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Phoebe’s Heart of Stone
Phoebe's Heart of Stone
In 1919, an unthinkable tragedy struck the blue-collar town of Alliance Ohio, and one particular family, the Bradway family, found themselves at the center of its terrible wrath. In the wake of disaster, Carl, a father of six, was forced to make a decision that would affect both himself and those he loved for the rest of their lives.
Carl and his beloved wife, Phoebe, had worked tirelessly to build a life of love and contentment for themselves and their six young children. Though determined and deeply in love, the young family could not escape the horrible black cloud that haunted their family, seemingly hell-bent on taking all they had built together.
This story follows the shocking true-life events of a family who wished for the simple things in life, but instead faced a path riddled with misfortune that altered the course of each of their lives forever.
Be sure to check out the authors first novel, "When the Dandelions Sing", with 4.5 out of 5 stars! It's available in Hardback, Paperback, and Kindle! From the
Back home, Carl reluctantly went back to work. His job felt much more difficult because he blamed it for the loss of Keith, and he now had to face the weight of that loss every day. It was hard on him, but what he did not realize was that Phoebe was silently struggling as well. She was hurt and could not show it as he did. She had to dig deep and trust that there was a reason. Otherwise, she would feel the same guilt her husband did, and she too had a job to do. She was responsible for raising the other children. Not only raising them, but she had to explain to them why their brother was not coming home. She had to assure them that they would be fine, and just because their brother had died, did not mean they would as well. Helping her children understand that they would be ok was one of the hardest things she ever had to do. She wondered to herself how she could possibly make such a promise to them knowing what had happened to Keith and how they had such little control over it.
Phoebe’s parents tried to help as best they could. Being elders in their church, they had a great deal of experience with loss and had some insight into what needed to be done. They had also lost a daughter of their own at a very young age. Phoebe’s older sister, Sarah Luella, died in infancy and her mother had struggled with why for a long time. She warned Phoebe not to dwell too much on her guilt and thoughts. She had children that needed her to be strong and she warned her that her husband would need to find a way to cope and release himself from the guilt he carried, even though they knew in their hearts, he never would. Phoebe’s parents tried to help as best they could.
Over the next month, Phoebe got back into a routine and made peace with it all as best she could. She had no choice, or it would simply eat away at her. Her pain, she told herself, would still be there, but she would just find a way to push through it, as she did not have the time to be angry and sad. She had to accept things as they were for the time being.
About the Author
James grew up in Norristown PA, and now resides in nearby Chester County. He is the proud single father to five, yes five girls!
His first Novel, "When the Dandelions Sing", debuted in March 2021. He is currently working on a third one that will be out sometime in 2022.
In 1919, an unthinkable tragedy struck the blue-collar town of Alliance Ohio, and one particular family, the Bradway family, found themselves at the center of its terrible wrath. In the wake of disaster, Carl, a father of six, was forced to make a decision that would affect both himself and those he loved for the rest of their lives.
Carl and his beloved wife, Phoebe, had worked tirelessly to build a life of love and contentment for themselves and their six young children. Though determined and deeply in love, the young family could not escape the horrible black cloud that haunted their family, seemingly hell-bent on taking all they had built together.
This story follows the shocking true-life events of a family who wished for the simple things in life, but instead faced a path riddled with misfortune that altered the course of each of their lives forever.
Be sure to check out the authors first novel, "When the Dandelions Sing", with 4.5 out of 5 stars! It's available in Hardback, Paperback, and Kindle! From the
Back home, Carl reluctantly went back to work. His job felt much more difficult because he blamed it for the loss of Keith, and he now had to face the weight of that loss every day. It was hard on him, but what he did not realize was that Phoebe was silently struggling as well. She was hurt and could not show it as he did. She had to dig deep and trust that there was a reason. Otherwise, she would feel the same guilt her husband did, and she too had a job to do. She was responsible for raising the other children. Not only raising them, but she had to explain to them why their brother was not coming home. She had to assure them that they would be fine, and just because their brother had died, did not mean they would as well. Helping her children understand that they would be ok was one of the hardest things she ever had to do. She wondered to herself how she could possibly make such a promise to them knowing what had happened to Keith and how they had such little control over it.
Phoebe’s parents tried to help as best they could. Being elders in their church, they had a great deal of experience with loss and had some insight into what needed to be done. They had also lost a daughter of their own at a very young age. Phoebe’s older sister, Sarah Luella, died in infancy and her mother had struggled with why for a long time. She warned Phoebe not to dwell too much on her guilt and thoughts. She had children that needed her to be strong and she warned her that her husband would need to find a way to cope and release himself from the guilt he carried, even though they knew in their hearts, he never would. Phoebe’s parents tried to help as best they could.
Over the next month, Phoebe got back into a routine and made peace with it all as best she could. She had no choice, or it would simply eat away at her. Her pain, she told herself, would still be there, but she would just find a way to push through it, as she did not have the time to be angry and sad. She had to accept things as they were for the time being.
About the Author
James grew up in Norristown PA, and now resides in nearby Chester County. He is the proud single father to five, yes five girls!
His first Novel, "When the Dandelions Sing", debuted in March 2021. He is currently working on a third one that will be out sometime in 2022.
- GenresNonfiction
310 pages, Paperback
Published November 12, 2021
342 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
James J. Hill III
4 books24 followersFirst and most important, I am the proud single father to five, yes five daughters! I was born in Norristown PA, and lived there for almost 20 years. Currently, I reside in nearby scenic Chester County, PA. along with my children and our cat, Lucy Luna Hill.
I've always had a hidden passion for writing, and now can share those stories with the world. This is just the start of what is to come.
Truthfully, I hope you will give my stories a chance and enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing and creating them.
I like to think of my writing as something I had not planned from an early age. I graduated 169 out of 171 in High School. Never attended college, and was a single father at a young age. Yet, with hard work, passion and a determination to do more, here I am.
I'm also a award winning Real Estate agent and have enjoyed doing that for 16 years now!
I've always had a hidden passion for writing, and now can share those stories with the world. This is just the start of what is to come.
Truthfully, I hope you will give my stories a chance and enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing and creating them.
I like to think of my writing as something I had not planned from an early age. I graduated 169 out of 171 in High School. Never attended college, and was a single father at a young age. Yet, with hard work, passion and a determination to do more, here I am.
I'm also a award winning Real Estate agent and have enjoyed doing that for 16 years now!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 29, 2024
I loved this book from the beginning to the end. If you haven’t read any of this Author’s books you are missing out on something special.
April 11, 2022
I am a little torn about how I fell about this book. I liked that it was historical fiction and, I think, that is what kept me reading. The heartache this family went through is hard to imagine. However, I did not care for the way it was written. I felt like I was just reading a history book of a family. There was probably not more than a total of two pages of dialogue in the whole book. However, I am glad I finished it and can appreciate the story.
March 5, 2022
I have never been a person for a historical reading but the book was so incredibly informative and kept me connected to the up’s and downs and all of the twists and turns of this family. I felt like I was experiencing their life like I was there. Absolutely captivating and very well written. I loved all of the details included!! Highly recommend!
January 25, 2024
Really poorly written. Lots of typos and incorrect grammar. Extremely simplistic writing style - about on a par with what I would expect out of a reasonably intelligent third grader. Certainly not acceptable for the work of an adult. The prose was repetitive and it was just generally a depressing effort. Would not read anything by this author in the future.
May 8, 2024
Touching Story
This well-written book is based on a true story. It is about family. It is filled with love, happiness, sadness and tragedy. The reader wonders how any family could endure such loss. It is also a story strength, determination and forgiveness. Important lessons on life and family are found in this book. I highly recommend.
This well-written book is based on a true story. It is about family. It is filled with love, happiness, sadness and tragedy. The reader wonders how any family could endure such loss. It is also a story strength, determination and forgiveness. Important lessons on life and family are found in this book. I highly recommend.
October 28, 2024
A Magnificent Book
James Hill you did an amazing job writing this book. The losses this family lived through was so overwhelming. I enjoyed this story and loved the value of family love shared. When you see what this family had to live through and survived it makes you see some things we whine about are nothing. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
James Hill you did an amazing job writing this book. The losses this family lived through was so overwhelming. I enjoyed this story and loved the value of family love shared. When you see what this family had to live through and survived it makes you see some things we whine about are nothing. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
November 8, 2024
The ties that bind us
What a roller coaster of emotions this story brings! The reminder to find out the stories of those that came before us. What makes us the way we are.
Definitely a worthwhile read!
Bring the tissues!
What a roller coaster of emotions this story brings! The reminder to find out the stories of those that came before us. What makes us the way we are.
Definitely a worthwhile read!
Bring the tissues!
February 24, 2022
Good read
Wonderful story of a family’s heartaches and strengths . A tale that needed to be told. Could have been tightened a little.
Wonderful story of a family’s heartaches and strengths . A tale that needed to be told. Could have been tightened a little.
September 16, 2023
Wonderful book!
I read his 1st book Dandelions sing And I loved it Also but this book was so special. I'm glad you wrote this Mr.Hill
I read his 1st book Dandelions sing And I loved it Also but this book was so special. I'm glad you wrote this Mr.Hill
September 17, 2023
This story made me so sad. I understand the meaning but for me it was depressing.
February 24, 2024
Loved this Inspiring book!
So well written! What an amazing story of strength and courage in the face of overwhelming loss. Of forgiveness and love of family.
So well written! What an amazing story of strength and courage in the face of overwhelming loss. Of forgiveness and love of family.
March 22, 2024
AMAZING
I cannot describe how wonderful Jame’s books are. The stay with me long after I finished them. This such a beautiful book. I encourage everyone to read his works
I cannot describe how wonderful Jame’s books are. The stay with me long after I finished them. This such a beautiful book. I encourage everyone to read his works
July 12, 2024
drawn out.
Not too terribly interesting was a struggle to get through it. And quite honestly how could this much tragedy happen in one family?
Not too terribly interesting was a struggle to get through it. And quite honestly how could this much tragedy happen in one family?
July 18, 2024
True Love
I couldn’t put this book down. The story of a family that suffered such loss but loved so much to forgive
I couldn’t put this book down. The story of a family that suffered such loss but loved so much to forgive
November 6, 2024
This book was boring. Just one tragedy and heartache after another. There was also one chapter completely out of order. This book could use a little polish. It’s a great journal but not a great book.
December 20, 2025
what a great book
This book was a great read. I loved this story even with all the heartbreaking things that happened. I’m so happy they found their dad after all those years.
This book was a great read. I loved this story even with all the heartbreaking things that happened. I’m so happy they found their dad after all those years.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews