If you like the emotive movie, Nell, or the writing of Chris Fabry's Dogwood, (a Lifetime movie) you will love the saga of Emerald Ashby is set in the late 1920s. In the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, eighth grade Emie is about to learn some hard lessons when a deeply disturbed man is thrust into her life by her abusive father and enabling mother. Why doesn't her faith save her from assault? How can a victim protect herself? The folk faith of the Appalachian community becomes creative, taking a gamble against the local preacher, and in their unique hospitality.
Author Tonya Jewel Blessing tells a difficult, yet redeeming 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. Emerald Ashby grows strong despite grievous wrongs committed against her.
"Tonya Blessing's sweet, unassuming voice deals artfully with racism, sexism, and religious bigotry. Superb storytelling interspersed with practical faith portrays the difficulty and beauty of Appalachian life." --Marilyn Bay Wentz, author of Prairie Grace.
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.
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
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