Diana Reviews Windigo Twilight By Colleen Coble

 

 

Windigo Twilight by Colleen Coble

Spencerhill Associates, Jan. 2015

 

Reviewed by Diana Flowers

(No Spoilers!) 

 

 



Exotic Suspense!

 

Windigo Twilight is a gripping, exotic suspense-filled tale that takes place on a mysterious island across the horizon from Lake Superior. A weathered mansion, massive pine trees along the cliff's edge, the sound of the surf crashing below, and rumors of the evil Windigo spirits all lend to the mystique of this dark, cryptic isle. 

 

 

Rebecca Baxter believes her parents' death due to an explosion on their boat is no accident, especially due to the fact that her estranged relatives would profit handsomely from their deaths.  Changing her name to Becca Lynn she secures a position as a research assistant to writer, Max Duncan, on a practically deserted island in the middle of Lake Superior. Becca has not been to Windigo Manor since she was a small child, and is certain none of the remaining family members there will recognize her as she ferrets out information concerning her parents' death. Max Duncan is a handsome, brooding widower for whom Becca begins to feel a deep attraction in spite of herself. When eerie incidents begin to take place, Becca begins to wonder if she has been recognized. When someone frightens her in the woods dressed up as Windigo and her life becomes threatened, Becca unearths secrets she never wanted to find out. Someone wants her out of the way---permanently. And no one in Windigo Manor is to be trusted...including Max Duncan.

 

 

Colleen Coble wrote this riveting novel under her maiden name of Rhoads in 2005, and had it republished in 2015. Full of exotic descriptive imagery, the reader will feel as though they are on a tropical island in the Caribbean or Tahiti instead of the United States. Filled with heart racing excitement and melodramatic tension that will send shivers up your spine -- there is never a dull moment in this whodunit! Throw in some romance and a spiritual thread throughout and you have a typical Colleen Coble novel--breathtaking!

                                                     

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This book may be purchased through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and BAM.

 

GIVEAWAY: An ebook copy to one blessed commenter! International entrants welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noela Nancarrow reviews BUTTERFLY PALACE by Colleen Coble

Butterfly Palace

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! 

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We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. ~Author Unknown

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This book may be purchased through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD, and your local bookstore.

GIVEAWAY: This week we are giving away a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card. Leave a comment for the drawing!

Diana's Review of Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble

Seagrass Pier

Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble

Thomas Nelson Publishing, July 1, 2014

Heart-Racing Seaside Suspense!

In Seagrass Pier, Colleen Coble has penned a heart pounding, suspense-filled novel in the lovely, seaside setting of the quaint little island of Hope Beach, North Carolina. Hope Beach is a veritable vacationer's paradise; with its white sandy beaches, roar of the surf, the fresh salty scent of the sea air, and the moon glimmering on the peaks of the whitecaps—but underneath the guise of warmth and beauty lie deadly secrets,  deceit, and murder.

Elin Summerall has been given another chance at life. A young woman named Laura has been murdered and Elin has received her heart in a transplant, along with some of Laura's memories, habits, and violent flashbacks of her murder. Elin, a widow, moves to Seagrass Pier with her mother and her little girl, Josie, to try and recapture some peace and also learn more about her donor in the process.

When Elin begins to receive threatening letters, phone calls, and visits from a stalker who seems to want her dead, a handsome FBI agent from her past, Marc Everton, reappears in her life to help. Marc has more than a vested interest in her and Josie's lives due to a secret Elin has kept from him for almost five years. Can Marc and Elin, along with Laura's memories, put the pieces together before she becomes another of this madman's victims?

Colleen Coble is a master story-teller whose suspense books are guaranteed to keep readers on the edge of their seats, with an adrenaline rush from beginning to end! She is an expert at descriptive imagery, and I could actually see the pounding surf and hear the cry of the seagulls in my mind's eye. There was not just one romance in this novel, but two! – as one of the secondary character's story comes to life as well, and the romantic tension was extremely palatable! There was a surprise twist at the end that threw me for a loop, and lovers of whodunits will be mesmerized; biting their nails well into the night trying to figure out who this crazy stalker is! Nicely done, Ms. Colleen Coble!

This book may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, and your local bookstore.

GIVEAWAY: This week we are giving away a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card. Leave a comment for the drawing.

 

Noela Nancarrow's Review of Safe In His Arms by Colleen Coble

Safe In His Arms

Safe In His Arms by Colleen Coble

Thomas Nelson, 2013

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

~5 stars~*****

‘Safe In His Arms’ is a Texas tale of ranching life on the rolling acres of the Triple T ranch; of low-down murderin’ bank robbers, and a gripping, heart-stirring love! You could rightly say it’s as much a tale of trusting God and others as believing in and learning to love yourself.

Tall, red-haired Margaret O’Brien prides herself as a top ranch-hand, just as good as any man. However, her Pa would like to see his daughter dolled up in dresses, getting hitched and giving him grandchildren! Margaret can’t see that happening and views herself as manly and unlovable. She wears britches, has her long hair braided, and is likely to have bits of cow manure stuck on her pants and boots.

Green-eyed Margaret has a passion and a purpose with her life on the ranch and doesn’t want things to change. She takes great pride in seeing the cattle fat and content, making sure the barns are in good repair, and the workers taken care of.

Each time Margaret gazes on over the ranch spread, she is struck anew with its beauty and will grab a few moments to take it all in. She eyes with pride their low-set stuccoed home set between two cottonwood trees nestled in the valley, admires her rose bushes running the length of the deck, and smiles at the longhorns grazing on the hills around the ranch. But Margaret’s eyes also hold a deep sadness within. If only her Pa could show appreciation for her hard work, some words of praise rather than always finding fault with her.

When the handsome, dark-haired Daniel Cutter is hired as the new foreman by her father Paddy O’Brien, Margaret feels the sting of rejection from her Pa once again. She knows she could do the job capably herself. She is unsettled for another reason too as she can see that there’s a far side more to this new foreman than what he’d like them all to think. After all, no self-respecting foreman would wear thin shirts, and fancy pants and boots for work on a ranch!

This overly self-confident, tall, broad-shouldered stylish man, becomes an enigma to her. He declares that she is beautiful and treats her as such, but Margaret feels there must be some reason for him to lie. When she begins to believe he just may be genuine after all, she overhears a shocking conversation between Daniel and another man. And now she’s out to gather more evidence against him to protect her father, the ranch, and herself.

But she is not prepared to continue to see the side of Daniel that’s touching her deep within. How can an unlawful dangerous man treat her so tenderly, and more to the point, how could he possibly talk to her about God and pray so sincerely?!

Margaret tries to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding Daniel, but in doing so, finds herself in terrible danger. There is also a heap of trouble going on at the ranch including Margaret’s father being attacked. What is going on? And who is responsible for these attacks on her Pa? What will Margaret put her trust in – her heart, or in what she sees and hears?

This charming, yet exciting story will cause you to flip the pages constantly until the end! There is an outstanding message illustrated throughout this book about the battle some women face with the age-old message of beauty being too important, and that you are less of a person if you don’t fit into the mold. When in fact, God loves us just as we are, warts and all, and so will others. We can be safe, and loved, in His arms.

This book may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, or your local bookstore.

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GIVEAWAY: Colleen is graciously offering a copy of one of her new releases (reader's choice) in choice of format. * International – ebook only. 

Answer the question to be entered in the contest!  

QUESTION: Have you ever felt like you haven’t fitted into ‘society’ perfectly, and what advice would you share to others who may feel the same? 

Diana Flowers Reviews Rosemary Cottage by Colleen Coble

Rosemary Cottage

Rosemary Cottage by Colleen Coble

Thomas Nelson Publishing, July 2013

~5 Stars*****

Reviewed by Diana Flowers

Seaside Suspense!

In Rosemary Cottage, Colleen Coble has weaved a heart pounding, suspense-filled novel in the lovely, seaside setting of Hope Beach, North Carolina. Hope Beach is a vacationer's paradise; with its white sandy beaches, roar of the surf, and quaint seaside restaurants serving up shrimp and lobster bisque—but underneath the guise of warmth and beauty lie deadly secrets, deceit, and heartbreak.

Amy Lang decides to return to Rosemary Cottage on Hope Island; a place where she and her recently deceased brother, Ben, shared so many happy memories of laughter filled, annual vacations…to heal, to find answers, to begin life anew. Amy doesn't believe that Ben died in an accidental drowning, and with the help of handsome, Curtis Ireland, a member of the Coast Guard search and rescue team, she searches for clues surrounding his death.

Curtis recently lost his sister, Gina, in an accident as well and has custody of her sweet little daughter, Raine. As he and Amy begin to investigate, clues are unearthed linking the ‘accidental’ deaths of Ben and Gina to murder, and unsettling questions of Raine's parentage arise. As danger begins to envelope them so does romance…a love that cannot ever be, for Amy harbors secrets herself. Who would want to kidnap little Raine and why?...and will Amy open herself up to healing?…and to love?

Colleen Coble is a master storyteller, whose heartwarming, heart pounding, suspense filled who-dun-it kept me up well into the night! Although this is a sequel to Tidewater Inn, it can easily be read as a stand alone. I quickly fell in love with all of the characters and their problems became mine as I lost myself in this fascinating story with a warm, seaside setting. With as many twists and turns as a roller coaster ride, my heart literally raced as the climactic conclusion unfolded! Nicely done, Colleen Coble!

A special thanks to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This awesome book may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, BAM, and your local bookstore.

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GIVEAWAY: Colleen is graciously offering a copy of one of her new releases (reader's choice) in choice of format! International—ebook only! Answer the question to be entered in the contest.

QUESTION: What is your favorite natural setting for a book and why? Ex. beach, jungle, etc.



Diana Flowers Reviews Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble

Blue Moon Promise

by Colleen Coble

5 stars~*****

Deep In The Heart Of Texas!

Colleen Coble has crafted a wonderfully romantic, suspense filled historical set in Texas; a beautiful land filled with wildflowers, horse ranches and grazing cattle, but also fraught with the threat of Indians, rattlesnakes, and unscrupulous money hungry villains. Our lovely heroine, Lucy Marsh, finds herself in dire straights when she is left to care for her two siblings and loses her job in Indiana. She also finds herself in danger when a man begins to stalk her for reasons unbeknownst to her. When a friend of her late father shows up and offers her a marriage by proxy to his son, Nate, she has no choice but to take him up on it.

Along with his father, Nate Stanton runs the Stars Above Ranch, and is incensed when his father brings home a puny, (albeit beautiful), unsuitable wife for him-surely incapable of helping him run a ranch. Lucy is determined to carry her weight on the ranch and show Nate he is wrong about her, and finds herself attracted to the handsome, kind cowboy. When the man who stalked her in Indiana turns up again, and problems arise with a neighbor he and his father have had a longtime feud with, Nate unexpectedly finds he will go to any length to protect Lucy and her siblings.

Will Lucy quit trying to control things to prove her worth, and will Nate learn to love her as the Bible says a man must love his wife? Can Lucy help mend the breach between the Stantons and the man they have been feuding with for years?...and why is she being stalked? What surprise twist occurs in the conclusion?...revealing a betrayal that nearly breaks Nate's heart?

I have read many of Ms. Coble's books and have yet to read one I didn't like. She is a master storyteller that combines suspense, romance, and weaves a strong spiritual thread of forgiveness and second chances within the pages of her books. Her stories are action-packed and compelling, and I could not put this one down. Nicely done, Colleen Coble!


*I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and was not required to write a positive review. 

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Colleen’s books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in ebook format not as a paperback.

Diana Flowers Reviews Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble

Tidewater Inn 
by Colleen Coble

4.5 stars~

Seaside Suspense!!

In Tidewater Inn, Colleen Coble has woven a captivating, suspense filled novel that takes place in the Outer Banks on Hope Beach---an island replete with fishing boats, charming houses, salty sea air, and the sound of the waves rolling onto the shore. Libby and her partner, Nicole, restore historical buildings in Virginia Beach, and Nicole finds herself on Hope Beach investigating the idea of restoring the downtown area. When she becomes a victim of a kidnapping, Libby races to the island to search for her friend, enlisting the aid of Alec Bourne, handsome captain of the Coast Guard.

Once there, Libby finds out not only that her deceased father has left her Tidewater Inn, but that she has half-siblings there as well...who are incensed that Libby (whom they previously didn't know even existed), is to inherit the inn. Danger and distrust lurk in every nook and cranny of the island as Libby becomes a prime suspect of Nicole's kidnapping, and someone seeks to drown her in the vast ocean waters.

Is Nicole still alive, and is someone trying to get rid of Libby to obtain Tidewater Inn? Is there any hope of Libby and her siblings ever reconciling?...and does Alec believe Libby had nothing to do with her friend's disappearance. Will Libby decide to sell Tidewater Inn since it would be too expensive to renovate?...and what of her growing feelings for Alec should she decide to do so?

Colleen Coble is simply a master storyteller. Her use of imagery in the seaside setting in this novel immediately drew me in; her storyline kept me there! Full of suspense, romance, compelling and lovable characters, and a spiritual thread throughout---this one will keep you flipping those pages 'til the climactic conclusion! Thank you for the exciting beach vacation I've needed for so long, Colleen Coble! :)


I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion.


Colleen's books can be found on Amazon, CBD and other bookstores.


GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week's contest. Drawing will be late Saturday, your choice of Colleen's books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. * International winners will only receive the book in ebook format, not as a paperback.

Carrie Fancett Pagels Interviews Colleen Coble

Colleen Coble

Colleen Coble is the author of Tidewater Inn and of the Lonestar Series and the Rock Harbor series.

I met Colleen through some online groups, including American Christian Fiction Writers. She is CEO of ACFW.

Colleen, welcome to Overcoming Through Time – With God’s Help.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers.  Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?

I suffered with debilitating migraines for decades (40 years.) It was often hard to deal with everyday life, and even harder to write when the pain crushed me. I had to rely on God day to day. I searched all the time for relief and finally found what worked (bioidentical hormones) and am now migraine free! So grateful to the Lord for that.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

Romans 8:28. My family and I were involved in a bad auto accident. At the time I couldn’t see anything good in it. A teenage boy had been killed, and we were all injured. But through that accident, I came to know Jesus and so did my family. A year after the accident eleven people had come to Christ as a result of that accident. It’s difficult to go through challenges like that and we can’t always see the reasons, but God always brings good out of it in the end.

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print? 

Yes, Tidewater Inn will be available in audio and large print. Quite a few other books are in large print and/or audio.

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?

You have the strength and courage in you to face challenges and overcome them. God will never leave or forsake you, and you can rise above any challenges you face. That’s the theme that runs through all my books. My heroines are all overcomers. I love seeing strong women take on the world and win with God’s help. 

As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

I particularly enjoyed writing Tidewater Inn because Libby learns to take one step each day that will strengthen her character and her faith. It’s the little decisions we do every day that either take us closer to God or further away. So often sin is not something big—it’s a tiny step that reaps huge consequences down the road. So even as Libby learned how rewarding generosity was to her soul, the villain chased after greed to disastrous consequences.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  

I often have information about healthy diet in my books, but that subject didn’t come up in this book. For example, in Lonestar Secrets, my heroine has multiple sclerosis and she learns that gluten free eating will help her disease. I’m a huge believer in a paleo lifestyle and rarely eat grains. I never eat gluten. My new book, Rosemary Cottage, features a midwife who uses homeopathy and herbs to help her patients as well. God designed our bodies so well, and if we give it the right fuel, it can repair a lot of damage. I recommend everyone with an autoimmune disease watch this video of Dr. Terry Wahls and how she healed her MS with diet.

Thank you Colleen for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!

Thanks so much for having me! It’s a wonderful work you’re doing.


Colleen's books are available through Amazon. Tidewater Inn is also available through Barnes and Noble.  You can also find it at CBD.

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Colleen’s books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in ebook format not as a paperback.