Book excerpt: When Doug Rainey, a despairing poet, whom the author draws as a central character, drowns in a New York City reservoir he leaves sorrow and mystery in his wake. Warm Dust, Summer Rain deals in an arresting and unique way with the sometimes strange behavior of those left behind to grieve. Deirdre Rainey, the hauntingly beautiful and enigmatic sister of Rainey knows no barriers between the living and the dead. Neither does she abide by the rules of conduct set by society. Eugene Rainey, the poets son desires only to fill his fathers shoes. The lovely widow, Claudia Rainey, cannot see herself existing without a Rainey. And Gabriel Orr, the outsider, not only finds himself irrevocably involved with Raineys little family but fears the poets spirit has entered him. Set in the Catskill Mountain watershed region which Gloria Nero characteristically pictures with pastoral charm and incorporeal atmosphere, there is an intrinsic connection between story and place. And too, she creates a realistic intensity and penetration into the lives of the individuals she portrays. Ultimately a novel of passion and forbidden love, this is a startling book.