Review: The View from Rainshadow Bay (Lavender Tides #1) by Colleen Coble

After her husband, Jack, dies in a climbing incident, Shauna has only her five-year-old son and her helicopter charter business to live for. Every day is a struggle to make ends meet and she lives in constant fear of losing even more than she already has.

When her business partner is murdered, his final words convince Shauna that she’s in danger too. But where can she turn? Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and is the person she blames for his death. She’s barely spoken to him since. But right now he seems her only hope for protecting her son.

Zach is only too happy to assuage his guilt over Jack’s death by helping Shauna any way he can. But there are secrets involved dating back to Shauna’s childhood that more than one person would prefer to stay hidden.

In The View from Rainshadow Bay, suspense, danger, and a longing to love again ignite amid the gorgeous lavender fields of Washington State.

 Paperback, 336 pages 

Published January 23rd 2018 

by Thomas Nelson

***

The cover of this book is gorgeous, the mountains in the background just gives a great feel.  The View from Rainshadow Bay is the first book in Colleen Coble's new Lavender Tides Series.

I found this book to be very plot driven, right from the beginning the action starts and I will admit to being a little overwhelmed here, lots happened fast.  I was intrigued with the mystery and that's what kept me turning the pages.  That being said, there were spots I found slow and some of the scenarios didn't match the drama (things that wouldn't have happened in real life).

Life is hard for Shauna as she is still adjusting to life since the sudden death of her husband.  While caring for her young son she holds a grudge against his best friend, whom she feels is responsible for his death. This is where I also struggled somewhat, I realize grief is different for everyone and I would have loved to feel her struggles and that of her mother-in-law rather than being told. 

There was closure in the ending but at the same time opened the door for future stories.  I will continue with this series as I have found with this author, she gets better with each installment.

The View of Rainshadow Bay is a story of forgiveness, mystery, secrets and second chances.  

Thanks to the publisher (via Netalley) for an advanced copy and TLC Tours for the opportunity to review this one.

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Review: Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble

 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.

 Paperback: 368 pages 

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 11, 2017)

****

Beneath Copper Falls is the 6th book in the Rock Harbor Series by Colleen Coble. This is my first time venturing into this series, though I was a little hesitant to begin with book 6, but it does work as a standalone quite nicely. If anything it has perked my interest to start at the beginning to read about some of the other characters.

 Driven back to her hometown of Rock Harbor, Dina Newell hopes for some peace and quiet after escaping from an abusive relationship, however such is not the case here. Told from three different points of view, Dina, Boone, and the ex-boyfriend, it wasn't hard to stay focused with what was happening.

There are many layers to this mystery and it didn't take long to be immersed. So many questions arose as I was reading this, that had me scratching my head trying to unravel the mystery before it was revealed. Beginning a new life with her old friends and brother isn't easy when one of her friends is brutally murdered. Could her ex be responsible for that?

There is romance here and I did cringe at the 'insta love' elements that took my place.  It's not a favorite of mine but might be for others.

Colleen Coburg has written a suspenseful novel that wasn't just a murder mystery but a story of self discovery, closure and hope.  Thank you to TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be part of this tour.

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 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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Review: Butterfly Palace by Colleen Coble

When Lilly Donnelly arrives at the Cutlers' famed Butterfly Mansion in 1899, the massive house and unfamiliar duties threaten to overwhelm her. Victorian Austin is lavish, highly political, and intimidating, but with the help of the other servants, Lilly resolves to prove herself to her new employers.

Then, while serving at an elegant dinner party, Lilly recognizes one distinguished guest as Andrew, the love of her life, who abandoned her without a word back home. He seems to have assumed a new identity and refuses to acknowledge her, leaving her confused and reeling.

Before Lilly can absorb this unwelcome news, she's attacked. Could it be the sinister Servant Girl Killer who has been terrorizing Austin? Or is it someone after something more personal--someone from her past?

Does she dare trust Andrew to help or is he part of the danger threatening to draw Lilly into its vortex?

 

Paperback, 320 pages

Published January 21st 2014 by Thomas Nelson Publishers 

my copy provided by NetGalley for this review

***

Look at that cover! To me that sends a chill down my spine, which is exactly the reason that I wanted to read this book.  I didn't know what it was about but that cover grabbed  my attention right away.  There is something sinister, creepy and rather spooky written all over it.

 

Colleen Coble has written a multi layered story, with suspense, mystery, murder and romance.  My first novel by this author and I wasn't sure what to expect, were my expectations to high because of how much I loved the cover?  I don't know but I had a hard time connecting with most of the characters.  Belle was someone who grew on me and another person (but sadly she got killed off).  Lilly's actions were flighty at times and didn't seem to match the time period and her station in life, I had a hard time with those.

 

Andrew is someone else I didn't get.  Given his purpose in Austin it was rather dumb of him to blab it and then Lily blabs it some more.

The storyline was interesting, at times a confusing given all the action that was taking place.  Lots of twists and turns with an ending that I didn't see coming (so that's a good thing, I love it when I can't figure out the bad guy.)