On Blue Falls Pond

by Susan Crandall

Two years ago, Glory Harrison lost her husband and unborn child in a fire she has no memory of and she's been running ever since. When her beloved grandmother needs her help, Glory returns to her rural hometown in Tennessee and can't help but feel the weight of people's pity. As far as the town is concerned, Glory and her husband had the 'perfect' marriage but Glory remembers his jealousy and possessiveness and her growing unhappiness. The one saving grace to her return is that she reconnects with Eric Williams, an old friend from childhood. As the firefighter that pulled her from the flames, the sight of him is enough to bring back bad memories but as time passed their friendship grows and a romance begins. The divorced father of a mildly autistic son, Eric has his hands full but Glory is irresistibly drawn to him. But Eric remembers the sad look in Glory's eyes and her husband's jealousy and has his own theories about the night of the fire. When Glory starts to receive receive disturbing calls and letters, Eric and Glory must uncover the truth about that night - but will their fledgling love survive what they reveal?

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

448 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Alas, the rumor is true, Susan was a dental hygienist in her previous career. However, she "retired" from that profession many years ago and has been a full-time author ever since--thanks to all of you fabulous readers.

Susan grew up in a small Indiana town, married a guy from that town, and then moved to Chicago for a while. She is pleased to say that she has been back in her hometown for many years and plans to stay.

She's received a RITA, two National Reader's Choice Awards and a SIBA Award for Fiction. Her books include an Indie Next Pick, Okra Picks, a Target Book Club pick, and are popular with book clubs.

THE MYTH OF PERPETUAL SUMMER will be released June 19, 2018.

Join her newsletter for new release announcements. http://susancrandall.net/newsletter/

Reviews

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! First I've read of this author and will be reading more. Characters very nicely presented, you felt you knew them forever. Plot thickened at a good pace and kept me turning the page. This was a book you wanted to get to the end to know what happened, but yet you hated to finish too quickly. Highly recommend!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not normally a reader of what's labeled a "romance" novel, but I did love this one. Could hardly put it down. The fact that it wasn't all sap, but actually had a really good storyline, sold it for me. Bravo!

[Joseph and Sandra Oconnor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read

A heartwarming story of love loss and family. I thoroughly enjoy her Warner forever books I'm working my way through the series.

[Kim Mears · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed the story line, I couldn't put the book down

[Sharon Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed this book, a page turner. It didn't disappoint.

[Lorraine · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't the best book, but good enough to finish. It was OK.

[Sheila Holmes · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

1 star for swearing.
4 stars for plot, until such point as I was uncomfortable enough that I gave up,

I cannot recommend this novel.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart warming read

[Ns · Rating 3 out of 5]

On Blue Falls Pond is a sensitive story about second chances for a woman who is trying to move on after losing her husband and unborn child in a fire and for man coming to terms with a divorce and dealing with a child who has special needs. Set in a small town, the whispers that have followed Glory's disappearance from the town two years ago still lingers. She has returned not to face her past but to watch over her grandmother. When she begins receiving disturbing messages all over town, she has no choice but to face her past and recover her missing memories to find out who is behind it.

Eric is a firefighter used to saving lives, while putting his own life at risk. He has never been able to really put Glory's case completely to rest and finds many questions unanswered. With her return and the appearance of an unknown threat, he and Glory must come together to solve this mystery. The more time they spend together, they more they fall in love. It is not just the mystery they have to deal with but their own personal problems. Glory isn't sure she is ready to be in a relationship, while Eric does not how to begin to deal with his son's needs. His former wife is in denial and of no help, and with Glory he needs to be sure she is ready before their relationship can even begin. As Glory pieces her memory together, and she and Eric are ready to give their love a chance, the threats turn into danger.

The sensitive nature of the story makes it a good comfort read. The tone is calm and makes it easy to settle into the story and allow it to flow. For that same reason, the lack of intensity and urgency is missed at many critical times in the story, something the plot fairly needed. The mystery was a good one, simple with the threats more perfunctory than actually life-threatening. Eric is the hero but he doesn't really get the chance to shine or showcase his heroic abilities save for a few minor moments. Just like the story, he certainly has the potential but it was not fully realized.

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ON BLUE FALLS POND is another story of a woman married for awhile who has secrets. Glory Harrison lost her husband and child in a fire two years before. The problem is she can't remember everything that occurred on that tragic day. Now Glory has returned to her roots in Tennessee after running from the tragedy that happened there two years before. She came back to assist her 'granny' who had developed macular degeneration. And she meets the fire fighter who saved her, again.

Eric Wilson, the fire chief of Dawson and the man who saved Glory from the fire that killed her husband and unborn baby, was trying to to cope with what his young son was going through. He was also trying to adjust to an ex-wife in denial of their son's problems. Eric's attitude, patience and warmth were wonderful characteristics to see whether he was dealing with Glory or his son, Scott.

On Blue Falls Pond is a contemporary romance with some suspense. I have to admit that I identified the wrong person as the one who wanted Glory to leave Dawson. I liked this story and can recommend it to those looking for a satisfying diversion to a hectic day.

[Mnhawkhoya]

LOVED this book, bought it at a grocery store cause I liked the title. I generally do not read romance novels because the formula of the few I read in the past (as well as the writing quality) weren't strong, but this author has made me rethink all that I thought about the genre. I like this one the best of the all the ones this author has written, but the characters' family members keep cropping up in other stories -- something I love -- so you should read them all! "Back Roads", "The Road Home" and "Magnolia Sky" are all fantastic!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a case of don't judge a book by its (back) cover. If I'd read the summary on the back of the book, I probably would have opted not to read this. It gives the impression you are in for a over-dramatic love story. In reality, it's a very good story with a couple of mysteries that slowly get unwound as you read. I enjoyed it.

[Shirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really interesting story about a young widow whose husband died in their house during a fire. She can't remember what happened. She lost her baby as well. Now she is home and beginning to remember.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a very good read. The characters and culture were believable, real, and human. Parts of the story dragged a bit and were repetitious, and maybe predictable, but I still enjoyed the story and would like to read more from this author.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Read this book for a challenge. It had been sitting on my shelf for months. So glad I finally read it and look forward to reading more by this author.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new author for me...enjoyed it. Will look for more of her work in future.

[Barbara Gard]

very good

[Cassondra Windwalker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet but reassuring story of love and devotion. The author's portrayal of autism and how it affects the parents was both tender and realistic. Very well done.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice read.