Red Helmet

With his past series of books set in Coalwood, West Virginia, New York Times best-selling author Homer Hickam won the praise of critics around the world and the devotion of legions of fans. Now, he returns to his beloved coalfields, not as they were fifty years ago, but today. In this hauntingly beautiful and romantic novel, he brings alive the little Appalachian town of Highcoal and a people dedicated to mining coal according to the old ways while struggling with modern problems--illegal drugs, environmental destruction, and a world economy that threatens their very existence.

Song Hawkins is a beautiful, tough, but lonely New York City businesswoman who thinks she's met the man of her dreams in Cable Jordan, the superintendent of a West Virginia coal mine. But soon after they impulsively marry during a romantic holiday, Song realizes they're in big trouble. She can't imagine life outside of New York, and Cable has no intention of leaving Highland.

Song's visit to the little mining community to meet its quirky citizens only makes things worse and it looks like the marriage is over. But in a shocking turn of events, Song realizes it's up to her to put on the red helmet of the new coal miner and descend into the deep darkness to make a life-changing sacrifice for both Cable and the entire town.