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Sandra J. Jackson
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Playing In The Rain (Escape Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Sandra J. Jackson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 204 ratings
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When the effects of a hypnosis-inducing drug fade, April slowly begins a conscious awakening. Memories of her past are unclear, and she has no recollection of her identity or whereabouts.

As the days slip by, April realizes there is more to life than existing when she is introduced to an occupant who does just that - her sister. The more she learns about her environment, the more she wants to escape.

But can April remember her past, and her sister? Will she have the courage to leave - and if she does, where can she go?

A riveting story of suspense set in a post-apocalyptic world, 'Playing In The Rain' is the first book in Sandra J. Jackson's Escape Series.

Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Escape Series
  2. Print length
    455 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    March 7, 2018
  6. Reading age
    13 - 18 years
  7. Grade level
    8 - 12
  8. File size
    3020 KB
  9. Page Flip
    Enabled
  10. Word Wise
    Enabled
  11. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

5-starsReviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' FavoritePlaying in the Rain: When All That Matters is Freedom by Sandra J. Jackson is the first book in the author's Escape Series. It starts with an awakening in a sterile hospital after the teen protagonist, A2, is kidnapped. Unable to even recognize herself in the mirror, it is slowly revealed that she is trapped in an aesculapian facility called C.E.C.I.L.: Contagion Eradication Center for Intelligent Life. Attending to her is Jasper, who pumps her body full of pharmaceuticals and occasionally dispenses information, disclosing to A2 that another shut-in named B2 is, in fact, her sister. Hints about the life they had before the experiment begin to intensify following a lab fire and the introduction of the true antagonist, prophetically named Cecil himself, which fuel the survivor's longing to escape.

Playing in the Rain by Sandra J. Jackson is a slow burn of a story. While it is instantly engrossing, Jackson has masterfully crafted a narrative that unravels itself with each page, which is refreshing in a time where information-dumping has become the norm in the genre as a whole. It would be a mistake to take the unhurried revelations as sluggish; the pacing is absolutely perfect and the building of suspense is first rate. The plot is unique and the writing is tight and crisp, complete with dialogue that comes across as authentic despite an artificially inspired environment. I would recommend this book to readers who adore intelligent thrillers, suspense, mysteries with strong female leads, and a narrative that allows for the measured development of an excellent story.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07B9WH8KS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Next Chapter (March 7, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 7, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3020 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 455 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B087SJRBRR
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 204 ratings

About the author

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Sandra J. Jackson

Sandra J. Jackson

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A graduate of a 3-year Graphic Design program, Sandra J. Jackson has always been creative, from drawing and painting to telling stories to her children when they were young. Her wild imagination lends itself to new and exciting ideas.

Sandra’s debut novel, Promised Soul, was originally released in 2015 by her former publisher. A short story, Not Worth Saving, was published in New Zenith Magazine’s 2016 fall issue. She also has had several sports articles published in a local newspaper. She holds a professional membership with the Canadian Author Association and is a member of Writers’ Ink. Sandra’s second novel, Playing in the Rain - Book 1 of the Escape Series, released in September 2017 also by the same former publisher.

Sandra lives with her family in a rural setting in Eastern, Ontario. She is currently working on Book 3 of the Escape Series, her first trilogy.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
204 global ratings
If you love YA dystopian, read this!
5 Stars
If you love YA dystopian, read this!
Sandra J. Jackson writes this post-apocalyptic escape thriller that keeps the reader fully engaged. The story follows April and her sister as the wake up from a drug-induced state to realize they are stuck in some scientific facility. The girls must choose to stay where they are, or risk going out into the world they know nothing about.Usually, in a post-apocalyptic series, the first book is all world-building. This was not the case for Playing in the Rain. The first installment did a great job of describing the environment that the main characters were in, but the overall world is still a mystery. Normally, I would say that this is lazy writing not to give a broad picture of what the world is. But I thought the author did a great job of teasing the reader for the chaos that awaits them outside their room.Jackson's writing was straightforward, descriptive, and easy to understand. I was never confused while reading, and I could picture every scene clearing in my head.I loved reading about the two main characters. I found myself rooting for the girls to escape the whole time. I only had one problem with the characters. I found their immaturity to be annoying.My favorite part of the novel was the ending. I was delighted with the girl's situation at the end of the story, and I can't wait for the next book.My least favorite part was the girl's immaturity. I understand why they were acting like children because they didn't have their memories, but I still found myself rolling my eyes at some of the things they did or said.I give Playing in the Rain 4.5 out of 5 stars. I took away half a star because of the behavior and language of the girls. There was nothing wrong with it from a literary point of view, but it was something personal that I couldn't get over. Overall, I thought the story was original and clever. I enjoyed discovering the world as the girls did. It kept me engaged to compare my reactions to the girls as they slowly pieced together their world.If you like Room, The Hunger Games, The Darkest Minds, or other escape thrillers/ post-apocalyptic YA books, then this is for you.
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Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Intense
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2021
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This story had me gripped from start to finish. It was amazing how much tension there was considering the setting and how few characters there were. The layering of information and questions were perfectly done, leaving me so deliciously hungry for answers that I couldn't stop eating the words. As the clouds cleared for A2 she grew into a character who was easy to cheer for and B2 grew into one I also adored but in a way that I wanted to take care of her. I was intrigued by Jasper and had and instant distaste for Cecil. Nothing about this was predictable. It had a unique story, style, and voice. To say too much about the plot aside from what the blurb says would steal the tension and that really is the shining point for me. I will absolutely be reading the next part and highly recommend this one.
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Joy Johnson (#TheDeathDealerDiaries)
4.0 out of 5 stars A Read That Will Leave You Wanting More
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2020
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Playing in the Rain is a mystery and an apocalyptic tale all wrapped in one! I enjoyed the thrill of finding out every little detail of the main heroin's history. Every time she met Jasper, or remembered something new was a thrill. I loved her days at C.E.C.I.L. for the fresh details, and personal point of view that outlined her every thought and feeling. It really made you feel like you were there in the cold, sterile room with her; going through all the emotions of a human caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse where the cat is actually your own mind hidden from you by a drug induced state. My only complaint is that I want more of the story, and am left desiring the answers to more of the questions the book leaves open ended. A great read!
One person found this helpful
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Marge K
3.0 out of 5 stars A young adult story
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2019
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I actually enjoy some of the young adult stories out there, but I feel they should be advertised as such, this is how this book read. It was actually a pretty good story. The author did get lazy with throwing in profanity towards the end of the book - but she didn’t take my Lord’s name in vain, for which I applaud her. 1 F bomb and about a dozen “milder” profanities.
3 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars What secrets are being hidden?
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2019
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This novel follows two young women first known as A2 and B2. They are captives in a facility known as C.E.C.I.L. They are given injections every day. I should mention one is to wipe out memories and another is a vaccine. The attendant giving the injections is known as J, later Jason. He has been deliberately lowering the dosage on the memory blocker and A2 regains her memories (though not all) more rapidly. She realizes that B2 is her younger sister. The book never explains the reason for the vaccine, but you later realize something is killing everyone. The institutions name is for the founder of the place. The younger gradually regains some memories. Cecil, obviously controlling and evil will make an appearance. Then Jason moves them to a dark room somewhere in a forest and they are no longer permitted to go to an exercise room, there are no showers. No clean clothes, and lesser amounts of food. Even the injections cease as Jason is too ill to administer them. A window high above is accessible by climbing a tall cabinet. Eventually, only Cecil brings less food, and the window is blocked. An electrical lamp provided as they continue to waste away. Suddenly another glimpse of sunlight offers another escape. It is never explained why Cecil and Jason have imprisoned them and others who have died. Cecil is obviously ill as he nearly collapses on them. They know they must leave the safety of confinement or die. Very well written and illuminates the psychology of prisoners dependent upon their captive.
One person found this helpful
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Chris
4.0 out of 5 stars A Dystopian Novel Reminiscent of Wool
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2017
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Great cover. Reading this reminded me of Wool by Hugh Howey. The story was intriguing and you definitely wanted to know what was happening--why is this girl there? Who is she? And why was Jasper, the one attending to her, coming in every day giving her different vaccinations, so secretive? Is he a good guy? A bad guy? Who is Cecil and why is he so secretive? What is the true agenda? Since this is the first in a series I guess we will find this out in the next book.

All we know is some awful disease has come to pass. A1, who we later find out is April, is in a facility called C.E.C.I.L, Contagion Eradication Center for Intelligent Life. I envision this facility to be stark white for some reason. Ironically it was named after the man running it, aka Cecil. April, a teenager, has no or little memory and has lost years of her life. She is trying to piece it together. She sleeps a lot because of the drugs, and her waking hours are heavily regulated. In moves another girl, B2, who she discovers is her sister, or so Jasper tells her if Jasper is to be trusted.

Something happens and both girls are moved to another place with little food, except what is doled out by Cecil on his irregular visits. There is little light except what is coming through a dingy window too high for them to reach. There is a cabinet with clothes and objects holding the key to their past lives. We go on this journey of discovery with them as they try to unravel the past and escape from their prison and captor, Cecil.
One person found this helpful
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Kat Pharis
5.0 out of 5 stars The title caught my interest…
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2023
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But not sure how it relates to the story. I did, however, enjoy the book and plan on reading the next in this sequel. It kept my interest.
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Tlegu
2.0 out of 5 stars A bit harsh I suppose
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2023
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Ok. Couldn't get past page 136. Gave up on
it, kept waiting and waiting for something, anything to put tension or even a hint of worry. Nada. Big question so far is what is her sisters name. This might be okay for a bored preteen with a below grade reading level, but thriller it is not.
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Jane
5.0 out of 5 stars Don't let the slow start fool you; this is one captivating story!
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2019
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I love post-apocalyptic stories. This one started really, really slowly (I usually prefer the books that start with a bang) but when it got going it really got going! In retrospect, I think the slow start is on purpose: The author wants us to experience what the main character April is experiencing every step of the way, and she has done an excellent job of that. The tension slowly builds up, and once I was hooked, I found it difficult to put the book down, wondering what would happen next and how the story ends. It is a very well written book and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good sci fi mystery.
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Top reviews from other countries

Sashadoo
5.0 out of 5 stars Real edge of your seat stuff
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2019
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I have to admit to being totally wrapped up in this tense and edgy book that I find difficult to label with any specific genre. It's so cleverly written in sucha way that we are kept as much in the dark about what's going on as the too young gjrls/women at the centre of the action.
April wakes up to find herself in an institution of some kind, not knowing how she got there, or what her name is. Everything she does is controlled by the man she knows only as J.
Daily injections, a feeding routine that never varies, clean underwear and dresses each day, and time set aside for reading and study.
You can just feel the tension building as she gradually starts to remember pieces of fragmented memories. When a new room mate is assigned to her J whispers to her that the newcomer is her sister. What sister? She has no memory of having had a sister.
Get the idea? This is a truly, almost scary read, keeping the reader always guessing whatthe heck is going on. I turned page after page, urgently seeking the truth along with April and her sister. Whether I discovered it or not is between me and the author. I'll leave it up to you to find out for yourself. A really quite remarkable read, and a definite 5 stars from me.
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ljreid
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in Canada on October 5, 2017
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I can't really define a specific genre that this book fits in but, it captured my attention at the start and kept it to the end. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
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S Kumar - Avid Buyer
4.0 out of 5 stars A1, B2 and CECIL
Reviewed in India on February 9, 2018
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This is the book for you if you are looking for mysteries revealed subtly and I was kept wondering - is this a thriller, a sci-fi or a YA? But eventually none of that matters because you are drawn into a carefully woven world where nothing is what it seems and mysteries abound. A1 gets B2 but there is another... and who is CECIL?
The authors style and detailing are amazing. I recommend this for a slow easy enjoyable read.
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Bobby Underwood
5.0 out of 5 stars Involving Read
Reviewed in Australia on October 5, 2017
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“Both Bethany and I realized that the room was transforming into our tomb.”

Though the author has been talking about this book for a while, the content and subject matter always seemed a bit vague, and now I understand why. For almost a third of the book, along with the protagonist, at first known only as A2, I wondered what was going on. It’s deftly done, involving the reader in her plight, and her thought processes concerning her circumstances. Those circumstances encompass who she is, where she is, how she came to be there, and perhaps, what she is. Is this Science Fiction? An involving tale of captivity? Is it both, or neither?

The important thing is that the reader is involved. In this type of tale especially, the narrative either needs to have great movement, or involve the reader until they’re invested in the outcome. There is a little of the former, and much of the latter, which is a good balance as this moment-to-moment, day-to-day narrative could become tedious if not well written. It skirts the edges a bit for a very brief time, but from the halfway point forward, there is a gradual mounting suspense. While it never reaches a fever pitch, it does become enthralling, and exciting.

It is that instance as a reviewer, when revealing too much can ruin this for the reader. Basically, there is a hospital or lab called C.E.C.I.L. at which A2, and then B2, find themselves trapped. There are drugs and cameras, and only hazy memories. Someone named Jasper becomes an ally, or does he? Who is Cecil, what is Cecil, and why is it imperative that A2 not reveal that she’s become self-aware, and is beginning to remember? She remembers her name, then recalls who B2 is, and her name. A2 finally recalls enough to work out her own age, and that of B2, only multiplying her questions; questions she cannot ask:

“What is this place? Who is watching us? Why do we have to act like we’re robots?”

There is a breakout that is not their salvation, just a different, creepier venue. A necklace, a cabinet, a window high up which reveals the woods outside, all offer hope. There is a moment when all hope appears lost that is quite poignant in this nearly claustrophobic narrative. The ending was terrific, being satisfying and complete, but at the same time promising more, as we need answers to other questions. It also left me back at point A, because I still wondered if this was in the future — because of some revelations about their captivity I won’t reveal — or something more diabolical.

I really enjoyed this, the first third and the last third the best parts for me. It’s bereft of blood and gore, yet has a quiet tension, and the threat of danger. It captures the boredom and restlessness of any captivity, and the very human need for hope. This is the author’s second book, and it really shows. This is a nice piece of storytelling, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, to find out more. Highly recommended!
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Dawn bolton
4.0 out of 5 stars A long but well-written novel about two girls trying to escape their captor.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2021
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A young girl comes out of a dream drug that has made her forget who she is and where she comes from. She is advised by a man who brings food to her high-tech prison that she should pretend she has not woken from the dream. Another girl comes who she finds is her sister. They are transferred to a wooden hut with little food and are visited by the mysterious Cecil who she believes is her captor. The story progresses as they try to escape their prison. Tense and atmospheric, the story develops. This is part one. I look forward to reading the next part.
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