Hauling Through (2016)
But I Digress (2017)
Where Eagles Dare Not Perch (2018)
Sweating Through (2018)
A Perfect Confluence (2019)
Halfway to Schist (March 2022)
Excerpts
Bill Hand’s eyes squinted with emotion. “Oh, it’s definitely real, Jamie. I know for a fact that there’s a Russian surveillance satellite in the skies above us. But the people of this town have made it into an omnipresent and omnipotent entity, and have given it so much power, they’ve turned that satellite into something much bigger than it really is. It’s become the source of all of our problems, the excuse we use to shove our real issues under the rug, and the thing that we blame when we’re not strong enough to stand up and be judged. It’s my personal dream to set us all free from it, and I’m going to try everything I can to break its hold on us.”
“Oh, college boy, you have so much to learn! You can’t run away from everything because it’s a little scary! Life is all about experiencing everything, the good things and the bad things. You just have to pick the right time to carefully make your exit before the bad things suck you in and swallow you. This party is going to be talked about for years, and you’re right here in it. Don’t miss anything just because you’re scared.”
San Francisco Book Review:
Hauling Through by Peter Bridgford is an exciting novel with a lot of adventure, suspense, and intrigue. Readers will be lured deeply into this brilliantly well-written piece. Peter Bridgford’s talent shines through on every page. Hauling Through offers readers a mixture of what the life of fishermen in Maine is like and how the small-town life can be difficult. Living in my own small town, where people either make it or break it the acceptance levels is not easy at all. The variety of characters inside this quirky read will keep readers turning the pages. There are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. Peter Bridgford has captured the reality of life into his amazing world of fiction. Once readers get past the introductions and know what’s going on, the plot speeds up from there. Inside Hauling Through by Peter Bridgford, readers are introduced to the small-town way of life. If readers knew what lobster work was like for those living in Maine within this novel, readers would appreciate their lobsters a bit more. Life, of lobster catching and crazy town folk is everything you would expect in Kestrel Cove. It is here that we meet the main character, Jamie Kurtz. He isn’t an insider of this community until close to the ending. His journey of the ups and downs that he has experienced in this fictional town is a lot for one man, a man who felt closer to a town than his own family. But what really will entice readers is the offer that Jamie receives and what happens from there. Spies, romance, and trouble lurk ahead waiting at every readers’ fingertips. I enjoyed reading this tale and following Jamie as his journey builds up and comes to a close. Peter Bridgford’s novel has what every reader wants in a novel, with realistic characters that readers won’t forget. Overall, I highly recommend this title to readers everywhere.
“Oh, college boy, you have so much to learn! You can’t run away from everything because it’s a little scary! Life is all about experiencing everything, the good things and the bad things. You just have to pick the right time to carefully make your exit before the bad things suck you in and swallow you. This party is going to be talked about for years, and you’re right here in it. Don’t miss anything just because you’re scared.”
San Francisco Book Review:
Hauling Through by Peter Bridgford is an exciting novel with a lot of adventure, suspense, and intrigue. Readers will be lured deeply into this brilliantly well-written piece. Peter Bridgford’s talent shines through on every page. Hauling Through offers readers a mixture of what the life of fishermen in Maine is like and how the small-town life can be difficult. Living in my own small town, where people either make it or break it the acceptance levels is not easy at all. The variety of characters inside this quirky read will keep readers turning the pages. There are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. Peter Bridgford has captured the reality of life into his amazing world of fiction. Once readers get past the introductions and know what’s going on, the plot speeds up from there. Inside Hauling Through by Peter Bridgford, readers are introduced to the small-town way of life. If readers knew what lobster work was like for those living in Maine within this novel, readers would appreciate their lobsters a bit more. Life, of lobster catching and crazy town folk is everything you would expect in Kestrel Cove. It is here that we meet the main character, Jamie Kurtz. He isn’t an insider of this community until close to the ending. His journey of the ups and downs that he has experienced in this fictional town is a lot for one man, a man who felt closer to a town than his own family. But what really will entice readers is the offer that Jamie receives and what happens from there. Spies, romance, and trouble lurk ahead waiting at every readers’ fingertips. I enjoyed reading this tale and following Jamie as his journey builds up and comes to a close. Peter Bridgford’s novel has what every reader wants in a novel, with realistic characters that readers won’t forget. Overall, I highly recommend this title to readers everywhere.
Available Now. Go to SHOP page and purchase a copy!
Excerpts
Where Eagles Dare Not Perch:
“Much later, I gave some thought to what happened in those woods with that reb. From an experience like that, I learned that it makes no sense to beg in this world. Begging doesn’t get you nothing but shame. In the end, there was not one thing that reb could have said to me or done that would have kept him alive. Not one. You see, no matter how much you want something or how much you think you deserve it, begging can’t get it for you. In the end, it’s better to accept your fate with dignity.”
* * *
Jedediah had been listening without appearing to do so, but he now looked at the pompous man with chagrin. The man sighed heavily, “He wants to use you up. For some reason, he wants my fighters to shred you to pieces. He cares not for whether you live or die. As a matter of fact, I think he seeks the latter. Any sane man who cared one ounce about his fighter would give a strong consideration to this offer I'm making here today. But he's not, and I now know why – this man wants to see the red of your blood spilled in an arena more than he wants to see the green of the money in his fist. You need to think about whether you want to leave this world as some kind disposed trash or as a glorified and honored fighter, savage!”
* * * * * * *
“Much later, I gave some thought to what happened in those woods with that reb. From an experience like that, I learned that it makes no sense to beg in this world. Begging doesn’t get you nothing but shame. In the end, there was not one thing that reb could have said to me or done that would have kept him alive. Not one. You see, no matter how much you want something or how much you think you deserve it, begging can’t get it for you. In the end, it’s better to accept your fate with dignity.”
* * *
Jedediah had been listening without appearing to do so, but he now looked at the pompous man with chagrin. The man sighed heavily, “He wants to use you up. For some reason, he wants my fighters to shred you to pieces. He cares not for whether you live or die. As a matter of fact, I think he seeks the latter. Any sane man who cared one ounce about his fighter would give a strong consideration to this offer I'm making here today. But he's not, and I now know why – this man wants to see the red of your blood spilled in an arena more than he wants to see the green of the money in his fist. You need to think about whether you want to leave this world as some kind disposed trash or as a glorified and honored fighter, savage!”
* * * * * * *
Excerpts
A Perfect Confluence:
“To answer your earlier question, Noah, I am the shark. Sharks hunt alone. Sharks are completely ruthless. Wolves take care of their young — which means they have some compassion — but sharks eat their young. I will swallow you whole in one bite if you err here, young man. The fact is, this whole matter was settled before you even walked into my office today. You showed some chutzpah for coming in here, yes, but that doesn’t change your situation. You are still faced with a straightforward and simple choice. Do you want to live or to die?”
* * * * * * *
“If you are havin’ second thoughts, Noah, this’d be the time to take off and leave me. You could just start running and never look back, and, with no Guerros left to hunt ya, you’d be a free man. I love you so much, I’d even give ya at least three steps before I pulled my gun outta my bag to stop ya. By that time, you could be halfway ’round this block and out of harm’s way.”
Her threat made Noah freeze in place. Becca had just executed Francesco Guerro effortlessly. She was a marksman who never missed.
There was no real doubt within Noah about continuing on with her, but he made sure not to move a muscle or to give her one of the three countable steps she’d given him to back up her threat.
He stiffened, and Becca let out an easy and warm laugh that immediately put him at ease.
“Oh, Noah. Course I’m kiddin’ around with you. You and I both know you’re comin’ with me so we can find the promised land together. Plus, I’d never aim a gun at ya, my love.”
He smiled at her, walked up and took her arm back into his, and started walking again. It was time to get back on the river, paddle away from trouble yet again and head toward the new future that awaited them.
Peter Bridgford 
Hauling Through I totally disagree with the reviews on this book. It is an attack on the good lobster fishermen of maine. The language is a bit beyond. If it had pictures it would be classified as ponnographyThe purpose that is shown in the reviews is totally overshadowed by the put down of the lives of the hardworking lobster fisherma.n
LikeLike
Dear Tony, having worked and lived with the hardworking lobstermen you speak of, I think they’d mostly agree with the story and the language – since most of it came from the decks of lobsterboats in Maine. However, we are all allowed our own opinions, and I value yours. Happy New Year.
LikeLike