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Beneath a Thousand Apple Trees
As the 20th century dawns, the world is transformed in dizzying ways. But nestled in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains is a place, and a family, out of time—where one young girl will grow to face the challenges of each generation before her—and discover whether she has the strength to overcome them…
The eldest surviving daughter of Anna Guinn, Rachel rarely ventures far from her home in the Appalachians, aside from an occasional trip into town to trade a penny for a peppermint stick. Sometimes she yearns for more, but as much as she fears her mother’s unstable mind, she is anchored by the strength of her grandmother, Willa. Freed from an abusive marriage, Willa holds the family together through hardship, all the while fulfilling her role as keeper of her neighbors’ carefully guarded secrets—the most painful of which may be her own.
In this isolated, eccentric world where people depend on moonshine to put food on the table, hang talismans to chase away ghosts—and tragedy can strike as suddenly as a coiled copperhead—Rachel wonders what life has in store. Most of all, she worries whether she and her sister have inherited the darkness that lurks inside their mother. Her one respite is the town’s apple orchard, the ally she finds there—and the revelation that she can take her destiny into her own hands, decide what to leave behind—and what is truly worth carrying into the future…
The eldest surviving daughter of Anna Guinn, Rachel rarely ventures far from her home in the Appalachians, aside from an occasional trip into town to trade a penny for a peppermint stick. Sometimes she yearns for more, but as much as she fears her mother’s unstable mind, she is anchored by the strength of her grandmother, Willa. Freed from an abusive marriage, Willa holds the family together through hardship, all the while fulfilling her role as keeper of her neighbors’ carefully guarded secrets—the most painful of which may be her own.
In this isolated, eccentric world where people depend on moonshine to put food on the table, hang talismans to chase away ghosts—and tragedy can strike as suddenly as a coiled copperhead—Rachel wonders what life has in store. Most of all, she worries whether she and her sister have inherited the darkness that lurks inside their mother. Her one respite is the town’s apple orchard, the ally she finds there—and the revelation that she can take her destiny into her own hands, decide what to leave behind—and what is truly worth carrying into the future…
228 pages, Paperback
Published August 30, 2016
About the author
Janie DeVos
12 books34 followers Janie DeVos, a native of Coral Gables, Florida, began her career in the advertising industry. After more than a decade in that field, she focused her time and attention on her love of writing. DeVos began her freelance writing company, Rainy Day Creations, in 2000, and began composing verses for several greeting card companies. Then, How High Can You Fly?, DeVos’ first hardcover picture book published through River Road Press, made its debut in 2001. In 2003, Ms. DeVos’ second hardcover picture book, The Path Winds Home, was released.
Both books grabbed the attention of a New York publisher, East End Publishing, and in 2007, Ms. DeVos’ third book,Barthello’s Wing, made its debut. Scholastic Books was interested in including Barthello’s Wing in their North American school book fairs, and asked that it be produced in soft-cover. It was, and to date it has sold over 90,000 copies. In the spring of 2012, DeVos once again teamed up with seasoned publisher Pat Avery to release her latest children’s book, The Shopkeeper’s Bear. It was released in November of that year, and has become a fan favorite.
In 2015, DeVos’ first adult novel found a home with prestigious Kensington Publishing. Beneath a Thousand Apple Treeswas released in the fall of 2016, and its sequel, The Art of Breathing, will be released in February, 2017. Recently, Kensington signed DeVos to a three-book series about old Florida, beginning in the 1870’s. The first book in the Glory Land series is set to be released in December, 2017, with the second and third books planned for publication in 2018.
Ms. DeVos has made numerous appearances in schools, libraries and bookstores. She has been a keynote speaker for Miami, Florida’s Title One Program, as well as the authors’ liaison for the Reading Across Broward Festival, and was one of three authors selected by Border’s Books, Children Services of Broward County, and Broward County Libraries as part of a joint effort in targeting at risk children in after-school programming. She continues to give presentations about her books at different venues, to diverse audiences. She lives in a log cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and beloved Bassets. To read more about her and her upcoming work, please visit her website at www.janiedevos.com
Both books grabbed the attention of a New York publisher, East End Publishing, and in 2007, Ms. DeVos’ third book,Barthello’s Wing, made its debut. Scholastic Books was interested in including Barthello’s Wing in their North American school book fairs, and asked that it be produced in soft-cover. It was, and to date it has sold over 90,000 copies. In the spring of 2012, DeVos once again teamed up with seasoned publisher Pat Avery to release her latest children’s book, The Shopkeeper’s Bear. It was released in November of that year, and has become a fan favorite.
In 2015, DeVos’ first adult novel found a home with prestigious Kensington Publishing. Beneath a Thousand Apple Treeswas released in the fall of 2016, and its sequel, The Art of Breathing, will be released in February, 2017. Recently, Kensington signed DeVos to a three-book series about old Florida, beginning in the 1870’s. The first book in the Glory Land series is set to be released in December, 2017, with the second and third books planned for publication in 2018.
Ms. DeVos has made numerous appearances in schools, libraries and bookstores. She has been a keynote speaker for Miami, Florida’s Title One Program, as well as the authors’ liaison for the Reading Across Broward Festival, and was one of three authors selected by Border’s Books, Children Services of Broward County, and Broward County Libraries as part of a joint effort in targeting at risk children in after-school programming. She continues to give presentations about her books at different venues, to diverse audiences. She lives in a log cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and beloved Bassets. To read more about her and her upcoming work, please visit her website at www.janiedevos.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 11, 2016
3.5 North Carolina, Blue Ridge mountains, 1916, Rachel as the eldest daughter notices the darkness that inhabits her mother. She fears that her elder brother, herself or her younger sister will inherit this sickness. Times are tough, the family mill not doing well, a family tragedy has unhinged her mother, so Rachel looks to her strong grandmother Willa, to keep the family together. These were the days without public aid, if money was needed they just worked harder, neighbors helped neighbors, and moonshining was a way for the mountain men to keep body and soul together, keep their families from starving. Moonshining would impose a devastating price on this small family.
An old fashioned,, beautifully written Southern novel, a family novel, a novel of great love and great sadness. A novel of superstitions, of haints, of pulling together and tearing apart. A coming of age story for sure but much more. I loved Willa, her and Sam's story, a true family matriarch, who has seen much but always puts her family first. At times this did get a little too sentimental for me but I did enjoy this story and look forward to the sequel.
An old fashioned,, beautifully written Southern novel, a family novel, a novel of great love and great sadness. A novel of superstitions, of haints, of pulling together and tearing apart. A coming of age story for sure but much more. I loved Willa, her and Sam's story, a true family matriarch, who has seen much but always puts her family first. At times this did get a little too sentimental for me but I did enjoy this story and look forward to the sequel.
January 19, 2023
Southern Gothic. A physically damaged heroine, generational madness, mayhem, foggy mountains, moonshine, superstition, rigid religion, strong grandma, tight community, horse and buggy, one-room schoolhouse, sickness, danger, death, near death, violence, vengeance, jealousy, bullying, betrayal, injustice, corrupt lawmen, relatives in high places, stormy weather, poverty, a handy secret stash, overcoming poverty, saintly neighborhood widow, latent talents, teen brides, handsome heroes saving the day at the last minute, and no-fail solutions to everybody's problems. It's all there. An interesting, low-threat-level read that follows a definite formula.
January 13, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I am now reading the second book which is about the same families years later.
March 16, 2018
Love
Ohhh, I just loved this book!! It had a little bit of everything in it which in my opinion is an outstanding story!! I enjoyed every moment!!
Ohhh, I just loved this book!! It had a little bit of everything in it which in my opinion is an outstanding story!! I enjoyed every moment!!
April 21, 2019
This was a great story, but I felt it needed a bit more editing to length some areas of the the story that could have been experienced better. Can't wait to discuss with you Megan!
April 20, 2019
I loved everything about this book. I could hardly put it down, and didn't want it to end. The characters were interesting and the relationship between Rachel and Willa was very special.
October 5, 2020
Great book!
I really enjoyed this book and want to read more by this author. My family is from the same area in NC and love books about those beautiful mountains.
I really enjoyed this book and want to read more by this author. My family is from the same area in NC and love books about those beautiful mountains.
November 2, 2021
Wonderful, I could hardly put it down. Great read
July 27, 2022
Outstanding
I loved reading this book. The story & characters are brought to life. You can feel & see everything that is happening,
I loved reading this book. The story & characters are brought to life. You can feel & see everything that is happening,
August 23, 2016
Beneath a Thousand Apple Trees by Janie DeVos is set in Howling Cut, North Carolina in 1916. Grandma Willa is the matriarch of the family. Willa was originally married to Malcom who turned out to be a very violent man. Willa was fortunate to escape him and start a new life (with some help). Willa has one son, Calvin. Calvin married and stayed on the farm. Calvin and his wife had five children (Rachel, Merry Beth, Prescott, and twin boys). But then the influenza hits the family, and the twin boys (the newest babies) do not survive. The mother does not handle their death well and ends up institutionalized (for the sake of the other children). The mother is never the same again. When Rachel was four, she was in an accident at her father’s mill. The leg was not set properly and Rachel has a limp (which causes ridicule from other people). We get to see the children grow up on the farm and see what choices they make. Rachel and Grandma Willa are the main characters in the story and we get to see things through their eyes. We also get to find out about Grandma’s past and how she ended up on the farm. Beneath a Thousand Apple Trees is the story of growing up on a small farm in Howling Cut, North Carolina in the early twentieth century.
Beneath a Thousand Apple Trees is a very slow paced story. It contains violent and graphic scenes (very disturbing). The writing is good, and the writer did a very good job at capturing time and place. I did, though, find the book to be dark and depressing (though realistic). It was just not to my liking (I read to escape). I give Beneath a Thousand Apple Trees 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Beneath a Thousand Apple Trees is a very slow paced story. It contains violent and graphic scenes (very disturbing). The writing is good, and the writer did a very good job at capturing time and place. I did, though, find the book to be dark and depressing (though realistic). It was just not to my liking (I read to escape). I give Beneath a Thousand Apple Trees 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
September 2, 2016
Author Janie DeVos has created a world of blemished beauty in Beneath a Thousand Apple Trees. She has the gift of being able to write beautiful descriptions and dialogue, and she takes you into a world where life's harshness takes a toll, but the diligence and dreams of her characters lift them above their considerable challenges.
Rachel is a resourceful girl who met with an accident at the age of four that left her with a limp that forces her to grow up quickly as she overcomes the pain of ridicule. There to help her do so is her Grandmother Willa, a unique healer who is trusted with the secrets of hearts and minds in her mountain community. She is a woman of substance and strength and generosity of spirit that is inspiring to everyone whose life she touches.
As substantive as Grandmother Willa is, Rachel's own mother is just the opposite. A mental darkness grips her, and Rachel and her sister and brother must live with the insecurity of a mother who is not there for them, a mother who likes the "pretty things" in life and whose husband pays the ultimate price in trying to provide them for her.
This book is classically written. As I was reading it, I thought that it was one of those books that could become a lexicon of Blue Ridge Mountain dialogue, so perfect is its rendering. Add to that the evident research that went into the history and industry of the area, plus the details of the kind of life that either broke a person's spirit or gave them wings, and you have a book that is not only immensely entertaining, but full of emotion-inducing moments that hold the line on sappy, but rise to the challenge of touching our hearts.
The author excels in keeping our attention, making us care deeply for her characters. Her writing skills transport the reader to a time and a way of life that is a both heartbreaking and rewarding. Highly recommended!
Rachel is a resourceful girl who met with an accident at the age of four that left her with a limp that forces her to grow up quickly as she overcomes the pain of ridicule. There to help her do so is her Grandmother Willa, a unique healer who is trusted with the secrets of hearts and minds in her mountain community. She is a woman of substance and strength and generosity of spirit that is inspiring to everyone whose life she touches.
As substantive as Grandmother Willa is, Rachel's own mother is just the opposite. A mental darkness grips her, and Rachel and her sister and brother must live with the insecurity of a mother who is not there for them, a mother who likes the "pretty things" in life and whose husband pays the ultimate price in trying to provide them for her.
This book is classically written. As I was reading it, I thought that it was one of those books that could become a lexicon of Blue Ridge Mountain dialogue, so perfect is its rendering. Add to that the evident research that went into the history and industry of the area, plus the details of the kind of life that either broke a person's spirit or gave them wings, and you have a book that is not only immensely entertaining, but full of emotion-inducing moments that hold the line on sappy, but rise to the challenge of touching our hearts.
The author excels in keeping our attention, making us care deeply for her characters. Her writing skills transport the reader to a time and a way of life that is a both heartbreaking and rewarding. Highly recommended!
October 16, 2016
I really loved this book! As a Young Adult Librarian, I read many books for book clubs & review and am particularly interested in "debut" fiction novels. An author's first fiction book can be an unexpected hidden gem and this is one of those gems. The characters were interesting, realistic and had depth. Not all of the characters were likable which helped make the story a more interesting read. Mountain life during this time period was often fraught with many hardships which is why I felt this book was well researched. I like when I learn something from a book and I enjoyed discovering some of the local nuances and especially learning about a Wart Buyer. The "voice" of the book rang true whether the story was about Rachel or Willa. Once the character introductions were established, the pacing of the book was perfect and I looked forward to turning the page to the next chapter. I would definitely recommend this book but especially to readers of historical fiction. I look forward to reading the sequel to this family story!
August 19, 2016
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A book so very well-written with a flowing style! Isolated in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, Rachel is raised mostly by her grandmother, a strong woman dedicated to her family, but also a woman with many secrets. Rachel's life unfolds in ways she had never dreamed of. Recommended!
A book so very well-written with a flowing style! Isolated in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, Rachel is raised mostly by her grandmother, a strong woman dedicated to her family, but also a woman with many secrets. Rachel's life unfolds in ways she had never dreamed of. Recommended!
March 28, 2017
Well written and well researched story. Great descriptive passages with lots of imagery and cleverly worded narratives. Enough humour in all the right places and just enough mystery to keep you turning pages.
The historical accounts of life in the Appalachians was particularly effective as the backdrop to the development of the relationships. Very enjoyable!
The historical accounts of life in the Appalachians was particularly effective as the backdrop to the development of the relationships. Very enjoyable!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews