A BRIDGE ACROSS the OCEAN by Susan Meissner & GIVEAWAY

** GIVEAWAY CLOSED **

Author, Susan Meissner’s historical fiction takes readers to places they never could visit and experience journeys bigger than they could ever imagine. I first fell in love with Susan’s writing in her novel, STARS OVER SUNSET BOULEVARD.

My Review Stars Over Sunset

It tells a story of love and heartbreak around the iconic hat worn by Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With The Wind,” which is then found in a Hollywood boutique present day. Imagine my delight when I learned she has written a new historical novel, A BRIDGE ACROSS the OCEAN. It’s about the intriguing World War II, Ship, The RMS Queen Mary.

In A BRIDGE ACROSS the OCEAN (Berkley), it’s February 1946. World War II is over, but for many, the horrors continue. German ballerina, Annaliese Lange may have survived the war, but will she be able to move past memories of what she had to do to survive? Simone Devereaux had to pay a high price for her father’s position as a Resistance spy. Can she start a new life?

During WWII, The luxury ocean liner, the RMS Queen Mary is used to transport troops between the United States and Europe. It’s called “The Gray Ghost,” because it’s thought to be haunted. After the fighting ceases, war brides are brought from Europe to begin new lives in the US. Annaliese and Simone are just two of hundreds of European war brides aboard the Queen Mary crossing the Atlantic to be reunited with their American husbands. All have bright futures, but secrets and gossip tumble out in staterooms, during long stretches of boredom. Both Annaliese and Simone will not make it to New York Harbor, or will they? Did one of them jump? Or was she pushed? Is the other really a war bride or a sympathizer?

Today. An old friend asks Brette Caslake to visit the famously haunted Queen Mary and investigate an old family mystery. Finding herself at a crossroads of sorts, she accepts. What she discovers sets her on a course to solve a seventy-year-old tragedy and draws her into the heartaches and triumphs of the courageous war brides. Ultimately, Brette has to reconsider what she’s willing to sacrifice to satisfy her own  needs and desires.

I enjoyed how the narrative switched between the various character’s points of view. I was intrigued by this time in history, which I knew nothing of. Because I’ve read so many WWII novels, I’m always thrilled when an author reveals a unique slice of that time in history. At first, I wasn’t sure about the paranormal element, but I found once I signed on, it allowed the story to have another dimension, which was enjoyable.

Susan Meissner is a multi-published author, speaker and writing workshop leader with a background in community journalism. Her novels include A Fall of Marigolds, named to Booklist’s Top Ten Women’s Fiction titles for 2014, and The Shape of Mercy, named by Publishers Weekly as one of the 100 Best Novels of 2008. A California native, she attended Point Loma Nazarene University. Susan is a pastor’s wife and a mother of four young adults. When she’s not working on a novel, Susan writes small group curriculum for her San Diego church. Visit Susan at her website: http://susanlmeissner.com on Twitter at @SusanMeissner or at Facebook.

Thanks to Susan, we have one copy of A BRIDGE OVER the OCEAN to giveaway. Just tell us which one of Susan’s novels is your favorite. Perhaps, if you’re the winner, this one will be yours. We’ll announce a winner Monday. Have a lovely week.