An interesting story about family history, DNA tests and most of all the sins of the fathers having consequences for their children and about forgiveness. The story is quite complex and not impossible to imagine.

Although it's a "clean" novel that does not have detailed descriptions of the cruel events, the tension is building up as the main characters get nearer to the truth.

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

Strands of Truth is the latest in a long string of great Christian Fiction books by Colleen Coble. Harper Taylor finds herself in the middle of quite the situation when her lonely and mundane life take a dramatic turn following the results of an over the counter DNA kit leading to a sister she never knew she had. This book takes on the subject of difficult relationships, the impact of judgments on individuals motives, and the pros and dangers of the new DNA craze.

Collen Coble does a great job of developing the characters in such a way that the reader falls in love with them and becomes completely engaged in the storyline. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and always appreciate when an author can keep me guessing where the story is going up until the end. This is another HIT for sure. My only critique would be the way the back story is interspersed was somewhat distracting and didn’t always seem to be relevant at the moment it was introduced. As always, I can’t wait for what is in store next for this author.

Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble is an easy read. The main characters are appealing and Ms Coble gives the reader bread crumbs to help solve the mystery, with a little romance thrown in. I was given an early copy to review.

Whew, if Colleen Coble isn't known for writing some nail-biting suspense! I love how the author was able to weave the lives of multiple different characters into a web of mystery that demanded a answers. This was an easy book to read from cover to cover without putting it down.

Although this was not an actual line in the book, I found myself thinking on the phrase "desperate people do desperate things." I won't go into detail there because I don't want to give any spoilers, but it had me thinking about how the actions and motives of people are often not far from their hearts.

Have you ever strongly disliked someone until you learned more of their story and compassion started to settle in? I really enjoyed following Ridge's emotional journey in this story. Initially he felt at odds with Harper because he felt she was stealing his father's love and attention away and his jealousy of her hardened his heart. It wasn't until he took the time to learn about her past and her struggles, that his heart softened and he started to feel genuine affection towards her. I loved feeling like I was part of their journey.

With plenty of action and emotion this is a novel suspense fans are sure to love. I highly recommend it for a read :)

*I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit and NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

The latest from Colleen Coble is entitled Strands of Truth. This tale is full of suspense that will have you rapidly turning page after page to reach the conclusion. Following her mother's sudden death, Harper Taylor has found few safe places to turn. She is blessed the day Oliver Jackson takes this teenager under his wing to help Harper find direction; unfortunately, Oliver's own family is not happy with this addition!

The book will fast-forward twenty years and you will see Harper trying to locate any family she may have in this world. When her search makes a hit on a possible sibling, she is thrilled. Harper is hoping for a real connection; however, she is not prepared for the violence that is about to come her way!

Before you know it, the suspense will shift into full-speed: first, a man attempts to kidnap Harper and then, Oliver actually comes up missing. Soon Harper and Oliver's son, Ridge, join forces to try and discover what in the world is going on!

Put on your seatbelt because the action will not stop until the final page!

Strands of Truth is a fast-pace dramatic story, with a plot as unique as its characters and setting. Set in three time periods, the story connects past murders to the present in a way that only Colleen Coble could pull off. I'm convinced that if other authors attempted this complex multi-level plot line the story would be convoluted. But Strands of Truth weaves an intricate story spanning 30 years that hooks the reader from start to finish.

The story starts with Harper Taylor who is researching marine life (the author goes into in-depth on lots of subjects like mollusks and shells, which you'd think would be an overwhelming subject as a reader, but the author breaks it down until it's facilitating.) Harper's life has been spent trying to find her birth father and figure out how her mother died. She finds out she has a half sister whose mother was murdered and teams up with Ridge, a man who hates her, to connect the pieces of a very fragmented puzzle. Then to add to the complexity of the plot someone tries to abduct her and her newly discovered sister and murders her mentor. Harper and Ridge spend the novel trying to stay alive while solving three murders, decades apart.

The setting made the story. Set in the gulf coast of FL, Harper lived on a boat and the maritime setting made me nostalgic for old FL. Part of the story takes readers to FL landmarks like Weekie Wachee. I'm a FL girl, so of course I loved it!

Strands of Truth start off with the author throwing a lot of details at the readers, but then once you wrap your mind around the characters and the setting plus the unusual circumstances, you are sucked into the mystery of it all. I also couldn't guess the ending, so I give five stars to this suspense novel that kept me guessing until the very end.

I received a complementary ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A fast moving story with mystery and some romance. I enjoyed the story and it kept me guessing to the end.Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy

Colleen Coble is a master storyteller who is always able to spin a story that is rich with well developed characters, an intense, interesting plot and great setting. The story takes place on the lovely Gulf Coast of Florida in towns of Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Duniden. Harper Taylor's mother was involved in a car accident, gave birth to Harper and died moments later. Harper is used to being alone. She ran away from the foster system and was found by businessman Oliver Jackson, who became her mentor when she was fifteen. Now she is thirty and after a DNA test has discovered a half sister, Annabelle, both fathered by an unknown man. Annabelle's mother was murdered. Now, both of them have been attacked and an attempt to kidnap was made on each. Someone attacked Oliver as well. Oliver's son, Ridge, and Harper have never been friends but Oliver wants them to work together in a sea life research lab he purchased. When the attempts are made, the two unite to get answers. This is an interesting story to unravel, to find out why someone is after the two sisters and how is Oliver's attack connected. There is a little history in the story involving the years old, famed Weeki Wachee and the Mermaid shows that are still going on. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery with the history, lovely setting, the characters - some great, some not so great, and a thread of romance and faith. I was kept guessing and trying to figure out what was going on and who was involved. Ms. Coble tied things up wonderfully.
I received a complimentary ARC from Thomas Nelson Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

Colleen Coble does it again! This book is set in Dunedin, Florida which is not far from where I live. She did a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the area, history and overall vibe of Florida. The story is one of mysterious crime and suspense but it feels a bit whimsical as well. Most likely due to the inclusion of the Weeki Wachi mermaids, sea silk and seashells.

The suspense keeps you on the edge until the end. I found the family dynamics as well as the way in which the main character becomes pregnant interesting and unique. The book combines mystery, family dynamics, tragedy and romance. It's a read that keeps you interested from the beginning to the end. Colleen Coble is an author I highly recommend. Strand of Truth is another great book in the long of her books that you should read.

This book was so amazing!! I was drawn into the story from the very first chapter! Harper always wanted a family and to belong. We all can understand those feelings, we all desire to belong! I loved Harper from the minute I met her, she was so steadfast in her faith, desire to have a family and I just loved her spunk! Ridge was so well wrote! His desire to protect the ones he loved and cared about was evident from the beginning. While he may have been wrong about Harper he was willing to admit his mistakes. Colleen Coble never fails to deliver in her books, they always have an adrenaline rush along with them and you have to keep reading because you HAVE to find out what happens!
I received a complimentary copy of this books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Will be posting my review on my blog, good reads, amazon and christian book

Colleen Coble is back with her best book yet. A complex plot tied to an interesting concept: Sea Silk. Add in murders from a generation ago that tie to today, and this is a book you won't be able to put down.

I am a big fan of Colleen Coble’s books. I love the mystery, suspense and romance surrounding the stories that she creates for readers. Her latest novel, Strands of Truth is no exception. It was clearly a page turner that kept me on the edge of my seat. As always, her characters are well developed and her plot keeps moving beautifully and keeps you guessing until the last page.

In Strands of Truth, Harper Taylor loses her mother at birth under suspicious circumstances. Raised in foster homes most of her life leaves Harper bitter and broken until she meets Oliver Jackson. Oliver moved with compassion takes her under his wing, finds her a home and treats her as his own much to the chagrin of his son Ridge and his daughter Willow. Desperate for a real family of her own, Harper decides to adopt an embryo. Instead of it being destroyed, the embryo with the biological mother’s permission, would allow Harper to become its mother. This decision propels Oliver and Harper’s best friend Sara to do a DNA search. As a result, Harper finds a sister she never knew existed. When the two meet, they immediately bond. However, in the course of the meeting Harper learns her sister’s mother was murdered. Desperate for answers her longtime rival Ridge decides to help Harper find her father, at the same time hoping to expose her as a gold digging fraud. What Ridge and Harper don’t expect is the dangerous roller coaster they just boarded and the unexpected feelings they eventually develop for one another.

I really enjoyed this book. I had no idea what was coming until the very end. Emotional and exciting I had difficulty putting the book down. As suspenseful as it was, the developing relationship between Ridge and Harper had just enough tension and romance that I found myself cheering them on despite the hair-raising action that seemed to be happening all around them. Colleen Coble writes great villains and strong female characters, as well as solid and irresistible male leads. This is a great read for anyone who loves mystery and romance all rolled into one. You will not be disappointed.

I want to thank the publisher Thomas Nelson - Fiction and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book Stands of Truth by Colleen Coble. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”

Interesting read! Colleen Coble always writes enjoyable reads. So enjoyed learning about pen shells, sea silk, and byssus, as well as the Weeki Wachee mermaids. My sister lives in Dunedin and is a member of a book club so I recommended this book to her thinking they would love all the local references. The mixture of suspense and romance is just right. Loved getting to know Harper and Ridge, along with all the other characters. Their interconnected lives with others was enjoyable to unravel and also seemed very realistic. Keep writing Colleen Coble.
Many thanks to Colleen Coble, Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this Arc of a soon to be published book.

3.5 stars
Harper Taylor is used to being alone even after Oliver Jackson took her under his wing when she was a runaway teenager. Now, she conducts pen shell research for Oliver and continues to wish for a family of her own.
When a DNA test reveals a half-sister Annabelle living just two hours away, Harper is both hopeful and nervous. The women quickly bond, however, and discover that both their mothers died tragically without revealing Harper and Annabelle’s father’s name.
Meanwhile, Oliver’s son Ridge still sees Harper as a troubled teen. But when Oliver is attacked, Ridge and Harper decide to work together to uncover dangerous secrets. They must unravel her past before they can have any hope for the future.
Colleen Coble does weave a good story. "Strands of Truth" kept my attention and is exciting to read. The storyline flows well, too, from one character and plotline to the next. I also appreciate that the book is mostly clean - no cursing and only light sexual-related content.
The characters fell flat for me, though. I never connected emotionally to Harper, Oliver, Ridge, or anyone else. The threat seemed far-fetched, too, yet it is a unique angle from other books I've read. Unfortunately, I didn't want to stay up all night reading this book and would classify it as a weekend/beach read. For these reasons, it earns only 3.5 stars.

Strands Of Truth by Colleen Coble is an exciting and gripping contemporary Christian suspense that will have the reader glued and guessing.
Legacies are important, as is heritage. We need to know where we come from in order to plot where we are going. Even more important is to know Whose we are.
A mother’s love is a powerful thing. It is protective and caring. If we are denied it as a child, we will lose our anchor in life and be continually searching for that love, never trusting as the foundations are not there.
We can trust God. He will be with us and walk through the storms beside us. “No matter what happened, God was with her in this.” Sometimes life is hard but God is faithful. “God saw her in this place. She had to hold on to faith.”
There will be times when we face difficulties. “She needed to gird herself for the battle with some praise music and her favourite Bible promises.” Reminding ourselves of God’s promises and soaking in His presence helps us to walk through our fearful circumstances.”
We all need someone to believe in us. When we have someone who walks beside us, encouraging us, we can achieve great things.
The novel is bang up to date with the latest scientific advances as we hear about DNA testing and embryo adoptions.
If not used wisely, money and power corrupt. “His father’s money and power ensured he was accepted no matter where he went.” Money and power will always open doors but we must be discerning as to which doors we walk through. We must always be wise stewards of that which God has entrusted us with. “If you pray about it, God will tell you the right thing to do.”
Colleen Coble always writes novels that grip me from the start. Her plotlines are intricate, engaging and well thought out. Strands Of Truth was a marvellous novel. I will leave you with one final powerful quote:
“Live like you’re dying.”
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Colleen Coble has always been a favorite author of mine and her books are one of the reasons why I love historical fictions that have airs of mystery within them. Strands of Truth was different than anything I've read by her and while it was not my favorite, it did keep me guessing until the very end.

The book follows Harper Taylor, a young woman who grew up in the foster system who eventually turned her life around thanks to her friend and mentor Oliver and is now using her marine biology knowledge to study pen shells off the coast of Florida. The only person who still sees her as the troubled teen of her youth is Oliver's son Ridge, and to say they don't like each other is an understatement. After a DNA test reveals a half-sister living close by, Harper jumps at the chance of having a family and maybe finally discovering who her father is. However, after meeting with her half-sister Annabelle, the two sisters discover disturbing similarities in each of their mother's deaths and the fact that no one really knew who their father was. After a string of gruesome attacks and attempted kidnappings, Harper and Ridge find themselves thrust together to uncover the secrets of the past.

The story had a great concept and the twist ending was very well written. However, this book did leave me disappointed and wanting more. The romance between Ridge and Harper was cute but did feel mechanical and awkward at times. There were also many time jumps back in the past with Annabelle's mother and several different subplots that got confusing at times. Towards the end, the characters began running together and it was hard to tell the difference.

I would have to say my favorite part was the marine biology aspect even though we only get a little bit of it in the beginning. Readers can tell it was very well researched and painted a beautiful picture of the Floridian gulf and its sea life. I wish that was incorporated more into the story but I do understand why it was not spotlighted.

Overall, I give this book three stars.
**I received this book as an ARC and complimentary copy. The thoughts and opinions of this review are entirely my own
IG: @hungrybokworm_ or #hungrybookwormreviews

Colleen Coble delivers another take-your-breath-away romantic suspense. With so many people checking into their heritage through DNA, Colleen has taken it a step further. What happens when the DNA reveals secrets? Strands of Truth is a fast paced story that kept me reading past my bedtime. One of the things I enjoyed, aside from the mystery, was learning about byssus, silk thread made from a clam's filament. I'd never heard of it. But it played into the story in an interesting way. If you love suspense mixed with romance, you'll enjoy reading Strands of Truth. With the Floridian ocean setting, it's the perfect book to read at the end of the summer season. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was the first Colleen Coble book I had read in a long time, and I was reminded why I like her books. She writes a great romantic suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

This book was classic Colleen Coble, filled with suspense and romance. It was also filled with action that moved the story along. I did struggle to make some connections in the story, but the author did a good job of tying up the loose ends. I enjoyed the book and would recommend!

This is a stand alone romantic suspense. Colleen Coble is one of my favorite authors. This books delves into DNA and family testing and I really like that subject so the book grabbed me from the start. I love books with family mysteries. My only complaint was how quick they fell in love, one week.