Secrets and Rain: a heart-warming short story collection

by Cally Taylor

Twelve magical stories from the award-winning author of HEAVEN CAN WAIT and HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. Grab a drink, put up your feet and lose yourself in these heart-warming tales of love, loss and hope. Peep inside the ‘Little Box of Wishes’, discover how ‘Two Red Balloons’ heal a rift between a mother and daughter and fall in love with Alfred, the ‘Rent-a-Cat’.

If you’re a fan of the fiction in women's magazines you’ll love this collection of Cally's previously published stories. Also included – and available online for the first time - three prizewinning stories: ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘My Daughter the Deep Sea Diver’ and ‘Under the Waves’.

'Secrets and Rain is a treasure trove brimming over with captivating stories of life, loss and love. A truly wonderful collection that you won't want to end!'
*Miranda Dickinson*, Sunday Times Bestseller (Fairytale of New York)

'Each one of these stories is a wonderful glimpse into a moment in someone else's life. Poignant, moving, funny and always uplifting - Cally's stories are the perfect escape.'
*Kate Harrison* (The Secret Shopper)

'A magical collection of stories packed full of charm, humour and pathos. Delightful.'
*Scarlett Bailey* (Santa Maybe)

'Secrets and Rain is like dipping into a box of handmade chocolates - some stories are sweet, some are dark but each one is a perfectly-crafted pleasure!'
*Holly Hepburn* (Cupidity)

"If you decide that you would like to buy this book, and I highly recommend that you do, please do be prepared to have at least one box of tissues at the ready. There will be tears! I can however also promise lots of love, laughter and hope!"
*kimthebookworm.blogspot.co.uk*

119 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 16, 2013

About the author

Cally Taylor lives in Bristol with her boyfriend, baby son and their ridiculously large DVD/book/music collection. She shares her 'study' with the washing machine and surf board and writes her novels in any spare moments she can squeeze in between the day job and her social network addiction . She started writing fiction in 2005 and her short stories have won several awards and been published by a variety of women's magazines. Her debut novel Heaven Can Wait has been translated in 13 languages and was voted 'Debut Novel of the Year' by chicklitreviews.com and chicklitclub.com. Home for Christmas is her second novel.

Cally's third book, psychological suspense novel "The Accident" (written as CL Taylor) will be published by Avon HarperCollins in April 2014 and in the US as 'Before I Wake' in June 2014.

Cally's CL Taylor alter ego is on Goodreads too. Do friend her!

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

You can find out more about Cally on her website - www.callytaylor.co.uk - or read her blog at http://writing-about-writing.blogspot...

Reviews

[Tex · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Secrets And Rain” (SAR) is a collection of short stories by British author Cally Taylor.

Probably better known for her psychological thrillers (written under the name C L Taylor) this collection of tales (12 previously published and one never before published) is where Taylor first cut her teeth in the published works world.

Each story is a joy to read and Taylor’s major themes throughout include love, loss, family, of moving on, and of rediscovery. My personal favourites were “The Little Box Of Wishes”, “Marry Me Man”, “Rent-A-Cat”, “Penguins And Promises”, and “Bad Luck Charm”.

With all of the bad that is happening in the world SAR is a lovely book to read to just warm the cockles of your heart.

SAR will make you smile, laugh, and cry and gets 4 Penguin chocolate biscuits out of 5.

[Susan Blissett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of short stories about love and loss. Some of the stories made me feel quite emotional and that just goes to show how good Cally’s storytelling ability is even within short stories. They draw you in quickly and you become invested in the characters and their lives. I have always loved Cally’s newer work but I am now keen to read some of Cally’s older novels which I haven’t read yet, even though I usually enjoy thrillers.

[Jan Moens · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10

[Isabell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Cally Taylor's (written as C.L. Taylor) psychological thriller The Accident, which blew me away, I was curious to find out how well she can write women's fiction. Let me tell you, she is doing an outstanding job in both genres. Secrets and Rain is an anthology of thirteen short stories by Cally Taylor which were published in several magazines before.

There was not a single story I did not like. With every story Taylor managed to touch me in so many ways. Some stories left me with a smile on my face and a heart-warming feeling inside, other made me sad and had quite an impact on me. Writing short stories is not an easy job because many people think there is something misssing or they can't build any connection to the story or the characters. I think these stories are complete and make you all feel satisfied. What I like most about these stories is that the characters and the stories they bring with them feel so real, they have real depth and makes it so easy to connect to them all.

Taylor has beautifully written about topics most women can relate to. The characters are dealing with the search for love, self-discovery, bereavement, infertility and many more. If you have not read anything by Taylor, this collection of short stories might be the best way to start. I highly recomend this book.

[Katey Lovell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets and Rain is a collection of stories written by Cally Taylor, author of Heaven Can Wait and Home for Christmas. I sometimes find short stories frustrating as there are obviously limits to how much you can learn about characters and how much empathy you can have for them when reading just a few thousand words. However, Cally Taylor has managed to write beautiful short stories that capture the quirks and emotions of the characters within them. Dealing with the search for love, bereavement and infertility amongst other subjects that women will relate to, Secrets and Rain is a thought-provoking collection that will make you appreciate what you have.



I read the stories over two sittings as I was enjoying them so much. I could have devoured them all in one go but for pacing myself. As stand alone stories they would also be perfect for reading in those quiet five minutes- coffee breaks, bus journeys, sat on the loo! The stories are all well structured and I felt satisfied by the endings, something I don't always say when talking about this genre.



If you are a fan of short stories or women's fiction in general, I'd recommend Secrets and Rain. Cally Taylor's novels have been popular and well read, but in my opinion her short stories are her triumph.

[Suzie Tullett · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are twelve stories in all and although I read the book in one sitting, it's perfect if you want something to dip in and out of. Some of the stories made me smile and some of them actually made me feel choked. Probably because throughout each of the characters were well drawn and in situations that many of us can relate to in some way x

[Tony Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely anthology of award winning stories from one of the UK's best writers. I loved Penguins and Promises because my mom also has a chocolate drawer and Wish You Were Here, was for me the gem of the anthology!. If you haven't read any Cally Taylor then Secrets and Rain is the perfect place to start, oh and its a nice quick read.

[Laura Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really admire writers who can get across such emotion and make you connect with the characters in such a short amount of words. How can a story of a few pages make you cry? But this book did, again and again.

[Chrissie Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Such beautiful stories. Cally is a great writer and I can't wait to read more of her work. This is a nice book to curl up with on a lazy evening or a Summers day with.

[Pat Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these short stories! Bite sized, for when you've only a short time to read, but each was simply delightful. Promise!