Book Review
The Christmas Bridge by Elyse Douglas
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: September 15, 2015
Format: eBook - 183 pages
Kindle - 543 KB
ASIN: B0141RDSCE
Genre: Christmas Holiday Romance / Women's FictionBuy The Book:
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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the authors in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Premier Virtual Author Book Tours.
Book Description:
A First Love. A Second Chance.
A young widow travels to New York on business a few days before Christmas. She has reluctantly made a date with a lover she hasn’t seen in 20 years, and she is nervous and apprehensive. Twenty years before, she made a difficult decision that has both troubled and haunted her ever since. She knows she’s about to come face-to-face with her past and she’s hoping for some redemption and resolution. She also wonders if she can somehow pick up where she left off 20 years ago and start again.
An exciting chance encounter changes everything. Now, not only will she face the past with hope to rekindle an old romance, but there is the possibility that this chance meeting will bring her love and happiness she never thought possible.
Once again, she will have to choose. She will have to make the right decision. She will have to believe that Christmas miracles can still happen.
Praise for Christmas Diary by Elyse Douglas:
“The Christmas Diary is a tender hearted story of one woman’s journey of self-discovery and finding true love that will pull at your emotional heartstrings. The authors weave an inspirational tale written in the third person narrative, that draws the reader into Alice and Jack’s lives, and the issues that they’ve faced: love and loss, questioning one’s life choices, and the decision of which road/path is best to take in one’s life.
This is a wonderful story that has a meaningful message within the storyline that will touch your heart. The authors’ descriptive writing style is phenomenal: the characters are realistic and down-to-earth people whose emotions, dialogue and interactions are palpable, you can feel the range of highs and lows that they endure. The reader is transported to the picturesque holiday setting of the Pennsylvania towns of Eden Grove and Meadow Green.
This captivating story has a mixture of mystery, tender romance, and a supernatural twist that makes The Christmas Diary a compelling and entertaining story that will warm your heart.”- Kathleen, Jersey Girl Book Review
“If you are a fan of Richard Paul Evans novels then you definitely want to grab The Christmas Diary. This is a super quick read that you pick up on a Saturday afternoon and devour in one sitting. One glorious afternoon sitting.
It is a story of love and changes with a paranormal twist.
I adored this book. It was quick and simple and really perfect. I loved how everything was tied together through a ghost.
A quick holiday read that makes me think of Lifetime and Hallmark channel movies.”- Andrea Guy, A Chick Who Reads
” The Christmas Diary” is a nice smooth read filled with emotions and a touch of the paranormal world. Elyse pens her characters well developed, believable and lovable in this Christmas romance story. Highly recommended for all who love a nice enjoyable romance tale.”- Susan Peck, My Cozie Corner
My Book Review:
The Christmas Bridge is the story of a woman's journey of self-discovery and getting a second chance at true love.
Olivia is a forty year old widow who travels to New York City on a business trip a few days before Christmas. While taking a walk in Central Park, Olivia has an unexpected chance encounter with Brett Baylor, a professional baseball player on Bow Bridge, a landmark that holds nostalgic twenty year old memories of Andrew, her old college love. With a chance to reconnect with Andrew and rekindle an old romance, or take a chance on a new romance with Brett, Olivia is faced with the challenge to make a decision that could bring her another chance at love and happiness.
The authors weave a lighthearted and emotional holiday romance tale that will pull at your heartstrings and stir the soul. Written in the third person narrative, the reader is easily drawn into Olivia's journey as she learns to deal with the life issues that she faces: love and loss, questioning one's life choices, and the decision of which road/path is best to take in one's life in order to get a second chance at love and happiness. Can NYC provide a little Christmas miracle of redemption, resolution, and a chance to move forward for Olivia?
This is a lovely story that will draw the reader in from the start, and have them experiencing the full gamut of emotions. You can't help by relate to Olivia, and feel compassion for her as she struggles to restart her life after a traumatic heartbreak. I couldn't help but cheer Olivia and Brett on, hoping that their romance would take wings, and that Olivia would have the strength to finally let go of the past, and embrace a new chance of love and happiness.
Set in the picturesque holiday setting of New York City, the reader can easily envision Olivia's chance to restart her life among the city's famous landmarks, and get drawn into the city's joyous sights and sounds of the holiday season.
The Christmas Bridge is a captivating holiday romance story that captures the essence, spirit, and magic of the Christmas season that will warm your heart, and leave a smile on your face.
RATING: 5 STARS
About The Authors
Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the husband and wife writing team of Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse’s mother was a painter and her father a textile consultant. Elyse began writing poems and short stories at an early age, and graduated with a degree in English Literature. Douglas grew up in a family of musicians, astrologers and avid readers. His great grandfather lived to be a 134 years old, and was the oldest man in the world when he died in 1922.
Some of Elyse Douglas’ novels include: The Other Side of Summer, Christmas for Juliet, Wanting Rita, The Christmas Diary, The Christmas Bridge and The Summer Diary. They live in New York City.
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Virtual Book Tour
Tour Schedule:
Indie Review Behind the Scenes Oct 9 Live Interview
Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Nov 2 Kick off & Giveaway
Books with Merritt Nov 4 Guest Post
Griperang’s Bookmarks Nov 9 Spotlight
being tillys mummy Nov 10 Review
Infinite House of Books Nov 11 Interview
Lisa-Queen of Random Nov 13 Review
Books, Books, and More Books Nov 14 Review
From the TBR Pile Nov 16 Excerpt
Readers Muse Nov 17 Review
Readers Muse Nov 17 Guest Post
Deal Sharing Aunt Nov 20 Guest Post
Cassandra M’s Place Nov 23 Guest Post & Giveaway
Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Nov 25 Review
Cindy’s Notebook Dec 1 Review
What U Talking Bout Willis? Dec 2 Guest Post
Alpha Book Club Dec 2 Review
Harlie’s Books Dec 3 Review
Wall-to-wall books Dec 4 Review
Jersey Girl Book Review Dec 4 Review
Thanks for taking part in the tour. I'm glad you enjoyed 'The Christmas Bridge' so much!
ReplyDeleteHi Teddy! Thank you for the opportunity to host the virtual book tour event. :)
DeleteIt sounds like a lovely book!
ReplyDeleteHi Deanie! Thank you for stopping by my blog, I appreciate it. This is a wonderful story, hope you get a chance to read it. :)
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