This was an amazing book, but I haven't found a Colleen Coble book that I haven't enjoyed. No matter the topic, her books draw you in and keep you hooked through to the last sentence. Highly recommend.

Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble is a Christian mystery/suspense novel focused on main character Harper Taylor who has recently found a half-sister she wasn't aware she had. After doing a DNA test, Harper finds Annabelle Rice whose mother also has died under suspicious circumstances.

I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and I liked the flashbacks told from the points of view of Lisa Taylor and Judy Russo (Harper and Annabelle's mothers). I also enjoyed that this was a clean thriller with just a little romance and with Christian themes mixed in - with an overall message of giving grace.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

A delightful story that is filled with mystery and intrigue to a blossoming love between two unlikely characters. They simply got each other and complete the missing parts of each other’s lives.

This book reads like a hallmark mystery! Sweet, good writing with mild character development and a decent mystery. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Love this series and author. The author keeps you on the edge of your seat through the entire story.

If I ever put this much in a book, I would think it would be too much. Too much to keep track of, too many details to focus on (or not). But somehow, this book wasn’t too much. It was just enough. I had high expectations when some of my favorite authors endorsed this book…had to check it out. I really enjoyed Strands of Truth; will you?
Who will enjoy Strands of Truth?
If you enjoy suspense, with a healthy (but not obnoxious) dose of romance, family drama, and a LOT of twists and turns, you’ll love this book. Like I mentioned above, there is a lot going on:
murder mystery…with some generational secrets
kidnapping
embryonic adoption
judgment and unforgiveness…and forgiveness, too.
epic family drama
manipulation
extreme wealth and extreme poverty
long-lost siblings
an orphan desperate for family
cancer
Somehow, all of that didn’t bother me. It didn’t make me skip pages that I can recall, and the plot twists were like a gut punch every time. I didn’t figure out whodunit until the very end, but it fit in a kind of scary way. No one in this story is quite who you think they are…except possibly Harper’s newfound half-sister Annabelle.

You will barely have time to catch your breath before you walk into another surprise. I didn’t want to put this book down.
Even though I love the suspense element, I especially love the give-and-take between Ridge and Harper as they learn to trust each other after years of…well, at least a one-sided deep distrust. I love those moments where your faith smacks you in the face because you realize you can’t continue to have that attitude towards that person as a Christ-follower…and you realize that person’s own faith is as genuine as your own.

As I said, most of these characters were not who they seemed at first. So here’s my question to you: who in your life is not what you think they are? Who have you placed in the wrong box for the past decade or so? And how many murders and kidnappings will it take for you to change your heart?

You can't choose your family. But you can try to find them and find out where you come from, can't you? Should you is the better question. Harper wants to know her family, and where she fits in, in life. This sets a whole motion of situations in place, which makes you wonder if living in bliss, isn't actually just that, bliss.

Loved this Colleen Coble story. Harper discovers her relatives via DNA and with it comes suspense, danger and drama. I liked how the author didn't tie everything up with a nice bow, life sometimes is difficult but still positive.

A great little thriller/mystery that I always recommend to my friends! Loved the unexpected aspects of the plot and the character development.

A great story by Colleen Coble! Her books are always a a winner and this one kept me turning the pages.

Classic Colleen Coble. Mysterious. Suspenseful. Well rounded characters. Adventurous. Five stars.

Colleen Coble is such a fantastic writer and I absolutely loved this story. It was complex and thrilling. I couldn’t put it down.

In fairness, I am not sure if this was just not my kind of book or if it was truly bad. I usually don't mind romantic suspense, but I don't read a lot of it. This one was just not one I could recommend. Too dumb, if I'm honest.

Collen Coble is one of my favorite Christian authors. This book takes place in the Gulf Coast of Florida. I grew up going to the Gulf Coast and absolutely loved her writing and the character and world building. Two different women die 20 years apart and the story is woven together beautifully to solve the murders. I could not put the book down and read it in two sittings. It is a fast intriguing read full of romance, scuba diving, mystery, suspense and even some mermaid dancers. Secrets and the past have to be revealed in order to move towards the future.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this excellent book.

From the first chapter Colleen Coble draws you into this story of romantic suspense. Two women submit DNA in a search for potential family and discover they are half sisters. The plot is interesting and fast p[aced. A wonderful read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When I finally looked up from the last page of Strands of Truth, I was shocked to discover that it was 3.35am! I was so engrossed in the story that I totally forgot to sleep. Ha! The mystery and the suspense really kept me hooked. I just had to know what was the secret!

After the middle of the story, it did drag a bit and the multiple timeline and multiple characters created some confusion (whose mother is that again?!). I also found the romance between the two main protagonists a bit rushed - one time hostile and the next hopelessly attracted to each other.

I didn't know that sea silk existed and was happy to learn about that in this book. Love it when even fiction teaches you new things. I had to google what the silk actually looks like. Fascinating. Also what a pen shell looks like (it doesn't look like a pen!) Sometimes we have to google images of certain things so we see it in our minds eye accurately when reading a book.

Overall, I liked the storyline and the conclusion was good and satisfactory. Perhaps the pace and the romance could have been better. The content is all clean, there are no sex scenes and swear words as you would expect from this author and Thomas Nelson. The touches on Christianity are very very light; there are only mentions of praying every now and then.

I look forward to reading more from Colleen Coble!

I always enjoy the way this writer develops the character. The stories she writes always keep me turning the page. I can’t wAit for the next one to come out. I love her writing.

On Tour with Colleen Coble
Colleen Coble has a knack for drawing the reader right into her stories. Strands of Truth follows that same path. Likable characters, well pictured settings and a complex, serious mystery combine into a sure thing. Add the sizzle of romance and the novels include something for everyone.

While Ms Coble’s mysteries are not considered a ‘cozy,’ you will find little bad language or descriptive sex scenes. What you will discover is a complex, well written mystery with plenty of angles and suspense.

Harper Taylor is the featured character of this story. The marine biologist works for Oliver Jackson, the man who took her in from foster care when she was a teen. His older son was and is suspicious of Harper’s motives, increasing the tension.

While trying to discover more about her past, a DNA test reveals she has a sister. Once they get together they learn their pasts–including the similarity of their mother’s deaths—the mystery grows.

The paths that cross and connect throughout the story add layers to the mystery, one you will want to peel away one by one.

It is another lovely mystery, solid and well done. The author writes a concise story without wasting a word. You won’t see it wandering away from the story. Rather it pulls you in to the point that you have to stay with it to see what the next page brings.

In Audio
Devon O’Day narrates Strands of Truth. Since she has narrated many of Ms. Coble’s other books, her familiar voice was a pleasure. If you haven’t listened to Rock Harbor series or the Lavender Tides series, I highly recommend you give them a try. Both were excellent mystery series. Devon O’Day handles the voice variations, the pacing, and the character ages just right. Her voice really suits Harper. You can listen to a sample here.

I’m pleased to say this is another “highly recommended” for you. Don’t miss it! The author and her book are currently on a virtual book tour hosted by Partners in Crime Book Tours. Please check out details below.

Enjoy!

This was a fantastic book. I’d been waiting to read it for months & it was amazing. Love this author, love her characters, love her storylines, love the suspense. Highly recommend.

This is the first book I've read by Colleen Coble and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The main character Harper Taylor is an orphan. Her mother passed away during labor and she never knew her father. She has yearned for a family her entire life. When she takes a DNA test on a whim she discovers a possible half-sister. Once they meet they realize there are remarkable similarities to their stories.
Along the way, a close friend of Harper's passes away. His son is suspicious of Harper and has been for many years. He decides to keep a close eye on Harper in case she was involved in his fathers accident. After a few incidents that could have harmed both of them, Harper and Ridge realize they're not as different as they originally thought.
Does Harper finally get the family she's always desired? You'll just have to read this engaging story to find out.