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Stellar Bridge #1
BETWEEN
New York City hides a portal to another world.
Six years ago, Marda lost her husband and daughters to a portal linking Earth to her planet. It was supposed to be safe—just an ancient corridor between two worlds. But sometimes, people get trapped inside it.
Marda calls that void the BETWEEN.
Now the portal is acting up again. In the middle of Central Park, people are vanishing.
Ben, a burnt-out Wall Street analyst.
Lily, a dreamer trapped in a suffocating life.
Tony, a young caregiver with nothing left to lose.
Their paths collide inside the BETWEEN.
But for Marda, nothing—not even the BETWEEN—can keep her from throwing herself into its suffocating void to bring her family home.
From USA TODAY bestselling author Maureen A. Miller comes an emotional sci-fi mystery about loss, resilience, and a mother's refusal to give up.
This is the first book in a series, but it can be read as a standalone novel. No cliffhangers.
Six years ago, Marda lost her husband and daughters to a portal linking Earth to her planet. It was supposed to be safe—just an ancient corridor between two worlds. But sometimes, people get trapped inside it.
Marda calls that void the BETWEEN.
Now the portal is acting up again. In the middle of Central Park, people are vanishing.
Ben, a burnt-out Wall Street analyst.
Lily, a dreamer trapped in a suffocating life.
Tony, a young caregiver with nothing left to lose.
Their paths collide inside the BETWEEN.
But for Marda, nothing—not even the BETWEEN—can keep her from throwing herself into its suffocating void to bring her family home.
From USA TODAY bestselling author Maureen A. Miller comes an emotional sci-fi mystery about loss, resilience, and a mother's refusal to give up.
This is the first book in a series, but it can be read as a standalone novel. No cliffhangers.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2025
About the author
Maureen A. Miller
33 books1,272 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author Maureen A. Miller writes romantic suspense, science fiction, and young adult adventures.
Before becoming a full-time author, Maureen spent fifteen years in the software industry, traveling extensively while connecting computer systems to large-scale manufacturing equipment. Those long airport layovers became the perfect time to write the stories she’d always imagined.
Her debut novel, Widow’s Tale, earned a Golden Heart® Award nomination for Romantic Suspense. Since then, she’s continued writing the kinds of stories she loves to read—stories filled with mystery, adventure, and romance.
When she’s not writing, you’ll usually find her chasing her spirited Corgi, cheering on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or enjoying entirely too much mozzarella.
Maureen is grateful to every reader who chooses to spend time with her stories.
Before becoming a full-time author, Maureen spent fifteen years in the software industry, traveling extensively while connecting computer systems to large-scale manufacturing equipment. Those long airport layovers became the perfect time to write the stories she’d always imagined.
Her debut novel, Widow’s Tale, earned a Golden Heart® Award nomination for Romantic Suspense. Since then, she’s continued writing the kinds of stories she loves to read—stories filled with mystery, adventure, and romance.
When she’s not writing, you’ll usually find her chasing her spirited Corgi, cheering on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or enjoying entirely too much mozzarella.
Maureen is grateful to every reader who chooses to spend time with her stories.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 12, 2025
Interesting read!
This book kept me hooked, it offered a bit of the behind-the-scenes sciences without being too overwhelming. Though we were introduced to the several main characters early on, the main focus of the story was on Marda, who was in a search to preserve her legacy and recover her children.
This book did seem to be more geared towards YA; it was very clean, no spicy scenes, no violence, not even any foul language. The book really didn't go too in-depth with histories, just a vague 'our ancestors found this and developed that and we were taught all they know'. But while knowledge had been passed down for generations, it was more like knowledge of how to drive a car while not really knowing how it actually works. These holes left a sense of mystery surrounding the book, which kept me engaged but left me lacking by the end.
Towards the end, things just kind of wrapped up, but no one really knew exactly why events unfolded as they did. There was some guesswork but still many unanswered questions. I'm not sure if this will be turned into a series, for now it appears to be just a standalone. So for those who want everything answered by the end, this book may leave you frustrated.
I did enjoy the murkiness of the Between, the descriptions really made me feel like I was there. And I absolutely love that kind of writing. That was very well done.
All in all I will give this 4 stars for creativity. I think it actually could have been a longer novel, with more time to get to know the characters, but for the most part was very well done.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book kept me hooked, it offered a bit of the behind-the-scenes sciences without being too overwhelming. Though we were introduced to the several main characters early on, the main focus of the story was on Marda, who was in a search to preserve her legacy and recover her children.
This book did seem to be more geared towards YA; it was very clean, no spicy scenes, no violence, not even any foul language. The book really didn't go too in-depth with histories, just a vague 'our ancestors found this and developed that and we were taught all they know'. But while knowledge had been passed down for generations, it was more like knowledge of how to drive a car while not really knowing how it actually works. These holes left a sense of mystery surrounding the book, which kept me engaged but left me lacking by the end.
Towards the end, things just kind of wrapped up, but no one really knew exactly why events unfolded as they did. There was some guesswork but still many unanswered questions. I'm not sure if this will be turned into a series, for now it appears to be just a standalone. So for those who want everything answered by the end, this book may leave you frustrated.
I did enjoy the murkiness of the Between, the descriptions really made me feel like I was there. And I absolutely love that kind of writing. That was very well done.
All in all I will give this 4 stars for creativity. I think it actually could have been a longer novel, with more time to get to know the characters, but for the most part was very well done.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 9, 2026
Introduction to parallel worlds SF romance.
The central premise is a bridge between two similar worlds where interbreeding between Earth and Carpes beings is possible. The Earth end is from Central Park, New York to a pastoral part of Carpes and despite the light years distance, travel between is instantaneous. The main female character guards the bridge, an inherited position she holds through generations. A mysterious agency built the bridge long before the current era, possessing lost manufacturing and maintenance secrets. Our heroine is grieving the disappearance of her husband and two daughters years before, as the bridge is malfunctioning. She is almost alone in her belief they are trapped in the space-time glitch of the "between" rather than dead. She is opposed by the triumvirate governing her sector and in particular, the female head who had also lost her husband to the bridge.
The New Yorkers we meet are either accidental travellers through the bridge or engaged by the malign politician to destroy the bridge. Our heroine discovers a distressing secret about her husband and the fate of her two daughters. Clean romance blossoms amongst a couple of accidental travellers and our heroine has help from a gallant New Yorker in getting through the unstable bridge.
The initial pace of the book seems slow as we are told of the different accidental bridge travellers from New York. There is a dramatic climax, but several of the story questions are unresolved. This is the first in the series.
I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The central premise is a bridge between two similar worlds where interbreeding between Earth and Carpes beings is possible. The Earth end is from Central Park, New York to a pastoral part of Carpes and despite the light years distance, travel between is instantaneous. The main female character guards the bridge, an inherited position she holds through generations. A mysterious agency built the bridge long before the current era, possessing lost manufacturing and maintenance secrets. Our heroine is grieving the disappearance of her husband and two daughters years before, as the bridge is malfunctioning. She is almost alone in her belief they are trapped in the space-time glitch of the "between" rather than dead. She is opposed by the triumvirate governing her sector and in particular, the female head who had also lost her husband to the bridge.
The New Yorkers we meet are either accidental travellers through the bridge or engaged by the malign politician to destroy the bridge. Our heroine discovers a distressing secret about her husband and the fate of her two daughters. Clean romance blossoms amongst a couple of accidental travellers and our heroine has help from a gallant New Yorker in getting through the unstable bridge.
The initial pace of the book seems slow as we are told of the different accidental bridge travellers from New York. There is a dramatic climax, but several of the story questions are unresolved. This is the first in the series.
I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 13, 2026
Have you every wondered about strange disappearances? Maybe this is what's happening…
Paraphrasing Arthur C Clarke, sufficiently advanced technologies are indistinguishable from magic. Some inexplicable portals may be allowing passages across interstellar distances. The portal masters are having problems with the portals, and some earthlings discover these portals accidentally. The accidental discoverers have some emotional issues, and there are some budding romances with each other and/or the portal masters.
This is the first part of a two-part series. It ends in a reasonably solid fashion that you can choose not to read the second part.
I liked the plot and the characters at first, but they began to grate on me about midway through the book. There's a bit too much technobabble.
I'd call it pleasant "read on an airplane" book, but not much more than that. I find it better than 3 stars, but definitely not worth 5 stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Paraphrasing Arthur C Clarke, sufficiently advanced technologies are indistinguishable from magic. Some inexplicable portals may be allowing passages across interstellar distances. The portal masters are having problems with the portals, and some earthlings discover these portals accidentally. The accidental discoverers have some emotional issues, and there are some budding romances with each other and/or the portal masters.
This is the first part of a two-part series. It ends in a reasonably solid fashion that you can choose not to read the second part.
I liked the plot and the characters at first, but they began to grate on me about midway through the book. There's a bit too much technobabble.
I'd call it pleasant "read on an airplane" book, but not much more than that. I find it better than 3 stars, but definitely not worth 5 stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 12, 2025
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily
Wow what a read! What a concept brilliantly written so absorbing!
Great characters so real the thought of links/ corridors to other works fascinating
Some of the theories and physics a bit beyond me but I got most of it
Some of the concepts like why people were rejected by the bridge a bit odd
Marda what a lady she just was so instinctive and Ben who wouldn’t want to snuggle in a coat with him
A great heartwarming story of family love and loss
As for the council how could such people be in charge of a planet
Loved it
Wow what a read! What a concept brilliantly written so absorbing!
Great characters so real the thought of links/ corridors to other works fascinating
Some of the theories and physics a bit beyond me but I got most of it
Some of the concepts like why people were rejected by the bridge a bit odd
Marda what a lady she just was so instinctive and Ben who wouldn’t want to snuggle in a coat with him
A great heartwarming story of family love and loss
As for the council how could such people be in charge of a planet
Loved it
January 16, 2026
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. It is squarely in the YA category. I found myself a little distracted thinking about how much heavier it could have been as an adult read (no. Not porn. But the portals lend themselves to a lot of possibilities of things that have happened in history)
She built some very solid and relatable characters. I am looking forward to the second half of the series. Marda is a strong lead. Her personal quest is engrossing and tugs at a lot of emotions.
I recommend this book as a really good vacation read.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. It is squarely in the YA category. I found myself a little distracted thinking about how much heavier it could have been as an adult read (no. Not porn. But the portals lend themselves to a lot of possibilities of things that have happened in history)
She built some very solid and relatable characters. I am looking forward to the second half of the series. Marda is a strong lead. Her personal quest is engrossing and tugs at a lot of emotions.
I recommend this book as a really good vacation read.
September 1, 2026
Portal Interest
The gloominess in life got a few people looking for a nice walk in the park. The unexpected exposure to a warm pleasant environment, in the middle of a New York winter, sparked an interest in each separate person’s instance. Meanwhile, that location’s security is a woman’s inherited career where she faces accumulated pressure against its existence.
The story illustrates chances and obstacles in such a mixed way that there seems to be some hint of a more advanced regulation occurring.
The gloominess in life got a few people looking for a nice walk in the park. The unexpected exposure to a warm pleasant environment, in the middle of a New York winter, sparked an interest in each separate person’s instance. Meanwhile, that location’s security is a woman’s inherited career where she faces accumulated pressure against its existence.
The story illustrates chances and obstacles in such a mixed way that there seems to be some hint of a more advanced regulation occurring.
June 17, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book. The intriguing ideas seemed new to me - a rare thing - and I enjoyed the way they had been developed. My attention was kept throughout this captivating book.
There were a couple of great twists in this unusual book, and I am someone who finds most 'twists' predictable.
The characters were interesting and although I look forward to finding out what happens in the sequel, I am glad to report that this was a complete story; no cliffhangers.
There were a couple of great twists in this unusual book, and I am someone who finds most 'twists' predictable.
The characters were interesting and although I look forward to finding out what happens in the sequel, I am glad to report that this was a complete story; no cliffhangers.
June 12, 2026
Angsty, suspenseful sci-fi page turner
The suspense in this fast paced emotional read was almost too much. At one point I started to flip ahead to see what happened. Cooler thoughts prevailed and I was so glad. Marda captured my imagination and my heart. The other characters having their own POVs added so much depth. The plot line was a sci-fi lovers dream and the storytelling was on point.
The suspense in this fast paced emotional read was almost too much. At one point I started to flip ahead to see what happened. Cooler thoughts prevailed and I was so glad. Marda captured my imagination and my heart. The other characters having their own POVs added so much depth. The plot line was a sci-fi lovers dream and the storytelling was on point.
May 15, 2026
What stayed with me most was the emotional weight behind the science fiction elements. The BETWEEN itself felt mysterious, but also symbolic of grief, loneliness, and the distance people feel after loss.
I liked that the story focused just as much on emotional survival as it did on the mystery surrounding the portal.
I liked that the story focused just as much on emotional survival as it did on the mystery surrounding the portal.
July 5, 2025
I really enjoyed "Between". The multiple perspectives at the beginning threw me off but as the story progressed the pacing picked up. I can't wait for the next installment in this series. If you like Sci Fi with elements of time manipulation this book is for you.
May 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and will go looking for other books by the author.
A bridge between two worlds, only one world knows it is there.
A bridge between two worlds, only one world knows it is there.
August 31, 2025
Great adventure story. What a great bridge to explore traveling. This is a Goodreads giveaway winner.
February 15, 2026
I absolutely loved this book The characters and story line was amazing
August 24, 2026
This one went into my DNF pile. Might get back to it some day but gave up for now. Might be okay but started out slow and couldn't hold my interest.
August 25, 2026
Concept is a 5, execution good, not great. May read book 2.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews