What do you think?
Rate this book
Jazz Age #4
River Rising
When nurse April Asbury arrives in Fertile, Missouri, she's looking forward to life in this picturesque town. But while Fertile might seem as pristine as April's starched white uniforms, it's anything but. Soon the spunky blonde is fighting her attraction to Joe Jones, who has "heartbreaker" written all over him; staring down malicious gossips; and fending off a suitor who's up to no good.
In a town where tensions are rising faster than the river, and a widow schemes for her revenge, April must hang on tight to the man she loves...if they're both to survive.
In a town where tensions are rising faster than the river, and a widow schemes for her revenge, April must hang on tight to the man she loves...if they're both to survive.
388 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2004
29 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Garlock
86 books382 followersDorothy Garlock was a best-selling American author of over 60 historical romance novels, most of them set in the American West. More than 20 million copies of her books are in print, in 18 languages. Her books have been on the New York Times best seller list seven times. She was named one of the 10 most popular writers of women's fiction four years in a row, from 1985-1988. In 1997, she was awarded the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award. Garlock is also a member of the Romance Writers Hall of Fame.
Garlock worked as an editor, agent and publicist for most of her writing career. She was a native of Texas who grew up in Oklahoma then married and moved to Iowa. Garlock donated many of her manuscripts and other unpublished writings to the University of Iowa libraries.
Pen names include:
Johanna Phillips
Dorothy Phillips
Dorothy Glenn
Garlock worked as an editor, agent and publicist for most of her writing career. She was a native of Texas who grew up in Oklahoma then married and moved to Iowa. Garlock donated many of her manuscripts and other unpublished writings to the University of Iowa libraries.
Pen names include:
Johanna Phillips
Dorothy Phillips
Dorothy Glenn
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 22, 2012
Love the sense of humor in this book, my favorite of Garlock's books.
June 30, 2021
Mercedes says: I loved the books especially the part at the end where they told us what happened after. *she looks at me* What's it called again? *I laugh* 'the epilogue' *She nods her head enthusiastically* Yeah that was my favorite part!
We both agree that its a full 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 stars.
Here's why I feel this way.
The book is very detailed almost too detailed for me but not quite. I love hearing about how things were back in the early 1900's. This book has so much info in it I couldn't resist reading it to her every chance we got. Yes there are scenes most parents would shun their kids from, however they were mostly fade to black scenes.
We both agree that its a full 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 stars.
Here's why I feel this way.
The book is very detailed almost too detailed for me but not quite. I love hearing about how things were back in the early 1900's. This book has so much info in it I couldn't resist reading it to her every chance we got. Yes there are scenes most parents would shun their kids from, however they were mostly fade to black scenes.
May 9, 2017
I enjoyed the story. I wasn't as pulled in by the plot as I was with the first story I read by Garlock. I thought the characters weren't quite as well developed (the new ones, I mean), as previous books. Still, the plot was interesting and I liked it.
May 16, 2017
A decent romance story. I always like a happy ending.
April 8, 2018
A quick read without a nice plot.....a little mystery....and some romance makes a good read...sharon Peterson.
July 9, 2021
Story of a simpler time. Set in early depression middle America. Nurse April finds love and her doctor leaves town to find his.
April 24, 2022
Great story - funny, comical
June 22, 2022
Loved the series!
Enjoyed all four books in the series. Truly loved this one. Tied up the series with a nice neat bow.
Enjoyed all four books in the series. Truly loved this one. Tied up the series with a nice neat bow.
January 26, 2011
I wasn't even aware there was a fourth book in the Missouri series, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the next Garlock novel I chose happened to be it. While there are references to the previous three books in this novel, it is not necessary to read them as there was enough detail provided to read this one as a standalone.
April Ashbury has just moved to Fertile, Missouri to start her job as nurse and assistant to the local doctor. Unfortunately though, its raining hard and her car gets stuck in the mud. She sludges her way through the mud and ends up on the doorstep of Joe Jones, a handsome local farmer. Joe takes an instant liking to her and sets about pursuing her, but he has a lot of competition. Several of the men are charmed by this new nurse and make special trips to the doctors with "ailments" to be treated.
There are other worse things going on the town than friendly competition however. Malicious gossips, heated rivalries, and a flood threatens the normally peaceful town of Fertile. April and Joe are in the thick of it and it could cause them to question the feelings they have for each other. Not to mention April has a stalker to contend with as well, even if she doesn't know it.
The characters in this are mostly charming. There are of course some evil terrible people as well, but Garlock includes some "grey" characters as well which is nice compared to some of her earlier stories. April was likable and there was good chemistry with her and Joe. Some of the other characters could use some more detail, but it wasn't anything so glaring as to take away from the story.
Garlock's writing is always colorful and interesting. She doesn't leave any of the squeamish bits out. There is sex, violence, rape, etc. and caution should be used if you are offended by these things and read Garlock. Her dialogue is always witty and while I can never picture real people saying some of the things her character's say but its extremely entertaining.
It was a good book and a nice continuation of the story. There were some crazy hard to believe aspects of the plot, but overall it was a a great story. I'm definitely going to go check if there's a fifth book in the series.
River Rising
Copyright 2005
388 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2010
April Ashbury has just moved to Fertile, Missouri to start her job as nurse and assistant to the local doctor. Unfortunately though, its raining hard and her car gets stuck in the mud. She sludges her way through the mud and ends up on the doorstep of Joe Jones, a handsome local farmer. Joe takes an instant liking to her and sets about pursuing her, but he has a lot of competition. Several of the men are charmed by this new nurse and make special trips to the doctors with "ailments" to be treated.
There are other worse things going on the town than friendly competition however. Malicious gossips, heated rivalries, and a flood threatens the normally peaceful town of Fertile. April and Joe are in the thick of it and it could cause them to question the feelings they have for each other. Not to mention April has a stalker to contend with as well, even if she doesn't know it.
The characters in this are mostly charming. There are of course some evil terrible people as well, but Garlock includes some "grey" characters as well which is nice compared to some of her earlier stories. April was likable and there was good chemistry with her and Joe. Some of the other characters could use some more detail, but it wasn't anything so glaring as to take away from the story.
Garlock's writing is always colorful and interesting. She doesn't leave any of the squeamish bits out. There is sex, violence, rape, etc. and caution should be used if you are offended by these things and read Garlock. Her dialogue is always witty and while I can never picture real people saying some of the things her character's say but its extremely entertaining.
It was a good book and a nice continuation of the story. There were some crazy hard to believe aspects of the plot, but overall it was a a great story. I'm definitely going to go check if there's a fifth book in the series.
River Rising
Copyright 2005
388 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2010
June 7, 2019
This is the final book of the Jazz Age Series. This story takes place in Fertile, Missouri, where April Ashbury has come to work as a nurse to the town's doctor. The local farmer, Joe Jones, rescues April when her car gets stuck in the mud (while traveling to Fertile).
He's instantly interested in the town's newest citizen but has lots of competition from the local males. Joe is so friendly that he comes across as a flirt and that is something April is not looking for in a mate.
The citizens of the small town run the gamut from helpful and friendly to sneaky and sinister. The author brings them to life, as only Dorothy Garlock can.
I found there to be s few difficult-to-believe spots in the story; otherwise, I enjoyed this fourth book a great deal.
Jazz Age Series
1) The Edge of Town (2001)
2) High on a Hill (2002)
3) A Place Called Rainwater (2003)
**4) River Rising (2005)
He's instantly interested in the town's newest citizen but has lots of competition from the local males. Joe is so friendly that he comes across as a flirt and that is something April is not looking for in a mate.
The citizens of the small town run the gamut from helpful and friendly to sneaky and sinister. The author brings them to life, as only Dorothy Garlock can.
I found there to be s few difficult-to-believe spots in the story; otherwise, I enjoyed this fourth book a great deal.
Jazz Age Series
1) The Edge of Town (2001)
2) High on a Hill (2002)
3) A Place Called Rainwater (2003)
**4) River Rising (2005)
January 31, 2017
I felt like I lived in Fertile for a few weeks . The story line was nice with out a lot of repetitiveness.
A little romance but not mushy . I did find that I could not wait to get back to reading it . The Jones family were a loving well liked bunch . The nurse fit right in . I enjoyed the story .
A little romance but not mushy . I did find that I could not wait to get back to reading it . The Jones family were a loving well liked bunch . The nurse fit right in . I enjoyed the story .
April 16, 2008
I bought this book at the library for $0.33. I think I got my money's worth, but not much more.
March 16, 2009
I really enjoyed this whole series from Dorothy Garlock. Kind of predictable, but still enjoyable reading.
October 5, 2010
This book had the grossest, creepiest B plot ever. And the A plot was nothing to write home about. Blech.
August 8, 2012
A quick read with charming characters but sinister element underneath left me feeling icky. I felt there were several actions/thoughts that didn't seem plausible for Depression-era in the South.
November 13, 2012
This was a first Garlock read for me. I enjoyed the humor in it, and the story was great. I wasnt impressed with the scandal-it kind of creeped me out, but I did love the lines and humor
January 26, 2013
Love her books. Lot of them set in the 1930's.
April 3, 2013
This whole series was an excellent read. Highly recommend reading. I kind of want more, with the stories of the other siblings.
August 7, 2015
Dorothy Garlock's books are a favorite of mine. I liked knowing about all the characters in the series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2017
Good, fast paced story with drama and humour
March 26, 2025
Excellent book. Looking forward to going back and reading the previous books.
March 10, 2008
Another one is the Jones Family Stories. This one is about Joe and Jack. Another great read.
Read
August 28, 2008F Gar
May 26, 2010
easy fun read
I have loved all her books about the depresson era
I have loved all her books about the depresson era
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews