Wednesday, November 9, 2011

String Bridge by Jessica Bell


Title: String Bridge
Author: Jessica Bell
Pages: 279
Publisher: Lucky Press

Blurb:
"Greek cuisine, smog and domestic drudgery was not the life Australian musician, Melody, was expecting when she married a Greek music promoter and settled in Athens, Greece. Keen to play in her new shoes, though, Melody trades her guitar for a 'proper' career and her music for motherhood. That is, until she can bear it no longer and plots a return to the stage—and the person she used to be. However, the obstacles she faces along the way are nothing compared to the tragedy that awaits, and she realizes she's been seeking fulfilment in the wrong place."

My take:
I really enjoyed this book. It is adult, which I dabble in from time to time. Jessica's writing is beautiful. She paints vivid pictures with her words, and let me say, my emotional strings were pulled in every direction. I can relate to Melody. No, I'm not a musician, but it's her conflicted life that had me teary eyed and smiling. She gives up her one passion to live a 'proper' life. Something I think many of us can relate to. Many of us balance lots of things, and our paths are not always what we imagine, but our passion keeps calling us and sometimes we long for it (which hurts). This is one of those books that keeps you thinking about choices and how we are not alone with these challenges. I'm still thinking about this book and how Melody felt through each decision (I know I've felt them in real life). I would recommend checking out STRING BRIDGE, you'll keep this one in your heart.  

Purchase links:
eBook

Paperback:
Amazon.com: (Coming soon) 

Soundtrack:

Linkage:
String Bridge Website: http://www.stringbridge.com/

Bio:
Jessica Bell is a literary women's fiction author, poet and singer/songwriter who grew up in Melbourne, Australia, to two gothic rock musicians who had successful independent careers during the '80s and early '90s.

She spent much of her childhood travelling to and from Australia to Europe, experiencing two entirely different worlds, yet feeling equally at home in both environments. She currently lives in Athens, Greece and works as a freelance writer/editor for English Language Teaching publishers worldwide, such as HarperCollins, Pearson Education and Macmillan Education.

In addition to String Bridge, Jessica has published a book of poetry called Twisted Velvet Chains. A full list of poems and short stories published in various anthologies and literary magazines can be found under Published Works & Awards, on her website.

From September 2012 Jessica will be hosting the Homeric Writers' Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca, home of Odysseus.