Mermaid Moon Book Review

Sunset Cove Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  Mallory's mother died fifteen years ago.  But her father's last words on the phone were unmistakable:  "Find . . . mother."

     Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn't have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point.

     Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O'Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions.  But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search.  She broke his heart and left - without a word - years ago.

     When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life - and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie - their search intensifies.  There's a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye.

     As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father's killer - it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin.  She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

REVIEW:  Colleen Coble's latest novel will keep you guessing right until the end.  The twists and turns had me rereading the last few chapters a second time to make sure I understood everything that had happened, who was behind it and why.  There were a few people who I thought might be involved that weren't crucial and a couple I considered minor characters ended up being a major part after all.  Sometimes, though, I wished I had a list of everyone in the story, what kind of work they did, and their relation to the characters.  There were times when I had to put the book down for a day or so and when I came back, I needed help sorting out who everyone was and their relevance.
     This was an enjoyable book that helped keep my deductive reasoning skills busy.  If you like suspense along with a little romance, this book might be for you.

This book was provided by Fiction Guild and Thomas Nelson Publishers 

for review without compensation.

Colleen Coble is a RITA finalist and the the author of several bestselling romantic suspense novels, including Tidewater Inn, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com, on Twitter at @colleencoble and Facebook at colleencoblebooks.

All Is Calm All Is Bright Book Review

Two Christmas Novellas

SUMMARY:  Return to two of Colleen Coble's most beloved settings - Bluebird Ranch and Hope Beach - for holiday romance and mystery!

ALL IS CALM

It's going to be an unexpectedly romantic Christmas at Bluebird Ranch.

     Brendan Waddell has always considered Bluebird Ranch a little piece of heaven: an idyllic ranch that pairs abused children with abused horses, run by one of his Marine buddies.  Now, it seems just the place to spend Christmas recovering from an on-the-job injury.
     Lauren Everman first came to the ranch as a foster kid, but now knows it's the perfect hideout.  As the witness to a murder, Lauren needs somewhere to lie low.  Her beauty immediately catches Brendan's attention - but so does her secretive behavior.  This Special Ops Intel man knows a woman on the run when he sees one.  Can he trust her, or is she putting the ranch at risk?  One thing is certain: he's going to do everything he can to keep her safe so he can see what magic Christmas brings.

ALL IS BRIGHT

A romantic Christmas wedding at Tidewater Inn gives Delilah's unique gifts a chance to shine.  
But will her light be snuffed out before the bride and groom say "I Do"?

     As manager of the Tidewater Inn, Delilah Carter has been planning a spectacular Christmas wedding for her friend, Elin Summerall.  But when Delilah's car is forced off the road and into the ocean, she finally has to admit that the strange phone calls she's been receiving lately may be more than just pranks.
     Sherriff Tom Bourne has always had a soft spot for Delilah, and he's determined to protect her.  He hopes to win her heart by giving her the surprise gift of a lifetime . . . but first he has to make sure nothing happens to her before Christmas Day.
     It's the season of miracles.  But will both Elin and Delilah get the ones they need this holiday season?

REVIEW:  If you like a little mystery with your Christmas stories, this book is for you.  Each story has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing as to whodunit and why.  I like how both Lauren and Delilah are concerned more for their friends than for themselves.  They both are determined to focus on their friends' events (children's Christmas party and wedding) than let the circumstances around them put a damper on things.  Even if you have never read any of the author's books about Bluebird Ranch and Hope Beach, you should not be lost.  Both mention characters from other novels but does an admirable job of explaining who's who when needed.
     There were a few things though that I wondered about.  Both are set during the Christmas season but neither really focus on the Reason for the Season.  A few passing comments are made about faith but it is not in the forefront.  Also, the timeline of the romances are very quick as both come to fruition in just a few short weeks, but this is a common complaint of mine.
     This is a pleasant book that I would recommend.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Colleen Coble is a RITA Award finalist and author of several bestselling romantic suspense novels, including Tidewater Inn and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series.  Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com.  Twitter: @colleencoble  Facebook: colleencoblebooks

Seagrass Pier Book Review

A Hope Beach Novel

Book Three

SUMMARY:  In a secluded corner of Hope Beach, one woman must decipher a stranger's memories . . . before they cost her everything.

     Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones.  Not only did she get a heart transplant, but the donor was a perfect fit.  A miraculously perfect fit.

     But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks - and vivid dreams of being strangled - she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart . . . Elin is remembering her donor's murder.

     Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention: from the press, from the authorities . . . and from the killer himself.  Now, living alone with her young daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked - by a man she's only met in her nightmares.

     The police are dubious of her story, but one off-duty FBI agent is eager to help her.   Agent Marc Everton, the father of Elin's daughter.

     Of course, he doesn't know about that.  Yet.

     Now, in a remote cottage on Hope Island, Elin and Marc must probe the secrets buried in her borrowed heart.  And there's no time to waste.  One man is desperate to silence her - before she remembers too much.

SUMMARY:  This was an awesome book!  I was hooked from the very beginning and stayed that way until the of the story.  The twists and turns of the story had me on the edge of my seat, turning pages until late into the night, trying to figure out who the murderer was and what the conclusion would be.  The idea of a heart transplant recipient with memories of the heart's previous "owner" was new to me but I really liked it!  I found it interesting that Elin took on some of Laura's characteristics: favorite colors to wear, how she took her coffee, that she even liked coffee, along with having some of Laura's memories, after the transplant.  The only thing I would add to the book would be more of a conclusion in regards to the map from Thailand.  Other than that, and even this is a very minor thing, this book is a keeper.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

 

Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide.  Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble's addictive brand of romantic suspense.

Tidewater Inn Book Review

A Hope Beach Novel

SUMMARY:  Welcome to Hope Beach.  A place of intoxicating beauty . . . where trouble hits with the force of a hurricane.

     Inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the Outer Banks could be a dream come true for Libby.  The inn cries out for her restorer's talent and love of history.  She's delighted to learn of the family she never knew she had.  And the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she's met there on the island could definitely be the man of her dreams.

     But Libby soon realizes that the only way she can afford the upkeep on the inn is to sell it to developers who are stalking the island.  The father who willed her the inn has died before she could meet him, and her newfound brother and sister are convinced she's there to steal their birthright.  Worst of all, her best friend and business partner has been kidnapped before her eyes, and Libby's under suspicion for the crime.

     Libby's dream come true is becoming a nightmare.  Her only option is to find her friend and prove her innocence, or lose everything on the shores of Hope Island.

REVIEW:  Libby is being bombarded from all sides.  Her business partner and best friend Nicole is kidnapped before her eyes as she is talking to her on a video cam.  Just before she disappears, Nicole tells Libby the dad she thought died when she was five had died recently and left Libby a historic inn on Hope Island off the North Carolina coast.  Libby also has a brother and sister she didn't know about who thinks she is only there to rob them of the money they would get for selling the inn.  A developer interested in the property the inn sits on offers Libby $10 million dollars to sell it.   As an archaeological historian who works in historic preservation, the offer seems like the only possible answer to the question about the large cost of upkeep but she knows the buyer only wants to tear it down to build beachfront condos. And, to make matters worse, she is considered the chief suspect in Nicole's disappearance and possible death.  Oh, and yea, there is a hurricane headed towards Hope Island.
     This is the first in the Hope Beach series and is great.  I liked the twists and turns the author gave the story.  Libby is determined to find Nicole and never gives up the hope that she is out there somewhere alive even when everyone else thinks she is dead.  Before he died, Libby's father Ray left her a note asking her to show grace to her siblings, which expands her faith and Christian walk even more, especially when they make her mad and try to make her life more difficult.  The twists in the storyline about Libby's family (and the connection between Nicole and Tina, Ray's wife) towards the end is different and pleasing.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

RITA finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several best-selling romantic suspense series, including the Mercy Falls series, the Lonestar series, and the Rock Harbor series.  She lives with her husband, Dave, in Indiana.

Lonestar Angel Book Review

SUMMARY: Eden's hope is rekindled when Clay delivers astounding news:  their daughter has been found.
     Five years ago Eden and Clay Larson's baby was stolen and never found.  Eden blamed herself, Clay lost himself in work.  Their young and rocky marriage ended.  Or so Eden thought.
     Now Eden's moved to a new town.  She's found faith and is trying to rebuild her life.  She's even dating again - a sweet guy who plans to marry her someday.  But then Clay arrives out of the blue and delivers shocking news: they are still married.  What's more, Clay has been searching for Brianna all this time.  And he believes he's found her:  their daughter is in Bluebird, Texas, at a youth ranch.
     To uncover the truth, Eden and Clay sign on as counselors at Bluebird Ranch.  Working together, they rediscover their love for each other.  But danger is closing in - Eden, Clay, and their young charges are in jeopardy.  As they fight to save their family, Eden realizes that God has been fighting for them all along.  And His plans are for a more abundant life than they've dared to hope.

REVIEW:  As Eden searches for her daughter, her past comes back looking for her.  The closer she and Clay get to figuring out which of the girls belongs to them, it looks like someone from her years in foster care or her "new-found" family is involved in her daughter's kidnapping and disappearance.  The story's ending is not predictable.  About the time I thought I had everything figured out, something changed.  The book ended in a surprising but awesome way.  This is a great book and one that kept me turning the pages, not wanting to put it down.

This book was provided by Thomas Nelson Publishers/Booksneeze for review without compensation.

RITA-finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several best-selling romantic suspense series, including the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series.  She lives with her husband, Dave, in Indiana.