A glorious novel populated by the vibrant inhabitants, especially the women, of Willow Springs -- a fictional barrier island off the Atlantic coast between Georgia and South Carolina. Naylor celebrates the rich culture, language and traditions of the islands. Although the author (who also wrote Brewster Place) tells her tale from Ophelia Day, the book draws on five generations of formidable women, harking back to the days of Sapphira Wade (a healer who may have also been a witch), the great grandmother of the title character.  (USS23, $14.95)