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Spring Tide
From the award-winning author of Waltzing at Midnight...
Haunted by an unspeakable tragedy, ex-cop Stef Byers is headed for the Sacramento River Delta and her newly-purchased houseboat. Her plans are to get the craft seaworthy and then sail into the snaking waterways—alone.
Life for a veterinarian in Stillwater Bay is good. Jackie Townsend is fond of the quirky inhabitants and loves the natural beauty. The newcomer working on the dilapidated boat could become much more than a random acquaintance, but it’s clear that the moody Stef harbors a grim secret and wants to get lost in her pain, not found by romance.
The waterways of the Delta tangle and weave for hundreds of miles, hiding secret coves, serene vistas and fragile depths. But they are no match for the tides of a woman’s heart.
Haunted by an unspeakable tragedy, ex-cop Stef Byers is headed for the Sacramento River Delta and her newly-purchased houseboat. Her plans are to get the craft seaworthy and then sail into the snaking waterways—alone.
Life for a veterinarian in Stillwater Bay is good. Jackie Townsend is fond of the quirky inhabitants and loves the natural beauty. The newcomer working on the dilapidated boat could become much more than a random acquaintance, but it’s clear that the moody Stef harbors a grim secret and wants to get lost in her pain, not found by romance.
The waterways of the Delta tangle and weave for hundreds of miles, hiding secret coves, serene vistas and fragile depths. But they are no match for the tides of a woman’s heart.
ebook
First published May 15, 2012
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About the author
Robbi McCoy
16 books42 followersFrom the author's website:
I was born and live in Northern California equidistant between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Nevada mountains. In addition to writing, I enjoy hiking, gardening, cooking, and theater. I am employed by a major west coast distribution company as a computer specialist and web designer.
Having dreamt of being a writer from a very young age, I have published poems, short stories, and numerous nonfiction articles on topics ranging from cooking to computer science. In 2001, I compiled, edited and published Late Bloomers: Awakening to Lesbianism After Forty, a collection of coming-out stories. Combining my love of writing with my favorite outdoor activity, hiking, I co-authored a hiking guide in 2005 with my life partner. This was published by Gem Guides Books.
In 2008, after a hiatus of over a decade, I returned to my first love, fiction, and wrote a lesbian romance novel, which was accepted for publication by Bella Books. I hope to turn this new success into a long-term second career.
I was born and live in Northern California equidistant between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Nevada mountains. In addition to writing, I enjoy hiking, gardening, cooking, and theater. I am employed by a major west coast distribution company as a computer specialist and web designer.
Having dreamt of being a writer from a very young age, I have published poems, short stories, and numerous nonfiction articles on topics ranging from cooking to computer science. In 2001, I compiled, edited and published Late Bloomers: Awakening to Lesbianism After Forty, a collection of coming-out stories. Combining my love of writing with my favorite outdoor activity, hiking, I co-authored a hiking guide in 2005 with my life partner. This was published by Gem Guides Books.
In 2008, after a hiatus of over a decade, I returned to my first love, fiction, and wrote a lesbian romance novel, which was accepted for publication by Bella Books. I hope to turn this new success into a long-term second career.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 28, 2021
Average in every way, shape and form. Nor bad, just not good
May 20, 2012
After a terrible tragedy, ex cop Stef Byers makes her escape from her job and her colleagues. She heads off to the Sacramento Delta, where she impulsively buys a run down houseboat. Stef’s plans are to get the houseboat up and running and sail off into the sunset, just her and her dog, Deuce.
Veterinarian Jackie Townsend has lived in Stillwater Bay all her life. She loves her job, the area and everyone in the tight knit community. There is one thing though that would complete Jackie’s world, a woman to love, a woman that would love her right back.
When Jackie meets Stef, she wonders if she could be just the woman she’s looking for. She feels an immediate attraction to her. But Stef is moody, she blows hot and cold. It’s apparent to Jackie that Stef is hiding something. Will Jackie break through Stef’s tough exterior? Will Stef ever get over her past to allow herself to have a future with Jackie? The attraction between the two of them is definitely mutual, but until Stef can rid herself of her demons, neither woman can have the love they both desire.
Once again, Robbi McCoy has written a winner. Each and every book Robbi writes becomes my favorite of hers until her next. One thing that I like about Robbi’s books is, her stories are always so varied. The reader never knows what to expect.
This book is more than just a romance, yet follows a tried, tested and loved format, girl meets girl, they have problems and all’s well that ends well. It’s the process they go through that makes this story different and sets it apart from others. There is excitement, intrigue, love, passion and some wonderful scenic settings.
This is a book about tragedy, without being full of angst, and how to overcome it, forgive yourself, find peace with yourself and finally be able to move on.
The chemistry between Stef and Jackie really shines through. There is a wonderful cast of supporting characters, all really well developed, whether friends, family, goodies or baddies, they all do their part in progressing this nicely paced story along.
I found myself totally lost in this story, I was there in Stillwater Bay with everybody. I could almost smell and taste the crawdads. For an author to be able to get this across to a reader, it is in my opinion, a sign of excellent writing.
This book ended far too soon for me. I would have loved to have had several more chapters. Another sign of a well enjoyed book. This will join Robbi’s other books on my re-read shelf.
Veterinarian Jackie Townsend has lived in Stillwater Bay all her life. She loves her job, the area and everyone in the tight knit community. There is one thing though that would complete Jackie’s world, a woman to love, a woman that would love her right back.
When Jackie meets Stef, she wonders if she could be just the woman she’s looking for. She feels an immediate attraction to her. But Stef is moody, she blows hot and cold. It’s apparent to Jackie that Stef is hiding something. Will Jackie break through Stef’s tough exterior? Will Stef ever get over her past to allow herself to have a future with Jackie? The attraction between the two of them is definitely mutual, but until Stef can rid herself of her demons, neither woman can have the love they both desire.
Once again, Robbi McCoy has written a winner. Each and every book Robbi writes becomes my favorite of hers until her next. One thing that I like about Robbi’s books is, her stories are always so varied. The reader never knows what to expect.
This book is more than just a romance, yet follows a tried, tested and loved format, girl meets girl, they have problems and all’s well that ends well. It’s the process they go through that makes this story different and sets it apart from others. There is excitement, intrigue, love, passion and some wonderful scenic settings.
This is a book about tragedy, without being full of angst, and how to overcome it, forgive yourself, find peace with yourself and finally be able to move on.
The chemistry between Stef and Jackie really shines through. There is a wonderful cast of supporting characters, all really well developed, whether friends, family, goodies or baddies, they all do their part in progressing this nicely paced story along.
I found myself totally lost in this story, I was there in Stillwater Bay with everybody. I could almost smell and taste the crawdads. For an author to be able to get this across to a reader, it is in my opinion, a sign of excellent writing.
This book ended far too soon for me. I would have loved to have had several more chapters. Another sign of a well enjoyed book. This will join Robbi’s other books on my re-read shelf.
February 24, 2019
This was difficult for me to believe and embrace because first there was just too many secondary characters, dialogue and scenes that I felt were totally unnecessary. Second, the immediate attraction by Jackie just felt ridiculous... This is someone you have no clue about and bam bam... She allowed a kiss and she continued fantasising. Third, Steph character towards the end made her seem less likeable because it seemed like she was just a lost puppy seeking security not necessarily love.
April 29, 2019
Great story. I really liked and the characters too. I just feel the ending was a it sudden and the characters and chapters could have a bit more depth.
January 2, 2026
I love the service aspect that the protagonists provide in the community.
December 18, 2012
I really like Robbi McCoy's books -- they are sweet and light hearted and genuinely a pleasure to read. This latest foray is no different. I enjoyed it a great deal, and read almost the whole thing in one sitting -- three slight quibbles:
1. Jackie is a real glutton for punishment -- I'm not sure if it is the general dearth of lesbians in her small town but given how off-putting Stef is from the beginning, she really does not give up and it seems a little unrealistic. How likely is someone going to keep after a girl who is so rude and indifferent. Perhaps if it were more built up how like her mother Jackie was in this regard, or the fact that it had been a while for her, so she was really throwing caution to the wind, it would have been easier to believe.
2.the falling in love in a week trope has got to go. it drives me nuts -- why can't there be a slower burn to the relationship. They go out on a few dates, but the time frame is a little hard to follow; it could have been a week or a couple of months, it is really hard to tell, but it seemed pretty rushed between dating and falling in love. I did like that last phone message though -- even Stef expected it to be some sort of love declaration, and it was all the more perfect for not being so sappy and sloppy. Real love that lasts a lifetime can take a month or even months to build, its okay, it doesn't have to be undying love by the second date for it to be romantic.
3. it was a little racist that the one Hispanic character ever referenced turns out to be a bad guy. It would have been much more interesting if Jackie was wrong and it was another set of guys, then the robbery storyline wouldn't be so pedantic as a vehicle for curing Stef. But if it was going to happen that way, why wasn't the actual cop on the scene more involved? what was he actually doing between when Jackie id'd the guys and the store being hit by the robbers -- again it would have been much more interesting if the cop brought the guys into the police station and the store still got hit.
Overall nicely written with engaging characters -- I really did want them to get together, even though Jackie was a little too good to be true and needed a few flaws to balance out. Robbi McCoy is a great writer and I am glad to see that she is getting better with every new book.
1. Jackie is a real glutton for punishment -- I'm not sure if it is the general dearth of lesbians in her small town but given how off-putting Stef is from the beginning, she really does not give up and it seems a little unrealistic. How likely is someone going to keep after a girl who is so rude and indifferent. Perhaps if it were more built up how like her mother Jackie was in this regard, or the fact that it had been a while for her, so she was really throwing caution to the wind, it would have been easier to believe.
2.the falling in love in a week trope has got to go. it drives me nuts -- why can't there be a slower burn to the relationship. They go out on a few dates, but the time frame is a little hard to follow; it could have been a week or a couple of months, it is really hard to tell, but it seemed pretty rushed between dating and falling in love. I did like that last phone message though -- even Stef expected it to be some sort of love declaration, and it was all the more perfect for not being so sappy and sloppy. Real love that lasts a lifetime can take a month or even months to build, its okay, it doesn't have to be undying love by the second date for it to be romantic.
3. it was a little racist that the one Hispanic character ever referenced turns out to be a bad guy. It would have been much more interesting if Jackie was wrong and it was another set of guys, then the robbery storyline wouldn't be so pedantic as a vehicle for curing Stef. But if it was going to happen that way, why wasn't the actual cop on the scene more involved? what was he actually doing between when Jackie id'd the guys and the store being hit by the robbers -- again it would have been much more interesting if the cop brought the guys into the police station and the store still got hit.
Overall nicely written with engaging characters -- I really did want them to get together, even though Jackie was a little too good to be true and needed a few flaws to balance out. Robbi McCoy is a great writer and I am glad to see that she is getting better with every new book.
November 28, 2012
As usual, strong, entertaining characters and unique settings. This one was fun because it brought in some of the local flavor of the San Joaquin Delta. This is the third time Robbi has mixed a little crime novel in with her romance formula, which is interesting to me since I'm not a huge romance fan. The romance itself made a couple leaps forward that weren't entirely realistic to me, but it was enjoyable and I really liked the antics of some of the supporting cast.I'm still a little perplexed by a minor reoccurring phallic theme that I'm glad I didn't have to bring to a feminist lit class: knife throwing, zucchini, corn dogs? I'm still confused, but luckily none of that was integral to the story, which had a nice flow in keeping with the river theme. And I'm thinkin' I might check out the crawdad festival one of these years, an easier fantasy to fulfill than buying a houseboat.
March 7, 2015
I've read two Robbi McCoy books in the last week and this was the better of them (Two on the Aisle being the other). Jackie and Steph were engaging enough that I was interested in their story. I don't fish, and I found the constant references to it (and crawdads) a bit annoying by the end, also Jackie's quirky family seemed to be quirky just for the supposed entertainment value. Still, this is a fairly easy read, and the characters interact with each other enough that I believed they wanted to form a relationship (but not that they had fallen in love, what is it with lesfic that has all women falling in love in two weeks or so?). It'd be a good beach or rainy day read.
May 17, 2012
Wonderful story. Once again Robbi did it!!
October 4, 2012
Loved it!
July 22, 2013
Sweet story that lacks the depth of Something to Believe.
Solid writing though, so nice read for a day at the park.
Solid writing though, so nice read for a day at the park.
January 12, 2015
I very much enjoyed this book and would enjoy a series surrounding these characters. While I see why the book ended where it did, I could also see it being a longer book.
October 7, 2015
Absolutely loved it! If lesbian romance is your thing this is the book for you. Great characters in a wonderful setting. If the town was really like it is in the book I'd live there!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews