Bridge Of Scarlet Leaves [Paperback]

Kristina McMorris (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 26, 2013

Los Angeles. 1941. Violinist Maddie Kern's life seemed destined to unfold with the predictable elegance of a Bach concerto. Then she fell in love with Lane Moritomo. Her brother's best friend, Lane is the handsome, ambitious son of Japanese immigrants. Maddie was prepared for disapproval from their families, but when Pearl Harbor is bombed the day after she and Lane elope, the full force of their decision becomes apparent. In the eyes of a fearful nation, Lane is no longer just an outsider, but an enemy.

When her husband is interned at a war relocation camp, Maddie follows, sacrificing her Juilliard ambitions. Behind barbed wire, tension simmers and the line between patriot and traitor blurs. As Maddie strives for the hard-won acceptance of her new family, Lane risks everything to prove his allegiance to America, at tremendous cost.

Skillfully capturing one of the most controversial episodes in recent American history, Kristina McMorris draws readers into a novel filled with triumphs and heartbreaking loss--an authentic, moving testament to love, forgiveness, and the enduring music of the human spirit.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"McMorris's second novel (after Letters from Home)... gracefully blossoms through swift prose and rich characters. This gripping story about two 'brothers' in arms and a young woman caught in between them hits all the right chords."
-- Publishers Weekly

"A sweeping yet intimate novel that will please both romantics and lovers of American history."
-- Kirkus Reviews

"A wonderfully poignant tale... this WWII novel has a refreshingly different point of view."
-- RT Book Reviews

"Rich in historical detail, peopled with well-developed characters, and spiced with tension and drama, Bridge of Scarlet Leaves is a novel to savor, and then to share with a friend."
-- The Historical Novels Review

"If you're looking for a great love story that will tug at your heartstrings, then look no further. REVIEWER'S TOP PICK."
-- Night Owl Reviews

"Highly recommended to all history buffs who enjoy epic stories and beautiful prose."
-- Historical Tapestry

"Readers of World War II fiction will devour [this] poignant, authentic story..."
-- Jenna Blum, international bestselling author of Those Who Save Us

"Impeccably researched and beautifully written...I highly recommend this book!"
-- Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of The Beach Trees

"An unputdownable love story...[McMorris'] attention to detail is meticulous, the East meets West clash between cultures--revelatory."
-- Lesley Kagen, New York Times bestselling author of Good Graces

"A beautiful, timeless love story...McMorris' words reach right of the page and grab at your heart."
-- Sarah Jio, New York Times bestselling author of Blackberry Winter

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; Original edition (November 26, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758246854
• ISBN-13: 978-0758246851
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #703,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kristina McMorris is the recipient of more than twenty national literary awards. A host of weekly TV shows since age nine, including an Emmy® Award-winning program, she penned her debut novel, Letters from Home (Kensington Books, Avon/HarperCollins UK), based on inspiration from her grandparents' wartime courtship. This critically praised book was declared a must-read by Woman's Day magazine and achieved additional acclaim as a Reader's Digest Select Editions feature, a Doubleday/Literary Guild selection, and a 2011 Goodreads Choice Awards semifinalist for Best Historical Fiction. Her second novel, Bridge of Scarlet Leaves (March 2012), has received equally glowing reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and many others. Named one of Portland's "40 Under 40" by The Business Journal, Kristina lives with her husband and two sons in the Pacific Northwest. For more, visit http://KristinaMcMorris.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I'd give it 6 stars if I could! February 28, 2012

By Laura Kay Bolin

Format:Paperback

After suffering the loss of her mother, Maddie Kern is about to audition for Julliard. Her future is full of music and promise. She lives in California with her older and very protective brother TJ who is now watching over her, while their dad is unable to face the reality of his wife's death. Maddie is secretly in love with Lane Moritomo, TJ's best friend and is planning on keeping it all hush hush until the right time.

What could be wrong with that? They are young, in love and have their whole lives ahead of them. When Lane's parents unexpectedly tell him a Japanese matchmaker has found him a match and he will marry in the next few months. With news of an impending marriage the couple runs off and elope. When they wake up the next morning, not only has their world chanced but the world around them has changed with the news Perl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese. Lane, his family and other Japanese immigrants all over the country are suddenly looked at as the enemy.

TJ angry at his best friend and mad at his sister joins the war effort and enlists. Lane's family loses everything and heads off to a relocation camp, after realizing they can't survive. Lane determined to do right by Maddie leaves her behind. But now Maddie is viewed as a traitor by those around her and she no longer seems to fit anywhere.

Bridge of Scarlet Leaves follows Maddie, TJ and Lane through WWII. Maddie goes off with Lane's family where his mother is less than enthusiastic to have her around. TJ and Lane both become soldiers. I would say this is the most moving novel I have ever had the pleasure to read. I immediately loved Lane, he was so sweet and thoughtful. The whole world was placed on his shoulders. He went through the entire novel always with purpose and thoughtfulness of those around him, a true hero. Maddie and the rest of the characters grew with each passing page, until I loved each and every one of them and their stories. Bridges of Scarlet Leaves had me reaching for my box of Kleenex more than once. A war/love story like none I've read before. It's filled with tradition, honor, triumph and tragedies. I strongly strongly recommend Bridges of Scarlet Leaves.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story of an interesting time in WWII: February 28, 2012

By Alma M. Katsu

Format:Paperback

A great piece of storytelling that accurately captures the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII: I was happy to receive an Advance Reader's Copy of The Bridge of Scarlet Leaves because of my interest in this period. A Hapa myself, I learned about the internment from my father-in-law, who had been interned as a boy during the war, and his experiences led me and my husband to learn as much as we could about this complicated, sad episode of American history. While the Bridge of Scarlet Leaves follows the experience of a Caucasian bride of a Japanese-American man who chooses to follow her husband into the camps--a side of the story rarely told--the novel does a wonderful job capturing all sides of the story. Ms. McMorris is especially skilled at depicting the lives of Japanese-Americans at the time, from the complicated dynamics within families to faithfully showing daily life in the camps. The Bridge of Scarlet Leaves is ambitious, a mix of romance, historical, family saga and even war story, but Ms. McMorris does an outstanding job balancing her many tales and even her combat scenes are well done. A good choice if you're looking for an all-around excellent read, and an even better book club choice.Bridge of Scarlet Leaves

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical fiction at its best June 19, 2012

By Carrie Kitzmiller

Format:Paperback

Can you imagine the situation in which Maddie and Lane find themselves? They are deeply in love, but know that they will face opposition from both of their families because Maddie is white and Lane is Japanese. So they decide to elope, figuring that everyone else will just have to accept their decision. But the morning after their wedding, Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, and they are now faced with prejudice and hatred they could never have imagined.

Bridge of Scarlet Leaves follows Lane and Maddie and Maddie's brother TJ through the years of the war. Kristina McMorris paints a vivid picture of what life was like for an American woman married to a Japanese-American man - and that picture made me so ashamed of this period in our history. I loved the fact that Maddie didn't let the racism and prejudice she faced keep her from being true to her love for her husband. She is a terrific character, one whose fight and loyalty won me over.

McMorris takes her readers from the internment camps to the bloody island battlefields of the Pacific Theater, and every word was perfectly placed to completely immerse the reader in the experience. This is a beautiful, heartbreaking, and lovely book, and one that reminds me why I love historical fiction so much.