One Little Lie, the first book in Colleen Coble's Pelican Harbor series, is fantastic romantic suspense!
12 years ago
Showing posts with label colleen coble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colleen coble. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Review: "One Little Lie" by Colleen Coble
One Little Lie, the first book in Colleen Coble's Pelican Harbor series, is fantastic romantic suspense!
Monday, February 11, 2019
Review: "Secrets at Cedar Cabin" by Colleen Coble
Sunday, January 17, 2016
"mermaid moon" by colleen coble
Colleen Coble continues her Sunset Cove series with Mermaid Moon, a book that connects to The Inn at Ocean's Edge but works as a stand alone title.
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.
I wanted to love Mermaid Moon. I simply adored The Inn at Ocean's Edge, finding absolutely nothing to dislike about it. I wish I could say the same for Mermaid Moon.
Don't get me wrong—Mermaid Moon is a good book, and I enjoyed reading it. However, perhaps my expectations were a bit too high coming off of The Inn at Ocean's Edge. While the plot of Mermaid Moon is intriguing, I didn't have that "can't put this down for anything" feeling that I'd hoped for.
Had I not gone into Mermaid Moon with such high expectations, I think I would have liked it a lot more, as it is a good story. It's hard to talk about much without getting spoilerish because the novel contains so many twists and turns that are best discovered as you read. But I will say that I especially enjoyed watching Mallory's relationship with her friend and neighbor Carol develop throughout the novel, and it was nice to see Mallory connect with people from her past.
The story surrounding Mallory's father's murder ended up becoming very convoluted, and parts of it were hard to grasp, but I did appreciate the way everything turned out in the end. I also didn't feel that there was a really solid resolution to the story involving Kevin's ex-wife, and her presence in the story felt both convenient and unrealistic.
While Mermaid Moon isn't as strong as The Inn at Ocean's Edge (either from the romance or suspense angle), it still is an interesting story, and I will definitely be looking for the next entry in the Sunset Cove series. 3-1/2 stars.
See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of other Coble novels.
USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written several romantic suspense novels including Tidewater Inn, Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Her books have sold more than 3 million copies.
Connect with Coble: website, Twitter, Facebook
To move forward past a life of shame and confusion, Mallory Davis must go back to Mermaid Point to find out who murdered her father in Colleen Coble's new book, Mermaid Moon. 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.
Celebrate the release of Mermaid Moon with Colleen and a mystery e-reader prize pack giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of Mermaid Moon
- A Kindle Fire
- A mermaid necklace
- A pair of mermaid earrings
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Saturday, January 2, 2016
best books of 2015: top ten
Yesterday, I posted my "honorable mention" list of books I read in 2015, and today it's time for the main event: my top ten favorite reads of 2015! (Remember, these are books I read in 2015; a few were released in previous years.)
10. The Imposter by Suzanne Woods Fisher (my review)
Amish novels don't often make my list of favorite reads, but this latest release from Suzanne Woods Fisher is simply spectacular. Full of humor, romance, and intriguing characters, The Imposter also deals with problems within the leadership of an Amish church district, making it unusual and fascinating.
9. The Inn at Ocean's Edge by Colleen Coble (my review)
Colleen Coble is at the top of her game with The Inn at Ocean's Edge. I find that often romantic suspense falters on either the "romantic" or "suspense" part—but The Inn at Ocean's Edge has both romance and suspense in spades. It's easily the best book I read in the genre in 2015.
8. The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson (my review)
Hands down my favorite YA read of the year, The Golden Braid is a wholly entertaining retelling of Rapunzel. It's one of those books you could hand off to your preteen daughter with no concern, yet you'll fully enjoy yourself. I can't wait to read more from Dickerson!
7. The Lost Garden by Katharine Swartz (my review)
Easily my favorite book cover of 2015, The Lost Garden is beautiful and literary and gently romantic. I had never heard of Katharine Swartz before picking up this novel, but I'll definitely be watching for her work now!
5. A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade (my review)
It's no surprise to find a Becky Wade book on this list: I have yet to come across something she wrote that I didn't love. In A Love Like Ours, she gives readers two romances for the price of one: Lyndie & Jake and Amber & Will. Both are charming.
4. The Wonder of You by Susan May Warren (my review)
Another year, another Christiansen family entry in my top ten list. (It could just as easily be Always on My Mind, Casper Christiansen's story, on this list, but I decided long ago to only include one book per author on my top ten lists!) The Wonder of You tells Amelia Christiansen's story, and it also checks back in on Max and Grace, whose story began in It Had to Be You, which made my top ten list last year. I have loved this series so much, and I'm sad that it's nearing its end.
3. Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin (my review)
Sarah Sundin kicked off her new Waves of Freedom series with Through Waters Deep, a novel just as engaging as all of her previous ones. While I usually gravitate toward contemporary fiction, I have a soft spot for the World War II time period, and I don't think there's anyone who writes better World War II fiction than Sundin. The characters, romance, and plot of Through Waters Deep are all top notch, and I eagerly await the next book in the series!
I read the first three novels in The Everstone Chronicles in 2015, and while I enjoyed them all, I loved, loved, loved The Bound Heart. Lawry and Meredyth's romance is sweet, frustrating, and passionate. I started reading The Bound Heart one evening and stayed up way too late so I could finish it. Easily my favorite romance of 2015!
1. A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert (my review)
I don't even have the words to describe how much I loved this novel! Though it's marketed as a romance, I didn't find it that romantic, at least in the conventional way. Instead, it felt like a romance between God and His children. One of the themes of the novel is forging ahead with faith when life doesn't turn out as planned—something I think we all can identify with! I know I haven't done an adequate job of describing just why this novel is special, but take my word for it: you want to read A Broken Kind of Beautiful.
So there's my list. What about yours? If you posted a top books list this year, please leave a link in the comments so we can all check it out. And if you didn't, you could just list your favorites in a comment. I'd love to know if we loved any of the same books!
See my lists from 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
10. The Imposter by Suzanne Woods Fisher (my review)
Amish novels don't often make my list of favorite reads, but this latest release from Suzanne Woods Fisher is simply spectacular. Full of humor, romance, and intriguing characters, The Imposter also deals with problems within the leadership of an Amish church district, making it unusual and fascinating.
9. The Inn at Ocean's Edge by Colleen Coble (my review)
Colleen Coble is at the top of her game with The Inn at Ocean's Edge. I find that often romantic suspense falters on either the "romantic" or "suspense" part—but The Inn at Ocean's Edge has both romance and suspense in spades. It's easily the best book I read in the genre in 2015.
8. The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson (my review)
Hands down my favorite YA read of the year, The Golden Braid is a wholly entertaining retelling of Rapunzel. It's one of those books you could hand off to your preteen daughter with no concern, yet you'll fully enjoy yourself. I can't wait to read more from Dickerson!
Easily my favorite book cover of 2015, The Lost Garden is beautiful and literary and gently romantic. I had never heard of Katharine Swartz before picking up this novel, but I'll definitely be watching for her work now!
6. For the Love by Jen Hatmaker (my review)
The only non-fiction book on my list, For the Love was truly life changing, in more ways than one. The content of the book caused me to reevaluate several things in my life; the community that sprung out of the book's launch team also changed me. I'm ever so grateful for this book!
The only non-fiction book on my list, For the Love was truly life changing, in more ways than one. The content of the book caused me to reevaluate several things in my life; the community that sprung out of the book's launch team also changed me. I'm ever so grateful for this book!
It's no surprise to find a Becky Wade book on this list: I have yet to come across something she wrote that I didn't love. In A Love Like Ours, she gives readers two romances for the price of one: Lyndie & Jake and Amber & Will. Both are charming.
4. The Wonder of You by Susan May Warren (my review)
Another year, another Christiansen family entry in my top ten list. (It could just as easily be Always on My Mind, Casper Christiansen's story, on this list, but I decided long ago to only include one book per author on my top ten lists!) The Wonder of You tells Amelia Christiansen's story, and it also checks back in on Max and Grace, whose story began in It Had to Be You, which made my top ten list last year. I have loved this series so much, and I'm sad that it's nearing its end.
3. Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin (my review)
Sarah Sundin kicked off her new Waves of Freedom series with Through Waters Deep, a novel just as engaging as all of her previous ones. While I usually gravitate toward contemporary fiction, I have a soft spot for the World War II time period, and I don't think there's anyone who writes better World War II fiction than Sundin. The characters, romance, and plot of Through Waters Deep are all top notch, and I eagerly await the next book in the series!
2. The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall (my review)
I read the first three novels in The Everstone Chronicles in 2015, and while I enjoyed them all, I loved, loved, loved The Bound Heart. Lawry and Meredyth's romance is sweet, frustrating, and passionate. I started reading The Bound Heart one evening and stayed up way too late so I could finish it. Easily my favorite romance of 2015!
I don't even have the words to describe how much I loved this novel! Though it's marketed as a romance, I didn't find it that romantic, at least in the conventional way. Instead, it felt like a romance between God and His children. One of the themes of the novel is forging ahead with faith when life doesn't turn out as planned—something I think we all can identify with! I know I haven't done an adequate job of describing just why this novel is special, but take my word for it: you want to read A Broken Kind of Beautiful.
So there's my list. What about yours? If you posted a top books list this year, please leave a link in the comments so we can all check it out. And if you didn't, you could just list your favorites in a comment. I'd love to know if we loved any of the same books!
See my lists from 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Thursday, November 12, 2015
"all is calm, all is bright" by colleen coble
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.
Sheriff 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?
All Is Calm marks a return to Bluebird Ranch (Lonestar series). Lauren, who stayed at Bluebird Ranch as a foster child, returns on the run with her beloved horse after becoming a person of interest in a murder investigation. When Marine Brendan agrees to help her clear her name, sparks fly.
I enjoyed this novella, though the "love at first sight" nature bugged me a bit. (Nothing against Coble—it's a personal preference that I've talked about before.) Also, what I thought would be a major plot point (Lauren buying but not really buying her horse) never turned into anything—it just felt like a dropped thread. Still, I found the novella enjoyable; it's a great holiday read. 3-1/2 stars.
I came into All Is Bright without having first read Coble's Hope Beach series, so I felt like I had a bit of a disadvantage. I didn't know the back stories of any of the characters and had trouble keeping them straight at times. (I don't think readers will encounter the same trouble with All Is Calm—it's a much more self-contained story.) But the romance between Tom and Delilah? Loved it. Theirs was definitely not a case of insta-love; the two had known each other for a few years and shared many friends—just the kind of romance I like. I also loved the subplot of Delilah's missing brother, which had a sweet resolution. Overall, I loved All Is Bright, and now I'd like to read the Hope Beach novels. 4-1/2 stars.
Readers of Coble's Lonestar and Hope Beach novels will enjoy this return to the beloved settings, and new readers who get a taste of the characters will surely want to go back and read the series. These novellas are perfect for a cold winter evening. 4 stars.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Coble's Inn at Ocean's Edge (5 stars), Lonestar series (Lonestar Secrets; Lonestar Angel, 3 stars), Under Texas Stars series (Blue Moon Promise, 3-1/2 stars; Safe in His Arms, 3-1/2 stars), The Lightkeeper's Daughter, the Journey of the Heart series (A Heart's Disguise, 4 stars; A Heart's Obsession, 3 stars; A Heart's Danger, 4 stars; A Heart's Betrayal, 3 stars; A Heart's Promise, 4 stars; and A Heart's Home, 3-1/2 stars).
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.
Find Colleen online: website, Facebook, Twitter
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through The Fiction Guild. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Sunday, August 30, 2015
"a heart's home" by colleen coble
Isaac Liddle is keen to marry Emmie, and she knows she shouldn't hide the secret surrounding her pregnancy from him any longer. But before she can tell him her secret, a widower friend asks the impossible of Emmie: Will she honor her promise to his dead wife by marrying him to care for the orphaned baby?
With the Sioux Wars threatening outside the fort, Emmie's solemn vow threatens her happiness from within. Will she honor a promise sure to break her heart—and Isaac's? Or is there another way to find a home for her heart?
Colleen Coble wraps up her Journey of the Heart Series with a novella that ties up most loose ends and leaves the main characters in a good place.
Emmie and Isaac's relationship was my favorite of the whole series, so I really enjoyed watching them get their happily ever after. I'm also glad that Morning Song, Sarah Campbell's friend, got her own happy ending. I also appreciated that the hardships of frontier life—death, disease, harsh winters—were not shied away from. Not everyone had a dream ending, and that made this series feel more realistic.
I was a little disappointed that Jessica DuBois's story just sort of ended, and I expected Ben Croftner to make another appearance wreaking havoc, but instead the characters just heard about what happened to him. And Emmie's big secret—that she had never been legally married to her first husband—never came out at all; I assume she told Isaac at some point, but as this was a secret that she put off telling him for so long, I felt a little disappointed that as I reader I didn't get to learn his reaction. (I'm sure he would have taken it well—but there was just so much build up and never any payoff.)
Overall, though, A Heart's Home is a nice conclusion to the series. Though this series isn't Coble's most engaging, it is entertaining, and I expect that most fans of historical fiction will enjoy it. 3.5 stars.
See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of A Heart's Disguise (4 stars), A Heart's Obsession (3 stars), A Heart's Danger (4 stars), A Heart's Betrayal (3 stars), and A Heart's Promise (4 stars).
Read my reviews of Coble's Inn at Ocean's Edge (5 stars), Lonestar series (Lonestar Secrets;Lonestar Angel, 3 stars), Under Texas Stars series (Blue Moon Promise, 3-1/2 stars; Safe in His Arms, 3-1/2 stars), and The Lightkeeper's Daughter.
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.
Find Colleen online: website, Facebook, Twitter
A hidden pregnancy, a promise sure to break hearts, and a tragic loss at Fort Phil Kearny: Don't miss the gripping conclusion in book six, A Heart's Home, of Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart series. With the Sioux Wars threatening outside the fort, Emmie’s solemn vow threatens her happiness from within. Will she honor a promise sure to break her heart—and Isaac’s? Or is there another way to find a home for her heart?
Colleen is celebrating the final book release of her A Journey of the Heart series by giving away the entire series and the chance to host Colleen virtually at your book club, local library, or women's group to talk about the series.
One grand prize winner will receive:
- Books 1–6 of A Journey of the Heart series
- A chat with Colleen via Skype or Google Hangout
- A custom book-club kit PDF, featuring Colleen's favorite recipes and group discussion questions
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
"a heart's promise" by colleen coble
When Emmie Croftner discovers she's pregnant, she's unsure what to do. Everyone at Fort Phil Kearny, including her dearest friends Sarah and Amelia, assume she's a widow. If the truth—that her late "husband" Monroe deceived her, and they were never truly married—comes out, she may lose her friends, her place to stay, and the attention of sweet soldier Isaac Liddle.
I think I enjoyed this installment in the Journey of the Heart series more than any other so far. Not only is Emmie so wholly likeable, but there's good romantic tension between Emmie and Isaac, the plot moves forward quite a bit, and characters from previous installments make return appearances to shake things up.
Those return characters really add a lot to the story, and I think they'll continue to be influential in the final book of this series. When Morning Song, Sarah Campbell's old friend, returns, she brings with her two surprises that rock Emmie's world—one in a good way, and the other in a bad way. It will be very interesting to see how everything plays out there. The conniving Jessica DuBois, Sarah's husband's ex-fiancee, also shows up again, and her return is sure to make waves. Honestly, I'd love for Jessica to get eaten by the wolves that live outside the fort—that's not very charitable of me, I know, but she's just such a horrible person!
A Heart's Promise definitely left me hanging, and I can't wait to see how everything plays out in A Heart's Home. 4 stars.
See what others are saying.
Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of A Heart's Disguise (4 stars), A Heart's Obsession (3 stars), A Heart's Danger (4 stars), and A Heart's Betrayal (3 stars).
Read my reviews of Coble's Inn at Ocean's Edge (5 stars), Lonestar series (Lonestar Secrets; Lonestar Angel, 3 stars), Under Texas Stars series (Blue Moon Promise, 3-1/2 stars; Safe in His Arms, 3-1/2 stars), and The Lightkeeper's Daughter.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
"a heart's betrayal" by colleen coble
In A Heart's Betrayal, Emmie Croftner Courtney's life goes from bad to worse when she learns that her late husband had another family, and her marriage was never legal. Left with no money, few possessions, and the shame of being "the other woman," Emmie decides to make a fresh start with her friends Rand and Sarah Campbell at Fort Laramie, Wyoming. As a single woman, Emmie immediately attracts many suitors. But will anyone want her when the truth of her past is exposed?
Once again, I've written my own summary, and I've learned not to read the back covers of the books in this collection until after I've read the book—if you read the back cover, you may as well skip the book, as the cover copy gives away every. single. thing.
I did enjoy the beginning of Emmie's story; however, just as in the first book, which began Sarah's story, this novella feels like a set up to the main event. I'm definitely looking forward to watching Emmie's story unfold, especially as her love story with Isaac (who readers will remember as one of Sarah's suitors) progresses. And while I thought the twist at the end was a bit predictable, I can't wait to see what happens when Emmie explains everything to her friends. 3 stars.
Fun Fact: I love when I learn something when reading a novel. In this case, I learned that there were three Fort Kearnys. At one point in this novella, Rand is transferred from Fort Laramie to Fort Phil Kearny. The trek is described as north toward the Bighorn Mountains ... and I, who live about 90 minutes away from Fort Kearny in Nebraska, am thinking, "Fort Laramie is west of Fort Kearny, and it's as flat as flat can be around Fort Kearny." So I looked it up and learned that the Fort Kearny I know was named after Stephen Kearny, and Fort Phil Kearny in Wyoming and Fort Kearny in Washington DC were named for Stephen's nephew Phil.
Read my reviews of A Heart's Disguise (4 stars), A Heart's Obsession (3 stars), and A Heart's Danger (4 stars).
Read my reviews of Coble's Inn at Ocean's Edge (5 stars), Lonestar series (Lonestar Secrets; Lonestar Angel, 3 stars), Under Texas Stars series (Blue Moon Promise, 3-1/2 stars; Safe in His Arms, 3-1/2 stars), and The Lightkeeper's Daughter.
Find Colleen online: website, Facebook, Twitter
Emmie finds shelter in the arms of a soldier in Fort Laramie, Wyoming, but will her big secret drive them apart? Find out in book four, A Heart's Betrayal, of Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart series. Suddenly displaced, powerless, and ashamed, Emmie can’t stay in Wabash, Indiana. She makes a hopeful start for Fort Laramie to find her friend Sarah Montgomery and a new beginning. But when she arrives, she discovers she’s pregnant—and without a husband. The new start she’d hoped for slips from her fingers.
Melt into summer with a new giveaway from Colleen: four books (books one–four in Colleen's A Journey of the Heart series) and a box of chocolates to pair with your new books!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of A Heart's Betrayal
- A box of Colleen's favorite chocolate truffles from DeBrand Fine Chocolates
- A copy of A Heart's Disguise
- A copy of A Heart's Obsession
- A copy of A Heart's Danger
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
"a heart's danger" by colleen coble
On the brink of war with the Sioux, Sarah risks everything to expose the betrayal threatening the man she loves.
Christmas is coming, and the air at Fort Laramie has turned cold . . . but relations with the Sioux have turned colder. As tensions between soldiers and natives approach a tipping point, a trap has been set for Rand Campbell.
Rand's new fiancée wants to keep him from returning to Sarah Montgomery ... for whom his heart clearly still yearns.
Sarah just wants to move on with her life at Fort Laramie, but doing so under the watchful eyes of both Campbell---the man whose love she craves---and Croftner---the man whose lies have cost her everything---is difficult, to say the least.
Will Rand fall victim to the conspiracy and go through with his wedding? Or will he declare his love for Sarah and make good on the promises that brought her into the rugged western territories?
The third installment in Colleen Coble's Journey of the Heart anthology, A Heart's Danger brings some resolution to Sarah and Rand's story. As tensions with the Sioux rise, so does the danger—not just because of the threat of war, but also because of the increasingly unhinged actions of Ben Croftner.
Overall, I enjoyed this installment—probably more than the two installments preceding it. The plot moves along at a rapid pace, and many things are resolved. I did grow a little frustrated with Rand's continual underestimation of Ben's villainy, and the end of Ben's story struck me as a bit convenient, but overall, this was a very satisfying read, and I look forward to continuing the series! 4 stars.
See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of A Heart's Disguise (4 stars) and A Heart's Obsession (3 stars).
Read my reviews of Coble's Inn at Ocean's Edge (5 stars), Lonestar series (Lonestar Secrets;Lonestar Angel, 3 stars), Under Texas Stars series (Blue Moon Promise, 3-1/2 stars; Safe in His Arms, 3-1/2 stars), and The Lightkeeper's Daughter.
Sarah risks everything to expose the betrayal threatening the man she loves—but will the risk be worth it? Find out in book three, A Heart's Danger, of Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart series. Rand’s new fiancée wants to keep him from returning to Sarah Montgomery . . . for whom his heart clearly still yearns. Sarah just wants to move on with her life at Fort Laramie, but doing so under the watchful eyes of both Campbell—the man whose love she craves—and Croftner—the man whose lies have cost her everything.
Enter to win the perfect pairing giveaway: three books (books one–three in Colleen's A Journey of the Heart series) and coffee to pair with your new book!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of A Heart's Danger
- A pound of Colleen's favorite coffee, Captain Davy's Coffee Roaster Costa Rican
- A copy of A Heart's Disguise
- A copy of A Heart's Obsession
Sunday, April 26, 2015
"a heart's obsession" by colleen coble
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In A Heart's Disguise, Sarah Montgomery and Rand Campbell are reunited, only to discover that Sarah's family commitments and Rand's Army career will not allow them to remain together. The story continues in A Heart's Obsession, which finds Rand settling into his new life at Fort Laramie. Sarah soon joins him, though their relationship does not continue in the way she expected. Rand has new commitments, and Sarah's former fiance Ben is still determined to have her. Will Sarah and Rand ever truly be reunited?
Once again, I've written my own summary, as the provided summary/back cover copy give away practically the entire plot line. I don't know about you, but I don't want to be spoiled simply by reading the back cover!
A Heart's Obsession begins with a brief summary of the first portion of this serialized novel, A Heart's Disguise. It's written into the narrative, though, so it seems to flow naturally—and it certainly helped me to have this refresher, even though it was only a month ago that I read A Heart's Disguise!
I must admit that I didn't enjoy this portion of the story nearly as much as I did the first portion. It really felt like this particular book served just to move the pieces into place to continue the story. I also didn't like the way Jessica, Sarah's rival for Rand's heart, was portrayed. Apparently, she was manipulative and vindictive, but I only know that because of Sarah's impressions of her—the reader never really sees her acting that way until after it's been stated many times that Sarah is not a nice person. I'd rather be shown than told about someone's character. (I even went back and reread each scene that included Jessica to see if I'd missed something. I hadn't—yet somehow Sarah sensed Jessica's true nature long before it came out.)
I did enjoy the look at the life of Indians at Fort Laramie. I'm especially interested to see where Sarah's new friend Morning Song's story will go. Like I said before, this portion feels like a set up to the main event, and I can't wait to get to it! 3 stars.
Note: This serialized series is releasing one installment per month over a six month period.
See what others are saying.
Read my review of A Heart's Disguise (4 stars).
Read my reviews of Coble's Inn at Ocean's Edge (5 stars), Lonestar series (Lonestar Secrets; Lonestar Angel, 3 stars), Under Texas Stars series (Blue Moon Promise, 3-1/2 stars; Safe in His Arms, 3-1/2 stars), and The Lightkeeper's Daughter..jpg)
Find Colleen online: website, Facebook, Twitter
Can a woman held captive by her family make it back to the one man she knows she can trust? Find out in book two, A Heart's Obsession, of Colleen Coble's Journey of the Heart series. When Sarah Montgomery’s father succumbs to his long illness, Sarah is faced with a life-altering choice: submit to her brother’s will and marry the deceptive Ben Croftner . . . or escape through the dangerous American West to reclaim the heart of her beloved Rand Campbell at Fort Laramie, Wyoming.
Celebrate book two in Colleen's A Journey of the Heart series by entering to win a Kindle Fire and RSVPing to her May 5th author chat party!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- A copy of A Heart's Disguise
- A copy of A Heart's Obsession
- A copy of The Inn at Ocean's Edge (blog tour coming in mid-April)
RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on May 5th!
Monday, April 20, 2015
"the inn at ocean's edge" by colleen coble
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Claire's visit to a luxury hotel in Maine awakens repressed memories, threatening all she holds dear.
In 1989, Claire Dellamare disappeared from her own fourth birthday party at the Hotel Tourmaline on the island of Folly Shoals, Maine. She showed up a year later at the same hotel, with a note pinned to her dress but no explanation. Nobody knows where Claire spent that year—and until now, Claire didn't even know she had ever been missing.
But when Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father, disturbing memories begin to surface . . . despite her parents' best efforts to keep them forgotten.
Luke Rocco lost his mother under equally mysterious circumstances—at the same time Claire disappeared. After a chance encounter reveals the unlikely link between them, Claire and Luke set out together to uncover the truth about what happened that fateful year.
With flashbacks swimming just beneath her consciousness and a murderer threatening her safety, Claire's very life depends on unscrambling her past . . . even if her family refuses to acknowledge it. Someone-maybe everyone-is hiding something from Claire Dellamare, and it will cost her everything to drag the truth out into the light.
Colleen Coble is known for combining romance and suspense, and I have to admit that oftentimes I've found one or the other lacking. Not so with The Inn at Ocean's Edge! Coble has written a romantic suspense novel that serves the romance well while providing great twists and turns. The suspense is crafted in such a way that the twists are completely believable, yet still wholly surprising.
The novel is written from the perspectives of Claire, Luke, and Kate, a woman with serious medical issues who is desperate to contact the father who abandoned her. The paths of the three intertwine in surprising ways, making for a very satisfying novel.
The Inn at Ocean's Edge is the first in Coble's new Sunset Cove series, and I'm looking forward to book two's release in December. Fans of romantic suspense will definitely want to check this book out! 5 stars.
See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of other Coble novels.
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Find Colleen online: website, Facebook, Twitter
Someone—maybe everyone—is hiding something from Claire Dellamare, and it will cost her everything to drag the truth out into the light. Colleen Coble's new book, The Inn at Ocean's Edge, is a must-read for mystery and suspense readers. As Claire and Luke put together the pieces of a decades-old mystery, they discover that some family secrets refuse to stay buried. And some passions are worth killing for.
Celebrate the release of The Inn at Ocean's Edge by entering to win a Kindle Fire and RSVPing to her May 5th author chat party!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- A copy of A Heart's Disguise
- A copy of A Heart's Obsession
- A copy of The Inn at Ocean's Edge
RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on May 5th!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."Saturday, March 28, 2015
"a heart's disguise" by colleen coble
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After Sarah receives word that her fiancé, Rand Campbell, has been killed fighting for the Union, her brothers and ailing father persuade her to pledge herself to Ben Croftner—despite her strong misgivings.
Let me start by explaining that minuscule book description. The description the publisher provided (which also is the back cover copy) gives away the entire book. It's basically a plot summary. Fortunately, I didn't read the back cover before picking up this book—if I had, I would have been disappointed.
This is the first serialized novel I've ever read, so I wasn't sure what to expect. And this is the first print serialized novel I've ever seen—all the others have been ebooks.
A Heart's Disguise is intriguing, but it feels very incomplete ... for good reason! I read the entire thing (which is only 90 pages) in about an hour, and I am anxious to read more.
Sarah is a very interesting character—she's a woman who is desperate to please her family, and she doesn't take her own needs into account in order to do what she thinks best for those she loves. I can't wait to see where this journey takes her! 4 stars.
Note: This serialized series is releasing one section per month over a six month period.
See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Coble's Lonestar series (Lonestar Secrets; Lonestar Angel, 3 stars), Under Texas Stars series (Blue Moon Promise, 3-1/2 stars; Safe in His Arms, 3-1/2 stars), and The Lightkeeper's Daughter.
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Find Colleen online: website, Twitter, Facebook.
Celebrate book one in Colleen's A Journey of the Heart series by entering to win a Kindle Fire and RSVPing to her May 5th author chat party!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- A copy of A Heart's Disguise
- A copy of A Heart's Obsession (blog tour coming in April)
- A copy of The Inn at Ocean's Edge (blog tour coming in April)
RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on May 5th!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."Friday, February 7, 2014
"smitten book club" by colleen coble, kristin billerbeck, diann hunt & denise hunter
The thick, leathery tome Heather pulled out of the dusty cardboard box was definitely coming home with her. Not only was The Gentlewoman's Guide to Love and Courtship an appealing curiosity by virtue of its title; it was also written by Smitten, Vermont native Pearl Chambers, a local gentlewoman from three generations back.
Little did Heather know the repercussions this little curiosity would have on her and her friends' romantic exploits.
When Heather and her fellow book club members begin passing the book around, their respective interpretations are unleashed on their respective love lives . . . for better or for worse. Is it a mystery? An idealist fantasy? An intimation of Jane Austen? As romantic love finds its way to each woman, the Guide proves itself both surprisingly prescient and hilariously irrelevant.
What's more, a handwritten inscription indicates that the arcane book might hold the only extant clues leading to buried gold—exactly what one of the members needs to keep her house. How could they not go treasure hunting?
In this remarkable collaborative novel, besties Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt tackle the tale of the Gentlewoman's Guide by writing for one book club member apiece. Smitten Book Club is a hopeful, hilarious story of friendship and healing, written by friends for friends.
My take: This is the third book in Coble, Billerbeck, Hunt, and Hunter's Smitten series, and while I've reviewed the other two installments, going back now, I find my reviews to be lacking because I talked about the books as a whole. In this review, I'll look at each novella individually and then the book as a whole.
"Love by the Book" by Colleen Coble: While "Love by the Book" is fairly predictable, it's also wholly delightful! Heather and Paul's chemistry is off the charts, and their story is sweet. My one complaint is that the reader is never fully told what happened between them in the past. I think the novella would have been better if it had opened with Paul's rejection of Heather and then skipped into present. 3-1/2 stars.
"Shelved Under Romance" by Kristin Billerbeck: For whatever reason, I could not get into this novella. The story was fine, and the characters were fine, but I felt like the novella lacked spark. I really enjoyed Wyatt and his pursuit of Abby, but once they were well on their way to romance, I found myself struggling to care. 2-1/2 stars.
"A New Chapter" by Diann Hunt: This novella has the distinction of being the only one to make me laugh out loud! I loved Lia's mother's manipulations, and the subplot with Joey's daughter was sweet and heartbreaking. I even shed a few tears at the end of the story. Joey and Lia's relationship did move at a very rapid pace, something that Hunt even acknowledged during the proposal scene, and that pace caused me to enjoy the novella a bit less. 4 stars.
"Happily Ever After" by Denise Hunter: If you've been reading my reviews for a while, you know that I love just about everything Denise Hunter writes. This novella is no exception. I'm glad it was last in the series because allowed me to finish Smitten Book Club on a high note! Molly and Gage have great chemistry, and I could relate most to Molly as a character. It's a great conclusion to the book! 4-1/2 stars.
The anthology as a whole is enjoyable. It does have a few continuity issues (for example, in the first novella, Heather shows the book to Molly; in the second novella, she tries to keep Molly from learning about it), and I would say it's the weakest of the three Smitten novels. It's a fun, easy, quick read, but it lacks the depth of the other novels. That said, it is full of romance and fun.
I just had a thought—wouldn't it be fantastic if the Hallmark Channel would make a movie (or series) about Smitten? Hunt's For Better or For Worse
is currently being adapted into a Hallmark Channel movie, so it's not out of the realm of possibility. I know I would love a small screen journey to Smitten, Vermont!My rating: 3-1/2 stars
See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Smitten and Secretly Smitten.
About the authors: RITA-finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several best-selling romantic suspense Tidewater Inn, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. novels, including
Christy Award finalist and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year award, Kristin Billerbeck has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. Her books include A Billion Reasons Why and What a Girl Wants.
Denise Hunter is the award-winning and best-selling author of several novels, including A Cowboy's Touch and Sweetwater Gap. She and her husband are raising three boys in Indiana.
Diann Hunt has lived in Indiana forever, been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, her dog, and, well, chocolate. Diann lost her courageous battle with cancer in December 2013.
About the giveaway: The Smitten gals are back with their newest release, Smitten Book Club! Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, and Denise Hunter are celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway, a Facebook party on February 20, and a nationwide book-club brunch on March 22.
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- The Smitten books (Smitten, Secretly Smitten, Smitten Book Club)
So grab your copy of Smitten Book Club and join Colleen, Denise, Kristin, and friends on the evening of February 20th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)
Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 20th!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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