Five Stars *****
Suffering nightmares from the shock of being the only witness to her father's drowning, 16-year old Trina Andersson re-lives the incident, and her inability to save her father, when she flees the house in her nightgown and runs down the beach to the dock. Taking a small boat out into Puget Sound, she stands up and is thrown overboard when a wave nudges the boat. Jumping in to save her, gardener Neil Macpherson looses his grip on the life ring while wind and waves flail at him and Trina. Hand over hand, 21-year old Seattle debutant Sofi Andersson pulls in the rope and throws the ring out again in an effort to save her sister. The tide fights to drag Neil and Trina, but with housemaid Fridas' help - Sofi manages to haul them in.
Thus begins Christine Lindsay's 'Sofi's Bridge', the gripping story of the daughter of a Swedish family (whose wealth had been derived from the paternal immigrant timber baron grandfather) - and their gardener, "on-the-run" from his home in Belfast, Ireland. Fred Andersson was a masterful engineer who had designed bridges, daughter Sofi's dream is to design bridges like her father, daughter Trina, at 16-years of age had surpassed her father in the art of sailing, and has always been a risk-taker, affluent wife Roselle is the daughter of a poor farmer.
Wanting only the best for his family, Fred had never wanted Sofi to work or have hobbies that interfered with her social obligations. When his unscrupulous business partner, Charles Bolton, coerces Roselle to sign papers to commit Trina to a sanitorium, by keeping Roselle supplied with the drug laudanum - Sofi flees with Trina, Neil, and housekeeper Matilda to an abandoned cabin on her grandparents' property near Orchard Valley in the Cascade Mountains. Neil's caring personality and skills bring calmness, peace, and help to Andersson family members and the town of Orchard Valley - however, what secrets does he hold, and how will they affect his growing attraction to Sofi?
Murder, romance, suspense, mystery, adventure, courage, healing, an unveiling of secrets, and a strong sense of faith are some of the elements included in 'Sofi's Bridge'. The characters are perfectly developed, the settings beautifully described, and nationality customs enlightening. An engaging story that kept me captive to the end - 'Sofi's Bridge' was the first of Christine Lindsay's books I had read. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading her other books, including her next release: 'Finding Sarah, Finding Me' - a memoir releasing August 2016.
BR: I was provided a PDF of 'Sofi's Bridge' by the author for my honest review and opinion, which I have given.
Giveaway: Leave a comment along with your email address written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers -- for a chance to win an ebook copy!
Giveaway: Leave a comment along with your email address written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers -- for a chance to win an ebook copy!
BONNIE, what a wonderful review! Thank you! I so enjoyed this heartwarming story! If you get the chance I urge you to read Christine's Captured by Moonlight - about a nurse on a plantation set in exotic India. AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana!! Yes, I'm definitely looking forward to reading Christine's other books, finding the time to read all the wonderful books we'd like to read is always the issue for us, isn't it?? However, am moving them up in priority on my TBR list.
DeleteThank you Bonnie, your review of Sofi's Bridge sweeps me away. I'm so glad you liked it. As the author I especially love the setting because it is so close to where I live. One of my favorite places in all the world is the alpine meadows high up in the Cascade Mountains, where you really feel like you are touching the sky.
DeleteThank you so much, Christine!! It was a true pleasure to read and review 'Sofi's Bridge' - I pray I did it justice!! I'd love to visit your area and those beautiful Cascade Mountains, however, if I never have the opportunity to visit them in person - I enjoyed my visit via 'Sofi's Bridge'. I'm looking forward to read other of your books!!
DeleteWow!! Sounds like a fantastic read! Thanks for the chance!!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, 'Sofi's Bridge' will keep you enraptured from beginning to end!! Thanks for your comments, please leave a way of contact - should you be our winner!!
DeleteThank you Jennifer. Sofi's Bridge is definately a romance, but I love to throw in lots of other things, murder, mystery, and I especially love trains and bridges. I find trains so romantic.
DeleteBonnie what a daring story and you did a great job on the book review for Christine...romance, bridges, debutante's, we came to Savannah, GA to build the Thunderbolt bridge in 1987 so I too love bridges. Christine the book cover is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi, Carla!! "We" meaning you and/or your husband helped build the Thunderbolt bridge?? How fascinating - don't think I know anyone who has worked on a bridge. Exciting work, but scary too, I'm thinking!! Would love to hear more of your story and hope you'll have the opportunity to read this beautiful story by Christine. There is quite a bit about bridges in 'Sofi's Bridge' from their design to opening - you will love the story and have a special connection to it because of your experience with bridges.
DeleteGood luck in the drawing - please leave a way for us to contact you, should you be our winner!!
Wow, Carla, you and your husband have such an interesting personal history. I'd love to hear more about the bridge you moved out to build in your area. I love bridges, and find them so evocative. A bridges is such a powerful metaphor. Hope you get to read Sofi's Bridge, and if you do that you enjoy it.
Deletecarlaganell(at)gmail(dot)com...Thanks for the feedback. I also love any type of iron and covered bridge. Louisville KY has some nice iron ones as well as New York. Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio has nice covered bridges.
DeleteWonderful review and sounds I would really enjoy reading. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your comments and kind words, Ann!! 'Sofi's Bridge' is a beautiful, touching story with so much realism and lots of emotion, faith, and lessons learned. I feel you will love it!!
DeleteDon't miss out on the opportunity to win a copy - please leave a way to be contacted, should you be our winner!!
Thank you Ann, yes Sofi's Bridge has lots of excitement but I love a good romance and hopefully Sofi's and Neil's romance will curl your toes just a little.
DeleteWonderful review Bonnie. Sofi's Bridge sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteI am NOT entering the contest as I have a PDF of the book. Christine Lindsay is a new-to-me author.
Blessings,Tina
~~~
Diana, Captured by Moonlight sounds good too. Will have to add that to my ever so long to-be-read list.
Blessings,Tina
Tina, you will love 'Sofi's Bridge'!! It was the first book of Christine's I'd read also - let me just say WOW!! Be prepared to purchase her other books also, just saying, LOL. Hope you get the opportunity to read that PDF right away!! Thanks for your comments!!
DeleteThank you Tina, and I sure hope you enjoyed it. Hugs for now.
DeleteWonderful review, Bonnie. I really would love to read this book. Christine is a new author to me, and this story sounds just fabulous! Thanks so much for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletebettimace at gmail dot com
Thank you, Betti!! Christine is such a gifted writer!! 'Sofi's Bridge' is a beautiful story - I hope you have the opportunity to read it very soon, you'll probably be "hooked" and want to read her other books also.
DeleteGood luck in the giveaway!!
Hi Bettie, I'm glad Bonnie was the one to introduce us. Here's hoping that you'll get to know my work and enjoy a few hours being entertained by my books. Hugs and blessigns for now. Isn't Bonnie, the sweetest.
DeleteA great review thank you. This sounds like such a fabulous read.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Mary, 'Sofi's Bridge' is one of those books the reader doesn't want to end. It's an exciting, inspiring story!! Thanks for your comments!!
DeleteI really would love to read this book. It sounds intriguing!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie - intriguing is a perfect description of 'Sofi's Bridge'!! I'd love for you to have the opportunity to win a copy - please leave a way to be contacted, should you be our winner. Thanks for your comments and for stopping by OWG!!
DeleteHi Debbie, I love a touch of mystery in a romance. Hope you like this one when you get a chance to read it
DeleteI really want to read this book!
ReplyDeleteGpk1946 at gmail dot com
Hi, Phyllis!! 'Sofi's Bridge' is true reading enjoyment and inspiration - good luck in the giveaway drawing!! Thanks for commenting - please stop by OWG again soon!!
DeleteOh, Phyllis, I love your enthusiasm. Hope you are still as enthusiastic after reading Sofi's Bridge. Blessings.
DeleteThanks for your lovely review BONNIE! It certainly was a story that was difficult to put down, and as you said, the characters were so well-developed you couldn't help but get involved and to care about them all! A beautiful, heart-warming story!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Noela - I loved 'Sofi's Bridge' and hope I can find the time to read other of Christine's books very soon!! Thanks for your sweet comments!!
DeleteDear Noela and Bonnie, I just don't know what I would do without the OWG cheerleading team. My, how I love you dear friends. Hugs.
DeleteHugs back, Christine!! Love you and your writing - so glad we could feature 'Sofi's Bridge' on OWG this week!! It was a honor and pleasure!!
DeleteSounds like a good read. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom.
ReplyDelete'Sofi's Bridge' is such an enjoyable read - and a beautiful, inspiring story, Kim!! I so hope you will read it very soon. Good luck in the drawing and thanks for your comments!!
DeleteHi Kim, I hope you get to read some of my books soon. I too love a good yarn that sweeps me away for a few days.
DeleteGreat review. Sounds like a gripping drama, something that I look forward to reading.
ReplyDeletereneerachoyolsenATgmailDOTcom
Thank you, Heather!! 'Sofi's Bridge' is certainly that - gripping!! Also emotional, tender, and inspiring - don't miss this beautiful story!!
DeleteHi Heather, yes I sure hope Sofi's Bridge is gripping, it was to me when I was writing it. :o)
DeleteThis sounds like a great book. I would love to win a copy! Thank you for this opportunity.
ReplyDeletePatti(dot)Shene(at)Gmail(dot)com.
Hi, Patti!! There are numerous wonderful elements in 'Sofi's Bridge' to keep readers glued to it's pages - it captured my heart and I wager it will capture yours also. Thanks for your great comments, please visit OWG again soon!!
DeleteHi Pattie, like Bonnie has said there are many elements to Sofi's Bridge. I like a book that has many layers that all tie in together by the end. In our real lives, it's not just "us" but those we love, and those different types of love only add to the romance of the main characters. Plus, I love a book that tackles difficult subjects. There are several in Sofi's Bridge. Not only does it tackle the difficult issue of trying to save the ones we love by ourselves instead of trusting them to God, but also tackles the delicate subject of drug addiction, one that is even prescribed by a doctor, although in this books in a historical sense.
DeleteWow, this sounds like a great story! Would love to win
ReplyDelete'Sofi's Bridge' is a beautiful, inspiring, story with great depth, Kate!! I'd love for you to have the opportunity to read it - please leave a way to be contacted, should you be our winner. Thanks for your comments!!
DeleteHi Kate, thank you for your encouragement. Hope you all win. :o)
DeleteGreat review. I have read any of this authors books before. After reading the review, now I want to read her books. You Intrigued me with your very imformative review. Thank you.,
ReplyDeleteJhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com
Thank you so much, Deana - I'm honored you found my review helpful in your decision to read 'Sofi's Bridge'!! Even though I'd heard many wonderful comments about Christine's writing, 'Sofi's Bridge' was the first book of hers I'd had the opportunity to read. I found it hard to put down and think you will enjoy it also, intriguing is a good word to describe 'Sofi's Bridge' also. Thanks for your wonderful comments, hope you have an opportunity to read 'Sofi's Bridge' very soon!!
DeleteHi Deana, I always love to meet new readers. I hope you get a chance to read Sofi's Bridge or any of my other novels. Blessings on you.
DeleteThis sounds like a very interesting book! Thanks for the chance to win! :D
ReplyDeletesleepy_bookworm_aery [at] yahoo [dot] com
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Aerykah!! 'Sofi's Bridge' is a beautiful book I feel will touch your heart, mind, and soul!! Best of luck in the drawing.
Delete