Blue Skies (Paperback)

by Catherine Anderson (Author) "A drumroll reverberated through the bar, punctuating the end of the last band number..." (more)
Key Phrases: lattice dystrophy, Hank Coulter, Crystal Falls, Carly Jane (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Anderson (Sweet Nothings, etc.) again explores the ways in which a physical disability can impact a relationship in this moving contemporary romance, set in picaresque Crystal Falls, Ore. Blind since birth, Carly Adams is celebrating the surgical restoration of her sight with a friend at a Western bar when she meets rancher Hank Coulter. Hank plies Carly with liquor, intent on a one-night stand, but he gets more than he bargained for when he learns that their brief encounter has resulted in pregnancy. Neither consider abortion for a second even though pregnancy will have dire consequences for Carly's sight and her plans to attend graduate school. Nor does Carly worry that her child might inherit her condition, lattice dystrophy. Instead, Hank bullies her into marriage. Hank redeems himself as the story progresses, treating Carly with tender care as she deals with her pregnancy and her deteriorating sight, but his most daunting hurdle may be her emotional insecurities. It's evident that Anderson has thoroughly researched lattice dystrophy, and this, more than anything, will help readers gain a better understanding of Carly. The last-minute revelation that Carly was burned in a previous relationship feels superfluous, but readers will embrace Anderson's characters and her message-that love bridges all divides.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Carly had to wait 28 years to see what a man looked like. Born with Lattice dystrophy, Carly's sight has only recently been restored; and to celebrate, she accompanies a friend to a bar. Unused to alcohol and the attention of a handsome cowboy, Carly lets Hank Coulter take her to his truck, but that humiliating experience not only leaves Carly not caring if she ever has sex or sees Hank again but pregnant as well, which threatens her sight. As soon as Hank finds out, he tries to convince Carly to let him help her. The two agree to a marriage in name only to solve Carly's financial problems, but Hank realizes that he's in love and sets out to do whatever it takes to turn their temporary arrangement into something permanent. Readers might need to wipe away tears as they read Anderson's latest contemporary romance featuring another of her Coulter brothers, since few will be able to resist the power of this beautifully emotional, wonderfully romantic love story. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Signet (January 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451210751
• ISBN-13: 978-0451210753
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,193 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love doesn't always begin smoothly, January 7, 2004

By	"notwhoyouwouldexpect" (Des Moines, IA United States) - See all my reviews

Hank Coulter notices a young woman at a bar, beautiful but a bit shy and inexperienced. He's been chugging drinks with his buddies all evening and matters rocket out of control. He hasn't used protection and also rushes heedlessly to his climax, then passes out in his truck -- and in the morning only vaguely remembers the night before, including the girl's name.

Carly Adams had been blind until surgery temporarily restored her sight and she faces a future of repeated surgeries which eventually will no longer be able to retain her vision. Her unexpected pregnancy threatens her newfound sight sooner than anyone expected, putting her new life and grad school plans on hold.

Hank steps up to the plate despite Carly's vehement reluctance to have anything more to do with him, and marries her to help her through the pregnancy. Falling hard for this beauty while she is determined to keep her independence and still is hurt, angry and distrustful, Hank has his work cut out for him.

This is another visit to the Coulter and Kendrick clans, a great addition to her recent books. If this is your first Catherine Anderson, welcome to ranch life on the high dry plains of eastern Oregon, so different from the Pacific coast cities and mountains. You'll want to explore the stories of the rest of the families as soon as you finish Blue Skies.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh yeah., May 27, 2004

By	Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

Carly wants to see everything now that she is no longer blind, and one of the first things her eyes fall on is well worth a second look. Hank Coulter is all man, and their dance goes from the barroom to the bedroom. Then, soon after, Carly discovers she's pregnant, and though Hank made a big impression on her, he can't even remember her name when she calls to tell him. To make matters worse, pregnancy will probably undo all the surgery's miracles, leaving her blind once more.

Hank's memory needs some work, but his honor functions well. He immediately wants to do the right thing and marry Carly. She agrees out of need, but as Hank spends weeks caring for her and showing her all she can see before the world goes dark, convenience turns into reality. Hank's world is full of innocent peril, forcing Carly to choose love or life.

(...)Catherine Anderson's name on a book is all that is needed to assure readers of a story that goes on the keeper shelf. It will always be heartwarming, filled with characters who jump off the page to your soul. (...)

(...)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich in emotion !, January 17, 2004

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

Catherine Anderson's writing skills are like a fine wines - they only grow better with age. This is an absolutely wonderful book, packed with heartrending emotion, but deeply satisfying. Anderson again pens the ultimate male hero in Hank Coulter. Tall, rugged, masculine to the core, yet this male oozes kindness and sensitivity.

In true Anderson fashion, she pivots her story around a blemished woman. Here it is the enchanting Carly Adams. Blind since birth, Carly's doctors have given her a new lease on life with a recent eye operation. Her sight restored, she innocently sets out to taste all life's experiences. One of those morsels happens to be the handsome Hank Coulter.

Outside a seedy bar, in the back seat of Ford pickup, Carly and Hank perform the mating game with successful consequences -- they manage to solve the mating formula. One month later reality rears its ugly head and then what becomes of two strangers who will soon be parents?

In Anderson's novels, her two main characters are always cast together. Her characters usually are forced to work on their relationship - and work they do - but along the way the reader enjoys the effort.

This skilled author controls emotion with an iron fist. Catherine Anderson inflames her words with immense passion pressuring her reader to turn the pages.

This is part of Anderson's fine Kendrick/Coulter series and I think it is the best of the lot. I look forward to Zeke's tale.