Colleen Coble

Dear Readers,

Rosemary Cottage is book #2 in the Hope Beach series by Colleen Coble.  I have not read Tidewater Inn, but that was not a problem in this book at all.  They are two very separate stories.  The characters of book #1 are all over book #2 so if you don’t want the ending given away I recommend that you read Tidewater first. 

Amy returns to Rosemary Cottage on Hope Beach to recover from the death of her beloved brother.  The family has vacationed on the Outer Banks for years and it is a place of happy memories even if it is the place where Ben died.  Amy believes Ben’s death was not an accident and intends to prove it. 

Curtis is making plans to adopt his niece after his sister’s death.  Little Raine is the love of his life and he will do anything to make sure that he will not lose her to her father, even if that means never telling anyone his name. 

This book was a wonderful read for a warm summer day.  It made me want to go on back to the Outer Banks and sit on the beautiful beach and enjoy the view.  Colleen weaves a pleasant love story with a lighter mystery, which makes for that perfect book for reading while sitting on a porch enjoying the sun.

Happy reading,

Colleen Coble

Dear Readers,

The Lightkeeper's Ball is the 3rd in a series set in Mercy Falls, California.  Colleen Coble has taken us on an interesting journey through early 1900's American history.  It is an interesting look at how things were different then and how some things never change.  This book is set during a time when Halley's Comet is going to pass by the earth and shows the citizens' reaction to it.  The was lots of panic that everything living on the earth was going to be wiped out by the gases that were in the tail of the comet.  There were actually pills being sold to keep for being harmed by it.  While it sounds funny and silly, does anyone own a generator that was bought right around the turn of the century?  

 

Olivia learns her sister has died in very unusual circumstances.  She knows that Eleanor was murdered and she sets out to find out who wanted her sister dead.  Her first night in town proves to her that she is right when someone throws her overboard from the ship she arrives on.  When she finds out that the person that saves her is the man Olivia is sure killed her sister, she is confused as to what and who to believe.   No one seems to be who they say they are, including Olivia herself.

I really enjoyed reading this book.  Not only for the interesting mystery that kept me guessing, but also for the different things that were happening in America's history at that time.  Motor cars are just coming onto the scene.  Airplanes are something that no one trusts except those few daredevils that enjoy the new thrill of flying.  Telephones are still rare, but are quickly becoming something that people are using more and more. I also found a quick little tidbit about national income tax amusing.  Two gentleman were discussing how it was or wasn't a good idea, because how else was the government going to pay for all the new roads and keep them safe and without potholes. 

I have said over and over how much I have enjoyed Colleen's books and this one is no exception.  This series in and of itself was so much fun to read because of the historical setting.  Colleen is known for her good mysteries and when she sets it in an interesting time in history, all the better.  If you don't get a chance to read the books at least take the time to notice the covers, they are absolutely beautiful. 

Happy Reading

Colleen Coble

Dear Readers,

Colleen Coble is one of my favorite authors. I always enjoy taking the time to disappear into one of her books. This past Saturday, January 23rd, I had a chance to read for almost 4 hours straight. Which gave me enough time to read most of The Lightkeeper's Daughter.

This book is a bit different for Colleen as it is a historical romance. She does include a little note that she really enjoyed writing in this genre. She blends her mystery writing with a historical setting very well.

Addie Sulivan has only known life on a little island off the coast of California, where her parents work as the light-keepers. She has led a very sheltered life, but until her father died she enjoyed it. Her mother doesn't seem to love her and she can't figure out why, no matter what she does, she can't please her mother. Until one day a man ends up on their stairs and after he recovers enough to talk to them, he announces that he is Addie's long lost Uncle and she really is a daughter of a very wealthy man. Addie isn't sure she believes him, but she has always dreamed of a large family.

John is trying to get his son back from a controlling father in law. Even though his wife passed away a year ago, John has been at sea and his in laws were taking care of the child for him. When he hires Addie as Edward's governess, she sees it as a chance to get to know her new family before they find out who she really is.

I really liked this book. It reminded me of books that I read years ago about a young woman who had a claim to a house or heritage and the family didn't want her around. It felt and read a lot like that, but it was a good story. I found myself caught up in it right away. My husband who was reading over my shoulder even asked me "who-done-it" so to speak. I can safely say that this is not his type of book and yet he was enjoying it.

Happy Reading

Colleen Coble

Dear Readers,

"I always knew I was a Texan at heart..." So starts the author acknowledgements in the back. Colleen started her writing career by writing western romances, so she has returned to her roots in Lonestar Sanctuary.

Allie and her 5 year old daughter need a place to hide. A stalker is threatening them and they need to hide. The Bluebird Ranch seems to be the perfect place to do just that.
RIck Bailey works at the ranch and Allie's late husband told her " If you are ever in trouble, find Rick." Allie has no one else to turn to, so she takes a chance on Rick and the ranch that may help Betsy talk again.

It only took me one very peaceful day to read this book. Don' t get me wrong, it is a good read. It is a little lighter that her last couple, Abomination & Anathema. It does have a couple really good twist to it. It is just not as intense of a mystery as she usually writes. It does have a twist or two in it which is always fun.

This is a good hot summer day read. It won't keep you awake at night, but it will keep you interested.

Happy Reading