Book Review “The Mine” by John A. Heldt

Summary from Goodreads:

In May 2000, Joel Smith is a cocky, adventurous young man who sees the world as his playground. But when the college senior, days from graduation, enters an abandoned Montana mine, he discovers the price of reckless curiosity. He emerges in May 1941 with a cell phone he can’t use, money he can’t spend, and little but his wits to guide his way. Stuck in the age of swing dancing and a peacetime draft, Joel begins a new life as the nation drifts toward war. With the help of his 21-year-old trailblazing grandmother and her friends, he finds his place in a world he knew only from movies and books. But when an opportunity comes to return to the present, Joel must decide whether to leave his new love in the past or choose a course that will alter their lives forever. THE MINE follows a humbled man through a critical time in history as he adjusts to new surroundings and wrestles with the knowledge of things to come.

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I really enjoyed this book for a lot of reasons.

First off it was wonderfully written. I blew through this book. The scenes flow so well that you don’t realize just how fast you are reading. 

Secondly, the main character was a guy. This is something I usually enjoy since it doesn’t happen often for me. It’s interesting to read from a mans perspective. 

Thirdly, the premise and setting of 1941 is extremely well done. Obviously I wasn’t alive then, but this author made me feel like I was there. That’s talent.

The planets aligning and the mine being a type of portal wasn’t incredibly unique but it was interesting and believable. Sometimes keeping things like that on the simpler side pays off. This was definitely one of those times. Since this isn’t so much a techy sci fi novel the simple explanation of the time travel works.

I liked Joel from the beginning. He’s a charming fellow. I liked that he had the moral dilemma of returning or staying. I liked that he had a great family in 2000 that he wanted to go home to but also this incredible woman that he didn’t want to leave. It brings depth to Joel. It brings depth to the story.

The characters are all well done. Especially Joel’s “grandma”. How odd would it be to travel back in time and end up being best friends with your grandma.

Knowing what the future holds for those around him sure puts Joel in a bad place. Telling them and intervening could cost him his later existence. However, not telling them means sending off people he has come to love to die in war. It means watching someone he loves lose someone they were going to marry.

If I were put into that situation, I would of done the same thing Joel did. What other choice do you have?

I absolutely love the ending. It was happy and I adore happy endings. This author kicked butt with this book. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

I grant the full 5 stars.

This book is available for purchase through Amazon. Click the title

“The Mine”

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The Technical Data:

Title: The Mine (book 1) | Author(s): John A. Heldt |Publisher: John A. Heldt / Publication Date: 2-13-2012 | Pages: 293 (print) |ISBN: B0078S9B6G |Genre(s): Time Travel / Romance | Language: English |Rating: 5 out of 5 |  Date Read: 12-13-2015 |Source: Copy From Author