Synopses & Reviews
This captivating story takes place in the Hazel Creek Valley of the Great Smoky Mountains wilderness during 1924 and 1925, as Nathan and Callie Randolph, with their five unique daughters, wrestle to maintain their farm, forests, family, and faith against an unforgiving wilderness and an evil lumber company manager seeking by every means possible to pilfer their land and clear cut their virgin forest.
A cast of colorful characters, including independent and earnest mountaineers, a murderous lumber company manager, Cherokee Indians, a band of gypsies, desperados, lumbermen, moonshiners, revenuers, a world-famous writer, civil war heroes … and even a flesh-and-blood Haint … collide in a gripping struggle of good and evil during an eruption of violence - while our heroine, fifteen-year-old Lauren Abigail Randolph, has to grow up and save her family’s farm while preserving her own faith.
This important story, based upon almost ten years of research and five years of living in the area, attempts to capture the speech, life, ways, and beliefs of the mountain folk in a time in our history that marked a crucial and irreversible turning point in mountain communities of the Southern Appalachians. With the march of the industrial age, especially industrial lumbering, the roaring twenties, the Prohibition, the increasing momentum for a national park, and the onslaught of a modern world, trains, and radio communication, the traditional life and ways of the mountaineers in general, and the Randophs in particular, were about to change forever.
Review
“Walt Larimore isn't just a great storyteller. He paints word pictures that linger like country wood smoke—so strong you can't get it out of your mind. Once you experience Hazel Creek, you'll never want to leave.”
Review
“This captivating story took me to a simpler time when humans were closer to creation and to the creator. I found in it echoes of Christian classics—Catherine Marshall's Christy, for one—and that puts Larimore's book in the best of company. Being in the Great Smoky Mountains wilderness when it was still wild nourished my soul!"
Review
“A powerful, heartwarming story of courage, love, and faith, Hazel Creek is sure to leave the reader ready for a sentimental journey into an era and region that has charmed the hearts of millions.”
Review
“A compelling story of courage and faith.” Augusta Trobaugh, author of Sophie and the Rising Sun and River Jordan
Review
“In Hazel Creek, author Walt Larimore tells a story woven through with timeless themes of family, friendship, and faith. He deftly recaptures life in the Great Smoky Mountains in the mid 1920s through the eyes of fifteen-year-old Abbie Randolph, weaving in both love and loss and the occasional lyrics of songs that add a sweet touch of music to the story.”
Review
“Larimore captures both the natural beauty and the culture of the people who once lived there that makes Hazel Creek one of the most beloved sections of the Great Smoky Mountains.”
Review
“Hazel Creek intertwines fictional characters with historical facts so well that they come alive in a unique way that will stir the hearts and minds of readers and will encourage them to become better people. The research given to this writing is impeccable and the sensitivity to the inward character and integrity of our beloved mountain ancestors is nothing short of inspired insight. I am simply delighted with Hazel Creek!”
Review
“Hazel Creek is an American portrait of day to day life in the early 20s. Through the eyes of Abbie, we feel the struggles, courage, determination, and faith of the Randolph family. This glimpse into the past stirs the heart and leaves us wanting more.”
Review
“Walt Larimore’s Hazel Creek stands right along with Katherine Marshall’s Christy or Francine Rivers’ The Last Sin Eater. This book will stir your emotions at a deep level, entertain, and open your eyes to a different time and world far back in the Great Smokey Mountains. I hated to see it end, and I’m thrilled to give Hazel Creek my highest recommendation.”
Review
“A compelling story of courage and faith.”
Synopsis
In a new novel from award-winning author Walt Larimore, a loving rural family struggles to survive tragedy and cope with the invasion of modern ways in the 1920s.In the Great Smoky Mountains wilderness in 1925, Nathan and Callie Randolph, with their five unique daughters, struggle to maintain their farm, forests, family, and faith against a menacing business and an evil company manager trying to pilfer their land and clear cut their forest.
As loggers invade the mountains, death touches the family, and hardship and loss confront them again and again; fifteen-year-old Abbie Randolph becomes mother to her sisters and leans on her faith to guide her through the emotional wilderness of changing times. With the march of the industrial age, the roaring twenties, Prohibition, the increasing momentum for national parks, and the onslaught of a modern world, the traditional life and ways of the mountaineers were about to change forever.
Featuring a cast of colorful characters, including independent and earnest mountain families, a murderous lumber company manager, Cherokee Indians, a band of gypsies, desperados, lumbermen, moonshiners, a world-famous writer, and Civil War heroes, Hazel Creek reveals a gripping struggle of good and evil during an eruption of violence.
A beloved family physician, Walt Larimore is the perfect author for this novel of love, loss, and injury that illuminates the enduring power of faith.
Synopsis
In the Hazel Creek Valley of the Great Smoky Mountains, Nathan and Callie Randolph, with their five unique daughters, wrestle to maintain their farm, forests, family, and faith against an unforgiving wilderness. An evil lumber company manager is seeking by every means possible to pilfer their land and clear-cut their virgin forest.
A cast of colorful characters, including a menacing stranger, gypsy siblings, a granny midwife, and a world-famous writer—even a flesh-and-blood Haint—collide in a gripping struggle of good and evil amid eruptions of violence and tragedy. Our heroine, fifteen-year-old Abbie Randolph, has to help save her family’s farm and raise her sisters while preserving her faith.
This important story, based on almost ten years of research and four years of living in the area, captures the speech, ways, and beliefs of these unique pioneers at a crucial and irreversible turning point in this Smoky Mountains community of the Southern Appalachians. With the march of the industrial age, especially commercial lumbering, the traditional life and ways of our southern highlanders in general, and the Randolphs in particular, were about to change forever.
About the Author
Walter L. Larimore, MD, has been called one of "America's best-known family physicians" and listed in “Distinguished Physicians of America,” “The Best Doctors in America,” and “Who’s Who in America.” Walt was awarded the 2004 Christianity Today Book Award for cowriting Going Public with Your Faith: Becoming a Spiritual Influence at Work. He has been a Gold Medallion Book Award finalist three times—for the Going Public book and small-group video series, as well as his book The Highly Healthy Child. He also authored the popular Bryson City Tales books and coauthored the TSI series with Paul McCusker. He lives in Monument, Colorado.