A Road Uncertain

About the Book

HERBERT STOVER'S LAST NOVEL - NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED!

In the historical novel A Road Uncertain, Joel Pender must navigate the perils of the Civil War, escaping both a draft into the army and the threat of capture for a crime he did not commit, while deciding whether to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor and the man his beloved Trudi Quinn believes he can be.

• Compelling Historical Drama: Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, the narrative follows Joel Pender, a medical student whose life is upended by the conflict and the loss of his parents, forcing him into a high-stakes struggle for survival and identity.
• Action and Moral Dilemma: The story masterfully blends suspenseful action-including escapes from ruthless guerrillas and dodging the army draft-with a profound internal journey as Joel decides whether to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor or succumb to the pressures of war.
• Rich, Atmospheric Setting: The book vividly portrays the Civil War era, particularly within the unique and sheltered community of the Overhill Cherokees in Talpo, adding a layered cultural dimension to the traditional historical fiction genre.
• Themes of Redemption and Growth: Central to the marketing appeal is Joel's evolution from a bitter, displaced young man into a resilient healer, a transformation spurred by his relationship with Trudi Quinn and his dedication to those in need.

In the historical novel A Road Uncertain, medical student Joel Pender finds his dreams of becoming a doctor shattered by the outbreak of the Civil War and the sudden loss of his parents. Seeking refuge from the turmoil, Joel retreats to the isolated mountain village of Talpo, a sanctuary for the Overhill Cherokee who have largely remained untouched by the conflict. There, he finds a new purpose teaching at the local school and using his limited medical training to heal the sick, often aided by the spirited Trudi Quinn.

However, the war's long reach eventually finds the peaceful enclave. Joel is thrust into a high-stakes struggle for survival when he is targeted by Shad Burley's ruthless band of guerrillas. Accused of aiding draftees and harboring secrets, Joel is kidnapped and held captive at a derelict farmstead. While navigating the perils of his imprisonment, he must contend with the shifting loyalties of his captors and the moral weight of his own inaction.

As the war intensifies and the threat of a Union draft looms, Joel is forced to make a pivotal choice: continue to hide in the shadows of the mountains or confront his past to secure a future. Amidst the chaos of the Battle of Gettysburg and the pressure of a looming criminal charge for a crime he did not commit, Joel must decide if he has the strength to finally pursue his medical calling and become the man Trudi believes he can be.

About the Author :
Herbert Elisha "Bert" Stover, of Livonia, Pennsylvania, was a well-known area historian. Born at his homestead at the top of the mountain between Loganton and Livonia January 15, 1888, he was the son of Adam & Jessie (DeLong) Stover. He was married (June 9, 1917) to the former Elva Kyler who died in 1955. They had two daughters, Ann Stover McFate of English Center and Marjorie Murray of Williamsport; two grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Beginning at the age of 17, Mr. Stover was a school teacher. He taught in the schools of Brush Valley and schools of Huntingdon, Austin and Philipsburg. He also taught at Lock Haven State College and was the principal of the Lock Haven High School. Mr. Stover was the supervising principal of the Lewisburg School System for 25 years before his retirement in 1953. He was a graduate of Lock Haven State College and received his master's degree in Education from Bucknell University at Lewisburg. He also took several courses at PSU. After his retirement Mr. Stover did some graduate teaching at Bucknell. In the 1920s, he wrote short stories for many magazines across the country but was rejected nearly all the time. His short story "My Lesson" was accepted by True Confessions magazine in February 1929, but then the stock market crashed and the Great Depression followed. During World War II, Stover compiled a schoolbook titled History of Pennsylvania which was published in 1944 and circulated across the Commonwealth. This was followed by several historical novels that gained national acclaim, the most famous of which was Song of the Susquehanna (1949). Mr. Stover was a member of the Great Island Presbyterian Church in Lock Haven and an elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg. He is buried at Dunnstown Cemetery.