This first book in the Big Creek Appalachian series begins in dark places where children are traded as child brides to men who are willing to work the family farm. Hard Cover edition. A 1920s saga of Emerald Ashby coming-of-age. "I'm poetic in an Appalachian sort of way. People say I'm easy. I ain't, but it's easy to see why they'd think so! Whisper now. Wanna know how I survived? I'll tell ya..."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 toward hope and healing. Not since Catherine Marshall's strong heroine named Christy, has an Appalachian drama come to life like The Whispering of the Willows. Love weaves through dismal circumstances and 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. 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. The Whispering of the Willows is a work of historical fiction. Set in the late 1920s, in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, eighth-grade Emerald is about to learn some hard lessons when a deeply disturbed man is thrust into her life by her abusive father and an enabling mother. In The Whispering of the Willows, an Appalachian marriage practice might be compared to the modern sex trade which exploits young females. PRAISE FOR THE WHISPERING OF THE WILLOWS: "The story is emotionally gripping and pulls the reader along to see what will happen next. The best stories grab our emotions and don't let go." -Judge's 5-Star Award Commentary from 24th Annual Writer's Digest Book Awards "Best book I have read in a while. Didn't want it to end. Great and different storyline." - 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 women past and present. God's goodness and provision flow from each page." - Linda Bottoms, Rocky Mountain Ministry Network Women's Ministries Director Includes: Bibliography and Book Club Questions. A novel for women examining the Old Time Religion. Coming of age in the Southern Appalachians. You'll be glad you made Emie Ashby's acquaintance in the Whispering of the Willows.