Bleak Landing--Review by Shirley Raye Redmond

Bleak Landing
by Terrie Todd
Waterfall Press

Book Review by Shirley Raye Redmond

Bridget O’Sullivan is one tough cookie. She and her father (Irish immigrants) settle in a tiny Canadian backwater town known as Bleak Landing. She’s only twelve when the story opens, and she celebrates her 21st birthday during World War II.

There is much about this engrossing novel that reminded me of Anne of Green Gables. Like Anne, Bridget is a redhead. She lives in Canada. She has an antagonistic relationship with a handsome school chum, Victor Harrison. She’s motherless, and when her drunken father dies, she becomes an orphan.

However, this is a much grittier tale. When Bridget is 15-years-old, she overhears a conversation between her father and one of his drinking buddies.

In an effort to pay a debt, Mr. O’Sullivan agrees to allow the other man to have sex with Bridget. Outraged and terrified, Bridget flees to the city of Winnipeg, where she gets a job at a garment factory and is befriended by Maxine, a young woman full of faith and optimism.

Max is instrumental in leading Bridget to learn of God’s love. Because of her abusive relationship with her cruel father, Bridget is not inclined to trust the Heavenly Father at first. As you might guess, despite hardships and a variety of obstacles, the Romans 8:28 promise is fulfilled in Bridget’s life after she accepts the Lord’s grace and mercy.

This is the first book I’ve read by this Canadian author. It won’t be my last.


An award-winning writer and frequent conference speaker, Shirley Raye Redmond is the author of two inspirational historical novels, PRUDENCE PURSUED and AMANDA’S BEAU, as well as two dozen children’s books. Shirley Raye holds an M.A. in literature. She has been married to her husband Bill for forty years. They live in New Mexico and are blessed with two grown children, two adorable grandsons, and one spunky Scottish terrier. Touch bases at shirleyrayeredmond.com or Facebook and http://www.writechildrensbook.com/blog