I love that Colleen Coble has two new series that are based around Pelican Harbor, the site of an earlier series. In Ambush, the first in the Sanctuary novels, a mystery is centered around an animal sanctuary.
Paradise heads back to hard memories when she returns to her Alabama hometown to work for the animal sanctuary run by her high school boyfriend Blake and his mom. Not only is this a hard move as her parents had been murdered there, but she had been attacked by a tiger at earlier job and still afraid of the larger cats. When a person is murdered at the sanctuary and other strange occurrences happen, Blake and Paradise team up to show their innocence.
What I loved about this novel. I like the unusual setting of an animal sanctuary. I also enjoy having characters from the other series make appearances. Finally, I love that Coble still brings Christian messages to her books without being preachy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

Paradise Alden knows trauma. Her life has been a series of unfortunate events that have shaped her into the person she has become. Embracing the changes that Paradise has decided to make in her life have her returning to her hometown, fifteen years after she left. Triggers are going to be part of her daily life, but the chance she has to work with animals at the Sanctuary that she once worked with is one she is looking forward to.

Comfort, peace and Paradise’s new start is immediately sidetracked when a woman’s body is discovered near one of the animal enclosures. With the help of Blake Lawson and his mother, Paradise wants to restore the much-needed peace to the Sanctuary. Although Paradise had a difficult life growing up in the foster system, she was able to find respite whenever she visited the Sanctuary. It was there when Paradise and Blake met, and for six summers they were almost inseparable. Shocked and heartbroken at Blake’s betrayal then destroyed their connection and left Paradise heartbroken.

The Sanctuary has undergone significant changes over the years, but Paradise is immediately drawn in. She and the others are concerned that the murder will have a negative impact on the sanctuary, so finding answers is paramount. The local sheriff is eager to investigate and suspects Paradise, Blake, or his mother of the crime.

With a deep love for the animals at the Sanctuary and a desire to prove their innocence, Paradise and Blake must work together. However, whether or not she can forgive Blake will undoubtedly make her new start even more challenging.

Colleen Coble’s engaging read is the first book in a new thrilling series. With a captivating narration having intensifying the drama, I was fully drawn into the story. I’m eagerly looking forward to reading the second book, Prowl.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I love a Colleen Coble suspense/mystery book. Ambush tells the story of Paradise who returns to where she grew up, to work as a vet. Ironically shes working for an old boyfriend. There was suspense and intrigue along the way. Several "who did it" plot lines that didnt all get wrapped up. Maybe leading to book #2?
It did drag out a bit and wrapped up fast. Bur overall it was a good story.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

I did not expect this book if I am being honest it was unexpectedly great. It follows Paradise whose life has not been easy spanning from a lovers betrayal, her parents murder and abuse she does not seem to catch a break. She accepts a new job with the hope of a fresh start but stumbles on a dead body and she springs to action. If I have two words for this book is affirming and healing. .

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Thank you @NetGalley and @ThomasNelsonFiction for the ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I enjoyed this book very much. Paradise and Blake were best friends and than more, but after Paradise foster home becomes unsafe she is sent to another. Blake has not seen her in 15 years but one day she is the new vet for his Wildlife Sanctuary. Paradise has lots of baggage including the old case of who killed her parents. She has a plan to finally solve this case. Blake wants to help but can he bridge the gap of who they are now as adults. Look forward to book 2.

This story was so well done and I really enjoyed it. I enjoy reading from this author and I'm looking forward to the next book. The plot was really well explored and I enjoyed the overall story. The characters were great and I was able to dive myself into this book. It was well done and I highly recommend. This book was so good.

This narrative is crafted for individuals who appreciate stories that skillfully weave together elements of suspense and Christian faith, offering a compelling reading experience. Readers will be drawn into a world where the possibility of renewed love blossoms amidst the intricate secrets and unexpected twists inherent in a close-knit small-town setting. The story masterfully blends the emotional journey of second-chance romance with the intriguing puzzle of a local mystery, promising a satisfying and thought-provoking exploration of faith, love, and the hidden layers within a seemingly tranquil community.

This was great all the animals. How the characters interact with the animals, Big cats, hippopotamus, hyenas and giraffes like a safari. Then all the twists for Paradise and Blake. I couldn't imagine being in a cage with a wikd animal! Jenna has 2 other sons besides Blake. They are a fun addition to the characters.

If you’re looking for a high stakes Southern mystery by @colleencoble, this is the book for you! I absolutely enjoyed this book. From the zoo setting to the fast-paced suspense, I adored it! I switched back and forth between listening and reading this story. Thus, the audiobook was excellent.

Colleen Coble executed this story so well. The sweet family elements and the homey atmosphere of Ambush warmed my heart. The zoo setting was SO fun and unique. I felt very immersed in the story because of this. Also, the faith elements blew me away!! I loved how Colleen showed the beautiful themes of redemption and forgiveness. I was brought to tears. This book shows the true definition of Christian fiction, in my opinion.

Also, I loved the romance and the mystery of the novel. One moment was sweet and the next was heart-pounding! It kept me so entertained. The second chance romance dynamic between Blake and Paradise was both sweet and realistic. Plus, the mystery just added more dynamism to the relationship.

Highly recommend Ambush!

Happy reading,
Bethany the Bookworm Girl

Of course this is a five-star book, given the author! I was very interested in the setting - Nova Cambridge in Alabama, at a wildlife refuge! However, the main character, Paradise, is dealing with trauma of several kinds. First, her parents were murdered, and then she suffered in the foster care system. Last of all, a jaguar had attacked her and left a scar on the outside and terror on the inside. Paradise needs to accept the job as a wild animal veterinarian and deals with trouble on her first day: a dead body is discovered there. She knows that Blake is not responsible, the man who is helping his mother keep the refuge going. However, she knows him from her past as the young man who betrayed her. The secrets, danger and excitement make this a wonderful book, and I am so glad to have the opportunity to read this very engaging story, with great appreciation to the editors for allowing that. The opinions expressed are my own.

Ready for a ride? Collen Coble begins at the first chapter with mystery and danger and doesn’t stop until the last page. The reader can feel the tension between Blake and Paradise jumping from the pages, but quickly will find themselves rooting for this busted couple. The climax had this reader on the edge of her seat and turning the page faster to make sure that this couple and family were able to escape the final blow. Highly recommended for any fan of the suspenseful romance genre.

I received an ARC ebook from NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction, in exchange for an honest review.

"Ambush" is a blend of second-chance romance and suspense. When Paradise left town, she never expected to come back there again. However, when she's given the opportunity to recover and heal from a big cat attack, she decides it's a good next step for her.

What she didn't anticipate was that Blake would be there too. After all these years, she still hadn't forgiven Blake for sharing her secret. She knows he was only trying to protect her, but his interference only made things worse. So now, on top of trying to overcome her phobia of the big cats she is there to care for, she has to process all the wild feelings Blake brings up in her.

At the same time, the animal sanctuary Blake's mother owns seems to be under attack. So that just makes matters worse, especially because it's not clear whether Paradise is the target, Blake is, or it's the sanctuary itself that wanted. And is there any connection to her parents' brutal murder on the property next door when she was a child?

There are all sorts of questions raised in this story that draw the reader in, but since it's the start of a series, not all of them are answered. So the end was a little disappointing when it was clear that only one of the many questions was actually going to be resolved in this book.

Thank you to Colleen Coble, Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

I was prepared to love Ambush simply because I've enjoyed every other book Colleen Coble has written. However, I was not prepared to love it as much as I did.
Ambush is a riveting suspense with a engaging plot and a unique setting that kerps you reading page after page. . The main characters are wonderful and easy to relate to. A revisit with characters from the Tupelo Grove novels enhanced my enjoyment. This is one book you will not want to miss and one you'll find it difficult to put down. 5 stars plus!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a reader's copy.

Interesting plot, but felt dragged out to only be resolved very quickly at the end. One of the major plot line's resolution was like a blip in the storyline. There was way too much build up to be such a simple resolution for both Paradise's parent's murders and the mystery surrounding the Sanctuary. The simplicity of the culprits was just unsatisfying.

I am huge fan of Colleen Coble's romantic suspense novels. Ambush has it all- an interesting setting, a riveting suspense and sweet second chance romance. I was immediately drawn to the wildlife refuge, a unique setting for a mystery or two.

Paradise returns to Pelican Bay to take a position at a wildlife refuge after a traumatic incident with a big cat at a former workplace. She has also come to discover some answers surrounding the murder of her parents that sent her into foster care years earlier. As a series of mysterious events and a murder throw suspicion on the refuge, Paradise finds herself working side by side with her first love. Both Blake and Paradise are multi-layered characters, drawing on each other's strengths as they face their fears.

Readers will find themselves sitting on the edge of their chairs as the plot picks up pace. The only disappointment for me, is the small cliffhanger. With some skillful foreshadowing, Ms. Coble sets the stage for the next book in the series. As with some of her other series, I suspect each novel to have a mystery unfold and be solved within one story... and then another storyline or arc throughout the series. I'm hooked and eagerly awaiting book two.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Great read! If you like Christian based romantic suspense, this books for you. When Paradise decides she needs to back to were it all started. She returns home to the one love she left behind, after he betrayed her trust, and with the determination to find out who killed her parents.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you for allowing me to review

In this contemporary mystery, Paradise Alden has come back to her childhood town in Alabama. When she was a child, both her parents were murdered and the crime has never been solved. As a result, she grew up in a series of foster homes where in one case, she was abused.
She is now a veterinarian and accepts a job at the local wild animal sanctuary. The owner happens to be the mother of her first love, Blake Lawson. She feels he betrayed her confidence which prompted her being placed in the abusive foster home, and she struggles to forgive him. She has recently been attacked by a jaquar and is recovering from that injury.
As soon as she arrives at the sanctuary, a woman is murdered and Blake is the main suspect. A series of break-ins, sabotage, gun fire and arson occur at the sanctuary. Is someone trying to frame Blake? Who is committing these crimes and why is the sanctuary being targeted?
Can Paradise and Blake work together to find the answers and can Paradise discover who killed her parents and why? Blake’s faith has seen him through his military service and the tragic loss of his best friend. Can he help Paradise rediscover her faith?
This is from the back cover:
“The first book in the riveting new series from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble, where a young woman will do anything to uncover the truth of her parents' murder--even work alongside the man who once broke her heart.
Paradise Alden's childhood in Nova Cambridge, Alabama, was idyllic until the night her parents were murdered. Since then, life has left her scarred. The abuse she suffered in the foster care system, her first love's betrayal, and the jaguar attack that nearly destroyed her career have led to an unshakable distrust--in men, in God, and maybe in even in herself.
After fifteen years, returning to her hometown is a last resort to finding her life again. She's hoping the wildlife refuge where she's accepted a veterinarian job will be the perfect place to heal from her recent traumas and unlock her memories about the night her parents died. But the day she arrives at The Sanctuary, a body is discovered on the grounds. And soon, a series of deadly events threatens not only her future, but the man who, despite all odds, still makes her pulse stutter. Arson, a shooting, a break-in, and multiple instances of animals being freed from their enclosures all point back to him, but Paradise knows Blake Lawson isn't responsible. Not the man who has been helping his mother manage The Sanctuary these past six months and care for his stepbrothers in the wake of their father's death . . . even if his betrayal years ago cost her everything.
Someone dangerous is lurking beneath the town's moss-draped trees, and Paradise refuses to let another murderer disappear into the shadows.”
The first book in the series, this suspenseful romantic mystery will keep your attention to the end. There are some unresolved questions that I hope will be addressed in the future books of the series.
Faith plays an important part of the story but it is in no way offensive or “preachey”.
I look forward to the next book in this series, and give this a 5 out of 5 star rating.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Ambush: A Small-Town Romantic Suspense by Colleen Coble is a fascinating look at a family run wildlife park. It was fascinating just on this level. The characters, their backgrounds, and the conflict they faced just added more depth to the story. I cannot wait to see what happens next to these characters. That tells you how well written they are. These characters need answers and so do I! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Paradise Alden returns to her hometown after 15 years to work on a wildlife sanctuary, but ghosts from her troubled upbringing keep coming back to haunt her. Can she trust the one man who unknowingly betrayed her so long ago?

There is a lot going on in this high-tension read, as one thing after another happens and another secret from the past is revealed, it all culminates in a suspenseful story that had me eagerly turning each page. There is good interaction and relationship building between Paradise and Blake. Blake is a great guy, he is a man of faith, and I admired how he stands by his mother to help her through hard times.

A fast paced read, with a lot going on in this suspenseful read that kept me guessing. Engaging and well written, I liked that it also happens in the same universe as a previous book by this author. A lot happening and a lot to discover, definitely worth the read!

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

Wow, Ambush is a riveting romantic suspense! Colleen Coble delivers an adventurous thrill ride set in an Alabama wild animal preserve. With a compelling first love/second chance romance & beautiful faith thread, this heartfelt story was as touching as it was mysterious. It’s an exciting start to a new Sanctuary series with fun tie-ins from her previous books. I was throughly engaged & can’t wait for the next book.

Paradise Alden needs a job & returns to her childhood hometown to work at the Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve. Scarred emotionally & physically, she’s looking for a second chance in more ways than one. Though she has a history with the owner’s son & accuses him of ruining her life, she finds a sense of comfort with Blake. As their past is slowly revealed, they both find healing & a possible second chance at love if they can figure out who’s after Paradise & sabotaging the wildlife preserve.

As amazing as the redemption arc of Paradise & Blake is, the thrills & twists offered in this wildlife preserve setting makes for a suspenseful read. I enjoyed the beautiful yet dangerous animals & found myself quickly turning the pages as Blake’s family including two young brothers, & Paradise encounter some fierce creatures who are a little too close for comfort. The mystery of who’s causing trouble at the preserve & putting lives in danger is full of twists & turns. I found myself guessing & then second guessing.

Highly recommend! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I received an advanced copy from the publisher. No review was expected. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily.