Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt from Edge of Dusk by Colleen Coble

Author: Colleen Coble
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Published by: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: July 12th 2022
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 078525370X (ISBN13: 9780785253709)
Series: Annie Pederson #1
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook.com | Goodreads

Even though secrets lie off the coast of Rock Harbor, the truth will set Annie Pederson free—if it doesn’t kill her first.

Nine-year-old Annie Pederson’s life changed the night her sister was kidnapped. The two had been outside playing on a dock, and Annie never forgave herself for her role in her sister’s disappearance. Twenty-four years later and now a law enforcement ranger, Annie is still searching for answers as she grieves a new loss: the death of her husband and parents in a boating accident.

But Annie and her eight-year-old daughter, Kylie, aren’t the only people in the town of Rock Harbor whose lives have been marred by tragedy. While managing the property around the Tremolo Resort and Marina she inherited, Annie discovers a dead body floating in the cold Superior surf and begins to work with the sheriff’s office to tie the death to a series of other mysterious reports in the area.

At the same time, her first love, Jon Dustan, returns after nine years away, reigniting the town’s memory of a cold case he’d been suspiciously linked to before he left to pursue his orthopedic residency. For the sake of her investigation and her heart, Annie tries to stay away. But avoiding Jon becomes impossible once Annie realizes she is being targeted by someone desperate to keep secrets from the past hidden.

In this new series, bestselling romantic-suspense author Colleen Coble returns to one of her most beloved towns, where familiar faces—and unsolved cases—await.

My thoughts:

Edge of Dusk begins a new series set in Rock Harbor.  It is centered around Annie Penderson and her daughter Kylie.  It is filled with secrets and a few different mysteries.  Some of which are not resolved in this book.  I assume they will be explored more in subsequent books.  There is at least one cold case that is solved and I enjoyed that part of the mystery.  The suspect was a surprise to me.    

I will be honest, I wanted to love this one, but it ended up being just kind of OK for me.  Aside from the msytery, that I did enjoy, I had a hard time with Annie and Jon's reunion.   It felt forced and Annie seemed kind of indifferent to reconciling.  Maybe it will get warmer in the next books.  I also had a few questions about the timing of her pregnancy with Kylie.  Even eight years ago, a doctor would have been able to determine she was further along than she thought.  So, that all didn't ring true for me.  Maybe she was just in denial?  As far as Kylie goes, she was insufferable.  I never would have tolerated my child to be that disrespectful toward another adult.  Grief or not.  I'm hoping she improves in the next book.  That being said, I probably will continue with the series.  I do want to find out the resolution to the loose ends that were left dangling in this first book.

Read an excerpt:

PROLOGUE

“WAS THAT THE WINDIGO?” NINE-YEAR-OLD ANNIE

Vitanen yanked her little sister’s hand to pull her to a stop in the deep shadows of the pines. Chills trickled down her spine, and she stared into the darkness. “Did you hear that?”

“It was just the loons,” Sarah said. “Daddy said there’s no such thing as the Windigo.”

Annie shuddered. “You’re only five—you don’t know that.” While at school she’d heard the story about the fifteen-foot- tall monster who ate humans. Annie peered into the shadows, searching for sunken red eyes in a stag skull staring back at her. The Windigo particularly liked little girls to fill its hungry belly. Sarah tugged her hand free. “Daddy said it was just an old Ojibwa legend. I want to see the loons.”

She took off down the needle-strewn path toward the water.

Annie’s heart seized in her throat. “Sarah, wait!”

Daddy had always told Annie she was responsible for her little sister, and she didn’t want to get in trouble when their parents found out they were out here in the dark. Sarah had begged to come out to see the loons, and Annie found it hard to say no to her. This was the first time they’d been to their little camp on Tremolo Island since the summer started, and it might be a long time before they had time to visit again. Daddy only brought them to get away when he had a lull at the marina. Annie loved it here, even if there wasn’t any power.

Her legs pumped and her breath whooshed in and out of her mouth. She emerged into the moonlight glimmering over Lake Superior. Her frantic gaze whipped around, first to make sure the Windigo hadn’t followed them, then to find her sister.

Sarah sat on the wooden dock with her legs dangling over the waves. Lightning flickered in the distance, and Annie smelled rain as it began to sprinkle. Clouds hung low over the water, and the darkness got thicker.

“We need to go back, Sarah.” While they could still find their way in the storm.

“I want to throw bread to the loons.” Sarah gave her a piece of the bread they’d gotten from the kitchen.

Annie jumped when the loon’s eerie yodel sounded. The oo-AH-ho sound was like no other waterfowl or bird. Normally she loved trying to determine whether the loon was yodeling, wailing, or calling, but right now she wanted to get her sister back into bed before they got in big trouble. They both knew better than to come down here by themselves. Mommy had warned them about the dangers more times than Annie could count.

She touched her sister’s shoulder. “Come on, Sarah.”

Sarah shrugged off her hand. “Just a minute. Look, the loon has a baby on its back.”

Annie had to see that. She threw in a couple of bread pieces and peered at the loons. “I’ve never seen that.”

“Me neither.”

The loons didn’t eat the bread, but she giggled when a big fish gulped down a piece right under their feet.

When she first heard the splashing, she thought it signaled more loons. But wait. Wasn’t that the sound of oars slapping the water? A figure in a dark hoodie sat in the canoe. Did the Windigo ride in a canoe?

The canoe bumped the dock, and a voice said, “Two to choose from. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

The voice was so cheerful, Annie wasn’t afraid. Before she could try to identify who it was, a hard hand grabbed her and dragged her into the canoe. “I think the younger one would be better.”

The sudden, sharp pain in Annie’s neck made her cry out, and she slapped her hand against her skin. Something wet and sticky clung to her fingers. In the next instant, she was in the icy water. The shock of the lake’s grip made her head go under.

She came up thrashing in panic and spitting water. Her legs wouldn’t kick very well, and she felt dizzy and disoriented. She tried to scream for Daddy, but her mouth wouldn’t work. Her neck hurt something awful, and she’d never felt so afraid.

She’d been right—it was the Windigo, and he meant to eat her sister.

“Sarah!” Annie’s voice sounded weak in her ears, and the storm was here with bigger waves churning around her. “Run!”

Her sister shrieked out her name, and Annie tried to move toward the sound, but a wave picked her up and tossed her against a piling supporting the dock. Her vision went dark, and she sank into the cold arms of the lake.

The next thing she knew, she was on her back, staring up into the rain pouring into her face. Her dad’s hand was on the awful pain in her neck, and her mother was screaming for Sarah.

She never saw her sister again.

ONE

TWENTY-FOUR YEARS LATER
LAW ENFORCEMENT RANGER ANNIE PEDERSON RUBBED

her eyes after staring at the computer screen for the past two hours. She’d closed the lid on an investigation into a hit-and-run in the Kitchigami Wilderness Preserve, and she’d spent the past few hours finishing paperwork. It had been a grueling case, and she was glad it was over.

“I’ll be right back,” she told her eight-year-old daughter, Kylie, sitting on the floor of her office playing Pokémon Go on her iPad.

Kylie’s blonde head, so like Annie’s own, bobbed, too intent to respond verbally.

Kade Matthews looked up when Annie entered his office. Over the past few years he’d moved up and become head ranger. Kade’s six-feet-tall stocky frame and solid muscles exuded competence, and his blue eyes conveyed caring. Annie thanked the Lord every day for such a good boss. He was understanding when she needed time off with Kylie, and he let her know he valued her work and expertise. “Ready for a few days off?”

“Really? With all this work on your shoulders?”

He nodded. “I can handle it. I know this is a busy time for you.”

“I do have a lot of work to do out at the marina.”

Since her parents and husband died two years ago, she’d been tasked with running the Tremolo Marina and Cabin Resort. She managed with seasonal help and lots of her free time, but summer was always grueling. It was only June 3, and the season was off to a good start.

He cleared his throat, and his eyes softened. “I’m glad you stopped in. I didn’t want to send this report without talking to you first.”

“What report?” Her tongue felt thick in her mouth because she knew the likely topic.

“A child’s remains were found down around St. Ignace.”

It didn’t matter that it was so far. That route could have easily been chosen by the kidnapper. It was a common way to travel from lower Michigan to the U.P. “How old?”

“Five or six, according to the forensic anthropologist. I assume you want your DNA sent over for comparison?”

“Yes, of course.”

They’d been through this scenario two other times since she’d begun searching for answers, and each time she’d teetered between hope and despair. While she wanted closure on what had happened to her sister, she wasn’t sure she was ready to let go of hope. Though logically she knew her sister had to be dead. People didn’t take children except for nefarious purposes. Annie didn’t know how she’d react when word finally came that Sarah had been found.

Relief? Depression? Maybe a combination of the two. Maybe even a tailspin that would unhinge her. All these years later, and she still couldn’t think about that night without breaking into a cold sweat. Avoidance had been her modus operandi. Not many even knew about the incident. Kade did, of course. And Bree. Jon too. Probably some of the townspeople remembered and talked about it, too, but it had been long ago. Twenty-four years ago.

Nearly a quarter of a century and yet just yesterday. “How long before results are back on DNA?”

“Probably just a few days. With children they try to move quickly. I’ll get it sent over. You doing okay?”

She gave a vigorous nod. “Sure, I’m fine. I’ll file this report and get these pictures sent to you.”

“Bree told me to ask if you wanted a puppy, one of Samson’s.

There’s a male that looks just like him.”

She smiled just thinking of her daughter’s delight. “Kylie has been begging for a puppy since we lost Belle. How much are they going for?”

The little terrier had died in her sleep a month ago at age sixteen, and they both missed her. Samson was a world-renowned search-and-rescue dog, and his pups wouldn’t come cheap. She ran through how much she had in savings. Maybe not enough.

“We get two free pups, and Bree told me she would give you one.” “You don’t want to do that,” she protested. “You’d be giving up a lot of money.”

He shrugged. “We have everything we need. Head over there in the next few days, and you can take him home with you before our kids get too attached and bar the front door.”

She laughed. “Hunter says he’s marrying Kylie, so I think he will stick up for her.”

Kade and Bree’s little boy was four and adored Kylie. She was good with kids, and she loved spending time with the Matthews twins.

“You’re right about that. I’ll let Bree know you want him. He’s a cute little pup.”

“What are you doing with the other one?” “Lauri has claimed her.”

Kade’s younger sister was gaining a reputation for search-and- rescue herself, and she already had a dog. “What about Zorro?”

“He’s developed diabetes, and Lauri knows he needs to slow down some. She wants a new puppy to train so Zorro can help work with him.”

“She might want the one that looks like Samson.” “She wants a female this time.”

She glanced at her watch and rose. “I’ll get out of here. Thanks again for the puppy. Kylie will be ecstatic.”

She went back to her office. “Time for your doctor appointment, Bug.”

Kylie made a face. “I don’t want to go.”

At eight, Kylie knew her own mind better than Annie knew hers most days. She was the spitting image of Annie at the same age: corn silk–colored hair and big blue eyes set in a heart-shaped face. But Annie had never been that sure of herself. Her dad’s constant criticism had knocked that out of her.

She steered her daughter out the brick office building to the red Volkswagen crew-cab truck in the parking lot, then set out for town.

The old truck banged and jolted its way across the potholes left by this year’s massive snowfall until Annie reached the paved road into town. She couldn’t imagine living anywhere other than where the Snow King ruled nine months of the year. There was no other place on earth like Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. With the Keweenaw Peninsula to the north and Ottawa National Forest to the south, there could be no more beautiful spot in the world. Her devotion to this place had cost her dearly nine years ago, but every time she saw the cold, crystal-clear waters of the northernmost Great Lakes stretching to the horizon, she managed to convince herself it was worth it.

Part of the town’s special flavor came from the setting. Surrounded by forests on three sides, it had all the natural beauty anyone could want. Old-growth forests, sparkling lakes where fish thronged, and the brilliant blue of that Big Sea Water along the east side.

They drove through town, down Negaunee to Houghton Street to the businesses that comprised Rock Harbor’s downtown. The small, quaint village had been built in the 1850s when copper was king, and its Victorian-style buildings had been carefully preserved by the residents.

Dr. Ben Eckright’s office was a remodeled Victorian boardinghouse on the corner of Houghton and Pepin Streets. She parked in his side lot and let Kylie out of the back.

She glanced across the street to the law office, and her breath caught at the man getting out of the car. It couldn’t be. She stared at the sight of a familiar set of shoulders and closed her eyes a moment. Opening them didn’t reassure her. It really was him.

Jon Dunstan stood beside a shiny red Jaguar. Luckily, he hadn’t seen her yet, and she grabbed Kylie’s hand and ran with her for the side door, praying he wouldn’t look this way. She was still trembling when the door shut behind her.

/ / /

Excerpt from Edge of Dusk by Colleen Coble. Copyright 2022 by Colleen Coble. Reproduced with permission from Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Colleen Coble is a USA TODAY bestselling author best known for her coastal romantic suspense novels, including The Inn at Ocean's Edge, Twilight at Blueberry Barrens, and the Lavender Tides, Sunset Cove, Hope Beach, and Rock Harbor series.

Connect with Colleen online at:
colleencoble.com
Instagram - @ColleenCoble
Twitter - @ColleenCoble
Facebook - @ColleenCobleBooks

 

 

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Review: The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble

Author: Colleen Coble

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: April 2011

It is the dawn of a new century and Olivia Stewart is heiress to an empire. Her family numbers among the Four Hundred—those considered the wealthiest and most distinguished in America. Unfortunately their wealth has nearly disappeared, and now their security rests upon the Stewart daughters marrying well.

Olivia's sister, Eleanor, was engaged to Harrison Bennett, one of the nation's wealthiest men, but has since died. Now the pressure is on Olivia to take her place, despite her suspicions about Eleanor's fiancé. Using her family's long-forgotten English title, Olivia travels to Mercy Falls, California, as Lady Devonworth, hoping to learn more before committing to marriage. There she finds that Eleanor's death was no accident. And Harrison is not the man she thought he would be.

When Mercy Falls holds a charity masquerade ball to raise funds for the new lighthouse, secrets—and truths long hidden—will be revealed. But can Harrison really love Olivia when he discovers her true identity? Can she live with the repercussions of failing her family, or will she finally realize that nothing—not money, family, or romance—will ever compare to God's unconditional love? 

The Lightkeeper's Ball is the third and final book in the Merc Falls Trilogy.  In this one, Olivia is convinced that her sister did not commit suicide.  She travels to Mercy Falls in disguise to find out what really happened.  There, she has to decide if she can trust her sister's former fiancé, Harrison or if he is really a murderer.

While I did enjoy this one, the second book is still my favorite of the three books.  Having said that, Olivia and Harrison were very sweet together,  I loved how Harrison brought out Olivia's adventurous side.  They were a great match.  I also enjoyed the mystery.  There were a couple of real surprises that I definitely didn't call.  It was nice to catch up with the couples from the previous books.  There was one thing that I didn't care for was the deception that Olivia kept up.  She had so many chances to tell Harrison who she really was, yet she let the lie perpetuate.  I'm not a fan of this trope in general.  Despite that, I would recommend this one and the rest of the series.

Review: The Lightkeeper's Daughter by Colleen Coble

Author: Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: January 2010

Addie Sullivan leads a quiet life in a northern California lighthouse. She mourns the death of her father and endures her mother's bitterness, until the night a storm brings an injured stranger and a dark secret to her home. The man insists she is not who she thinks she is, but rather "Julia Eaton"-the child long lost and feared dead by her wealthy family. Seizing the chance to be reunited with the Eatons, Addie leaves her lighthouse home but decides to keep her true identity a secret until they can unravel the mystery.

Addie loves the Eatons' palatial home tucked away among the California redwood forests. She feels secure with the jovial family, adores the young boy who is her charge as governess, and finds romance with his father John, a young widower. But sinister shadows overtake Addie's joy. As dusty rooms and secret compartments give up their clues about her past, Addie finds a faith and a love she could never have guessed. To embrace this new world of promise is to risk her life; but to run away is to risk losing the greatest love she's ever known.

The Lightkeeper's Daughter is the first book in the Mercy Falls series.  I've had this book and the others in the series on my TBR for a very long time.   Addie is living with her mother in a lighthouse when a stranger shows up and tells her she is really a missing heiress who was presumed dead at age 2.  This starts her on a journey to discover her lost family and a bigger mystery of what happened to her birth mother.  

I really enjoyed this historical romance.  I haven't read a book set in the early 1900s in a long time, so it was a nice change of pace.  It's a very clean, Christian romance, which was also a nice change of pace.  Addie is a little naïve, but she is also not afraid to speak her mind.  She was my favorite of the book.  The romance was sweet and a pleasure to watch. I also enjoyed the mystery.  I did call on of the twists fairly early on, but I still enjoyed the journey.  I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of A Stranger's Game by Colleen Coble

Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Published by: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: January 4th 2022
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 0785228578 (ISBN13: 9780785228578)
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Goodreads

A wealthy hotel heiress.

Even though Torie Bergstrom hasn’t been back to Georgia since she was ten, she’s happy to arrange a job for her best friend at one of the family properties on Jekyll Island.

A suspicious death.

But when Torie learns that her best friend has drowned, she knows it is more than a tragic accident: Lisbeth was terrified of water and wouldn’t have gone swimming by choice.

A fight for the truth.

Torie goes to the hotel under an alias, desperate to find answers. When she meets Joe Abbott and his daughter rescuing baby turtles, she finds a tentative ally.

The more Torie and Joe dig, the more elusive the truth seems. One thing is clear: someone will risk anything—even more murder—to keep their secrets buried.

My thoughts:

A Stranger's Game is a stand alone thriller involving a hotel heiress who comes to Jekyll Island to find out what really happened to her friend.  Torie is convinced her death was not an accident.  When she meets Joe, she has to decide if the can trust him enough to ask for his help.  All while guarding her heart in the process.

I really enjoyed the mystery. I was hooked from the start and read it in one sitting. I definitely didn't call the solution to the main mystery.  Nor did I call the solution to the lesser mystery.  That's right, we get a bonus mystery in this one.   One of the things that I enjoy about this author's books are her characters.  I always feel like they are people with whom I could good friends.  Torie and Joe were great characters.  Both separate and together.   Their romance was sweet and they were perfect for each other. As an aside, I loved Joe's job.  I had never knew the military did something like that with sea animals. It was really cool. If you are looking for a good mystery with a sweet clean romance, I highly recommend this one.

Read an excerpt:

C H A P T E R 1

Victoria Bergstrom almost forgot to breathe at the beauty of Georgia’s Jekyll Island. Standing at the railing, she watched the sunset gild the undulating tidal grass with gold and orange and continue to paint its spectacular hues on sand and sea as the boat made its way along the Intracoastal Waterway to the wharf. The Golden Isles was an apt name this time of day especially. Her gaze landed on the hotel, and her chest compressed.

Then again, maybe dread stole her oxygen instead.

The garrulous captain gestured toward The Wharf restaurant, perched at the end of the wooden walkway. “There she is. It’s a much prettier approach this direction instead of coming over the bridge. I still can’t believe those people blocked the bridge.”

Torie had planned to drive, but protesters advocating for the abolishment of the Federal Reserve had filled every inch of the bridge over the causeway to the island, and she hadn’t wanted to be stuck in traffic for hours. She shook her head. Did the protesters really believe marching would accomplish their goal? And besides, the Fed helped to protect against bank runs and depressions. It seemed insane to protest about it.

The boat docked, and she grabbed her carry-on bag to disembark. The rest of her luggage would be delivered tomorrow once she knew where she was staying. “Thanks for the ride, Captain.”

He tipped his hat. “You’re welcome, Miss Torie.”

Her heels clattered on the wooden planks past the restaurant and a storefront for boating excursions, and onto the sidewalk onshore. Time slipped past in a shimmering haze as she crossed Riverview Drive, avoiding the ever-constant bikers, and approached the Jekyll Island Club Resort hotel.

It had been eighteen years since she’d run and played along this water. Eighteen years since she’d smelled the river and listened to a bull alligator roar at Horton Pond. Eighteen years since she’d seen stiletto-tipped palmetto groves and moss-draped oak trees. The narrator on a passing tram droned on about the history of this place she’d once loved so much.

There it was.

The hotel that lived both in her dreams and her nightmares.

The tower in the left corner rose above the four-story structure, and the large wraparound porch beckoned visitors with thoughts of sweet tea and laughter with friends. She paused to tuck her white blouse into her navy skirt before she mounted the steps to the outdoor receptionist box guarding the doorway inside. It was unmanned at the moment, so she stepped into the hotel lobby. The scents of sandalwood and pine took her back to her childhood in an instant, and she swallowed past the constriction in her throat.

Audentes fortuna juvat. “Fortune favors the bold,” the Roman poet Virgil had said, and though being here brought out all her insecurities, Torie had to find her courage.

Little had changed through the years other than fresh paint and attentive maintenance. The ornate Victorian moldings gleamed with a gentle glow of wax, and the wood floors were as beautiful as ever. She had never wanted to step foot in this lobby again, yet here she was.

Torie raised her head with a confidence she didn’t feel and approached the resort’s front desk. “Torie Berg. I’m your new IT specialist.”

The alias flowed smoothly off her lips. She’d used it on her last assignment, and it was close enough to her real name to feel natural.

“Welcome to Jekyll Island Club Resort,” the young woman said.

The blonde looked to be about Torie’s age of twenty-eight and wore an engagement ring. Her open, friendly expression was perfect for the check-in desk.

“Marianne,” a familiar voice said behind Torie.

Torie froze and didn’t turn. While she didn’t think the older woman would recognize her, she couldn’t take the chance. The click of high heels went past her to the left, and she caught a glimpse of Genevieve Hallston’s lavender blouse, her signature color.

“Come to my office please,” Genevieve said to the housekeeper she’d hailed.

The stricken look on the middle-aged woman’s face said it all. Genevieve was on a tear about something, and it took all of Torie’s resolve not to intervene. She’d been sliced by the older woman’s razor-sharp tongue enough to know it wouldn’t be a pleasant conversation.

But she had to remember her mission. If anyone recognized her, her cover would be blown and all of her plans would be in ruins.

***

Excerpt from A Stranger's Game by Colleen Coble. Copyright 2021 by Colleen Coble. Reproduced with permission from Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Colleen Coble is a USA TODAY bestselling author best known for her coastal romantic suspense novels, including The Inn at Ocean's Edge, Twilight at Blueberry Barrens, and the Lavender Tides, Sunset Cove, Hope Beach, and Rock Harbor series.

Connect with Colleen online at:
colleencoble.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @ColleenCoble
Instagram - @colleencoble
Twitter - @colleencoble
Facebook - @colleencoblebooks

 

 

Tour Participants:

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Blog Tour: Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble

Author: Colleen COble

Publisher: Thomas Nelson 

Date of publication: July 11, 2017

Dana has already learned that love isn’t safe . . . but could it be different in Rock Harbor?

As a 911 dispatcher, Dana Newell takes pride in being calm in tough circumstances. In addition to her emotionally-charged career, she’s faced enough emergencies in her own life. She recently escaped her abusive fiancé to move to tranquil Rock Harbor where she hopes life will be more peaceful.

But the idyllic town hides more danger and secrets than it first appeared. Dana is continually drawn to her new friend Boone, who has scars inside and out. Then she answers a call at her job only to hear a friend’s desperate screams on the other end. Soon the pain in her past collides with the mysteries of her new home—and threatens to keep her from the future she’s always wanted.

Beneath Copper Falls is the 6th book in the Rock Harbor series.  It's the first one I have read from this series, but not the first from this author.  I thought it stood up well as a stand alone.  There were characters mentioned from previous book, but I never felt like I was missing anything. I think anyone could come into this series at this point and be fine.

This story involves Dana who escapes  an abusive relationship and returns home to start a new life.  A close friend of hers, Allison,  is murdered while searching for answers in her cousin Renee's death.  Dana and Boone, Renee's brother, set out to solve both mysteries. Taken as a straight suspense story, I enjoyed the story.  I did figure it out about halfway through.  There were a lot of clues that pointed you in the direction of the killer, you just have to pay close attention.  So, the ending wasn't a huge surprise.  Despite that, I did enjoy the way the mystery was laid out and enjoyed taking the journey with the  characters as they put together the clues.

The romance for me was the weakest part of the book.  I never really felt the connection between Dana and Boone.  It was almost an after thought and could have been left out.  I also didn't like the way Dana was nonchalant about Garrett.  She left an abusive situation where he attacked her in her car days before she left.  She never reported it to the police and she was s a 911 dispatcher.  When she gets to Rock Harbor, she doesn't lock her car door because it's a "safe town".  Her reactions really didn't make sense for a woman who fears her abusive ex will find her.

I do recommend this one.  It was a good suspense story with a touch of romance thrown in to the mix.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Colleen Coble

USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

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Connect with Colleen

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Colleen Coble’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Monday, August 7th: Splashes of Joy

Monday, August 14th: By the Book

Tuesday, August 15th: Mel’s Shelves

Wednesday, August 16th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Friday, August 18th: Read Till Dawn

Monday, August 21st: Reviews from the Heart

Wednesday, August 23rd: Reading is My SuperPower

Thursday, August 24th: Empowermoms

Thursday, August 31st: Just Commonly

Friday, September 1st: Just One More Chapter

Thursday, September 7th: Jathan & Heather

Friday, September 8th: A Chick Who Reads

Monday, September 11th: Write Read Life

Tuesday, September 12th: Kritter’s Ramblings

Wednesday, September 13th: Steph the Bookworm

Thursday, September 14th: From the TBR Pile

Friday, September 15th: Book Reviews and More by Kathy

TBD: For Him and My Family

TBD: Rainy Day Reviews

TBD: Christian Bookshelf Reviews

TBD: Books and Spoons

TBD: View from the Birdhouse

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens by Colleen Coble

Author: Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Date of publication: September 2016

Kate Mason has devoted herself to caring for her family’s blueberry barrens. But after her fields stop producing fruit, she’s forced to come up with alternative ways to make a living.

Renting out the small cottage on her property seems an obvious choice, but it won’t be enough. When entrepreneur Drake Newham shows up looking not only for a place to rent but also for a nanny for his two nieces, it’s almost too good to be true. And maybe it is—because Drake brings with him dangerous questions about who might be out to kill his family.

The more time Kate spends with Drake and the girls, the more difficult it becomes to hide her attraction to him. But a family crisis isn’t exactly the ideal time to pursue a romance.

Meanwhile, Kate learns that her uncle—in prison for murder—has escaped. Add to that a local stalker who won’t leave her alone, and Kate is looking over her shoulder at every turn. With threats swirling from multiple directions, she wonders if her blueberry fields will ever flourish again . . . or if this twilight is her last.

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens is the third and I believe final book in the Sunset Cove series.  I really enjoyed this last one.  There is definitely more of a mystery here than there is a romance.  Kate Mason has a lot of things to worry about.  She needs money because her blueberry crops are ruined.  She seems to have a stalker and her felon uncle has escaped from prison.  Drake comes to Maine in search of answers for what really happened to his brother and sister-in-law.  

There was so much packed into this book that it kept my attention.  There are a few mysteries to be solved with a couple of twists.  I had fun trying to figure things out as I was reading. The romance between Kate and Drake was slow burning and subtle.  But I loved watching their relationship grow.  It was nice to see Kate find someone who would help her realize she was worthy of love.

This did hold up fairly well as a stand alone, but new readers may be a little lost with some of the references to past books.  The best remedy for that is to read the whole series from the beginning!  I highly recommend this book and the series to anyone who likes clean romantic suspense.

Blog Tour: Mermaid Moon by Colleen Coble

Author: Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Date of publication: January 2016

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.

Mermaid Moon is the second book in the Sunset Cove series.  I really enjoyed the first book Inn at Sunset Cove and was hoping I would equally enjoy the second.  While I did like Mermaid Moon, I didn't love it.  The story involves Mallory Davis who left her home 15 years before in the wake of a scandal.  She returns home when her father dies to try to figure out why he was murdered.  She finds herself and her daughter in grave danger as someone seems to want them out of the way.  Kevin is her ex-fiance, but being in law enforcement, her agrees to help keep her safe .

I will say that I did enjoy the mystery in this story.  It was really intriguing and had a few twists.  There was one big surprise toward the end that I definitely didn't see coming.  The whole thing kept me guessing and I was eager to get to the end to find out the whole story.  What I didn't love was romance part of the book.  I felt like Mallory and Kevin got back together a bit too quickly for me. I just wasn't feeling the bond between them.  I also was a bit underwhelmed by the "scandal" that sent Mallory fleeing from her home.  She kept talking about whispers and looks from the people in the community now that she was back.  I was confused because it seemed to me that aside from Kevin's parents, everyone she encountered welcomed her with open arms.

If you are looking for a good clean mystery, there is one in this book.  I do recommend checking it out.  Characters from the first book play a role in this one, so it was nice to catch up with them.  I do look forward to Kate's story in Twilight at Blueberry Barrens coming in September 2016.

Check out this great contest.  Click the picture for more details!

About the author: 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 Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1J0PXVl

Kari's Most Anticipated Reads for 2016

Blog Tour: The Inn at Ocean's Edge by Colleen Coble

Author: Colleen Coble

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Date of publication: April 2015

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.

The Inn at Ocean's Edge is the first in a new series by Colleen Coble.  She is quickly becoming a go to author for me when I am looking for an intriguing, yet clean romantic suspense to curl up with.  This book definitely fit that description.  I really enjoyed it and finished it very quickly.    The story involves Claire who travels to Folly Shoals for a business meeting.  When she gets there, she discovers that when she was 4, she went missing for a year.  She has no memories of that time.  But, when she comes to the island, she begins to have flashbacks.  She also discovers that someone will do anything to keep her quiet.

This one is a hard book to review without giving away any of the key points of the plot.  I'll just say that it sucked me right in and kept me on my toes.   About halfway through the book, I thought I had it all figured out, only to find out I was wrong in the end.  You all know I love when that happens. 

I found the resolution shocking and truly felt badly for Claire. How do you cope when you find out everything you thought you knew was a lie? The book really made me think about how one decision can impact several lives forever.   I liked how Claire's faith kept her grounded throughout her ordeal.  The romance between Claire and Nate was subtle, but very sweet.  I enjoyed the slow build and the HFN ending.  It just felt right.

The next book in the series, Mermaid Moon comes out some time in 2016.  I look forward to reading it and already have it on my "want to read" list.

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

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 7th. Winner will be announced May 8th on Colleen's website. Plus be sure to clear your calendar on the evening of May 5th because Colleen is hosting an author chat party on Facebook to celebrate her A Journey of the Heart series and the release of The Inn at Ocean's Edge! RSVP here!

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!

About the author:

Best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice and the Booksellers Best. She has more than two million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband, Dave, in Indiana. To keep up with Colleen Coble, visit www.colleencoble.com, become a fan on Facebook (colleencoblebooks) or follow her on Twitter (@colleencoble). 

Colleen Coble will be hosting a Facebook party on May 5th at 8:00 PM EST to celebrate the release of The Inn at Ocean’s Edge and connect with her readers. Watch for updates on Coble’s Facebook page. 

Smitten Book Club by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter & Diann Hunt

Authors: Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, Diann Hunt
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Date of publication: February 2014

At a rummage sale, Heather, a member of the Fireside Book Club, discovers a turn-of-the-century romantic advice book written by a once-famous Smitten, Vermont, resident. When she shares the precious volume with her friends in the club, they find clues about a hidden treasure rumored to be buried in their tiny town.

As Heather, Abby, Lia, and Molly take turns reading the book, each projects onto it her own literary tastes. Heather sees it as a mystery. Abby discovers delicious dashes of Jane Austen. Lia sees in it the idealism of a bygone day. And Molly just wishes they'd made the book into a movie!

One by one, each of the women finds romantic love--often in spite of the historic book's advice. And in searching for the legendary gold, the friends discover the best kind of treasure. The kind that brings hope and healing to each of their hearts.

Smitten Book Club is the third collaboration  about the town of Smitten between these authors.  I have only read the second book, Secretly Smitten and I did enjoy that one.  These can really all be read as stand alone books, so I encourage you to try the others.  The book is made up of 4 novellas.  Each one dealing with a  different couple, but they are all tied together with the same story arc. 

Heather, Abby, Lia and Molly are all close friends who look forward to their weekly meeting with the Smitten Book club.  When they find an old book that gives love advice to single women, they also realize that it might hold clues to a hidden treasure.  I loved the little snippets from the book.  Some of the advice was dated but really funny!  The treasure hunt was also a lot of fun.  I liked all of the stories equally, so it was hard to pick a favorite.  I think readers will fall in love with all of the couples.

If you are looking for a great book to curl up with on a rainy day, make sure to visit the town of Smitten!

Blog Tour: Rosemary Cottage by Colleen Coble

Author: Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Date of publication:

The cottage by the sea offers Amy a refuge to mourn her brother’s death and perhaps even discover a new love. But what if Ben’s death was no accident?

Rosemary Cottage on the Outer Banks of North Carolina has been in Amy Lang’s family for generations and offers her a haven within its peaceful walls. There she hopes to discover what really happened to her brother, Ben, even as she tries to come to grips with his death in the ocean months before.

Rosemary Cottage is the sequel to The Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble.  I think I actually liked this one a bit more than the first.   There is a really good, solid mystery along with a very sweet romance.  I thought the mystery was really intriguing.  I was sucked in right away and couldn't put the book down.  I wanted to know what really happened to Gina and Ben.  I won't give it away, but you can count on the fact that not everything is as it seems.  The twist surprised me in the end!

I loved the characters.  Curtis is one of the Coasties who is raising his sister's daughter, Raine.  Amy has moved to the island to find out what happened to her brother.  She doesn't believe his death was an accident. While she and Curtis investigate both his and Gina's deaths, they become closer.  I loved these two together. They are both grieving and trying to heal from their losses.  I really admired Amy and her convictions when it came to midwifery and natural healing.  Her reasons for not wanting to get close to Curtis were heartbreaking, but I was really rooting for her to be able move past that and allow herself to find love.

Along with a great romance and mystery, we are able to catch up with Libby and Alec from the first book.  I was so happy to see they were still happy and in a wonderful place.  I'm hoping that in the next book, Sara and Josh find their HEA, maybe?  I look forward to the next visit to Hope Beach!

About the author:
Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA's RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

Learn more about Colleen: http://colleencoble.com/

Blog Tour: Secretly Smitten by Coble, Billerbeck, Hunt & Hunter

Authors: Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter
Publisher:Thomas Nelson
Date of Publication: January 2013

Summer, fall, winter, spring--Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery!

There's a secret in Grandma Rose's attic--a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?

The mystery intrigues Rose's three granddaughters--Tess, Clare, and Zoe--and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women?

Secretly Smitten is a collaborative novel by four authors who happen to be friends in real life. Each author has written a novella with a central story arc. The story takes place over a year and deals with three sisters and their mother.  Each one finds new love as they try to find out what happened to Grandma Rose's first love, David.  I have to give the authors a lot of credit because they did an excellent job with each story and the transition between stories was flawless.  Their writing was very similar, so it was hard to pick which one was my favorite. 

While I loved all of the couples, I think that Anna's was the one I loved the most, with Tess being a close second.  Anna and Michael were so cute together.  I loved the scene in the barn.  Even though the couple is older, they acted like 2 young teens finding love for first time.  Tess's story was the easiest in which to relate.  I think we all have moments of self doubt, especially when it comes to body image.  It was refreshing to read about a woman who isn't physically perfect and about the man who sees nothing but a beautifully genuine and smart woman he can love.

I won't spoil the story and tell you what happens in the search for David.  It would ruin the overall story arc.  I definitely recommend Secretly Smitten.  It is a very clean and heart warming romance novel.  I didn't realize going into it that it is the sequel to Smitten, which came out in 2011.  I never felt like I was missing anything as the book really focuses on this family.  There are some mentions about other couples, but that only made me want to go back and read the first book. 

About the authors:

RITA-finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several best-selling romantic suspense novels, including “Tidewater Inn”, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series.

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.


The "gals" are celebrating the release of Secretly Smitten with a fun Live Webcast on February 5th. They'll be debuting the *NEW* animated Smitten trailer, giving away tons of prizes, dishing on the book and their friendship. They'll also be wrapping up the Secretly Smitten blog tour, answering audience questions and testing your trivia skills. Don't miss the fun and bring your friends. Click here to RSVP and set up a reminder.