Award-winning author Jennifer Erin Valent follows her unforgettable Fireflies in December with another emotionally charged tale of the South. Although Jessilyn and Gemma's friendship has weathered the storms of heartache and prejudice, the turbulent summer of 1936 threatens to shatter the ties that bind. After the hit-and-run death of a little girl, Gemma's explosive revelation could save an innocent man's life-but not without jeopardizing the livelihood of Jessilyn's family.
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"My book club read Fireflies in December and LOVED it. We normally don't read sequels but decided to make an exception with Cottonwood Whispers. We were not disappointed. This is an outstanding book of making quick assumptions, false acccusations, and how easily people can believe something without exploring justifications. It is a story of true sacrificial love and pure faith in God's sovereignty. I'm looking forward to the sequel where I hope we find Jessilyn discovering God's all redeeming love and purpose for her life."
— Dee (4 out of 5 stars)
“Strong character development strengthens the story line and leaves the reader anticipating more novels, hopefully a sequel. Valent is a gifted author with a promising future.”
— RT Book Reviews (4 stars)" I absolutely loved this book, along with her first book. These have gone on my list of all-time favorites! I highly recommend them and cannot wait for the next one to come out! "
— Michelle, 2/8/2014" Hard to think of much I actually liked about this book. Jessielynn, the main character, has little depth and even fewer qualities to draw the reader in. She's always on the offensive, very foolish and can't keep her word. I was unimpressed with the plot, everything was so obvious. No desire to read the last of the trilogy. "
— Jaime, 2/7/2014" I actually read this a while ago, but was recently privileged to read for endorsement the upcoming final book in this series (Catching Moondrops, which releases this fall/2010). Reacquainting myself with this series reminded me how much I enjoy this author's work. The 1960s come alive in these books, and even though we'd rather forget some of the harsh realities, the hopeful messages behind these stories is too good go miss. "
— Maureen, 1/26/2014" This series just keeps getting better and better!!! "
— Alyssa, 1/21/2014" I enjoyed this story, but I hope Ms. Valent realizes that we now need a third!!! "
— Rachel, 12/23/2013" This book is my second favorite. I really enjoyed it and couldn't wait for the next book to see what happened with Jessilyn and Luke. "
— Christal, 12/21/2013" This book was just ok. I enjoyed the first book in the series but this one seemed too much like it. I had to keep reminding myself that Jessilyn is 17 now because she still acts like a 13 year old (which is when the first book takes place). I found her selfishness and immaturity really annoying. "
— Amy, 9/30/2013" Enjoyed this book a lot. Brought back memories of my childhood in Georgia. "
— Ann, 8/17/2013" Wonderful followup book to Fireflies in December! Loved this series ans author. "
— Angie, 8/11/2013" Second in the series by Valent, Cottonwood Whispers is emotional, moving and very real. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Jessilyn and Luke's relationship strengthen and evolve. Loved it! "
— Justin, 6/25/2013" I have fallen in love with this family of characters, and am now excited to move onto number 3 in the series. "
— Darrie-Ann, 3/15/2013" This was the sequel to Fireflies in December...I like this series! I'm starting to find myself talking with a Southern accent :) "
— Sally, 2/26/2013" This is a 3 book series & is wonderful! Christian author. "
— Christina, 12/18/2012" In this second installment of the Jessalyn Lassiter series, we learn a hard lesson about justice and how it sometimes isn't blind. I loved this story, it had a great story with wonderfully developed characters. I highly recommend this to anyone. "
— Paula, 9/10/2012" Ok is really a good description for this book. I didnt hate it, but I didnt really love it either. The writing style was a little annoying to me.. I've read other books set in the South that didnt use aint every other word. The story was simple and fairly predictable. It was just ok. "
— Gregandemy, 7/22/2012" Second book in the trilogy, loved it, such a good story and well told!! "
— Cindy, 2/12/2012" Loved it! This is the 2nd book in the series and just as clean and fun as the first. "
— Cheryl, 2/2/2012" Not as good as Fireflies in December, but a good read none the less. "
— Maria, 11/2/2011" I didn't enjoy this as much as the first, but I still love the charactes enough to pick up book 3 "
— Heather, 9/18/2011" This is a followup to Fireflies in December and was just as great! Love the characters in these books and they are just someone that you can relate too. There is always a great storyline and i love the building relationship between luke and jessilynn. "
— Michelle, 7/3/2011" Read this in 2 days - it was kind of addictive like Twilight was for me! Loved the evolution of the characters "
— Niki, 5/6/2011" Second in the series by Valent, Cottonwood Whispers is emotional, moving and very real. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Jessilyn and Luke's relationship strengthen and evolve. Loved it! "
— Justin, 4/29/2011" Ok is really a good description for this book. I didnt hate it, but I didnt really love it either. The writing style was a little annoying to me.. I've read other books set in the South that didnt use aint every other word. The story was simple and fairly predictable. It was just ok. <br/> "
— Gregandemy, 4/20/2011" This is a followup to Fireflies in December and was just as great! Love the characters in these books and they are just someone that you can relate too. There is always a great storyline and i love the building relationship between luke and jessilynn. "
— Michelle, 4/18/2011" A sequel to Firedlies in December.!just as wonderful a read. "
— Bari, 4/6/2011" I am not sure which of these books is the first in this series- but it was enjoyable, thought provoking, and gave a glimpse as to what it was like in the south in the 50's. "
— Theresa, 3/3/2011" Read this in 2 days - it was kind of addictive like Twilight was for me! Loved the evolution of the characters "
— Niki, 2/8/2011" Excellent sequel in that it flushes out the mysteries from the first book. This book shows you how the main characters heart is opening up as she searches to find Jesus. I've enjoyed both the historical parts of this book, the struggle with civil rights, and the Christian elements of this series. "
— Heather, 1/3/2011" This book is my second favorite. I really enjoyed it and couldn't wait for the next book to see what happened with Jessilyn and Luke. "
— ?Christal?, 11/24/2010" The second coming-of-age book about Jessilyn and Gemma. Interesting and thought-provoking. "
— Katherine, 10/13/2010" I am an atheist/agnostic and I LOVE this series. I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book in the series. The author does not smack you in the face with Jesus the way a lot of other Christian novelist do. It's a beautiful subtext to a wonderful meaty story. "
— Nicole, 6/24/2010" 2nd installment of the sweet story, but didn't get boring, which is nice. "
— Terri, 6/24/2010" The sequel was as good as the first (Fireflies in December) as there is more drama in the summer of 1936....a few years after the first book. I can't imagine how hard it would have been to live in the prejudice South of those days...not that things are perfect now. "
— Christine, 4/7/2010" Loved it! This is the 2nd book in the series and just as clean and fun as the first. "
— Cheryl, 2/24/2010" This is the sequel to Fireflies in December. It was WONDERFUL! It made me want the story to continue. Ms. Valent, please hurry and write the next one.<br/><br/>If you read Fireflies in December and liked it. I highly recommend you read this one! "
— Diana, 2/9/2010Kate Forbes, winner of four Earphones Awards for audiobook narrating, is a professionally trained actress who has appeared on Broadway, in regional theaters, and with a renowned touring company. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College, where she was active in theater, she completed an MFA at New York University School of the Arts. With this training, she launched into a successful acting career.