Willow and the Boys: The Rise of a Georgia Family During The 1800s

by Rick Maier

Roy Bowers wins a 160-acre lot in the 1832 Georgia land lottery. He leaves his successful Macon business in the hands of his oldest son and takes his sixteen-year-old boy with him on a long journey through the frontier to North Georgia. Roy finds the land rich in resources, and Tim meets a lovely half-Cherokee maiden. Still, the Bowers must overcome attacks and take big risks in developing a thriving community along the Toccoa River in the North Georgia mountains. The 1800s were a monumental time in Georgia's history-westward expansion into Cherokee lands, slavery, gold fever, epidemics, railroads, depressions, the Civil War, emancipation, Reconstruction, industrial breakthroughs, and the New South era. Georgia's rich history comes to life through the adventures of three generations of the Bowers family.

380 pages, Paperback

Published December 8, 2023

Reviews

[Morgan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes yes I’m biased and I don’t love history but I love Blue Ridge and my Dad so I highly recommend!!! Great character development, as you follow the family through 60 years!

[Natalie Blue Ridge Mountain Book Club Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow and the Boys was a beautiful story that follows a family through several generations beginning with their migration to the North Georgia Mountains. I loved how inspiring each character was. Their entrepreneurial spirits, their resilience, and the beautiful love stories between them, be they romance, friendships, familial, business partners, or caretakers. The writing prose was eloquent, and the story just flowed with ease. I began reading this on Kindle and halfway through, I purchased a print copy because I knew this was a book I wanted to come back to and enjoy having on my shelf to pick up and read again. We'll done Rick Maier.

[Cathy Koerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book of the development of north Georgia. Combines fiction w many facts.

[Jim Tyznik · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was enjoyable as I have just moved to the area and the writing was a vivid depiction of the area. I appreciated how much history was shared in the writing. Anyone would enjoy the epic journey of Willow and the Boys. Well done!!

[Laura Carleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this book up from the author himself while at a bookstore in North Georgia. Read it in 3 days. It was easy to get into, fast paced and a wonderful read..