Blind Man's Bluff (Stone Gap Mountain)
by Kay Stockham
- File Size: 705 KB
- Print Length: 357 pages
- Publisher: Kindred Spirits Publishing (September 21, 2012)
- ASIN: B009F73G2S
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
Book Description
Publication Date: September 21, 2012
Can you love someone and still be free?
Emma Wyatt agrees to tutor a recently blinded, embittered soldier because of the $50,000 paycheck his brother offers. Blind herself, Emma dreams of independence and freedom. She wants to own a large kennel and live away from her overprotective family. But when she's attracted to her student, she fears falling for him means giving up her dreams.
Can you protect someone when you cannot see?
Good soldiers show no weakness. Ian MacGregor holds his battle with claustrophobia close to his chest, unsuccessfully trying to cope on his own. He’s lost in the dark and struggling to accept his fate. Ian knows duty, honor, serving his country. But his desire for Emma is overshadowed by the danger lurking around them. Emma would be better off with someone else. Someone sighted.
Someone able to protect her from the person determined to keep them apart.
BLIND MAN'S BLUFF is the first full-length novel in the Stone Gap Mountain Series. Be sure to check out SECRETS OF A SUMMER NIGHT, a Stone Gap Mountain Novella, for the first look at this exciting new contemporary series.
Review:
Ian MacGregor was a soldier dedicated to protection. When he loses his sight during a rescue he becomes bitter and tries to drown himself in booze. His brother, Duncan, who owns a successful security firm, and several of Ian’s friends are trying to help Ian come to terms with his disability.
Emma was blinded at age fourteen. After a few months struggling in rehabilitation Emma took charge of her life and learned to be the best blind person she could be. Fourteen years later she is living successfully, working as a bartender in her father’s bar, while kenneling and caring for a handful of dogs. She is trying to save money to set up a dog kennel and become independent, which is her dream.
Duncan asks Emma’s uncle, a psychiatrist, and close family friend, to talk to Ian. The doctor recommends that Duncan hire Emma to help Ian. Initially reluctant, Duncan changes his mind after watching Emma in action and realizing that she has experienced all that Ian has to face and learn.
Emma takes the job even though Ian tries to scare her off with sexual advances. Emma and her dogs move onto Ian’s property after a fire destroys her home. This puts them in continual proximity that feeds the attraction between them. Ian isn’t ready for help and Emma has to take a strong stand, telling the other men in the house to stop waiting on and enabling Ian. Emma challenges Ian and finds creative ways to show him he can relearn activities as a blind person. She also finds a way to help him face his private nightmare of claustrophobia.
As Ian begins to gain confidence there are unexplained disruptions in Emma’s routines. Duncan and Ian begin to suspect a young man whom Emma has agreed to help. The men seek to protect Emma as they try to locate the teen when he goes missing.
I enjoyed the strong pacing of the story, the well developed characters, the underlying suspense and the plot surprises. Focusing on the difficulties of coping with blindness is an interesting plot bonus and dogs always add a bit of interest. There is good conflict and tension between these strong characters as they face fears and insecurities. I liked that the there is plenty of action and story to enjoy in addition to the solid romance. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a romance presented in a strong, engaging story. I would enjoy reading more books in this series and by this author.
I received this book for review through StoryBundle.
