In the shadowed hollers of the early-twentieth-century Appalachian Mountains, Lizzy Haney is on the run.
She's been falsely accused of murder and is desperate to reunite with her brother, River, whose unforgettable green eyes haunt her. The secret in her past is a stinging wound, but it motivates her toward her freedom.
But nine-year-old River, sent through the United States Post Office to his late mother's friend in Knoxville, never arrived. Lizzy's dream of finding him and starting a new life away from their alcoholic and abusive father is ripped away.
Her hope rekindles as she finds an unexpected confidant to help her dodge the law and save the missing youngin'. As she finds herself trusting him, she discovers the truth of the old adage her momma And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
She's been falsely accused of murder and is desperate to reunite with her brother, River, whose unforgettable green eyes haunt her. The secret in her past is a stinging wound, but it motivates her toward her freedom.
But nine-year-old River, sent through the United States Post Office to his late mother's friend in Knoxville, never arrived. Lizzy's dream of finding him and starting a new life away from their alcoholic and abusive father is ripped away.
Her hope rekindles as she finds an unexpected confidant to help her dodge the law and save the missing youngin'. As she finds herself trusting him, she discovers the truth of the old adage her momma And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
MY THOUGHTS.....
I am a huge fan of author Cindy K. Sproles! Her authentic Appalachian settings, her ability to channel the very best of mountain people, and the in-depth research always evident in her stories...this is why she has become a must-read author for me!
The Eyes of River opens with Lizzy Haney mailing her younger brother by mail so that she can protect him from her abusive father. Did you know that mailing children through the United States mail was an acceptable act in 1913? Another important plotline in this mesmerizing story is also based on historical facts. A respected social worker in Memphis was charged with taking children and selling them for her personal gain. As we learn about Lizzy and River's backgrounds, we are plagued by the mystery of their mother's actions. Was their Momma somehow involved in similar actions?
The Eyes of River opens with Lizzy Haney mailing her younger brother by mail so that she can protect him from her abusive father. Did you know that mailing children through the United States mail was an acceptable act in 1913? Another important plotline in this mesmerizing story is also based on historical facts. A respected social worker in Memphis was charged with taking children and selling them for her personal gain. As we learn about Lizzy and River's backgrounds, we are plagued by the mystery of their mother's actions. Was their Momma somehow involved in similar actions?
I adored Lizzy Haney! Her traumatic childhood certainly left her angry and bitter, but her love for her younger brother was even stronger. This is why she mailed him to a family friend in Knoxville, so that he would be safe until she joined him later. What she didn't count on was his disappearance. Her courageous journey to find River is told mostly through her POV, but thankfully, she is helped by the local sheriff's son, Alton. Will they succeed in finding the truth that will eventually save both Lizzy and River?
If you love a book that chills you with its vivid descriptions, challenges you with its truths, and inspires you with its hope and faith, you MUST not miss The Eyes of River! It is often gritty, but it's never without hope. This mesmerizing story will surely be a contender when the Book Award season begins!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and Kregel Publishers. There was no obligation for a positive review.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you love a book that chills you with its vivid descriptions, challenges you with its truths, and inspires you with its hope and faith, you MUST not miss The Eyes of River! It is often gritty, but it's never without hope. This mesmerizing story will surely be a contender when the Book Award season begins!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and Kregel Publishers. There was no obligation for a positive review.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cindy K. Sproles is an author and a speaker, whose dream is to do nothing more than craft words that speak from the heart. God's plan seems to be for her to write and teach the craft. With God’s guidance, Cindy is expanding her horizons. We'll see how He uses her.
Cindy is a mountain gal. Proud of her heritage, she was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains where life is simple, words have a deep southern drawl, and colloquialisms like, "well slap my knee and call me corn pone" seem to take precedence over proper speech. Apple Butter, coal mining, the river, pink sunrises, and golden sunsets help you settle into a porch swing and relax. Family, the love of God, and strong morals are embedded into her life in the mountains. Teaching writers, spinning fiction tales about life in the mountains, history, and down-home ideas find their way into all she does. “I love to write devotions, to seek after the deeper side of Christ, and to share the lessons He teaches me from life in the hills of East Tennessee. I am a writer. A speaker. A lover of God's Word and friend to all.”
Learn more at her Website Facebook Twitter InstagramThe Eyes of River
