was a fairly decent book first book by this author, loved the characters. definitely a surprising new author. Look forward to reading more of this author. ty for the Arc

The idea of reading about someone healing from a growing up in a cult and everything that came with it fascinated me. Even though I haven’t personally experienced something like that, the way Coble wrote the characters, I could feel along with both main characters who had come out of that; one who had already dealt with their past and one who was still in the process of healing. Before reading the book, I wasn’t aware that Jane’s story was going to be broken up into multiple books so I was kind of disappointed with the open-ended conclusion to the book. Nevertheless, I liked the book enough that I want to read the rest of Jane’s story.

Colleen Coble is quickly becoming one of my favorite suspense writers. She combines imaginative plots with honest characters with real struggles.

Here’s the thing. There are a lot of suspense writers out there. But very few who can many to deliver a gripping story while asking serious questions about spirituality and faith. Those who try, often end up with corny plot lines and cringe worthy endings.

In her new series, Colleen Coble proves once again it can be done and done well.

Jane is an exceptionally interesting character because of her past. She started life in a cult with her parents and gives birth to a son in her early teenage years. Jane is told that the baby has died shortly after birth and is quickly evacuated due to a fire at the cult compound.

Flash forward to find Jane as Sherriff of a small town police force, despite some people not believing a woman can do the job. She is dealing with her complicated past and her difficult future when Reid enters the picture and a body is discovered.

What I like about One Little Lie is that the characters respect each other but don’t have an instant and unbelievable connection, even though we know they are the chief love interests. It’s great romance writing, especially given that the romance isn’t the driving force behind the story.

I also love that Reid consistently defers to Jane’s expertise and training as a police person. Often times, in novels, the male lead will try to protect the female lead even when she doesn’t need protecting. It shatters the idea of an equal partnership and just doesn’t make any sense.

Always let the person with the training and the weapons do the protecting. That’s just good life advice.

The mystery twists and turns, even though I figured out most of the baddies towards the beginning. I would say, though, that the focus of book one wasn’t to solve the crime, but to bring all of the lies out in the open and establish each character and their relationships to each other.

That is where Colleen Coble truly shines. In developing relationships and characters. I can’t wait for book two, due out in September 2020. I HAVE to see where this goes.

*Special thanks to Colleen Coble, Thomas Nelson, and TLC Book Tours for providing a copy of One Little Lie in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity for the ARC.

This book in theory was very good, but....the beginning was so convoluted I had no idea who was who. It took me many days to actually figure out what in the world brought all these seemingly separate people together. It normally would take me a few hours to read this book, but the first 5 or so chapters just dudnt catch my interest. Once I pushed through the beginning mess, the book was great! Until, it said to be continued! I do not read series books until the full series is published. So, that was my fault when requesting.

All in all, good book....

Coble packed this novel full of intrigue, twists, and turns. More than once I questioned the tangle that must be her mind – and as she’s a talented mystery/suspense writer – I mean that as a compliment. There was so much to unravel in this novel and the pace just didn’t stop. It was gripping, emotional, and had me wondering until the very last page.

The romance element was a little lacklustre, but I think it has potential. As the story continues through a three-part series, I have hope that this aspect will develop throughout.

The characters and plot as a whole are well constructed as a suspense. with cults, law enforcement, murder, conspiracies, and a small coastal town, the romance takes a back seat to the overall quick moving insanity of the murder plot.

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

Colleen Coble got me again. One Little Lie is a one of a kind story starting in a cult and then fighting to find the truth of her father’s guilt or innocence. From the first page I found the book impossible to put down. I had no clue what could happen next and Coble kept me on my toes. Imagining being in a cult was scary, and yet the way she wrote it made it seem so real. I could imagine thinking that it was the way to live, and feeling like you weren’t safe once you left the compound. Escaping with her father Jane learns life can be better. When her dad steps down as sheriff her dream to be chief comes true. Only now it seems that her little town isn’t so safe anymore. Too many people are ending up dead, and the killer keeps leaving something at the crime scenes. Unfortunately no one seems to know what it all means. Reid following her around was annoying at first, but even she can learn to appreciate having a man around. The tangled web of danger and mystery won’t be an easy one to escape. Can Jane and Reid get out with their lives? Or will hidden motives come to light and tear them apart?

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense. I had fun guessing who could be after them and playing detective right along side them. I can’t wait to see what happens next. I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Colleen Coble has for many years been one of my favourite romantic suspense authors. She has a unique gift for storytelling that gets one immediately involved in the story and keeps one fascinated until that last page is read!! "One Little Lie" was no exception! It is truly one of the best novels crafted by this author yet!! This was a cliffhanger that still left me hanging by a thread at the very end of this book!! I must say that I am now eagerly awaiting Book two in this series to tie up some loose threads!

Each character is described is such depth with such detail that the reader is pulled into their lives as they travel a rather frightening, earth shattering road of life. I felt the trembling and fear as Jane finds out things that she would rather not know! People from her past and her father's could be responsible... but are they?? Every one of the people in this book appeared to be living with secrets, some from the past as well as the present. Everyday lives become scarier with each passing hour.

The plot is complicated with unexpected twists and turns appearing with every turn of the page. The tension builds as Jane tries to discover who and why lives are being threatened. One frightening event leads right into another. If you love books that keep you on the edge of your seat , then this is definitely one that you shouldn't miss!! My heart throbbed as I experienced every fear along with the characters. We are reminded of how fear can hold us back and keep us from having joy in our everyday lives.

A fabulous novel!! Definitely a five star book!!!


This book was provided by the author and CelebrateLit. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

First time reading one of her books. Read it in one day! I didn’t want to put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and characters. Only disappointment is I have to wait a while to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book.

It all started with one little lie. Just one that compounded unforeseen interest over time. First in the new Pelican Harbor series, this exciting novel is a successful combination of engaging, likable characters, breath-taking suspense, and a fresh infusion of faith and spiritual lessons. I enjoyed the Alabama Gulf coast and meeting Jane, Olivia, Reid, and Will.

Jane Hardy’s father recently, suddenly retired as police chief of Pelican Bay. A highly skilled detective, Jane was appointed first as acting chief, and now, chief. What timing, as one thing after another begins to happen until Jane is not sure if she is cut out to handle these crises.

Jane has not been on speaking terms with the Lord for many years, due to her upbringing, so she is only relying on herself as she tries to stem the sudden crime wave in town. When she and her father moved there and he began working for the police department, Olivia, the head dispatcher, immediately befriended her and grew to be like a mother to her. Olivia is the only person who knows the secrets of behind Jane and her father and has prayed for years for Jane to come to faith. Olivia, like Jane, doesn’t know about that one pesky lie.

We meet the delightful 70-something Alfie and his hard-working teenage helper, Isaac when they are out shrimping. Their last haul for the night was extraordinarily heavy. Inside the net was a huge Grizzly cooler. Inside the cooler was a dead body wearing a wedding gown. There are no means to identify the person. Two clues are left behind, one of which indicate the “vigilante” is behind this death, even though to date, the vigilante has not killed anyone. Until a woman is found “punished” and dead in her front yard.

Amid these events, Reid Dixon, a well-known documentary filmmaker, arrives in town. He is doing a documentary on small town police chiefs and has permission from the mayor to follow Jane on all her duties. The last thing Jane wants is to be filmed, especially since there are some people she really does not want anyone to see her. Reid has an ulterior motive, to get close to and learn about Jane. Against either of their plans, they become tentative friends with potential for more. Reid’s son Will likes the small town and wishes they could stay there rather than return to their New Orleans home.

When it seems that things could not get worse, including the serious illness of a loved one and the detective who wanted to be chief trying to prove Jane incompetent, her dad is framed. He is accused of killing the man in the ice chest and stealing and selling a small fortune of drugs and other items from the evidence room of the police department.

This intense, complex novel is everything that I have come to love about suspense novels by Colleen Coble. Lies, secrets, crimes that seem impossible to solve, and a heroine determined to do all she can to save her father and her town. I love how the author gently weaves the right amount of faith and spiritual lessons to encourage Christians while not preaching. The characters are well-defined. Whether there is one bad guy or multiple people behind events adds to the excitement and complexity. I was very surprised to learn the whodunit(s)! I did guess what the lie was and am looking forward to seeing how it plays out! I highly recommend this novel to fans of well-written Christian suspense with great characters and a potential for romance.

From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this from Celebrate Lit and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

I have read and reviewed a lot of Colleen's books over the last few years. She is one of my favorite authors. I actually binge-read (on audio) her entire Rock Harbor series last fall. She is a queen of suspense.

But I think her newest book One Little Lie, really moves to a whole new level for her. While I love all of her books, I thought she really did something different here, and it totally worked!

Jane Hardy and her father escaped from a cult when she was only fifteen. She has struggled for the last fifteen years to put that behind her. She's just been named interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama, after her father retired.

But when a woman is kidnapped, two people turn up murdered and her father is arrested for embezzlement, Jane just might lose her new position. Could it really be possible that all of this started with one little lie?

I listened to One Little Lie through the Hoopla app on my phone. I absolutely could not turn it off! I listened to the whole book in less than two days.

Because I was listening to it instead of actually reading it, I was totally shocked when it ended with a cliffhanger! I was not ready for it. I have no idea how I'm going to make it until September when the second book in this series is released.

I'm always impressed with Colleen's ability to construct storylines from random places. I thought using the cult as a backdrop was a great approach.

As usual, her characters were spot-on. I liked the twist of a female officer and a male civilian who felt the need to "protect" her.

One Little Lie was a great read and I highly recommend it! It's definitely one of Colleen's best novels, and I can't wait to see where she takes this series!

Colleen Coble does not disappoint with this wonderful book. I have read almost all of her books and in my opinion, all of her books are great reads. This book is so exception. Being from the south, it is always fun to read a book that is set in the south. This book takes place on the coast of Alabama where I visit every summer. It was very fun to recognize the landmarks. In the book, it references a place called The Rookery. My family stays there every summer. I immediately fell in love with the main characters Jane and Reid. It was a page-turner for sure as we followed the life of Jane in the police force. The twists and turns in this book will keep you guessing to the very end. It is always so amazing to read a book that incorporates Christianity into the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone young or old.

My goodness, what a story! The layers, the threads, all skillfully twisted together into a single compelling story.
Ms. Coble’s characters are real, raw, and personable. Jane Hardy’s fears shape her life and her every decision, keeping her prisoner to an array of “what ifs.” Reid Bechtol has secrets, too. But unlike Jane, he is being proactive, trying to resolve the damage of the past.
The conflict between Jane and Reid smooths into a tenuous alliance as she investigates the murders in her town.
It took me a couple of chapters to settle in to the story and become acquainted with the characters. But once I did, it took hold and didn’t let go. The city council member who had it out for Jane for no other reason than she was a woman. The detective who resented her promotion. The detective who always had her back. And her father.
I played detective along with Jane, and rooted for her to come out from her self-imposed injunction on any kind of personal life and embrace the attraction she felt for Reid. I applauded Reid for his courage, especially with [SPOILER] making waves.
Ms. Coble has long been a favorite author, and I was happy to read her latest story.


ROBIN’S FEATHERS
FOUR FEATHERS

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, One Little Lie, Colleen Coble, Celebrate Lit Publicity

A woman gets her father’s old job and is challenged by the biggest atrocities her town has seen in years. She’ll need to do everything she can to forget her traumatic past and focus on her work, all while she reconsiders the idea of faith, if she wants to succeed. Christian author Colleen Coble places a woman in a traditionally man’s role in the fairly likable novel One Little Lie.

Jane Hardy receives the honor of becoming the police chief of the small force in her town of Pelican Harbor, Alabama, along the Gulf Coast. She’s pleased and a little intimidated by her new position; after all, she’s stepping right into the shoes of her father, the former chief. He has an excellent reputation, and she doesn’t want to let him or the town down in any way.

She doesn’t have time to think about any of that, however. Two bodies have been found, murdered in disturbing ways. These latest murders follow other mysterious killings in the area, which the officers have started calling the vigilante killings due to the vindictive nature of the murders. The murderer has left messages with the victims, because he—or she—clearly thinks the victims are perpetrators themselves. No one knows what they did, though, or why they deserved punishment.

Jane runs, literally, into Reid Dixon. A celebrated documentary filmmaker, Reid’s newest piece will focus on how small police forces help their towns. Despite her unease, Jane agrees to let Reid follow her around town as she investigates the latest murders.

Clues start coming out but don’t make any sense, and Jane struggles to put them together into a cohesive narrative. When she turns to her dad for advice, he’s reluctant to offer any. At first Jane thinks this is his normal reticence. Since he rescued her from the cult where they lived for more than a decade, her dad’s always been quiet.

Then the FBI comes to Jane with a stunning announcement: they’re holding her father as a person of interest in the murders. She fights them on the charge, but they have just enough evidence to make her father look suspicious. Reid lends moral support and works to help her solve the mystery, and the closer they get to one another the more Jane thinks of her childhood years in the cult. Why, she wonders, are these memories coming back now? And what will she do if her dad really is guilty?

Author Colleen Coble offers readers a chance to watch a protagonist in an unusual role. As an authority figure, Jane deals with insubordinate officers as well as ingratiating ones. Despite the stereotypical description of a petite frame, Jane’s honesty and integrity shine. So does her loyalty to her father. When other officers make cogent arguments as to why she shouldn’t be so quick in defending him, Jane struggles with the morality versus the legality of the information on hand. That struggle comes across as real and relatable.

The book suffers from too much of a pedantic approach. Characters have conversations, and then the narrative jumps in to explain what they just talked about. In the tussle between “show, don’t tell,” Coble errs too much on the side of telling readers what’s going on instead of letting the story unfold on its own. At some point, readers might get a little antsy with this method.

The connection to the cult, too, seems unnecessary. While Coble makes the different portions of Jane’s life fit well enough, it’s unclear why she needed to suffer through being in a cult. Even with a big revelation toward the end that most readers will see coming long before Jane does, the cult itself doesn’t serve a larger purpose in the novel.

Coble handles Jane’s questioning of faith in a realistic way as well, though, making one thing clear: when people face the worst of humanity, as law enforcement officers do, it can make them second-guess everything they know to be true. Readers who enjoy this type of story will enjoy this book. For everyone else, I suggest they Borrow One Little Lie.

This is my first Colleen Coble story and I'm sure it won't be my last.

Detective Jane Hardy has just been promoted by the Pelican Harbor Council to the Chief of Police. Her predecessor was her father, Charles, who retired quite suddenly a month previous. Jane's excited by the promotion but also intimidated by its magnitude. On her first day in the new job she has to allow a documentary journo, Reid Bechtol, to follow her around filming her every move for a new series geared towards promoting Jane's small Alabaman town.

A series of unusual deaths and abductions occur simultaneously which appear to be linked. Before too long, Jane is up to neck in small town conspiracies that point to the one person: her father. Reid, with an eye for a story, is soon captured by Jane's investigations as well as by her presence.

Coble does an excellent job paralleling Jane's hunt to convict a killer and her search for the truth about her past and her father's cageyness. Reid appears to know more than he's letting on and we're constantly turning pages seeking to find all the missing pieces to solve these various mysteries.

I was throughly entertained and happily got myself lost in the story. I liked how Reid had a sincere faith even though the story didn't dwell too much on his relationship with God.

I'm certainly looking forward to the second book in the series.

I received an ebook copy from the TN First Editions review team via NetGalley without any expectation of a favourable review.

It was just one little lie how bad could it be?
I’m an avid reader of Colleen Coble’s books, and I look forward to each one as they release. I wasn’t sure exactly how I felt about reading this one considering the mention of a cult. One Little Lie is the first book of a new series, Pelican Harbor, and takes place in the deep south. It follows Coble’s signature style of keeping the main villain a secret, even if the reader figures out the henchmen along the way. One thing I have always appreciated about her books is the lack of gruesomeness. A perfect example is in this book when they find an upper torso without head or limbs inside a cooler. While the reader knows the scene would be horrific, this is not described in detail and is only mentioned with plain wording. One Little Lie is also part one of Jane Hardy’s story- unlike many series, Jane’s story continues into the next book, instead of switching to a new main character.
Regarding the “cult” that I mentioned before, this is also handled with much tact, and doesn’t go into detail about their beliefs or evil practices. It leaves these things up to the reader’s imagination, only referring to it in vague descriptions. I can’t even imagine the horror and the sense of being trapped that these kinds of religions must bring upon a person in the name of “god.”
I love the fact that Coble didn’t wrap up this story with only one book, making it feel rushed and forced. The characters have too much pain and bitterness to resolve so quickly, and I’m looking forward to following all their stories in the remaining series. (I’m hoping several side characters will also continue their stories in the next book.) The romance is minimum in this book, building much more slowly across the series, I expect.
I highly recommend this book for lovers of Christian Romantic Suspense, especially ones where the plot builds over a series, instead of wrapping up in only one.

A new book from one of my favorite suspense authors - Colleen Coble

I found this to be quite different from most of Ms. Coble's books, mostly due to the fact that a lot of this storyline has to do with cults, and issues stemming from characters who have left a cult life.

Jane is a worthy heroine. I found myself rooting for her right from the beginning. I loved getting to know her, see her rise to the challenges that came flying at her.

And then there's Reid. He was also an intriguing person. Initially, he was not a person Jane wanted to have around, but there he was. And then, he was assigned a task of following her, doing a documentary on her career. And, bit by bit, you get to know and appreciate him, too.

This book does have some surprises, but a lot of it happened somewhat like I expected it to. There are enough clues given early on that the ending is not a total surprise.

If you enjoy mysteries and suspense, you are sure to enjoy this book!




Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

In the first book in her Pelican Harbor series, Ms. Coble tells the story of the effects of one little lie and how it impacts the lives of so many people. Jane Hardy will ultimately discover this not only in her personal life but her professional life, too.

I felt sorry for Jane, her earlier years were unimaginable to me and honestly I was happy that she was able to escape with her father, but I was saddened by her mother's refusal to leave. I could understand her devotion to her father and I loved that Jane was promoted to chief of police after her dad recently retired from the position. Now you might think that the small town of Pelican Harbor, Alabama would have a few crimes over a few weeks but nope, that was not the case. There are dead bodies turning up in town and Jane finds herself and her small department working like mad to solve the cases.

I will have to say that Reid Bechtol and his son were my favorite characters, I'm kind of drawn to a man who would go to such great lengths to provide his son with a quiet, peaceful life in a small town. I also liked the friendship Reid had with Jane and the time they spend together is sweet and not overly romantic which was a nice change for me. There is a bit of suspense but nor to the point where I was on the edge of my seat which was another nice change for me. There were no big surprises but I enjoyed the slow build up to the conclusion of the novel. I was disappointed that I have to wait to find out what happens in the lives of Jane and Reid but I certainly look forward to the next book in the series.

Overall, I thought the premise of the novel is fantastic and unlike in other book I have read. I found the characters fascinating and well developed and I started to care what happens to the them, basically I just want them to have the happiness they so richly deserve. A great book to read in one day or over a weekend.
I received an e-copy from the publisher. All opinions are completely my own.

“Button eyed the compound’s exit and forced herself to trudge behind her parents as the pain intensified in her belly.”

Opening line of “One Little Lie” by Colleen Coble
Having read and enjoyed several Colleen Coble novels, I looked forward to reading her latest, “One Little Lie”. At it’s centre, as it’s title suggest, this novel focuses on the way lies weave and twist their way through lives wrecking havoc. Our two leading characters, Jane and Reid, both have a history with cults and are keeping secrets about their pasts. The town has a vigilante on their hands determined to expose the hidden lives of those in Pelican Harbor and the violence is escalating. As the new interim sheriff, Jane works tirelessly to find the culprit whilst being watched by Reid and his documentary camera.

The writing is beautiful, as always, but I struggled to connect with these characters. I think perhaps it’s because I couldn’t trust any of them, each is deceiving someone and making choices so contrary to the ones I’d make. I have also now concluded cults are a thread in books I don’t enjoy. The mystery is interesting and keeps the pace up as Jane and Reid race to find a vigilante, a murderer and a kidnapper, unsure if they are the same person. The conclusion wasn’t a surprise for me but if you are interested in cults and the consequence of deception wrapped up in suspense and mystery, this one may be for you! It’s a three out of five on the enJOYment scale.

Jane Hardy has been appointed police chief of the small community of Pelican Harbor even though she's just shy of her 30th birthday. Her father was the retiring chief and she has a lot to live up to. Not everyone thinks she's up for the job, and she starts to doubt herself, especially with a vigilante on the loose and a murder that's linked to her father. When the FBI arrest him for theft, she runs to his defence, but not everything is as it seems.

Jane's task is made even trickier when the mayor gives permission for documentary film maker Reid to tag along with her. He'd previously made a documentary on cults and that was a little too close to home. No one in Pelican Harbour knows that Jane and her father escaped from a cult when she was just 15. Still haunted by what happened on that fateful night, the last thing she wants to do is open up to Reid. Can she trust him or does he have his own agenda for getting close to her?

I really enjoyed this latest romantic suspense from Colleen Coble. The main characters were likable, and the issues to do with cults and past secrets were compelling. The faith issues were interesting, as Jane had to grapple with whether she could put her trust in any kind of 'religion' after what she experienced in the cult. I liked the way there wasn't a quick fix.

It was pretty easy to work out how Reid's son fit into the picture, but that didn't spoil the story. There was plenty of suspense along the way. I knew it was the first book in a new series, but I was expecting it to be all tied up at the end. Some parts are resolved, but it's an ongoing story. So I got to the last page and went 'aarrgghh! You can't make us wait 'til September to find out what happens!' But I'll be tuning in.

If you like romantic suspense, with some deeper issues to do with faith, there's a lot to enjoy in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Award winning author, Colleen Coble has written another riveting, award worthy book with One Little Lie. This contemporary Christian novel is a murder, mystery, suspense that caught my attention on the very first page. I was invested in the story of Jane Hardy and turned page after page to read it.

Whenever I pick up a Colleen Coble book I am certain it is going to be a nail biting experience. I was not disappointed with One Little Lie. It was incredible. This suspense, mystery had me on the edge of my seat flipping pages. The story is brilliant and extremely realistic. Yes, it could and probably has happened. The depth of the characters and plot was phenomenal. Do not expect a light read but something to engage your mind with this one.

This is Book One in The Pelican Harbor Series. The Prologue was so captivating I sincerely hoped the entire store would continue from there. Obviously it was only a bit of history, but it whet my appetite for the main course.

This is the story of Sheriff Jane Hardy. She is a feisty petite law enforcement officer with a troublesome past. Reid Bechtol is a famous newsperson that has come to do a documentary on small town police departments. When dead bodies begin to show up he is there to offer his assistance to Jane.

The author has provided readers with twists, turns, and surprises to make this a book that is hard to put down. Inspirational messages are woven throughout this engaging story along with multiple life lessons.

I highly recommend this 5 star novel. It has discussion questions in the back so it will make a great reading group selection.