Bridge of Shadows [Paperback]

Roxanne Conrad (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1998

A lawman caught between duty and desire, a proud young doctor forced to confront the darker side of those she loves, and a mysterious seer. All are at the heart of this compelling tale of suspense, passion and intrigue. In the heart of El Paso, Texas, on a deadly stretch of the Mexican border, two ex-lovers find themselves on opposite sides of a raging war that has no hope of ending. With hundreds of lives in the balance, who can they trust? And how far will they go to save themselves and those they hold dear?.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bridge of Shadows is a mass market novel revolving around the tensions between the Anglos and Mexicans along the Mexico - Texas border. It starts with Esmeralda Sanchez and her six-year-old son, Jamie, as they try to cross illegally into the United States from Mexico. This immediately draws the reader into the desperation and the fear of these people who go to such lengths to become part of the American society. Dr Ana Maria Ross Gutierez is a doctor who runs a clinic for poor illegal immigrants. She divorced her husband Peter Ross, because she feels that he has become the enemy when he becomes an Agent of the United States Border Patrol. Peter feels that this is the way he can help to protect the immigrants who die trying to enter the U.S. They both have the same goal, but have decided to achieve things in different manners. Although Peter doesn't hide the fact that he still has feelings for Ana, she appears to feel nothing but hate for him. Tension, hate and violence escalate in El Paso and Ana, Peter and Esmeralda are all drawn into the events that become more tragic as the book continues. Bridge of Shadows is an extremely well written book. For someone like myself (who lives about as far north as one can from the Texas- Mexican border and still be in North America) it was quite an eye-opening read. I had no idea of the prejudices that emanate from both societies. The characters are interesting and multi-dimensional. I really enjoyed the fact that one of the main characters was neither all good nor all bad. Roxanne Conrad had either done an amazing amount of research or she has lived the life that her characters are embroiled in. Bridge of Shadows is an emotional read that doesn't leave the reader's mind easily. Roxanne Conrad writes with great depth and compassion. Michelle Sawyer -- Copyright © 100198 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Onyx (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451191668
• ISBN-13: 978-0451191663
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,880,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot stuff, November 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Bridge of Shadows (Paperback)

By 1992, Esmeralda Sanchez had become so desperate to cross the border into the United States, she paid the dreaded coyotes to escort her and her six-year old son, Jaime. However, the journey inside a hot car trunk goes wrong, leaving Jaime dead and his mother near death. American Pete Ross is involved with a drug deal when he manages to save the life of Esmeralda, who is deported back to Mexico. The shock of the incident is so great, Pete joins the Border Patrol.

Over the next four years, Pete falls in love with Esmeralda, who has become a renowned healer due to her ability to get in touch with Jaime. Her touch placed skeptical Pete's cancer in remission. At the same time, local leader Ramon Cruz plans to bring his form of justice to the mean streets of El Paso. They begin by blowing up the border patrol station, killing many people. If Pete, Esmeralda, and Pete's ex wife Dr. Ana Gutierrez don't find a way to stop Ramon, the bloodbath could reach biblical proportions.

BRIDGE OF SHADOWS is a well-written combination of an- otherworldly and suspense thriller within a relationship drama. The illegal immigration question that haunts the Mexican-American border is well done as various sides of the argument are presented with dignity and grace. The story line is filled with action. However, it is the four main characters, brilliantly symbolizing the different aspects to the border issue, while still being fully developed people that turn Roxanne Conrad's novel into a must read for sub-genre fans.

Harriet Klausner