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The Stoneworth Chronicles #1
Turn Back Time
A historical novel. Security, joy, gentleness, faith, and love were hallmarks of Hattie Stoneworth Crowe's life. Now, though surrounded by a loving extended family, the horrors of the Great Depression and the death of her husband threaten her future and that of her three-year-old daughter and unborn child. A potentially greater danger looms from an unexpected source. Smith Delaney, an out-of-work miner known for his wanderlust, hair-trigger temper, fast fists, and taste for hard living, comes to her looking for work as a handyman. Against all reason she hires him. Their story is set in the coal fields of Muhlenberg County, in the western part of Kentucky. Through the hardships of the era, through birth and death, tragedy and triumph, a young woman valiantly seeks to hold on to her faith and her family. And a lonely man seeks faith, family and love. The resulting tapestry is one of sunshine and shadow, sorrow and delight, laughter and tears. But hope and joy reign supreme.
350 pages, Hardcover
First published March 11, 2000
640 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 14, 2024
Based on a true story, this book takes the reader back to 1930s coal country in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. It chronicles the challenges of life in the Depression, when families and the economy were deeply dependent on coal mining, a hazardous and often deadly profession. It also tells of the blessings, and sometimes curses, of the tight-knit community. I found it a very interesting read!
January 12, 2022
A very enjoyable Christian read. Facts from the time period are enterwined with warm heartfelt fiction. The story shows us hardtimes, heartache, and how faith and fortitude made survival possible.
January 24, 2010
This turned out better than I thought. I started it and it hooked me. Then around the middle I started to get a little bored, but then it got better again. Everything tied in so the "boring" parts were necessary. But for a 300, or so, paged novel, it turned out to be a really good heart warming Christian novel. I think I would recommend this to other Christians.
July 21, 2010
The book' plot overall was very predictable. At times the books storyline was slow. The characters were very likable and drew you in. You wanted to keep reading to find out what was happening to them.
December 24, 2021
What a wonderful story with believable characters. I had a hard time putting the book down and as soon as I finished bought the sequel "Sunshine and Shadows". The story will make you laugh (in parts and cry in others.
I learned a lot about the mining industry and how cruel the managers could be (not the owners). Can you believe those miners in the '30s made less than 50 cents an hour? They risked their lives daily and had to rely on one another to stay safe and help them when something went wrong.
The main character, Hattie, lost her husband and is trying to raise her two children (Dulcia and Jack) alone. Hattie was the last of several children and has their support but times are tough during the depression. She hires Smith to help with the workaround her home and property but that just causes her more problems when her deceased husband's mother starts spreading gossip in their small town.
I don't want to give anything away in this review but it is "clean" and I highly recommend it to anyone who reads historical (romantic?) fiction. Enjoy
I learned a lot about the mining industry and how cruel the managers could be (not the owners). Can you believe those miners in the '30s made less than 50 cents an hour? They risked their lives daily and had to rely on one another to stay safe and help them when something went wrong.
The main character, Hattie, lost her husband and is trying to raise her two children (Dulcia and Jack) alone. Hattie was the last of several children and has their support but times are tough during the depression. She hires Smith to help with the workaround her home and property but that just causes her more problems when her deceased husband's mother starts spreading gossip in their small town.
I don't want to give anything away in this review but it is "clean" and I highly recommend it to anyone who reads historical (romantic?) fiction. Enjoy
March 31, 2023
Amazing Novel About Kentucky Coal Mines
A nice long story about a wonderful family that worked in the Kentucky Coal Mines in the thirties.
There was a lot of love between the siblings & a lot of heartache too.
This story tells a lot about mining accidents & the love the miners & their families have for each other & their fellow man.
Started it late last night & didn't want to put it down.
Hope it has the same effect on you !
Four yr.old Dulcie is amazing & along with her baby brother Jackie makes mama Hattie's life worth living.
A nice long story about a wonderful family that worked in the Kentucky Coal Mines in the thirties.
There was a lot of love between the siblings & a lot of heartache too.
This story tells a lot about mining accidents & the love the miners & their families have for each other & their fellow man.
Started it late last night & didn't want to put it down.
Hope it has the same effect on you !
Four yr.old Dulcie is amazing & along with her baby brother Jackie makes mama Hattie's life worth living.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2021
A book that dwells in the hearts of people who trust God and search their souls for His truth.
This book is a treasure! People who believe in God. People who talk to God. Who know His grace and mercy. They struggle with the trials of life that can bend a person in half. And they dwell on His joy and laughter. It reaches the reader in the deepest places of the heart. This is the truest love story I have ever read.
This book is a treasure! People who believe in God. People who talk to God. Who know His grace and mercy. They struggle with the trials of life that can bend a person in half. And they dwell on His joy and laughter. It reaches the reader in the deepest places of the heart. This is the truest love story I have ever read.
June 17, 2021
Heartwarming
Simply written, with an excellent grasp on Kentucky slang.
This is a very clean, Christian based story mostly about the dailiness of life on a homestead near the Kentucky coal mines during the Great Depression. In John Prine’s Muhlenberg County,
no less.
I’m glad there’s a sequel to it. Next time I need to totally slow down and escape, I will do so by reading about Hattie and Smith Delaney and their young ‘uns.
Simply written, with an excellent grasp on Kentucky slang.
This is a very clean, Christian based story mostly about the dailiness of life on a homestead near the Kentucky coal mines during the Great Depression. In John Prine’s Muhlenberg County,
no less.
I’m glad there’s a sequel to it. Next time I need to totally slow down and escape, I will do so by reading about Hattie and Smith Delaney and their young ‘uns.
July 13, 2021
Best book I’ve read in a long time
I’m wiping tears as I write. This is a beautiful story. Smith and Hattie are amazing characters. So much love and pain in this story. I have been so disappointed in the books available,e on unlimited and then I find this one. If you have any connection to country folks or wish you did and you should wish you did, then read this story. So real. So heart rendering. So authentic. This author deserves awards.
I’m wiping tears as I write. This is a beautiful story. Smith and Hattie are amazing characters. So much love and pain in this story. I have been so disappointed in the books available,e on unlimited and then I find this one. If you have any connection to country folks or wish you did and you should wish you did, then read this story. So real. So heart rendering. So authentic. This author deserves awards.
November 15, 2020
My spirit lifted up!
Learning to cope with heartache, joyfully glad with new life, understanding that you require help,making a bonded friendship, discovering new love, needful of family's support and prayers, forgiveness and rejoicing at the blessings we receive, plus a few goggles and tears along the way! My kind of book!
Learning to cope with heartache, joyfully glad with new life, understanding that you require help,making a bonded friendship, discovering new love, needful of family's support and prayers, forgiveness and rejoicing at the blessings we receive, plus a few goggles and tears along the way! My kind of book!
March 3, 2021
You are you doing to have a great time reading this one.
It was little rough getting into the Kentucky accent but once you do it's fun. I'm the wife of a miner so I understand the history and the terms. Exciting,heartwarming story. Many good lessons as well. Must read.. I couldn't put it down.
It was little rough getting into the Kentucky accent but once you do it's fun. I'm the wife of a miner so I understand the history and the terms. Exciting,heartwarming story. Many good lessons as well. Must read.. I couldn't put it down.
March 3, 2021
Good enough
The book had its ups and downs. Sometimes it was a 2 and sometimes a 4 star. Smith worked for Hattie on her farm after her husband died. All went well till smith was arrested for a murder he didn’t commit. Mining, strikes, unions, big families, God, death, children were all brought together in this novel.
The book had its ups and downs. Sometimes it was a 2 and sometimes a 4 star. Smith worked for Hattie on her farm after her husband died. All went well till smith was arrested for a murder he didn’t commit. Mining, strikes, unions, big families, God, death, children were all brought together in this novel.
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March 24, 2021Such a great read!
The author used such descriptions that you feel you are part of the story! I couldn't put it down! Such a sweet story of life, love and loss and picking up the pieces and giving them to God. Loved the historic thread throughout as well. Read it, you will cry, smile, laugh and cry some more!
The author used such descriptions that you feel you are part of the story! I couldn't put it down! Such a sweet story of life, love and loss and picking up the pieces and giving them to God. Loved the historic thread throughout as well. Read it, you will cry, smile, laugh and cry some more!
March 31, 2021
My grandfather was a coal miner that was injured by a cave in. He lost the use of his legs and eventually died of black lung. He died when I was only 2 weeks old. This book helped me see what life is like for coal mining families. The characters came to life and this book was hard to put down. I am now reading book two.
August 25, 2021
I loved this whole book ,
I live in a once time big Cole town .and back in the day The small town next to mine was blown to bits .my husband uncle was going off to college and was gonna work with his Daddy and uncles to make him some money before school started .3 days in a rock fell and he was killed. He was 18.
I live in a once time big Cole town .and back in the day The small town next to mine was blown to bits .my husband uncle was going off to college and was gonna work with his Daddy and uncles to make him some money before school started .3 days in a rock fell and he was killed. He was 18.
June 25, 2020
Rock solid
So completely enjoyed this Book!! The authors certainly captured the heart and soul of the hard working Kentucky town..I fell in love with Hattie and Smith..And the families of this little community.
So completely enjoyed this Book!! The authors certainly captured the heart and soul of the hard working Kentucky town..I fell in love with Hattie and Smith..And the families of this little community.
August 4, 2020
Too much baby talk
The excessive baby talk was annoying. The beginning held my interest, loved the closeness of the family, and the midwife. However, midway it just became boring and unbelievable.
The excessive baby talk was annoying. The beginning held my interest, loved the closeness of the family, and the midwife. However, midway it just became boring and unbelievable.
May 25, 2021
A good use of my free time
I do enjoy historical fiction. A peek into the hardships and stamina of those who came before us. They had , it seems hard lives. And with a love story, of course, all ends as expected. I am continuing on with this series.
I do enjoy historical fiction. A peek into the hardships and stamina of those who came before us. They had , it seems hard lives. And with a love story, of course, all ends as expected. I am continuing on with this series.
June 10, 2021
This book is a treasure, a little slow to start with but plenty of action with the mine crisis later on. Good character development and a gripping picture of life in Kentucky during the Great Depression. I plan to read the sequel to find out what happens next!
August 15, 2021
Good story. Will read this author again.
Didn't care for bloody wild Hogs. Didn't really fit story. Unnecessary. Unrealistic. Other wise good story line. No unnecessary filthy language
Didn't care for bloody wild Hogs. Didn't really fit story. Unnecessary. Unrealistic. Other wise good story line. No unnecessary filthy language
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August 27, 2024Qur’an: Chapter 30, Verse 41—
Pollution has appeared on land and at sea because of what man’s hands have accomplished, so He may let them taste something of what they have earned, in order that they will turn back in repentance.
Pollution has appeared on land and at sea because of what man’s hands have accomplished, so He may let them taste something of what they have earned, in order that they will turn back in repentance.
July 16, 2017
Wonderful story
Great story about love and family and standing together through good times and bad! Coal mining strikes, death, nor even murder tears them apart.
Great story about love and family and standing together through good times and bad! Coal mining strikes, death, nor even murder tears them apart.
July 22, 2020
Wonderful just wonderful.
I love this book, it's so uplifting and such a feel good book. Makes me wish I could be part of the family.
I love this book, it's so uplifting and such a feel good book. Makes me wish I could be part of the family.
July 28, 2020
Enjoyed the book.. looking forward to the next part of the story.
August 7, 2020
The proof made him a good man
The story about a young widow and her two children. Hattie needed help with her small farm and her brother brought her Smith.
The story about a young widow and her two children. Hattie needed help with her small farm and her brother brought her Smith.
August 19, 2020
Very good read.
September 2, 2020
Happy story
Heart warming story. Really liked it, however, too much religious talk. Would have been so much more interesting . Characters were good
Heart warming story. Really liked it, however, too much religious talk. Would have been so much more interesting . Characters were good
September 11, 2020
Poorly written and over dramatic. Predictable too.
October 4, 2020
Great book
I enjoyed this book. At times the old English was a bit hard but once you slow down you know what they are saying. Looking forward to book two.
I enjoyed this book. At times the old English was a bit hard but once you slow down you know what they are saying. Looking forward to book two.
January 26, 2021
Sweet and simple.
This was a sweet and simple book. I really enjoyed it. I was captured by this book by the first couple of pages.
This was a sweet and simple book. I really enjoyed it. I was captured by this book by the first couple of pages.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews