Loading ...Bridge of Souls by Sheri Lewis Wohl
Bridge of Souls is a beautiful contemporary romance with a ghostly mystery. It takes place in a building once a schoolhouse but lovingly restored by its new owner, ex-police officer Jason Bigelow who goes by Bigs. As I read the author’s descriptive prose about the schoolhouse, I knew I would like this story. This story begins when a woman, Anna Koch (whose real first name is Adrian), goes to the house to rent an apartment. A bond is formed that day - or two, to be precise. A bond forms between Anna and Bigs, and another equally important connection develops between Adrian and a spirit of a young child who is trapped in the schoolhouse.
Ms. Wohl has a way with words. Her language is concise yet evocative. She inspires an appreciation of the beauty of her writing and engenders deep emotion in me as a reader. She describes both Adrian and Bigs in such a way that I grew to know them and to like them both very early on in this story.
Almost immediately, I came to the conclusion that Adrian was a woman on the run. Ms. Wohl does a great job of delving into the past of this woman and building her characterization, scene by scene, who she is and what she’s running from. I felt sympathy, caring, and respect for a woman who suffered so horribly under the yoke of a cruel, sadistic husband and an indifferent father. I rejoiced that Adrian’s gentle, artistic spirit survived intact, despite this experience, for Adrian has the strength to move forward to make a new life, to build a career as a textile artist, and to work part-time with Patsy. Patsy and Adrian form an instant friendship, united in their love of textiles and quilt-making. She doesn’t expect to find a man that she could love, but Bigs finds his way into her heart, all the same. Despite all that she suffered with her husband, Adrian’s heart has not grown stony. She does not treat Bigs as if he is a member of a hated gender. Instead, she sees the deeply attractive, inside and out, man and has trouble keeping him at a distance because of the deep connection that forms between them.
Bigs is a wonderful hero. He is kind, down-to-earth, considerate, and endowed with vulnerabilities that make you want to love him even more. He was injured on the job, shot by a suspect, and dumped out of a rapidly-moving car. This destroyed his knee and ended his career as a police officer. This devastating event occurs not long after his wife leaves him to become a nun. Hit by this double whammy of misfortune, Bigs is a man who descended to the depths of human anguish but pulled himself out little by little. When this story begins, he has made a pretty good life for himself after all that trauma. He buys an old schoolhouse, which he lovingly restores, and this place is beautiful. He also works part time as a hostage negotiator. He could have become embittered, cold, and cruel, but his gentleness and kind nature is so very obvious in how he interacts with his new tenant for whom he rapidly develops feelings that are more than friendship. Bigs has existed in cold storage after his wife left him and took away his feelings of pride in his masculinity. Adrian (who he knows as Anna) awakens within him the ability to feel intense emotions for a woman again. Yet he starts to suspect that she is not who she appears to be.
The relationship between Bigs and Adrian develops in the best way that a contemporary romance can. The unfolding of an intense love, progressing leisurely yet meaningfully. I truly enjoyed how the writing paints a vivid picture of Bigs and Adrian’s every interaction and how the scenes show the growing bond between them. Their courtship is filled with small yet meaningful moments, such as conversations which reveal a meeting of minds, mutual respect and understanding. This paired with the strong attraction between the couple expertly brought to life, fully convinced me that these two people belong together.
Poor Adrian is not out of trouble from her ex-husband. He wants his beautiful, perfect wife back, even if she isn’t legally his wife anymore. Adrian’s ex-husband is a sadistic narcissist who is evil, although physically perfect, whereas the good-hearted Bigs is outwardly scarred and imperfect, walking with a limp. There are moments of finely-written tension as you see him plotting to get his wife back and how he will torture her.
It took some significant skill for the author to thread in the paranormal elements, as Adrian senses the presence of the young spirit. The ghostly child, full of sweet innocence that wrenched at my heart, bonds with her, trusting and adoring her, and investing hope that Adrian will set him free from the schoolhouse. The narrative includes the thoughts of the poor little ghost as he sees everything that happens and feels all the gamut of emotions that Adrian feels as she tries to move on with her life and get over her traumatic past. Those parts made me almost cry several times. I lost the battle towards the end as the author reveals what happened to the poor child. My heart ached as I read about the loneliness of a young boy who was murdered and whose soul lingers in the schoolhouse until it can be set free by his chosen savior - Adrian, a person for whom he has waited for many years.
Bridge of Souls was such a pleasure to read. It was so well-written with the obvious devotion of a writer that poured her heart into it. I could not help but fall in love with this novel. It is a love story that gave me what I was missing in contemporary romance: a heartfelt, meaningful journey of two people who were lost and are trying to find their way, and find their way to each other. The paranormal aspects really add another touching layer to this work of fiction for you want so very much for the poor little spirit to rest and, like the lost child, you put your trust in Adrian to help this soul find his way home.
I was not expecting to have my heart touched when I read this story yet it was. I cried for the poor little child and I smiled for the happiness that Bigs and Adrian found together. I loved reading about these two special people as they found that special connection that people in love share. For the hours of simple pleasure I found in this story, I am very thankful to Ms. Wohl.
Book Stats:
- e-book, digital format
- Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
- Book Length: Novel
- Language: English
- ISBN: d852
To purchase an electronic copy of Bridge of Souls click here.
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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