Blind Man's Bluff: A Stone Gap Mountain Novel (Stone Gap Mountain Series) Paperback – October 5, 2012

This story grabs your interest from the first paragraph to the end. So many unexpected moments that keep you guessing what's going to happen next. The characters are strong, independent and challenged. How they find their way through is inspirational, heartwarming and heartbreaking. I loved the characters, the story and the unexpected twists and turns. It was an eye opening experience. Great read!

Emma, blind since twelve in an auto accident that also killed her mother, was enlisted by Duncan, a personal security company CEO, to help his brother, Ian/a former SEAL injured during a rescue, cope with his newly acquired blindness. She patiently dragged Ian out of his pity-party, showing him the skills he needed to maneuver in our visual world, while falling in love with him and his surliness. Together they overcame her, progressively, escalating, unhinged stalker, Genie, and solved the mystery of Zack, while handling her father's infidelity with Aunt Rose.Great characters and plot/subplots which provided an interesting insight into the difficult lives of the visually impaired as they bravely adapted to our sighted world. The theme of perseverance ran rampant throughout the novel with the concept of redemption even for our furry companions, dogs. Ian's use of both Cherokee and Apache languages reminded me of the US Government's use and continued abuse of the Native Americans, especially since their enlisted soldiers assisted them in WWII. Genie's involvement was deduced by page 75, but a gravity-defying read, nonetheless, in James' anemic, diversity-scarce novel. A MUST-READ for Susp/Rom readers!02/12/20- 02/13/20'

This story had some good elements and some that were not needed.For the good, the concept of being claustrophobic and blind was an interesting psychological component for the hero to work through. Ian had to figure out how to belong in a world that relies so heavily on sight. The process he goes through seems authentic. As for Emma, she provides a dose of reality about what it means to figure out how to belong in a world that is not tailored to those with special needs. The characters and their struggles are genuine and provide decent reading material.The issue is the plot. It felt as if the author was trying to add suspense elements and make this a mystery when it doesn’t need to be. When Ian has to confront the reason he lost his eyesight, that entire scene is pointless. And the aggression from the person he was trying to help is just useless and takes away from the story. Then there is the person that is after Emma and the miraculous recovery of one of our main characters.The story would draw readers in more without the unsuccessful suspense elements and miracle recovery that makes no sense and does nothing to help.Overall, not a terrible read. Just some elements got in the way and made the plot more convoluted then it needed to be. Sometimes simple is better. It lets the characters shine.

This book was recommended to me when looking for some other books to add to my Kindle, and I'm so glad I bought it! The story between Emma and Iam is compelling, and overall, beautifully developed.I loved how Emma, despite her blindness, is a courageous woman, capable of doing anything she sets her mind to, even bartending! Loved her attitude all throught the book, and with every adversity she faced. Loved Ian as well. Even though he was still reeling from what happened to him, he showed backbone, and the way he was written, I couldn't help falling in love with him, just like Emma did.The story is beautifully written, and even though there is an expected turn of events spoiled in another review below (you could figure it out from the first pages of the book anyway), there is a major twist I never saw coming! This book had me turning pages and reading at every chance I could... I just coudn't put it down. I really hope the author continues this series, as I really want to know what happens with Emma and Ian... I want a full book sequel, not just a tiny epilogue!Where I'm taking the star off is for the Kindle edition... There are no gramatical errors (thank God!) but there are some dialogue scenes that have dialogue from the two people speaking in the same pharagraph. I found this a little confusing at times.

This was such an Intruiging concept. I was drawn in by the blurb. A recently blinded soldier finds himself the student to a blind tutor who makes it her mission to show him that there us more to him and his new life than his blindness. As a former Navy SEAL, Ian knows all about pain and torture. However, nothing prepares hi. For hos biggest challenge yet, being claustrophobic and waking up realising you are blind.On the other spectrum there is Emma, blind since 14 and fearcely independent. The more she works with Ian and the closer they become, they both soon realise their mutual attraction for one another. Along the way there were some great plot twists that left me on the edge of my seat. This was a great emotional story with lots of heart.

Emma has been blind since a horrific traffic accident took the life of her mother and blinded herself. The story is a lesson in how to cope with losing your sight, a subtle stalker and teaching an adult man to live with losing his sight. Emma has lived through all of this since she was 14 years old. Approached by a man named Duncan to teach his brother how to live with his loss of sight, Emma does her best to show him that life does not need to stop.

This is a well written book about a navy Seal guy being shot and loosing his sight. Emma was asked if she would help Ian, she had been blind since an accident when she was fourteen. Ian was angry, stubborn and didn't want her help but she pushed and he was shocked when she told him she was also blind. The start an affair and Emma thinks they are making progress until things start going wrong.

This was definitely an interesting and intriguing read, the plot was good. The slow simmer romance was even good.The characters had depth, the blindness of both main characters added a great layer to the book. It was easy to get lost in this book.The only thing I will say is I saw who the protagonist was a mile away. Not initially I grant but I knew who it was pretty quickly.

Why is there 2 same books but with different titles. There is this book and Kay Lyons Stockham Not by Sight (Stone River Book 2) and is Ivy James and Kay Lyons Stockham the same person? The book was great but I just don’t understand why there are 2 books with different titles and authors.

I found this story very powerful, the characters where three dimensional and the reader is drawn into the drama fully from the outset.It's very well written and I found it a compelling read, I truly felt for all the characters involved and I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.

This was a really good romance with sensitive and moving characters. The love affair between the two blind people was touching and their journey towards their happily ever after was emotional and fulfilling. A feel good romance.