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Crystal Coast #1
High Tide
Where the sand dunes tower and the horses run free, a mysterious island may hold painful secrets of the past. Romance and suspense reach new heights in the coastal Outer Banks.
Claire Kincaid is drawn to a small town on the coast. As a wildlife photographer, she’s captivated by the scenery and the wild horses she finds on a nearby island. The breeze is fresh, the tang of sea salt tasting oddly reassuring. There is a familiarity, as if she’s returned home after years away. She yearns to find her estranged father, having heard he lives somewhere in the area, but feels most connected to him when she’s on the deserted island. While on a photo shoot of the wild horses, she misses the last passenger ferry back to the mainland and is stranded overnight with little food or water. Black thunderheads are already gathering out at sea.
Jeff Rhoades, park ranger and wildlife biologist, discovers Claire hasn’t returned to the mainland and searches late into the night to find her. But she’s anything but excited to see him. As they spend more time together, though, their complicated relationship grows confusing and their attraction to each other is undeniable. Though neither are in a position to acknowledge it, the chemistry between them intensifies, until he discovers intricate secrets of her past.
They can’t ignore the magic on the island—although lies and secrets revealed threaten to keep them apart.
This book has been redeveloped from The Search to High Tide. If you've already purchased The Search we thank you.
Claire Kincaid is drawn to a small town on the coast. As a wildlife photographer, she’s captivated by the scenery and the wild horses she finds on a nearby island. The breeze is fresh, the tang of sea salt tasting oddly reassuring. There is a familiarity, as if she’s returned home after years away. She yearns to find her estranged father, having heard he lives somewhere in the area, but feels most connected to him when she’s on the deserted island. While on a photo shoot of the wild horses, she misses the last passenger ferry back to the mainland and is stranded overnight with little food or water. Black thunderheads are already gathering out at sea.
Jeff Rhoades, park ranger and wildlife biologist, discovers Claire hasn’t returned to the mainland and searches late into the night to find her. But she’s anything but excited to see him. As they spend more time together, though, their complicated relationship grows confusing and their attraction to each other is undeniable. Though neither are in a position to acknowledge it, the chemistry between them intensifies, until he discovers intricate secrets of her past.
They can’t ignore the magic on the island—although lies and secrets revealed threaten to keep them apart.
This book has been redeveloped from The Search to High Tide. If you've already purchased The Search we thank you.
382 pages, ebook
First published April 24, 2013
50 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 9, 2022
This is my first Lori Hayes story. I fell in love pretty quickly. I have loved horses since I was a girl, so the horses' story intertwined with Jeff and Claire's is perfect. Really enjoyed this story.
June 10, 2021
It was a great book especially because it was about wild horses that isn’t a subject usually touched upon in mysteries !!
June 3, 2022
Intriguing characters and setting
I thoroughly enjoyed reading High Tide! The characters are memorable and came alive as I read. The setting and plot revolving around wild horses was intriguing. Best of all, it is the first in a new series!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading High Tide! The characters are memorable and came alive as I read. The setting and plot revolving around wild horses was intriguing. Best of all, it is the first in a new series!
September 20, 2021
Charming and sweet. A quick read.
January 19, 2022
Kept me on the edge trying to figure out the outcome. One of those books you know how you want it to end but until the last page you still aren’t sure. Great story. Recommend this one!
April 8, 2023
Love the horses!
Loved the story line. Give me a love story mixed with horses and nature and you got me. Can't wait to see what happens next with these wonderful characters.Enjoy!
Loved the story line. Give me a love story mixed with horses and nature and you got me. Can't wait to see what happens next with these wonderful characters.Enjoy!
July 14, 2023
Local author captured the beauty of Corolla and the wild horses that roam there.
Lovely story that will make you feel like you are there.
Lovely story that will make you feel like you are there.
September 21, 2023
I bought this entire series and thoughorly enjoyed it!
July 25, 2025
Such a heartwarming story! Loved the horses and the small town atmosphere. I read this for book club and knew nothing about Lori Hayes. I will definitely read her other books!
July 13, 2021
High Tide is a beautiful story of a young woman trying to find her father, her independence, and subsequently finds love and a passion for horses along the way. I love the way the author moved between the perspective of the main characters and kept the story flowing. It was hard to put this book down, which I rarely did! I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fantastic beach read, romance, and saving the wild horses!
October 23, 2019
I'm really struggling to read this book. I love romance books and I love horses, and when a good author combines the two, I'm all but in heaven. But the writing style of this author is not conducive to an enjoyable book. The conversation between the H and h is stilted and seems forced, I can't pick up on any attraction between the two even tho the author says it's there, and the h just seems to know everything without knowing why. She's a mess. If I can't make it to Chapter 8, I'm giving up. ARGH, so frustrating.
Update: just could not finish this. I was rolling my eyes every other paragraph. Very disappointed as this story line had so much potential, but the author could not deliver.
Update: just could not finish this. I was rolling my eyes every other paragraph. Very disappointed as this story line had so much potential, but the author could not deliver.
September 21, 2019
A captivating read!
This book was hard to put down! There’s so much going on; small town drama, romance, unusual family dynamics and of course the horses of Pony Island! I loved all of the mystery and trying to figure things out on my own. The book held plenty of surprises! I felt like I really got to know the characters and was sad to say goodbye to them at the end of the book. Luckily, they turn up in the next book in this series which I am currently reading! I can not recommend this book and Lori Hayes any higher!
This book was hard to put down! There’s so much going on; small town drama, romance, unusual family dynamics and of course the horses of Pony Island! I loved all of the mystery and trying to figure things out on my own. The book held plenty of surprises! I felt like I really got to know the characters and was sad to say goodbye to them at the end of the book. Luckily, they turn up in the next book in this series which I am currently reading! I can not recommend this book and Lori Hayes any higher!
September 18, 2019
Animal lovers must read 🐕🐈🐈🐎 !
Very enjoyable! The described surroundings of the island ponies was wonderful. Mystery, suspense and heart warming. Loved the parts with”Frank” so like my Leo 💜 The references to our spiritual saints in heaven is welcomed to read about.
Very enjoyable! The described surroundings of the island ponies was wonderful. Mystery, suspense and heart warming. Loved the parts with”Frank” so like my Leo 💜 The references to our spiritual saints in heaven is welcomed to read about.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews