The set-up was interesting and I was intrigued to see how malacology and DNA would be used in a thriller.
After flipping past multiple pages of praise for this and other books by Colleen Coble, I expected to be entertained and maybe educated along the way.

Unfortunately, this was on the level of a Hallmark Murder & Mystery. Which is fine if you know that going in. There was nothing thrilling or suspenseful or even scientific in this book.
The mollusks are used mostly for cooking and craft projects.
The main characters do no detecting, sleuthing or even mollusk related research.
The bad guys rely mostly on methods from the 60s like ether and potassium chloride.

I'm also concerned about a police department that doesn't seem to care when people are kidnapped multiple times in one week. Good thing the son of a kidnap victim is a detective! Only he just delivers evidence to the main characters for them to investigate. How is this believable?

It was very apparent who is behind all these decades of mayhem and why pretty early on in the book. So there wasn't any suspense there. Even the henchmen are only bad guys for good reasons (I can't make this stuff up.)

The romance was lukewarm and forced. The characters had zero chemistry. We are expected to believe Harper and Ridge go from despising each other to falling in love in ONE WEEK just because they have to spend some time together. There is way too much inner dialogue regarding her turquoise eyes and his thick black hair.

Oh! That reminds me! The author tells us that the main guy, Ridge, looks like an actor from Supernatural. So I looked up the actor on IMDB to get a visual. Chris McNally was in two episodes of Supernatural and played a busboy. Is Chris McNally related to Colleen Coble? How did she pick him to namedrop?

I was disappointed that this book did not deliver what was promised in the cover copy and testimonials.
This was not a thriller like Dennis Lehane, Lisa Gardner, or even James Patterson.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.*

I'm a forever fan of Colleen Coble!!
Actually I've been a fan since Seagrass Pier.
I loved this book!! The twists and turns will leave u squirming and holding your breath and maybe falling out of bed? Nah!! I didn't want to come up out of this book at all!!
Now, there are some scenes in this book that be like leaving you feeling weird and kind of holding your stomach to protect it.
As far as DNA testing? I've thought about it more than once for my son's sake but it costs too much for me.
Maybe he can do it someday.
But then again, we may open up a can of worms so to speak but I am happy with the way things are. I think that if God wanted me to know He would have opened up a way for me to find out.
The author shows us that even if you do something terrible the truth always manages to come out.
Also too, friends can be like family but then again they can be worse than actual family members!
But I like that the author offers hope and a light at the end of the tunnel and forgiveness too.
I enjoyed this story so much that I couldn't put it down and I think you will too!!
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book and no compensations were received. All opinions are my own!

All her life Harper has wanted connection, a family, to be loved ... what if that connection is the cause of murder !
She has spent years in foster care, then she was under the mentorship of a generous man named Oliver . Problem is Oliver’s son Ridge , doesn’t trust Harper. He thinks she’s after his father’s money.

Harper discovers a half sister via DNA testing, whose mom died when she was young. Are these two connected ?
This story was such an exciting page turner. The mystery, the past, the present, the backdrop of marine living !
A definite must read !

3.5 Stars

Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble is a romantic suspense novel with a heart. The plot is completely original. Who would have thought that looking for DNA through an ancestry program could cause so much drama. There was plenty of moments where the story progressed in trying to find the connections between the two sisters and hunting for their birth father. While that moved along nicely, the romance between Ridge and Harper was not believable. I had a really hard time believing they liked each other at all. Especially after learning how they felt about each other at the beginning of the novel. I had a really hard time turning those ideas off. The romance bothered me the rest of the novel. Coble should have written another love interest, not Ridge. Didn't fit the story line at all. Coble's writing was wonderful. She has proven why she is at the top of her genre with the details and character's perspective told by the characters. Overall, Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble is a fascinating tale of ancestry DNA and what could come out of the closet. I believe fans of Coble's other stories, DiAnn Mills, or Irene Hannon would enjoy this story.

I received a complimentary copy of Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

This is a complex tale about Harper, whose mother died when she was born and whose father is unknown. She grew up in Foster care and met Oliver, who mentored her and got her on her career path. Oliver’s son, Ridge, and his sister, did not like the attention Oliver gave Harper and distrusted Harper. As Harper prepares for a job in a lab Oliver has built and put Ridge in charge of, she gets news from a recent DNA test that she has a half sister. The half sister is quite a bit older than she is but her mother died in similar circumstances as Harper’s and again the father is unknown. The father is the parent they have in common. Someone keeps attempting to kidnap Harper and also her half sister.

It’s a fast paced story that keeps you reading long after you should have gone to bed. I really enjoyed this book and will look for more from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Excellent read! Colleen Coble is a favorite with suspense with a tad of romance. Great location along the Florida coast with an interesting story of pen shells and results of DNA testing. Great character development. Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC

A riveting suspenseful drama with a side of romance, set along the lovely Florida Gulf coast!
Mysterious deaths both past and present seem to be linked together, but without witnesses and missing evidence, the threat continues to grow. Harper just wants a family of her own. Finding a living relative through DNA testing brings on more trouble than she can handle alone.

I liked the unique plot using the mollusk research for pharmaceuticals, and the idea of finding unknown relatives through a DNA test. Everyone longs for a place to belong, a loving family and safe network of friends. Harper had my sympathy from the get go as she reached out to find her own. Ridge took a lot longer to warm up to, assigning wrong motives to Harper, hanging onto resentment and bitterness. (I wanted to smack him a few times!) There was a lot of animosity and prejudice to overcome. Many families seem to struggle with this on some level though, I believe. Learning to forgive and trust isn't easy, but with God's help, it is possible.
The setting was a perfect one to create peril with the scuba diving, unpredictable weather, and suspicious characters popping out at every turn. The suspense and mystery kept the story moving along at a good pace, building tension up as it is finally revealed who was orchestrating the events, both past and present. A few winks to another series were fun too.

Recommend to readers who enjoy a good suspenseful mystery with faith and romance. 4.5 stars

This was an exciting suspenseful mystery taking place in Florida present day and in the 1960 and 1990’s dealing with the Weeki Wachee mermaids!
Harper and Annabelle find out that they are sisters by finding out the results of a DNA test! Someone goes on a killing spree after they meet each other and Harper’s stepfather, Oliver Jackson, is assaulted while tending to his underwater mollusks, and the man also tries to kidnap Harper! Oliver’s son, Ridge, and Harper try to discover who the assailant is and why he wants to kill Oliver!
You will have to read the book for yourself to see who the killer is and what happens to Harper, Ridge and Annabelle!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
This was a really good story. It’s the first of Colleen Coble’s that I’ve read. It was interesting, kept the reader guessing and tied up pretty quickly after the climax. The rising action was a little long as the reader kept trying to piece together the different characters and their connections, but overall this was a good, suspenseful story. I recommend it to anyone who wants a good suspense story.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

The idea of this book was interesting, I'll give the author that. This was not my favorite suspense book because I struggled to connect with the characters and didn't feel the mystery. (if you know what I mean.)
The storyline was interesting with the glimpses into the past but I had issues with the present. Reading about Harper was difficult because she was a distant type of character. Annabelle was much more welcoming to the reader and was such a sweet lady on the page.
Now on to the mystery. Blah is basically my thoughts on it. I don't have a lot to say about it except that there was no 'heart-pounding' like the genre is known for.
Although I was a bit disappointed by this book, I will be looking into other books by Coble soon.
Rating: 3 Stars
Content: 4 Stars
*I received a complementary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.

"Strands of Truth" was an enjoyable story. The overarching story focuses on the secrets that DNA testing can reveal and the lengths people will go to protect their families, even if their actions are criminal. The subplot focuses on Harper Taylor and Ridge Jackson. Ridge's father, Oliver, a wealthy businessman, had been a mentor to Harper since she was found on their property at age fifteen, having run away from the latest abusive foster family. Ridge had long believed that Harper was taking advantage of his father and he was displeased that Oliver was providing financial help with Harper's latest project, but he had been unable to find the proof to convince his father that she was not trustworthy. However, Harper and Ridge were going to have to spend more time together, as Oliver had come up with a business plan that involved Ridge running a lab doing research on mollusks for medicinal purposes, with the focus initially on the pen shells that Harper was growing and harvesting. Yet, Harper and Ridge find themselves spending even more time together after Oliver and Harper are attacked, and Oliver ends up in critical condition. Then Annabelle, who Harper had discovered was her half-sister, was also attacked, and the incidents, and later events, seemed to more than a coincidence.

Having the story focus on a connection revealed through DNA testing, with the two women searching for the identity of their father, was a good choice considering the prevalence of personal DNA testing and the potential for such testing to reveal unpleasant surprises. I liked the discussion of trust and God's grace, and displaying grace towards others that was a major part of the Harper/Ridge storyline and the more general Jackson family storyline. The author created some good surprising events in the story. Well worth the read.

I received a review copy via NetGalley.

I’ve read several books by Colleen Cobble and have enjoyed them all. They are all easy to read and fast paced. I highly recommend this book.

In the latest book from Colleen Coble, a woman's search for her birth father leads to secrets that result in abduction and death.

Harper Taylor was raised in a series of foster homes before running away and finding a mentor in Oliver Jackson. Now a marine biologist, Harper is using her knowledge to help with Oliver's pen shell research. Unfortunately, Oliver's son, Ridge, still see's Harper as a the troubled teen he caught stealing.

Harper, longing for a family, finds a half sister through DNA tests. After meeting Annabelle, the similarities between the two are almost identical in that their mothers died when both of them were very young.

Shortly after, Oliver and Harper are diving checking the pen shell beds when Oliver is attacked and is in serious condition. Ridge and Harper join forces to find out who would want to attack Oliver and why. Then both Harper is almost abducted and Annabelle is also abducted but gets away.

This is an engaging romantic mystery that will hold your attention to the last page. Why does someone want to abduct these women and attack Oliver? The answer will surprise you. The writing is excellent, the characters well defined and the plot well thought out.

Please note: I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have only recently started reading books by Colleen Coble. I hate to admit this, as she is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors. When given the opportunity to review “Strands of Truth” her new novel due out in September I couldn’t help but jump at the chance. While I had other books in my to-be-read pile, this one catapulted to the top.
Meet the main character, Harper Taylor. Her mother died mere moments after she was born, after injuries sustained in a suspicious automobile accident. After spending her first five years living with her drug-addicted grandmother, and then being placed into the foster-care system following her grandmother’s death, Harper found herself at age 15 alone.
That is until she met Oliver Jackson, who becomes her mentor and biggest supporter much to the dismay of his children, Ridge and Willow. The need for family consumes her, so she takes a DNA test to find relatives that she never knew she had, including her unknown father. In addition to her search, she has adopted an embryo and undergone implantation so that she may become a mother.
The results of the DNA test leads her to the discovery that she has a half-sister named Annabelle, who also does not know who their father is, and whose mother died of murder. This new information sends Harper on the search for more information about her own mother’s death.
After the connection is made between her and Annabelle, both women begin are attacked and almost taken, multiple times. Oliver is attacked. Ridge and Harper set out to work together, despite their previous animosity, to figure out who attacked Oliver, and why. They must also try to solve the identity of Harper and Anabelle’s father and why these women are becoming victims of attempted kidnappings.
This book was gripping from the first page to the last. I could not wait to finish it, and often found myself reading hours at a time. I highly recommend it.
I was given an advanced electronic copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has in no way impacted by opinion or review of this book.

WOW, what a great read!! This is a very well written book that grabs you on the first page and doesn't let go. It has action, drama, suspense and romance. This book will keep you turning the pages because you just have to know what happens next. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes a good clean book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Thank you Thomas Nelson--FICTION via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wow! What a book! I can’t recommend this book enough! Once again Colleen Coble writes a book you can’t put down. I’m amazed at how this author seems to get better and better in each book she writes. She described the characters so well you feel like they could be your friends. Two women find they are half-sisters through a DNA match, and both mothers been murdered. Looking for their father puts their lives in jeopardy. Often when I read a mystery I can figure out the villain but in this book I didn’t know until almost the end. This story of murder, kidnapping and romance is a must read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

I always enjoy a good mystery by one of my favorite authors.
I enjoyed the going back in time without revealing the identity of the murderer. Also liked the interaction between Ridge and Harper.
I will be recommending this book to the patrons at the library.

Strands Of Truth is a book I thoroughly enjoyed. It was fun to read. The mystery and suspense were perfect as was the romance. It wasn't overdone, it was perfect. I liked all the characters and enjoyed getting to know them.

Harper has always wanted a family. Her Mother died in an accident a few hours after she was born. She has no idea who her father is. As a child she went from foster home to foster home. As an adult she finally finds a half sister. So begins the exciting mystery and suspense.

I'm not going into a lot of detail. The synopsis covers what you need to know. Just know it's a really good enjoyable book. I wasn't bored for one minute.

I received this book via NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I've read many of Colleen Coble's series over the years and LOVED them all.
This book is Epic! She hit it out of the park with this one. I loved it so much! It's everything I
could ask for in a clean murder mystery. It's so good I would love to see it as a New series,
however, it had a beautiful ending.

Thanks so much, NetGalley, Colleen Coble, and her Publisher!

Colleen Coble's latest novel Strands of Truth weaves a powerful tale of suspense. Main character Harper gets her "DNA done" and finds a possible half-sister. But then break-ins, kidnappings and murder lead them to look for what's going on behind the scenes. Racing against time, Harper, her half sister Annabelle and Ridge, the son of her mentor Oliver, search for the truth before it's too late and the culprit gets away with another murder. While leaving just enough bread crumbs for the reader, she holds back a few surprises that she slowly feeds the reader, keeping you engaged and unable to put the book down until it's finished. Tackling a popular idea of getting ones "DNA done" and how it could possibly be used for evil, Coble also offers readers some thought-provoking questions. With her trademarks of rich and knowable characters, exciting plotlines and nail-biting suspense, Coble provides fans with yet another exciting novel.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.