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The Women's West #5

Moon in the Water

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Ann Rossiter is no man’s idea of the perfect wife, yet she has a chance—a single chance—to insure her future. To protect her unborn child, Ann agrees to marry a common riverboat pilot. In exchange, he’ll gain command of her stepfather’s magnificent new steamer—the Andromeda. But as they ply the western rivers together, Ann is drawn to her new husband, to his quiet strength and smoldering magnetism. Still, she dares not yield her heart for fear he will discover her most terrifying secret.

As the Andromeda steams toward the wilds of the Montana Territory, Chase Hardesty finds himself falling in love with his new bride. But when Ann’s past comes back with a vengeance, will their marriage of convenience end in tragedy—or in love forever?

468 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 30, 2004

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124 people want to read

About the author

Elizabeth Grayson

17 books18 followers
Elizabeth Grayson fell in love with historical novels in the third grade. Her teacher read THE GOLD LACE COAT, by Helen Fuller Orton, to her class in preparation for their trip to Fort Niagara—and Elizabeth was hooked. She’s been reading and writing historical novels ever since.

aka Elizabeth Kary
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
and Karen Witmer
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

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5 stars
22 (23%)
4 stars
33 (35%)
3 stars
26 (28%)
2 stars
9 (9%)
1 star
2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Lisa.
469 reviews38 followers
January 14, 2019
A beautiful written story, that I will always remember, I loved Case you can tell he really loves Ann, you can't help but cheer for them. As I was reading the story I can picture the River boat I felt like I was it. This will definitely be a keeper for me 5 star read
Happy Reading
Lisa
Profile Image for Aneca.
958 reviews124 followers
January 30, 2008
Still trying to make Mount TBR smaller I picked up a romance novel by Elizabeth Grayson called Moon in the Water. I guess this is what we would call a road romance although it is set on boat in the Mississipi river.

Chase Hardesty is bribed by James Rossiter to marry is daughter and give a name to the baby she is expecting. In exchange he will give him ownership of his new steamer. As Ann and Chase embark on a journey to the west it is also a journey of discovery for both of them.

I found this a rather sweet story. The reader guesses almost immediately who the father of Ann’s baby is but Chase is kept pretty much in the dark about that almost until the end. The most important thing about this story is how they get to know one another during those days in the river and how Chase shows Ann the true value of family. She was set against marrying anyone and is at first very angry with Chase. The author brings to life the emotions and troubles both of them face as well as their surroundings and a big set of secondary characters – from the other members of the steamer's crew to the Hardesty family.

This was my first book by Grayson and I’m happy to find it a B+.
151 reviews
June 22, 2017
Simple story, but I enjoyed it. Setting was on a riverboat on the Mississippi which was interesting.
278 reviews18 followers
March 1, 2020
A reading that makes you very happy.
A sensitive, sweet and winning story
3,961 reviews21 followers
June 5, 2019
Most of the action in this book occurs on a riverboat in 1867. Through Grayson's wonderful descriptions, we learn a great deal about the people and ships that plowed the Mississippi & Missouri Rivers.

Our hero, Chase Hardesty, is called to the home of Commodore James Rossiter, owner of the shipping line. Chase is mostly self-educated and has realistic expectations of his future. Suddenly, the Commodore offers him the captaincy, and the chance to OWN the newest steamboat of the line, the Andromeda. For this stupendous opportunity, all he has to do is marry the commodore's daughter!

Chase is no dummy; he knows there has to be a catch. He agrees to meet with Ann Rossiter, the daughter. Chase realizes that Ann is pregnant and unmarried. During that day and time, it was a serious problem. After their discussion, Chase assures Ann that he will not accept the commodore's offer. However, Ann's step-father soon announces that she will marry Chase the next day! Ann feels betrayed by yet another man.

After the marriage, Chase gets ready to ship out. Imagine his shock when Ann boards the Andromeda and insists on accompanying Chase. She takes over the captain's quarters and Chase joins his officers.

I certainly didn't expect Ann to join her husband; she really wasn't happy with him. Over the ensuing weeks and months, the reader comes to understand why Chase's company was more acceptable than her step-father's.

When Ann meets Chase's family, she sees a different side of the man and it gives her pause (His parents and 11 remaining kids live along Chase's route on the river). When Chase's father makes a caustic remark about Chase selling himself for the ship - suddenly, you realize something else will happen.

Ann is no pampered hot-house plant; she takes on baking duties and helps on board. She even mends the sailor's shirts. Slowly, things start to change between the couple. This is a fast-paced book of 460+ pages. It captures your attention quickly - and keeps it! This is my first book by this author; it won't be my last!
Profile Image for Jacqueline L..
20 reviews
January 4, 2013
This was a great book about finding love in unexpected places. The author is very brilliant at outlining emotions through vivid, descriptive syntax and interpretation. Definitely a must-read for those hopeless romantics.
Profile Image for Ashley.
771 reviews27 followers
December 27, 2013
This was a recommended book for me from my library. I mean, yes it was totally predictable, and a bit over the top at times, but I didn't hate it, and it was a quick, somewhat entertaining read, so... 3 stars
134 reviews
September 20, 2010
I enjoyed the honesty and integrity of Chase. Lovely little riverboat romance.
Profile Image for Serena Miles.
1,475 reviews70 followers
November 24, 2016
Libro supersencillo con una narración que enseguida atrapa y nos cuenta una historia preciosa donde los protagonistas son maravillosos, sobre todo Chase

9.5/10
Profile Image for Carlos Balbuena.
3 reviews
January 6, 2013
Éste me lo recomendaron en una librería, me encantó, muy romántico y muy dramático.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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