Bridge to a Distant Star by Carolyn Williford

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Bridge to a Distant Star
(David C. Cook; New edition - June 1, 2011)
by
Carolyn Williford

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.

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.

MY THOUGHTS:

When I first saw this book title and synopsis, I was a bit hesitant about reading it, but probably for a reason you wouldn't suspect. My trepidation came because I am terribly affected by bridges...especially large bridges over vast expanses of water and even more so by suspension bridges...even to the point of feeling physically ill. If there's any way I can avoid them, I do. But I put that reluctance aside and dove into this book.

I knew going in that this may be a sad book...knowing that the bridge would collapse and vehicles would fall to their demise. I really liked how the author separated this into three different stories, because I feel like I could make more of connection to the characters in each story by not having to skip around through each set of drama.

I did find the book sad, but not totally from the fact that each would end with a vehicle in the water. The circumstances explored in each story...familial turmoil, physical illness, and uncertainty in knowing God's will for one's life...brought tears to my eyes many times as I read. I will say this, though...the ending is fairly unexpected and tempered some of the sadness I felt throughout the book.

I really enjoyed this book, even considering my initial personal misgivings, and look forward to more from author Carolyn Williford.

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

My thanks to the publisher and CFBA for my review copy.