By Carolyn Maxwell

The story takes place in New Jersey. The year is 2012. The two main characters are a couple from very different but similar backgrounds. It is a love story about a couple who are heading towards graduation from high school and what turns out to be the happiest and most rewarding times of their lives is turned upside down.

Eralides E. Cabrerra

This couple is so much alike where they share the same passion for the same sport (basketball) which is their ticket to a free education at one of the finest universities in New Jersey. They were both born on the same day and the passion that they share for the sport of basketball is only exceeded by their passion for each other.

John Russell is a smart and gifted athlete who is the product of a Jewish mother who married a gentile. Because of this, his mother was ostracized by her immediate family. Despite her family turning on her when she married she kept her maiden may of Silber. Vanessa, a young black woman is just as smart and is a gifted athlete just like John. When John and Vanessa first meet it was an immediate attraction that grew stronger each day and eventually grew into a deep love.

Their world turned upside down when John’s father, Dave was let go of a job that he held for over 30 years. John’s mother, Joan who I expect was the strongest member of the family because of what she went through when her family disowned her. Dave Russell was the type of man who never wanted his wife to work and could not accept the fact that she may need to do so to help out for the partial loss of his income to sustain their way of living.

The Russell’s knew that their son was infatuated with this new girl and the first time that Joan Silber met the object of her son’s affection, she was moved by Vanessa’s beauty. But that was not enough for Joan, for all she could see was not how smart and well suited a match Vanessa would be for her son, but Joan only thought about the hardship her son would have by getting involved with someone from a different ethnic and religious background.

One would have thought that she would have been pleased that John was so happy to find someone who had the same ideals, was smart and talented and who brought such joy into his life, especially after he had to assume the responsibility of growing up very quickly after an unforeseen and unfortunate incident.

Throughout the story which took place in a few months’ timeframe what was also constant was the steady rain. Maybe this atmosphere was a clue that this couple would endure hard times, but at the end would conquer all the obstacles thrown in their path.

Vanessa’s passion for John causes her to go into a place that a young woman should never have to experience. Fortunately for Vanessa, her mother, Evelyn is very protective of her and understands Vanessa’s strong connection and need for John to be in her life.

Of all of the characters in the story, Evelyn is the one who turned out to be the strongest and most sensitive. She can be a lesson to us all that when there is love that is strong between two people no one and nothing can stand in their way.

John and Vanessa eventually marry but unfortunately only two people are present to see them do so before a judge. That is John’s best friend from school and Vanessa’s mother.

I have talked to the author, Mr. Cabrera about perhaps doing follow-ups on certain characters in his books. The women in his books always seem stronger than their men. In the book, “It’s Raining Tonight” I was hoping that Vanessa’s character would be a little stronger and I was taken aback by an incident that happened to her. I would love to have Mr. Cabrera do a follow-up on John and Vanessa’s marriage taking place on their ten year anniversary to see if the glue that held him together is still strong.

I would recommend this book to be read by those who may be in a similar situation, but I would caution those reading the book not to take a drastic measure as Vanessa did. You’ll have to read the book to see what I mean. For what Vanessa did was not the way to go, and you may not have a mother like she had to prevent a tragedy.

John and Vanessa gave up a wonderful opportunity which I felt was not necessary, but I am not the author of this story. I would be curious to see if others feel the way that I do. Mr. Cabrera has told me in the past that he never revisits his characters. I’m hoping that he takes my suggestion and breaks his rule and does a follow up on John and Vanessa’s story.

About the Author: Mr. Cabrera is an attorney in New Jersey and is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School. He specializes in fictional love and dramatic stories. His books are available online at www.authorhouse.com and at his law office in Perth Amboy.