When The Rain Begins To Burn
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The bones are piling up, Judah...
While traveling across the country on a much needed vacation, Noland and Judah Calhoun stop to appreciate the scenic views of the Appalachian wilderness. To shield themselves from the less-than-friendly locals as they rest from their long journey, Judah parks their RV in the middle of a clearing well off the beaten path. A concerning storm rolls in overhead, shifting the sky to a sickly green that drowns out the night sky with a thunderous roar...
Waking the next morning to discover the wheels of their RV have sunk deep into the saturated ground, Judah steps outside to assess the situation. Within seconds, his flesh is set alight as the unnatural rain begins to eat away at his hand. The storm rapidly consumes the skin and sinew of living creatures, turning the once peaceful clearing into a boneyard. Stranded and unable to leave the supernatural tempest, Judah and Noland must weather the storm together, facing not only the horrors of nature, but their own personal demons they refused to acknowledge for far too long.
All the while, the bones start to pile up...
- Edits by Heidi Bechard of Midnight Edit, LLC
- Cover Art by Chris Shehan
- ISBN - 979-8-9890014-0-8
- 3 out of 5 🌶️
- Comes with a free bonus zine and sticker (while supplies last)!
- Body Rep: T1 Diabetes, PTSD, Anxiety,
- Queer Rep: Bi and Gay
- FINAL PRINT RUN
5 available
When The Rain Begins To Burn is the debut novella for horror author A.L. Davidson. This harrowing slow burn eco-horror romance is equal parts sensual and scary, and was made possible by the kind people over on Kickstarter.
When The Rain Begins To Burn is a 2023 Indie Ink Award nominee for Best Book Cover and Artist and Best Setting, a Queer Indie Award nominee for Best Horror, Best Novella, Best Debut, Best Book Cover, and Best Romantic Relationship, a 2025 BookTok Indie Author Awards nominee for Best Horror, and a BBNYA nominee.
If you enjoy Judah and Noland's story, please consider heading to Patreon to get access to more bonus stories set before and after this novella, as well as picking up a copy of the 18+ bonus zine As The Storm Starts To Pass which is set after the events of the main narrative (also available in the shop).
CWs: Strong language, strong gore and violence (including ecological and gun-based), lengthy scenes of a sexual nature, conversations about mental health including PTSD and anxiety, strong horror elements.
When The Rain Begins To Burn is a 2023 Indie Ink Award nominee for Best Book Cover and Artist and Best Setting, a Queer Indie Award nominee for Best Horror, Best Novella, Best Debut, Best Book Cover, and Best Romantic Relationship, a 2025 BookTok Indie Author Awards nominee for Best Horror, and a BBNYA nominee.
If you enjoy Judah and Noland's story, please consider heading to Patreon to get access to more bonus stories set before and after this novella, as well as picking up a copy of the 18+ bonus zine As The Storm Starts To Pass which is set after the events of the main narrative (also available in the shop).
CWs: Strong language, strong gore and violence (including ecological and gun-based), lengthy scenes of a sexual nature, conversations about mental health including PTSD and anxiety, strong horror elements.
What Readers are saying
“When the Rain Begins to Burn is a sweet romance wrapped in gruesome environmental horror. Davidson’s carefully-crafted lovers weather a perfect storm of grief and disaster, intent upon saving each other even as the situation degrades from hostile to hopeless — their gaze ever focused on majestic mountains, future vacation destinations, the lives they are surely meant to live. The narrative’s inherent sense of urgency balances against the uncertain gait of healing, ultimately finding resolution in the embrace of destruction, accepting that nothing can ever be the same again.” - LE Francis (author of THIS SPELL OF SONG & STAR)
“This story is an incredibly unique twist on forced isolation horror that will pull at your heartstrings. I loved Judah and Noland’s complicated relationship and how it thematically intertwined with the looming threat of the acidic rain. It’s as much a romantic story about the painful experience of healing as it is about environmental catastrophe.” - Luke W. Henderson, Comic Book Yeti
"It's no secret that Mother Nature is terrifying, but when she unleashes a new and unheard of storm and traps young couple Noland and Judah in their RV, they're forced to deal with both the unknown and their personal demons. It was impossible not to share their anxieties and terrors as they realize how dire their situation is, and you hope like hell they're able to survive!" - Tasha Reynolds, The Sinister Scoop
"Tens across the board. This novella is somehow horrific and cozy at the same time. If you’re someone who loves slice-of-life stories this is definitely for you. It does have its heavier moments (including some gore, so do be aware of that while going into it). I’ve never read an eco-horror romance but now this might be my favorite sub genre. I can’t remember where I found this but doesn’t matter, I will now be reading everything this author has written." - Kiana (via GoodReads)
"This is a fantastic read for those seeking a haunting and introspective horror story that explores the complexities of personal relationships and the terrors of the unknown. Come fo the dread and stay to see what happens to the cutest couple in horror history." - Chandra Claypool, Cemetery Dance
"I wish this was longer. I want to know Nolan and Judah’s relationship more deeply! But I enjoyed the story, and it ended exactly how I hoped it would." Samantha (via GoodReads)
"Judah and Noland are trapped together in their RV while outside the rain has suddenly become acid. Through the windows they witness deer and other animals have their skin melted off. They are both also recovering from a traumatic event. Despite their past and terrifying present situation, they are so sweet and caring towards each other. Also, I really like that this has excellent disability representation, as Noland has diabetes and Judah has anxiety. I'm really glad I found this on Godless, and I am definitely gonna read more stuff by A.L. Davidson." - Rachel (via GoodReads)
"This is easily one of the best things I’ve read. It was a mix of all the things I love. A gorgeous eco-horror with incredible character work. I am genuinely impressed by this story. Truly amazing work" - Brooke (via GoodReads)
"I spent the morning in bed and devoured this book! I’ve never gone through such an array of emotions in under 140 pages. We get such a meaningful glimpse into a period of healing in Noland and Judah’s relationship, set against the beginnings of an apocalyptic shift in their outer world. It was both horrifying and lovely, I def recommend." - Stef (via GoodReads)
“This story is an incredibly unique twist on forced isolation horror that will pull at your heartstrings. I loved Judah and Noland’s complicated relationship and how it thematically intertwined with the looming threat of the acidic rain. It’s as much a romantic story about the painful experience of healing as it is about environmental catastrophe.” - Luke W. Henderson, Comic Book Yeti
"It's no secret that Mother Nature is terrifying, but when she unleashes a new and unheard of storm and traps young couple Noland and Judah in their RV, they're forced to deal with both the unknown and their personal demons. It was impossible not to share their anxieties and terrors as they realize how dire their situation is, and you hope like hell they're able to survive!" - Tasha Reynolds, The Sinister Scoop
"Tens across the board. This novella is somehow horrific and cozy at the same time. If you’re someone who loves slice-of-life stories this is definitely for you. It does have its heavier moments (including some gore, so do be aware of that while going into it). I’ve never read an eco-horror romance but now this might be my favorite sub genre. I can’t remember where I found this but doesn’t matter, I will now be reading everything this author has written." - Kiana (via GoodReads)
"This is a fantastic read for those seeking a haunting and introspective horror story that explores the complexities of personal relationships and the terrors of the unknown. Come fo the dread and stay to see what happens to the cutest couple in horror history." - Chandra Claypool, Cemetery Dance
"I wish this was longer. I want to know Nolan and Judah’s relationship more deeply! But I enjoyed the story, and it ended exactly how I hoped it would." Samantha (via GoodReads)
"Judah and Noland are trapped together in their RV while outside the rain has suddenly become acid. Through the windows they witness deer and other animals have their skin melted off. They are both also recovering from a traumatic event. Despite their past and terrifying present situation, they are so sweet and caring towards each other. Also, I really like that this has excellent disability representation, as Noland has diabetes and Judah has anxiety. I'm really glad I found this on Godless, and I am definitely gonna read more stuff by A.L. Davidson." - Rachel (via GoodReads)
"This is easily one of the best things I’ve read. It was a mix of all the things I love. A gorgeous eco-horror with incredible character work. I am genuinely impressed by this story. Truly amazing work" - Brooke (via GoodReads)
"I spent the morning in bed and devoured this book! I’ve never gone through such an array of emotions in under 140 pages. We get such a meaningful glimpse into a period of healing in Noland and Judah’s relationship, set against the beginnings of an apocalyptic shift in their outer world. It was both horrifying and lovely, I def recommend." - Stef (via GoodReads)
