Wait for Me by Jo Huddleston is an easy read. It is set in the coal mining area of West Virginia in the 1950s. The story is not deep, but flows well and tells the story of trying to meld two different cultures. The story flows well and keeps you interested. It is a love story with a bit of tension being the two main characters are both on "the other side of the tracks" so to speak. And as a side interest, dementia also plays a part in the story. I enjoyed the book. I did notice a few grammatical errors. Mostly missing words. It wasn't detrimental to reading but did make me stop a couple of times to re-read what was written. I asked to receive a copy of this book so I could review it. This review is my honest opinion. Would I recommend this? Yes. Is it a Christian book? Yes, to the point they attend church and live clean lives. Is it preachy? No. Will you enjoy this? If you like love stories you will. ( )

Here is another beautifully written book by one of my favorite authors. I loved Julie so much. She is a young woman who is ready to go to college. She has had a very comfortable life. She is an only child and her family is quite wealthy. Julie doesn't show off her wealth, and enjoys hanging with friends. It's funny that her mother thought she should not associate with children of coal miners. Her mother was a bit snotty . I think in the time period this was written, the wealthy thought it was beneath them to socialize with people who were not shall we say well off. I very much enjoyed reading about the coal mines. The workers risked their life everyday and many became sick later in life .

Julie's boyfriend is such a nice young man. He wants to make something of himself. I loved how much he respected Julie and believed they should not do anything until they are married. It was so refreshing to read how these two wonderful characters loved God and wouldn't allow temptation to deter them from their beliefs. One character really stood out to me. Her mother was at times judgmental and seemed to be very hard on Julie. I know her mom wanted the best for her daughter, but her bitterness was getting the best of her. There is something in the story that made me cry. I won't give it away but I will say that the author handled the subject with such grace and compassion. I can't forget go mention Julie's dad. Oh my goodness he was what I wished I had as a dad. He loved his wife and daughter unconditionally. He worked hard and treated his workers well. He did such wonderful and selfless things for others.

The story follows Julie and Robby as they tackle trying to be a couple , going to college and facing tragedy and hardships. Once again the author has written a story that penetrates the soul and leaves you with a sense of family , love and acceptance.

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network and the author. The review is my own opinion. ( )

Wait For Me (The West Virginia Mountains Series) by Jo Huddleston
This is a story about Julia and she's just graduating from high school and looking forward to going to college. Her father owns the coal mine in town and all the surrounding buildings where the workers live and buy things at the store.
Her mother stays at home treasuring her time sitting on the screened in porch. The story also follows Roberto who after school runs the store. Because of circumstances like social class they should not be seen together or socialize.
Other friends of theirs come into the picture and you realize the phrase "from the other side of the tracks' is what this is based on. Her mother pushes her into the social class she was brought up to be in. She loves her friends in town.
Things I really like about this book are that it's in WVA-beautiful part of the US, it's about coal mining and how the owner takes care of not only the workplace but the living area the workers live. Love simple times where a walk in nature is an everyday occurrence.
God and religion are present and it's not forced down your throat but gently spoken of and you realize even the younger crowd flock for weekly meetings among their generation.
Love how the people help one another in times of need especially when the siren goes off meaning something is wrong at the mine. They each want to get ahead and follow their dreams.
Like the glimpse into the second book which also is about their lives down the road and a third. Book also includes Discussion questions and other works highlighted by the author at the end.
Romance, turmoil, tragedies, growing up, love in many forms are all part of this story which has twists and turns throughout. Not a dull book and I don't normally read on the weekends but I found myself finding time to do just that. Hope to get the opportunity to read the others in the series.
I was given the book by the author via Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and this is my honest review ( )

Christian Historical Romance set in the 1950's. This is best as a Young Adult selection. It covers issues like waiting until you're married for sex, dementia, parental disobedience, poverty of miners in a mining town, and wealth of the mine owner and his family, bettering yourself with education, as well as basic Christian values.

This is a wonderful, sweet story of a young couple who are from the same town, but different social classes. Because of her mother's views, Julie, the daughter of the mine owner, is expected to attend school but not socialize or interact with the other children. Of course this rarely works. Told in first person, the tale is about Julie and how her life unfolds within this restricted life frame, then after she goes away to college. It's also about a young man from her town whom she loves, and revelations about her father and how he feels about the miners he employs. It's written in a format for younger readers.

Thank you to Cheri and Fred at The Book Club Network, the author Jo Huddleston and the publisher Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications, for the opportunity to read this book. I was given a free E-book in exchange for an honest review, which you found here.

I would definitely suggest this book to my family or friends who have young adult children. I see it's the first in a series. I'd be interested to know how Robby and Julie do as time goes by! Great cover too. ( )

An Historical Series to Watch...

Jo Huddleston plunges the reader back in time to the coal mining area of West Virginia in the 1950s. Wait for Me, the first book of the West Virginia Mountain series, introduces star-crossed lovers Julie and Robby. Julie's father owns the coal mine, while Robby's family is part of the coal mining workers' village. Determined to keep Julie away from Robby and among her own social group, her mother plots to send Julie off to college...early. Julie, however, has learned how to plot from the best, and has an idea or two up her own sleeve.

This story was at times sweet;surprising with its twists; heartbreaking by some unexpected life curve balls; and a little nerve-wrecking as I identified with Julie as she scrambled to cover for her lies. Underlying are the themes of honesty, young love, purity, a desire to please God, social castes, and forgiveness of self and others.I wonder what direction the author will take the series from here?

I was gratefully gifted a copy of this book by bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review, which I have given. ( )