The Bluewater Affair

Family Secrets #4

by Cindy Gerard

SUBJECT Single, soon-to-be-mother Susannah Hobson
FAMILY HISTORY: Stepdaughter of Violet Vaughn, mother of the Extraordinary Five
DARKEST SECRET: Hiding her knowledge of Code Proteus. . .and holding on to her heart

Abandoned by the father of her child, vulnerable beauty Susannah Hobson returned to her family's Colorado ranch hoping to find a safe haven. Yet her homecoming was shattered when she discovered that her beloved stepmother had been killed. Fortunately, handsome rancher Travis Dean was there to offer some neighborly support and the security of his strong embrace. Yet Susannah knew that caring for this man was impossible. Because Susannah suspected that Violet's death was no accident, and her own newfound knowledge of her stepmother's involvement in secret government project put her in danger. Susannah couldn't risk Travis's life by staying. . .but could she jeopardize her own soul by leaving?

Five extraordinary siblings,
One dangerous past.
Unlimited potential.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Suspense

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

The only thing Cindy had in mind when she started writing her first book was finishing it. The issue of actually selling it came much later. Only after she made that life-altering first sale did she realize that one book would never be enough. Now, over 20 books and numerous awards later, Cindy laughingly admits that she can barely remember life before...well, was there life before writing?

Actually, yes there was, and still is. A professional career woman, Cindy is a trainer for the Iowa Department of Human Services, a position she states is both challenging and rewarding. "Human Services is a front-line, real-life event. Everything about the job is immediate, from serving families in crisis, to assisting staff with difficult situations, to meeting tension-fraught deadlines."

Cindy's career has taught her much about the human condition, its frailties, its strengths, and its spirit. The evocative emotions that pour from the pages of her books are a reflection of some of her work experiences. Her writing celebrates life's richness and trials, offering a wide range of emotions — hope and elation, anger and indecision, laughter and, of course, love. And, according to her readers, her powerful love scenes run the gamut from steamy to tender to lusty to just plain fun.

Cindy's writing has netted her spots on bestseller lists, numerous RT nominations and awards, the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, a National Reader's Choice Award and two RITA nominations.

Between writing and working full time you wouldn't think Cindy would have much time for anything else. And while she does find her work and her writing rewarding, there does have to be more. Cindy has more. Much more. She is happily married to the perfect man. Tom's a cowboy, ladies!

Yes, even Iowa has its share of that saddle-straddling, Wrangler-wearing species who love their horses almost as much as they love their women. As a matter of fact, recently a whole herd of Texans gathered at the Gerard "Ranch" to treat their little ones to real horseback rides. Go figure.

Cindy has a passion for pink depression glass — she always has her eye out for the special piece to add to her collection. Cindy's down time often takes the form of the classic "busman's holiday." She loves to read and most of all, she loves to read at their summer place, a cabin in the woods on Lake Kabetogama in northern Minnesota.

Both Tom and Cindy enjoy gardening and have recently expanded their annual beds into a perennial garden. Cindy says she can hardly wait for spring and the promise of all that reawakening and the colorful blooms.

In addition to the horses, the Gerards have two dogs, Ellie and Boomer, who pretty much get anything they want. Tom and Cindy have one son, Kyle, who, after years of keeping them in suspense, found Eileen, the perfect woman.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/cindyg...

Reviews

[Maura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Susannah Hobson ran away from home after the death of her father and left behind a grieving yet beloved stepmother. Now she's returning, 4 years later and having learned her lesson, and also pregnant and alone...but her stepmother, Violet Hobson, died only 2 days earlier. Susannah is determined to make a home out of the ranch Violet had owned. But Travis Dean, next door neighbor and good friend of Violet's, has some news for Susannah - she's not full owner of the ranch. In order to stay and make a home for her and her baby, Susannah must accept Travis as a partner or buy him out, which she doesn't have the money for. The two dance around each other, both fighting the attraction they have for one another, each for their own reasons. And in the meantime, Susannah looks into the secrets her stepmother left behind.

Where previous stories in this series have had romance and suspense side-by-side and enhancing the entertainment value of the story, this had absolutely no suspense whatsoever. This does move along the overarching suspense plot, but without incorporating any actual suspense. In the tale of the extraordinary five, Violet was their mother and she left behind journals. Susannah reads these journals which provide the backstory for Violet and the 5 kids (not much suspense in them either). As a result, this book was not as fast paced as I'd expected given the previous installments. In fact, it was pretty slow for me, and even as a romance, it didn't really deliver.

Unfortunately this uses a trope that is not on my favorites list...the one in which the heroine is pregnant with another man's child at the start of the story. I'm not saying it can't be done where I love it or that it can't be romantic, but it's just not one I like to read about. And this was made worse by the fact that the hero actually resents the pregnancy in the beginning...is actually somewhat turned off by it (though not sexually, goodness no...he's all kinds of hot for Susannah, pregnant or not). In fact, he's in a state of active dislike for Susannah for about 75% of the book. I was not getting any lovey or even any tender feelings from Travis at any point and so when he finally decides to set aside his bitterness and have quick, bland and euphemistic sex with Susannah, it feels totally out of left field that he should have any feelings but lust for her. Also feels completely out of the blue that he's totally okay with her being pregnant. Her feelings are a bit more credible, as she's made the effort to look beneath the surface but Susannah doesn't have much self-esteem to let herself be treated like he treats her. I guess I didn't care much what happened to either Travis or Susannah because I really was only interested in the journal entries from Violet - her story was so much more intriguing. Oh well, this series has had a strong start, so there's bound to be a least favorite in the bunch. This one just had to be it for me.

[Deanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part of the series where each book is written by a different author. The series is better than others by multiple authors I have read. This was the weakest book so far. It was more to give Violet's background than the current story. I like the characters. I would have preferred to have more depth to their change and acceptance of love. Needed more of his internal conflict. Was enjoyable and needed to be read for the series.

[Kathy Rodgers]

Very good story