The Bridges at Union Point

by Les Pendleton

Few people ever face the choice of risking their own life to save others. Jim Harrison grew up in New Bern, North Carolina on the banks of the Neuse River. His great loves were the sea, sailboats and Kay Burwell. He became one the Coast Guard's most highly decorated rescue swimmers. He and Kay loved one another since they were kids and dreamed of a life together. Mother Nature had another plan for Jimmy. One fateful night on the Trent River bridge, a car carrying Kay's boss and wife careened over the railing and into the dark river. Without hesitation Jim dove in to save them. This act of selflessness cost him dearly. In the blink of an eye his world fell apart. Fate intervened again and presented him with the chance to undertake his most difficult rescue. It was an action that would forever alter his life and rock the foundations of the small town he called home. He lived a life of sacrifice and service that exemplified the motto of the Coast Guard rescue swimmers...'So others may live.'

354 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2020

About the author

Les Pendleton lives in historic New Bern, North Carolina. His writing style conveys the influence of his career in motion pictures. Many people share their impression that reading his novels feels as if you are watching the characters come to life on the silver screen. Actual locations in coastal North Carolina are featured in many of his books. His writing spans a wide array of genres from action adventure, romance, historical fiction, suspense-filled mysteries and autobiographies. Les spends every free moment with his family and friends sailing in Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Coast.

Reviews

[Gerard Perri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced. A bit unbelievable at times with how much one person can go through in their life and ultimate death. Takes place in New Bern where I live so interest to read about the area

[Kimberly Hlavac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Les Pendleton amazes me once again with a wonderful story. I feel like the characters are real people, not just characters in a story.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story!

[Ann Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jim Harrison is a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, jumping out of helicopters to rescue swimmers or boaters who are in trouble in the water. He and Kate Burwell, childhood friends who have reconnected, have decided to marry. On Jim’s way home from seeing Kay, he comes across an accident on the Trent River bridge and without hesitation, he jumps into the water to aid the couple whose car has gone into it. But this act of courage and unselfishness will cost him dearly. For readers who live in new Bern, North Carolina, the local setting with references to real people, places and incidents is interesting although this is a work of fiction. But the characters are not well drawn, being either too nice or villains, and the ending is very contrived, not at all realistic.

[Bill Linton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly good book from an author unknown to me. I picked it up in a New Bern, NC, store. Pendleton is a local, and thought, “why not?”

Set in New Bern, this is a love story, while a bit smaltzy at time, in which the characters seem very real. The dialogue is stilted at times, but the story is captivating.

If you like sailing, the water and small southern towns, this is a lovely tale.

[Yoda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book but wasn't crazy about the ending .