This is Where it Ends

7/15/2023

This is Where it Ends

Author: Cindy K. Sproles
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 288
Release Date: June 27, 2023
Publisher: Revell

How long is a body expected to keep a secret?

When Minerva Jane Jenkins was just fourteen years old, she married a man who moved her to the mountains. He carried with him a small box, which he told her held gold. And when he died fifty years later, he made her promise to tell no one about the box or the treasure it contained.

Now at ninety-four, Minerva is nearing the end of what has sometimes been a lonely life. But she's kept her promise. Even so, rumors of hidden gold have a way of spreading, and Minerva is visited by a reporter, Del Rankin, who wants to know more of her story.

As an unlikely friendship develops, Minerva is tempted to reveal her secret to Del. But the truth of what's really buried in the box may be hidden even from her.

Reviewer: Raechel Helwig

This Is Where It Ends is a captivating story that takes you on quite the journey as we get to know the main character, Minerva Rankins. She was quite the character! A ninety-four-year-old woman living alone in the mountains, Minerva endured a great deal and learned even more.

The novel contains a bit of mystery as we learn things even Minerva didn't know about her past, her husband, and how it has affected and continues to affect her life. It unravels at just the right pace and is about so much more than just the mystery.

Young reporter Del Jenkins was also a marvelous character who really grew on me the more I read. I wasn't quite sure about him when he first came into the story, but I loved getting to know him more and trusting him alongside Minerva.

This Is Where It Ends is a very full story, alive with important messages, love, and grace. I really enjoyed my time inside its pages and look forward to more books from this author, who writes with a genuineness that really brings the mountains and the people alive!

This book was provided as a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews in exchange for my honest review.

Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt

“There ain't a soul alive that's found their happiness in the almighty dollar. Money, gold, possessions—all act like a coiled snake. They build up their fire, strike, and then they're spent. A body's happiness, the real prize, is found in the folks they befriend.”

I'd say after living on this earth for 94 years, Minerva learned a thing or three as evidenced in this quote! She's an absolute hoot with her wise-cracks and sassy attitude. I love her like she was my own kin. She's lived a hard life, socked in up on that mountain top but she sure 'nuff knows how to take care of her own. Until one day when her life takes a detour in the form of Del Rankin...then her world really gets shook up good! Secrets that want to be left buried come to the surface & she begins to question things she believed were as rock solid as those Appalachian Mountains she'd called home. I loved watching these two form a bond, even as resistant and hard-headed as Minerva was about it. Del has his own secrets to hold tight to and the author peeled those layers back one by one. His character was so amazing; I loved how he began to take shape in my mind’s eye. He put up with Minerva with grace and eventually won her over by his patient love. As for the box of gold....what secret did Stately take to the grave with him? One begins to wonder as the story goes on, my opinion about it shifted and twisted with each passing page.

This whole story is simply amazing and one that's very hard to review. I just don't feel I have sufficient words to do it justice! I'd rate this right up there with “The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip”. If you haven't read it, I think you should! There's so much wisdom to be had when you get to know the elderly among us. The stories they tell, the life they lived, and the wisdom they've gained is so much more precious than gold. Even Del agrees:

“I learned that gold comes in many forms. Sometimes it's in the precious metal, and other times it's in the wisdom and love of our elders. Gold is found in the relationships we build, the time we spend with those we love, and our efforts to bring others in our lives.”

If you love well written Southern fiction, nuggets of wisdom to discover, strong characters to care about, an emotional read and a good faith theme, then I think you'll enjoy this captivating story. I can't recommend it enough!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

Reviewer: Heather L. Jones

This Is Where It Ends is a book by Cindy K. Sproles. The story involves a woman, Minerva Jane Jenkins, who has lived on Shoal Mountain since marrying at the tender age of 14 to Stately Jenkins. Fifty years later, Stately dies, but not before making Minerva promise to keep secret a box of gold in his possession. Minerva kept that promise which led to a lonely life on the mountain, her company being her faithful dog Satchel, her cat Ruby, her barn animals, and the townfolk who would check on her from time to time. Thirty years later, Minerva is 94 and counting her days left on Earth. She has kept her promise to Stately, at the cost of a better life in order to keep it.

One day, a young man named Delano Rankin shows up on the mountain. Delano is a reporter and wishes to talk to Minerva. Although the tale of stolen gold is intriguing, he is more interested in the people involved. Understandably, Minerva is suspicious and wants no part of this reporter. With kindness and consideration shown by Delano, little by little, a friendship is born, and Minerva feels a little less alone in the world. Unfortunately, while Delano is trustworthy, there is another who isn't. A colleague of Delano's who is bound and determined to find the legendary gold at any cost.

I really liked this book and have developed a soft spot for Minerva. She may come off as a crusty old cuss, but inside, she is a sweet soul with a heart as pure as the cold mountain water she gets from the pump near her cabin. I liked Delano, too, with his care and concern for Minerva and her faithful hound Satchel. There are other good-hearted characters as well that one will enjoy in their read.

This is a wonderful story, heartbreaking at times, hopeful, and life-affirming at others. I highly recommend reading it and give it five stars.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

Reviewer: Linda Klager

The author did a fabulous job of portraying the lifetime of Minerva Jane Jenkins.

Minerva Jane fell in love with Stately Jenkins, and when she was 14 years old, Stately married her and took her away from all her family and friends to live in a home in the mountains. I cannot imagine how hard that must have been. She was very young and still needed the guidance of her sweet parents. Stately was only 17 years old. They were barely grown up to be away from family and live a lonesome existence.

When they got married, Stately brought with him a box and told Minerva that it was gold and that she should never tell anyone about it. Because she was so young and impressionable, Minerva's love for Stately helped her to keep this promise. They never had any children. She was very disappointed that she never got pregnant. She longed for family.

One day, Minerva found Stately suffering because he was near death. Again, Stately told Minerva to never tell anyone about the box of gold. She kept her promise. Oh, how she cried over Stately's death.

Years pass, and Minerva is all by herself. She is now 94 years old. She has a strong faith in God and speaks to God all the time. She asks God for another person to be there for her in death. God provides. A young reporter named Delano Rankin shows up, asking about the gold. This makes Minerva upset. She does not want to tell the secret about the box of gold.

Later on, Del tells her he was not so interested in the gold as the story behind it. He wants to report wonderful stories for others to read. Minerva and Del form a friendship.

As I read the book, I wondered about what was really in the box. Was it gold? I was right to wonder because there was more to why Stately wanted his secret to be kept.

I learned a lot about mountain life. I appreciate the author detailing all that Minerva went through in her very long life.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

Steeped in the culture of the Appalachian Mountains in the early 1900s, this story is a gem. It centers around Minerva Jenkins, who made a promise to her husband on his deathbed. A promise she keeps for almost 40 years until Del, a reporter, comes asking questions.

The vivid descriptions put you squarely in the story: “I saw the sunset. Streaks of orange and red. Fury yellows. The clouds blended in as though an angel dipped his fingers in them and gingerly stirred, making whips of purple and deep alabaster.”

Minerva, at 94, is lonely, set in her ways, and feisty as all get out. Her mountain sayings were a hoot. I could not help but admire her and her story of a lifetime of wondering if she was good enough. She questions her promise and how long she must keep it because, after all, her word is valuable.

Del brings questions and dredges up old hurts. But Del also brings with him a caring spirit. “Blood does not make a relationship. Kindness, caring, love make a family. You don’t have to be blood to be a perfect fit.”

Do not miss this immersive tale of Minerva, who lived on godly principles, with humor and sacrifice, and still had much to learn even in her advanced years.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Reviewer: Adriann Harris

No author writes Appalachian historical fiction like Cindy K. Sproles. When you read This Is Where It Ends, you will find yourself on an emotional roller coaster throughout, so grab a box of tissues but be ready to laugh out loud at the same time as you join 94-year-old Minerva Jane Jenkins at the end of her life.

Minerva, a tough-as-nails mountain woman, promises to keep a secret that is not hers and then asks the question how long do you keep it? Oh, what a dilemma that secret caused. As Minerva tries to find the answer to this question, the secret itself manifests into something that may not be true but could put her life in danger. Due to this promised secret, visitors suddenly started arriving at her farm thirty years after Stately died.

A reporter, Delano Rankin, arrives first and is not interested in the secret so much as in Minerva herself. As their relationship develops and the true secret starts to unfold, they find themselves growing closer. Overall I cannot say enough about the main character Minerva, except you go, girl!

This beautiful heartfelt story has many Christian messages that will stay with you long after the last page is read. Thank you, Cindy, for writing this awesome story, as you had me hooked from the first page of your beautiful prose and kept me engrossed until the very end.

I requested and received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. All the opinions are my own, and I was not required to give a positive review.

Reviewer: Lori Parrish

Oh my! Minerva Minerva! So many emotions and feelings you've rolled through me! Lots of twists and turns too.

What a raw and emotional story you've told. Times I've felt just like you. I have a husband like yours. I feel like I'm 2nd best to him and someone else. But you taught me many things along the way, too. I just hope that I can put them into practice.

Times I've wanted to scream at you because you are saying the same thing over and over, but what good's that gonna do? Absolutely nothing! Times I've wanted to hug you. You're someone special, Minerva Jenkins! You've taught us all some difficult lessons about life in general. I'm glad I've gotten to know you. You've made my heart that much fuller for knowing you.

Yes, the older generation is full of memories and history that shouldn't disappear because we are too busy to make time for our parents and grandparents. I'm so glad that I can honestly say that I did. They're worth knowing! I enjoyed this sweet story so much!

I know one thing, I'm NOT second best in Christ's eyes. He knows me and loves me for who I am. After all, He created you and me.

Thank you, Ms. Sproles, for a story of redemption and forgiveness that touches the heart deeply. Well done! I couldn't put it down until I was done.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

This is Where It Ends is a beautiful tale of love, loyalty, faith and keeping secrets.

The opening chapter captures your attention right away, and you are immediately in the mind of the main character, Minerva Jenkins. She is 94 years old and tough as nails. But she has a secret she's been keeping, one she shouldn't have to keep, and it's not even her secret. Her husband makes her promise as he's dying to keep his secret. This secret is hidden in a box, and now people are showing up at her farm because they believe the rumours that the secret is about gold.

The story is captivating, as is Minerva. She's a spunky little thing for 94. And her new "visitor," Del, is someone she's suspicious about, and rightly so. He says he is a reporter sent to find out about her story and why she was alone on the mountain. Unfortunately, while friendly and well-intentioned, his visit brings someone else to the mountain with a more sinister plan.

While the story is intriguing, it does get bogged down with a constant rehashing of Stately's secret and Minerva grappling with how long she should keep it.

With excellent detail and clear descriptions of the setting, I felt I was on the mountain with the characters. It is a book that many will probably need tissues for.

You will like This is Where It Ends if you enjoy historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy from Revell through NetGalley for my honest review.

Reviewer: Conny Withay

“How long does a body keep a promise?” Minerva asks in Cindy K. Sproles’ novel, This Is Where It Ends.

This two-hundred-and-eighty-eight-page paperback targets those interested in historical fiction about dealing with the past and growing old in the Appalachian Mountains. With only one slang word, of heck, the topics of illness, physical abuse, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes an excerpt from another book and the author’s biography.

In this tale set in the late eighteen-hundreds, ninety-four-year-old Minerva has dutifully accepted her widowed life living the last forty years alone on Shoal Mountain in Kentucky. She always tried her best as a faithful, loving wife, even keeping a promise to her departed husband about a secret he asked her to keep. But when a young man comes to her land and creeps into her heart, will she stay true to her beliefs no matter the cost?

This story, written mainly in first-person, grasps the reader as they learn how secret sins can build up over the years, allowing bitterness, regret, and guilt to take over. Minerva’s quirky yet strong-willed personality is wonderfully written, while Del shines in his gentleness and thoughtfulness. The raw emotions of aging and dying are touching yet heartbreaking. I love the correlation of kudzu vines being like hatred and anger over-taking one’s life. The descriptions of living off the land and the beauty of being self-supportive while cautious in trusting others were savored.

Those who do not like books about rejection and acceptance when dealing with life and death may not care for this emotional story. Others may feel it bogged down with sadness and personal turmoil, yet it does have redeeming qualities of mercy, love, and grace.

With this being an advanced reader copy, I hope a few discussion questions can be added without giving away too much of the story. Since it does mention God and prayers to Him, I wish it contained the eternal plan of salvation.

If you like a tender read of a broken elderly woman trying to be a promise keeper, this one may have you shedding tears dealing with its ending.

Thanks to Revell and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.

Book Reviews