Giveaway and Review of Sofi's Bridge by Christine Lindsay

Sofi's Bridge

Sofi’s Bridge

by Christine Lindsay

White Rose/ Pelican Book Group (May 1, 2016)

Review by Bonnie Roof

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!

 

Carrie Fancett Pagels' New Releases & Cover Reveals

Come on by Carrie Fancett Pagels' Facebook Party at 1:00 PM (Eastern time) to 2:00 on Friday, January 15, for a chance to win copies of her current and upcoming new releases!

(Click here to join the party - indicate that you will JOIN in!!!)

Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance has re-released under a  new cover designed by Roseanna M. White. Isn't it beautiful?  This is one of my new cover reveals and upcoming releases. The novella is available for pre-order now and will release on January 26th!

Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter releases from White Rose/Pelican in June 2016. Did you miss the cover reveal on Colonial Quills blog? (Click here.)

I'll have more covers and more information at the party so come on by.  FOLLOWERS - put OWG on your comments when I ask a question about what brought you over to the party and you will get your name entered SEVEN extra chances to win a giveaway!!!

Noela reviews Manila Marriage App: Passport to Romance by Jan Elder

Manila Marriage App

Manila Marriage App
by Jan Elder
Pelican Ventures Book Group (White Rose Publishing), April 17, 2015

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 Stars *****

An engaging and entertaining romance!

A few chapters into this delightful story and I was so thankful I’d embarked upon this adventure to steamy Manila in the Philippines. This was not a journey I wanted to come to an end!

Shay Callahan travels to Manila upon answering an ad for a potential bride to a missionary. But the questionnaire she had completed leaves her shaking her head at the arrogance of this man. Desiring to get away and enjoy a paid trip while taking down this imperious, chauvinistic, though extremely good-looking guy a peg or two, Shay sets off on her tropical adventure.

I think I fell a little in love with this enigmatic missionary man called Timothy Flynn. Though seriously, what wasn’t to love about him? When Shay begins to see beyond the misleading veneer of egotistical jerk, he was not only devastatingly handsome but kind, strong yet vulnerable, godly, charitable, and basically everything her ex-boyfriend wasn’t. So what was behind the strange questionnaire? And what happens when Shay’s ex turns up in Manila? What began as a lark is beginning to challenge all her expectations and beliefs.

This was a surprise story for me and I would definitely read more by this author! It was humorous and witty, the characters were refreshing and engaging, and the romance was of the sweep-you-away variety. Get those passports stamped because this novella promises an entertaining journey!

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Blurb from Amazon for NEW RELEASE‘A Semi-Precious Christmas’ by Jan Elder

On a bright, crisp December morning, jewelry store manager, Peridot Keaton-Jones, arrives at work expecting to find her beloved uncle, Marty. Instead, she’s greeted by the muzzle of a gun pressed to her temple. When thugs assault her, threaten her life, and steal thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, Peri can only pray her uncle is late to work for the first time in his life. Christopher Lane is a TV news cameraman in the right place at the right time. He witnesses the heist, calls the police, and offers help when Peri needs it most. She can't deny her attraction, but is he really her hero, or is he just after a story? And with Christmas right around the corner, can Peri and Chris avert a holiday disaster?

Click on the title here to buy: A SEMI-PRECIOUS CHRISTMAS by Jan Elder

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*You can find MANILA MARRIAGE APP: PASSPORT TO ROMANCE at these and other places: Amazon; CBD; Barnes & Noble

GIVEAWAY: Jan Elder is generously donating TWO books for giveaway- An ebook for 'Manila Marriage App' and an ebook for her newly released 'A Semi-Precious Christmas'!
Leave a comment below to enter and remember to include your email. Use (at) and (dot) to protect yourself against spammers.

Noela Nancarrow reviews LONDONDERRY DREAMING by Christine Lindsay

Londonderry Dreaming

Londonderry Dreaming

By Christine Lindsay

White Rose Publishing

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

~5 STARS~ *****

In ‘Londonderry Dreaming’, author Christine Lindsay sweeps the reader away to the beautiful rolling Irish countryside and stunning coast of Londonderry. The scenery throughout the novel is expressively illustrated, easily enabling the reader to visualize the emerald fields dotted with sheep, the ancient stone walls, and the cobblestone streets and winding roads of Northern Ireland. Of course, you can’t travel to Londonderry without viewing the Giant’s Causeway, and in this sweet contemporary romantic novella, Keith and Naomi - the hero and heroine of the story visit the coastal causeway together, capturing what I thought was a sublimely-written romantic moment in time in the midst of God's majestic sculptures!

Five years ago Keith Wilson and Naomi Doyle were a young couple in love, but to Keith’s shock and subsequent heartbreak, Naomi’s grandfather had suddenly stepped in to whisk her back to the States to assist her in setting up a career as an artist. Naomi felt she had no choice at the time than to break up with Keith. And now five years later she has been called back to Ireland in a letter by Keith’s grandmother, only to discover that she has passed away. Keith and Naomi work together to try and solve the mystery surrounding the curious painting in his Grandmother’s attic and as they do, they are at a loss as what to do with their feelings for each other that have resurfaced – as neither believes their love is reciprocated. Will the heartache from their past forever keep them from bravely opening up their hearts again? 

‘Londonderry Dreaming’ is an enjoyable and sweet tale of friendship and forgiveness, of the rekindling of love, and of the importance of communication. It is a journey that takes the reader to both Ireland and the States to rediscover faith in God and in the power of love. And it’s also the story of a wise old grandmother that will not be kept silent, even from the grave! I highly recommend this engaging Irish love story that’s as enchanting with the romance as it is with the mesmerizing visit to the Emerald Isle.

You can purchase a copy from: White Rose Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD etc.

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GIVEAWAY: Christine Lindsay and OWG will be giving away 2 copies of 'Londonderry Dreaming' for two people who leave a comment this week, either on this review or Diana's review of Heavenly Haven coming up on Thursday. 

*Make sure you leave your email if we don't know it so that we may contact you if you're the winner!