"A wonderful novel that traces the lives of three southern African-American women across an expanse of time and emotion." Alice Randall, author of The Wind Done Gone "As Soft As Cotton" is a tribute to African-American women. It is a story about the journeys of three extraordinary women. Sarah's journey is a reflection of our past. It allows us to look back at those who passed their strength, courage and resilience on to us. Sarah lives in the mid-1800s on a plantation in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She is a dreamer. She wants much more in life than she is destined to have as a young slave girl. Celia's journey is in the present. It represents some of the challenges that women are confronted with every day. Raini's journey gives us a glimpse into what the future may hold for us. Celia and Raini live several decades after Sarah, and are "free" women. However, like Sarah, they, in some ways, are "bound" by challenges they must tackle, one step at a time. Sarah, Celia and Raini are like trees planted by rivers of water. You will laugh and cry with each of them. These women teach us a valuable lesson - chains can be broken.