Enjoy her thoughts on the novel and don't forget to enter the 2 #Giveaways Below.
The Wishing Bridge by Viola Shipman
Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Graydon
House
Published: 11.7.23
Pages: 368
Rating: 4.5 stars
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Sellers: Amazon
ADD TO: GoodReads
GoodReads Blurb:
With unabashed winter charm, The Wishing Bridge sparkles
with the humor and heart fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey, Nancy Thayer and Jenny
Colgan love most.
Once the hottest mergers and acquisitions executive in the company, Henrietta
Wegner can see the ambitious and impossibly young up-and-comers gunning for her
job. When Henri’s boss makes it clear she’ll be starting the New Year
unemployed unless she can close a big deal before the holidays, Henri
impulsively tells him that she can convince her aging parents to sell
Wegner’s—their iconic Frankenmuth, Michigan, Christmas store—to a massive,
soulless corporation. It’s the kind of deal cool, corporate Henri has built her
career on.
Home for the holidays has typically meant a perfunctory twenty-four-hour visit
for Henri, then back to Detroit as fast as her car will drive her. So turning
up at the Wegner’s offices in early December raises some eyebrows: from her
delighted, if puzzled, parents to her suspicious brother and curious childhood
friends. But as Henri fields impatient texts from her boss while reconnecting
with the magic of the store and warmth of her hometown, what sounded great in
the boardroom begins to lose its luster in real life. She’s running out of time
to pull the trigger on what could be the greatest success of her career…or the
most awkward family holiday of her life.
Includes the bonus novella Christmas Angels
The age-old question, what matters most? Is it the career she gave up everything to
have or the family whom her late grandmother said was everything? A cut throat acquisitions executive is about
to find out.
The Wishing Bridge
is my fourth Viola Shipman book and I’ve discovered something to delight in
from each one. In this case, I was
especially anticipatory of the latest Christmas themed novel because of it
being set in my part of Michigan. I
adore Frankenmuth and Bronner’s so was tickled to see this special place become
a fabulous extra character in the story.
And, this story… ahhh, so much feeling.
The way it captures the magic of Christmas for a child and shows a woman
who has lost her way that she can come home and try for those Christmas wishes
she had so long ago.
In truth, I was never down on Henri for her desire to leave
her town and go for a career even if it meant saying no to her high school
love. I was glad her dad didn’t make it
tough on her, though, yes, he had his druthers about wanting her to stay and
make it a family business. My struggle was when she wanted to come back and did
it under false pretenses. It was down to
the wire and I was caught up with so many feelings to see her struggle with
deceiving her family about planning to sell their beautiful store or whether
she’d be able to see her way clear that would be best for all involved.
There is a second chance romance and it was sweet and heartwarming
with some complications because of what came between the pair, but as usual
with Shipman’s books, I was more focused on the internal struggles and the
family situation. But, I can’t forget
the feelings elicited about a place and a holiday season, too.
All around this was a well done abso-fabulous holiday season
read that would put a Grinch in the mood for Christmas. Chick Lit, Women’s Fic, and Holiday Sweet
Romance fans should definite give The Wishing Bridge a look-see.
Author Bio:
WADE ROUSE is the internationally
bestselling author of nine books, which have been translated into nearly 20
languages. Wade chose his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman, as a pen name to
honor the woman whose heirlooms and family stories inspire his fiction.
Wade’s novels include The Charm
Bracelet, a 2017 Michigan Notable Book of the Year; The Hope Chest;
and The Recipe Box. NYT bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank
says of Wade and his latest novel, The Summer Cottage: “Every now and
then a new voice in fiction arrives to completely charm, entertain and remind
us what matters. Viola Shipman is that voice and The Summer Cottage
is that novel.”
Library Journal writes that Wade has “hit upon the perfect formula to tell
heartwarming, inter-generational family stories by weaving together the lives,
loves and history of family through cherished heirlooms.” He recently signed a
three-book book deal with HarperCollins. His next novel, The Heirloom Garden,
will publish in April 2020.
Wade’s books have been selected
multiple times as Must-Reads by NBC’s Today Show, featured in the Washington
Post, USA Today and on Chelsea Lately and have also been chosen
three times as Indie Next Picks by the nation’s independent booksellers.
His writing has appeared in a
diverse range of publications and media, including Coastal Living, Time,
All Things Considered, People, Good Housekeeping, Salon,
Forbes, Taste of Home, Country Woman, Writer’s Digest and Publisher’s
Weekly.
Also a noted humorist of four
memoirs, Wade was a finalist for the Goodreads Choice Awards in Humor (he lost
to Tina Fey) and was named by Writer’s Digest as “The #2 Writer, Dead or
Alive, We’d Like to Have Drinks With” (Wade was sandwiched between Ernest
Hemingway and Hunter Thompson).
Wade earned his B.A. from Drury
University and his master’s in journalism from Northwestern University. He
divides his time between Saugatuck, Michigan, and Palm Springs, California, and
is also an acclaimed writing teacher who has mentored numerous students to
become published authors.
THE
STORY OF VIOLA SHIPMAN
My novels are a tribute to my Ozarks
grandma, Viola Shipman. The jangling of her charm bracelet was as ever-present
as the call of the whippoorwill, the scent of her hope chest as vivid as cedars
after a spring rain, and her burnished wood recipe box stuffed with family
recipes that still make my mouth water.
Her heirlooms, life, lessons and
love not only inspire my fiction but also inspired me to become a writer and, I
hope, the person I am today. She taught me that the simplest things in life –
family, friends, faith, fun, love, and a passion for what you do – are truly
the grandest gifts. My fiction is meant to honor the elders in our lives whose
sacrifices and journeys helped make us who we are today. I couldn’t be prouder
of my novels, which I hope reconnect you to your own family’s stories,
heirlooms, histories and traditions.
Website: https://violashipman.com/
Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia
is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing,
piano-playing, and gardening. Road trips and campouts, museums and monuments,
restaurants and theaters are her jam. Encouraged and supported by an incredible
man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes
Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and
Chocolate.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that
Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing. Sophia is a
prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many
wonderful books, authors, and narrators. Few genres are outside her reading
tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and
romance. Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophia.rose.7587
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiarose1816
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13418187.Sophia_Rose
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Interesting! I had no idea that this was a pen name. I haven't had the chance to read this author yet but do hope to in the future.
ReplyDeleteYeah, fun surprise about the author. He writes so that you honestly couldn't tell if you didn't already know. Hope you get the chance soon, Carole!
DeleteI was surprised (like Carole above) that Viola Shipman was a penname for a man. His stories sound like my cup of tea! Wonderful review, Sophia and what a fab giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, Rachel! He makes you feel the charm of the season and setting and his characters from multiple generations are form some great relationships. The humor is always as present as the sensibility. :)
DeleteSophia Rose great review as you know I love Viola Shipman and this book in on my short list. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI am so glad, Debbie. You'll adore this one when you get the chance. You got me hooked on his books. :)
DeleteI, too, was surprised to discover that the person behind the name is a man. I would never have guessed based on the writing. This is on my list to read before the year ends. Glad to see you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun background bit to learn. :) Good plan to read this one.
DeleteGreat review! I love that the pen name is from a male author and that he uses his grandma's name in her honor.
ReplyDeleteI thought that was beautiful of him to do, too, Elizabeth.
DeleteLovely review Sophia. This is on my wishlist. :) I loved the first one.
ReplyDeleteYes, that first Secret of Snow was what hooked me in, too. :) This one was tender and heartwarming like that, too. And, some funny moments. :)
Delete