All is Calm, All is Bright

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RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

COBLE, COLLEEN

ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT

All is Calm

Brendan Waddell needs a place to recuperate. Lauren Everman needs a place to hide. 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 old Marine buddies. Now, recovering from an on-the-job injury, Brendan thinks the ranch is the perfect place to spend Christmas healing up.

When Lauren Everman was a seventeen-year-old foster kid, Bluebird Ranch was the safest place she knew. Now it's the perfect hideout for a woman on the run. As the witness to a murder, Lauren needs somewhere to lie low, and her skills with horses means she'll be able to lend a hand with the troubled kids at Bluebird -- without answering too many questions.

Lauren's rich hair, high-cheekbones and dark eyes immediately get Brendan's attention -- but so does her secretive behaviou. This Special Ops Intel man knows a woman on the run when he sees one, and he's not about to let her put Bluebird Ranch at risk.

But as Brendan and Lauren get to know each other, their suspicions evaporate and romance starts to sizzle. But this would-be couple has more to worry about than each other -- there's a killer on the loose who wants Lauren kept quiet.

All Is Bright

A romantic, Christmas wedding at her seaside hotel gives Delilah a chance to shine with her unique gifts. 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 friends at the grand hotel overlooking the ocean. While picking up still more twinkly lights  and some last-minute groceries for the reception dinner, a huge truck runs her off the freezing, wet roads into the dark night.  Her car stops just short of an enormous tree and the truck speeds off into the night.  Delilah escapes with her life and has almost convinced herself the whole thing was an accident, but then she begins to receive threatening phone calls. With the wedding just hours away, she's distracted and anxious Then Sheriff Tom Bourne stops by the inn and volunteers to help.

Tom has always had a soft spot for Delilah, and he's determined to protect her. But he's pulled away by a bizarre Christmas stunt that has the neighborhood reeling and Delilah is attacked again.

Will Delilah have to cancel the Christmas wedding at Tidewater Inn? And will Tom's protection be enough to save Delilah from the shadowy figure looming in the background?

My Review:

published in 2015

Just a friendly reviewers note: I'm only going to review All is Bright because that's the one I happily discovered in my library's Libby audio collection. They've since added All Is Calm, but I'm fifth on the waiting list so it'll be a bit of a wait. Mind you, with each novella only lasting two hours I'm hoping it will be sooner than later. So, why am I telling you all this other than I'm naturally chatty about books? Because when I looked to see if All Is Bright was available in paperback, I discovered it as part of this collection. So, yippee, the winner of this giveaway will receive both novellas in either paperback or ebook format even though I'm only reviewing one of them. And now that's out of the way, on to my review...which will likely be shorter than this explanation. lol

All Is Bright

I love the Hope Beach series so I was excited to meet up with so many of its heroes and heroines while desperately keeping an eye on Delilah and her welfare, of course. It might feel a bit overwhelming for readers who haven't met all these characters, but Coble is really good at keeping the focus on Delilah and Tom and a few other central characters so I think you could read this as a standalone.

It's packed with Coble-esque fast-paced suspense and edge-of-your-seat danger. I'm amazed that the author managed to deliver so much in such a limited page count, but this definitely has the satisfying feel of her longer novels. It helps that Delilah and Tom have been friends for ages, both with the secret desire for something more which blossoms beautifully in this holiday treat of a romance....once they get that pesky stalker thing dealt with. :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of All is Calm, All is Bright, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 11 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

One Little Lie

GIVEAWAY

COBLE, COLLEEN
ONE LITTLE LIE

It started with one little lie. But Jane Hardy will do everything in her power to uncover the truth.

Book one in a gripping new series from USA TODAY bestselling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble.

When Jane Hardy is appointed interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama, after her father retires, there's no time for an adjustment period. He is arrested for theft and then implicated in a recent murder, and Jane quickly realizes she's facing someone out to destroy her father.

They escaped from a cult fifteen years ago, and Jane has searched relentlessly for her mother -- who refused to leave -- ever since. Could someone from that horrible past have found them?

Reid Bechtol is a well-known journalist who makes documentaries, and his sights are currently set on covering Jane's career. Jane has little interest in the attention, but the committee who appointed her loves the idea of the publicity.

Jane finds herself depending on Reid's calm manner as he follows her around taping his documentary, and they begin working together to clear her father. But Reid has his own secrets from the past, and the gulf between them may be impossible to cross.

It started with one little lie. But Jane Hardy will do everything in her power to uncover the truth.

My Review:

Whoa! What??? Wait....Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

That was me doing a double take at the end of One Little Lie because well...not everything ends. So, reader beware of the dreaded cliffhanger. I'm not usually a fan of lots of loose story threads BUT I did feel there was enough closure in this one to keep me satisfied until September when Two Reasons to Run releases. Sort of. At least some of my burning questions were answered and the suspense aspect is mostly wrapped up. (I may be a tad paranoid but I think some of it is going carry over into book two.)

So, if you can get past that open ended finale you're going to love this romantic suspense! It's Coble at her best. Oodles of tension. A complicated plot with the occasional sinister villain POV just to put a shiver up your spine. An impossible romance between two complex characters with burdensome pasts that are about to collide. Whew! But this is a whole lot of frenzied, page-turning brilliance!

I listened to the audible version narrated by Devon O'Day who does a lot of Coble's audio books. I love when I connect with a narrator as much as the story. It's like greeting an old friend once I start listening. I hung on every word with a frantic non-stop fascination. What a great team!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  One Little Lie, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 21 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Silent Night, Holy Night

GIVEAWAY

RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!
(AND MERRY CHRISTMAS)

COBLE, COLLEEN
SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT

'Tis the season for mystery and romance featuring characters from two of Colleen Coble's most popular series!

"Silent Night"

As Christmas day nears, Bree Matthews and her faithful search-and-rescue dog Samson follow the trail of a troubling mystery into the snowy forests of Rock Harbor.

Newlywed Bree Matthews and her husband Kade are preparing for Christmas guests when word arrives that a parachute has disappeared in the North Woods, along Lake Superior's icy shore. Bree and Samson plunge into the search.

Will this snowy, silent night search lead Bree and Samson to the missing girl?

"Holy Night"

One sinister phone call has derailed their Christmas wedding. Will it keep them apart forever?

Leia and Bane are looking forward to their long-awaited Christmas wedding on the beach. Everything is going as planned -- until Leia's phone rings and her world skids out of control. A muffled voice informs Leia that her sister has been kidnapped and will be killed unless Leia calls off the wedding without explanation -- and no police. If she disobeys instructions and tells Bane, she'll risk her beloved sister's life. But can she handle this trauma without his help? And will he ever trust her again if she lies to him now?

Irresistible romance meets thrilling suspense in this holiday update to "USA Today' best-selling author Colleen Coble's Rocky Harbor and Aloha Reef series.

My Review:

published in 2014
Thanks to my public library for providing me with an audio copy of these novellas.

Silent Night --Christmas in May you say? Absolutely -- if it's Colleen Coble! And especially if one of my favourite fictional canines shows up and plays hero. Samson, a piece of my heart will always belong to you! Loved this chance to get a glimpse of what married life is like for Bree and Cade (and Samson!) And there's something spectacular about a snowy winter in the North Woods! Plus there's a mystery to solve and a sweet family to celebrate the holidays with.  'Silent Night' conveys the wonder and joy of the season with the kind of fictional characters this reader can't get enough of!

Holy Night -- Woohoo -- Christmas in Hawaii! Including a holiday wedding...on the beach!!!! At least, if the bad guys don't mess things up. Classic Coble edge-of-your-seat suspense with sinister villains and time running out and the kind of pressure doomed to cause trouble in paradise. A hair-raising page-turner!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Silent Night, Holy Night, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 25 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Secrets at Cedar Cabin

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COBLE, COLLEEN
SECRETS AT CEDAR CABIN

Her mother lied about her identity and her husband wasn't who she thought he was -- can Bailey even trust herself anymore?

Running for her life in the wake of her mother's murder, Bailey Fleming escapes to the only place she can think of -- remote, dilapidated cabin in Lavender Tides. Intending to finally get to the truth behind the lies of her past, Bailey only finds more questions when bodies are discovered near her cabin hideout along with traces of a dangerous human trafficking ring. In an unlikely partnership with FBI agent Lance Phoenix, Bailey races to understand the mystery surrounding her life and circumstances before the murderer tracks her down.

Meanwhile, Lance is determined to rescue his sister, Ava, who was abducted after running away from home as a teenager. An unexpected lead brings him to the remote cabin, and he wonders if Bailey -- with her suspicious past and strange connections to his sister's case -- is really who she claims to be  and if she can somehow lead him to Ava.

My Review:

Whoa -- my head is still spinning after listening to this one! (I borrowed the audible version from my library.) You have to stay alert for this heart-stopping romantic suspense. The plot is so twisty-turny and there are so many nuances to the suspense. I about jumped out of my skin a time or two. And screamed myself hoarse -- in terror, with warnings, or just in plain frustration. Friendly listener tip -- if you scream too loudly while listening to an audio book you tend to miss some important bits. :-)

Secrets of Cedar Cabin might just be my favourite book by Colleen Coble. And I love the nod to Rock Harbor! This is the third book in the Lavender Tides series. You can totally read it as a standalone BUT if you have been following the series you will be over-the-moon-crazy-silly-in-ecstasy over how the author has included characters from the other books in this one. Excellent series wrap-up.

While this is Bailey's story, Shauna and Ellie play an integral part in the plot. That means three heroines with grit and determination and a kick-butt attitude. Plus a few more secondary female characters add to the overall adrenaline rush -- especially in one particular cheer-yourself-hoarse scene. Girl power all the way!

Amazing read from start to finish!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Secrets at Cedar Cabin, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 23 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Leaving Lavender Tides

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COBLE, COLLEEN
LEAVING LAVENDER TIDES

Shauna and Zach's dream honeymoon-turned nightmare.

Having narrowly avoided tragedy in their hometown of Lavender Tides, Washington, Shauna and Zach Bannister are finally on a honeymoon cruise through the Hawaiian islands. Lost in the glow of their newfound love, they eagerly anticipate basking in the warmth of the lush tropics.

But soon the newlyweds begin receiving mysterious threats. After Zach survives two attempts on his life -- staged as freak accidents -- Shauna ominously receives flowers from a stranger.

The lovers become unwitting detectives in an urgent pursuit to discover the identity of their murderous stalker.

Set against the spectacular Hawaiian landscape, Collen Coble's lightning-paced novella is a haunting journey into into a world as remote and hidden as it is beautiful, as spellbinding as it is wondrous.

My Review:

Only Colleen Coble can turn a honeymoon into a nail-biting stalker nightmare! This novella-length suspense is a classic page-turner. And my voice is hoarse from hollering warnings to the lovestruck honeymooners. "Nooooo, turn baaaacckkk!" and "Stop -- don't go off aloooonnne!" Alas, Shauna and Zach are so besotted they didn't pay me any mind. Nerve-wracking scene after never-wracking scene turn honeymoon bliss into harrowing peril. Phew! It's a fast and furious race to the very end!

Loved the Hawaii setting and the unexpected cameos from Coble's Aloha Reef series. This novella comes right after the first book in the Lavender Tides series, and though I think it can be read as a standalone, I think you'll appreciate it more if you've already met 'Cowboy' and 'Fly Girl' in The View from Rainshadow Bay. 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Leaving Lavender Tides, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooCA. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 9 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The House at Saltwater Point

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COBLE, COLLEEN
THE HOUSE AT SALTWATER POINT

The dangerous beauty of Lavender Tides is harboring secrets that reach around the world.

Ellie Blackmore is making a name for herself as a house flipper. But when her sister Mackenzie disappears, Ellie can't focus on anything but uncovering what happened. Her only clue is the bloodstain on the deck at Mackenzie's boat. Ellie knows her sister isn't on the best of terms with her ex-husband, Jason, but he wouldn't kill her -- would he?

Coast-Guard Intelligence Officer Grayson Bradshaw believes Mackenzie faked her own death after stealing a seized cocaine shipment. The problem is convincing Ellie, who seems to view him as the true enemy.

Both Ellie and Grayson want truth, but truth -- and family -- is often more complicated than it first appears. From International terrorism to the peaceful lavender fields of Puget Sound, The House at Saltwater Point is a thrilling race to uncover the truth before it's too late.

My Review:

Shaky sigh -- I won't be looking at black SUVs in the same way any time soon. In fact, I'll be busy throwing myself into bushes and ducking around corners every time I see one from now on because scary things happen when a black SUV rolls by.

But do you think Ellie figured that out in time to save this reader untold angst? Nope -- that girl is one stubborn spitfire who doesn't know what the word 'cautious' means. And 'backing down' isn't in her vocabulary either. I screamed myself hoarse trying to guide her safely through to 'the end'. But she's tone deaf when it comes to directions from the reading gallery. And she doesn't always take directions from Grayson well either. She both annoys and fascinates him and royally messes up his well-ordered world. Love the great chemistry between these two! It's as charged as the suspense!

And there's an urgency to absolutely everything in this story. From the tense mysteries (yes, there's more than one) to the menacing villains (again, note the plural!) to the fast-paced action scenes. Not to mention the body count! And the specter of danger looming over them all! A delightfully page-turning, shoulder-checking and gasp-out-louding kind of a read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The House at Saltwater Point, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from apammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 14 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The View from Rainshadow Bay

GIVEAWAY

COBLE, COLLEEN
THE VIEW FROM RAINSHADOW BAY

Her photographs capture the beauty of Puget Sound. Do they also expose a darkness that someone would kill to keep buried?

After her husband, Jack, dies in a climbing accident, 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 Zach since. But right now he seems to be 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 Raindshadow Bay, suspense, danger, and a longing to love again ignite amidst the gorgeous lavender fields of Washington State.

My Review:

There's nothing like a Colleen Coble romantic suspense to send a reader into a tilt-a-whirling tailspin of frenzied delight! Because the villains are diabolical and not always easy to spot and the heroine comes with emotional baggage and the hero wrestles with past decisions and there's murder and mayhem at ever turn and there is hope (however unrealistic it seems at first) in a happily-ever-after...if everyone can stay alive long enough to enjoy it!

Complex characters (and I DID NOT like Shauna at first!) I had to keep reminding myself that anger is a grieving stage but she is so over-the-top hard on Zach in the beginning! Gah! I wanted to throw my book, I was that steamed (but of course, I didn't because, contrary to these broiling emotions, I am, at heart, a gentle reader.) Phew! But she does figure things out and draws closer to the Lord in the process so I've forgiven her. And Zach -- oy -- constantly beating himself up over his friend's death because Shauna won't let him forget...wait, I'm not going there because I have forgiven her...I think. Maybe. Well, it's a process. My heart's in the right place even if my feelings are still a bit messed up. :-) Okay, we can tick the box that says this story is an emotional read! My favourite kind! Add in the twisty turn suspensey bits and you get the kind of page-turner that will keep you on edge right to the very end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The View From Rainshadow Bay, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 24 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Beneath Copper Falls

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COBLE, COLLEEN
BENEATH COPPER FALLS

She 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 tide hides more danger and secrets than it first appeared. Dana is continually drawn to her friend Boone, who has scars inside and out. Then she answers a call at her job only to hear her 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.

My Review:

A crazy twisty, turny, heart-in-throat, tummy-flip-flopping read! I'm still catching my breath. Partly because Coble takes us back to Rock Harbor - sqqquueeaaaal -- and Bree and her hero dog, Samson play a major role in this adventure -- double sqqqquuueeeaaalll. Mildly hyperventilating here because the first ever Colleen Coble book I read was Without a Trace, book 1 in this series and the beginning of Bree's story. So reading Beneath Copper Falls is like coming full circle and it's full of favourite characters from the other books. Mind you, it could still be read as a standalone for those who aren't familiar with this awesome series.

This romantic suspense with a creepy stalker vibe kept me up at night trying to piece together clues and draw seemingly diverse threads together. There just never seemed to be a good place to put the book down! And it wasn't only the mystery that thrilled me -- the romance is divine! Dana with her resolve to take her life back. Boone dedicated to helping her do just that. He's a protector and she's running scared -- a relationship develops in the midst of tragedy which makes the tender bits all the sweeter.

A thrilling addition to one of Colleen Coble's most loved series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Beneath Copper Falls, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 14 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Lightkeeper's Bride

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COBLE, COLLEEN
THE LIGHTKEEPER'S BRIDE

When Kate answers the call of duty, she awakens the call of her heart

Katie Russell loves working as a telephone operator in Mercy Falls, California. But since childhood she has been expected to marry well. Her family presses for an engagement to wealthy bachelor Bartholomew Foster and though he doesn't stir her heart, their engagement promises a secure financial future.

Working the phone lines one evening, Katie overhears a chilling exchange between her friend Eliza and a familiar male voice. Katie soon learns that Eliza has disappeared, and the crime may be linked to another investigation by handsome new lighthouse keeper, Will Jesperson. Katie and Will soon form an alliance. An alliance that slowly blossoms into something more.

Despite the danger surrounding her, Katie is powerfully drawn to Will. But she is not at liberty to marry for love. And though society forbids their growing affection, Katie can't help but notice Will's sense of peace. It's a peace that rests on his trust in God -- a trust that Katie has never had to depend on with her future so clearly mapped out before her.

But the more Katie uncovers of the mystery, the more she discovers about herself, her past, and the brilliant future that could be hers if only she has the courage to trust in God and follow where her heart so fearlessly leads.

My Review:

My thanks to my public library for providing me with a copy of this retro read.
published in 2010

Vintage Coble. History and suspense paired with sweet romance is always a lure for me. And there's pirates! And a strapping lightkeeper hero who melted my heart when he engages with an orphan baby. Katie isn't smitten though -- she's suspicious and it takes awhile for her to figure out who she can trust in this tangled web of secrets.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Lightkeeper's Daughter, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 6 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Midnight Sea

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COBLE, COLLEEN
MIDNIGHT SEA

A seemingly random shooting at her aunt's coffee farm has left Lani Tagama blind. Now she must learn to navigate in a world of darkness. With the help of an embittered ex-cop, Ben, and a half-trained guide dog., Fisher, Lani discovers she can regain a shadow of her former independence.

But strange and dangerous secrets lurk behind the beauty of this seaside paradise. Suspicious grows that this was not a random shooting, but an attempted murder, one with its roots in a hippie commune burned over thirty years ago. Lani realizes she is a target, and that she must find the shooter before he strikes again.

My |Review:

Published in 2007

Colleen Coble delivers another edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense in this fourth (and final) book in the Aloha Reef series. The books all read well as standalones so no worries if you haven't read the other novels. If you have though, you'll recognize Lani as the 'wild' child' Tagama sister, but now, as a new Christian, she is trying to put that past behind her for good. Trouble is, not everyone is willing to forget. Including Ben, who holds a pretty big grudge against her. Perfect fodder for an angsty love story.

Not that this story really needs any more angst courtesy of the riveting suspense plot. There's murder, smuggling and danger lurking around every corner. And I just have to mention Fisher, the work-in-progress guide dog! I do love a great canine character to mix things up! A heart-pounding thrill of a read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance at winning a copy of Midnight Sea by Colleen Coble, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 9 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Dangerous Depths

GIVEAWAY

COBLE, COLLEEN
DANGEROUS DEPTHS

Sometimes life's most precious treasure lies at dangerous depths

Leia Kahale ditched a promising medical career to settle on a secluded island of Hawaii. She ditched Bane Oanu, too, and he's come to the island to find out why. He's also in search of an archaeological fortune rumored to lie offshore. But an act of sabotage that pushes Bane close to Leia plunges them both into a tangle of emotion -- just as a series of threatening events grip the island. Theft, a friend's death, a bizarre intruder, hints of a second treasure...and even murder -- how can they sort it all out when everyone on the islands has something to hide?

The novels in Colleen Coble's popular Aloha Reef series combine mystery and suspense with tender romance in an irresistible island setting.

My Review:

Published in 2006
#3 in the Aloha Reef series

Coble knows how to stir the pot to create tension and intrigue at every turn. There's a complicated mystery at the heart of this story and it will take all of your reader's wiles to keep up with this author's devious imagination.

Bane's eased his way back into Leia's life with the hope of rekindling their romance. She's determined to hold him at arms length to keep her secret safe. But an epic treasure hunt makes them wary allies as they attempt to stay ahead of the bad guys. It leaves very little time for romance...but when it does happen it's delectable! Be. Still. My. Heart. I don't know how Leia manages to resist Bane! I was a goner a few chapters in.

A strong cast of secondary characters (including a very opinionated cat) keep the story moving at a break-neck speed. Another Colleen Coble page-turner.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Dangerous Depths, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you leave your email address in your comment make sure to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you choose to enter the draw via email please put the title in the subject line to make it easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 13 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Black Sands

GIVEAWAY

COBLE, COLLEEN
BLACK SANDS

Even a tropical paradise can have fire surging beneath.
Even a loving family can break each other's hearts.
Even an unforgivable act can be redeemed by love.

Volcanologist Annie Tagma loves her family with a fierceness that lights up her quiet exterior. But unseen forces seem to be tearing the family apart with the fury of the hot lava that seethes beneath their Hawaiian home. And the only person she can turn to for help is the man she blames for all the trouble.

Mano Oana can't get past the guilt of what happened to his best friend on that devastating day in Iran. He's even taken leave from the Navy to make amends to the Tagma family and help them out of trouble for which he's partly responsible. But how can he get them to trust him when he can't even trust himself?

Like Distant Echoes, the first book in Colleen Coble's popular Aloha Reef series, this page-turning story combines mystery and suspense with tender romance in an irresistible island setting.

My Review

An intense and riveting page-turner. Complicated family dynamics paired with a difficult romance kept me reeling -- never mind the twisty turny plot and parade of intriguing characters that might -- or might not -- be motivated by evil intent. This is Colleen Coble at her gnarliest. :-) Throw away your armchair sleuth manual and just sit back and enjoy the tumultuous ride!

This is book 2 in the Aloha Reef series but it reads fine as a standalone. Though if you have read the first book you'll be happy to reacquaint yourself with some familiar faces in this one.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like to win a copy of Black Sands, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email in your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please add the title into the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 28 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Distant Echoes

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COBLE, COLLEEN
DISTANT ECHOES

When a tragic even takes the lives of tourists, Hawaiian native and dolphin researcher Kaia Oana is one of the first in the water, risking her own life to try and save others. She's then enlisted to help the US Navy find out what really happened -- utilizing her specially trained dolphin to assist.

Kaia and Lieutenant Commander Jesse Matthews are brought together as partners on the investigation, but as they edge closer to the truth, their own lives are threatened. Will the aloha spirit of grace and forgiveness prevail -- or will it be overshadowed by the distant echoes of past pain and the imminent danger from a col-blooded killer?

Set on the breathtaking Hawaiian island of Kauai, this novel provides an intoxicating mix of romance and suspense with the soothing rhythms of island life.

My Review:

Published in 2005

Vintage Coble and I'm loving it. Suspense with so many possible suspects that I got dizzy trying to keep up! Lots of twists and turns and gasp-out-loud moments! This author knows how to keep a reader's attention right to the nail-biting end.

And I absolutely loved the island setting! Fascinating glimpses into Hawaiian culture thrilled me to my toes. Kaia and her brothers (eeep -- they each get their own story in this series) and their sage grandfather captured my heart  and I look forward to renewing our friendship when I read the rest of the books (which are now on hold at my library!)

I think Colleen Coble must be a kindred animal lover because her books often feature critters. I fell in love with Nani the dolphin. Playful and coy and oh so clever! And there`s even a Bree and Samson (of Rocky Harbor fame) cameo appearance. I squealed when Samson went into rescue mode!

Another stellar romantic suspense from this award-winning author.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Distant Echoes please leave a comment or send me an email at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line to make it easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 23. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Because You're Mine

GIVEAWAY

COBLE, COLLEEN
BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE

Amid the beauty of Charleston, not all is as it seems

When her husband Liam is killed by a car bomb while their Celtic band is on tour in Charleston, signer and Irish beauty Alanna doesn't quite know where to turn. Her father-in-law is threatening to take custody of the baby she carries, but Alanna knows she can't lose the only piece of Liam she has left.

Alanna's manager offers her a marriage of convenience to obtain U.S. citizenship and allow her to escape her father-in-law's control. It seems like the perfect solution until she arrives at the family home of her new husband -- a decaying mansion with more questions than answers.

Strange things begin happening that threaten Alanna's life and the life of her child. Are they merely coincidences? Or is something more sinister at work?

A mysterious painting, a haunting melody, and a love stronger than death leave Alanna questioning where darkness ends and light begins.

My Review:

Classic Gothic suspense. Has all the brooding elements -- naïve heroine in need of rescuing, a mysterious mansion full of secrets, a sense of danger simmering below the surface. There are clues the reader sees and puts together quickly while the heroine is left floundering. Mysterious, sinister, downright creepy in places, Because You're Mine is different from the other Colleen Coble novels I've read. This is an over-the-top chiller-thriller -- and if you're prepared to overlook a few implausible plot points you'll enjoy the read all the more.

Love the Celtic band angle and am hoping there will be more stories featuring Alanna's 'mates'.  Ciara in particular sparked my interest with her tough girl cynicism. The Irish connection had my heart singing and I so appreciated the fact that the author took pains to get the Irish right, though it was laid on a bit thick in places. :-)

A plot that not only twists and turns but buckles and snaps kept me hopping -- and even though I figured some major suspense points early on, it was such a thrill to keep on reading to see how it all played out, enjoying all the delectable (and terrifying) nuances that build to the action-packed climax.

A solid romantic suspense that may just creep you out!

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Because You're Mine please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 9 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Abomination

GIVEAWAY

COBLE, COLLEEN
ABOMINATION

A beautiful woman stands by the side of the road, barefoot and bleeding, a child in her arms. Someone just tried to kill her, but she wouldn't recognize him if she saw his face. She doesn't even remember her own name.

A suburban cop surveys a kitchen in disarray -- a woman and child are missing, a chilling note. This crime scene is unlike any he has ever seen.

The man who calls himself Gideon waits and plans. He sees himself as a destroyer of evil, one who rids the world of abomination. He has killed five women. He will kill again.

And somewhere in the wilderness, in a secret geocache near where the wild swans gather, lies the unspeakable clue that links them all together.

Michigan's rugged and beautiful Upper Peninsula is the setting for this absorbing tale of love and loss, beauty and terror, grievous sins and second chances. A deftly woven thriller from the popular author of the Rock Harbor novels.

My Review:

A hair-raising thriller that kept me glued to the page...with frequent shoulder checks for good measure. Somewhat gruesome -- Coble never goes too far but my vivid imagination filled in the details all too clearly. Shudder. The suspense just doesn't quit -- complicated and gnarly and completely riveting. The plot twists and turns and twists some more. It got to the point where I just couldn't put the book down and finished it in the wee hours of the morning.

Back in Rock Harbor with Bree  and Samson the wonder search-and-rescue dog was a pleasant surprise. The Rock Harbor series books were my first Colleen Coble reads so I squealed when Bree and Samson showed up early on. :-) You don't need to have read any of that series in order to enjoy this one. I just got an unexpected kick when I met up with them and the rest of the Rock Harbor gang in this story.

Abomination is classic Coble -- filled with subtle intricacies in a complex plot and packed with surprises. The kind of book you inhale the moment you open to the first page.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Abomination please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 11 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens

GIVEAWAY

COBLE, COLLEEN
TWILIGHT AT BLUEBERRY BARRENS

"I need you to keep these girls safe..."

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 every flourish again...or is this twilight is her last.

Set on the beautiful coast of Maine, Twilight at Blueberry Barrens brings together suspense, romance, and the hope that one day new life will come again.

My Review:

Another thrilling suspense from an author who knows how to create page-turners. Not one stalker but two...or maybe three? Multiple threats coming from all directions. Plenty of twists and turns riddled with angst. I'm still trying to catch my breath!

So many mysterious pieces to a scattered puzzle that need to be put together. Drake and Kate are trying their hardest, not always with the support of the local sheriff's department. And in the process they find their initial attraction growing into something so much more. Delicious romance in the midst of all that chaos. Phew! Be still my heart!

This is the third book in A Sunset Cove Novel series and some of the relationships carry over from the other books. In particular Kate and her sister's from The Inn at Ocean's Edge. I think it makes a better story if you've read that book first. You can still enjoy this one as a standalone, but some situations will be clearer if you've read Ocean's Edge.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Twilight at Blueberry Barrens please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 29 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Lightkeeper's Ball

GIVEAWAY

COBLE, COLLEEN
THE LIGHTKEEPER'S BALL

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 Devonsworth, 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 ball masquerade to raise funds for the new lighthouse, secrets -- and truths long hidden -- will be revealed. But can Harrison really love Olivia when he finds 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?

My Review:

A delicious blend of suspense and romance with a healthy dose of Gothic for good measure. Compelling from the very first page. Coble creates an eerie atmosphere as Olivia wrestles with the loss of her sister and the circumstances of her death. The armchair sleuth in me was on tenterhooks as I tried to put the pieces of a complicated puzzle together. I managed to solve some of the mystery but was gobsmacked by some of the suspenseful plot points.

And can I just say I wanted to slap some sense into Olivia more than a time or two? So stubbornly determined to uncover dark secrets all on her own! Placing her trust in some characters while being blatantly wary of Harrison Bennett. Gah! Of course, I had the benefit of being party to the hero's inner most thoughts but still...made the romance all the more edgier.

Another stellar romantic suspense by a favourite author.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Lightkeeper's Ball please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the  subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 27 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Anathema

GIVEAWAY

COBLE, COLLEEN
ANATHEMA

After years of running, Hannah Schwartz has finally built a life for herself -- far from the insecure husband who bullied and abused her. Far from the close-knit Amish community who raised her, then shunned her. Still haunted by nightmare memories of her parents' murder and the guilty secret that made her anathema -- a true outcast -- from her friends and family.

Only love can bring her home again. Love for a child she had feared was lost forever. And love for the peaceful people who shaped her life. But can love heal old wounds...or keep the community safe from a deadly danger?

My Review:

Such an enthralling story! I love how Coble gets into the grit of real relationships while hurling evil at her characters along the way! Emotions run high on both the Amish and Englisch sides as tragedy and danger create chaos in the usually peaceful town.

Hannah is a conflicted heroine -- living in the world while trying to hold onto the core of her Amish roots. But she's a survivor. Scrappy. Determined. Intent on discovering the truth. And that isn't easy -- especially when you don't know who to trust. Tense and sinister...with a wee bit spine-chilling. As well as unexpected romance with a whole lot of complications. I couldn't put this book down. Perfect for the romantic suspense connoisseur.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Anathema please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the  subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 13 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Secretly Smitten

GIVEAWAY

COBLE, COLLEEN
BILLERBECK, KRISTEN
HUNT, DIANN
HUNTER, DENISE
SECRETLY SMITTEN

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?

My Review:

I'm smitten with Smitten, Vermont! Sorry, couldn't resist. Loved the small town vibe so ripe for romance.  And those Thomas women are a hoot! Raring to match each other but turning alarmingly stubborn when Mr. Right comes their way. Each novella stars a sister (or mum) and while the reader gets to bask in their happily-ever-afters there is also a really neat mystery thread that winds its way through all the stories from start to finish. I couldn't wait to find out how that ended! And I wasn't disappointed. Tons of romance, quite a few laughs and some tender insightful moments as each woman tackles the obstacle that threatens that coveted happily-ever-after.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Secretly Smitten please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 11  2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Butterfly Palace

GIVEAWAY

COBLE, COLLEEN
BUTTERFLY PALACE

Elegance and wealth. Privilege and politics. The extravagance of Butterfly Palace overwhelmed Lily's senses and nearly smothered her painful memories. She pushed away her misgivings...she was perfectly safe in this huge house.

Austin, Texas 1904. Abandoned by the love of her life and still mourning the loss of her mother, Lily Donaldson has turned her back on the pain and come to Austin for a fresh start, working for the Marshall family as a kitchen maid in their luxurious mansion. The tasks before her are legion, and her mistress less than pleasant, but at least Lily's new life will be, if nothing else, distracting.

Then one night, while serving at a dinner party, Lily recognizes the man who abandoned her -- Andy, her liaison from the livery stable, the blacksmith's son -- sitting among the distinguished guests. Though he recognizes her, Andy does not acknowledge her aloud, and Lily is left reeling, flabbergasted, and irate.

But before she can get an explanation, the path of the Servant Girl Killer swerves very close to Butterfly Palalce, sowing terror among the maids. Having come to Austin to start anew, Lily suddenly feels trapped in a spider web. How can she know who to trust in a house where lies come dressed in fine suits and deceit in silk gowns the colors of butterfly wings?

My Review:

Colleen Coble is a master story weaver and she does it again with this intriguing upstairs/downstairs romantic suspense. An intricate plot features a bevy of sinister activities including a serial killer and political intrigue! And poor Lily finds herself enmeshed in it all. This small town girl gets way more than she bargained for when she moves to the city -- including laying eyes on the fiancé who deserted her. And she can't understand why he has changed his name and is moving in social circles far above his lowly station. Suspense is even intertwined in the romance!

Told from multiple points of view, I was especially intrigued by Belle's story. Pampered and spoiled and coldly conniving, she clashes with Lily at every turn. But circumstances work to soften Belle's hard edges during the course of the novel and I am hoping she will get her own story in the near future.

A lighter faith thread about being refined by struggles weaves some seemingly diverse threads together beautifully. It's amazing how Coble was able to tie up so many loose ends in such a complex plot. I had some things figured out and was feeling quite smug until she surprised me!

Murder, mayhem and romance at the turn of the century makes for an engrossing read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Butterfly Palace please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 19 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!