On Blue Falls Pond

I have just come out of my cave (evidently) long enough to find my first book by Susan Crandall. I actually was in the middle of reading another book and I thought I would just skim the first two or three pages of On Blue Falls Pond to get some idea what it was like. Well, I left my other book alone and finished reading this Crandall book because she had me hooked in the first couple of pages and I couldn't put it down until I had finished it. Others have told the story so I will just say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is definitely in my pile of "keepers". I am now busily looking for other books by Ms. Crandall.

Susan Crandall has written another deeply moving book in On Blue Falls Pond. Glory Harrison fled Dawson, Tenn., after the tragic deaths of her husband and their unborn child. Now two years later her beloved Granny Tula eyesight is failing so Glory returns to help. Memories of that tragic night are slowly coming back and Glory finds a friend in Eric Wilson. Fire chief Eric Wilson rescued Glory from that long ago fire. He has always felt a connection with her. Their paths cross again since her Granny is watching Eric's young troubled toddler Scott. Eric's ex wife thinks it's all just the trauma over the divorce but Eric is convinced something is seriously wrong with his son. Glory and Eric's concerns begin to overlap, Tula's failing vision and the problems it makes for them both. This eventually draws them closer but as Glory's memories become clearer, someone will stop at nothing to keep those memories buried. On Blue Falls Pond is a book that will make you remember why you love to read. The characters are just like everyday people with real ups and downs. You are drawn in from page one and it takes a grip on your soul. The deepening relationship between Eric and Glory is compelling and sizzling. I couldn't put this book down once I started. Susan Crandall is a star on the rise.

Eighteen months ago, Glory Harrison had fled Tennessee after a fire ravaged her life leaving her without a husband, a home, and her unborn daughter. After many therapists and as many moves, she still felt an emptiness where once there had been a soul. After a heartfelt call from her ailing Gran, Glory knew it was now time to face her demons. In coming home again Glory Harrison had to face all the brutal truths of her past, even the painful ones that she had buried along with her unborn child. Her first morning back, the anguish returned with a vengeance as she looked into the face of the man who had saved her life, fire chief Eric Wilson. From that first eventful morning her memories started to return, and along with sage advice from her no nonsense, plain speaking Gran she was able to look at her past with a clearer understanding. Along with the strength and support she soon found in Eric's arms, she would find the strength to face her demons and begin a healing process. As Glory climbed out of the prison within her heart, she was able to open it to Eric, in accepting his toddler son's limitations. Unfortunately, the closer Glory came to rediscovering the truth behind the fire, the closer someone came to driving her away for good! Susan Crandall gave wonderful and very deeply moving character studies for both main characters that will both exhilarate and soothe ones soul in this very beautiful and moving story. While handling the complexities of the two main characters admirably, she also blended in some interesting secondary storylines dealing with the macular degeneration of her gran; autism of Scott; and background into dogs for more than just for seeing eye service. Well-written, highly enjoyable, and lovingly crafted, this was one extremely robust and terrific read that I highly recommend.