Fabulous and Brunette: Bridges by Linda Griffin - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway

Hello, lovelies!! It gives me great pleasure today to host Linda Griffin and her new book, “Bridges,” here on FAB!! For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $25 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Linda and to increase your chances of winning!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!

Bridges

by Linda Griffin

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GENRE: 20th Century Historical Romance

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BLURB:

In 1963, Neil Vincent, a middle-aged World War II veteran and “Christian atheist,” is working at Westfield Court as a chauffeur. He spends most of his spare time reading. Mary Claire DeWinter is a young, blind Catholic college student and reluctant heiress. To secure her inheritance, she has to marry within a year, and her aunt is pressuring her to marry a rich man who teased and bullied her when she was a child. Neil and Mary Claire shouldn’t even be friends, but the gulf between them is bridged by a shared love of books. Can they cross the bridge to more?

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EXCERPT ONE:

When the train rumbled in, he got out of the car. He stood patiently on the platform as the passengers disembarked, holding up a small slate on which he had chalked DEWINTER in large capitals. There weren’t many passengers, but they were briefly delayed while the conductor helped a blind woman navigate the steps. Neil’s gaze fell expectantly on a woman in her thirties, with an awful hat, but she was immediately met by a portly man and a teenage boy. No other likely prospects appeared, and he waited for someone to respond to the sign. No one did.

Finally, only two passengers were left on the platform—a small, homely man and the blind woman. Blind girl, really. She couldn’t be more than twenty. She had a jointed white cane, and her large sunglasses didn’t cover the edges of the scars on her face. She would not have been beautiful even without the scars—too thin, for starters, of average height but with small bones. On the other hand, her face might once have been pretty, and her hair was clean and shining, raven black, and well brushed. She was too pale, and the scars around her eyes were red and ugly. She looked a little lost.

Feeling foolish, he lowered the slate. “Miss DeWinter?” he asked as he approached her.

“Yes,” she said, turning toward his voice with a smile.

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MY BOOK REVIEW:

This book is an interesting and intriguing 20^th Century historical romance read!!

This is the third book I have had the pleasure and privilege of reading and reviewing from Linda Griffin. I really enjoy her unique ability to blend multiple genres together in a smooth transition and flowing story line design, and her latest book is no exception.

This book starts out with the recent arrival of the main character, Mary Claire, a young, blind, Catholic college student who is in town to visit her grandfather, who is near his death. Neil, the family’s chauffer picks Mary Claire up from the train station and begins an instant click friendship with her as they bond over their love of books, reading, movies, and their different beliefs on religion and faith.

While Mary Claire had only planned her visit for a few days, things quickly change after the reading of her grandfather’s will. In a shocking twist, Mary Claire, is left her grandfather’s house and all his remaining possessions and assets. However, there were two stipulations, Mary Claire, must allow her Aunt Edna, her mean, rude, demanding, and unaffectionate aunt, to remain a resident at the house for the rest of her life, and that she must marry within one year of her grandfather’s passing. If she fails to do so the entire inheritance will be bequeathed to the state of Massachusetts.

As Aunt Edna clearly thought she would be the main beneficiary, she, Mary Claire, the workers, and everyone else at the reading became quite shocked and alarmed about Mr. St. James’s decision to leave everything to his young, blind, 18-year-old granddaughter. While Mary Claire seems overwhelmed by her newly discovered inheritance, she contemplates just walking away from it all, going back home and back to school; but that would mean her aunt would have no place to live, the horses would be sold off, the workers would all lose their jobs, and so on. After much reluctance, Mary Claire agrees to start considering a marriage to fulfill her inheritance agreement, with her aunt begins creating a list of her idea of suitable candidates, someone from a good family with old money, including one suitor in particular, Drake Whitman, the boy who teased and bullied Mary Claire when they were kids, the exact type of guy Mary Claire doesn’t want to be around let alone actually marry.

As Mary Claire fears any suitor would most likely be in it for the money, not her, she starts to give up the idea of being able to actually find a decent husband, when her friend Neil, convinces her that she just needs to find someone that will agree to marry her on her terms and someone that meets the inheritance requirements, that she doesn’t have to love that person or stay married to them forever. Can Mary Claire actually find such a person in time? Is it possible she already knows this certain someone who would be the perfect pretend husband for her? Could Neil be that someone? No spoilers here, but you will definitely want to read this book to find out what happens!!!

Neil seems to be the first guy who sees Mary Claire as just Mary Claire – not the helpless, blind girl, not some “cripple,” as she puts it, not someone needing constant supervision or babying. Mary Claire quickly takes to Neil as she’s impressed by his readings and intrigued by his philosophy on religion. While Neil does find Mary Claire as intelligent, compassionate, soft-spoken, and after learning she’s not of wealth or entitlement, but actually on a college scholarship, his friendship with her only grows. While Neil does look past Mary Claire’s disability, he does still see her as young, juvenile, and naïve - and young enough to be his daughter!!

I have many mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed reading this book and as always with Linda Griffin’s writing, I remained intrigued by her talented story telling. This book was able to hold my attention to the last page and I was able to quickly finish it in just a mere few hours. I enjoyed the story line, the plot points, the writing style, the smooth and steady writing flow, etc., - all good!! I just am not quite sure how I feel about it in an overall sense. For example, I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters, namely Neil. I liked Mary Claire for the most part, but found her to be a bit awkward, clingy, immature, insecure, and at times annoying. It seemed strange that she quickly became so obsessed with Neil, consistently seeking him out and arranging it so he had to spend time with her as it was his job to drive her and make sure she got around safely. Plus, her trusting him so quickly and completely after she just met him felt odd. I understand that this is a short read, so things happen quickly, they have to, but there’s a difference between moving the story along and creating an unrealistic immediate bond between two unlikely characters. Yes, I think Mary Claire was maybe a bit nervous and feeling vulnerable being away from home and somewhat (but understandably so) emotional after her grandfather’s passing, so she grabs on to the first person she meets which happens to be the chauffer. However, Neil, didn’t seem like the type of guy who would go out of his way to socialize with his employers or his employer’s family members, especially at the chance of risking his job. I think I just felt Mary Claire was this young, sweet, innocent, vulnerable girl that got put in a difficult and tricky situation, but it still felt like Neil took advantage of that and her. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m more old-fashioned and seeing an 18-year-old girl with a disability following a 38-year-old man around like a puppy just feels wrong. A twenty-year age gap is huge, especially at eighteen when your life is truly just beginning. Yes, there is more to the story and Mary Claire’s grandfather is the one who put her in an unfair situation requiring her to marry for the inheritance. But what’s interesting is that his reasoning for the marriage is so she will have someone to protect her, lookout for her, and help her manage her accounts, etc., yet this whole marriage idea does the complete opposite. Either she marries someone who will steal all the money, order her around, and do as he pleases with her; or she marries someone twenty-years her senior, someone old enough to be her father, and who has inappropriate thoughts and feelings for her, which honestly felt a bit on the pedophile side. I feel like she was in a lose-lose situation, neither choices were ideal.

I rated this book on the excellent writing style, the creative story line, intriguing plot points, well developed scenes, steady writing flow, etc. My own personal distaste for the characters and their intentions were not included in the score as they don’t factor into the quality of the book or the author’s writing ability.

This book is a super-fast read with only ten short chapters, plus an epilogue, over the course of only 116 eBook pages.

There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few very unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming but will enjoy watching unfold!!

This book is not currently listed as part of a book series. It can easily be read as a standalone.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it!! I think all historical romance readers, historical fiction readers, and sweet romance book fans will like this book too!! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**

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AUTHOR BIO:

Linda Griffin is a native of San Diego and has a BA in English from San Diego State University and an MLS from UCLA. As soon as learned to read, she knew she wanted to be a “book maker” and wrote her first story at the age of six. She retired from a position as fiction librarian for the San Diego Public Library to spend more time on her writing. Her stories have been published in numerous journals, including Eclectica, Thema, The Binnacle, Orbis, and mostly recently The Adirondack Review. Bridges is her fifth novel published by the Wild Rose Press, following Seventeen Days (2018), The Rebound Effect (2019), Guilty Knowledge (2020), and Love, Death, and the Art of Cooking (2021).

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CONNECT WITH LINDA:

Website:

http://www.lindagriffinauthor.com

Email:

linda.griffin.50702@facebook.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/lindagriffin.author

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/LindaGriffinA

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-griffin-20be6ac5-19d4-4c89-9205-2d372a485a32

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/bridges-by-linda-griffin

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18396185.Linda_Griffin

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60121342-bridges

Amazon Author Page:

http://amzn.to/2VXVkBS

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/3kB93ac

Amazon US Paperback:

https://amzn.to/3KBCuDE

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Bridges-Linda-Griffin-ebook/dp/B09QXQJFNT

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/Bridges-Linda-Griffin/dp/1509241817

Apple Books eBook:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/bridges/id1606565402

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bridges-joy-griffin/1102348389?ean=2940160796581

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bridges-joy-griffin/1102348389?ean=9781509241811

Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Bridges-Linda-Griffin/9781509241811

Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Bridges/Linda-Griffin/9781509241811

Bookshop Paperback:

https://bookshop.org/books/bridges-9781509241811/9781509241811

Google Play eBook:

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Linda_Griffin_Bridges?id=lrNrEAAAQBAJ

Kobo US eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/bridges-42

Kobo CA eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/bridges-42

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Linda will be awarding a $25 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions. Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.