The Bridge to Isla Sofia

by Jennifer Daniels Neal

Playful and sexy, this mystery/romance delves into the backwoods beauty and oddities of the author's Southern heritage. "The South Jennifer writes of is the William Faulkner and Flannery O'Connor South. Darkly romantic. Hot and humid. Haunted and gothic...grown slowly from some dark, rich soil." -The Performing Songwriter Magazine

This Great Smoky Mountains cabin has been in my family for seven generations. When Jake died, and the bridge was flooded as it is now, we had to bury him on site. It was like losing my twin. I came back this summer to move past the feeling that they buried me too—and I meant to do that by myself. But with the storm raging, my cousin's handsome friend has nowhere else to go. Even if he did, the bridge is underwater.

Things could be worse. The guy's interesting, and he's funny. And he's got this thick beard that—but anyway when we discover several disturbing entries in the visitors' log and an eccentric neighbor spying through the windows, we realize that Jake's death was no accident.

Author's note: Since I also write songs and stories for kids, please note that this book contains adult themes and language.
First released on Kindle Vella in first-draft form

348 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2022

About the author

Jennifer Daniels Neal is a performing songwriter, author, and teaching artist. She and her husband, Jeff Neal, have released nine music albums, four novels, a picture book, and two human children into the world (boy/girl twins, so…bonus!).

They adore fostering the creativity of both kids and adults and cofounded the week-long school initiative Songwriting IS Writing! which is receiving international attention.

Jenn and the fam live on Lookout Mountain in Georgia, where there are mountain lions, excellent bike trails, and a one-hundred-pound tongue inside of a black lab named Ziggy Marley.

Reviews

[Barbara Ardell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book (and all that Jennifer Daniels Neal has written). It is romantic and sexy (in a clean way). I want to meet Banner! Lots of twists and turns in the story with some surprises. Half way through I couldn't imagine how it would end. Can't wait for the next book by Jennifer Daniels Neal.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I’ve finished the episodes currently available and am thoroughly hooked. The story is set in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee which was fun as I am familiar with the locations and experiences that are included in the story. The story is a mystery and a romance. I loved the character development and have become invested in Isla’s and Banner’s story along with some other characters. I love the redemption and hope that runs through this story and all of Jennifer’s stories but also she doesn’t shy away from the brokenness of our humanity and it’s really beautiful to watch the characters help each other through their struggles to healing and wholeness. I also love the role of belonging and being part of a family (nuclear and larger family clan) that Jennifer has included in her stories so far.

[Carolyn Sunderland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bridge To Isla Sofia by Jennifer Daniels Neal is a love story wrapped in a mystery. Someone or something is watching the young woman who is the lead character in this novel. There are points in this story that are very gripping on many levels. The setting is in the beautiful Smokey Mountains which hold their on secrets.

Carolyn Sunderland

[Nancy Stirling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Hated to get to the end of this one. JDN has a flair for world building. I will watch for her books with anticipation.