Thurmond , Virginia 1930
This
book has a loose connection to a family in the book The Blue Cloak by
Shannon McNear. The Harpe family, many years later than that book, make
their appearance in this book. How do you stop a long-standing feud
between your kin and the MclLean clan? What do you do when God asks you
to preach to the enemy?
Colman Harpe is about to stop running as Jonah did, stop fighting God and go right into the lion’s den. Colman didn’t want to be part of the feud and so far has been able to stay out of it. Through a freak snowstorm, he becomes lost in a cave inside a mountain. Ivy Gordon finds him as he emerges from the deep, dark bowels of the mountain. She and her grandfather nurse him back to health, right in McLean territory. Ivy is a girl of unusually pale coloring and some ostracize her, but she has a kind spirit. She quips: I’d rather look for the best. The worst usually makes itself known soon enough.
This is a many layered story that draws on analogies from the Bible and begs us to look on the heart of a person and not just on his actions.
Colman preaches, telling Bible stories by dressing them up in the culture he is part of. But he can be plain spoken when prompted by God.
This was a well-written story and opened up a whole part of West Virginia history I’d only glimpsed before. The characters felt real, relatable and able to seek redemption. It would make a first class movie. I will be looking for more from this author.
BackCover Blurb:
Colman Harpe works for the C&O in the Appalachian rail town of Thurmond, West Virginia, but he'd rather be a preacher and lead his own congregation. When a member of the rival McLean clan guns down his cousin and the clan matriarch, Serepta McLean, taunts the Harpes by coming to a tent revival in their territory, Colman chooses peace over seeking revenge with the rest of his family.
Colman, known for an unnaturally keen sense of hearing, is shocked when he hears God tell him to preach to the McLeans. A failed attempt to run away leaves Colman sick and suffering in the last place he wanted to be--McLean territory. Nursed by herbalist Ivy Gordon--a woman whose birthmark has made her an outcast--he's hindered in his calling by Serepta's iron grip on the region and his uncle's desire to break that grip. But appearances can be deceiving, and he soon learns that the face of evil doesn't look like he expected.
Bethany House Nov, 2019
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This book sounds intriguing and also very inspirational, I love the sound of it. I really love the cover also, I love trains. Thank you so much for sharing about it. Have a Great week.
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