If the Tide Doesn’t Change, Who Will Pay the Price?As autumn of 1916 descends upon the once-peaceful town of Sunset Cove, Anna McDowell has great hopes that the excitement of the summer will be over, now that a few of the key players in the rum-running ring have been arrested. But with a daring jailbreak getting the town in a dither again, she knows that the danger hasn’t passed for anyone in her … anyone in her coastal hometown.
With a mayoral election keeping tensions high and the authorities busy searching for those behind the jailbreak, Anna has plenty to keep the newspaper busy. But when her sixteen-year-old daughter begins making noises about leaving high school and abandoning dreams of college, Anna realizes that prohibition isn’t the only thing she needs to be worrying about.
How deep does the root of corruption run in their town? As she digs deeper, Anna is forced to put the concerns of her own heart on hold in an effort to save some of the people dearest to her.
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My Thoughts on Riptide Rumors:
Riptide Rumors is book two in a fun series centered around prohibition in a small coastal town. Great characters draw you in and mystery keeps you there.
I thoroughly have enjoyed this series so far and hope there are at least a few more books in it. Prohibition is a time period that I really haven’t studied much. It’s not been on my radar. Now it is!
Melody Carlson is an amazing author and I always find myself lost in her books. I’m captivated and can’t seem to stop reading. I’d rather read than do the dishes for sure. These are the books that keep me up late at night.
In Book Two of the Sunset Cove series we start up where we left off in Harbor Secrets.
Anna is staying to run the newspaper, Katy is going to finish high school and they’re all going to learn how to get along again. But unfortunately, life has a way of changing and quiet never seems to stay quiet.
Clara and Ellen are again faced with trials and tribulations. Life can’t seem to settle down for them or the sleepy little town. It’s growing and crime can’t seem to quit trying to keep up.
When a local criminal escapes jail it’s only a matter of time before Anna is deep within the sleuthing again. Can she emerge with her life and her heart intact? Or should we be watching Katy’s heart this time?
Loved this book. It was so fun watching Katy find her way in life. I was definitely rooting for her. Also good to be back in the newspaper office with Anna. The characters definitely become friends that you can’t pull away from.
Lots of good romances going on within the book, plus some new twists in the old mystery. Even though lots of the leaders were caught there is still a lot left to figure out and people to arrest. I’m waiting for the next book in the series. It’s pure torture when books do this to you!
Highly recommend this read. It’s great clean romance and mystery that you can read and enjoy. Historical fiction at it’s finest. Definitely a period that is not overly written about and a nice setting that allows for greatness.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
I love the cover of this book because it perfectly depicts the time period. Riptide Rumors is set in 1916 and this was a time of great turbulence for our country. Women were gaining more independence, World War I was on the horizon and Prohibition was creating problems in the town of Sunset Cove. Anna McDowell observes all of this as she takes over her father’s newspaper as the editor-in-chief and also becomes involved in a mystery concerning a “speakeasy” and some deaths that have occurred there. As Anna and some of the newspaper staff work to find the truth, Anna also faces turmoil in her personal life. Anna’s dream has always been for her daughter Katy to obtain a college education but Katy is undecided about her desire to go. Anna also finds herself attracted to the town doctor and this is also a big adjustment. Will Katy and Anna be able to regain the closeness that they have always enjoyed? Is Anna putting herself and her co-workers in danger as she works to solve the mystery of the speak-easy murders?
Riptide Rumors is a lovely story filled with faith, family, and forgiveness and there is also suspense for mystery lovers. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series to discover what is ahead for Sunset Cove.
I received a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are mine own.
It is so nice to be back with Anna and Kate in Sunset Cove. Anna has been busy with the newspaper and watching her daughter start to become independent. The story is the second in a series called, The Legacy of Sunset Cove. I have been anxious to read this book because the author left us with some unanswered questions. I love reading about Anna and challenges of running a newspaper. The town is slowly starting to accept a woman editor, but some good old boys still don’t like it. They weren’t thrilled when finally the women got the right to vote. Things are really changing in the world and there is also talk of war.
For some reason this story reminded me of the show called The Gilmore Girls. Anna and Katy are very close but at times they disagree just like on the show. They share their thoughts and I love how Katy is becoming more of a young woman and thinking of her future. There will be a disagreement about her future. The author does a great job of allowing us to watch Katy take on challenges and prove herself to her family. I have to say I really enjoyed getting to know Katy and Anna better.
There is a mystery going on in town that will shake the community. A murder has taken place and if that wasn’t enough there is a jail break. Anna has her hands full trying to cover both stories and does a little investigation on her own. There are several suspects and it looks like rum running is still a big problem in the town.
Anna has two men who may be interested in her and it makes for a wonderful journey to watch Anna finally relax a little and get courted. I wonder who she will end up with? Like mother like daughter as the saying goes because Katy has two suitors herself. I can tell you I’m not happy with one of them. He seems shady and quick to move things along with Katy. Beware Katy. He is up to no good.
The story is exciting, action packed, filled with corruption, and a mayoral race along with many surprises. I’m hoping there is another book in the series, because the author has left me with some questions I need answered. If you are looking for a light read with faith and intrigue , this is the perfect book for you.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Riptide Rumors is the second book in the Shady Oak Cove series by Melody Carlson. It was nice to see reoccurring characters as their lives move forward. Anne is still a strong heroine, but in this book, we are reading more about Katy, her daughter, as she begins to spread her wings and prepare to own and take care of her own dress shop. The plot had a little bit of mystery and numerous twists with romance for Anne and Katy. While I was invested in the plot and the goings on in the character’s lives, the romance could have been taken out, but I’m sure it needs to be there to round out the story. I really can’t wait to see what happens between Anne and Dr. Daniel. There romance has been blooming since the beginning of the series, and I can’t wait to see it come to reality. Overall, Riptide Rumors is an okay story if you read the first story, Harbored Secrets, but would I pick up the story by itself, probably not. It was just okay. Not really original or unpredictable.
I received a complimentary copy of Riptide Rumors by Melody Carlson through Celebrate Lit tours, but the opinions stated are all my own.
This is book 2 in The Legacy of Sunset Cove series and picks up right where the first book, Harbor Secrets, left off. So it’s best to read Harbor Secrets first before reading this book since this book relies on the plot and characters from the first book to build momentum and expand the original plot.
Sunset Cove is a small coastal town in Oregon that is heavily involved in alcohol making and distributing during 1916 Prohibition Era. Anna, the town newspaper’s editor-in-chief, is determined to bring down those who are illegally producing and distributing alcohol, especially when the current mayor and the local police chief’s protege are suspected to be involved. There are multiple subplots, like Anna’s daughter Katy’s dream of becoming an elite dressmaker, Anna’s divorced parents once again drawing closer, as well as romantic interests for both Anna and Katy, in addition to the mystery, suspense, and excitement involving the rum runners. The plot is well-crafted and the author’s writing style is easy to read. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will certainly enjoy this book.
I received a copy of the book from WhiteFire Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Riptide Rumors is second in The Legacy of Sunset Cove series, and is even better than the first, Harbor Secrets. I enjoyed getting to better know the endearing, engaging, well-defined characters. The mystery regarding the rumrunners during the Prohibition continues with new twists, and the war in Europe escalates with rumors that the US will soon be involved. The mayoral election nears, with the incumbent still loudly anti-Prohibition, and his opponent proudly for it. Within the McDowell family, Anna’s daughter Katy wants to test out of high school, forget college, and start her dress-designing career in partnership with Anna’s mother. There are imminent riptides on every front in Anna’s life, and only the Lord can keep her stable in the storm.
As editor-in-chief of the family newspaper since her father’s stroke, Anna has her hands full. Men in the early 20th century do not yet accept women in journalism, especially in management. Some of the staff at The Sunset Times is no exception. She proves herself as capable and knowledgeable, and even some with the diehard “men’s club” attitude begin working well with her.
The husband of one of Anna’s childhood friends broke out of jail where he was being held for rumrunning. Whoever helped him escape used dynamite to blast out a wall of his cell. His teenage son is held in another part of the jail and fears for his father’s well-being from those who helped him escape. Some would wish to keep him from sharing anything he knows to reduce his own charges.
Katy, Anna’s teen daughter, has been successfully managing Wally’s campaign to become mayor, but Calvin, the current mayor, is spreading lies about him that requires all her abilities to thwart. As the high school in Sunset Cove is so far behind the one she attended in Portland before they moved, she wants to take the equivalency test and get her diploma. She dreams of being a dress designer, and her grandmother encourages her talent, despite Anna’s dream of Katy going to college. Katy longs to see the great designers in Paris, but the war leaves that as a future dream.
I like Anna! She is a woman of faith and depth, and I got to know her much better, this time in relation to balancing work and family time and wanting to regain the closeness she and Katy had until recently. Anna also struggles with her relationship with her mother despite now knowing both sides of why she left when Anna was a child. The three men who have vied for her time begin to have changing relationships with her and with others.
I am very pleased and enthusiastic about how this novel, and series progresses! Even when it isn’t safe, Anna continues to do what she can to help solve the problems, including even murder. Watching her trying to accept her daughter’s choices and her mother’s actions is inspiring, especially on the heels of the extensive changes in her her relationship with her father in Harbor Secrets. I highly recommend this novel to fans of this series and the author, all who appreciate very well-written Christian women’s fiction, particularly that which occurs during the Great War.
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this from CelebrateLit, and this is my honest review.