About this item
Faith-the-Appalachian-way is draped in the camouflage of a small West Virginia community. There, a blossoming young woman has been traded into marriage by her superstitious parents who are desperately poor. When key individuals begin carving out a rescue plan, Emerald Ashby grows strong despite grievous wrongs committed against her. If you liked reading Appalachian Mountain Religion: A History, by Deborah McCauley or Running on Red Dog Road: And Other Perils of an Appalachian Childhood, by Drema Hall Berkheimer, you'll love the Whispering of the Willows. The Whispering of the Willows perfectly pairs mothering hearts with brave young girls who enjoy solving perplexing problems about coming of age together. Inside the Willows' saga, life in the 1920's world of Big Creek West Virginia, is discovered through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Emerald Ashby.
About the Author
Growing up Tonya Blessing 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 founders and 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.
