprising ending.
October 30, 2022
I KNEW IT! Figured it out and couldn't wait! Started a little slow but WoW! This most definitely should be made into a movie! I can't wait to read the next Mensah book!
March 1, 2021
Totally didn’t see that coming!!!!!
Monique delivers dynamics and suspense along with a PLOT TWIST, that I did not see coming. Bookclub discussion will be interesting.
Monique delivers dynamics and suspense along with a PLOT TWIST, that I did not see coming. Bookclub discussion will be interesting.
September 27, 2010
There are some things that a child's tender eyes should not see. Things that can alter who they are, how they view the world, and dreadful events that can change them forever.
After witnessing the untimely death of her mother, Rain was permanently scarred. Rendered silent after the horrific event, Rain goes to live with her grandmother, Gigi. Gigi does everything that she can to comfort Rain and encourage her to speak, but she doesn't utter one word until her sister and brother come to live with them.
As the years pass, Rain finds solace in poetry and spoken word. She is living with her brother Danny and sister Carmen. To Carmen, Danny is a protector, but who's going to protect Danny's girlfriend from him? Carmen is obsessed with herself and does everything within her power to hurt Rain.
Inside Rain is the highly anticipated sophomore novel written by Authoress Monique D. Mensah. With an awesome, attention drawing cover, Inside Rain will leave the reader speechless. This novel is filled with authentic, multi-faceted characters. Ms. Mensah has shown immense talent with her first novel and Inside Rain has more than exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend this novel.
Unika Howell-Molden
"The Unique Reviewer"
After witnessing the untimely death of her mother, Rain was permanently scarred. Rendered silent after the horrific event, Rain goes to live with her grandmother, Gigi. Gigi does everything that she can to comfort Rain and encourage her to speak, but she doesn't utter one word until her sister and brother come to live with them.
As the years pass, Rain finds solace in poetry and spoken word. She is living with her brother Danny and sister Carmen. To Carmen, Danny is a protector, but who's going to protect Danny's girlfriend from him? Carmen is obsessed with herself and does everything within her power to hurt Rain.
Inside Rain is the highly anticipated sophomore novel written by Authoress Monique D. Mensah. With an awesome, attention drawing cover, Inside Rain will leave the reader speechless. This novel is filled with authentic, multi-faceted characters. Ms. Mensah has shown immense talent with her first novel and Inside Rain has more than exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend this novel.
Unika Howell-Molden
"The Unique Reviewer"
April 12, 2012
When I cracked open this book, I pretty much figured I already knew what's going to happen, but I soon learned I couldn't have been more wrong. Lorain b*k*a Rain is a sultry poetess who have episodes of her dead mother coming to her in dreams and illusions. Her brother, Danny and sister, Carmen after being in foster care now lives with her in a house their grandmother, Gigi got for them so that they could all be together. Witnessing her mother being brutally killed has Gigi doing all that she can to help relive the horrendous incident with constant reminders by giving Rain stuff to remind her of her mother.
INSIDE RAIN is a gripping tale of haunting repressed memories that could either destroy or make Rain's life normal again, but will all her Gigi's hard work make Rain's situation take a turn for the worst? Monique D. Mensah's sophomoric effort is riveting, dark, complicated greatness at it's best. If you're looking for a book that makes for real conversation, then Inside Rain is the book for you. Monique D. Mensah is on her way to a successful literary career.
INSIDE RAIN is a gripping tale of haunting repressed memories that could either destroy or make Rain's life normal again, but will all her Gigi's hard work make Rain's situation take a turn for the worst? Monique D. Mensah's sophomoric effort is riveting, dark, complicated greatness at it's best. If you're looking for a book that makes for real conversation, then Inside Rain is the book for you. Monique D. Mensah is on her way to a successful literary career.
February 11, 2013
This was the 2nd book in this series and I enjoyed it as well. It makes me seriously wonder what is running thru the mind of the author! She has some very dark thoughts and stories inside her, but I enjoy her work and I think she is a good author!! This book wasn't as much of a shocker as the first, I kinda saw the ending coming as I kept putting some stuff together, and it didn't piss me off nearly as much as the first either. It was still good to see how the story slowly unfolded as things started to come to the surface. This was a very sad story that had me shaking my head at how different peoples lives can turn out when they grow up one way versus another. I really enjoyed this one, but again, like the 1st book in the series, if you're not one to like dark topics then you probably wont enjoy this either, even though this isn't as "dark" as the other.
April 13, 2011
Rain, was a five year old little girl that watch her mother get murder. The killer put the gun right in her mouth and blew her brains out all over the wall. She went mute for two years because she was so affraid of what might happen to her. She moved with her grandmother Gigi and her other two siblings Danny and Carmen. Carmen didnt like Rain because she was getting all of the attention, she had so much hate in her that she wanted to know why her mother send her and her brother away to foster care. Rain memory had went away of her mother death, but it start back coming to her every day. She was confuse and hurt that she couldnt remember her mother at all. That's all I'm going to say I have to read part2
March 27, 2015
Perfect Title!
Just when you think you have the ending figured out, Monique snaps her fingers and says, "Gotcha." At least that's what she in my head as I read the ending. The story leading up to the ending had me a little...ehh. I felt like Danny's character didn't fit in the mold of Monique's writing ability but I was slightly silenced as his story got better. The only characters I liked or felt for were Rain and Gigi. Everybody else irked me.
The ending shocked me and left me confused. Some things made sense with the revelation while others had me scratching my head until I finally connected all the dots.
Yes the beginning was slow, but when it picked up it picked up and I'm glad I decided to finally read this book. I HIGHLY recommend it to everybody.
Just when you think you have the ending figured out, Monique snaps her fingers and says, "Gotcha." At least that's what she in my head as I read the ending. The story leading up to the ending had me a little...ehh. I felt like Danny's character didn't fit in the mold of Monique's writing ability but I was slightly silenced as his story got better. The only characters I liked or felt for were Rain and Gigi. Everybody else irked me.
The ending shocked me and left me confused. Some things made sense with the revelation while others had me scratching my head until I finally connected all the dots.
Yes the beginning was slow, but when it picked up it picked up and I'm glad I decided to finally read this book. I HIGHLY recommend it to everybody.
October 27, 2010
I figured out by the second chapter that she had multiple personalities. It was a great read, though. Carmen, Danny, and Rain each went through different experiences. It's amazing what the mind does to cope with trauma. The book also made me think about how institutionalizing people isn't always best for them. Rain was left alone in her hospital room with Carmen and Danny. She never received the help she needed. I was unprepared for who her mother's killer was. That was a shocker. It did raise a red flag for me when he didn't seem bothered by Carmen and Rain together. Monique Mensah is a great author and I can't wait to read what she puts out next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2010
Unpredictable
Rain was forced to witness an unspeakable tragedy at a young age. She was sent to the care of her grandmother, who later decides it’s time for Rain to face her demons in order to be healed. Rain fights the memories she's suppressed out of fear. Slowly, she starts to remember and the events that follow can only be described as unbelievable.
“Inside Rain” is full of surprises! I loved it! This book falls into the ‘must read’ category.
Reviewed by: Iesha
Rain was forced to witness an unspeakable tragedy at a young age. She was sent to the care of her grandmother, who later decides it’s time for Rain to face her demons in order to be healed. Rain fights the memories she's suppressed out of fear. Slowly, she starts to remember and the events that follow can only be described as unbelievable.
“Inside Rain” is full of surprises! I loved it! This book falls into the ‘must read’ category.
Reviewed by: Iesha
August 21, 2010
Wow! I've waited for someone to fill the hole left in my heart by the death of J. California Cooper and to fullfill the quitness left by Gloria Naylor, Alice Walker and Terry Mcmillan. I've been looking for that next great African American writer and Monique D. Mensah has touched my soul. Inside Rain is unbelivable, Soul stiring and heart pounding. A must read from beginning to end.
August 3, 2011
Another great suspense novel. The author is excellent at pulling you into the story, characters, and what you think you know, then she hits you with the hidden plot or twist you can't believe you missed. Awesome read! I'm moving on to her third novel "Smoke Screen" tomorrow. I can't wait to dive in.
December 18, 2011
From the beginning this book had my interest. There were many juicy parts along the way but I still didn't expect the surprise at the end. This is my second book that I've read of Ms. Mensah and so far I enjoy her style. She seems to strive for the unpredictable twists and endings for her stories. Very enjoyable read. Next up is Smoke Screen ;-).
September 18, 2013
I finished this book so long ago I actually finished all 3 in the series. I just want to say I love Ms. Mensah's writing style. She truly keeps you guessing and thinking. And I'm her friend on facebook and she is a really down to earth girl. Keep up the good work cause you have truly gained a lifetime fan.
January 31, 2016
Totally mind blow. This book evoked so much emotion out of me because the constant tribulation going on in Rain's life from start to finish. When reading this book definitely expect the unexpected because something that appears to be one thing may in turn be something totally different. A real eclectic book.
November 10, 2011
My all-time favorite Mensah book. This book read like an adrenaline rush that didn't subside until the last period.
and... yours truly wrote the poetry, but that's not why I love it so much. Inside Rain was just different.
and... yours truly wrote the poetry, but that's not why I love it so much. Inside Rain was just different.
September 22, 2011
I wasn't expecting the twist! I wanted to give this book 3 stars for being slow but it began to pick up once "Jay-Jay" came on the scene... The author did a great job with the twist and the end! I loved it.
May 15, 2014
I somewhat enjoyed this book. I couldn't see why this book is in a series. I must have missed something in the first book. Both books where entirely different. The ending took me me by surprise. Just trying to see how this book relates to the first book in the series.
June 7, 2011
I loved this book!
January 18, 2011
Outstanding! What a ride and then she hit me with a left hook!
March 8, 2011
Check out my review of Inside Rain here http://blacksmithenterprises.blogspot...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews