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Red Tide at Heron Bay
Lauren Voss has a nice, quiet, orderly life running her grandmother’s Heron Bay Resort on the Texas coast. Three years removed from a break-up that left her ex―and her life―behind in San Diego, she’s adjusted to the slow pace in Rockport, seeking out neither new friends nor lovers. Vandalism at the resort’s clubhouse―and a cryptic message written in blood―brings Detective Harley Shepherd, with her obnoxious Hawaiian shirts, into her life.
A tragedy sent Harley Shepherd running to the sleepy fishing village of Rockport, where violent crime is rare. So different from her life as a homicide detective in a large city, she embraced the quiet and easy-going attitude of the town, determined to put her past behind her.
Was it luck or fate that had her catch a case of simple vandalism? The lovely Lauren Voss made no attempt to hide her dislike of both her―she reminded Lauren of her ex―and her Hawaiian shirts.
Was the vandalism a prank, as Lauren suspects? When a body is found floating near the resort’s pier, Harley is convinced it’s related. As the formality and animosity between them changes and a friendship forms, the women find themselves growing closer as a killer terrorizes the peaceful town they both now call home.
A tragedy sent Harley Shepherd running to the sleepy fishing village of Rockport, where violent crime is rare. So different from her life as a homicide detective in a large city, she embraced the quiet and easy-going attitude of the town, determined to put her past behind her.
Was it luck or fate that had her catch a case of simple vandalism? The lovely Lauren Voss made no attempt to hide her dislike of both her―she reminded Lauren of her ex―and her Hawaiian shirts.
Was the vandalism a prank, as Lauren suspects? When a body is found floating near the resort’s pier, Harley is convinced it’s related. As the formality and animosity between them changes and a friendship forms, the women find themselves growing closer as a killer terrorizes the peaceful town they both now call home.
Audiobook
Published July 20, 2021
57 people are currently reading
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About the author
Gerri Hill
56 books1,542 followersGerri began writing lesbian romance as a way to amuse herself while snowed in one winter in the mountains of Colorado, and hasn’t looked back. Her first published work came in 2000 with One Summer Night. Many more romances have followed, with the occasional murder mystery in the mix.
Gerri’s love of nature and of being outdoors usually makes its way into her stories as her characters often find themselves in beautiful natural settings. When she isn’t writing, Gerri and her longtime partner, Diane, can be found at their home in East Texas, where their vegetable garden, orchard, and five acres of woods keep them busy. They share their lives with an ever-changing cast of furry friends.
Her favorite pastimes include camping, hiking, birdwatching (though she insists she doesn’t wear funny hats yet!), photography, and cooking. She collects things nature offers, like an unusual pinecone, colorful rocks, or an abandoned bird feather. Dawn is her favorite time of day, the moment right before sunrise...
"I love the morning... the beginning of a brand new day. Because even things that we know are unattainable flutter within our grasp. In the early morning—at that cusp of a new day—everything is possible."
Gerri’s love of nature and of being outdoors usually makes its way into her stories as her characters often find themselves in beautiful natural settings. When she isn’t writing, Gerri and her longtime partner, Diane, can be found at their home in East Texas, where their vegetable garden, orchard, and five acres of woods keep them busy. They share their lives with an ever-changing cast of furry friends.
Her favorite pastimes include camping, hiking, birdwatching (though she insists she doesn’t wear funny hats yet!), photography, and cooking. She collects things nature offers, like an unusual pinecone, colorful rocks, or an abandoned bird feather. Dawn is her favorite time of day, the moment right before sunrise...
"I love the morning... the beginning of a brand new day. Because even things that we know are unattainable flutter within our grasp. In the early morning—at that cusp of a new day—everything is possible."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
July 18, 2021
3.75 Stars. As most WLW readers out there, I’m a big Hill fan. I will happily read anything she writes and I am rarely, if ever, disappointed. While Hill’s name on a book is enough to get me to read it, there is something about her crime/mysteries and or paranormal books that I can’t get enough of. While this was not one of my favorites by Hill, it still gave me that ‘I’m happy to be reading this’ feeling that her mysteries always give me. This was a fun read and good entertainment.
I loved the way this book started off. It grabbed me instantly and I knew I was hooked. The first half has the mystery going strong with these thrillers like moments and I absolutely loved it. I did find that the second half slowed down for me, but the first half was pure Hill gold.
I found that I really enjoyed the setting of Heron Bay. I’ve mentioned this before but I don’t think Hill’s settings get enough credit. They become such part of the story that you can actually imagine what it would be like to be there in real life. And while this setting might not have stolen the show like some of her others in past books have, it still absolutely worked for me. I think Hill pays attention to and uses settings in a way that not a lot of current authors do.
I did find that I had some mixed feelings on the romance. On the good side I really liked the two mains as a potential couple. I felt like they fit well and I liked seeing how their connection grew. Hill did a good job of writing an annoyance to lovers romance. The problem for me is that I was enjoying the intrigue parts so much that the romance felt like it slowed the story down. I think Hill did a good job spending time on both the mystery and the romance, but it was hard for me to really relax into the romance when there is this stalker like killer on the loose.
While this story had a few bumps for me, I still enjoyed reading it. I get this warm happy feeling when I pick up a Hill book and even with murder and mayhem it still remains. I think this is an easy one to recommend to Hill fans and for people that like some intrigue mixed into their romance. I enjoy her books so much that I am already looking forward to the next. I’m guessing the next will be a sweet romance, but fingers crossed for some paranormal for the book that follows that one:)
An ARC was given to me for a review.
I loved the way this book started off. It grabbed me instantly and I knew I was hooked. The first half has the mystery going strong with these thrillers like moments and I absolutely loved it. I did find that the second half slowed down for me, but the first half was pure Hill gold.
I found that I really enjoyed the setting of Heron Bay. I’ve mentioned this before but I don’t think Hill’s settings get enough credit. They become such part of the story that you can actually imagine what it would be like to be there in real life. And while this setting might not have stolen the show like some of her others in past books have, it still absolutely worked for me. I think Hill pays attention to and uses settings in a way that not a lot of current authors do.
I did find that I had some mixed feelings on the romance. On the good side I really liked the two mains as a potential couple. I felt like they fit well and I liked seeing how their connection grew. Hill did a good job of writing an annoyance to lovers romance. The problem for me is that I was enjoying the intrigue parts so much that the romance felt like it slowed the story down. I think Hill did a good job spending time on both the mystery and the romance, but it was hard for me to really relax into the romance when there is this stalker like killer on the loose.
While this story had a few bumps for me, I still enjoyed reading it. I get this warm happy feeling when I pick up a Hill book and even with murder and mayhem it still remains. I think this is an easy one to recommend to Hill fans and for people that like some intrigue mixed into their romance. I enjoy her books so much that I am already looking forward to the next. I’m guessing the next will be a sweet romance, but fingers crossed for some paranormal for the book that follows that one:)
An ARC was given to me for a review.
July 14, 2021
Mystery and love at Heron Bay.
I know Gerri Hill has written a ton of books but I've actually only read a handful of them. I skip over many of them as they are mystery romances and as a pure romance reader, those aren't my first choice. But I want to diversify my reads this year so I try to pick up mystery romances when a good ARC like this one comes along.
I like this book because I think it balances the mystery and the romance pretty well. Both are given time to develop and are interesting enough to hold my interest. The mystery starts with a cryptic message written in blood and then a dead body that could possibly be linked to it surfaces. There's some suspense in it and the mystery unfolds at a steady pace. This case brings Detective Harley Shepherd to Lauren Voss who runs her grandmother's resort in the quiet Heron Bay and a relationship forms between them in the midst of it all. The romance is a pleasant read despite both women having pasts as they help each other through them.
If this book appeals to me, it will definitely interest the mystery romance readers for sure.
I received an ARC from Bella Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I know Gerri Hill has written a ton of books but I've actually only read a handful of them. I skip over many of them as they are mystery romances and as a pure romance reader, those aren't my first choice. But I want to diversify my reads this year so I try to pick up mystery romances when a good ARC like this one comes along.
I like this book because I think it balances the mystery and the romance pretty well. Both are given time to develop and are interesting enough to hold my interest. The mystery starts with a cryptic message written in blood and then a dead body that could possibly be linked to it surfaces. There's some suspense in it and the mystery unfolds at a steady pace. This case brings Detective Harley Shepherd to Lauren Voss who runs her grandmother's resort in the quiet Heron Bay and a relationship forms between them in the midst of it all. The romance is a pleasant read despite both women having pasts as they help each other through them.
If this book appeals to me, it will definitely interest the mystery romance readers for sure.
I received an ARC from Bella Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2021
3.75 stars. Having read most of Hill’s books I can easily say I’m a fan and especially her mystery/paranormal romances are my favorites, so yes, I was happy with this new release. While I don’t think this is one of Hill’s best mystery books out there I enjoyed reading it. It’s a solid read with likeable characters and an interesting mystery.
The story is told as usual in third person with POVs of the mains, Harley and Lauren. Both MCs have escaped to the small town of Rockport for different reasons. Lauren broke up with her ex and returned to her safe haven, the Heron Bay Resort, that is owned by her grandmother and now managed by Lauren. Here she drowns herself in work in order not to think about her private life, let alone think about dating. Harley needed to get away from the big city and all the violence she saw there as a homicide detective. She’s happy dealing with small crimes in Rockport until a case of vandalism and a floating body near the Heron Bay Resort stirs things up.
Hill is a master in writing good characters and this book is no exception, I liked both characters, but especially Harley with her Hawaiian shirts moved me. At the start of the book I thought I was going to get a cocky detective, but she turned out to be so different from what I expected and I like being surprised like that. She’s still dealing with some things that made her leave the big city and she was actually far more vulnerable and insecure (and not afraid to show it) than I first believed her to be. A truly genuine and believable person and I was rooting for her and Lauren. Together they had good chemistry, not really in a “sparks flying” kind of way, but gentle and it went well with the mystery.
The mystery part was solid with all puzzle pieces falling together and some good suspense moments, but it started a bit slow (the mystery really takes off after 50%) and to be honest it did not keep me on the edge of my seat as some of Hill’s previous mysteries did. I think this was because there were no major plot twists. It still easily kept my interest though.
I did have some questions about the killer’s actions, the why was very clear to me, but the way they go about it didn’t seem to fit the killer’s profile. I guess I’m nitpicking now and I’ve just read too many crime books…..
In summary, both the romance and the mystery were a pleasure to read and I think fans of mystery romance books will enjoy this, recommend!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told as usual in third person with POVs of the mains, Harley and Lauren. Both MCs have escaped to the small town of Rockport for different reasons. Lauren broke up with her ex and returned to her safe haven, the Heron Bay Resort, that is owned by her grandmother and now managed by Lauren. Here she drowns herself in work in order not to think about her private life, let alone think about dating. Harley needed to get away from the big city and all the violence she saw there as a homicide detective. She’s happy dealing with small crimes in Rockport until a case of vandalism and a floating body near the Heron Bay Resort stirs things up.
Hill is a master in writing good characters and this book is no exception, I liked both characters, but especially Harley with her Hawaiian shirts moved me. At the start of the book I thought I was going to get a cocky detective, but she turned out to be so different from what I expected and I like being surprised like that. She’s still dealing with some things that made her leave the big city and she was actually far more vulnerable and insecure (and not afraid to show it) than I first believed her to be. A truly genuine and believable person and I was rooting for her and Lauren. Together they had good chemistry, not really in a “sparks flying” kind of way, but gentle and it went well with the mystery.
The mystery part was solid with all puzzle pieces falling together and some good suspense moments, but it started a bit slow (the mystery really takes off after 50%) and to be honest it did not keep me on the edge of my seat as some of Hill’s previous mysteries did. I think this was because there were no major plot twists. It still easily kept my interest though.
I did have some questions about the killer’s actions, the why was very clear to me, but the way they go about it didn’t seem to fit the killer’s profile. I guess I’m nitpicking now and I’ve just read too many crime books…..
In summary, both the romance and the mystery were a pleasure to read and I think fans of mystery romance books will enjoy this, recommend!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2021
Gerri Hill is a trailblazer among lesfic writers with dozens of books published in romance, mystery and paranormal genres. With maybe the exception of Chasing for a Brighter Blue, my favourite books by this author are the mysteries. So I was anxiously waiting for the release of Red Tide at Heron Bay.
This is an enemies to lovers romantic intrigue with the same emphasis on the love story and the mystery. Both characters are fleshed out well and have great chemistry together. Ms. Hill keeps their initial antagonism light so their eventual romantic involvement is believable.
As it's usual with this author, nature plays an important role in the story playing a role like a character itself and even allowing a contrasting background for the mystery.
Regarding the mystery, there are a couple of twists and turns to keep you turning pages. It's not Gerri Hill's best (my favourite is still Moonlight Avenue) but it's still entertaining. The audiobook is already out, narrated by the fantastic Abby Craden.
I recommend it to all Gerri Hill fans. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is an enemies to lovers romantic intrigue with the same emphasis on the love story and the mystery. Both characters are fleshed out well and have great chemistry together. Ms. Hill keeps their initial antagonism light so their eventual romantic involvement is believable.
As it's usual with this author, nature plays an important role in the story playing a role like a character itself and even allowing a contrasting background for the mystery.
Regarding the mystery, there are a couple of twists and turns to keep you turning pages. It's not Gerri Hill's best (my favourite is still Moonlight Avenue) but it's still entertaining. The audiobook is already out, narrated by the fantastic Abby Craden.
I recommend it to all Gerri Hill fans. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2022
4,5 ⭐️
I‘ve read most of Gerri Hill books and enjoyed most. So it‘s no great surprise that I loved this audiobook very much especially since it‘s narrated by Abby Craden. I‘ve yet to listen to an audiobook by Abby Craden which isn‘t spot on with the different characters. The MC and the side characters are easy to pic apart and the voices are very smooth.
The story had both romance and crime elements to it and was entertaining. Both the MC had different challenges to overcome to get to their HEA.
Recommend.
I‘ve read most of Gerri Hill books and enjoyed most. So it‘s no great surprise that I loved this audiobook very much especially since it‘s narrated by Abby Craden. I‘ve yet to listen to an audiobook by Abby Craden which isn‘t spot on with the different characters. The MC and the side characters are easy to pic apart and the voices are very smooth.
The story had both romance and crime elements to it and was entertaining. Both the MC had different challenges to overcome to get to their HEA.
Recommend.
July 26, 2021
I've given Ride Tide at Heron Bay a 4. Good, gripping storyline with plenty going on but it did seem to 'slacken' off at a certain part of the story, but the ending made up for that.
You can never go wrong with Gerri Hill book's. If you've not read a book by this author, you dont know what your missing out on.
You can never go wrong with Gerri Hill book's. If you've not read a book by this author, you dont know what your missing out on.
July 12, 2021
You can’t go wrong picking up a romantic intrigue novel written by Gerri Hill. This author pulls you into the lives of her characters, allowing you to look for clues while watching their relationships develop from strangers to friends to something more.
In Red Tide at Heron Bay, an act of vandalism brings Detective Harley Shepherd to the Heron Bay Resort. Harley has been in town for a year hoping for a less stressful job compared to her previous position as a homicide detective in San Antonio. She shows up at the scene of the crime wearing her usual loud Hawaiian shirt assuming this will be a simple case with the added bonus of a beautiful resort manager she can charm as she processes the scene. Manager Lauren Voss is not impressed with Harley’s cavalier attitude about the damages done at the resort and she really despises Hawaiian shirts because they remind her of her ex. When a message on a mirror (scribbled in blood) is found, this simple act of vandalism turns into something more sinister. Can Lauren move past her instant dislike of Harley and learn to trust her judgment? Can Harley put the clues left behind by the vandal together in time to discover the true nature of this crime?
I found the mystery aspect of this story more interesting than the developing relationship between Harley and Lauren. Both have returned to Rockport weighed down with personal baggage. Lauren isn’t always as forthcoming with answers Harley needs to solve the case and Harley is not willing to let Lauren know much about her past. This slows down the pace of the story but is essential to understand motive when acts of violence begin to escalate around them. While this is not my favourite Gerri Hill novel, I did enjoy watching this story unfold and enjoyed the thriller ending.
3.5 stars
A copy of this book was received from the publisher via NetGalley for review.
In Red Tide at Heron Bay, an act of vandalism brings Detective Harley Shepherd to the Heron Bay Resort. Harley has been in town for a year hoping for a less stressful job compared to her previous position as a homicide detective in San Antonio. She shows up at the scene of the crime wearing her usual loud Hawaiian shirt assuming this will be a simple case with the added bonus of a beautiful resort manager she can charm as she processes the scene. Manager Lauren Voss is not impressed with Harley’s cavalier attitude about the damages done at the resort and she really despises Hawaiian shirts because they remind her of her ex. When a message on a mirror (scribbled in blood) is found, this simple act of vandalism turns into something more sinister. Can Lauren move past her instant dislike of Harley and learn to trust her judgment? Can Harley put the clues left behind by the vandal together in time to discover the true nature of this crime?
I found the mystery aspect of this story more interesting than the developing relationship between Harley and Lauren. Both have returned to Rockport weighed down with personal baggage. Lauren isn’t always as forthcoming with answers Harley needs to solve the case and Harley is not willing to let Lauren know much about her past. This slows down the pace of the story but is essential to understand motive when acts of violence begin to escalate around them. While this is not my favourite Gerri Hill novel, I did enjoy watching this story unfold and enjoyed the thriller ending.
3.5 stars
A copy of this book was received from the publisher via NetGalley for review.
August 1, 2022
4,0 stars
As usual, Gerri Hill is an author who's work is automatically guaranteed to be good. She just has a talent for storytelling, setting the mood and location and creating captivating characters. That's why it's kind of hard to come up with a suitable rating.
Was this the best book she has written? Nope, it wasn't, it was one of her more mediocre works in my opinion.
Was it still way better than most lesfics available? Yes, yes it was.
I have taken this into account with my Goodreads rating scale, because Ms Hill is essentially in a category of her own:
A weak Gerri Hill book: 3 stars
A mediocre one: 4 stars
A great one: 5 stars
I'd give the romance somewhere between 4 and 5 stars and the crimi/thriller somewhere around 3,5. It felt a bit underwhelming. So 4 stars on average.
I'd seriously like to find out where the hell did the psycho learn to move like a ninja, avoid security cameras, avoid contaminating his crime scenes (rape doesn't tend to be forensically clean) and open locks without anyone noticing they were picked. That was the part that was missing there for me, the "how?". It would make it way more interesting.
Note: I appreciated the gaudy Hawaiian shirts, it made me laugh. I myself have a penchant for awfully colourful socks :)
As usual, Gerri Hill is an author who's work is automatically guaranteed to be good. She just has a talent for storytelling, setting the mood and location and creating captivating characters. That's why it's kind of hard to come up with a suitable rating.
Was this the best book she has written? Nope, it wasn't, it was one of her more mediocre works in my opinion.
Was it still way better than most lesfics available? Yes, yes it was.
I have taken this into account with my Goodreads rating scale, because Ms Hill is essentially in a category of her own:
A weak Gerri Hill book: 3 stars
A mediocre one: 4 stars
A great one: 5 stars
I'd give the romance somewhere between 4 and 5 stars and the crimi/thriller somewhere around 3,5. It felt a bit underwhelming. So 4 stars on average.
I'd seriously like to find out where the hell did the psycho learn to move like a ninja, avoid security cameras, avoid contaminating his crime scenes (rape doesn't tend to be forensically clean) and open locks without anyone noticing they were picked. That was the part that was missing there for me, the "how?". It would make it way more interesting.
Note: I appreciated the gaudy Hawaiian shirts, it made me laugh. I myself have a penchant for awfully colourful socks :)
July 23, 2021
In short:
romance: thumbs-up
mystery-slash-thriller: so-so
romance: thumbs-up
mystery-slash-thriller: so-so
January 7, 2022
4⭐️
You can never go wrong with Gerri Hill, whether it's a mystery or romance novel, I love them all. Red Tide at Heron Bay is no exception, even though it's not my favorite book, it's still very good.
I had some trouble getting into the story at first, although I connected with both characters right away. But the mystery part started a little slow. Around the 50% mark, the pace picked up and didn't let me go until the furious ending.
Somewhere on the Texas coast, charming Lauren and dashing Harley meet through a crime that happens at Lauren's Heron Bay resort. Not exactly the most romantic or promising of circumstances. But sometimes love brings two people together in strange ways. And the more that happens, the more they are drawn to each other.
I liked the way they talked and flirted or discussed with each other, but I especially liked Harley's humor. That both aren't too proud to show their vulnerability, I liked very much. The chemistry is sparkling in the usual Hills manner.
The romance is nice, sweet, and entertaining, despite the circumstances, and the mystery is captivating. Another solid and exciting mystery romance from one of the best.
You can never go wrong with Gerri Hill, whether it's a mystery or romance novel, I love them all. Red Tide at Heron Bay is no exception, even though it's not my favorite book, it's still very good.
I had some trouble getting into the story at first, although I connected with both characters right away. But the mystery part started a little slow. Around the 50% mark, the pace picked up and didn't let me go until the furious ending.
Somewhere on the Texas coast, charming Lauren and dashing Harley meet through a crime that happens at Lauren's Heron Bay resort. Not exactly the most romantic or promising of circumstances. But sometimes love brings two people together in strange ways. And the more that happens, the more they are drawn to each other.
I liked the way they talked and flirted or discussed with each other, but I especially liked Harley's humor. That both aren't too proud to show their vulnerability, I liked very much. The chemistry is sparkling in the usual Hills manner.
The romance is nice, sweet, and entertaining, despite the circumstances, and the mystery is captivating. Another solid and exciting mystery romance from one of the best.
August 23, 2021
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hill is a long time favourite of mine, and even though I’m more partial to her romances, her crime dramas are always well written and engaging.
This features Harley, a cop who moved to a small town after losing her cop partner during a horrible case. She meets Lauren, owner of a family owned resort after what looks like a break in. The two have great chemistry and are interesting characters together and separately. I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold, especially as they both had ‘baggage’ for different reasons and helped the other move through it. I also liked Lauren’s grandmother and Harley’s boss Brian and his wife Marsha, who I felt added to the story (and provided some of the exposition).
The downside for me was the ‘mystery’ since I found the bad guy to be telegraphed early and not particularly scary, even though he should have been, but crime stuff doesn’t do much for me at the moment, I think I’m just burnt out on all the crap happening in the world, so it may have just been my mindset.
Regardless, a Hill book is always worth the read, and this is no exception. 4 stars.
Hill is a long time favourite of mine, and even though I’m more partial to her romances, her crime dramas are always well written and engaging.
This features Harley, a cop who moved to a small town after losing her cop partner during a horrible case. She meets Lauren, owner of a family owned resort after what looks like a break in. The two have great chemistry and are interesting characters together and separately. I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold, especially as they both had ‘baggage’ for different reasons and helped the other move through it. I also liked Lauren’s grandmother and Harley’s boss Brian and his wife Marsha, who I felt added to the story (and provided some of the exposition).
The downside for me was the ‘mystery’ since I found the bad guy to be telegraphed early and not particularly scary, even though he should have been, but crime stuff doesn’t do much for me at the moment, I think I’m just burnt out on all the crap happening in the world, so it may have just been my mindset.
Regardless, a Hill book is always worth the read, and this is no exception. 4 stars.
October 29, 2021
4 stars
Classic Gerri Hill cop/crime thriller/romance here! I love when Gerri returns to the Rockport/Port Aransas setting in her books. She's had enough of them set there that it almost feels like going home. And then having Abby narrate them? Hill/Craden is as perfect a combo as Noyes/Craden!
As I was listening to this, it got me thinking about how much of the author herself may be in her work. I've been reading her books for decades and her characters are often loners, they regularly have strong relationships with their grandparents, they live for the outdoors and often move to a small coastal Texas town from larger cities. And they love seafood.
But while there is a feeling of familiarity in this story, there is also an interesting plot twist that keeps things fresh.
My immediate thought after I finished this was, "How the heck does she keep coming up with these crime plot scenarios?!" She's really adept in this genre.
At 7 hours and 16 minutes, it's also a perfect length for when you don't really have time for a longer book. Enjoyed it.
Classic Gerri Hill cop/crime thriller/romance here! I love when Gerri returns to the Rockport/Port Aransas setting in her books. She's had enough of them set there that it almost feels like going home. And then having Abby narrate them? Hill/Craden is as perfect a combo as Noyes/Craden!
As I was listening to this, it got me thinking about how much of the author herself may be in her work. I've been reading her books for decades and her characters are often loners, they regularly have strong relationships with their grandparents, they live for the outdoors and often move to a small coastal Texas town from larger cities. And they love seafood.
But while there is a feeling of familiarity in this story, there is also an interesting plot twist that keeps things fresh.
My immediate thought after I finished this was, "How the heck does she keep coming up with these crime plot scenarios?!" She's really adept in this genre.
At 7 hours and 16 minutes, it's also a perfect length for when you don't really have time for a longer book. Enjoyed it.
July 19, 2021
When I began reading published WLW novels, there were a few authors that really caught my attention. I found myself looking for these writers’ works, and snatching up any of their new books. Gerri Hill is one of these authors. In fact, she is close to the top of the list. It shouldn’t be a surprise that I would ask to read Red Tide at Heron Bay, or that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
This is a finely crafted romance/mystery and intrigue novel. The story is set in the small fishing village of Rockport, Texas with most of the action centered around Heron Bay Resort, a small cottage style resort right on the beach and run by Lauren Voss, one of the main characters. She meets Detective Harley Shepherd when the resort’s clubhouse is vandalized. At first, Lauren is not impressed with the detective at all. Harley reminds Lauren of her ex…and she wears unpleasantly wild Hawaiian shirts. The two are thrown together more and more as the initial vandalism becomes something much more dangerous and deadly.
The mystery part of the novel is well-written. The author keeps the reader guessing at the five W’s (who, what, when, where, and why), and even after we figure out the who, there is still the element of danger to the main characters and others. The romance fits well into the mystery as do the main and secondary characters. I could see the chemistry between Lauren and Harley even before they did. The setting is one of the best parts of the story, at least for me. It’s obvious Ms. Hill loves this area of Texas. It shows in her descriptions and her portrayal of the area in this book.
This author is highly skilled at utilizing “red herrings” in her mysteries to divert attention or make the reader question who the real bad guy is. This is what I expect from a good mystery writer. There was one red herring in this tale that for some reason was never resolved. The characters talked about it for a chapter or two, and then it seemed to just disappear from the story. The problem is I got hooked by that red herring for a while and felt like something was missing when it wasn’t resolved. I know that this happens in real life. I’m probably just being picky, but it feels like a loose thread that someone forgot to tuck into a piece of knitting or crochet. The loose thread won’t unravel the whole piece, but it can be irritating.
Other than that one instance, I had a wonderful time reading this novel. I recommend it to all mystery and romance lovers, and especially to those who, like me, love Gerri Hill’s stories.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections: http://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
This is a finely crafted romance/mystery and intrigue novel. The story is set in the small fishing village of Rockport, Texas with most of the action centered around Heron Bay Resort, a small cottage style resort right on the beach and run by Lauren Voss, one of the main characters. She meets Detective Harley Shepherd when the resort’s clubhouse is vandalized. At first, Lauren is not impressed with the detective at all. Harley reminds Lauren of her ex…and she wears unpleasantly wild Hawaiian shirts. The two are thrown together more and more as the initial vandalism becomes something much more dangerous and deadly.
The mystery part of the novel is well-written. The author keeps the reader guessing at the five W’s (who, what, when, where, and why), and even after we figure out the who, there is still the element of danger to the main characters and others. The romance fits well into the mystery as do the main and secondary characters. I could see the chemistry between Lauren and Harley even before they did. The setting is one of the best parts of the story, at least for me. It’s obvious Ms. Hill loves this area of Texas. It shows in her descriptions and her portrayal of the area in this book.
This author is highly skilled at utilizing “red herrings” in her mysteries to divert attention or make the reader question who the real bad guy is. This is what I expect from a good mystery writer. There was one red herring in this tale that for some reason was never resolved. The characters talked about it for a chapter or two, and then it seemed to just disappear from the story. The problem is I got hooked by that red herring for a while and felt like something was missing when it wasn’t resolved. I know that this happens in real life. I’m probably just being picky, but it feels like a loose thread that someone forgot to tuck into a piece of knitting or crochet. The loose thread won’t unravel the whole piece, but it can be irritating.
Other than that one instance, I had a wonderful time reading this novel. I recommend it to all mystery and romance lovers, and especially to those who, like me, love Gerri Hill’s stories.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections: http://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
August 28, 2021
Gerri Hill writes many books, and the ones I read I always enjoy. I skip some of the books because of the paranormal that the author likes to put in. I was very happy to find out this one is just a crime/ mystery romance. Hill knows how to write these types of books.
The mystery was pretty ok, decent, I figured it out rather quickly, or at least had an inkling it would be a certain person. Harley at first I thought was little over the top, I like how it’s called out by Lauren. Harley grows on Lauren and although I’d never expected a character like Harley to be likeable I never not liked her either. I thought she was just fun and maybe hiding behind this persona a bit, turns out I was right. Lauren is just cute and caring, such a lovely character. As with many of Hill’s book the show stopper is the setting, she writes about these places so well I feel like am there or at least have been there and seen it all with my own eyes.
The romance is nice, not the biggest fan of how they got together, but I like them together.
It’s a solid crime/mystery romance read, but Hill has written even better ones. I’m sure anyone interested in this genre would enjoy this book, 4.25 stars.
The mystery was pretty ok, decent, I figured it out rather quickly, or at least had an inkling it would be a certain person. Harley at first I thought was little over the top, I like how it’s called out by Lauren. Harley grows on Lauren and although I’d never expected a character like Harley to be likeable I never not liked her either. I thought she was just fun and maybe hiding behind this persona a bit, turns out I was right. Lauren is just cute and caring, such a lovely character. As with many of Hill’s book the show stopper is the setting, she writes about these places so well I feel like am there or at least have been there and seen it all with my own eyes.
The romance is nice, not the biggest fan of how they got together, but I like them together.
It’s a solid crime/mystery romance read, but Hill has written even better ones. I’m sure anyone interested in this genre would enjoy this book, 4.25 stars.
August 14, 2021
This was a good read. I’m actually on vacation in the same area this book discusses so that’s kind of fun. I enjoyed the crime aspect of the book. I usually stick to just romance but I’m slowly learning that mixing crime with romance is great entertainment.
December 15, 2021
I do enjoy a heart gripping crime story by Hill. I liked both MCs and would have actually liked a longer story where we see more of the two being a couple without the killer in the picture. It's obviously implied at the end, but I would have actually liked to read more about it.
September 2, 2021
This was another excellent mystery/romance by Gerri Hill. Harley's Hawaii shirts! I need to get some. I loved the interactions between Lauren and Harley. It's a great read!
June 6, 2025
Gerri Hill = automatic 5 ⭐️
October 6, 2021
Another fantastic read. I love Lauren and Harley together. I was very intrigued by Harleys past and was looking for clues as to what happened and how she ended up in the quiet little town. I loved the Hawaiian shirts and very much enjoyed Lauren’s ‘annoyance’ of them. I enjoyed the mystery and romance Hill creates. I wasn’t ready for it to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2021
Harley Shephard has only lived in Rockport for a year but in that time she has come a long way from being the broken woman she was at the first. Having lost her partner Travis, had taken a toll on her. Both worked In San Antonio as police officers and their last case involved the hunting down a serial killer that continued slipping away from them. Now here she was after taking up her friend Chief Carrington’s offer on a job in the small town of Rockport.
Feeling almost human. Fresh air, living by the bay will do that to a person. Harley didn’t miss the constant cases involving murder. Here she got light cases involving mischief, a few break-ins, nothing involving murder. That was until she got a call from Heron Bay Resorts reporting a break-in but when she got there she had a feeling that this was not the usual.
Lauren Voss has been in Rockport for three years now. She’s been coming for years to visit and help her grandparents run their resort but after finding herself alone after a bad breakup with her girlfriend she decided it was time for a move. Now with her grandfather dead and her Nana living in a retirement home the business, Heron Bay Resort’s was hers to operate. The idea of finding anyone to spend her time with wasn’t anything she wanted a part of. She was happy with her life. That is until someone breaks into the resort causing some damage.
Ms Hill writes about characters that you can’t help but like and root for. Great plot, nicely paced means another best seller for Ms Hill. Excellent read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bella Books
April 28, 2022
3.8 stars for me
Interesting thriller, maybe too much 80s style. I will read for sure more of Gerri Hill's books. I think I'll need something even darker than this, more depth and more into the jigsaw kinda labyrinth of the serial killer mind and modus operandi.
Some things left me wondering.
Loved the banter between Harley and Lauren, and I have a soft spot for Nana. And I always like how Gerri Hill perfectly describes the settings in every detail, flora and fauna alike.
I guess I need to check out Gillette Park?
The hawaiian shirts got me laughing several times. It did remind me indeed of Magnum P.I.
Interesting thriller, maybe too much 80s style. I will read for sure more of Gerri Hill's books. I think I'll need something even darker than this, more depth and more into the jigsaw kinda labyrinth of the serial killer mind and modus operandi.
Some things left me wondering.
Loved the banter between Harley and Lauren, and I have a soft spot for Nana. And I always like how Gerri Hill perfectly describes the settings in every detail, flora and fauna alike.
I guess I need to check out Gillette Park?
The hawaiian shirts got me laughing several times. It did remind me indeed of Magnum P.I.
July 7, 2021
Red Tide at Heron Bay is a well balanced mystery/romance. Harley Shepherd is living in a small fishing village on the Texas coast. She is a police detective who needed to get away from the big city and is enjoying the laid back lifestyle. She is called in to investigate a vandalism. Lauren Voss runs the Heron Bay Resort which is owned by her grandmother. She is put off by the cocky, Hawaiian shirt wearing Harley, when she arrives to investigate. The vandalism wouldn't be alarming except for a message written in blood.
Both Harley and Lauren are in their early 30s and very single for differing reasons. A lot of attention is given to their thoughts and emotions. I absolutely love the colorful Hawaiian shirts. Something that could have been a stereotype actually has deeper symbolism to Harley. And for Lauren, her change of attitude towards them is a sign of her growing affection. The warmth between the two is felt as they become friends. I think the playfulness in the relationship keeps the mystery from feeling too dark. There is some steaminess and I wish there was a little more.
The mystery part of the book is solid. The tension builds as the threats become more pointed. I like that Harley works with her department. The police work is fairly routine like running background checks and waiting for labs. That doesn't seem exciting but felt accurate for a small town PD. I would say the book is almost 50/50 in time is spent on the romance vs. the mystery.
I was genuinely thrilled to get the latest book from Geri Hill. I've been blazing through her many books during the last several months. This is for anyone who enjoys mysteries with a sapphic romance. And of course this is for fans of Gerri Hill. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Both Harley and Lauren are in their early 30s and very single for differing reasons. A lot of attention is given to their thoughts and emotions. I absolutely love the colorful Hawaiian shirts. Something that could have been a stereotype actually has deeper symbolism to Harley. And for Lauren, her change of attitude towards them is a sign of her growing affection. The warmth between the two is felt as they become friends. I think the playfulness in the relationship keeps the mystery from feeling too dark. There is some steaminess and I wish there was a little more.
The mystery part of the book is solid. The tension builds as the threats become more pointed. I like that Harley works with her department. The police work is fairly routine like running background checks and waiting for labs. That doesn't seem exciting but felt accurate for a small town PD. I would say the book is almost 50/50 in time is spent on the romance vs. the mystery.
I was genuinely thrilled to get the latest book from Geri Hill. I've been blazing through her many books during the last several months. This is for anyone who enjoys mysteries with a sapphic romance. And of course this is for fans of Gerri Hill. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2021
I stumbled upon Gerri Hill's writing only this year but I can't seem to get enough of her books. I enjoyed this one, but mainly for the setting and it's mystery storyline.
I really enjoyed the murder-mystery storyline, and thought this part of the story was developed really well. There got to a point where I knew I was near the end of the book but had no idea how it was going to end. This is my personal sign of a great mystery novel. The setting of Heron Bay really added to this storyline as well, and I could clearly picture the town and Lauren's resort, which kept me really engaged in the novel and story.
In saying all this, I have to admit that I wasn't particularly moved by the relationship between Lauren and Harley. For a good chunk of the book, I felt a bit weirded-out by the romantic side of this novel. Lauren did not seem interested in Harley at all, and she provided no mixed messages to Harley, but to me it felt like Harley just kept badgering her until finally Lauren showed a smidgen of interest. Then, once Lauren showed this tiny bit of interest, the relationship development then grew very quickly. It left me scratching my head a bit.
Regardless, I still really enjoyed this novel and will continue to read anything and everything by Gerri Hill.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the murder-mystery storyline, and thought this part of the story was developed really well. There got to a point where I knew I was near the end of the book but had no idea how it was going to end. This is my personal sign of a great mystery novel. The setting of Heron Bay really added to this storyline as well, and I could clearly picture the town and Lauren's resort, which kept me really engaged in the novel and story.
In saying all this, I have to admit that I wasn't particularly moved by the relationship between Lauren and Harley. For a good chunk of the book, I felt a bit weirded-out by the romantic side of this novel. Lauren did not seem interested in Harley at all, and she provided no mixed messages to Harley, but to me it felt like Harley just kept badgering her until finally Lauren showed a smidgen of interest. Then, once Lauren showed this tiny bit of interest, the relationship development then grew very quickly. It left me scratching my head a bit.
Regardless, I still really enjoyed this novel and will continue to read anything and everything by Gerri Hill.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2025
3.75 stars rounded up
May 30, 2022
Easy read. I liked the crime portion better than the romance portion. Call me jaded, I really dislike when characters fall I love so quickly, but I guess if this is the only time we're going to meet them the author figures what the heck they should throw a couple I loves you's around.
Overall, for me the 1st 1/2 of the book felt more interesting than the 2nd
Overall, for me the 1st 1/2 of the book felt more interesting than the 2nd
July 30, 2021
3.50 stars. Yet another solid romantic suspense by Hill. She focuses more on building the relationship between resort owner Lauren Voss and Detective Harley Shepard. Though I'd say it isn't as adversarial as the blurb advertises, they start their relationship off somewhat cooly. I liked that dynamic, especially since it seems like recent slew of murders in the town of Rockport, Texas are connected to one of them.
While Hill is a good romance author, I always enjoy her thrillers/ supernatural thrillers more. She does such a good job building the tension and escalating the sense of danger. Her antagonists in these books feel actually dangerous, too. In this one, it doesn't always feel that way, though, which was a good and bad thing. Because Rockport is a tourist town, the danger is that the perpetrator to all theses awful murders could just disappear themselves after they were done. But there are times when that sense of unease is dissipated a little too easily for me. At other times, that lull feels earned and when the 'surprise a bad thing' happens, it is a huge punch to the gut. I think it is mostly focused on Lauran and Harley flirting/ not flirting with each other, so sometimes the sense that there is something wrong is lessened as the women dance around each other, then learn each other.
Like I said, this is a solid above average read. It's not quite as tension packed as I thought it would be, but I am a sucker for Hill's romantic suspense/ thrillers, and this doesn't disappoint at all. It is not her best one, but then again for one of these Hill books, it is a high bar.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
While Hill is a good romance author, I always enjoy her thrillers/ supernatural thrillers more. She does such a good job building the tension and escalating the sense of danger. Her antagonists in these books feel actually dangerous, too. In this one, it doesn't always feel that way, though, which was a good and bad thing. Because Rockport is a tourist town, the danger is that the perpetrator to all theses awful murders could just disappear themselves after they were done. But there are times when that sense of unease is dissipated a little too easily for me. At other times, that lull feels earned and when the 'surprise a bad thing' happens, it is a huge punch to the gut. I think it is mostly focused on Lauran and Harley flirting/ not flirting with each other, so sometimes the sense that there is something wrong is lessened as the women dance around each other, then learn each other.
Like I said, this is a solid above average read. It's not quite as tension packed as I thought it would be, but I am a sucker for Hill's romantic suspense/ thrillers, and this doesn't disappoint at all. It is not her best one, but then again for one of these Hill books, it is a high bar.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 3, 2021
An enjoyable read with just a couple of minor annoyances. The first comes when we find out about Harley’s old partner Travis, this immediately sounded warning bells.
The author does this so Harley is initially concentrating on protecting Lauren, but from this point I was a little frustrated knowing this wasn’t the case.
Also the final confrontation wasn't well done, the author had Harley behaving like an idiot, dashing off into the night without even taking her gun. I’m sure she could have thought of something more convincing.
Overall I was happy to give four stars.
The author does this so Harley is initially concentrating on protecting Lauren, but from this point I was a little frustrated knowing this wasn’t the case.
Also the final confrontation wasn't well done, the author had Harley behaving like an idiot, dashing off into the night without even taking her gun. I’m sure she could have thought of something more convincing.
Overall I was happy to give four stars.
July 19, 2021
Love the Hawaiian shirts and the person wearing them. This romantic intrigue had my attention from the beginning. Detective Harley Shepherd, upbeat yet sad as she deals with the loss of someone close to her. Lauren Voss, resort manager, shying away from relationships as she continues to deal with a relationship that went off the rails. Both women "ran" to Heron Bay to heal. Little did they know that tragedy would be waiting for them right around the corner. I enjoyed the flirting and teasing. some of the comments had me chuckling and laughing out loud.
ARC provided by Bella Books via NetGalley
ARC provided by Bella Books via NetGalley
May 15, 2022
"Red Tide at Heron Bay" is the first Gerri Hill novel I've read in quite a while...and I can't help feeling a bit disappointed *sigh*. I absolutely ADORE the characters of Lauren Voss and Harley Shepherd, the interactions/back-and-forth between them is beautifully written; it's subtle, flirtatious and sexy BUT it ultimately falls flat (in the worst way). The book seems to me a missed opportunity, with the murder mystery featuring rather perplexing/questionable decision making AND a failure to share pertinent information between police departments...
March 5, 2022
Gerri Hill is a master storyteller; readers always look forward to her new books. Why? Because she’ s in a league of her own when it comes to blending romance and crime. Red Tide at Heron Bay is no exception. It’s the perfect mix of romance, crime, and drama. What’s more, it has a light-heartedness to it that makes it quite fun.
The story grabs readers’ interest immediately. Vandalism on Lauren Voss’s family’s resort prompts Lauren to call the police, and Detective Harley Shepherd is sent to investigate. Lauren is hardly impressed with Harley during their initial meeting and she promptly writes off her sleuthing abilities. Harley pays no mind to it though, setting up the tone for this romance perfectly. Readers immediately see they are in for some good back-and-forth, because the spark—it’s undeniable.
Relationship development is something Hill excels at, and it’s at work big-time with Lauren and Harley. These two showcase her knack for making relatable and likable couples. Readers need no convincing that these two leading ladies belong together. Lauren and Harley have baggage, but that’s what makes them so appealing. Lauren is cute but a tad serious. Harley is all charm and easy-going nonchalance. When the two interact, Harley seems to step in it, and it causes Lauren to bristle. Or eye roll. Or lose patience. Readers see it for what it is, though: a budding romance. And when Lauren and Harley see it, too? Well, that’s when things get interesting.
Final remarks….
Hill has written over 30 novels since she began penning them in 2000, yet her stories are always fresh. Red Tide at Heron Bay is another fine example of this. The storytelling is meticulously plotted and the romance is interwoven with intrigue, drama and mystery. Clever little clues are nicely dropped, making it all quite compelling. All and all, this is an engaging, entertaining read, top to bottom. A big thumbs-up all the way.
Strengths…
Well-written
Engaging plot
Fun romance
Likable characters
Entertaining read
The story grabs readers’ interest immediately. Vandalism on Lauren Voss’s family’s resort prompts Lauren to call the police, and Detective Harley Shepherd is sent to investigate. Lauren is hardly impressed with Harley during their initial meeting and she promptly writes off her sleuthing abilities. Harley pays no mind to it though, setting up the tone for this romance perfectly. Readers immediately see they are in for some good back-and-forth, because the spark—it’s undeniable.
Relationship development is something Hill excels at, and it’s at work big-time with Lauren and Harley. These two showcase her knack for making relatable and likable couples. Readers need no convincing that these two leading ladies belong together. Lauren and Harley have baggage, but that’s what makes them so appealing. Lauren is cute but a tad serious. Harley is all charm and easy-going nonchalance. When the two interact, Harley seems to step in it, and it causes Lauren to bristle. Or eye roll. Or lose patience. Readers see it for what it is, though: a budding romance. And when Lauren and Harley see it, too? Well, that’s when things get interesting.
Final remarks….
Hill has written over 30 novels since she began penning them in 2000, yet her stories are always fresh. Red Tide at Heron Bay is another fine example of this. The storytelling is meticulously plotted and the romance is interwoven with intrigue, drama and mystery. Clever little clues are nicely dropped, making it all quite compelling. All and all, this is an engaging, entertaining read, top to bottom. A big thumbs-up all the way.
Strengths…
Well-written
Engaging plot
Fun romance
Likable characters
Entertaining read
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