Moon in the Water (Mass Market Paperback)

by Elizabeth Grayson (Author)
Key Phrases: anchor line, boiler deck, James Rossiter, Chase Hardesty, Gold Star (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Set in Mississippi during the turbulent mid-19th century, this compelling romance from Grayson (Color of the Wind, etc.) offers a charismatic hero who will easily beguile readers. A for-hire riverboat pilot of humble origins, Chase Hardesty has long dreamt of owning his own boat, so when his boss, James Rossiter, offers him a deal—the Star Line's new stern-wheeler if he marries Rossiter's pregnant stepdaughter Ann, whom Chase has never seen—Chase finds that he can't refuse. For her part, Ann only wants to be free of her brutal stepfather and stepbrother. Assuming Ann will stay with Rossiter while Chase makes a riverboat run up to the wilds of Fort Benton, he is startled to find that his willful bride has stowed away on the boat and locked herself in his cabin. Circumstances enable Ann to gradually trust and admire Chase and even develop a rapport with his crew, but Ann carries a secret that may destroy their fledgling marriage. Grayson's absorbing plot races nimbly along a fast current. The sandbars and snags are as realistic as the people who confront them, and her details about river running would make Mark Twain proud. When the dramatic denouement finally occurs, readers will feel as if Ann and Chase are personal friends.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Ann Rossiter should have been used to men's betrayals, but somehow she thought Chase Hardesty was different. Ann's stepfather offered Chase the ownership of his brand new steamboat, the Andromeda, if Chase would marry his embarrassingly pregnant stepdaughter, but Chase promises her he will decline the offer. By the next day, however, Chase has broken his word, and the two are wed. Then, much to Chase's surprise, his new wife insists on accompanying him on his first voyage, despite the fact that the journey by steamboat to Montana is no place for a pregnant lady. Then, what begins as a simple marriage of convenience becomes something quite different once Chase realizes he is falling in love with Ann, and Ann discovers Chase is the one man she can trust with her secrets. Grayson's beautifully spare, eloquent writing perfectly complements her quietly brilliant story of two emotionally fragile, deeply conflicted, and yet honorable people who find new hope and a chance at love. Readers will want to savor every bit of this powerful, poignant, and sweetly passionate romance. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (March 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553584243
• ISBN-13: 978-0553584240
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #739,966 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another wonderful read from Elizabeth Grayson, April 26, 2004

By	"historyaddict" (COLLINSVILLE, IL USA) - See all my reviews

If you love historical romance and haven't tried this author, you're really missing something. Ms. Grayson has the ability to paint a picture with words, taking the reader on a journey back in time, introducing them to characters that are believable and full of life. Moon in the Water is another hit. Chase is the type of man women dream about and Ann is just the sort of woman who deserves him. When they figure this out for themselves, romance blooms on the page. If it's time to add to your "to-read" pile, don't forget this one!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Tender Love Story on the Riverboat!, March 30, 2004

By	M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Chase Hardesty, had no idea why the Commodore of the shipping line he worked for had summoned him to his home and was stunned when he was offered the captaincy, and the chance to own the newest steamboat of the Gold Star line, the Andromeda. The only thing he had to do was to marry the commodore's daughter. A heady proposal for a young man with no prospects other than what could be earned as a riverboat pilot, and knowing there'd be strings attached, Chase cautiously agreed to meet the young woman.

Ann Rossiter, was most definitely brought up to be a lady of quality yet in her present state, four or so months pregnant, was not in any condition to dictate terms. She needed to get out of her step-fathers's house; to somehow secure her unborn child as well as her own future; and a husband was definitely not in that future. Ann, thinking that after her conversation with Chase, who had assured her he would not accept the bargain, was then astonished when her stepfather informed her that the wedding would be going forward the next afternoon. Feeling betrayed again, and with little choice in the matter, Ann was married to Chase, who thought life would go on as usual and he'd be shipping out that afternoon. But what he hadn't bargained for was that Ann would barge her way onto the Andromeda and demand to be taken along on the ride. As the two, traversed the western rivers together, Ann would be drawn to his gentleness and quiet strength, as he was drawn to her courage, strength and beauty. Attracted as she was, Ann would still keep her terrifying secret rather than be betrayed once more and when Ann's past revealed itself, would their marriage of convenience be able to weather the storm!

This was an absolutely wonderful story, rich in western Americana historical aspects that will provide the reader with a truly rewarding and visually stunning reading experience. It is beautifully written with strong and well-defined characters, both main and secondary, with deep emotional strengths. Her characters will become so real to you that right from the start you'll be rooting for Chase to break down the barriers and help Ann to heal her soul after being so bitterly used. This is a terrific story with a plot that will engage the reader from the very first pages until the very end. It was a strong, tender and a beautifully satisfying love story that I heartily recommend! --- Submitted by Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tender, poignant and terrific!, July 12, 2004

By	baltimore0502 "Hon!" (BALTIMORE, MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I'd never read anything by this author before, but the excellent reviews this book kept getting (both here at Amazon and on other review sites) made me want to read it. And I'm glad I did! Though I don't usually read Americana/Western stories, the setting is post-civil war St Louis.

Chase Hardesty is a riverboat pilot who dreams of one day becoming captain of his own boat. It looks like his dream is about to come true when his employer offers him a deal: the captaincy of his newest, top of the line riverboat if Chase will marry his stepdaughter, Ann. Chase is stunned, confused and very tempted to accept. He agrees to meet Ann and discovers that she is obviously pregnant. She begs Chase not to agree to her stepfather's plan and Chase agrees. But later he has a change of heart and so Ann and Chase marry (much to Ann's displeasure).

Ann has been betrayed by men before (including her stepfather and his malevolent son), but had thought that Chase was different. Now married to him, she is reluctant to trust him or confide in him. Given the circumstances, Chase cannot blame her, but feels deep down that he made the right decision for both of them. He is determined to take care of Ann and raise her child as his own (he himself was adopted and raised in a large and loving family). He feels that he cannot yet ask Ann about her pregnancy or who the father is, and on a certain level he feels that it is irrelevant. She's his wife and the child she is carrying will be his. Rather than stay in St Louis under her hated stepfather's roof, she stows away on his boat on a trip upriver. Chase initially intends to send her back to St Louis ASAP, but as the trip progresses, they begin to open up to one another and a tender friendship begins to grow between them.

But on the trip, Chase notices some suspicious behavior on the part of some of his crew and ultimately discovers that someone is using his boat to run guns to the Indians. And while Chase struggles to find out who is responsible, he finds himself implicated and tangled in a web he could not foresee. But Ann has come to know (and love) Chase and staunchly defends her husband. Will Chase and Ann be able to prove Chase's innocence (and who is really behind it all)? Can they live happily ever after once Ann's secrets are revealed? You'll hope so!

I do have a few very minor criticisms. Chase is not the sharpest guy around, but in a way, this is realistic as he was raised on the frontier without a formal education (though he works hard to read and educate himself). And the reader will likely figure out who is the father of Ann's child fairly early on, but it takes Chase almost the entire book (though in fairness, as I mentioned, I don't think it really mattered to him). And it may take some time to warm up to Ann in the beginning, though one can certainly sympathize with her plight. I had no such problem with Chase. He's sweet, kind and earnest, if a bit naive, and I really liked him a lot. An enjoyable read and highly recommended.