"The Eighth Wonder" Book Tour

Nicole Benson is a self-made woman. She put herself through school, sacrificing marriage and children for her career. In the summer of 1997, at the age of 35, she finally graduated with a Ph.D. from NYU, but her life is thrust into chaos when her father, the only person she's ever leaned on emotionally, is diagnosed with terminal cancer. 

After fifteen years in New York City, Nicole leaves everything and everyone she knows to teach for a year in Bradford, Pennsylvania to be close to her father in nearby Buffalo. Now, trapped in tiny Bradford, she has never felt more alone in her life. . . until she meets Tom Ryan. 

At 44, Tom represents what Nicole longs to be: settled, secure, and clear about his purpose and direction in life. Emotionally scarred, he and his wife of 23 years survived the death of their daughter to leukemia. Tom and Nicole's story begins as a journey of self-discovery for both of them but turns to bittersweet tragedy when their friendship becomes love. 

Nicole risks offering what she has never given before, her heart; and Tom has never felt happier or more conflicted when he falls in love for the second time in his life. Their lives become intertwined and changed forever when they both must face the most difficult decision of their lives.

This is the first novel written by Kimberly S. Young, and I really enjoyed reading it. I love reading books that are both educational and entertaining. In "The Eighth Wonder" Ms. Young introduced me to the Kinzua Bridge, in Pennsylvania, which I googled so I could learn more about it, and yes it is a real bridge and is an 'Eighth Wonder.'

Her descriptions of the beauty of the area drew me right into the story, I felt like I was right there with Nicole and Tom. I grew up in Western Maryland, where the Autumns were lovely with the many different Autumn colors of the trees. Her description of the autumn brought back many memories of beautiful Autumns of years gone by. 

Along with the history of the Kinzua Bridge is a love story intertwined throughout the story. I was drawn into the story from the very first paragraph...

"The Kinzua Bridge had changed everything in her life. As the familiar smell of wood smoke filled the cabin, Nicole Benson gazed out the window at the rusted steel girders of the fallen bridge in the distance, the bridge called the Eighth Wonder of the World..."

This book was provided to me by the author, Kimberly S. Young, to read and give an honest review. Thank you Kimberly for a lovely few days of reading, and the wonderful visit to the Kinzua Bridge.  I loved reading your first novel and hopefully look forward to reading many more.

A special thanks to "Virtual Author Book Tours" for inviting me to be a part of this book tour.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers and authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review.