About the Book
Title: The Eyes of River
Author: Cindy K. Sproles
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: June 23, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
A heart-wrenching Appalachian novel from a best-selling, award-winning author
In the shadowed hollers of the early-twentieth-century Appalachian Mountains, Lizzy Haney is on the run. She’s been falsely accused of murder and is desperate to reunite with her brother, River, whose unforgettable green eyes haunt her. The secret in her past is a stinging wound, but it motivates her toward her goal: freedom.
But nine-year-old River, sent through the US Post Office to their late mother’s friend in Knoxville, never arrived. Lizzy’s dream of finding him and starting a new life away from their alcoholic and abusive father is ripped away.
Her hope rekindles as she happens upon an unexpected friend to help her dodge the law and save the missing youngin’. As she finds herself trusting him, she discovers the accuracy of the old adage her momma repeated: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop
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About the Author
Cindy K. Sproles is a speaker and best-selling,award-winning author of several novels, including Mercy’s Rain, Liar’s Winter, and Coal Black Lies. She is the executive editor for Christian Devotions Ministries and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. She also mentors and coaches new writers with Write Right Author Mentoring Services. She is an Appalachian-born-and-raised mountain girl who now lives in East Tennessee.
Connect with Cindy by visiting cindysproles.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
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My Impressions
“The truth shall make you free. The truth shall make you free. I kept repeatin’ the words, tryin’ to convince myself it was true. All the while, the memory of River’s eyes scorched my soul.”
Whoo, boy! I feel just a little numb after reading this Appalachian novel, The Eyes of River, by Cindy Sproles. Writing with her unparalleled mountain voice, Sproles transports the reader back in time to 1913 Tennessee, south of Chattanooga.
There we meet rough, but spirited Lizzy Haney, 17. After watching her deadbeat drunk father kill her mother, Lizzy believes her father’s threats to kill her younger 9 year-old brother, whose deep-green eyes “could bore a hole through your soul.” Her father can’t stand the judgment of those innocent, discerning eyes. Believing herself River’s only protection, Lizzy mails him off to her mother’s friend in Chattanooga. Things progress from bad to worse when her cruel father sets Lizzy up to take the wrap for murders he commits. Soon on the run, with her plans in ashes, will Lizzy accept help from others? Will she find the truth that can set her free?
I love Alton for his patience with Lizzy. He has loved her for a long time, but Lizzy has looked no further than first impressions and appearances. Alton offers to help guide Lizzy in the mountains, at a risk to his own life, but Lizzy can’t stop depending on her own wisdom and insisting they do things her way. Alton finally rebukes her, “Lizzy, you need to learn to hush. Be quiet. You need to understand you don’t know everything, and sometimes folks is just trying to help you.” Somehow, Alton has become a mature, wise man when Lizzy wasn’t noticing.
Lizzy finds this journey not only dangerous but frustrating and full of self-discovery (“ye shall know the truth”), but often that truth is painful. As the Sheriff tells Lizzy, ( and so does Alton!) “You do have a problem with doing what you’re told.” If the rescue of River will depend on Lizzy being quiet and doing what she’s told, there could be some huge snags!
I loved the variety of people that populate the secondary character stage. They are well-drawn, some heart-ugly, some beautiful from within, but all compelling and great catalysts for action. Jerelene and Joe are wonderful encouragers and “growth prodders” for Lizzy. Lizzy’s daddy and Yeager are worthy undesirable criminals who need caught!
If I could hear a single song playing as the soundtrack in the background as I read this book, surely it would be Foreigner’s “I wanna know what love is. I want you to show me.” Lizzy wants desperately to know what love is. From some characters, she gets very skewed ideas or imperfect love. From others, like Alton, the Wileys, or Tilda, she sees true love, but as I said above, a love that cares enough to tell the truth. Will she connect with the Source of perfect Love?
I received a copy of the book from the publisher. I also ordered a paperback for my keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“…real love don’t care what or who you are. It just cares that you are.”
(what Lizzy learns from Jerelene)
“You can’t change what you are, no matter how you scrub the hide. Instead you learn to accept it and change from the inside.” – Jerelene
“At that moment I began to understand what it meant to trust. Trusting someone meant having no doubt they would do what they said they would do.” – ( Lizzy)
“A body doesn’t have to ask questions. He just has to listen. You learn a lot when you listen.” – Sheriff Mosley
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Superior! Capturing the raw Appalachian life from the early 1900s, Sproles has captured the essence of that era and voice. She hows how hardship forces a young girl to mature and find truth and love. Highly recommended!!
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Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Eyes of River and a $20 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 24, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 1, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions 