Coal Black Lies: An Appalachian Novel

By Cindy Sproles

Book Overview

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. 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?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0825448239
• ISBN13: 9780825448232
• Release Date: June 2024
• Publisher: Kregel Publications
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A story of lies, cheaping, faith, hope and redemption.

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.