“Valent’s debut is both heartwarming and hand-wringing. . . . Jessilyn’s romantic interest and penchant for trouble keep the tone light while the plot reminds readers of the evil that ordinary human beings are capable of.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review of Fireflies in December
“[Fireflies in December is] a darkly evocative historical novel that boldly explores the divisive effects of unreasoning hatred, greed, and fear on a community . . .”
—Booklist
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
7 of 7 Reviews Showing:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Martha Artyomenko (Kalispell), September 19, 2009
This story reminded me somewhat of To kill a mockingbird. This story in the southern US set somewhere around the 1950's, I think, talks alot about racial tensions in that time involving a lovely family with one daughter, who is getting older and a young lady they have adopted into their family. There are hints of romance wound through this book, although the main focus of the story is the racial tensions as well as the lack of rights some people had who were not minorities, but were handicapped or otherwise. It was a story I enjoyed, both the first book before this and this one. A couple of things were harder for me with it though, and one, the story is in first person, but it was well written, so not too difficult for me, even though I generally avoid "I" stories as always called them. Secondly, Jessie did not act her age, or I had a hard time picturing her the age they said she was. I kept thinking she was 12 and was right there with her daddy and the shotgun...overall, the storyline was great, it had great characters and great lessons taught throughout.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Christy Lockstein (Oconto Falls, WIsconsin), September 18, 2009
Cottonwood Whispers by Jennifer Erin Valent is the haunting follow-up to Fireflies in December. Jessie Lassiter has been "sister" to Gemma Teague since Gemma's parents died four years ago, but Gemma's feelings for her employer's scoundrel son come between the two young women. Tragedy strikes the small town of Calloway once again with the hit and run killing of a little girl for whom Jessie babysat, and the town is split in two when a mentally handicapped man is accused in her death. Jessie is the kind of character I just can't get enough of reading about. She wears her heart on her sleeve and isn't afraid to speak her mind, even though the consequences aren't always what she expects. She's matured quite a bit to seventeen in this novel, but her feelings for neighbor Luke Talley remain and have grown into something that catches her whole family by surprise. Valent has a wonderful talent for writing striking dialogue using dialect without making it unreadable. Every word rings true. The story is another compelling trip to 1930s Virginia with its suffocating small town feel and prejudices and triumphs.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Angela (Weaverville NC), September 17, 2009
Cottonwood Whispers by Jennifer Erin Valent was a book I wasn't too sure about reading, just being honest. Partly because I hadn't read her first book, and part because I wasn't thrilled with the time setting. I tend to read more contemporary books, either that or old west stories. But I will be the first to admit the old adage "never judge a book by its cover" is true. I was pleasantly surprised with Cottonwood Whispers. I enjoyed the book so much that I am now searching down a copy of the first book by Ms Valent, Fireflies in December, which is also the prequel to Cottonwood Whispers.
Upon meeting Jessilyn Lassiter, I was taken with her. A spunky just turned 17 year old living in the 1936 south, not a child, yet not a woman, Jessilyn isn't afraid to speak her mind. From letting her best friend Gemma know she disapproves of her relationship with the youngest son of the Hadley family for whom Gemma works, to speaking up for a dear friend who is falsely accused of murder. Jessilyn is trying to find her place in this world in a time that is wraught with racism, and vigilante justice, not to mention figuring out how Lke fits in with all that is going on in her life.
Cottonwood Whispers is a fantastic read and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book by Jennifer Erin Valent.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Erin Lowmaster (Oregon), September 14, 2009
I find it always hard to share my thoughts on books I fall in love with like this one. I will say, I’ve found a new favorite author in Jennifer Erin Valent and will be purchasing her other book Fireflies in December very soon!
I could not put this book down from the moment I opened it’s pages and dove into the first chapter. Maybe one of the reasons that I like this book because I appreciate the fine southern writing style as I’m from Georgia.
I didn’t realize till browsing Amazon that this book is sequel to Fireflies in December, meaning this book does and excellent job of standing on it’s own.
Not many books have the ability to make me cry, I don’t want to say I am so heartless but a lot of the times I feel in most books, the authors don’t develop their characters enough to bring people to the point of really knowing and feeling for them.
I was quite sad when I finished reading this book because I didn’t want it to end. I truly enjoyed being whisked away to the southern atmosphere which was described ever so accurately. I felt I made friends with characters of this story as they matured in their own personal walks in life.
As a christian myself, I appreciate the faith in God mentioned through the characters that are deep in His word to the characters just learning to trust and follow God. 5 Stars!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Carolyn Walker (Athens, Texas), September 13, 2009
Jennifer's sequel to "Fireflies in December", "Cottonwood Whispers" is enchanting! Her characters are real enough to be your next door neighbors. My first thought was to stay up all night to read it but I've found I don't want the story to end too soon so I've decided to pace myself and read a chapter or two each night. I'm so proud of Jennifer and her two delightful southern flavored books! A breath of fresh air has just blown through the writing world! Jennifer is indeed a blessing to us all.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by stacey (Las Vegas, NV), September 05, 2009
Jennifer Erin Valent follows her poignant and award-winning “Fireflies in December” with another emotionally volatile and racially charged novel of the South in 1936. “Cottonwood Whispers” follows the same young girls from the first book as they grow up and continue to experience life from their unique perspectives. This time, the young ladies are getting a taste of first love as Gemma is falling for a white boy. Jessilyn is convinced that nothing good can come of this relationship, and tries to protect her friend. But that protection threatens to destroy their relationship.
Jennifer Valent has a real talent for writing a gripping first line. It was true in “Fireflies”, and it’s true in “Whispers”. This author captures the feel of the South and the heartbeat of her characters. This haunting book made my heart race. It made me think. It made me laugh. It choked me up. It brought me joy to be reunited with old friends, and witness the growth and maturity of Gemma and Jessilyn. It made me sad when the final page turned.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lori Kasbeer (Florida), August 22, 2009
Jennifer Erin Valent, winner of the Christian Writers Guild’s 2007 Operation First novel award winner, does it again. Cotton Whispers, the sequel to Fireflies in December, continues the friendship between Jessilyn Lassiter and Gemma Teague. The summer of 1936 brings with it tragedy and heartache that threatens to tear their friendship apart. Gemma works for a local wealthy family where she falls in love with their youngest son. Jessilyn tries to come between the two, telling Gemma he is no good. When Jessilyn’s young neighbor girl is hit by a car and killed, it threatens to dissolve Jessilyn and Gemma’s friendship.
Jessilyn’s world comes crashing in when a sweet elderly friend is accused of the crime. After discovering who was actually responsible for the child’s death, Jessilyn discovers that coming forward could lead to her father losing everything. Jessilyn is in the midst of discovering what it means to become a woman and questioning what kind of God allows these tragedies to happen to good people.
Many times an author has one great book in them, Jennifer Erin Valent has many. After reading the first sentence “I’ve heard the dead whisper,” I knew I was not going to bed until I finished this page-turning book. Valent does a wonderful job in bringing her characters to life. Accented with deep southern language Valent has readers feeling like they can actually hear the frogs, cricket, and cicadas. Jessilyn’s struggle to understand a God who allows bad things to happen is something many of us struggle with on a daily basis. The testing of faith, the testing of a friendship, and adapting to life’s changes is what you will find while visiting the Southern town of Calloway.
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