Customer Reviews

Indigo Blue

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Indigo Blue" is a story about a young woman who, despite her bravery in the face of danger and rascism, has a severe inferiority complex. Jake Rand comes into her life at a time when she is dealing with a lot of problems. Her father has been severely injured in the mine that he owns and she, being the only child, takes over. Jake comes and immediately takes control, never telling her that he is in fact a wealthy businessman who made a fortune through mining. He is out to find out if his father is really causing accidents in small mines and then buying them from the bankrupt owners. He is immediately drawn to Indigo but his own preconceptions of women and their role in society cause him to treat her badly. She is forced into marriage with him and is terrified that he will treat her badly because he might percieve her as a "squaw". Indigo was betrayed by the first man that she loved and she does not know how to deal with Jake. He overwhelms her and confuses her and, as he begins to understand her fears and her personality, comes to love her very much. The description and the writing were lovely. Anderson made her characters come alive, painting their struggles and their growing love and understanding of each other in a way that lets the reader become a part of the story. "Indigo Blue" is a great romance novel and I would recommend it to anyone.

This is the story of Hunter and Loretta's daughter, Indigo. When she was only thirteen she was sexually assaulted but not raped, because Swift had saved her before anything happened. But the emotional scars she carries from that incident are so deep and painful. Ms. Anderson shows the racial prejudice at the time, its cruelty and ugliness. And the plight of women in those times. Six years later, Jake Rand walks into her life. Jake owns the company Or-Cal and he had been sent by his father to buy Hunter's mine.

Only before heading to Wolf's landing, Jake soon discovers that the mine had come across several accidents from cave ins, etc, which were not just mere accidents, but looked more like staged incidents. With dread, Jake decides to look into the matter more, to investigate it. He can hardly believe that his father would resort to ruining mines, banks, etc, and then offer to buy them knowing that the owners would have no choice but to sell.

Upon arrival to Wolf's landing Jake disguises his true identity and instead tells the Wolf family that he is passing by and in desparate need for work. He agrees to fill in, in Hunter's place at the mine until Hunter gets well again (The cave in happened when Hunter was in the mine).

There Jake meets Indigo a wild, and beautiful woman. Then as things progress and upon circumstances beyond their control, Lobo's death, which was a very sad part of the book, they spend the night in the woods, in a small abandoned cottage, Lobo's last hours.

Because of that situation, Jake and Indigo find themselves forced to marry. After that, the struggle begins, Jake is trying his best to make this marriage work and to understand Indigo. Indigo is doing her best to hide her feelings, and get through this marriage which she resents. The last thing she wants is to find herself married to a white man.

Jake is patient and kind, and the moments between him and Indigo are precious, as they get to know each other.

The scene after Jake and Indigo had a huge fight, (in which Jake lost his temper and said some really hurtful things to Indigo), when they reconcile with each other, is unforgettable, and so moving, I cried at that part.

This story is beautiful, and moving. A great read. Highly recommended.

Catherine Anderson provides a travel visa, whenever I pick up one of her novels. This author's location sketches are excellent. Her character development is exceptional, and immediately, her reader is hooked into her provocative storylines. Usually, this author's heroines are survivors from some inflicted misery. "Indigo Blue" is no departure from the Anderson blueprint.

The heroine is Indigo Wolf, her misery -- a violent attack by teenage boys. She carries around enough sexual hang-ups to last a woman nineteen million life spans. However, I am a big Anderson fan, and I read Indigo's father's story in "Comanche Moon". In that book, Hunter of the Wolf, was a powerful, intense Comanche warrior. To think he would allow a group of teenage boys to assault his daughter sexually and then get away with it - well -- IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN!!

I read this book with eagerness. The death of Indigo's pet is heart wrenching material, and Anderson's portrayal of racial prejudice is insightful and direct; the power of hate and ridicule is eye opening. Although Anderson draws a touching story, I was still frustrated with Indigo's sexual obstacles, this continuous abstraction results in the novel's "bog down". This is a good book, but it could have been better.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

Everyone has told what the story is about so I won't go into that. I gave this book only a 2.5 star because I didn't like Indigo throughout over three quarters of the book. I thought she was a very self centered and spoiled little girl and emotionally immature. She wanted everything for her and in her own way with no giving at all on her part... until just the last few pages of the book (when she 'even' realized how selfish she was) and it was a long book. I really liked Jake, he was the giving and understanding one (without him, this book would have gone in the crapper) he kept putting up with Indigo's whinny crap (he had the patience of Job) where I just wanted to smack her and tell her to grow up!! I like my heroine's much stronger emotionally than she was!!!!!!! I would like Indigo to have been more understanding of Jake's needs, instead of only her needs.

This version of "Indigo Blue" is a reprint just so you are aware. It was originally published back in 1992.

I have read all of Anderson's books and "Indigo Blue" is kind of in the middle for me. I enjoyed it but I feel that she has developed a lot as an author in the last few years. The characters are much more one-dimensional in this book and there are some dangling threads that you don't find in her later works. But even back then Anderson could tell a story and hold your interest. There are some definite plot twists and surprises along the way.

Comanche Heart - 1991 but recently reissued, Comanche Moon - 1991 but recently reissued, and Comanche Magic - 1994 but to be reissued soon in May 2011 are the other books that comprise this series of Anderson's.

If you liked this book, you should try Anderson's Coulter family series. I find them exceptional, with some of my favorites being Blue Skies, My Sunshine, and Phantom Waltz.

Catherine Anderson is one of those writers who can take you out of the stress and worries of everyday life and transport you into another place and time. Indigo Blue is the 3rd book in her reissued "Comanche" series, so I highly recommend reading this series in order as opposed to some you don't have to. I loved INDIGO MOON, but missed the presence of the characters from the second book in the series, even though their absence was explained.

This was the first Catherine Anderson book I ever finished. I really liked it. It was so heartfelt. Anderson really gets deep into the heart of things without going off topic. She delves into the minds of the characters and expresses their emotions and thoughts with such an easiness. The heroine was great, so sweet and easy for me to relate to. The hero was pretty sweet too. He was a little oblivious at times, but it was kind of cute actually. They were such a great couple and this was just such a beautiful story for both of them.

Catherine Anderson tells a mind capturing tale, the book is a type of read that grips you! You won't put it down until your done.

For anyone familiar with this author they will know that this is the 3rd book in the Comanche series. Indigo Blue is not the best of the series, but is okay.

I guess my chief complaint would be the over-done cliche of another Native American character(although Indigo is quarter) who has a 'special' ability with animals. Oh spare me! The author actually had the main character feeding a toothless mountain lion at one point. The look on your face right now? Yeah, that was my reaction as well. And don't even get me started on how she wanted us to believe the Comanche women had to 'obey' their husbands. Total crap.

On the flip side, I did completely empathize with Indigo's hesitation and fear of Jake Rand as her husband. This was a man that had the ability to make her leave her home and everyone she loved. Not too mention how she felt after her attack in book 2.

Survey says: I'd give it a shot if you are the type of person who absolutely has to finish the series.

After reading both Comanche Moon and Comanche Heart, I was eager to read Indigo's story. I was somewhat disappointed because parts of the story just didn't seem plausible in light of her family history. First, I cannot imagine Indigo, having been raised by Hunter the Wolf and Loretta (interracial marriage) having some of the stereotypes and fears she held. I could understand Hunter and Loretta having them, as parents brought up in a different time. Clearly, all of our racial problems have not be solved, but the series has lead me to believe that Hunter's story is about pride and honor in the midst of the racial prejudices. I did not see much of this in Indigo's character.

Nor did I find chemistry between Indigo and Jake. Yes, I could grasp her sexual fears in light of her earlier attack, but her character was made to appear submissive. I liked Jake's character, even though I did not understand his patience with Indigo -- and was pleased to finally get to the well-written confrontation he finally has with Indigo. It was a great summation of racial prejudice, low self-esteem and the fear that often accompanies both.

Again, this was not my favorite in the series, though it was a good read. I just think it could have been better.