The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury + Giveaway

About the Book:

Number one New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury delivers an instant classic with this heartwarming Christmas story about a hundred-year flood, lost love, and the beauty of enduring friendships.

Molly Allen lives alone in Portland, but she left her heart back in Tennessee with a man she walked away from five years ago. They had a rare sort of love she hasn’t found since.

Ryan Kelly lives in Nashville after a broken engagement and several years on the road touring with a country music duo. He can still hear Molly’s voice encouraging him to follow his dreams; Molly, whose memory stays with him. At least he can visit The Bridge—the oldest bookstore in historic downtown Franklin—and remember the hours he and Molly once spent there.

For thirty years, Charlie and Donna Barton have run The Bridge, providing the people of middle Tennessee with coffee, conversation, and shelves of good books—even through dismal book sales and the rise of digital books. Then in May, the hundred-year flood swept through Franklin and destroyed nearly every book in the store.

 Now the bank is pulling the lease on The Bridge. Despondent and without answers, Charlie considers the unthinkable. Then tragedy strikes, and suddenly, everything changes. In the face of desperate brokenness and lost opportunities, could the miracle of a second chance actually unfold?

The Bridge is a love story set against the struggle of the American bookstore, a love story you will never forget.

My Review:

4 Stars

What a sweet and simple Christmas book from beloved bestseller Karen Kingsbury. The Bridge will remind you that miracles are possible and that there is still hope in the world. This is a great book to read this Christmas season and really throughout the year. It is nice how it is short and great for those so busy that longer books just never seem to get finished.

This book in many ways is a lot different than her normal full length novels as it is much simpler and sweeter. But, those that love Karen Kingsbury will still find joy in this book and will want to add it to their collection.

I really enjoyed reading the back story of Ryan and Molly and seeing where their lives went and how The Bridge bookstore brought them back together. I will admit reading about the bookstore made me wish we still had more of these small town bookstores that bring the community together and a place to share the love of books, both old and new.

Make sure you add this book to your reading list and enjoy in this story.

*I received this book through Howard Books for the purpose of this review. Thank you!

 Giveaway info:

1. Must live in US.

2. Leave a comment with your e-mail address.

3. Ends Tuesday,  October 30th!

 

Kisses from Katie by Katie Davie

About the Book:

What would cause an eighteen-year-old senior class president and homecoming queen from Nashville, Tennessee, to disobey and disappoint her parents by forgoing college, break her little brother’s heart, lose all but a handful of her friends (because they think she has gone off the deep end), and break up with the love of her life, all so she could move to Uganda, where she knew only one person and didn’t even speak the language?

A passion to follow Jesus.

Katie Davis left over Christmas break of her senior year for a short mission trip to Uganda and her life was turned completely inside out. She found herself so moved by the people of Uganda and the needs she saw that she knew her calling was to return and care for them. Katie, a charismatic and articulate young woman, is in the process of adopting thirteen children in Uganda and has established a ministry, Amazima, that feeds and sends hundreds more to school while teaching them the Word of Jesus Christ.

Kisses from Katie invites readers on a journey of radical love down the red dirt roads of Uganda. You’ll laugh and cry with Katie as she follows Jesus into the impossible and finds joy and beauty beneath the dust. Katie and her children delight in saying yes to the people God places in front of them and challenge readers to do the same, changing the world one person at a time.

My Review:

5 Stars

What an inspiration this book is! From the very first page it makes you think of others out there and how fortunate we are to live in such comforts. The way she she talks about the joy and cheerfulness the children have despite living in filth and with so little makes you really think about all the things we complain about here. The things we complain about are so trivial to them. I loved how Katie presented her journey, struggles and plan without being preachy and making you think that if you don't do what she is doing then you aren't being a good Christian. I loved how she taught the fact that we are all called to be missionaries whether it be overseas or in our own backyard.

I just loved the stories of the different children she has adopted or worked with and her love and passion for the country. She is a great example of how when we follow God's will contentment and peace will be there even when conditions are harsh. She does share her struggles and shows it is not an easy life but it is the one that is meant for her.

Overall I recommend this book for anyone that want to encouraged and loves stories of mission works.

*I received this book from Howard Books for the purpose of this review.