Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Review–Bridge to a Distant Star by Carolyn Williford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridge to a Distant Star
by Carolyn Williford
David C Cook Publishing
371 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It All Comes Tumbling Down

As a storm rages in the night, unwary drivers venture onto Tampa Bay’s most renowned bridge. No one sees the danger ahead. No one notices the jagged gap hidden by the darkness and rain. Yet when the bridge collapses vehicles careen into the churning waters of the bay below.

In that one catastrophic moment, three powerful stories converge: a family ravaged by their child’s heartbreaking news, a marriage threatened by its own facade, and a college student burdened by self doubt. As each story unfolds, the characters move steadily closer to that fateful moment on the bridge. And while each character searches for grace, the storms in their lives loom as large as the storm that awaits them above the bay.

When these characters intersect in Carolyn Williford’s gripping and moving volume of three novellas, they also collide with the transforming truth of Christ: Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Bridge to a Distant Star, go HERE.

MY REVIEW:  “It was a dark and stormy night….” - a simple phrase that we’ve heard so many times and it sets the stage well for this book. From the prologue to the end this book had me caring deeply for the characters. It’s written almost like distinct short stories until they all become intertwined at the end. And each time we transition from one story to the next there’s almost a bit of let down as we’ve become so attached to the characters. However, in short order we are entrenched in the next story and once again not able to put down this book.

From the woman whose best friend’s marriage has fallen apart and makes her question her own circumstance, to the young soccer player who receives devastating news, to the missionary kid who is finding her way – each is a unique story in itself.

Truly this author has written a book that is not only one that you can’t put down, despite knowing the disaster at the end. And along the way there are so many “life-isms” and pearls of wisdom about faith. I cannot recommend this book enough – I enjoyed it that much.

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34   I’ll not look at this verse the same again…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Carolyn Williford has authored seven books, including Jordan's Bend, Devotions for Families That Can't Sit Still, and Faith Tango, as well as numerous articles. She and her husband, Craig, live in Deerfield, Illinois, where he serves as president of Trinity International University. They have two children and four grandchildren.

 

* My thanks to CFBA for furnishing this book in exchange for my honest review.

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