Question: I wrote the following:

> 
> The sun **hit** Erin's skin as she wandered through the alley. It felt
>  comfortable, like a warm blanket enveloping her entire body.
> 
> 
> 

"Hit" is the only verb I could think of. But I wonder if there's a "gentler"
 verb to replace it?

Answer: 
There's really a lot of possible verbs you could use. I've seen:

* touched
* caressed
* brushed
* "lingered on"
* warmed
* gleamed on

to name the first that come to mind.

**Edit:**
I reread the title of your question, why not "fell"?

> 
> The sun gently **fell** on Erin's skin as she wandered through the alley. It felt comfortable, like a warm blanket enveloping her entire body.
> 
> 
>
How about shone? It can be used to refer to any lit surface or lighting source