The Whispering of the Willows: (Big Creek)

PRAISE FOR THE WHISPERING OF THE WILLOWS:

Best book I have read in a while. Didn't want it to end. Great and different story line. - Christine

This is a fantastic book that had me examining my own personal spiritual journey. Kudos to the author for writing such a heartfelt, inspiring work. - Verified Amazon Reader

I absolutely loved the characters and the story. Their faith in God helped them through the trials they faced. The story is engrossing and very believable. Hope this book is a winner for the author. - Verified Purchaser

The Whispering of the Willows is an inspiring story full of twists and turns, freedom and redemption, the expected and unexpected. This book brings to light the struggles of young woman past and present. God's goodness and provision flow from each page. --Linda Bottoms, Rocky Mountain Ministry Network Women's Ministries Director

A 1920s' saga of Emerald Ashby coming of age. Set against the superstitions and old time religion in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, author Tonya Jewel Blessing tells a difficult, yet redemptive story of a blossoming young woman who is accompanied by her friends and her foes on a journey towards hope and healing.

Love weaves through gut-wrenching circumstances and dismal poverty where Emerald Ashby grows strong despite grievous wrongs committed against her. In this desperate historical setting, mysterious disappearances lead to traps set for the innocent.

Eighth grade Emie is about to learn some hard lessons when a disturbed young man is thrust into her life by her abusive father and enabling mother. Now, when key individuals begin carving out a rescue plan, Emerald Ashby sets a few of her own traps. It's a page turner. In this ailing town. What will be their measure of success?

Cleverly suspenseful and sweetly spoken, the storyteller's unassuming voice transforms an Appalachian trail of tears into holy terror against an evil that stalks the innocent. In The Whispering of the Willows, an Appalachian marriage practice might be compared to the modern sex trade which exploits young females.If you like the emotive movie, Nell, or the writing of Chris Fabry's Dogwood, (a Lifetime movie) you will love The Whispering of the Willows.

LCSH: Teenage girls--Abuse of--Fiction. Rape victims--Fiction. Abusive men--Fiction. Poverty--Appalachian Region--Fiction. Appalachian Region--History--20th century--Fiction. Historical fiction. Bildungsromans.

Author: Tonya Jewel Blessing
Publisher: Tonya Blessing
Published: 03/31/2016
Pages: 376
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.21lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.84d
ISBN: 9780997162547

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 01/01/0001

About the Author
Blessing, Tonya Jewel: - Growing up Tonya spent numerous vacations and holidays in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia. Most of her adult life has been spent in full time ministry with a focus on helping women. She has traveled nationally and internationally as a conference speaker. For a number of years, Tonya and her husband operated a retreat facility in Colorado for pastors and missionaries. She and her husband currently live in South Africa. They are the directors of Strong Cross Ministries, a non-profit organization that assists local churches in providing humanitarian relief and spiritual reconciliation. She is currently pursuing a degree in pastoral ministries. Tonya has written a number of devotionals geared toward women in ministry. The Whispering of the Willows is her first novel.Hokes, Kara: - "Published books: - Changing the World through Media Education (1998) - Media Alert! 200 Activities to Create Media-savvy Kids (2000) - EYE SPY Program (Early Youth Education Program): An Interactive Coloring Book (2000) - Get Them Thinking! Use Media Literacy to Prepare Students for State Assessments (2005)"