Review: An indie gem of a story!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 14, 2012
Trust me, The Mine will surprise you! It certainly was for me! John Heldt really brings something new to the table with this book. At first I wasn't sure what to expect. Time travel is a hit or miss subject for me, and usually the entire story is about the MC blundering their way back to their own time. This book is so much more than that!Joel's character is smart and resourceful. There is no 'woe is me' with his character. He immediately puts a plan into action and does his best to fit in with the past. He gets a job, learns the in's and outs of the '40's and even falls in love. Through his ingenuity he is able to make a place for himself and gains a whole slew of amazing friends along the way.All though the way he traveled through time is not brand new to the genre, the over all premise of this book is wonderfully original. I enjoyed the concept of the mine he traveled through and knowing it's has a history makes it even better!The author did an upstanding job writing about the 40's. You can tell he is well versed in that time period and really made it come alive in his novel.Joel's character also has to deal with the inner turmoil of knowing what is on the horizon for both the people he meets and the world in general.I thought Joel meeting and connecting with his grandmother was a great touch to the story.All of the characters in this novel are well developed and readers will be able to easily connect with them. I grew an instant fondness for almost all of them.Joel's romance with Grace is sweet and endearing. A relationship that will surely captivate readers. (I really hope the author decides to write a follow up from Grace's perspective!)There is a great twist in store for readers as well--the climax and ending does not disappoint!I highly recommend The Mine! This book is a fantastic trip of nostalgia and will have readers hooked in no time. If you love time travel and romance, please don't pass of John Heldt's debut novel! I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.