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Shifting Waters

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Mackinac Island prepares for an approaching summer of gorgeous coastal walks, carriage rides, and blissful nights of celebration -- and for the first time in her life, Cindy Swartz is ready for change.

Last autumn, Cindy's half-sister, Elise, arrived to the island with dramatic news that flipped the Swartz family upside down.

Around the same time, Cindy's long-lost son, Michael, also returned after three years away. He'd never told her where he went; he'd never called. Cindy doesn't know how to mend their relationship -- and she's not sure Michael even wants to try.

As the people around Cindy grow and change and demand more of themselves, Cindy finds herself re-analyzing her life and asking herself big questions.

Does her husband, Fred, even respect her -- let alone love her?

Why has she been so unhappy for so long?

What is her passion? Has she ever had one?

Is there more to life?

Dive in for book three of Secrets of Mackinac Island, that gem of an island between the southern and northern peninsulas of Michigan, where secrets have been kept for the previous forty years.

182 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2022

253 people are currently reading
83 people want to read

About the author

Katie Winters

123 books401 followers
Katie writes women's fiction and clean, wholesome contemporary romance. She looks to everyday, real-life family issues to weave stories of heartfelt emotions, love and loss, and everything in between.

Come transport yourself to Martha's Vineyard: an island of vivid blue ocean, white sand, and a lively community of locals, who celebrate everything from the bright New England summers to the cold, yet cozy, snowcapped winters.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
657 (66%)
4 stars
248 (25%)
3 stars
57 (5%)
2 stars
13 (1%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Pam Fleming.
1,045 reviews
June 14, 2022
Cindy’s story of looking for another chance. A tragic end to her first love Jeremy, leaves her as a young mom struggling to raise young Michael. She meets Fred and thinks he is her chance for love and a complete family. As time passes the couple become more distant and Cindy becomes estranged from Michael.

She meets off islander, Ron and throws herself into helping with the islands annual lilac festival. As she becomes involved in the festival, Cindy realizes some of her hidden strengths and talents.

Will she ever mend her relationship with Michael? Can she find happiness?

Thank you to the author for this ARC. This review is my honest opinion
Profile Image for Patricia Baxes.
3,050 reviews30 followers
May 3, 2022
Another amazing read from Katie Winters. How does she do it? I have no idea, but I hope she NEVER stops! Shifting Waters is a stupendous read that definitely requires tissues. I used them from the very first page…and continued using them until the very last page. This book is going to run you through the full gamut of emotions, and definitely makes your heart hurt. Such depth of emotions!

This book has it all: a terrific storyline; characters you love and some you love to hate; plot twists and turns that truly keep you wanting more; and the possibility of a HEA really touch your heart. This is a stellar read. It deserves all the stars we can give. Grab this book and read it yourself. You’ll want more…(I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book and absolutely loved it!) ❤️❤️❤️
410 reviews3 followers
May 1, 2022
Shifting Waters continues on Mackinac Island. The main character, Cindy, must face many trials in her life, starting in her 20's. After she has a son, Michael, she tries to improve her life and marries Fred, with whom she has a daughter, Megan. Their union deteriorates and Cindy's life is very unhappy. The wonderful lesson of this book is that it is never too late to amend your life. It does take courage and the help of family and friends, but it can be done. Cindy's story is very heartwarming.
Profile Image for Nicole.
589 reviews10 followers
May 3, 2022
What a beautiful story! I stayed up late reading b/c I wanted to finish! I truly loved seeing Cindy's transformation from young, traumatized widow to married mom, and then a single woman. Learning more about Jeremy and her past really helped to understand how she stayed with Fred all of those years. But seeing her confidence grow, her relationship with her children improve, and help her step out and be a solid single woman. I really can't wait to see where this series goes - especially with Megan's big changes and Michael and Margot's relationship. Loved it!
Profile Image for Kathy.
554 reviews6 followers
May 25, 2024
Finding the Life She Left Behind

The Swartz family once again is living in excitement brought on from their past. Michael and Cindy are finally coming together as a Mother and Son should; Michael and Margot are going to be parents; Cindy has left Fred and it has turned out for the best and Cindy has met a new friend, Ron who is helping her find the old Cindy. So many things happening on the small island of Mackinac Island. Read this series and enjoy the sorrow, but most of all the fun.
48 reviews
May 13, 2024
Another wonderful Mackinac Island story!

I've enjoyed all of Katie Winters Mackinac Island books. This main character was one of my least favorite people in the previous books but this book answered so many questions. I love this authors writing style and especially love the fact that she doesn't feel the need to pepper the stories with foul language or sex scenes. I'm eager to read the next book this series.
Profile Image for Pamela DeMine.
93 reviews2 followers
May 5, 2025
another stellar ending

Katie WIN ters, your books about Mackinac Island have captivated me. not only do the relationships keep expanding dinv, they're even more vo.p!icated. but you have a great way of in complicating them. I font need a scorecard. the reside US of the island d are truly u iwue. the Star, family holds the
Affinity to accept all after they consider it. now there's yet a other book? Ring it on!
1,625 reviews6 followers
April 29, 2022
Lovely story of Cindy and her life on Mackinac Island. From a tragic loss to a difficult marriage, we see Cindy’s journey to happiness and reconciliation. A definite page turner with lots of emotions spilling over on each page. Anticipating the next book with the folks on the island. I received this arc for an honest review.
Profile Image for Gwen Bowers.
27 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2022
Shifting Waters (Secrets of Mackinac Island )

This was a beautiful and also heart wrenching story about true love lost, and new love found. I loved every word of it. Thank you, Katie Winters for another amazing book!
Profile Image for Carol Rankin.
348 reviews3 followers
June 11, 2023
Shifting Waters

The story is full of good things happening! The main character is full of questions and doubt but she show her truth to the others! Highly recommended reading! It keeps you in suspense!
446 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2023
An awesome book that will pull at your heartstrings. Cindy has had a very hard life. She has suffered so much loss and heartache. Does she have the strength inside herself to come back to the once happy person she was? You must read this book to find out.
Profile Image for Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs.
1,959 reviews38 followers
October 1, 2024
4.5 stars

Learning to love again after a tragedy has to be so very hard. Getting to read Cindy’s story was eye opening and made me love her character. In the first two books she was my least favorite. The things we are willing to sacrifice and put up with for security.
114 reviews3 followers
December 22, 2024
Sweet story, HEA ending, what more could you want!

Although I really don't like some of the writing style of this author, I always enjoy her stories. Her descriptions are often ridiculous and silly but I ignore these annoyances because her stories make me happy.
57 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2022
good read

I really liked this book! Another good one from Katie Winters. Can’t wait to read the next one! A good beach read
69 reviews3 followers
January 14, 2024
Cindy

A story of the life, trials, challenges and joys as seen from the eyes of Cindy Starts Clemmons. Her life is, not easy, but she doesn't back down.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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