Here’s the set-up for Rachel Devenish Ford’s The Eve Tree, just $2.99 on Kindle:
Ten years ago, when her mother retired, Molly Boscelli was called back to her family ranch and goat farm, deep in the remote hills of Northern California. For years she has resented the strong ties of responsibility, but now she finds herself scrambling to find help as a forest fire approaches, threatening the place that she only now realizes is her sanctuary.
Written in three points of view, The Eve Tree tells the story of Molly as she works to overcome mental illness and gathers determination to save her land from fire, of her husband, Jack, as he faces the thing he fears most, and of Molly’s mother as she digs deeply into the past to find the healing that both she and Molly need.
It is a novel about the beauty and difficulty of loving people, the desperation and longing of commitment, and a family who work to find their place on the earth in the shape of their land.
Author Rachel Devenish Ford presents a debut novel rich with emotion and need.
From the reviewers:
From : “A beautiful and haunting tale about generations connected by livelihood and place, Ford evokes the great books by Kingsolver and Steinbeck. Lush prose, conflicted characters so vividly drawn you would recognize them passing them on the street, and a gorgeous taste of environmental debate. Ford never gets pedantic, but blends thoughtful reflection and the urgency of fighting fires both metaphoric and literal in this expertly written novel.” – Ecowomen.net
Savor this one. What a beautiful book! While some of the other reviews say you’ll want to read “The Eve Tree” in one sitting, I suggest that you take the opposite approach: Read a couple of chapters, then set the book aside and think about it, then read a little more, and then think more. Enjoy the book slowly. Savor it. Don’t race through to see what happens next. You’ll get to the end eventually and in the meantime, will be able to slowly enjoy Rachel Devenish Ford’s beautiful creation. – Jennifer B.
A Treasure. In this story of a family, a ranch and a fire, Rachel Devenish Ford has created a mesmerising work of art. Hers is a unique style which combines detailed realism with lyrical fantasy, creating a world so powerful that it left me feeling elated. Devenish Ford understands the complexities of human relationships, and when she reveals these truths she also reveals the beauty of life. If you’ve ever struggled with your role as a mother, a daughter or a wife then this novel is your comfortable place to fall. Most importantly, if you have struggled with (in Devenish Ford’s own words) “the dark, slippery places of the mind” then I urge you to rush to read this novel. It will bring you through the fire safely, and prove to you that the wildflowers can still bloom. – Eleanor
Mesmerizing and Heart-Touching – ElleBee
Lovely and profound – Cate Moon
Visit Amazon’s Rachel Devenish Ford Page
Rachel spent six years working with homeless youth in San Francisco and Arcata, before embarking on the journey of her life with her husband and four children. She is still traveling now. You may bump into her in India, Nepal, or Thailand. Next, she’d like to try Venezuala.
And here, in the comfort of your own browser, is your free sample of THE EVE TREE by Rachel Devinish Ford: