Fiction from the Ragged Edge of FaithWhen 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 … 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.
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MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
This is a really interesting book, because there is so much going on in the story. I didn’t read the first two books in this series, but author Kristin Neva does an amazing job of telling enough of the characters and the issues they are dealing with, I was able to understand and comprehend what was going on. The characters seemed to pop out at me and I loved how each developed throughout the story, especially Marcella and her walk with the Lord. It was neat that her neighbor gave her a gift, that she later found out was a Bible. And AJ had my heart from the beginning. And the storyline with what this child would have to deal with was heartbreaking. But then it turns ok to be a not so bad thing. And the other major thing is sweet Louise as she continues her battle with ALS. And how her caregivers and friends and family come together to care for her. Not reading the first two books in this series, I missed out on the first part of Louise’s life, but again, the author helps us understand what is going on.
This story is full of action, and for this reason, you need to read the book to find out what happens. I dont go into detail because that would ruin the book for you. This is my first book from this author and I am very impressed. I love all of the details with each subject she deals with, and its clear she has well researched her topics before she writes this book. I highly recommend Across the Bridge by Kristen Neva
A copy of this book was given to me by the author. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in the review are mine alone, after reading this book.
I was so pleasantly surprised to discover that Across the Bridge takes place in my home state! Copper Country is absolutely beautiful so I’m a little biased to the book’s setting. Kristin Neva does such a wonderful job of describing the scenery and the extreme weather of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
In the story, young widower Drew moves to Quincy with his young son and is immediately drawn in by his landlord Marcella, a unique young woman with a penchant for gardening, nature, and healing. While Drew is excited at the prospect of getting to know Marcella better, she is very cautious about overstepping boundaries with Drew’s son AJ. She’s learned from experience, having lost her mother at a young age and then being quickly forced to adjust to a new stepmother. Adding another layer of complication is the possibility that Drew’s late wife might have hidden the truth about AJ’s true paternity.
There are a lot of topics covered in this book, and I think that most of them are handled well. I felt like we could have had a little more spiritual growth from Marcella, but if the series continues then I’m sure we’ll get to see her progress! I haven’t read any of the other books in this series, but I still appreciate the way that the characters of Copper Island are all woven together through love and friendship.
Overall, this book is a nice portrayal of the people in Copper Country, and I’m looking forward to catching up on the books that I missed! I received a copy of this book from JustRead Publicity Tours and am under no obligation to provide a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve only read a couple books set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (or UP), so another book set in the area with their proud history and roots is always great to find. Kristin Neva enhanced my knowledge of the Copper Country area while introducing a cast of characters who are not easily forgotten. (For some of you, these characters may be familiar, but this was my first book by Neva).
There is a lot happening in Across the Bridge that held my interest and attention. From the uncertainty Marcella has about God after her mother’s death to AJ’s paternity to a friend’s struggle with ALS and all the relationship dynamics, I was definitely not ever bored with this story.
I enjoyed watching the friendship between Marcella and Drew grow and the almost instantaneous connection she had with AJ. Each of these three struggle with difficult, true-to-life issues and their relationships (with each other as well as others in their lives) require some work and some healing. Experiencing loss bonds Drew, AJ, and Marcella together.
One thing I felt was missing in this story was a conversation or more interaction between Marcella and her father because at times, he comes across as unfeeling about Marcella’s circumstances. Circumstances he’s put her in. But that was just a small part of the book, and everything else points readers toward forgiveness, healing, and the strengths (and sacrifices) of love.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I chose this book to read about ALS as a “side note” in a story. Well done.
I never knew what a Yooper was until I read this book! Kristin Neva vividly describes the Upper Peninsula, the enduring rich heritages of the people living there and the unique beauty of the area. Although I hadn’t read the first books in this series, I found that this could be a standalone novel.
Endearing characters begin creating chemistry from the start – the relationship between Marcella and Drew is allowed to naturally progress. Both have personal issues they’re dealing with and the author wisely allows those to be dealt with before they jump into a serious relationship. A loveable son, AJ, parents, and step-parents join with other memorable characters to make this a very interesting and enjoyable book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.