From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes this e-short prequel to her upcoming novel, The Bridge, shedding light on the love story behind the bookstore and how it came to be a place of hope and encouragement.
From Booklist
What’s left when you lose everything? Kingsbury (Coming Home, 2012) works through that tough question in her newest novel. Charlie Barton and his wife, Donna, ran the Bridge, a historic bookstore in Franklin, Tennessee, for 30 years, but a declining industry and a devastating flood left them with an empty storefront and insurmountable bills. Molly Allen and Ryan Kelly connected in college over their passion for reading, using the Bridge as their getaway from the very different lives they lead. ED: S/B “they led”? Years later, both look back and wonder what could have been. When Charlie gets into a horrible accident, Ryan decides to organize a book drive and gather donations, so Charlie can rebuild the bookstore when he heals. Through the effort, Ryan and Molly reconnect. It’s hard to know what is most important until something forces you to change your perspective. Kingsbury’s characters are confronted with the hard choices readers face daily. The award-winning author brings her trademark empathy for the people she writes for to this tale, and fans will love her dramatic take on real issues. --Carolyn Richard
Review
"Popular inspirational novelist Kingsbury goes mainstream in her newest, which mixes a love story with a seasonal one that borrows from the Christmas favorite It's A Wonderful Life. . . . Kingsbury fans may acquire a new holiday favorite read in this sugary tale of second chances." (Publishers Weekly )
Reader Praise for *The Bridge: *
“The Bridge is a reminder that all things aren’t as they seem. That things really do work together for the good! That God IS in control even when we can’t see it. Karen’s books make you laugh, cry, and leave you wanting more! Her characters are so real you feel like you know them, and want to be friends with them. Once I read the first page of The Bridge I couldn’t put it down. I read the entire book in one day!!” (Hellen (Annette) H. )
“Karen Kingsbury once again uses her beautiful talent to illustrate God’s awesome love and grace for us! Each new story speaks to so many hearts across the world. Karen’s gift is certainly a loving legacy that I share with others!” (Cyndi A. )
“Gripping from the beginning, The Bridge is an amazing story where we learn even in tragedy or loss God is the God of second chances and we should learn to treasure the miracles He sends our way.” (Chris V. )
“Karen Kingsbury’s newest book, The Bridge, will tug at the heart-strings of old time bookstore lovers everywhere! Blend in a little romance with the timeless principle of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, and you have a classic story built around classic books!” (Annette W. )
“The Bridge is a story of friendship, love, forgiveness, and God's amazing grace. Join Charlie, Donna, Molly, and Ryan on an adventure of never-ending friendship in this wonderful story that God will never leave us and always protect us.” (Hope P. )
“Karen Kingsbury has done it again with The Bridge. She is more than an author. She’s a vessel that God has used to minister to myself, as well as her other readers. She is a passionate and inspirational woman of God. I am grateful for her faithfulness and obedience to write when God gives her a story. Thank you, Karen, for your faithfulness. Your stories have touched my life more than you could ever know.” (Tami D. )
“Once again Karen writes such strong characters that draw deep emotions, you feel like you are right there, a part of the story. The Bridge is a beautiful love story intertwined with many types of love. You will be truly moved and inspired by this story. Have the tissues ready!!!” (Renette S. )
“The Bridge is an incredibly heart-warming collection of love stories—the story of a young couple in love, the story of an older couple who love each other and their fledgling business, and the love of a community coming together for one of its own. I could not put The Bridge down, because I was captivated by the events and anxious to read ‘the rest of the story!’ Inspirational! A beautiful story about second chances!” (Lisa H. )
“The Bridge will be a bridge to your heart. It is a heart-warming story of second chances that you will not want to put down until you finish it. You will fall in love with the Barton’s and their wonderful store & ministry as well as Molly and Ryan. This is a must read. God does give second chances and answer our prayers.” (Marnie M. )
Description:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes this e-short prequel to her upcoming novel, The Bridge, shedding light on the love story behind the bookstore and how it came to be a place of hope and encouragement.
From Booklist
What’s left when you lose everything? Kingsbury (Coming Home, 2012) works through that tough question in her newest novel. Charlie Barton and his wife, Donna, ran the Bridge, a historic bookstore in Franklin, Tennessee, for 30 years, but a declining industry and a devastating flood left them with an empty storefront and insurmountable bills. Molly Allen and Ryan Kelly connected in college over their passion for reading, using the Bridge as their getaway from the very different lives they lead. ED: S/B “they led”? Years later, both look back and wonder what could have been. When Charlie gets into a horrible accident, Ryan decides to organize a book drive and gather donations, so Charlie can rebuild the bookstore when he heals. Through the effort, Ryan and Molly reconnect. It’s hard to know what is most important until something forces you to change your perspective. Kingsbury’s characters are confronted with the hard choices readers face daily. The award-winning author brings her trademark empathy for the people she writes for to this tale, and fans will love her dramatic take on real issues. --Carolyn Richard
Review
"Popular inspirational novelist Kingsbury goes mainstream in her newest, which mixes a love story with a seasonal one that borrows from the Christmas favorite It's A Wonderful Life. . . . Kingsbury fans may acquire a new holiday favorite read in this sugary tale of second chances." (Publishers Weekly )
Reader Praise for *The Bridge: *
“The Bridge is a reminder that all things aren’t as they seem. That things really do work together for the good! That God IS in control even when we can’t see it. Karen’s books make you laugh, cry, and leave you wanting more! Her characters are so real you feel like you know them, and want to be friends with them. Once I read the first page of The Bridge I couldn’t put it down. I read the entire book in one day!!” (Hellen (Annette) H. )
“Karen Kingsbury once again uses her beautiful talent to illustrate God’s awesome love and grace for us! Each new story speaks to so many hearts across the world. Karen’s gift is certainly a loving legacy that I share with others!” (Cyndi A. )
“Gripping from the beginning, The Bridge is an amazing story where we learn even in tragedy or loss God is the God of second chances and we should learn to treasure the miracles He sends our way.” (Chris V. )
“Karen Kingsbury’s newest book, The Bridge, will tug at the heart-strings of old time bookstore lovers everywhere! Blend in a little romance with the timeless principle of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, and you have a classic story built around classic books!” (Annette W. )
“The Bridge is a story of friendship, love, forgiveness, and God's amazing grace. Join Charlie, Donna, Molly, and Ryan on an adventure of never-ending friendship in this wonderful story that God will never leave us and always protect us.” (Hope P. )
“Karen Kingsbury has done it again with The Bridge. She is more than an author. She’s a vessel that God has used to minister to myself, as well as her other readers. She is a passionate and inspirational woman of God. I am grateful for her faithfulness and obedience to write when God gives her a story. Thank you, Karen, for your faithfulness. Your stories have touched my life more than you could ever know.” (Tami D. )
“Once again Karen writes such strong characters that draw deep emotions, you feel like you are right there, a part of the story. The Bridge is a beautiful love story intertwined with many types of love. You will be truly moved and inspired by this story. Have the tissues ready!!!” (Renette S. )
“The Bridge is an incredibly heart-warming collection of love stories—the story of a young couple in love, the story of an older couple who love each other and their fledgling business, and the love of a community coming together for one of its own. I could not put The Bridge down, because I was captivated by the events and anxious to read ‘the rest of the story!’ Inspirational! A beautiful story about second chances!” (Lisa H. )
“The Bridge will be a bridge to your heart. It is a heart-warming story of second chances that you will not want to put down until you finish it. You will fall in love with the Barton’s and their wonderful store & ministry as well as Molly and Ryan. This is a must read. God does give second chances and answer our prayers.” (Marnie M. )