It’s here! Whoo hoo! My new novel should now be landing in your hands! I am so excited (and of course a bit nervous) for you to read it. Please let me know what you think by leaving reviews. Enjoy and THANK YOU for reading!
Reviews of Patch Town:
“Stein’s novel brings the bootleg coal era to life in vivid detail. It’s also a love letter to the little coal patch if Mary D. Its characters make you feel events in a way straight history cannot, and their unwinding story tells the secret of how a small town can pull off major events, unthinkable in other times and places, and succeed.”
Mitch Troutman, author of The Bootleg Coal Rebellion
Patch Town by J.A. Stein is a powerful and heartfelt novel that resonated deeply with
Diana Prosymchak, executive director of the schuylkill county historical society
me—especially because it brought my own hometown to life on the page. Stein
captures not only the physical landscape of a coal patch town but also the spirit,
determination, and grit of the people who fought to protect their homes from the
pressures of the mining industry.
One of the most impressive strengths of the book is its historical depth. The author
clearly did her research, weaving together real events, community struggle, and local
history in a way that feels both authentic and compelling. The historical content enriches the story without ever overwhelming it, giving readers a clear understanding of what the residents endured and the courage it took to stand up for their community.
Reading Patch Town felt like walking familiar streets again, but through a new
lens—one shaped by pride, nostalgia, and a deeper appreciation for the resilience of
past generations. Stein’s storytelling honors the people who lived these battles and
preserves an important part of local heritage.
Overall, Patch Town is a meaningful, well researched, and engaging read. For anyone connected to coal region history—or simply interested in stories of community, perseverance, and justice—it is a book well worth picking up.
J.A. Stein has nailed it again. In Patch Town, her latest opus, she captured life in the anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania during the Great Depression. As a Skook (Schuylkill County native) myself, I recognized the language, the sentence structures, and the “patches” where miners and their families lived in small, modest villages. She intertwined the hardscrabble lives of miners, their loves, and ambitions in a compelling tale that is romance, adventure, and mystery all in one. Her knowledge of mining techniques and their constant dangers was detailed and accurate. The scenes underground gave me the shivers with the damp, stale air, constant dripping water, and cave-in dangers. Stein is an expert storyteller who weaved complex plots and their accompanying twists you don’t see coming. Her characters are nuanced, people you can’t help rooting for as they face life’s problems. This is wonderful novel I couldn’t put down. I can’t wait for Stein’s next novel.
Dean Alan Conrad, author of welcome to mammoth