Laurie Hahn, a rich, young, idealistic girl journeys to a poor Pennsylvania mining town to teach in the turbulent years of the 1920s when unions began to strengthen their efforts to hep alleviate the plight of the workers. Caught in the turmoil, Laurie reveals her strength of character as she evolves into a strong, determined woman who must navigate between opposing parties and the love of two men on seemingly opposite sides. Her prestigious award from the jujdging committee of the Royal Palm Literary Awards reveals their reason for choosing her book as a winning manuscript. "The reader will enjoy the smooth easy voice, consistent throughout this manuscript, and will be captivated with the plot of the story from the beginning. The author brings a fresh perspective to a small mining town in the 1920s. The reader will be intrigued with how the characters interact and impact each other as the story unfolds. Characters are well developed and complex, each with his/her own voice. Some great descriptions let us linger in the scene, and some quickly deliver what we need to know and then allow us to move on. Very enjoyable story and well written. Bravo!" Other comments from readers stress the inspiration received by noting Larie's strength and determination as she comes of age, understands herself, and comes to terms with important life-changine decisions she must make. The reader will laugh and cry through the episodes and will find it difficult to forget the characters.