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About this item
Highlights
- Believing the bitter lies you tell yourself leaves little room for the sweetness of truth Coal miner Joshua Morgan managed to do the impossible--he broke away from the stranglehold of the iron-fisted Barton family and the Company Store, to whom all the miners in the Appalachian Mountains are indebted.
- Author(s): Cindy Sproles
- 288 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Christian
Description
About the Book
"Coal miner Joshua Morgan managed to do the impossible - he broke away from the stranglehold of the iron-fisted Barton family and the Company Store, to whom all the miners in the Appalachian Mountains are indebted. But it cost him the life of his young daughter, who was run down by a posse led by Thomas Barton while coming to collect Joshua's payment to the store. Five years later, a sweet but slow-witted young girl lands on his doorstep, and Joshua's desire to protect her from the clutches of the Bartons increases his thirst for vengeance. Joshua sets out to discover where the girl came from in order to take down the Barton family once and for all. His journey leads him to the truth about the day his daughter died, a reality he finds hard to accept. But when confronted by Thomas Barton himself, Joshua is forced to rethink the dark lies brewing in his heart. If he broke away, could Thomas have also? Despite his misgivings, can Joshua join forces with a man he once despised to free the miners from the tyrannical Barton family and forge a future of peace for both the young girl and himself?"--Book Synopsis
Believing the bitter lies you tell yourself leaves little room for the sweetness of truthCoal miner Joshua Morgan managed to do the impossible--he broke away from the stranglehold of the iron-fisted Barton family and the Company Store, to whom all the miners in the Appalachian Mountains are indebted. But it cost him the life of his young daughter, who was run down by a posse led by Thomas Barton while coming to collect Joshua's payment to the store.
Five years later, a sweet but slow-witted young girl lands on his doorstep, and Joshua's desire to protect her from the clutches of the Bartons increases his thirst for vengeance. Joshua sets out to discover where the girl came from in order to take down the Barton family once and for all.
His journey leads him to the truth about the day his daughter died, a reality he finds hard to accept. But when confronted by Thomas Barton himself, Joshua is forced to rethink the dark lies brewing in his heart. If he broke away, could Thomas have also? Despite his misgivings, can Joshua join forces with a man he once despised to free the miners from the tyrannical Barton family and forge a future of peace for both the young girl and himself?
Dimensions (Overall): 8.48 Inches (H) x 5.64 Inches (W) x .74 Inches (D)
Weight: .65 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 288
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Christian
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Theme: Historical
Format: Paperback
Author: Cindy Sproles
Language: English
Street Date: June 18, 2024
TCIN: 91077112
UPC: 9780825448232
Item Number (DPCI): 247-27-4178
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 0.74 inches length x 5.64 inches width x 8.48 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.65 pounds
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4.8 out of 5 stars with 6 reviews
100% would recommend
6 recommendations
Another hit by Cindy Sproles!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
- 9 months ago
Cindy Sproles does it again! Travel back in time for an Appalachian adventure with lots of twists and turns. I love stories that immerse me right in the thick of the characters, and this one certainly does that. If you like historical fiction, you’re going to love Coal Black Lies.
An extraordinary book!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Jeanette - 10 months ago
Wow! What an extraordinary book! The setting in a coal mining town in Appalachia is both beautiful and desolate. Unfortunately, greed and bad management threaten to crush the souls and lives of the miners and their families. There are several gun fights, loss of life sadness. But, there's forgiveness, restoration, and renewal of faith in God! The characters are written brilliantly! So many of them touched my heart. Aughtie is my favorite! She is a ray of sunshine that brings hope and unconditional love to everyone she meets! Joshua's growth emotionally was inspirational. He suffered much heartache to the point that he wondered if life was worth living. God sent him a precious gift that reopened his heart to hope. I absolutely loved the sense of community that Joshua, Raney, Clive, and Cleda Mae pursue to ensure that the miners and their families prosper. It reminds me of the early church in Acts. The faith aspects throughout the book are encouraging. The gentle reminder to lean on the everlasting arms of God rings true. I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Kregel Publications. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Great Read!
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
LBLyle - 10 months ago
Coal Black Lies by Cindy K. Sproles is a heart-warming tale of a man torn between vengeance and forgiveness who is caught up in a trail of lies. After the death of his daughter, Joshua and Raney Morgan have become ghosts of who they used to be, but the sudden arrival of a little girl at their daughter’s grave shakes them awake and sets them on a roller coaster ride of events. The plot twists kept me interested and guessing until the very end. Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher. The review is my honest opinion, and I was not required to leave a review.
Compelling Historical Fiction
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Carolyn - 11 months ago
Coal Black Lies was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I was not disappointed! Set in Kentucky coal country in 1899, this is a touching, heart-wrenching tale driven by greed and lies. Ms. Sproles brings the Appalachian culture to life with her vivid descriptions and use of the unique dialect of the rural mountain people. Expertly placed unexpected twists kept me guessing at the outcome. Compelling characters kept me emotionally invested from beginning to end. I fell in love with Aughtie, a thoughtfully portrayed, precious child with disabilities, whose sweet innocence and pure love affect all those around her. I greatly appreciate the strong faith thread with themes of forgiveness and redemption. I love this story and highly recommend it. I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions of my own.
A story of lies, cheating, faith, hope and redemption
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Debbie - 11 months ago
I received this book as an ARC with no expectations of a positive review. Wow! This book had me at the first sentence. It takes place in 1899, Barton Mountain, Kentucky. The Barton family runs the coal mines on this mountain. They have places for the families to live and they have a general story. They promise those who come to work for them they will be provided. It is all a lie. Joshua worked many years in the mine. His lungs show the years that he breathed in the coal dust. He had seen things that he never wanted to see. He tried to get the Bartons to take care of the miners and do the right thing. The problem came in that the Ima Barton only wanted to rule with an iron hand and make all the money. The miners were paid in scrip that could only be used at the general store. They were only paid ten cents on the dollar that they made. No one walked away from the mine unless they were dead. Joshua was able to get away from the mine but in the process lost the the someone most precious to him. Join Joshua, Raney and others as they try to make everything better for the miners as well as freedom from guilt that leads to forgiveness. This story winds about one little girl, Aughtie, brings together friends who become family as well as forgiveness. This is a must read. You will need to have Kleenex close by as you will laugh, cry, cheer and applaud.
Grief, Anger, Forgiveness, Redemption
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Farm Fresh Lisa - 11 months ago
As I closed this book, I was instantly in the "well. now what" kind of mood. My heart was full of emotions from finishing this novel and I just needed some time to think. I faced a similar situation after finishing her previous release This Is Where It Ends from last year. Coal Black Lies is probably one of the best books I've read thus far in 2024. Not only does Cindy pull you in from the first page--but she keeps you engaged. She creates characters that are deep and get into your heart. They are rough and real characters--baggage for days. Dealing with real problems--this book kicks off with the main character contemplating suicide overcome with so much grief and guilt for the death of his child. But there is always that one character that tugs at your heartstrings. And this novel has darling sweet Aughtie. If you read it for no other reason--you need to read it to meet Aughtie. Aughtie is a 6 yearold girl with Down Syndrome who is intricately tied to multiple characters in the book and is the heart and soul of the message of the book. Rarely have I read such a breathtakingly beautiful summary of what knowing a precious life like Aughtie is like. The book will have twists and turns. I was sucker punched near the end and my waterworks turned on. And the message of faith--it is INTEGRAL in this book. Such a relief after so many recent books labelled Christian fiction that were more fiction than Christian. But this one has characters who WRESTLE with their faith. Just like so many of us do. Anger. Bitterness. Forgiveness. Redemption. You will find it here. So take a trip back into the turn of the 20th century--deep in the Appalachian coal country of SE Kentucky. Where feuds are many. Where poverty is abundant. Where coal dust covers the land and people. Where hope is a burning ember to be flamed. You won't regret it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ *I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review by the author and publisher. I wasn't required to write a positive review and all these words are 100% my own.