In this second book of the Atherton Saga, the residents are chosen. There are many personalities that make up a "community" and success depends on selecting the right people. Those generous individuals who have already joined the efforts to provide a "leg up" to others are struggling to choose the applicants who will be best served by the mission of Atherton. So many are deserving of the opportunity to live here, but only a few can be chosen.
If you had the choice, who would you choose as your neighbor and coworker?
Would you be someone your neighbor would choose to share a their struggles and successes with?
Finding a person’s true character when they know they are being screened for a position they desperately want can be a difficult task.
Elizabeth does not let her identity be know to the group and becomes “one of the applicants” to get an insider look at the potential residents. A pair of corporate team builders is hired to run the retreat along with Luke. Ms. Lotta Money drops in and is introduced as the project financier and many try to impress her because they believe she is the one making the selections. Bert and Bea, Crispin & his daughter, Evelynn, and the Phillip Stoddard also pose as applicants even though they are already granted positions. This will help ensure compatibility between them and whoever is selected. Elsie is also a destined to be selected before she arrives, but we don’t tell her that. Matt and Mark are thrown in as “fake” applicants to see how the others deal with incompetence and to eaves drop for the team. They plan to publish the exclusive story. By the end, [one of them] decides to start his own paper here in Atherton, [the other] goes back and writes a favorable article. Everyone has brought their pets, children, spouses, etc. because they are part and parcel of the whole project. Someone is rejected because of their children’s lack of upbringing and their admitted unwillingness to allow the “village” to intervene. Another applicant, who is chosen, declines because his wife is not “into it” but we find a niche for him in the form of a “day” job.
Throughout the week, there are many tasks and games. Each person is made to direct, not participate in, an activity in his or her field of expertise. Bert has everyone turning compost and digging irrigation, later Bea is having them make preserves. Crispin directs the preparation of the Awards Banquet and his daughter teaches how to create a saltaire.
Evelynn teaches everyone enough calligraphy to make their own place cards. Elsie oversees the building of the corral for the lamas. Matt & Mark teach folding a newspaper into a boat and [something else as frivolous]. Other applicants each teach something they are assigned which is in their field. We can accomplish 3 tasks each morning and 3 each afternoon; other activities are done in the evening.
The final selections are made by discussion of the core group: Elizabeth, B&B, Crispin & daughter, Evelynn, Stoddard, Matt & Mark, Elsie, …plus those we are pretty sure of before the end of the week. A second group is made up of everyone else (even numbers) and facilitators take good notes. After both groups are done discussing, the two facilitators, Elizabeth, Luke, Clarissa (Mrs. Roberts), a College Sociology professor [male], a HS football coach, Ms. M’s Bodyguard/Assistant [female], and two high school students [one male, one female] review the recommendations and confirm the final selections of the core group.
In the end, the “winners” will get a key to their new home and the “losers” will be given a scholarship or stipends of some sort. That way, everyone who came gets what is best for themselves—some will do best at Atherton and others really needed something else, which they will receive. Everyone leaves with a way to become successful in their chosen feild, thanks to the generosity of Ms.M.
Suspenseful and close to home, Rain of Deception 2 will leave you in Tears. Much like Part 1, this will shocking sequel will keep you on the edge of your fingertips.
A page-turning novel about a relationship between best friends that is interrupted because of betrayal , deceit, sexual promiscuity and pregnancy happens!
