Jennifer Erin Valent Reviews

Added January 16, 2010

Cottonwood Whispers

Author: Jennifer Erin Valent
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Available At: Bookstores everywhere
Publishing Date: September 2009
Genre: Fiction/Christian/Historical
Format: Trade Paper
Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 978-1-4143-3326-7
Author Email/Website: http://www.jennifervalent.com/
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo
Rating: 9 Gargoyles

Cottonwood Whispers speaks to the heart and soul. This sequel to Fireflies in December follows the friendship between Jessilyn Lassiter and Gemma Teague. In the racially charged atmosphere of the South in 1936, the bond between these girls breaks the rules of conventional society while pointing out the injustices that exist.

In this book, the issue of prejudice collides with mercy and truth when a young girl is hit by a car and killed. An elderly (and innocent) man is jailed, but Jessilyn discovers the real story behind the crash. Before she can bring about justice, her family is threatened. Deciding to go public with her knowledge risks her loved ones, but her silence may be more costly.

Sacrificial love lies at the heart of this novel. The racial tension of this time period forms the backdrop for this novel, filtering the characters' actions through a lens distorted by pride and arrogance. As the events in the story move toward a seemingly unavoidable conclusion, choices are narrowed but eyes are opened. The author skillfully leads her characters to a place of decision, emotionally charging the final moments and indelibly engraving them in readers' minds.

From the dialogue to the descriptions of the South, these pages are a journey into the past that echoes into our future. Living, dying, and all that comes between are shown through the actions of these characters. There will be gasps at the end of the story, but God's sovereignty closes the book softly and with a hint of what lies ahead.

Cottonwood Whispers are moments in time that are truly memorable.

Return to top of page.

This page was last updated on January 16, 2010

This page and all its contents are Copyright© 2002-2010 In the Library Reviews and the individual reviewers. Except where noted, all graphics are Copyright© Eos Development and are used with permission. All book covers are Copyright© their respective publishers and are used with permission. The In the Library Reviews logo is Copyright© 2002 by In the Library Reviews/Sharyn McGinty. Site maintained by In the Library Reviews.