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| Butterfly Palace |
by Colleen Coble
Published by Thomas Nelson (January 21, 2014)
Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 Stars *****
Colleen Coble’s intriguing ‘Butterfly Palace’ darts along
the shadowy paths of an invigorating mystery whodunit, comprising of killers, assassination
plots, and hidden passage-ways. This gripping turn of the century novel set
around 1900, encompasses the privileged and the poor with a
passionate romance that pushes to take flight. Mysterious, exciting, and
romantic…. What more could you want?!
Lily Donaldson tragically lost her father in an unexplained
fire that also took the life of her fiancé Andy’s, father. Abandoned by Andy
after the tragedy, and later fully orphaned by the recent passing of her
mother, Lily Donaldson must make her own way and so takes a position at the
grand Butterfly Palace in Austin, Texas, as a kitchen maid. Lily is soon shocked
to discover the man who had stolen her heart, and more, at the party hosted by
her employers. But why was Andy now strangely calling himself Drew and why didn't
he want anyone to know that they were former acquaintances? Convinced he knows
the identity of the perpetrator of the fire, Drew is consumed with finding the evidence
required to bring him to justice. Before Lily knew what was happening, she was
caught up in a web of secrecy, subterfuge, conspiracies, and murder!
The opulent four-story Butterfly Palace contains an extensive,
exotic collection of butterflies which feature in the story, and with the
ominous tone that author Colleen Coble brings to this novel, they cleverly add
to the overall eerie atmosphere. Forever keeping you guessing are the
twists and turns in this intriguing tale - almost as many as there were secret
passageways in the labyrinth that was hidden within the walls of the mansion! The
uniqueness of the various characters contributed much to the quality of
this story as did the heart-pounding surprise ending. An encouraging message infused
in ‘Butterfly Palace’ leaves you remembering that God is always refining us and
that struggles and adversity can help you to grow into a stronger person!
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely
admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. ~Author Unknown
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
GIVEAWAY: This week we are giving away a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card. Leave a comment for the drawing!
Ooh--another intriguing book by Colleen to throw on my TBR pile. I love suspense & this sounds like a heart pumper. Thanks for the great review Noela!
ReplyDeleteVicki
PS--please add me to the drawing. ;-)
Yep VICKI, toss this one up on the top of that pile of yours! :-) You'll love it!! Hugs!
DeleteThanks Noela for this review. It sounds like a edge of your seat book. I would love to read it some time. Can you use these gift card in a book store or only online? Please put my name in the hat. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome MAXIE, I sure hope you get to read it! That's a good question Maxie. I had a look at the website and it seems there are some B & N bookstores as well as the online store. You'll have to do a search online to see if there's one in your area however. Bless you!
DeleteThis one is coming up on my to-read list and it will be my first book by Colleen Coble! I'm excited for the suspense that she's known for! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletecolorvibrant at gmail dot com
Cool HEIDI! I guarantee it won't be your last Colleen Coble book once you read it! ;)
DeleteWow! Noela, this book is on my reading list too. Colleen Coble is my favorite author! I guess I should write some of these books down and try and see if I can find them at my Library.:) please add my name to the drawing. oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteIt probably is a good idea to make a list DANIE and find some at the library, there are soooo many amazing books out there... And this is one of them!! ;) You're in the drawing so all the best Danie!
DeleteThank you Noela, when will you drawing to see who won the book??
DeleteThe drawing is usually done by the close of the weekend after the review week, but sometimes Carrie is unable to do so, so in that case just check back occasionally on the winners column on the right hand. If we have your email, which we do in your case, you will be contacted if you are the winner! :-)
DeleteOkay thanks
DeleteLove the cover, love the title, and love the review. Now...what do you think - would I like the story too? :) Guess I'll have to find out!
ReplyDeleteMy educated guess would be yes, lol. ;) I have no doubt at all that you will love this story MARIAN, but you should find that out for yourself by reading it! :-) Hugs Dutchy!
DeleteI love her books! I have this book in my to be read pile!
ReplyDeleteYou have good taste DEBBIE! ;) You know you're in for a great story when you pick up a CC book, don't you! Enjoy Butterfly Palace when you get to read it!!
DeleteI love Colleen's books and read them as soon as they are available!!! This one did not disappoint met....lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway of the gift card!
You're welcome JACKIE! This one was great wasn't it? There was something different about this one which is hard to put my finger on, but whatever it is, it worked!! :-)
DeleteWell NOELA you have done it again...written a perfect review that makes me want to read this book RIGHT NOW!! lol Too bad I need sleep or I could read on forever and forever! What a happy ending that would be for me!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteAw thank you TERESA, I pray you can get some good sleep plus the time to read this book!! I KNOW you will just love this one! But it WILL keep you up reading, sooo.... ;) I do like your idea of a happy ending lol... I wonder if there'll be books in heaven? :-)
DeleteThis sounds like a really cool book, Noela! Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks CARRIE, and yes it's a very cool book. :-) It was another one that had loads of atmosphere as well as a really great story!
DeleteI love the cover of this book! It's so inviting..........and mysterious, wanting to draw the reader in!
ReplyDeletesusanlulu@yahoo.com
Mysterious, and just a little bit creepy because of the color tones, don't you think SUSAN? ;) And very definitely intriguing!! It actually fits the story really well. :-)
DeleteA beautiful, intriguing, review, Noela - thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering where the house on the cover of "Butterfly Palace" is located - would love to see it - and wondering how butterflies play into a plot of murder, assassinations, and hidden passage-ways !! Mysteries aren't usually my "cup of tea", however, you've piqued my curiosity, Noela, especially with those words: ominous, eerie, and heart-pounding !! I haven't read any of Colleen's books but the two reviewed this week have wonderful storylines and I love "twist-and-turns" in a book - keeping me guessing !!
And amen for God's strengthening us through life's struggles and adversities - what a faithful, loving God we have!! I pray to learn well the lessons offered through my trials and use them to reach out to others!!
Hugs, Noela!!
Thank you BONNIE for your sweet and thoughtful comment! You are an amazing testament of God's grace and love in how you continue to reach out to others in encouragement and blessings while going through your own great struggles and trials. Blessings and hugs to you Bonnie!!
DeleteThe story is set in Austin, Texas, but I'm not sure if that's where the house on the cover is also from. As for seeing how the butterfly's play into the story... I can't let out any secrets here lol, so you'll just have to read it to find out! ;) Bonnie, I believe you'd really love Colleen's stories... They're the sort of stories that usually have a bit of everything in them... History, romance, adventure, suspense, and a great message. Safe in His Arms is one I reviewed on OWG a while ago, that was a big favorite of mine out of all her books. The Mercy Falls series (Lightkeeper books) are amazing as well.
This book sounds very good. Historical and a mystery! And Colleen Coble! It has to be great!
ReplyDeleteNancycooks4u ( at ) gmail ( dot ) com
Exactly NANCY, enough said huh? ;) Thanks for coming by, blessings to you!!
DeleteThank you for those kind words, dear Noela, and thanks for the tips on Colleen's books!! Encouraging and giving to others blesses me also and brightens my days - I love doing it!!
ReplyDeletePlease say a prayer for my family - my father has been fighting stage 4 cancer (as well as chronic depression) for quite some time now, and my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a couple of weeks ago. I have also been acting as P.O.A. for an invalid aunt for over a year now, and of course - have health issues of my own. But God gives me the strength to help and I am blessed!!
I love your sweet spirit, Noela, my sister-in-Christ!!
I have prayed and will continue to lift up your parents BONNIE! God bless you!!!
DeleteGreat title, great cover, great author.....this great book sounds like a winner to me!!!!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com