2020 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite & 2023 IAN Book of the Year Awards Finalist. Polishing Jade is a powerful Christian novel about faith, healing, and the quiet strength of a woman determined to rise above the scars of her past. Jade Gentry is a shy, introspective young woman with an old soul and a deeply troubled home. Living with her abusive, alcoholic father in rural 1960s Mississippi, Jade’s world shatters when one of his drunken poker buddies commits an unthinkable act. Terrified and alone, she flees to the only safe place she knows—Taylor’s General Store—where her friend Dillon, a kind hearted African American clerk, offers her comfort. But their bond is dangerous. In a segregated town where even friendship between races is frowned upon, Jade and Dillon’s connection could cost them everything. Surrounded by a cast of quirky, wise, and sometimes broken townsfolk, Jade begins a slow but steady transformation. With faith as her guide and hope as her anchor, she embarks on a journey toward healing, forgiveness, and finding her true voice.Polishing Jade is a moving Southern tale of redemption, courage, and the enduring power of grace. Always_Ariel 5.0 out of 5 stars Tekoa Manning has a way with words! Verified Purchase This book was so beautifully written and tantalizingly told that I couldn't put it down! The author's incredible grasp of detail, words, and body language really made Polishing Jade a true classic in my library! I could see and feel everything, all the way down to Jade's innocent southern charm and her subtle accent. The wind blows; you smell it. Jade smiles, and I smile, too. A very good story with a great moral story arc. Emotionally moving. I could definitely imagine Tekoa's work being up there with the masters. Her way with words is so charming and timeless. I wish there were more writers like her today. Tekoa Manning is the author of two fictional works, Walter the Homeless Man and Polishing Jade . She is also the author of several inspirational teaching books, including her devotionals, Thirsting for Water and Jumping for Joy in the Midst of Sorrow .   Manning has been featured numerous times on Hebrew Nation Radio and Lamb Radio. She has won several awards for her pen, including the Kentuckiana Metroversity poetry prize for Women's History. Her historical fiction was accepted to the Kentucky Book Fair in 2015 and won the distinguished prize for Women's fiction for the NYC Big Book Award.   Tekoa is a lover and devoted student of God's Word. She is an active blogger whose words help heal the sick, downcast, and those suffering from broken hearts. Manning is a lover of dreams and gifted in the area of interpretation.   She is the mother of three sons and the wife of a retired police chief. Tekoa and her husband live in a sleepy little beach community.   Visit Tekoa for updates, blogs, and new releases at tekoamanning.com.