About the Book

Book: Strands of Truth

Author: Colleen Coble

Genre: Suspense

Release Date: September 10, 2019

Harper Taylor is used to being alone—after all, she grew up in one foster home after another. Oliver Jackson finally took her under his wing when she was a runaway teenager, and now Harper pours her marine biology knowledge into Oliver’s pen shell research. But she’s never stopped wishing for a family of her own.

So when a DNA test reveals a half-sister living just two hours away, Harper is both hopeful and nervous. Over warm cinnamon rolls, Harper and Annabelle find striking similarities in their stories. Is it just a coincidence that both their mothers died tragically, without revealing Harper and Annabelle’s father’s name?

Oliver’s son Ridge still sees Harper as a troubled teen even all these years later. But when Oliver is attacked, Ridge and Harper find themselves working together to uncover dangerous secrets that threaten to destroy them all. They must unravel her past before they can have any hope for the future.

Suspense, romance, and generational secrets meld in this engrossing new novel from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble.

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

Colleen Coble is a USA TODAY bestselling author and RITA finalist best known for her coastal romantic suspense novels, including The Inn at Ocean’s Edge, Twilight at Blueberry Barrens, and the Lavender Tides, Sunset Cove, Hope Beach, and Rock Harbor series. Connect with Colleen online at colleencoble.com; Instagram: colleencoble; Facebook: colleencoblebooks; Twitter: @colleencoble.

Read a Premium Excerpt

Suspense, romance, and generational secrets meld in this engrossing new novel from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble.

Strands of Harper Taylor’s childhood are resurfacing—but will the truth save her . . . or pull her under? 

Harper Taylor is used to being alone— after all, she grew up in one foster home after another. Oliver Jackson finally took her under his wing when she was a runaway teenager, and now Harper pours her marine biology knowledge into Oliver’s pen shell research. But she’s never stopped wishing for a family of her own.

So when a DNA test reveals a half-sister living just two hours away, Harper is both hopeful and nervous. Over warm cinnamon rolls, Harper and Annabelle find striking similarities in their stories. Is it just a coincidence that both their mothers died tragically, without revealing Harper and Annabelle’s father’s name?

Oliver’s son Ridge still sees Harper as a troubled teen even all these years later. But when Oliver is attacked, Ridge and Harper find themselves working together to uncover dangerous secrets that threaten to destroy them all. They must unravel her past before they can have any hope for the future.

Suspense, romance, and generational secrets meld in this engrossing new novel from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble.

“Free-dive into a romantic suspense that will leave you breathless and craving for more.” –DiAnn Mills, bestselling author

“As always, Colleen Coble never disappoints. Strands of Truth is no exception. I was hooked from the first page. Trying to read this story slowly is impossible. Don’t be surprised when you find yourself flipping the pages in a hurry to find out what happens next! This one is for your keeper shelf.” –Lynette Eason, bestselling, award-winning author of the Blue Justice Series

“Colleen Coble’s latest book, Strands of Truth, grips you on page one with a heart-pounding opening and doesn’t let go until the last satisfying word. I love her skill in pulling the reader in with believable, likable characters, interesting locations, and a mystery just waiting to be untangled. Highly recommended.” –Carrie Stuart Parks, bestselling author of Formula of Deception

“Once again, Colleen Coble delivers an intriguing, suspenseful tale in Strands of Truth. The mystery and tension mount toward an explosive and satisfying finish. Well done.” –Creston Mapes, bestselling author

“Just when I think Colleen Coble’s stories can’t get any better, she proves me wrong. In Strands of Truth, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The characterization of Ridge and Harper and their relationship pulled me immediately into the story. Fast paced, with so many unexpected twists and turns, I read this book in one sitting. Coble has pushed the bar higher than I’d imagined. This book is one not to be missed.” –Robin Caroll, best-selling author of the Darkwater Inn series

“It’s in her blood! Colleen Coble once again shows her suspense prowess with a thriller as intricate and beautiful as a strand of DNA. Strands of Truth dives into an unusual profession involving mollusks and shell beds that weaves a unique, silky thread throughout the story. So fascinating I couldn’t stop reading!” –Ronie Kendig, bestselling author of The Tox Files

The author does a great job of writing intriguing stories that have you guessing till the end. Harper is a complex character and at times I wasn't sure if she would ever be happy. It was very hard for her growing up and her desire to be part of a family has always be high on her list. In a strange twist Harper discovers some background about her mother and possible half sister. 

I loved when the story went back to the late   1960's and highlighted Judy and her time as a mermaid. I do remember watching shows where you saw young women swimming in this large tank looking like mermaids. A lot of the time it was at restaurants or special attractions. Judy's death may not be as innocent as it was played up to be all those years ago. I really wanted to stay in this period a bit longer because it fascinated me how these women  were in the water for long periods of time. 

There were times when I wasn't sure if Ridge and Harper would ever get along. After all, Ridge's dad took Harper under his wing and thought of her as a daughter. As Ridge and Harper start digging deeper into Harper's past, danger finds them. Unexplained deaths start happening and someone is out to stop Harper. What secret would cause someone to kill? Harper does have a hard time trusting people which dampens her friendship with Ridge. When Harper reveals something to Ridge, it shakes him to the core. I was just as shocked as him. There is a part towards the end of the story that I didn't like at all. It has to do with Harper and the person who kidnaps her. What he says to her was distasteful and I wish the author would not have included it at all.  The rest of the story is fast paced and has a great ending.

 The secret that Harper shares with Ridge  makes for a great lesson in forgiveness and the need to feel wanted.  Rejection is something that Harper has dealt with all her life. Will Ridge be able to accept her confession? I loved when Ridge said to Harper; " The right time for the truth is every minute of every day." Those are profound words that we should be practicing every day. 

The story is a wonderful journey to finding truth, depending on God and learning to trust. The ending is excellent and it answers all questions posed during the book. I was quite surprised at who the killer was.  It deals with DNA testing that I find interesting. I have often thought about doing a test to find out about my heritage. 

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

A Baker’s Perspective, September 3

Inspired by fiction, September 3

EmpowerMoms, September 3

Blogging With Carol, September 3

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 4

My Devotional Thoughts, September 4

Christian bookaholic, September 4

KarenSueHadley , September 4

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, September 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 5

Susan Cornwell, September 5

Inside the Wong Mind, September 5

Godly Book Reviews, September 5

Through the Fire Blogs, September 6

Emily Yager, September 6

Older & Smarter?, September 6

Blessed & Bookish, September 6

Andrea Christenson, September 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 7

Avid Reader Nurse, September 7

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, September 7

The Becca Files, September 8

Blossoms and Blessings, September 8

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, September 8

Mary Hake, September 8

Spoken from the Heart, September 9

Betti Mace, September 9

Back Porch Reads, September 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 9

Because I said so and other adventures in parenting. , September 9

Moments, September 10

All-of-a-kind Mom, September 10

For Him and my Family, September 10

Bloggin’ ’bout Books, September 10

Texas Book-aholic, September 11

Retrospective Spines, September 11

Daysong Reflections, September 11

Christian Bookshelf Reviews , September 11

SusanLovesBooks, September 11

Remembrancy, September 12

Worthy2Read, September 12

Just the Write Escape, September 12

Southern Gal Loves to Read, September 12

Bigreadersite , September 13

janicesbookreviews, September 13

As He Leads is Joy, September 13

Livin’ Lit, September 13

To Everything A Season, September 13

Simple Harvest Reads, September 14

Pause for Tales, September 14

For The Love of Books , September 14

Living Life Free In Christ, September 14

A Reader’s Brain, September 15

Quiet Quilter , September 15

Hallie Reads, September 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 15

Inklings and notions , September 16

By The Book, September 16

Real World Bible Study, September 16

Patiently Waiting, September 16

About the Book

Book: Zoey:  Meet the Misfits & Zoey: Odd Girl Out

Author: Melody Carlson

Genre: Middle grade fiction for girls

Release Date: April 15/ August 15, 2019

Zoey’s pretty sure her life is over when her wannaba-rockstar mother uproots her from from their home in Seattle and deposits her in Nowheresville, Oregon to live with her whackadoodle grandparents. Things start to look up, though, when she reconnects with Louisa, the girl from across the street. Maybe, just maybe, Louisa won’t mind that Zoey’s always been a bit of a misfit. Louisa’s ex-BFF, however, doesn’t seem too happy to welcome Zoey to the neighborhood. And when they all end up at church camp together, it’s not just a matter of whether or not Zoey can fit in…it becomes a firsthand lesson in what it really means to “love your enemy.”

When the school year begins, Zoey’s terrified to go without Louisa—who’s out with a nasty flu. The same enemies she made over the summer are there to haunt her, but she and another new girl stick together…and even seem to find a place among the in-crowd. But is this who Zoey wants to be? Are they really her friends? Who’s going to stick beside her when cyber bullying leaves her as the odd girl out?

Click here to grab your copy.

About the Author

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her young adult novels appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including RT’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog.

More from Melody

Being a tween these days is more complicated than ever. With our culture’s fast pace, social networking, peer pressure . . . growing up is hard to do. So I wanted to create a relatable character with some tough challenges. And Zoey Petrizzo definitely gets more than her fair share. About to start middle-school, Zoey is forced to relocate her life with her less than conventional grandparents. And it’s not easy! My hope is that readers will either relate to Zoey, or develop more empathy for ‘misfit’ kids like her.

Meet The Misfits starts a series that is geared towards pre-teens. I found Zoe to be a perfect example of how most of us felt going to middle school. This is the age where you want to be cool and fit in. Zoe has come to live with her grandparents while her mom goes off to be in a rock band. That was kinda silly but it does show how some parents still have a dream they want to pursue. 

I remember how awkward I felt in school with cat glasses , permed hair and clothing that was made by my mother. I was definitely an outcast and hated even speaking in class. I was bullied everyday until I decided to stand up to them. It deflated my bullies and they stopped bothering me. One thing I do remember is that even though the bullying stopped, it did leave a scar on me for many years. 

 Zoe meets a great friend in Louisa. Louisa is a great character who helps Zoe believe in herself and encourages her to trust in God. I loved the part about camp and how Zoe was a changed person because of something special that happens to her while at camp. Louisa is someone we would all want to be friends with. her family life is good and she shares her faith with Zoe and accepts her for who she is. One of the things I took away from this book was how this age group is vulnerable to finding their worth and wanting to be liked. The author does a good job of showing the struggles that every young person has experienced. 

The author does an excellent job of showing how difficult it is to overcome bullying. There were times I wanted to give Zoe a hug as the bullying became almost too much to handle. The story is good but mostly light hearted and doesn't go into the extremes of bullying. I was hoping for a more realistic look at bullying and how hard it can be.  

Zoe and Louisa become great friends and along the way try to fit in with their peers. It is a great lesson in self-esteem and loving each other even your enemies. The author does achieve the surface of what bullying is about and the struggle for someone to fit in at a new place. Zoe not only has been dumped on her grandparents but seem to be mostly on her own at times. The interaction with her grandparents is good, but i was hoping the author would explore the relationship better and have more hands on with Zoe and her struggles. 

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Odd Girl Out continues the story of Zoe who is now facing a new school. Her best friend is sick the first few days of school, so Zoe is really feeling uncomfortable. She had an eventful summer and hopes the bullying has stopped.  Before I go any further I have to mention something that was very strange to me. There are a couple of words like blase, veneer and woozers that are not even remotely used by this age group. 

Zoe meets a new girl at school named Taylor who I thought was going to be trouble right away. Taylor does try to discourage Zoe from worrying about the girls that have been bullying her, but to be fair wasn't Taylor doing the same thing by putting the girls down? I cringed when I heard Zoe being called ugly. Oh how I know what that feels like. Words do hurt and they linger in your thoughts for a long time. 

It is so hard at this age to be confidant and comfortable with yourself and  others. Zoe does a good job of not going overboard trying to be with the popular group. It did bring back memories for me and hard I struggled to fit in. Everyone knew my dad was a pastor so of course I was labeled the religious freak and goody two shoes. I was called ugly on a daily basis and I can still remember crying in my room every night.

The story is good and has some great words of wisdom. I liked what Taylor's dad said; " Just because you're good at something doesn't mean it is good for you."  Taylor does mean well and is always encouraging Zoe but there are times she pushes too much. I think it is time for Zoe to start speaking up and following her heart. I loved that the author includes cyber bullying in the story. She does a great job of showing how it can be done and how harmful it can be. Overall the story is good and emphasizes the dangers of bullying and how easy it is to judge others.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion

Blog Stops

A Baker’s Perspective, August 29

Blogging With Carol, August 29

Andrea Christenson, August 30

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 30

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, August 31

Christian Bookaholic , August 31

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, September 1

Remembrancy, September 1

Older & Smarter?, September 2

Artistic Nobody, September 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 3

Back Porch Reads , September 3

Through the Fire Blogs, September 4

Just the Write Escape, September 5

amandainpa , September 5

A Reader’s Brain, September 6

Patiently Waiting, September 6

Godly Book Reviews, September 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 7

Texas Book-aholic, September 8

For the Love of Books , September 8

Reader’s Cozy Corner, September 9

Vicky Sluiter, September 9

Hallie Reads, September 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 10

janicesbookreviews, September 11

Inklings and notions , September 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Melody is giving away a grand prize package of Meet the Misfits and Odd Girl Out, Sketching Pencils, and a Sketchbook!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e809/meet-the-misfits-odd-girl-out-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Termination Dust

Author: Alana Terry

Genre: Contemporary Christian Mystery/Suspense

Release Date: March 15, 2019

An abusive father. A devoted sister. When danger strikes, she’ll walk through fire to protect her family. 

Despite years of trauma, Kimmie’s faith has never faltered. And after her mom’s unexpected death, Kimmie risks everything to save her autistic brother from a life of neglect and abuse.

Caught in the crosshairs of a dangerous dilemma, she dashes out with her brother into the bitter Alaskan night. With the devil in pursuit and the law on her stepdad’s side, Kimmie must brave the perils of the freezing wilderness in a desperate attempt to finally reach safety.

Can Kimmie survive the daring escape, or has she doomed both herself and her brother to a frozen grave?

Termination Dust is a standalone novel in the unforgettable Alaskan Refuge Christian Suspense series. If you like determined characters, harsh landscapes, and faith under fire, then you’ll love Alana Terry’s riveting novel.

Buy Termination Dust to dive headfirst into a gripping adventure today!

Click here to grab your copy.

About the Author

Alana is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, and more. Alana’s passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.

More from Alana

Something some of my fans may not know about me is while I grew up in the continental United States, I have made my home with my husband and children in Alaska for many years now. I have grown to love Alaska, which is probably why I was so excited to write this series about the Alaskan wilderness to share a bit of my favorite parts of Alaska with my readers.

In Alaska, we have a phrase that perfectly describes the fall season: Termination Dust.

That’s when the first snow falls on the mountains, signifying the end of summer. Fall in Alaska is beautiful. Orange on the tips of the trees lend a splash of color against the backdrop of unending green. For the first time since May, it gets dark enough to see the stars. If you brave the cold and happen to be awake at 1 am, you might even see some shooting stars.

I hope you enjoy reading about Kimmie and her autistic brother as much as I enjoyed writing their story. As with all my suspense novels, if you like determined characters, harsh landscapes, and faith under fire, get ready to dive headfirst into a gripping adventure today!

I absolutely love how this author writes stories that are hard hitting and realistic. Domestic abuse and child abuse has been a touchy subject for years. In this story we see how horrific emotional and physical abuse really is. The characters are written with an emotional tug on the heart. I instantly connected to Kimmie and how she fiercely wanted to protect her mom and little brother. She has been through so much and her self esteem is so low that she finds herself worthless at times. 

Day after day Kimmie's mom endures the terror of Chuck. He is Kimmie's step-dad and has no love for anyone or anything except beer. He is lazy and cold-hearted . Someday her mother plans to leave him, but it never happens. I cringed when I read how little food they had and how they went to bed every night scared for their lives. 

It is hard to describe the anger I felt as I read the story and how I wanted to yank Chuck by his ears and throw him outside. The author does an amazing job of letting us inside a home where everyday is chaos. Kimmie's mom has done a great job instilling faith in her children and that is where her strength comes from. Kimmie is a hero to me because she didn't think of herself, but of her brother and mom.

There is a bit of violence in the story but it is only to detail the truth of domestic violence. The author does not go into graphic details, but does get her point across with words in a compassionate way. There is a tragedy in the story which heightens Kimmie's need to leave with her brother instantly.

I did enjoy  how Kimmie's older sister came into the story. Kimmie has always felt abandoned by her and there is a lot of hurt and jealousy that needs to be fixed. It is always hard when you see someone having a good life when you are struggling everyday to stay alive. The author delivers an emotional journey as these two sisters try to repair their relationship. 

The last part of the book is tense filled and I was on the edge of my seat as Kimmie looked death in the face. Chuck will stop at nothing to cover up his crime and Kimmie must use her faith and trust in  God to protect her. I especially liked this part of the story because it gives readers a look at what faith is really like. I won't tell you anymore because I don't want to spoil the story. I loved the scripture that Kimmie repeated a lot which was " I can do all things through him who gives me strength."  The author has delivered a timely story that reminds us to never give up and to trust Him with all your needs.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 27

Stories By Gina, August 27

Retrospective Spines, August 28

Betti Mace, August 28

Genesis 5020, August 29

Carla Loves To Read, August 29

Quiet Quilter, August 30

Emily Yager, August 30

Inspired by fiction, August 31

Life as Lanhams, August 31

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 1

Anne Rightler, September 2

For Him and My Family, September 2

Blogging With Carol, September 3

Livin’ Lit, September 4

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 5

Mary Hake, September 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 6

Texas Book-aholic, September 6

Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 7

A Reader’s Brain, September 7

The Becca Files, September 8

janicesbookreviews, September 9

Inklings and notions , September 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Alana is giving away a grand prize of a $30 Amazon gift card.

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/e5a5/termination-dust-celebration-tour-giveaway

LISTENING TO LOVE by BETH WISEMAN

I am so glad to have the honor of reading and reviewing a book that is an example of God’s love. The characters are wonderful and very east to relate to. Natalie is hungry to learn more about God and her best friend Lucas is guiding her through scriptures and his own experiences to help her.  There is a little bump in their friendship as Natalie is English and Lucas is Amish.

I loved how the author shows the uneasiness that their family and friends have when the two seem to grow closer. Natalie is heartbroken when everyone steps in to break their relationship up. There is a reason for everything that happens in life.  Natalie believes that God put Lucas in her life to help her grow her relationship with God. Now she wonders if that was all or is there more that God has planned for them?

The author also gives us a look into a broken relationship between mother and daughter. Natalie is bitter at times because her mother is taking the divorce from her father so hard. Having to continually give her financial support is causing a strain on her own finances. I loved reading how they each had to let God soften their hearts and understand that bitterness was destroying their relationship.

I have to mention Helen, Lucas’s mother. She is very protective of her family and has a dislike for Natalie and her mother. It was kind of funny to read about her using binoculars to spy on her neighbor. I won’t say why she was but it made me understand how we can push our views onto others and judge them. There were times I just wanted to tell Helen to stop interfering and let God handle the situation. How many times have we judged people? I did like how the author does give us a glimpse of the differences between English and Amish beliefs.

The story is such an emotional journey through compromise, forgiveness and acceptance.It explores what true love is and questions how to tell if you will have the kind of love for another person for a lifetime. It is never easy to know if a love will last. but I have learned that love between two people is a commitment that calls for patience, compromise and including God in the relationship.

One thing I found interesting is that Amish don't believe in divorce so they just stay together and work things out. In society people walk away everyday from a marriage without trying to sit and talk it out. We sometimes don't include God in our marriage and the enemy gladly takes that as an invitation to break up a family.

There is an unexpected twist in the story that causes chaos in several lives. The author took me by surprise and I loved how the twist leads to compassion and forgiveness. I have to say the author has surpassed my expectations in a story that reminds us to listen to God and the meaning of a love that never fails.

I received an arc copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.