A Piece of the Moon: A Heartwarming Novel about Small Town Life Set in West Virginia in the 1980s

by Chris Fabry

2022 Carol Award Winner!
An inspiring southern fiction story from the bestselling author of War Room
When eccentric millionaire Gideon Quidley receives a divine revelation to hide his earthly treasure somewhere in the hills, he sets out to find a fitting hiding spot, choosing only a few Bible verses as clues leading to untold riches of gold, silver, cash . . . and one very unexpected―and very costly―item.

Treasure hunters descend upon the hills of West Virginia, including those surrounding the small town of Emmaus, where TD Lovett and Waite Evers provide the latest updates and the beating heart of the community on radio station Country 16. Neither man is much interested in a wild-goose chase for Quidley’s treasure, though. Waite is busy keeping the station afloat and caring for the bruised souls who have landed there. Meanwhile, TD’s more intent on winning over local junkyard owner Pidge Bledsoe, who has taken in a shy, wounded boy to raise.

But after an estranged friend goes missing searching for the treasure, TD is unexpectedly drawn into the hunt. As TD joins the race to find Quidley’s wealth, he discovers where his own real treasure lies, and he begins to suspect there’s a hidden piece to Gideon Quidley’s treasure that no one could’ve expected.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Audiobook, Historical Fiction, Book Club, Historical

400 pages, Hardcover

First published April 6, 2021

About the author

Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. He is also heard on Love Worth Finding, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and other radio programs. A 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, now live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children.

Chris' novels, which include Dogwood, June Bug, Almost Heaven, Not in the Heart, Borders of the Heart, Every Waking Moment, The Promise of Jesse Woods, Looking into You, Under a Cloudless Sky, and A Piece of the Moon, have won five Christy Awards, an ECPA Christian Book Award, and two Christianity Today Book Awards of Merit, but it's his lyrical prose and tales of redemption that keep readers returning for more.

Chris has also published more than 70 other books, ranging from nonfiction and film novelizations, including the Kendrick brothers' War Room and Overcomer, to novels for children and young adults. He coauthored the Left Behind: The Kids series with Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, as well as the Red Rock Mysteries and The Wormling series with Jerry B. Jenkins. RPM is his latest series for kids and explores the exciting world of NASCAR.

Visit Chris' website at www.chrisfabry.com.

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This book had a bit of a slow start for me- mainly because it was following several characters and storylines and I wasn’t sure how it was all going to come together. Once it did, I really ended up enjoying it! It was character driven and I loved the way the book ended. The Kid was definitely my favorite of the book and overall it was a great read.

Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Chris Fabry
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Historical fiction
Length: 9h 5m

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminiscent of a Fannie Flagg book, A Piece of the Moon is a bit of nostalgia wrapped up in a Southern small town, wrapped up in a treasure hunt that may or may not be for actual treasure.

I adored this story of the residents of small town Emmaus, West Virginia in the early 80s. One of their residents has supposedly hidden a treasure and given a series of Bible verses as clues. Gideon's main reason for doing this is to lead people to the Lord and to have them dig into their Bibles, but the enticement of gold or other riches have kept people looking for years. The entire tale is centered on a Country radio station, the various people involved with running the station, and those they care about. It's also a tale of family--those who are actually related to us and the families we create.

I had a few tears in my eyes when I got to the ending, because it's just such a sweet and uplifting story. I listened to this partially as an audio book and it is narrated by the author who is very familiar with radio and how it all works and his love for it shines through. I think the audio portrayal of Clay "The Kid" is also more meaningful as it personifies his struggles and allows the reader to have empathy for him.

Chris Fabry has long been a favorite writer of mine because his stories resonate with everyone's longing for a place to belong.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

1981 West Virginia

Unique and heart warming.

A millionaire that loves Jesus hides a fortune and uses Biblical references as clues. Not surprisingly treasure hunters come out of the woodwork to find the hidden bounty.

The primary setting for the novel is a small country music radio station with Waite, a man who firmly believes in giving second chances, in charge. He employs misfits to manage his station.

There were many fabulous characters in the novel. My favorite was teenage Clay with his stutter and longing to be loved.

Musical references in the pages were lots of fun and I was delighted to find among them my 80's country favorites: Kenny Rogers and Barbara Mandrell. Some artists I wasn't familiar with and looked up several of them to listen to a few lines.

While A Piece of the Moon isn't a favorite Fabry novel, it was a page turner for this reader and particularly recommended for those that enjoy reading something a bit different.

[Angela Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one sitting, and was bawling like a baby at the end. Precious characters with real problems who find grace in ordinary lives and ordinary days. Love the radio station setting (and country music), and the characters. This book is a bit of sweetness for the soul during a time when there isn't a lot of sweetness to be found. Loved it.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that made me feel at home. I really enjoyed the setting and plot of "A Piece of the Moon". I thought the characters were well developed and likable. Waite had such a way about him and how he handled just about any situation that arose.

I loved the Christian aspect of the story and how it made me feel. It brought a sense of nostalgia and comfort. Ordinary lives in ordinary days. The issues that the characters were dealing with felt real. I enjoyed the journey.

The book revolves around a hidden "treasure". A multimillionaire feels that God is directing him to hide his fortune. He creates a series of clues, based on bible verses, and shares them with the public. The ultimate goal is to get people to read the bible more and hopefully find Jesus in the process.

Rating: PG-13
Language: clean read, implied swearing
Recommend: yes

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

In all honestly, I have had the hardest time deciding if this was a four or a five star read for me. I feel as though the writing was more of a four star, yet the plot was a solid five star for me.
I’m happy to let this round up from a 4.5 to a five star though and here’s why. I found this to feel unique and it felt fresh to me. I was also shedding some serious heartwarming tears at the end of the book. (That doesn’t happen very often for me and there were two places that welled up my tear ducts, and I couldn’t keep those happy tears from falling down my cheeks. I had to hurry up and wipe them away so my kids wouldn’t worry about me. Lol.)
There was a lot going on in this story. It was divided into six parts. Here is a list of things that you will encounter amongst the pages.
-A super wealthy man who loves the Lord more than anything hides his fortune, and leaves clues as to how to find it using only Bible verses. ( very clever)
-A mystery as to the reality of this hidden treasure
- A romance ( the title of the story works it’s meaning into this theme)
- Waite, who runs the radio station has a capacious heart for people needing second chances.
-Clay, a teenage boy who has a stuttering problem overcomes his past and finds a place in life.
- A challenge to think about what your biggest treasure in life really is.
(I think this would make a wonderful movie.)

[Jocelyn Green]

I love this author. His stories always have such interesting characters and are woven through with biblical truths that are completely down to earth and lived out in everyday ways through everyday people. He takes ordinary people and shows us how extraordinary they can be. A Piece of the Moon was no exception to that. I enjoyed this story, although my favorite by Fabry remains The Promise of Jesse Woods.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored the first line in the prologue, “Love, like treasure, stays buried until somebody decided to dig. That’s what this story is about, along with life and death and a stammering tongue and a little radio station. It’s also about the power of an old country song. Mostly it’s about events that occurred in the summer of 1981, set in motion by a fellow named Gideon Quidley, who was, in my opinion at the time, several bales short of a full loft."

This story is told in 5 parts each a grand adventure building up momentum taking readers to the next level ultimately leading up to a very satisfying, thought-provoking, ending that will make your heart sing, and cheer as it tugs at your heart strings. I love that about this authors’ books.

Hang in there as the beginning is quirky, and strange, I had no idea where this author would take me, with this buried treasure story. But since I have read the authors’ other books I buckled up and got ready to enjoy the ride. I am glad I did. I could not stop reading after it came together for me walking alongside these broken, hurting people. It came together in a most unlikely way. It was inspiring to watch the community face their fears together. I also adored Country 16 radio station and all who worked there.

I liked the authors peek he gives readers into his day job in radio. It was fun to learn that some of Chris’s experiences in radio were in the story, the author says,….”My high school Distributive Education teacher,…asked if I would like to gain some experience working at a local radio station. The prospect of going to school half the day and then to a radio station sounded good at the time and I said yes.. I had no idea where her suggestion would lead me, but it has become a lifelong pursuit. …”…my teacher said If I was hired, radio would always be in my blood.”

The story centered around two DJs at a small West Virginia country radio station, readers are introduced to a memorable cast of colorful characters – from those who come in and out of the station to those that called into the station and talked with Waite’s and TD. And then there was the ongoing crazy treasure hunt with bible references as clues to where it’s buried.

I liked how this author welcomes readers to a bit of nostalgia, in a community with a strong sense of place, as he delves into themes of forgiveness, redemption, second chances and faith naturally interwoven into a small town gone wild about finding a pot of gold.

This is a fun; feel good novel you do not want to miss. It is one that would work well for your next book club pick as the author includes discussion questions. If you have not read a novel by this author treat yourself to this one.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

[Josh Olds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Piece of the Moon is a love letter to old-time small-town radio wrapped within a character-driven story of brokenness and redemption that takes place amid an enthralling treasure hunt. The hunt itself is almost an afterthought, which is odd because it’s definitely at the forefront of everyone’s mind in Emmaus. The Gideon Quidley treasure is unique because Gideon Quidley is still alive and giving out clues. Nobody knows what the treasure is. A few people don’t believe the treasure’s real. But some folks are willing to risk a lot to find it.

But National Treasure this is not. Rather than focus on the hunt, Chris Fabry instead takes into the lives of those at Country16, the local country radio station. The year is 1981 and radio—particularly in rural areas—is a major part of small-town life. News, gossip, and the old classics all have their focal point out at Country16. And at the heart of all this is the story of TD, Pidge, and The Kid.

A Piece of the Moon is a novel that’s so multi-faceted that is almost defies summary. It’s the story of TD and Pidge, two broken people who form a fast friendship. It’s about Clay, The Kid, and his coming-of-age journey as he learns the ins and outs of doing radio—and coming to grips with his stutter. It’s about Milton Quidley and his relationship, or lack thereof, with his father. Gideon Quidley and his unique relationship with God. It’s about a town enraptured by a search for treasure. It’s about love and life and forgiveness and struggle and overcoming and loss and failure and perseverance and faith and hope and love.

It seems a little bit silly to say the real treasure was the friends we made along the way, but Fabry’s version of it is anything but saccharine sweet. This is a relational drama, not an action-thriller. But don’t worry, the mystery is real and if you read the clues closely enough you might even be able to guess the hiding place—or at least some element of it. But is the treasure what everyone thinks? I won’t disclose that here. Some treasures—like the answer to that question—are made more valuable by the journey it takes to get there.

A Piece of the Moon is a sometimes-meandering, sometimes-intense journey through small town Americana with a treasure-hunting twist. It’s nostalgic. It’s nuanced. It’s comedic. It’s dramatic. It’s over-the-top. It’s rooted in reality. In other words, it’s exactly like life. Fabry’s multi-layered, poignant tale is sure to enthrall.

[Christine Indorf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finally read piece of the Moon and did like it but felt myself drifting off a lot. I even found myself confusing 2 main characters throughout the book, not a great sign I did like the quest to find the old man treasure, and what really is his treasure? Whatever it was had the whole town looking for it. Now the goal was to get the treasure in the right person hands, but will they ever find it or will they about kill themselves doing so. I think my favorite character was the Kid who had a stuttering problem but working in a radio station and his dream of becoming a real part of family and at the station he had his dream come true. I did enjoy the book and the reveal at the end of the treasure was so worth the read. I would recommend the book. It was a great book for a lazy Sunday!!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long story short: I'd give this book a thousand stars if I could.

First sentence: LOVE, LIKE TREASURE, stays buried until somebody decides to dig. That’s what this story is about, along with life and death and a stammering tongue and a little radio station. It’s also about the power of an old country song.

A Piece of the Moon is set in the summer/autumn of 1981 in a small town in West Virginia. Many of the characters--though not all--work at an AM country station, Country 16.

I loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED, crazy loved this novel. It is a compelling, heart-warming, charming, thoroughly satisfying read. And quirky. Don't forget the quirky.

It is one of those rare books that is both CHARACTER-DRIVEN and PLOT-DRIVEN. The plot starts off with a little melodrama to hook you. (It worked.) But soon even though the plot hadn't really slowed down--offering a mystery or two, plus a light romance--I found out that it was really ALL about the characters.

It had the opportunity to be many things: a mystery, a comedy, a tragedy, a romance, a coming of age novel. But really it is more than any of those things.

It is a Christian book. But don't let that put you off. Don't turn your nose up and say, well, then there's no way I could enjoy that. It is a layered read. One of those books that capture the many, many, many, many layers of being human. And, yes, one of those layers is faith-based--do I believe in God???--but it is not a flat, one-note story.

I thought it was wonderfully written. Plenty of depth and substance. An abundance of heart. But this isn't one of those precious stories that is too sickly sweet. This novel is more a potluck--a good one--where every single dish adds something special and just right. It ends with a dessert table. But it isn't a cupcake of a novel from start to finish.

I think the characters will stay with me a long time. Yes, I know I just finished it. But already I'm thinking about how I will need to revisit this one again and again. Thinking about how this one NEEDS TO BE MADE INTO A MOVIE. Or maybe even a limited series. It needs a SOUNDTRACK or at the very least a Spotify playlist. ETA: There is a PLAYLIST!

I could gush about this one for hours--or days--mom may get tired of hearing about how awesome this one is!

Quotes:

A voice was like a good song. One could take you far, but it couldn’t keep you there.

Funny how grooves in an old record could bring back the pain. Words and chords and memories.

Sometimes love is less about what you say and more about what you don’t. He’d learned that lesson the hard way.

After the news at seven, TD asked Waite to play Bill Anderson’s “Double S,” a B side song used by DJs to take bathroom breaks because it lasted five minutes. Everybody had their favorite long tune, but Waite knew something was up.

He’d heard of stations that had countdown timers for song intros and that seemed like cheating. A timer could help you get out of the way of the first vocal, but it couldn’t bring the magic. And it seemed like the world was becoming less about magic and more about timers every day.

There was a crossover controversy with the Oak Ridge Boys. They’d gone from gospel to country and paid a price with some. Waite had received the same criticism with his drive-time program. One letter, written in scrawled pencil, said, How can you play all those drinking and cheating songs and think a few gospel tunes on Sunday will wash away your sin? You’re a plastic Christian, Waite. The writer had signed her name and given a return address but he didn’t answer. All who wrestled in the mud got dirty. He’d learned that the hard way. He’d also learned that some people had the spiritual gift of discouragement. Wisdom said it was best not to indulge them. Next, he played Grandpa Jones singing “I’ll Meet You in the Morning,” and he thought of his wife.

Waite turned the pot down on the finished record and hit the voice-over that said, “The best country in the country, this is Country 16.” Dolly Parton sang, “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene . . .” The Kid’s face said it all. It was like he had uncovered the secrets of the universe. Waite lifted the needle from George Jones and put the 45 back in the sleeve.
“Why are you treating me this way?” “I used to want to go out and save the world. God cured me of that.” “How?” “He showed me he could bring everybody I needed to help right here. And today that’s you.”

“I appreciate it, Pastor. I know Possum does, too.” “Do you know if he’s a believer?” “I asked about that when I hired him. He wasn’t ashamed to say he knew Jesus. Because of his weight, he stopped going to church. He broke a pew once and offered to pay for it as his tithe, but the church said they’d use insurance. He never went back.” “A lot of people feel self-conscious about one thing or another.”

After the Farm Report, Waite played two Statler Brothers’ songs back-to-back. That was another group that had started out gospel and veered toward mainstream country. Maybe it was the harmonies the men used that reminded Waite of four-part hymns. They counted flowers on the wall and watched Captain Kangaroo, then sang about the dreams and disappointments of the class of ’57. The line that always got him was about Janet who taught grade school “. . . and probably always will.” He thought about his life and his own “probably always will.”

[Debra Slonek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this book, the only Emmaus I had heard of was in the Bible, in the book of Luke. This book took me along the road to a different Emmaus, a small town in West Virginia. A newcomer described this little town as the back side of the moon.

Many of the townspeople and visitors were busy searching…Some searched for true friendship and a place to belong. Others searched for forgiveness and love, often without even knowing that they were searching. Still others were searching for hidden treasure.

This book is filled with skilled storytelling. Palpable heartbreak is balanced with hope-filled dreams, much like a country song. Faith struggles are handled so very well in this book. They were very realistic, enlightening and encouraging to me.

I loved so many of the quirky residents of Emmaus, I couldn’t possibly pick out just one favorite. They will be fondly remembered for a long time. And the ending… I loved the way everything came together. I finished reading this book with a big smile on my face.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Amy | Foxy Blogs · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

A PIECE OF THE MOON
● a Christian millionaire, Gideon Quidley, hides his treasure
● the hidden treasure can be found in bible verses
● Gideon - wanted people to read & understand the Bible via his treasure hunt
● radio station: Country 16
● Waite Evers: radio station manager
● TD Lovett: morning radio sidekick & tow truck driver
● Robbie: a pastor with young kids (searching for the treasure)
● Pidge Bledsoe: junkyard owner
● Clay: an orphaned teenager with a stutter. “The Kid” starts working at the radio station
● setting: 1981 … small town in West Virginia
● mystery

Audiobook source: Hoopla
Narrator: Chris Fabry
Length: 9H 05M

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treasure hunt!

Some lost souls (one physically and one spiritually)

A stolen truck, or found it you believe that little boy!

A lost teen...

A seagull and a dog.

A wrecker driver

Another great guy

A broken dam!

A very upset wife!

You add all those things together and you have the makin's for a great story. I really enjoyed this book, although I wasn't aware it was a Christian book before I started it. I found it so well done that I didn't feel like it was a billboard on the highway for God! I thought the story was heartwarming, so completely that I could offer that observation a second time. I loved all of the characters, they all just fit together so well.

I would love to tell you how the title fits into the story, but I just can't spoil it for you.. but I assure you it is super original and well worth the read.

5 stars

Happy Reading!

[Kaitlyn Krispense · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good😭😭🫶🫶

I love Clay so much. I love Waite and TD and Pidge...I love the small-town vibe and the wholesomness of it all.

And while I'm not typically a country music fan, I knew almost all of the classic country song references (tho with the book set in the 80s, they weren't technically 'classic' then) from my childhood and it was very nostalgic

[Anna Lanier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was slow to start and I found myself confusing characters, but overall satisfying end that was wrapped up nicely.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabry always makes me homesick for WV. Which is the main reason I LOVE his books! A Piece of the Moon is part mystery, part romance, part heartfelt character study with a message of faith weaving all the parts together. And I so enjoyed each and every part!

[Beauty in the Binding · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished A Piece of the Moon by Chris Fabry with a grin on my face. This historical fiction novel felt refreshing and unique, a different flavor of Christian fiction than what I normally read. While the story had serious situations, the humor, the treasure hunt, and the 80’s country radio added fun. I enjoyed references to the old country songs and observing how broadcast radio operated back then.

A Piece of the Moon hosts a large cast of characters and most everyone had a troubled past. Each one felt human and unique. I think Waite was my favorite, but I also loved The Kid’s part of the story. As the characters interact and grow, spiritual truths are discovered. I appreciated the recurring theme about God sending the good harvest when we stop straining or trying to do things our own way.

I read A Piece of the Moon by Chris Fabry with my local book club, and we had plenty to discuss. I enjoyed most everything about this book and plan to read more of Fabry’s fiction novels. Readers who have an affinity for early 80s country music, small-town culture, or just enjoy a good treasure hunt will likely appreciate this novel. 4.5 Stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've watched a few movies by this author, but this was the first book I've read. I really enjoyed it and the same thing I loved in the movies was also prominent here - the journey of one character (or a few) to finding answers and their way back to a relationship with God (and reconciliation with others).

The premise of the story was interesting and different with the clues of the path to the treasure hidden in the scripture, because even though there might be physical treasure, the true treasure to find is the ultimate relationship with God.

There was a lot of characters to love and a few which irritated me.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator's voice (I think it is the author) was amazing and lovely to listen to.

*I listened to this on Scribd.*

[Leeanne G · Rating 5 out of 5]

“‘Get thee up and gather thy fortune and fashion an ark. Hide thou the treasure in the hills where thou art from and fashion thee a map using my Word as a compass. I will use thee to turn many toward truth.’”

The Lord called on Gideon Quidley in 1980 and by the summer of 1981, people were in a treasure frenzy. Gideon and his treasure were on everyone’s minds, whether they really cared about the supposed treasure or not. Waite Evers and TD Lovett on Country 16 "the best country in the country" are keeping up with everyone's theories about what the treasure is and where Gideon has hid it. When they get a phone call one morning from a distraught woman who's husband has disappeared searching for the treasure, TD throws himself into a search for Pastor Robby Gardiner, and then for the treasure the man was searching for.

“‘All the money in the world’s not worth a hill of beans if you’re not willing to see the truth about yourself. Treasure just takes the problems you’ve got and makes them bigger…Name one rich person who’s satisfied...Even Gideon gave his away.” - Pidge

This was a perfect book to take camping. I saved it for a year because I had a feeling the campground was the best place to read it. That peaceful, nature surrounded environment helped me feel closer to the setting of this story and the characters in it. I would have happily stayed with these characters longer than these 360 pages if Chris Fabry would have kept going.

“Waite thought about the songs he played each day and realized that in country music there was a fair amount of revenge and bitterness and regret, but not a lot of forgiveness. Perhaps that was the difference between gospel and country.”

I don’t even really like country music but I’d listen to these characters on this station. Waite Evers has collected an interesting cast of radio hosts. I'd listen to all of their parts, but especially to Waite's Sunday special, 'Waite, on the Lord'. All the characters in this book made this such a nice read. The story is mostly told in 3rd person, but limited to Waite, TD, Pidge, and The Kid, in unequal rotation. The style of writing was lovely. There was something calming about it even during more suspenseful parts.

“‘Do you think it’s true that whatever doesn’t kill you will make you stronger?’
‘From my experience, whatever doesn’t kill you will back up and try again.’”
- Wally and Waite

Waite is an incredible person. If there were more giving souls like him our world would be such a better place. He isn't perfect, he sins and has regrets, but he's come out of his trials a better man. TD's past and journey back to faith and family was beautiful. TD was probably my favourite. I loved Pidge almost as much as him though. She knew what she wanted in life and in a man and refused to settle for anything less. She takes good care of The Kid. His journey through his stuttering and self-harm (only hinted at twice) was inspiring. I'd love to know how his future panned out. Jubal, the dog, is, of course, a sweetheart and a star.

After Wally's wife takes his old beater of a car, all he had left going for him, Waite says, “‘I used to want to go out and save the world. God cured me of that…He showed me he could bring everybody I needed to help right here. And today that’s you...You need new vision. You need to see what I see. You’ve got a lot going for you…A man with a working umbrella can go through a big storm and come out the other side. Open it up and start walking, Wally.’”

It was really interesting to learn about radio in the day of records. It made me nostalgic for a time I never knew. As a former sound designer in theatre, I was fascinated by the descriptions of how radio and records worked. When Waite leads The Kid through how to operate the turntable, switch songs, use the microphone, and adjust sound levels, were some of my favourite parts. It made me nostalgic for the sound board during 146 Point Flame, the high school production I worked on in Grade 12. I was always grateful that our school's soundboard was not automated. It allowed me to 'feel' the levels based on the audio levels of the actors onstage. My noted levels in my script were guidelines; the exact levels changed every performance. No one else could have run our production of 146 Point Flame exactly like me, and that was an awesome feeling. I was indispensable. The ability to run sound well is something you must awaken in someone else. Maybe that's why I rarely hear good sound engineering.

“To Waite, it was all a matter of feel, the eyes on the meters, ears on the song, hands on both [potentiometers], but the intangible was how it was supposed to sound, how moving from one song to the other was most pleasing to the ear. He wasn’t sure it was something you could teach someone as much as awaken in them...The Kid’s face said it all. It was like he had uncovered the secrets of the universe.”

I too felt like I had uncovered the secrets of the universe when I discovered the secret to running a sound board - 'feeling the levels'. Automating it takes away the magic and restricts one's ability to 'feel the levels' in the moment.

“[Waite] didn’t know the exact talk-over time to [Oak Ridge Boys’] ‘He Never Said a Word,’ but he had an idea. He’d heard of stations that had countdown timers for song intros and that seemed like cheating. A timer could help you get out of the way of the first vocal, but it couldn’t bring the magic. And it seemed like the world was becoming less about magic and more about timers every day.”

The mystery of the treasure was so fun. I don't know the Bible well enough to figure out any of the clues and I didn't have a Bible around to go read the parts that Gideon left as a trail. I loved following TD as he tracked down locations and people who might have answers about the treasure and the mind of Gideon Quidley, a fascinating man indeed. TD was in a perfect position - his tow truck - to watch “the slow unraveling of civility in Emmaus.” As would be expected, people kind of went wild in their search for the treasure. Who doesn't want a million dollars?

“There’s two kinds of people in this world. There’s the kind that will hold onto something they love till it dies and the kind that will love it enough to let it go and even watch it leave.”

Three more quotes I just liked:
“[Waite] had no earthly reason to stop at the red light, but something inside told him if he started picking and choosing which laws to obey, he’d find a reason to go around all of them. If you followed rules when nobody was looking, you didn’t have to guess which ones applied.”

“Sometimes love is less about what you say and more about what you don’t.” - Waite

“'You mind backing up this truck and taking another run?'” - Waite after TD blurted something out that made no sense to him at first.

Trigger warning: there is sort of an animal death. More accurately, someone accidentally gets killed by an animal and that animal is injured.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Piece of the Moon by Chris Fabry is an excellent historical fiction that has it all: a strong and uplifting narrative, mystery, suspense, unique characters, and a positive message. This book really grabbed my interest from the very beginning and only drew me in deeper the further I read into the novel. I really, really enjoyed it.

I loved the premise of the concept of the novel. It was so unique and refreshing to read. I loved the local of rural WV. As a WV native, I always enjoy a good story involving the hills of Appalachia. This story also presented a wonderful cast of quirky and creative characters. I really loved seeing the treasure hunt and how it transformed the participants as it went onward.

Without giving too much away to fellow readers, I really enjoyed the turns and surprises that were revealed throughout. I relished in the aspect of finding that second layer of complexity within the story, the deeper meaning, and that it was not just about "finding and searching" for material treasures, but about much, much more. The revelations really brought it all home. I truly do love a story with a wonderful message.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Tyndale House Publishers, Inc for this wonderful ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

[Scott County Library System · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review by librarian Christine Barth first appeared in the March 2021 issue of Library Journal.

Waite Evers oversee an eccentric cast of misfits at a dilapidated 1980s country music radio station in West Virginia's Hill Country. The main news of the day is a local legend about Gideon Quidley's treasure, supposedly worth enough to lift the whole town of Emmaus out of poverty. The unconventional Quidley hid the windfall in a replica of the Ark of the Covenant, which he then concealed somewhere in the mountains. In an effort to spark religious revival, Quidley left a series of Bible verse clues for the community, but when a local pastor is gravely injured searching for the gold, the radio crew feels responsible for feeding the treasure madness. Waite and his friends decide to solve the mystery to heal the division in their small town.

VERDICT: Every title by Fabry (Borders of the Heart) draws readers into the story with clear, honest writing in a similar style to Charles Martin and Lynn Austin. The rural South comes to life, with themes of forgiveness and second chances as highlights. The characters are both deeply flawed and immensely relatable, making this another hit for Fabry.

[Sheila Coburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4. A fun read. Just a good story.

When eccentric millionaire Gideon Quidley receives a divine revelation to hide his earthly treasure somewhere in the hills, he sets out to find a fitting hiding spot, choosing only a few Bible verses as clues leading to untold riches of gold, silver, cash . . . and one very unexpected―and very costly―item.

Treasure hunters descend upon the hills of West Virginia, including those surrounding the small town of Emmaus, where TD Lovett and Waite Evers provide the latest updates and the beating heart of the community on radio station Country 16. Neither man is much interested in a wild-goose chase for Quidley’s treasure, though. Waite is busy keeping the station afloat and caring for the bruised souls who have landed there. Meanwhile, TD’s more intent on winning over local junkyard owner Pidge Bledsoe, who has taken in a shy, wounded boy to raise.

But after an estranged friend goes missing searching for the treasure, TD is unexpectedly drawn into the hunt. As TD joins the race to find Quidley’s wealth, he discovers where his own real treasure lies, and he begins to suspect there’s a hidden piece to Gideon Quidley’s treasure that no one could’ve expected.

[Mae Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story of friends TD and Waite who work together at radio station Country 16 in the small town of Emmaus, West Virginia. When eccentric millionaire, Gideon Quidley, announces he’s hidden his considerable wealth somewhere in the hills of the mountain state, the area is overrun with treasure hunters. Quidley believes he’s been instructed by God to hide his treasure, and thus makes it known he used Bible verses as clues to lead where the treasure is hidden. Neither TD nor Waite are much concerned with tracking down the treasure, but get caught up in the hunt regardless. At Country 16, Waite keeps the populace informed of progress, new theories, and clues, while TD finds himself ensnared in the hunt in different ways.

I loved the variety of characters of in this story, so many of them unique and memorable (Crazy Sally, despite a small role, makes a big impression). There’s also a fun tip of the hat to country music and radio, plus small-town ideologies. Subplots consist of TD and the female owner of a junk yard, a fifteen-year-old boy known as “The Kid,” and a dog whose loyalty plucked my heartstrings. Each and every thread is tied up at the end with a beautiful, heart-warming bow. A delightful read with a setting so vividly written, it sparkles—as does the clever tie-in to the title.

[Jennifer Clauson]

Okay, this was just a really fun book to listen to. The author has a small-town radio background and he read the book. Definitely one to listen to as opposed to read because so much of the plot revolves around actual sounds. The plot contains a rather far-fetched mystery, but I really didn't care about the implausibility of the events because of the fun characters, the sounds and all the interesting background details about small town West Virginia. This is definitely Christian fiction, but somehow the author is able to bring out the humor in some of our evangelical ways while still pointing the reader towards devotion to Christ.

Highly recommended for a light-hearted vacation travel audio book that young teenagers and up would enjoy.

[Elizabeth Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed a light read after a medical treatment, and this fit the bill nicely. It was a little bit slow starting, as there were a lot of characters introduced in the first few chapters, but eventually I enjoyed getting to know most of them. The story was mostly engaging, though it got a bit overly complicated at times. The 'hook' of biblical clues pointing to a monetary treasure proved to be an interesting approach that kept everyone guessing - and also avoided feeling 'preachy', as it dealt more with academic knowledge (references, exact wording, etc) then gospel truth. But it also maintained a subtle emphasis throughout on the importance of eternal treasure. I would say that was the main point of the book, but the story provided a neat wrapper for the message.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have read this year. I loved everything about it. I want to turn on my radio and hear Waite and TD on Country 16 every morning. Trying to describe this book succinctly to someone is difficult, but all the various pieces tied together so well in the end, I couldn't help but cry tears of happiness. This is the kind of book that is so good, you feel lost and bereft when you finish it because you don't get to spend any more time enveloped in its world.

[David Dunlap · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is set, for the most part, in the fictional town of Emmaus, West Virginia. A local multimillionaire, Gideon Quidley, decides he will leave his money to whoever it is who can solve a series of clues/riddles based on Scripture -- he hopes that, even if a seeker does not solve the mystery, he/she will nevertheless be introduced to the issues of salvation and will make a decision for Christ. -- The local radio station (which plays country music, for the most part) is run by Waite Evers; his on-air partner is TD Lovett, who also has a wrecking company. TD is in love with the owner of the local salvage yard, Pidge Bledsoe, who takes in her teenage nephew Clay, who comes from a troubled and broken home. These are the major characters in this 'feel-good' book about a simpler lifestyle and folks who live closer to the earth and to one another than most of us are now accustomed to do. -- I enjoyed this novel, although it does not have the appeal or emotional impact that I have encountered in other works by this author. Perhaps it would help if I liked country music better!

[Robin Hatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't cried happy tears over a book in a while. I shed more than a few in the final chapters of A Piece of the Moon. This book is a treasure. An absolute treasure. How I loved TD and Waite and others in the small town of Emmaus. I adored Country 16, the best country in the country. Listening to this audiobook made me want to go find a favorite 1980s country playlist. Now I'm just going to bask in the feeling left behind when I finish a truly wonderful book.

[Marilee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely story about a quirky elderly man who feels prompted to hide his fortune for someone to find, causing a mad dash by many to find the treasure. The story centers around a small country radio station that gives updates on the search. The people that work there and are connected to the station have good hearts and are very likable. I enjoyed getting a little view of the inner workings of a radio station a few decades ago.