This is excellent. Good humor, good writing and a pretty realistic plot that also includes very good dialog. For me it has all of the elements of a great story. Recommended.

I really appreciate the review copy!!

A comfortable, fun and humourous story, reminiscent of Faulkner and Twain. With loving and realistic characters and excellent writing a story that needed telling done well. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc.

“Bell Hammers” by Lancelot Schaubert is a fun and humorous story delivering a powerful message. The book can be summarized as a collection of several stories. The characters are loving and realistic. The writing style is excellent, reminiscent of Mark Twain.

Thanks to the author and the publisher for the ARC.

Verdict: Recommended.

Bell Hammers is and enjoyable and thoughtful read, one that captures life in southern Illinois Coal Country during the 20th century. The novel is told in stories, starting in Remmy's childhood, and bringing us through his adulthood, marriage, fatherhood and grandfather hood. Overshadowing everything is the Big Oil company, and Remmy's long play to develop a prank designed to even the score. The book is both funny and poignant and as I read through, I really felt myself bonding with these characters.
The book is loosely based on real life stories of the author's relatives which provides a sense of authenticity. Early in the book, Remmy is told of his grandfather's participation in the Herrin Massacre. I had never heard of this, but the telling was so real, I had to stop reading to find out if it was a real event. It was a real event, it was horrific, and I cannot believe I never heard of it in school.
This book is a bit of a slow read in the second half, but does pick up as Remmy's plan comes to fruition. I thank NetGalley and IBPA for an advanced copy of this enjoyable book in exchange for an honest review.

Bell Hammers by Lancelot Schaubert was the book I needed recently. I'd been struggling with anything I had picked up to read...until Bell Hammers. Schaubert tell us about the life and time of Wilson Remus (Remmy). From when he was six years old and running to catch his ride to school buck naked. Until he came face to face with the Lord at his life end. I will look back to my time with Remmy with fondness.

I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for this advanced digital book and the opportunity to review Bell Hammers.

The stories were unique and entertaining. Lancelot did a great job of researching and writing.
Remmy grows up with Beth in Bellhammer, Illinois as oil and coal companies Rob the land of everything that made it paradise. Beth tries to fix him by taking him to church.

Thank you to publisher and NetGalley for the eARC

Interesting journey through a time in which laughter and a good prank carries one man in a road of self discovery. Poignant musings that ensure Remmy's story will always be remembered.

Bellhammers by Lancelot Schaubert is a full length, contemorary novel. The storyline spans decades and starts when the hero, Wilson Remus is six years old. He lives a life well lived, a lifetime filled with love, life, family, career, history, failure and succes. I loved the excekllent writing and the captivating story, the beautifully thought out and beautifully told story.

Interesting look at life in Middle America as big business and the common man face off. Realistic characters bring life to an informative novel.

This is a story that needed tellin, simple as that. Boy I’m sure glad he did. You see, my people from way back when are just like these people, so I grew up hearing stories and tall tales just like the ones in this here book. Most of em are probably true, but who knows and honestly, who cares? Like I said, these are stories that needed tellin. And they are told just like they were said, in that wonderful spoken vernacular of those wonderful people. It brought me back to when I was a little girl listening to my PaPaw talk about the coal mines and how hard it was for a regular guy to get ahead when the company men had all the power and money. And the pranks they would play, just to break the monotony of everyday life. Sunday picnics with all the neighbors, living down by the railroad tracks, carrying around little pieces of coal in my pocket because I liked the smell of it, stuff like that. Nobody writes stories about “hillbillies”, which is what my people were called, and told the truth. Nobody has written a story about Remmy, until now, and told the truth. This will feed your soul so just read it already!

I had a really hard time with this book. The subject matter seemed engaging and the synopsis drew me in. However the story never grabbed me and I struggled to chew though it. Maybe just not my thing. Hope others enjoy it!

I was not a fan of the audio excerpt- the narrators accent was too strong for me to enjoy. And sounded like a live recording and stumbled over words.

Overall I wasn’t really into the book unfortunately, I am not from the area and have no knowledge of little Egypt so was interested but it didn’t really get my attention ultimately.

Little Egypt the area referred to in Southern Illinois caught my attention right away. I am from that area Cairo, Illinois. The stories were certainly unique and entertaining. You'll want to continue reading to see what Remmy has gotten into next.
I cannot agree with the author on the way everyone speaks in Southern Illinois. It certainly is different than central and Northern Illinois in many ways beautiful territory is just one of it's charms.
I would encourage readers to buy this book for it's uplifting entertainment and some charming stories; whether true or not.