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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(P.S. The e-book version is being offered for $4.99. Pre-order your copy today!!)

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

Blind Trust by Sandra Orchard

Kate's not sure how deep this deception goes—but she'll do whatever it takes to find out.

Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money and can't believe that it came from her sweet elderly neighbor. Or that it has landed her in the middle of another of Detective Tom Parker's investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor's innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation—and one that strikes too close to home for comfort.

As family secrets come to light, her world—and her budding romance with Tom—begin to crumble. To Kate, it's clear that she won't be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster's secrets. But then will it be too late for her and Tom?

For Blind Trust extras, visit Sandra's Bonus Book Features page.

ISBN-13: 9780800722234
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Publication date: 6/17/2014
Series:Port Aster Secrets , #2
Pages: 384

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My Review: I was disappointed when I learned this was the second book in a series, as I have not read the first book, Deadly Devotion. However, the author gives enough details from the previous book to get a feel for what's going on so you're not completely lost. For that, I was thankful. Sandra Orchard is a new author to me, but this definitely will not be the last novel of hers I read. She created a tension filled story of mystery, suspense, with a hint of romance that I truly appreciated. 

I can relate with Kate Adams a great deal. She is the kind of person who is overly trusting, kind, and tries to see the best in everyone. In this book, we see her struggling a great deal with the trust she so freely gave to certain people, even God. She begins to question her judgement and priorities. Tom Parker seems like a guy with a good heart. His intentions towards Kate are honorable and sincere. The budding romance between them was well written and helped to ease some of the tension going on in the book.

Each character struggles with placing their trust in the right place. Placing our trust in the one who knows our future is the greatest thing we can do, and also the hardest. As humans, we struggle to trust a person we can't see or understand well, but if we can trust the Lord to save us from our sins, we can trust Him with our future. With plenty of twists and turns, and an awesome cliff-hanger, Blind Trust will keep you turning pages and eagerly awaiting the final book!

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.*

About the Author: Sandra Orchard is an award-winning author of inspirational romantic suspense with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense imprint, and Revell Publishing. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America and The Word Guild (Canada). A mother of three grown children, she lives in Niagara, Canada with her real-life-hero husband and now writes full time…when not doting on her young grandchildren.  You can learn more about Sandra’s books and bonus features at www.SandraOrchard.com or connect at www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard Sandra is represented by Steve Laube of the Steve Laube Agency.

Connect with Sandra: Facebook  | Goodreads | Sandra's Blog | Website