September - October 2004
 Counting Raindrops Through A Stained Glass Window
by Cherlyn Michaels
Counting Raindrops Through A Stained Glass Window, Cherlyn Michaels’ debut novel is a story of pretense and the changing attitudes about marriage with a different twist. There may be no venom more toxic or corrosive than that flung around by a couple whose relationship has begun to crumble. Marriage and commitment are main staples usually paired when discussing the merits of a meaningful relationship, but it’s precisely this that the author’s main character, Vanella Morris is concerned with as she contemplates the obvious. The gist of the story follows Vanella’s belief that the best way to ruin a relationship is to marry the man you love. This story of pretense and playing a game of cat and mouse fuels efforts to convince her fiancée Alton, to skip the wedding and opt for a common-law arrangement. Of course, this puts a strain on the relationship, and the rest of the book delves in their individual and collective trials and tribulations to salvage it as it defines the fear of commitment. An unexpected fork in the road is added to the plot that causes both to reassess their stances and to take a deeper look at what it really means to be equally yoked, and stay on course for the sake of love. Fears bordering on maintaining balance for functional well-being are concerns she labors with, but will stability suffice in finding the happiness that has eluded her own family? Can she achieve all of this with her boyfriend Alton, without conditions and no uncompromising situations? These are just a few questions that have to be answered.
Counting Raindrops Through A Stained Glass Window is filled with interesting and entertaining forays of emotional angst. There’s more to this story as it moves moderately with highs and lows introducing other familial emotions that gives each character a chance to illustrate points of contention, i.e., Alton trying to handle rejection knowing that Vanella is the center of his world, a sister who manages to spell trouble many different ways, a brother with unique problems and a mother with concerns of her own.
Taking nothing away from the writing style, Cherlyn Michaels has written a book that will be compared favorably with others of this sort, especially among fellow debut authors looking for legitimacy. I felt that the book had enough oomph to depict a unique point of view to make this an interesting read. It deftly captures the pain and indecision people may face when looking to do the right things, but somehow finds it not going the way it should. The fun of it is finding the right groove to stick and stay. I read this book, enjoyed the storyline and was relieved that there wasn’t predictability undermining the author’s intent. I liked the fact that she boldly turns the tables in challenging the institution of modern day marriage in how she structured her characters, reflecting the attitude that is common in today’s setting. Rarely do you find the female lead in a story of this magnitude bearing the fear of marital commitment. I look forward to reading more from this talented writer and feel that good storytelling is not lost on her. Buy this book!
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