Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash: A Novel

(Paperback)

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Large target market: This book will appeal to those who love family history researcha huge demographic, according to TIME and USA TODAY Historical fiction has shown a huge spike recently in the Nielsen BookScan figures, both in volume (the total of number of books sold) and in value (the total price of books sold).

Reviews

2022 16th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards Winner in Historical Fiction
2022 International Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Historical
2022 IPPY Awards Silver Winner in Mid-Atlantic (Best Regional Fiction)
2022 Eric Hoffer First Horizon Book Awards Finalist
2022 Eric Hoffer Book Awards Montaigne Medal Finalist
2022 Eric Hoffer Book Awards Grand Prize Short List
2022 Eric Hoffer Book Awards Honorable Mention in Historical Fiction
2022 ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Competition Finalist
2021 CIBA Goethe Book Awards Finalist in Post-1750s Historical Fiction

Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash exudes atmosphere and intrigue and gripped me from the very first page. . . . The storytelling in this novel is second to none, telling a gripping story of the struggle immigrants faced, whilst keeping twists and turns you wont see coming that serve to keep the story engaging throughout.
Readers Favorite 5-star review

A gripping, immersive story of immigrant grit in early 20th century America. Set against the grim backdrop of Western Pennsylvanias steel mills and coal mines, Tammy Pasterick weaves an engrossing tale of poverty, desperation, and betrayal. Above all, Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash is a tale of overcoming tragedy, and the transformative power of love. Pastericks deftly-wrought prose is nothing short of sublime.
Tonya Mitchell, author of A Feigned Madness

The novels structure presents many short chapters from different points of view, giving energy to the complex exposition, which addresses such topics as mental illness, infertility, rape, and postpartum depression.
Kirkus Reviews

Drawn from the authors family archives, this richly-wrought family saga invites readers inside immigrant coal mining communities in early 20th century Western Pennsylvania. Gritty and riveting, Pastericks debut novel exposes the depths and lengths humans go to protect honor, family, and love.
Ashley E. Sweeney, award-winning author of Answer Creek

At the turn into the 20th century, immigrants were forced to accept the most dangerous jobs to sustain their families. This is the unforgettable story of one such family, struggling to survive against unimaginable odds and heartbreaking challenges in the cruel mines of Pennsylvania.
Kathryn Johnson, author of The Gentleman Poet

Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash tells the compelling and very human story of working class immigrants in early twentieth century America. Meticulously researched, the authors compelling account captivates the reader, while also providing insight into the harsh and harrowing experience of immigrants coming to this country. In doing so, the book highlights the enormous strength and sacrifice required of those who came before us.
Paul F. Clark, director and professor, School of Labor and Employment Relations, Penn State University

The novel presents a striking portrait of the constant danger and risks associated with immigrants working in the mines and factories of early 20th century industrial America.
Professor Michael Kopanic, Jr., University of Maryland Global Campus

"Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash is a riveting, graphic etching of the impossible choices and unthinkable consequences forced upon early 20th century immigrant workers by a bigoted society bent on ensuring they had no other options. Pastericks vividly empathetic page-turner brings together an ensemble cast by turns relatable and reprehensible, drawn from a family history that could belong to countless American families. Heart wrenching, yes, but dont turn away from this one. We have to read stories like this to truly know who we are as a nation.
Ellen Notbohm, award-winning author of The River by Starlight

Author Bio

A native of Western Pennsylvania, Tammy Pasterick grew up in a family of steelworkers, coal miners, and Eastern European immigrants. She began her career as an investigator with the National Labor Relations Board and later worked as a paralegal and German teacher. She holds degrees in labor and industrial relations from Penn State University and German language and literature from the University of Delaware. She currently lives on Marylands Eastern Shore with her husband, two children, and chocolate Labrador retriever. Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash is her first novel.