Damnation Spring is the story of a few families that depend on the logging industry in California in the 1970s. Colleen is the area midwife, if unofficially, but she has had countless miscarriages. Her husband Rich Gunderson is a logger who wants better for their only child, Chub. The Gundersons have relied on logging California Redwoods for as long as anyone can remember, and it is a rugged, dangerous life. 

When others in the community start to reveal their own problems, Colleen starts to wonder if her losses have a reason outside of herself. This novel blends excellent character work with a rich, vibrant setting and environmental themes. I do think it ran a bit too long and I hoped for more from the ending, but I'm recommending this to anyone who enjoyed Greenwood by Michael Christie or Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate. It struck me as a blend of the two in how it revered nature and trees (Greenwood), while developing characters with messy lives in need of help (Shelterwood). If you read this one, I hope you'll find it worthwhile.