≫ Download Gratis Bridge to Haven Francine Rivers 9781414368184 Books

Bridge to Haven Francine Rivers 9781414368184 Books

Download As PDF : Bridge to Haven Francine Rivers 9781414368184 Books

Bridge to Haven Francine Rivers 9781414368184 Books

Abra has never quite gotten over the fact that 1) she was abandoned as a baby under the Haven bridge and then 2) abandoned again at 5 when Pastor Zeke's wife dies and he hands her over to the Matthews family (at least that's what she feels). Abra is so desperate to feel loved, she finds herself easily led away from the quiet town of Haven by bad boy Dylan, a rich boy who she soon realizes just wants to use her for his own selfish needs. He eventually tires of her and hands her off to a Hollywood agent on a dare, that the agent can't make something out of her. And so, in her relentless quest to be someone, Abra disappears and in the hands of her agent becomes Lena Scott, a starlet on the rise in Hollywood. But stardom, fame, and men who just want to use her soon begin to wear on Lena and over the years she starts to despair that Abra will ever get a moment of freedom again, especially from her own guilt. She feels hopeless, but little does she know that the ones she left in Haven years ago have not forgotten her, especially Joshua who loves her for who she really is, and more than that, that she can't ever run away from God's love.

This is not an easy story to read. Yes, it does end well. Yes, the historical aspects are well done. And yes, the writing is good. Probably what makes the read so hard is that it is all too easy to see a teen girl (and then young woman) who feels unloved making all these horrible choices, falling into a pattern of feeling she has to let men do whatever they want with her because she is so afraid of being thrown away yet again. In the end, the story is one of redemption and restoration, but Rivers doesn't pull any punches to let readers understand the full weight of Abra's journey. Rivers says Ezekiel 16 was her inspiration for the story, but it also has a lot of tones of the prodigal son and the woman at the well. I can see this being a powerful story for women who need to hear that nothing they have done can separate them from the love of Christ, but I also know it won't be right for every reader. Like I mentioned, Rivers doesn't pull any punches about the painful road Abra chooses which makes this a more mature read. I found myself wondering if she really needed to include all of what she put in, but at the same time, I can see the book being less helpful for wounded women if Rivers just glossed over those parts. That said, see the content notes below and know your friends before recommending this book.

Notes on content: No language issues. There's a lot of innuendo, as Abra goes from one partner to the next, and though I guess you could say sex scenes are not included you get just about everything but descriptions of the "actual moment". Descriptions of people taking off others clothing, putting hands on each other, etc. Readers are not left guessing that Abra is used by men for sex. Two men are also abusive in their control of Abra, to the point of physical abuse a couple times. There's also an abortion that is described prior to and after the operation. Alcohol and drug use of the Hollywood circle also is talked about and sometimes described. A character is drafted in the Korean War and some of the horrors he experiences as a medic are described.


Tags : Bridge to Haven [Francine Rivers] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. To those who matter in 1950s Hollywood, Lena Scott is the hottest rising star to hit the silver screen since Marilyn Monroe. Few know her real name is Abra. Even fewer know the price she’s paid to finally feel like she’s somebody.<br/><br/>To Pastor Ezekiel Freeman,Francine Rivers,Bridge to Haven,Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.,1414368186,Christian - Historical,Abandoned children,Abandoned children;Fiction.,Actresses,Actresses;Fiction.,Alienation (Philosophy),Alienation (Philosophy);Fiction.,Christian fiction,Romantic suspense fiction,inspirational stories, historical fiction, top fiction books, Redeeming Love, Golden Age of Hollywood,FICTION Christian Historical,FICTION Coming of Age,FICTION Historical General,Fiction - Religious,American Historical Fiction,Fiction,Religious & spiritual fiction

Bridge to Haven Francine Rivers 9781414368184 Books Reviews

I very much wanted to *love* this book... Instead, I just sort of "liked" it.

The plot of the novel sounded so exciting! An abandoned baby girl, taken in by a loving family. A girl who grew up and became a woman, but whose haunted past influences her decision to leave home, eventually becoming a starlet in the glitz and glamor of 1950s Hollywood!

I suppose I had high hopes that this story would be more like Francine Rivers' "Mark of the Lion" series, with its rich history, emotional / psychological depth, and ability to weave the light of Christian truth throughout the lives of complex characters. "Bridge to Haven" certainly had the potential to be one of Rivers' most compelling reads. Yet, in so many respects, it fell flat.

First, the characters in this novel were largely two-dimensional. The Matthews, Abra's eventual "adopted" family, were neither likable nor sympathetic. Pastor Zeke, too, helped to contribute towards Abra's fear and mistrust of others. Even though they later came to regret their actions and sought forgiveness, it seemed to me rather cruel that Pastor Zeke later reprimanded Abra for not being able to forgive and forget so easily.

Second, I wish Francine Rivers had gone into more depth during Abra's stint in Hollywood. I did not feel transported back in time-- I had wanted to feel the glitz and glamor of Tinsel Town during the 50s. Even if the author had wished to demonstrate that life in Hollywood was all ultimately an empty and/or fleeting thrill, what could have been an amazing glimpse into a world of intrigue, fame, and fortune was rather dull.

Third, as someone who has lived through sexual abuse, Abra's overnight transformation with regard to her marital relationship felt a bit of a stretch. Still, I did find the "wedding night" scene to be beautiful-- albeit graphic. It actually had me on the brink of tears. This part of the novel was, to me, one of the most genuine-- and healing-- moments of the whole story.

Fourth, the identity of the mysterious diner waitress was fairly predictable.

Last, the novel could have used better editing. There were at least a few times when I turned the page and read the exact same line over again. And, if something had been characterized as "droll" one more time, I would have chucked the book across the room.

All in all, "Bridge to Haven" was good, but not great. The author has an incredible gift for writing, but her talents were not wholly realized in this novel. I cannot help feeling that if Francine Rivers had extended the story by 50 pages or so-- taking the time to flesh out her characters and play out the more delicate notes of the plot line, this work could have been a masterpiece.
Abra has never quite gotten over the fact that 1) she was abandoned as a baby under the Haven bridge and then 2) abandoned again at 5 when Pastor Zeke's wife dies and he hands her over to the Matthews family (at least that's what she feels). Abra is so desperate to feel loved, she finds herself easily led away from the quiet town of Haven by bad boy Dylan, a rich boy who she soon realizes just wants to use her for his own selfish needs. He eventually tires of her and hands her off to a Hollywood agent on a dare, that the agent can't make something out of her. And so, in her relentless quest to be someone, Abra disappears and in the hands of her agent becomes Lena Scott, a starlet on the rise in Hollywood. But stardom, fame, and men who just want to use her soon begin to wear on Lena and over the years she starts to despair that Abra will ever get a moment of freedom again, especially from her own guilt. She feels hopeless, but little does she know that the ones she left in Haven years ago have not forgotten her, especially Joshua who loves her for who she really is, and more than that, that she can't ever run away from God's love.

This is not an easy story to read. Yes, it does end well. Yes, the historical aspects are well done. And yes, the writing is good. Probably what makes the read so hard is that it is all too easy to see a teen girl (and then young woman) who feels unloved making all these horrible choices, falling into a pattern of feeling she has to let men do whatever they want with her because she is so afraid of being thrown away yet again. In the end, the story is one of redemption and restoration, but Rivers doesn't pull any punches to let readers understand the full weight of Abra's journey. Rivers says Ezekiel 16 was her inspiration for the story, but it also has a lot of tones of the prodigal son and the woman at the well. I can see this being a powerful story for women who need to hear that nothing they have done can separate them from the love of Christ, but I also know it won't be right for every reader. Like I mentioned, Rivers doesn't pull any punches about the painful road Abra chooses which makes this a more mature read. I found myself wondering if she really needed to include all of what she put in, but at the same time, I can see the book being less helpful for wounded women if Rivers just glossed over those parts. That said, see the content notes below and know your friends before recommending this book.

Notes on content No language issues. There's a lot of innuendo, as Abra goes from one partner to the next, and though I guess you could say sex scenes are not included you get just about everything but descriptions of the "actual moment". Descriptions of people taking off others clothing, putting hands on each other, etc. Readers are not left guessing that Abra is used by men for sex. Two men are also abusive in their control of Abra, to the point of physical abuse a couple times. There's also an abortion that is described prior to and after the operation. Alcohol and drug use of the Hollywood circle also is talked about and sometimes described. A character is drafted in the Korean War and some of the horrors he experiences as a medic are described.