On Blue Falls Pond (Warner Forever) [Mass Market Paperback]

Susan Crandall (Author)

Book Description

Series: Warner Forever | Publication Date: January 1, 2006

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 letetrs, Eric and Glory must uncover the truth about that night - but will their fledgling love survive what they reveal?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When her grandmother develops macular degeneration, Glory Harrison reluctantly returns to the small Tennessee town where she had lost her husband and unborn daughter in a deadly fire. Feeling protective, Glory is dismayed to find that Eric Wilson, the fire chief who saved her life, is leaving his strange little boy, Scott, with Gran, and worries that Eric is taking advantage of her. As Glory tries to come to terms with her tragedy and the suppressed memories of events leading up to it, Eric has to deal with the realization that Scott may have some very serious developmental or mental issues. Eric's ex-wife refuses to believe anything is wrong with Scott, and even though she doesn't want Eric herself, she doesn't want him to find anyone else. Readers who enjoy Deborah Smith's novels in particular, and, in general, fiction with a pronounced sense of place and families with strong ties, will respond well to Crandall's romance, with its sensitive handling of the important issues of domestic violence, macular degeneration, and autism. Diana Tixier Herald
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Susan Crandall lives in Indiana and this is her fifth novel.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Forever (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446616397
• ISBN-13: 978-0446616393
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,633 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Indiana native Susan Crandall's women's fiction and romantic suspense novels have garnered national awards, including the coveted RITA(c). With the exception of seven years in Chicago, she's spent her life in her Indiana hometown. When not reading, writing or watching movies, Susan spends time with her husband, children and plethora of pets.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable!, February 6, 2006

By 

Ratmammy "The Ratmammy" (Ratmammy's Town, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: On Blue Falls Pond (Warner Forever) (Mass Market Paperback)

ON BLUE FALLS POND by Susan Crandall
February 6, 2006

Amazon rating 3.5/5

"This is the story of a woman who ran away from her hometown of Dawson, Tennessee, after a devastating fire took the lives of her husband Andrew and her unborn child. Now, two years later, Glory Harrison has returned to be with her grandmother Tula, who is slowly losing her eyesight. Glory gradually recalls why she ran away (most memories of her husband had been erased) and with the help of an old friend, Eric Wilson (the fire chief who saved her life), she finally remembers everything - the good and the bad.

The book is filled with many interesting characters including Eric's two-year-old autistic son Scott (his mother Jill is in denial). Eric and Jill are divorced, due to her infidelities with a man named Jason, and while Jill seems to be a very distracted mother, Eric is there as much as he can be for Scott, a child who is slowly retreating into his own world. Tula is Glory's headstrong maternal grandmother, and despite the fact that Glory grew up in the city (her mother Clarice was embarrassed about being born in the hollow), Glory became the closest of all Tula's grandchildren. They have a special bond. Now that Tula's eyesight is failing, Glory fears that soon Tula may need help permanently." - Complete review at BookLoons - M. Lofton


I enjoyed this story that takes places in the small town of Dawson, Tennessee, and found the mystery behind the fire that took the life of Glory's husband and unborn baby intriguing. Crandall's strong point is her plot, and while I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters, some of them were a bit overly dramatic, although they did fit into the overall scheme of the novel. Those who enjoy southern romances, ON BLUE FALLS POND is recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Stars and Worth Every Bit., January 11, 2006

By 

MaryGrace Meloche (Ontario, Canada.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On Blue Falls Pond (Warner Forever) (Mass Market Paperback)

When I rate a book, it helps to remember that there will be times . . . when a book is TRULY a 9 or 10. A 9 or 10 rating shows I feel the book is one of the best books ever! Is ON BLUE FALLS POND a 10? Well, to me, a 10 rating is perfection! So no, ON BLUE FALLS POND is not a 10, but it certainly is a 9! Susan Crandall's ON BLUE FALLS POND is a beautiful story.

After nearly two years, Glory Harrison comes home - home to grandmother, love, and childhood roots! In reality, Glory Harrison reluctantly returns to find herself. Eighteen months ago, Glory lost everything in a devastating fire. She lost a husband. She lost a child. Now she returns to face fleeting memories and terrifying fear.

Eric Wilson lives every day with his own fear - fear for a little boy. He fears for a small son who is slowly drifting away from him. He watches, each day, as the child retreats further into another world - the world of autism. Undeniably, Eric Wilson battles each new day. He battles his ex-wife, who refuses to see the steady decline of their son and he battles his own dread and guilt. Was the divorce responsible for their child's steady decline?

ON BLUE FALLS POND is a splendid story about two lonely people with common small-town roots. Two lonely people with problems and worries. Two lonely people who discover they can't live without one another. Two lonely people who make Crandall's reader want to share in happy endings.

Susan Crandall should be proud! ON BLUE FALLS POND is a poignant, convincing story. Crandall absorbed me in her tale; she stirred me with her words; she made me believe! Her characters are well drawn and remarkably ordinary and this common ordinariness is Crandall's strong suit! Her setting and her characters ARE in every small town across the land . . . and THIS gives the reader belief . . . and the handling of the grandmother's character is true writing genius - crème de la crème!
Grade: A

MaryGrace Meloche.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Read - Highly Recommend!, January 10, 2006

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On Blue Falls Pond (Warner Forever) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.