Customer Reviews

On Blue Falls Pond (Warner Forever)

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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.

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.

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.

Eighteen months ago Glory Harrison is rescued from an inferno by Dawson, Tennessee Fire Chief Eric Wilson; her husband Andrew died in the blaze and not long afterward she miscarried. While her beloved septuagenarian Granny Tula Baker believes that God has a reason to put her granddaughter through such a tragedy, Glory, though she remembers nothing from that tragic night no longer believes. She flees her hometown as the memories haunt her; no place feels like a home anymore.

Tula asks Glory to come home for a short stay so she can see her one last time as her eyes are failing her. Though reluctant to return to the site of her tragedy, Glory would face demons for her beloved Granny Tula so she comes home. Glory becomes upset when she thinks Eric is using Granny Tula to watch his three year old son Scott, whom he believes has a behavioral problem though his ex-wife Jill denies this. As she sees him help Granny Tula she revises her belief. She begins to remember what happened on that fatal night, but will it be in time to prevent more misfortune from reoccurring?

ON BLUE FALLS POND is a strong glimpse at how individuals react to crisis differently with some hiding or running away while others finding solace to help them cope. Granny Tula turned to God after the tragedy while Glory turned away from God; Eric accepts that there is problem with his son while Jill rejects any notion that the child has any deep rooted behavioral issues. The late exciting suspense takes away from the core value of a powerful psychological drama that grips the audience once Glory starts shaking as she approaches Dawson.

Harriet Klausner

Glory returned to her roots in Tennessee after running from a tragedy that happened there months before. She came back to assist her 'granny' who had developed macular degeneration.

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 and 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 romantic suspense. I have to admit that I identified the wrong person as the one who wanted Glory to leave Dawson. If you are looking for a good read, pick this one up.

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.