The Rains of Liberia

In the sequel to "The Winds of Darfur," Hazel Reitz takes Dr. Samantha James from the desert sands of Eastern Chad to the tropical rains of West Africa. As the book opens, Sam has put the trials of her first months behind her and is happy with her work as a doctor in the Darfur refugee camps, with her role as Mom to adopted son, Ali, and with her growing relationship with Stefano Morelli. But her life is thrown into turmoil by revenge-seeking rebels and Stefano's imminent transfer to Liberia. Forced to leave, she reluctantly agrees to join Stefano but rejects his marriage proposal. Sam teams up with an outspoken and dynamic Liberian deputy minister of health, who is determined to rebuild her country's health service devastated by years of war. The unexpected arrival of Stefano's former love fuels Sam insecurities. The turmoil in her romantic life and her struggles to deal with tropical downpours, driver ants, witch doctors and near riots all pale when Sam's past comes back to haunt her and unexpected events threaten her hopes and happiness.