Readers, meet Rae, my bloggy pal who writes over at Journey Mama. She has 4 of the most gorgeous children on the planet and lives with them (and her gorgeous husband) all over the world. Her blog posts are a balm in both their beauty and in the way they take this armchair traveler (currently stuck in Wisconsin mud) to exotic locations. Rae's take on life inspires me spiritually and as a mom. Her writing is exquisite. Enviably so. 
So, about a year ago when she mentioned she was writing a novel, of course I offered to look it over for her. (With selfish intentions, of course--she writes such fantastic blog posts that I could only imagine her book-length work!) She'd written a story about Molly and Catherine and their battle to save their land, their livelihood. I've always been a Barbara Kingsolver fan--great characters with an eco-sensibility appeal to me. I've always admired John Steinbeck for writing about the bond between people and place so eloquently. Rae's novel captured the essence of both.
Trouble was, here was this great novel I'd read, a novel that hung with me because the characters were so real, their conflict so plausible, the theme so relevant and nobody else had read it because it was unpublished. I could tell people about it, but I couldn't discuss it with anyone and hear their take on it. 
Cut to a year later--The Eve Tree is sitting beside me as I type this post. A beautiful book, just look at the cover design. I've begun re-reading it and it's as enchanting as when I first read it, just tidied up a bit with tighter sentences and modified plotting. But you don't care about that stuff, here's what you want to know:
The Eve Tree is about Catherine who owned a ranch in Humboldt County, California and raised goats. She has given the ranch to her daughter, Molly, and Molly's husband Jack. Years ago the ranch had been logged in an attempt to make money, but now wildfires threaten the trees still standing--the trees and the ranch. That's the action stuff, it's riveting and exciting. The Eve Tree is also about how we're interconnected with the land, the complicated issues surrounding property rights and management. It's about daughters and mothers and husbands and wives. It's about love, devotion and faith.
Readers, you can get your e-reader copy or the (truly more satisfying) paperback of The Eve Tree at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Or you can get a copy from me if you're my big winner. This novel is FABULOUS and I'm giving a copy to one lucky winner out of the comment box next Tuesday. How can you enter to win? Leave a comment in the comment box, that's all.
The Eve Tree--great reading. Pick it up.
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