The Mine (Northwest Passage) [Kindle Edition]

John A. Heldt (Author)

Book Description

In 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 Whirlaway, 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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"With an irresistible, ironic humor and an obvious appreciation of history -- and a few I-didn't-see-that-coming surprises -- Heldt has written a tender, refreshing and thought-provoking romance guaranteed to entertain." -- Happy Ever After blog, USA TODAY

"The Mine is one of those stories that sneaks up on you and sweeps you off your feet." -- Librarian's Best Books of 2012, Library Journal

"Heldt has written a love story to rival The Notebook." -- Pen Possessed

"The best self-published novel I have ever read." -- 300 Word Book Reviews

"Positively captivating!" -- Jenn's Review Blog

"Joel's journey . . . is a walk in the past that will leave your heart aching, smiling and longing for more." -- Scandalicious Book Reviews

"One of the most beautiful love stories I've ever read." -- Have You Heard My Book Review

"Mr. Heldt can write. His way with words is absolutely wondrous." -- Just a Girl Geek

"The love story is profound." -- Romance Writer's Reads

"This book had me on the edge of my seat." -- Elegant Bookworm

"The Mine is one of those stories that will stick with you. It was just about perfect." -- Book Lovers Inc.

"A sweet, nostalgic trip back in time." -- Silver's Reviews

"A wholly original and engaging experience." -- Literary Inklings

"Watching Joel fall in love both with Grace and the 1940s is, quite simply, magical." -- Pages Unbound

"An exceptional debut." -- My Fiction Nook

"One of the best endings of a book I have ever read." -- Indie Bookshelf

"Keep your tissues handy." -- Rita Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 467 KB
• Print Length: 285 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: John A. Heldt (February 12, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0078S9B6G
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,222 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Well Told Story February 13, 2012

By Maureen E. Driscoll

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Finding a new favorite book is one of life's greatest pleasures. I just finished THE MINE by John Heldt and have that bittersweet feeling you have when you reach the last page of a great story.

The year is 2000 and Joel Smith is a couple weeks away from graduating college in Seattle. On a road trip to Montana with a friend, Smith enters a mine for a little spelunking. But when he reappears, it's the year 1941, six months before Pearl Harbor. Unable to find his friend, he makes his way back to Seattle looking for a life that won't be there for another 60 years. He ends up meeting a close group of friends, including the woman he knows will one day be his grandmother. As he continues to live in a time that's not his own, he learns what's really important in life. He also struggles with the ethical dilemmas of knowing what will happen in the future, ranging from the mundane occurences, like betting on a fight he knows the outcome of, to world events that will have a devastating impact on his friends. The question of whether or not he can go back to his time weighs heavily upon him, as does the effect he'll have on so many interconnected lives.

Heldt is an excellent storyteller, with an unerring sense of pacing. The characters he's created are real, three-dimensional people and you have a vested interest in the impact Joel could have on them, should he choose to speak up. Heldt also does an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of the times. From a small town in Montana in the present day to pre-war Seattle, the history comes alive in this book.

I also did something I only do in books that really grab hold of me....I snuck ahead to read the end of the book, while I was still only 40% done. It's a sign of how much I care for the characters that I needed to know how they ended up.

I really look forward to his next book and highly recommend this.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow Very Entertaining April 25, 2012

By Ronald R. White

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this thinking it would keep me from being bored while I waited for my turn to present at a conference. In 10 minutes I couldn't put it down. I was entertained through the entire book and got very involved in the characters. The story has great surprises and new thought provoking angles on the classic time travel thread. Don't be put off by the romance label, though equally deserved, this book has action, adventure, and lots of humor. I recommend this book with out reservation to anyone knowing they will find things in it that make it great for them as well.
This author managed to keep me tied into the whole story from beginning to end. Sadly, this is something that some of the books from the best seller lists have completely failed to do. I hope that this book gets a chance in the spotlight so more people get to enjoy this author. I look forward to reading what ever he comes up with next.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read February 17, 2012

By Jill Benchley

Format:Kindle Edition

I loved this book and watched it evolve because I work with John and he asked me to read it as he created it. I could hardly wait for the next chapters It is never put me to sleep, and though it isn't my typical kind of read, I highly recommend it and don't believe you could be disappointed, no matter your taste in reading. It was such great fun to watch Joel transform into the kind of hero we want. Loved the ending, but hadn't a clue what it could possibly be.

More About the Author

John A. Heldt is a reference librarian who lives and works in Montana. The former award-winning sportswriter and newspaper editor has loved reading and writing since writing book reports on baseball heroes in grade school. A graduate of both the University of Oregon and University of Iowa, he is an avid fisherman, sports fan, home brewer, and reader of thrillers and historical fiction. Heldt is the author of THE MINE, THE JOURNEY, and THE SHOW, the first three novels of his Northwest Passage time-travel series.