Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Across the Bridge by Kristin Neva with JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Across the BridgeSeries: Copper Island, Book 3
Author: Kristin Neva
Publisher: The Christmas Tree House
Release Date: November 4, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Fiction from the Ragged Edge of Faith
When Marcella Seppa meets her new tenant, widower Drew Smith, a spark ignites, but she won't consider dating him. She doesn't want his son, AJ, to experience the hurt she felt when her dad remarried shortly after her mom died. Her faith unraveled, and she threw herself into exercise and gardening instead of forming trusting relationships.
When Drew finds out he may not be AJ's biological father, his first instinct is to leave Copper Island, but he wants to find out the truth. He seeks out Marcella's support.
Is it possible their friendship could become more? But how would that affect AJ? Could love help make peace with the past?
Love weaves its way through the messiness of life on Copper Island.
Across the Bridge is part of the Copper Island series, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel.
Across the Bridge will make you laugh and cry. Deep, meaningful themes are woven into a fast-paced storyline.
After Marcella Seppa lost her mother when she was fifteen years old, her father quickly remarried, and her stepmother pushed too hard to foster a relationship with Marcella. Well-meaning people used Christian clichés in an attempt to comfort her, but it resulted in Marcella having a faith crisis. Is love worth the risk of loss, and how can you hold on to faith when questioning the idea of a puppet-master God?
Drew Smith moves to the small town of Quincy so that his in-laws can help raise his son, and he plugs into a local church where the leader of a boys group -- and his deceased wife's high school boyfriend -- looks strikingly like his son. Drew fears losing part of his son's heart to a man who even he admires for his height, charm, and cool job as a State Trooper. What does it mean to be a father, and what is the balance between protecting and preparing your child?
Across the Bridge also contains a theme dealing with ALS, a terminal disease that requires a team of caregivers. Readers who've met Grandma Lou in Snow Country will want to be with her again.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
EXCERPT:
Marcella was touched by Drew’s patience as he leaned in to listen to Louisa’s soft voice and repeated back what he thought he heard. He asked questions and seemed genuinely interested. Marcella was a bit embarrassed she didn’t know a lot of what her friend was telling Drew, but Louisa typically didn’t open up about herself, and it seemed their conversations always went back to Marcella.
Danny entered the kitchen. “Hey, there you are,” he said, looking at Drew. “Hey, Grandma Lou.” Danny gave her a peck on the cheek, and then addressed Drew again. “We have all the poles in place. Thanks for helping,” he said in jest. “Now we’re ready to raise the tent, and we need your help.”
“I’ll talk to you later.” Drew rose, lifting his hand in a wave to Louisa and then to Marcella before leaving with Danny.
“He’s a good man, Marcella,” Louisa said in a tone that implied more.
“Yes, he is, but we’re just friends.”
“At some time, dear, you’ll need to open up to someone. You shouldn’t stay closed off for the rest of your life.”
Marcella sat in the chair Drew had vacated. He was a nice guy. She enjoyed his company, not to mention that there was a spark between them. But there were issues. Primarily there was AJ. She wouldn’t do to a kid what Kandy had done to her. And then there was his faith. If she were to be with a guy, she’d want him to have Christian values, but she didn’t know where she stood on issues of faith anymore. She was glad God had helped him turn his life around. Changed his heart, he’d said. She sighed. She wasn’t sure she wanted to be with anyone anyway.
EXCERPT:
Marcella was touched by Drew’s patience as he leaned in to listen to Louisa’s soft voice and repeated back what he thought he heard. He asked questions and seemed genuinely interested. Marcella was a bit embarrassed she didn’t know a lot of what her friend was telling Drew, but Louisa typically didn’t open up about herself, and it seemed their conversations always went back to Marcella.
Danny entered the kitchen. “Hey, there you are,” he said, looking at Drew. “Hey, Grandma Lou.” Danny gave her a peck on the cheek, and then addressed Drew again. “We have all the poles in place. Thanks for helping,” he said in jest. “Now we’re ready to raise the tent, and we need your help.”
“I’ll talk to you later.” Drew rose, lifting his hand in a wave to Louisa and then to Marcella before leaving with Danny.
“He’s a good man, Marcella,” Louisa said in a tone that implied more.
“Yes, he is, but we’re just friends.”
“At some time, dear, you’ll need to open up to someone. You shouldn’t stay closed off for the rest of your life.”
Marcella sat in the chair Drew had vacated. He was a nice guy. She enjoyed his company, not to mention that there was a spark between them. But there were issues. Primarily there was AJ. She wouldn’t do to a kid what Kandy had done to her. And then there was his faith. If she were to be with a guy, she’d want him to have Christian values, but she didn’t know where she stood on issues of faith anymore. She was glad God had helped him turn his life around. Changed his heart, he’d said. She sighed. She wasn’t sure she wanted to be with anyone anyway.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kristin Neva grew up in an old farmhouse on Copper Island in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula where the hard-working, rugged residents persevere through harsh winter weather, sustained by friendship and family, surrounded by natural beauty. As an adult, she lived in the Chicago and Milwaukee areas for seventeen years before returning to the her hometown with her husband and two children.
Kristin’s first book, Heavy, co-authored with her husband, Todd, journeys through the first year after Todd’s ALS diagnosis as the Nevas struggle to find meaning, hold on to faith, and discover joy in the midst of pain.
It is this life experience that brings authenticity to Kristin’s fictional works as she explores themes of love, loss, and faith on Copper Island. Her quirky characters are endearing and wholesome. But they are also full of healthy grit, humor, flaws, and appetites.
Learn more about Kristin and explore Copper Island at KristinNeva.com.
CONNECT WITH KRISTIN: Website | Facebook | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY
- a Signed Copy of Across the Bridge
- Scandinavian Dish Towel
- Garden Note Cards
- Locally Hand Crafted Bird's Eye Maple Spatula
- Rishi Loose Leaf Tea and Tea Ball
- Keweenaw Mug
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Thanks for sharing the excerpt! Fun giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThe story seems real. I'm interested from a medical and social aspect to learn more about ALS and how is affects those around you.
ReplyDeleteI liked the excerpt, thank you.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an inspiring story. Looking forward to reading.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like a fantastic read.
ReplyDelete