Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble

Overview: Seagrass Pier is the perfect place for Elin to hide from a killer, but an old love's ability to see her true heart could be her undoing.

When Elin Summerall contracted a virus that damaged her heart, she was lucky to get a transplant. At first it was an overwhelmingly good gift. But then she began to remember a murder she never witnessed—the murder of her heart's donor.

When she reveals what she knows to a disbelieving police officer, she's exposed as a witness and must flee for her life to a remote cottage on Hope Beach.

Fearing what might happen to her daughter and mother, she asks Marc Everton for help, though she hasn't seen him since the night her father died. She remembers that night with shame, and she never told Marc about their daughter.

Marc is less than convinced that Elin's "memories" are real. He is blindsided by the news about his daughter, but for her sake, he agrees to help. Then he begins to notice the small ways Elin is different. She now likes coffee, her musical tastes have changed, and she's ditched her jeans and sneakers for dresses and high heels.

As Elin tries to stay alive and bring the killer to justice, she begins to doubt her own identity. Did her new heart save her life only to cause her to lose herself? And if she's really changed, why does her new heart love Marc just as much as her old one did?

ISBN-13: 9781595547842
Publisher: Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date: 7/1/2014
Series: The Hope Beach Series , #3
Pages: 336

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Read my reviews on the the other books in the "Hope Beach" series: Tidewater Inn | Rosemary Cottage

My Review:  Every book in the the "Hope Beach" series was fantastic, but Seagrass Pier was the icing on the cake! I read this story every chance I could get! The story touches on some intense topics. Elin Summerall had a heart transplant. Since then, she is having strange dreams about the murder of the woman whose heart she received. In the medical community, this is known as cell memory. I've never heart of it before, but this story stuck some interest in me. Elin's mom is also struggling with dementia, a disease typically found in elderly patients. The story is fast-paced, intriguing, and suspenseful despite the heaviness of some of the topics. That's where Coble excels at writing!

Elin Summerall is a beautiful, independent single mother struggling to cope with raising her daughter, caring for her ailing mother, and overcoming widowhood. She is also recovering from a heart transplant. Elin's character is who I strive to be: strong in her faith, yet humble enough to know she isn't perfect and can't do it all on her own. Marc is the typical man's man, but he is also strong in his faith. He has the right amount of flaws to make him more human and less "perfect." I liked him immediately, and loved him when he found out about his daughter. With a slew of supporting characters, the story never gets to a boring point.

The meat of the story centers around finding your identity. Who are you? What makes you who you are? Is it your looks, your role in life, your job, or something more substantial? What  happens when life changes us? Is our identity shaken or does it hold firm? As Christians, Colleen reminds us our real identity is in Christ. As Elin's mother says, "It's how we love, honey. And you love with your whole heart. God shines through you. Don't ever let that change."

Colleen Coble delivers another face-paced suspense full of twists, turns, with a little romance, story that will keep you enthralled page after page! I highly recommend this book!

*I received this book for free from the publisher through the BookLook Blogging program in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.*

About the Author: Best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has 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.

 Connect with Colleen: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Blog

Rosemary Cottage by Colleen Coble

Overview: Amy came to Rosemary Cottage to grieve, to heal, maybe even find love. But there’s a deadly undertow of secrets around Hope Island . . .

The charming Rosemary Cottage on the beach offers Amy Lange respite she needs to mourn her brother, Ben. She’s even thinking of moving her midwife practice to the Outer Banks community. It’s always been a refuge for her and her family. She also wants to investigate Ben’s disappearance at sea. Everyone blames a surfing accident, but Amy has reason to wonder.

Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland has lost a sibling too. His sister, Gina, was run down by a boat, leaving him to raise her infant daughter. If anyone knew who little Raine’s father was, Curtis could lose his beloved niece. Yet he can’t help being drawn to Hope Beach’s new midwife, Amy. He even agrees to help her investigate what happened to both Ben and Gina.

Can two grieving people with secrets find healing on beautiful Hope Island? Or will their quest for truth set them at odds with each other…and with those who will go to any length to keep hidden things hidden?

ISBN-13: 9781595547828
Publisher: Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date: 7/9/2013
Series: Hope Beach Series , #2
Pages: 336

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My Review: I just can't get over how masterful a story teller Colleen Coble is. I've not read one of her books I didn't thoroughly enjoy. This book is no exception! I was hooked from page one! The story moved at just the right pace. Lots of action, mystery, and the right amount of romance.

The emotions the characters felt were realistic. I could feel Amy's grief, joy, contentment, and conflict as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. Her character is one I can certainly relate to. Curtis' character drew me in from the start. His caring, protective nature is admirable. Their romance, while at times I wanted to smack them both, was sweet. 

The lesson in this story was two-fold. God wants us to be real. It's so easy to put on a facade, to pretend to be someone we aren't or feel something we don't, but that's not what God wants. The other lesson is about judgement. We are in no way, shape, or form in a position to judge others, yet we do it on a daily basis. That's not God's will either! 

Overall, this is a face-paced story with plenty of twists, turns, and romance for anyone!

About the Author: Best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has 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.

 Connect with Colleen: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Blog

Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble

 

ISBN-13: 9781595547811
Publisher: Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date: 7/17/2012
Series:Hope Beach Series , #1
Pages: 320

 

Overview: Welcome to Hope Beach. A place of intoxicating beauty . . . where trouble hits with the force of a hurricane.

 

Inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the Outer Banks could be a dream come true for Libby. The inn cries out for her restorer’s talent and love of history. She’s delighted to learn of the family she never knew she had. And the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she’s met there on the island could definitely be the man of her dreams.

But Libby soon realizes that the only way she can afford the upkeep on the inn is to sell it to developers who are stalking the island. The father who willed her the inn has died before she could meet him, and her new-found brother and sister are convinced she’s there to steal their birthright. Worst of all, her best friend and business partner has been kidnapped before her eyes, and Libby’s under suspicion for the crime.

Libby’s dream come true is becoming a nightmare. Her only option is to find her friend and prove her innocence, or lose everything on the shores of Hope Island.

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My Review: I love all of Colleen Coble's novels and this story is no exception! Colleen has you gripping the edge of your seat from the very first page! While the story is a little unrealistic (they don't call it "fiction" for nothing!), it is still exceptionally written. Most of the time, I can guess how the mystery is going to play out. Colleen does an excellent job of keeping you guessing until the very end. My suspicions were completely wrong! I love that type of story!

Libby, as a rather new Christian, is faced with obstacle after obstacle. It was great to go through her spiritual growth journey with her. She is also a strong, yet tender and loving female lead character. She would be someone I looked up to. Alec is a good, godly man. Yet, Colleen Coble gives him enough human characteristics to make him normal. He struggles just like any other man. With a cast of secondary characters like Vanessa, Brent, and Aunt Pearl, the story is never boring or drama-less. It was also nice to catch up with Bree and Kade from the Rock Harbor series!

The overall theme of the story - greed and generosity (as stated by Colleen herself) - is repeated through the decisions and situations the characters deal with. The story repeatedly makes them ask the time old question: "What Would Jesus Do?" Facing trials and tribulations is part of every life, but especially Christians. As Alec is quick to point out, "Being a Christian doesn't mean trouble never comes our way... It just means God is here, and he gives us the grace to get through the heartache." When a particular decision has to be made that is really hard, the reward can be equally great.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story, as I do all of Colleen Coble's works. I highly recommend this story as well as any of her other works!

About the Author: Lonestar Angel, the 4th novel in Colleen Coble’s popular Lonestar series won the 2012 Carol Award in Romantic Suspense.

With more than 300 products nominated, industry retailers chose the titles to receive the Retailer’s Choice award. The Lightkeeper’s Ball by Colleen Coble, received an award in fiction: historical romance. When hearing the news, Daisy Hutton, vice president and publisher for Thomas Nelson’s fiction division had this to say: “The Thomas Nelson fiction team is delighted that Colleen Coble’s work has been recognized by retailers through this award. Colleen is more than a Thomas Nelson author; she is a part of our family, having celebrated her 10th anniversary with us this summer. We greatly appreciate the support that retailers have given to Colleen throughout her career, and we join her in celebrating this achievement.”

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