Bridge to a Distant Star - Carolyn Williford [0]
Bridge to a Distant Star
“I can forgive Carolyn Williford for making me care so much about her characters only because she restores my faith in the possibility of miracles. Hold on as you read, because she’ll take you right off that bridge with her.”
Nancy Rue, author of The Reluctant Prophet trilogy
“Compelling characters wrestle with heart-rending conflicts and disappointments, unaware of the incredible disaster ahead. With a tragedy ripped from the headlines, Carolyn Williford weaves a story of love, loss, and hope.”
Ginger Garrett, author of Wolves Among Us and Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther
“Carolyn Williford’s Bridge to a Distant Star is a tragic tale of redemption as lives interweave toward one fatal moment. Filled with the stuff of real life, yet infused with faith and hope.”
Traci DePree, author of Into the Wilderness
“Carolyn Williford’s abilities at character development and storytelling and understanding of evangelical Christianity come together in this compelling novel. Rooted in an actual event, she brings the reader into the lives of three diverse families, each wrestling with issues of life and faith. You will care about her characters and gain insight into authentic Christian faith and the true to life struggles we all may face. Carolyn’s down-to-earth style and insightful observations will have you thinking about this story long after you have finished this book.”
Perry G. Downs, professor of Educational Ministries, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
BRIDGE TO A DISTANT STAR
Published by David C Cook
4050 Lee Vance View
Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.
David C Cook Distribution Canada
55 Woodslee Avenue, Paris, Ontario, Canada N3L 3E5
David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications
Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England
The graphic circle C logo
is a registered trademark of David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes,
no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form
without written permission from the publisher.
The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.
All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc™. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com.
LCCN 2010942525
ISBN 978-1-4347-6703-5
eISBN 978-0-7814-0625-3
© 2011 Carolyn Williford
The Team: Don Pape, Nicci Jordan Hubert, Amy Kiechlin Konyndyk, Sarah Schultz, Renada Arens, and Karen Athen
Cover Design and Digital Illustration: Gearbox Studios
Cover Photos: Veer PHP3075584
123RF 4495136
Photos.com 87834995; 87765569; 87803509
First Edition 2011
For you, Sweetheart
Come what may.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Beginnings
Deny Yourself
Pick Up Your Cross
Follow Me
Endings
Afterwords
A Conversation with Carolyn Williford
Acknowledgments
This novel would still be a veritable mess of a file in my computer if not for the help and encouragement of several people. So I am delighted to put my sincere thanks in print to:
Steve Laube—my agent, who believed in my ability to write fiction, and started encouraging me to finish this book—how many years ago? Would you believe six?
Polly Lott and Joann Gay—both patient and loving friends who suffered through way too many rough manuscripts.
Don Pape—who also believed in me, and had the great sense to marry Ruth.
Numerous friends and family (one of those is you, Sharon!)—who pray for me on a regular basis, and would frequently prod, “How’s the book coming?” Your gifts of friendship are invaluable.
My parents—whom I can count on to love and pray for me, no matter what. I cherish you both.
Bob—since he’s my absolute favorite Big Brother.
Tucker, Abby, Tyler, and Nate—simply because you’re the four most wonderful grandchildren in the world, produced by the