Touch of Rain: An Autumn Rain Mystery

A detective with a hint of the paranormal, filled with suspense, love and betrayal. Touch of Rain by Teyla Branton is a compelling story you can’t stop reading until you’ve devoured it whole. The Story The story starts when one day Mrs. Fullmer comes to ask Autumn for aid. By using her talent, Autumn can read the imprint on items belonging to Mrs. Fullmer’s missing daughter and discovers that she went away on her own accord with people who seem to belong to a cult. When Jake, her "just friend" shopkeeper next door, then recognizes the description of the man the girl left with and knows that this cult group can be found down at the river, Autumn goes to check it out. Shocked to recognize the man from the imprint as part of the group, she then stumbles into an adventure when a private investigator named Ethan McConnell appears and asks her help to search for his missing sister. Coincidentally, his sister has left with the same group. During their adventure they get aid from Autumn’s pregnant sister, Tawnia, who recently discovered she has a special skill of her own. And of course there’s Detective Shannon Martin, someone Autumn has helped on cases before, who despite his suspicion of her being a fraud mingles himself in the case. The Experience Teyla has a very pleasant writing style. She gives details and emotions and meticulously slips in tiny bits of history about the characters, so smoothly you want to congratulate her on giving so much background details wrapped up in descriptions in such a way that the reader hardly notices how they are presented to us. Like presents that we can unwrap. By the end of the story we know a lot, about each character, and we love many of them to bits - and despise some as well. Despite the hints of paranormal aspects - things that might put some people off- the characters remain credible as realistic human beings. Despite Autumn and Tawnia having uncommon skills, they still have their faults and weaknesses. In fact, Autumn’s faults might be the reason she stumbles into this adventure in the first place. A Paranormal Detective This case will fascinate you and enrapture you till the end. I had a hard time putting this book down in order to cook and do other daily chores - it just was that compelling. Once you get into the tale, and you dive in very smoothly, you will want to know the characters’ motives. Why have they done what they did? Why did those girls leave with the group? What is Harmony Farms? Will Ethan keep his word? Is Detective Shannon an enemy or a friend? Can Spring and Silverstar escape the abuse? And will they come out alive? What’s up with Inclar? Why does Gabe give me the creeps? Is Harmony the real evil genius behind this all? Can Korin help Autumn in the end? So many questions that are on the verge to be answered and before you know it you’re two-hundred pages into the story. If the descriptions above tingle and tickle your interest, then this book will definitely be the thing for you. Different from a standard detective but all the sweeter because of it, I highly recommend this book, the first of a series, to any fan of detectives, but also to fans of paranormal characters, as well as readers of the darker fantasy tales. I’m looking forward to a new adventure by Teyla’s hand.

Autumn's gift, reading emotions on objects, can often be a taxing burden - physically, mentally and emotionally. Jake, her best friend is able to lessen the burden, while sparking another type of interest! And then there Det. Detective Shannon Martin... Thrilling, gratifying paranormal romance! Admired how Autumn and Tawnia are both spirited, strong women. Crazy about Jake's strength and his feelings for Autumn. 3 1/2 stars, would have been 4 except: Jake's hairstyle is called locks. Calling them dreadlocks is not a good thing. Voluntarily read ARC for honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the quirkiness of the main character, as well as her special gifts. The story line kept me interested and had some surprising turns I would not have predicted. The book had a little romance mixed with a bit of the paranormal, as well as mystery and thrills, all of which kept me reading to the end and wanting more. I look forward to reading more of Teyla's work, and more in this particular timeline with this particular main character. I don't know if Teyla intends to mix this timeline with some of her other works, but she could definitely make that work.