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Appalachian Elementals #1
Cleaning House
Note: The ebook page length initially recorded by Amazon's upload system in 2018 was incorrect. This novel is 319 pages in length.
Centenary Rhodes is an old soul with a well-traveled name, but she doesn't know this yet.
Growing up in southern Appalachia wasn’t easy, so Cent left home as soon as she could, but the post-collegiate happiness she’d expected has never occurred. She can’t find a decent date, much less find that special someone and, after losing her job in a corporate downsize, she’s struggling to meet her most basic needs. Her car has been repossessed, her bills are piling up, and her questionable North Chicago neighborhood is dangerous to navigate.
Returning home to Hare Creek, Tennessee, never crosses Cent’s mind until her Great Aunt Tess contacts her with an offer she can’t refuse. The family’s southern Appalachian homestead must be sold, and Aunt Tess needs someone to clean it up. Cent will have access to Aunt Tess’ garden and truck and can live on the homestead rent-free for as long as it takes. A part-time job is waiting for her as well.
It’s a chance to solve some of Cent’s financial woes, but will her return be enough when evil sets its sights on Embreeville Mountain and the homestead?
Cleaning House is a carefully woven Appalachian tapestry of granny magic, haints, elementals, and the fantastic diversity of the human condition – served with a delicious side of fries and a generous quart of peach moonshine.
Contains LGBTQ+ characters across the spectrum and a non-binary/enby protagonist.
Centenary Rhodes is an old soul with a well-traveled name, but she doesn't know this yet.
Growing up in southern Appalachia wasn’t easy, so Cent left home as soon as she could, but the post-collegiate happiness she’d expected has never occurred. She can’t find a decent date, much less find that special someone and, after losing her job in a corporate downsize, she’s struggling to meet her most basic needs. Her car has been repossessed, her bills are piling up, and her questionable North Chicago neighborhood is dangerous to navigate.
Returning home to Hare Creek, Tennessee, never crosses Cent’s mind until her Great Aunt Tess contacts her with an offer she can’t refuse. The family’s southern Appalachian homestead must be sold, and Aunt Tess needs someone to clean it up. Cent will have access to Aunt Tess’ garden and truck and can live on the homestead rent-free for as long as it takes. A part-time job is waiting for her as well.
It’s a chance to solve some of Cent’s financial woes, but will her return be enough when evil sets its sights on Embreeville Mountain and the homestead?
Cleaning House is a carefully woven Appalachian tapestry of granny magic, haints, elementals, and the fantastic diversity of the human condition – served with a delicious side of fries and a generous quart of peach moonshine.
Contains LGBTQ+ characters across the spectrum and a non-binary/enby protagonist.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2018
6 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 21 reviews
August 2, 2018
Cleaning House is the book I didn’t know I needed until I read it. It’s a magic-hiding-in-plain-sight story, but it’s also a celebration: of life, of history, of culture, and of who we are meant to be.
This is a deeply spiritual story. Not in the sense that it preaches itself at readers but in the way it draws us to examine the interconnectedness of life. It’s there from beginning to end, from Centenary’s friends and family to the way the humans interact with the magical realm.
Cent, the central character, is relatable. Her life hasn’t been easy, and she’s discovered what so many young adults today have: that hard work and study don’t always lead to success in the world. She can barely afford rent and groceries, and like many LGBTQ people, her only comfort is in her chosen family (in the form of her friend Betty, who is delightful).
After a stark beginning to the story, Cent’s life is suddenly in upheaval when she’s called home by her aunt. The balance between obligations to (supportive) family and the desire to distance oneself from a painful past is well done. Cent isn’t anxious to go back, but fortunately for us, she takes the plunge.
From there, the real magic happens, literally and figuratively. One of my favorite concepts in a story is when the setting is almost a character itself. This book takes that to the next level, and the land is, in fact, and actual, sentient character. Or more specifically, several. Like their real-world counterpart, they’ve absorbed the traditions of many peoples over many centuries. It’s easy to believe that there really are elemental spirits and fairies and ghosts living in the very earth of Appalachia. Or perhaps there are and we’re too mortal to see them.
While this story is full of beautiful, wonderful queerness in all its glory, it isn’t limited to that. It’s also about taking care of each other and the earth; it’s about coming home; it’s about family of origin and chosen family; and it’s about standing up against the forces of destruction all around us. This is a book for anyone who is looking for love and beauty amidst all the ugliness and cruelty our modern world so often displays.
For likeable, relatable characters, a setting with a literal soul, and a story that stays in your heart long after its finished, this gets 5 stars.
This is a deeply spiritual story. Not in the sense that it preaches itself at readers but in the way it draws us to examine the interconnectedness of life. It’s there from beginning to end, from Centenary’s friends and family to the way the humans interact with the magical realm.
Cent, the central character, is relatable. Her life hasn’t been easy, and she’s discovered what so many young adults today have: that hard work and study don’t always lead to success in the world. She can barely afford rent and groceries, and like many LGBTQ people, her only comfort is in her chosen family (in the form of her friend Betty, who is delightful).
After a stark beginning to the story, Cent’s life is suddenly in upheaval when she’s called home by her aunt. The balance between obligations to (supportive) family and the desire to distance oneself from a painful past is well done. Cent isn’t anxious to go back, but fortunately for us, she takes the plunge.
From there, the real magic happens, literally and figuratively. One of my favorite concepts in a story is when the setting is almost a character itself. This book takes that to the next level, and the land is, in fact, and actual, sentient character. Or more specifically, several. Like their real-world counterpart, they’ve absorbed the traditions of many peoples over many centuries. It’s easy to believe that there really are elemental spirits and fairies and ghosts living in the very earth of Appalachia. Or perhaps there are and we’re too mortal to see them.
While this story is full of beautiful, wonderful queerness in all its glory, it isn’t limited to that. It’s also about taking care of each other and the earth; it’s about coming home; it’s about family of origin and chosen family; and it’s about standing up against the forces of destruction all around us. This is a book for anyone who is looking for love and beauty amidst all the ugliness and cruelty our modern world so often displays.
For likeable, relatable characters, a setting with a literal soul, and a story that stays in your heart long after its finished, this gets 5 stars.
December 27, 2020
Centenary Rhodes finds herself drawn back from the city to her home in the southern Appalachian by her Aunt Tess’s need. Not only does she need Cent to come home, but to help in cleaning house, doing a much deeper job of cleansing the place. Cent isn’t just saving her family home from unscrupulous predators claiming to be doing God’s work, she’s battling supernatural forces with the help of age-old elemental allies, reclaiming an identity built throughout lifetimes, and rediscovering a long-lost love waiting for her.
Magic and the elements take on a unique flavour in this story where the struggle seems straightforward…at first. The forces behind the struggle turn out to be more complex than they at first appear and the sides involved in the struggle complicate further when Dane kicks any sense of straightforward in the nards, leaving it to double-over and question itself. Cent sticks to what she feels is right and true throughout that struggle, letting everyone involved know she’s a force to be reckoned with, even when she’s down.
The characters, the plot, and the setting all drew me in and hooked me in this special tale. I’m eager to read more.
Magic and the elements take on a unique flavour in this story where the struggle seems straightforward…at first. The forces behind the struggle turn out to be more complex than they at first appear and the sides involved in the struggle complicate further when Dane kicks any sense of straightforward in the nards, leaving it to double-over and question itself. Cent sticks to what she feels is right and true throughout that struggle, letting everyone involved know she’s a force to be reckoned with, even when she’s down.
The characters, the plot, and the setting all drew me in and hooked me in this special tale. I’m eager to read more.
May 21, 2019
Oh, this was delightful, a modern American queer fantasy about family, spirit, magic, and connections - complete with a wonderful non-binary character and absolutely perfect gender-neutral pronouns. I loved the contrast between the families into which we're born versus those we choose for ourselves, with the associated pain, obligations, and support.
The supernatural/mythological elements were very well done, drawing me in and making me want to know more about the ceremony and the spirituality. Most of all, though, the message of acceptance was what resonated strongest.
The supernatural/mythological elements were very well done, drawing me in and making me want to know more about the ceremony and the spirituality. Most of all, though, the message of acceptance was what resonated strongest.
August 29, 2018
Title: Cleaning House
Author: Jeanne G'Fellers
**RECEIVED ARC FOR HONEST REVIEW**
I have to say this was a very interesting read. It had heart and depth. It was an emotional, unbiased, look into the mixed the spiritual traditions of Appalachia. Not just spiritual but a look at gender norms and sexuality. And at the heart, love that transcends time and space. Romantic love, familial love, soul love, and love of self.
I guess the only issue I really had was that there is so much detail to create the world the characters live in that at times the story drags. It drags enough that you feel the details at that time aren't important. But it was still a very nice epic story.
Author: Jeanne G'Fellers
**RECEIVED ARC FOR HONEST REVIEW**
I have to say this was a very interesting read. It had heart and depth. It was an emotional, unbiased, look into the mixed the spiritual traditions of Appalachia. Not just spiritual but a look at gender norms and sexuality. And at the heart, love that transcends time and space. Romantic love, familial love, soul love, and love of self.
I guess the only issue I really had was that there is so much detail to create the world the characters live in that at times the story drags. It drags enough that you feel the details at that time aren't important. But it was still a very nice epic story.
August 27, 2018
I received an advance reader copy of this book. Honestly, it was nothing like I expected but I was completely drawn into the world the author created and felt as if she had the secrets of the world trapped within the pages. The use of pronouns was masterful, the glorious understanding that sexuality and life are to be accepted the way people are- everything about this story screamed of love and home and acceptance and magic. This is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading
September 9, 2018
I enjoyed this light read and stayed up late to finish it. It’s definitely a fun read, not high literature, so if you’re looking for perfectly-masterful writing, I recommend choosing a different book. But was I entertained? Yes. Was I a little sad when it was over? Yes. I really liked the magic and all the queer characters. It’s so fun to see LGBTQ+ characters in print! Looking forward to the sequels.
July 21, 2019
Super interesting premise, returning to a life one doesn't remember one has lived cyclically.
Ultimately, the plot itself was too cyclical for me, returning often to the same conversations, the same or similar past lives, and the same emotional notes.
Ultimately, the plot itself was too cyclical for me, returning often to the same conversations, the same or similar past lives, and the same emotional notes.
March 12, 2019
Very nice dose of magic, elementals, and Appalachian herbal/folklore. I enjoyed the characters and the plot.
August 4, 2019
Review to come
July 7, 2019
I’m glad I finished this book, because it was very unique in its blend of Appalachian, Native American and Irish magic. I read in stops and starts, sometimes days passing before I picked it up again. It started slowly and I felt there was almost too much packed in to digest all at once...but so glad I kept with it. I loved Centenary and her Aunt Tess, and look forward to encountering them again. I was vaguely dissatisfied with how it ended (no spoilers), but it wouldn’t deter me from reading more of this series.
August 3, 2018
This story is not a quick read, but is an interesting one. The characters are complex, and rich in history, as is the setting. I liked that about it, and how the author wove magic through the storyline. I liked the diversity of the characters and exploration of sexuality, gender, and multiple lives. The world building is very detailed as it not only explores the characters and their present, but their past through flashbacks which felt very real for the time period in which they were set. The magic system is well thought out, and I liked that there were consequences for decisions made in the past.
It’s a very different story than any I’ve read before and I think its uniqueness is one of its strengths, although there is a lot going on for the length of it. I appreciated the introduction that explained the Appalachian setting and its people. I particularly liked the characters of Aubrey, Tess, Betty, and Rayne.
I’d recommend Cleaning House to readers who enjoy an interesting story of elemental and other magic that has complex characters and explores sexuality, gender, and a person’s sense of self.
It’s a very different story than any I’ve read before and I think its uniqueness is one of its strengths, although there is a lot going on for the length of it. I appreciated the introduction that explained the Appalachian setting and its people. I particularly liked the characters of Aubrey, Tess, Betty, and Rayne.
I’d recommend Cleaning House to readers who enjoy an interesting story of elemental and other magic that has complex characters and explores sexuality, gender, and a person’s sense of self.
August 5, 2018
This is a brilliant novel. Magic/fantasy is not usually my thing, but characters and relationships (which are my thing) play as big a part in Cleaning House as the magic; indeed, they are intrinsic. I love Cent - heck, I love all the characters (well, bar one or two whom we're not supposed to like), but especially Cent, Stowne and Rayne. I appreciate the seamless use of gender-neutral pronouns, the array of queer characters, the setting (the ceremony around the fire is my absoulte favourite scene), the unfolding of events...it was such a good read from beginning to end. And it's book one in a series. Yay!
July 12, 2018
Overall rating is 2.5. At best, the story is too darn confusing but the idea of the story is good. Had high hopes for this one.
July 16, 2018
This book had everything I love. An overarching theme of "family" and the history of what makes us who we are, a hint of romance, past lives, magic, history, and a wonderful plot that kept me riveted from the first page to the last. I became wholly vested in the authors well rounded characters and the places she depicted in the Appalachian area. If you love a well written book with diverse characters and themes that will thrill this is the book for you. I wholly recommend this book. This is an ARC review, a free read for an honest review.
July 12, 2018
Being a Southerner, I really liked the idea of this book - something that brings together folklore and beliefs that some people of the South (the Southern portion of the U.S.) grow up hearing. Unfortunately, Cleaning House became a book that was DNF'ed(did not finish) because the story was a bit too confusing. Centenary Rhodes (the heroine)is an interesting female lead who is dealing with the duality of her spirit/mind and past lives. The secondary characters presented are intriguing as well but this wasn't enough to combat the confusing nature of the story or any of the issues with timing (story/character progression).
Thank you to Mountain Gap Books and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Mountain Gap Books and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2018
I received this book as part of an ARC review. I liked it a lot. I had a hard time to put it down long enough to get some sleep. Cent's story drew me in and I liked the overall feeling of family that was so much a part of the story. The magic, elementals and battle between good and evil just added to the story. The way Cent was reincarnated time after time until Stowne used the opportunity to allow Cent to stay all the time. The freedom to love who you love was a welcome message with the book. I was glad that Stowne and Cent were able to save their son and Cent's mother while vanishing for good the greedy Demis. The upgrades that Cent got are not bad either.
July 31, 2020
Cool main characters, interesting setting, underlying message of acceptance – all things I like. And yet this story was a bit slow and repetitive for me. Let’s start with Cent. She’s struggling in the big city, working two part-time minimum wage jobs. She once had an awesome job but when she lost it, she found herself drowning in debt. Now her family needs her back home. Aunt Tess and her cousin Aubrey both ask her to return but it’s her neighbor who gives her the final push to get home.
Back home, Cent has to confront her past and certain aspects of herself she hasn’t fully accepted. This is where the story started to drag a little for me. At first, it was exciting to meet Stone, a childhood friend and magical entity. There’s this reincarnation aspect to the story and Cent must remember her past lives to come into full control of her paranormal abilities. The first flash back or three were interesting, but then it gets repetitive. Cent (and sometimes Stone) are going over and over the same thing again and again. The message of acceptance, while a great one, is on repeat throughout this story despite the changes to scenery.
I went into this tale expecting an urban fantasy story and basically got a romance with a little bit of magic. The story does have depth but romance in general is not my cup of tea. The repetition didn’t help either. There wasn’t much action for most of the story, but a lot of cuddling and talking about acceptance in one form or another. 3/5 stars.
The Narration: Alex Riley did an OK job. Riley attempted unique voices for all characters but didn’t always pull it off. The ladies sounded like ladies and the gents like gents and the non-binary folks as either or neither (as dictated by the text). Riley attempted regional accents for the various characters and sometimes this worked and sometimes it didn’t. The pacing was a little slow for the first half but this smoothed out with the majority of the book. There were no tech issues with the recording. 4/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book. My opinions are 100% my own.
Back home, Cent has to confront her past and certain aspects of herself she hasn’t fully accepted. This is where the story started to drag a little for me. At first, it was exciting to meet Stone, a childhood friend and magical entity. There’s this reincarnation aspect to the story and Cent must remember her past lives to come into full control of her paranormal abilities. The first flash back or three were interesting, but then it gets repetitive. Cent (and sometimes Stone) are going over and over the same thing again and again. The message of acceptance, while a great one, is on repeat throughout this story despite the changes to scenery.
I went into this tale expecting an urban fantasy story and basically got a romance with a little bit of magic. The story does have depth but romance in general is not my cup of tea. The repetition didn’t help either. There wasn’t much action for most of the story, but a lot of cuddling and talking about acceptance in one form or another. 3/5 stars.
The Narration: Alex Riley did an OK job. Riley attempted unique voices for all characters but didn’t always pull it off. The ladies sounded like ladies and the gents like gents and the non-binary folks as either or neither (as dictated by the text). Riley attempted regional accents for the various characters and sometimes this worked and sometimes it didn’t. The pacing was a little slow for the first half but this smoothed out with the majority of the book. There were no tech issues with the recording. 4/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book. My opinions are 100% my own.
November 29, 2018
SOMETIMES LOVE ISN’T ENOUGH AND JUST ENOUGH
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems Books and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
A very interesting paranormal book that jumps back and forth through time. It kind of confuses the reader as to what is happening and happened in the past. The relationship between Cent and Stowne over time leads one to wonder if it is evil or leads to evil things happening.
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems Books and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
A very interesting paranormal book that jumps back and forth through time. It kind of confuses the reader as to what is happening and happened in the past. The relationship between Cent and Stowne over time leads one to wonder if it is evil or leads to evil things happening.
July 6, 2019
Just ok
This book was just ok. It was hard for me to finish this book because it was boring and not at all what i. expected.
This book was just ok. It was hard for me to finish this book because it was boring and not at all what i. expected.
April 6, 2025
Excellent!
Being Queer, born and raised in Appalachia, I related to this book a lot. Mountains are full of Spirits. Glad this book let me meet a few!
Being Queer, born and raised in Appalachia, I related to this book a lot. Mountains are full of Spirits. Glad this book let me meet a few!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 21 reviews