Loved it!!  It was great to be back in Pelican Harbor and see familiar faces, like Savannah and Hez.  Hez's weird looking dog even stops by the sanctuary.  I remembered the Wildlife Sanctuary from "What We Hide,"  because Hez and his cousin would go fishing with the hippo.  From the moment Deputy Creed Green pulled Paradise over, I knew what type of person he would be.  He was useless about investigating what was happening at the sanctuary.  Instead of actually finding out who was behind the murder and all the sabotage that was happening,  he simply blamed Blake.  The Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve sounded like a great place to live, except for the evil furry demons known as hyenas.  Blake and his mom took exceptional care of the animals, but at times they got a little too friendly by petting them and sticking their fingers in the cage.   Isaac was lucky he wasn't a kitty snack.  Loved the relationship between Paradise and Blake, of course they were perfect together.  They just needed to forgive each other for what happened in the past.   I had no idea who could be behind all the horrible stuff happening at the sanctuary.  It was scary what was being done and could have really harmed or killed someone.  If Paradise wouldn't have gone back and checked on Blake during the hurricane, there definitely would have been a different outcome.  Paradise's mom was keeping so many secrets.  Why were Paradise's parents killed and who did it???  I have so many questions.  There were so many twists and turns throughout the book.

Definitely recommend the book. It was a great mystery/thriller that had me guessing until the end. Loved the characters, story and writing style. I can't wait for the next book!!!  It better be a series with all the unanswered questions.  Look forward to reading more books by the author.

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

This is such a great book - I hope it's the start of a long series!

Paradise returns to her hometown with lots of baggage and questions. Her search for answers takes her through hard, scary and often life threatening situations. The twists and turns keep you not only turning the page but totally entertained!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Wow, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and was intrigued by the storyline. A great second chance romance where two people had a tragic event occur in their high school years that sent Paradise away from Blake. Terrible things happen to Paradise when she is sent away to another home. Now she gets the chance to work with him and his family at their Wildlife Sanctuary but the Sanctuary has someone who is trying to take them out of business and ruin their livelihood.

Lots of twists and turns in this book and it will have you on the edge of your seat. Great story about healing, grieving, mystery, murder and more. One I will definitely be recommending!

A 2nd chance romance. Paradise takes a job as a vet at a wild animal sanctuary in the town she grew up in, 15 years after leaving. She has issues with wild cats and with the son of her employer, who just happens to be her first love. To top it off, her employer's husband may have been murdered and lots of strange things are happening - arson, murder, break-ins. Paradise & Blake sort through all the problems while navigating their feelings for each other and having Paradise come to terms with God. Another enjoyable read.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Coleen Coble is amazing! This audio version of the book is riveting. The narrator was fantastic. There is plenty of action, suspense, thrills, and sweet romance that make this book an edge of your seat kind of read. The whole time, I was thinking it reminded me of Jurassic Park, but with exotic animals instead of dinosaurs. The characters are genuine and loveable. Especially, the two little boys. They captured my heart.
I highly recommend this suspenseful novel to any reader who likes thrillers, This has a splash romance, and an inspirational message. Don't miss this one.
*I was given a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers, and this is my honest opinion.
4.5 stars

‘Ambush” was my first book by Colleen Coble and I Loved it! Colleen Coble is now one of my Favorite Authors!! I enjoyed how she sets a foundation of backstories for the characters. These characters have depth and you feel for them!! This is about Paradise and Blake who were friends and first loves as teenagers then when a tragic turn of events separates them for fifteen years. Now Paradise has come back to search for answers and find healing and closure! With help from God, Blake, his mom and Blake’s younger brothers she begins to heal! All while working as a veterinarian on Blake’s family animal sanctuary where there is unexplained dangers!! We were left with some unanswered mysteries, can’t wait for a follow up book!

Thank you so Much to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for the Arc of this book in exchange for an Honest Review!!

#Ambush
#NetGalley

Interesting plot and creative setting from Coble. A solid clean suspense novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Paradise (FMC) has returned home to work as a vet at a wildlife sanctuary owned by her young love's mother. She doesn't relish working with Blake (MMC) or revisiting the hurt. She felt betrayed by him during the tumultuous days of her foster care experience which came after her parents' double murder many years before. Things go extremely awry at the sanctuary shortly after she arrives. Activists? Her parents' murderer? A greedy businessman who wants the land?

A lot happens. A LOT. I actually felt that there was too much happening and it became hard to keep track of after a while. It wasn't just the sanctuary but Paradise's past, Blake's Past, his mom's past, AND the threats against the sanctuary. Thankfully there is some balance with family moments (Blake's little brothers especially!) and time that the couple spend together in healing the past. There is a strong faith and growth arc as well.

A wildlife sanctuary is a very interesting setting for this story. I learned more about various wild animals, including hyenas. SIDE NOTE: I truly hope that I never become a snack! I had the heebie-jeebies in a few scenes with the hyenas and a tiger.

The twists and turns will keep readers guessing as to who the bad guy/gal is and what the motive is. This is the first book in a new series with little, fun connections to the Tupelo Grove series. I will definitely be continuing this series.

>>> Huge thanks to Thomas Nelson (publisher) and Net Galley for an advanced reader copy of this novel. My honest review is in my own words

This was a really good start to this series. It’s full of suspense, lots of emotion and second chance romance.
I liked Paradise and her toughness. I thought the animal sanctuary was a nice addition to the story. I’m definitely looking forward to the next one in this series.

This is an incredible action-packed suspenseful mystery set in an animal sanctuary. After fifteen years away, Veterinarian Paradise Alden returns to get answers to her parents' murder. She is still healing from injuries in her previous job and is wary of the big cats. Someone is targeting the park with a serious of escalating incidents. Co-owner Blake Lawson is suspected of murder when a dead body appears at the park. Even though Paradise feels like her ex high school boyfriend Blake betrayed her fifteen years ago, she doesn't believe that he is a murderer. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This story is riveting. The setting at an animal sanctuary adds to the suspenseful. It was so engrossing that I found it hard to put it down.

The Sanctuary is a nature preserve in Alabama that is managed by Jenna and Blake, a mother and son team, and someone is trying to destroy its reputation. Unknown events keep happening, endangering the owners' physical and financial well-being and making them question whether they should just give up their house and the wildlife preserve.
After suffering injuries in a black panther attack, Paradise Alden, a large animal veterinarian, is coping with post-traumatic stress disorder. Though she has hidden agendas, she has come back to her hometown of youth to assist at The Sanctuary. She is seeking the truth behind the deaths of her parents some twenty years ago, in addition to wanting to recover from her attack. Finding oneself and reestablishing contact with Blake, her first love

There is an intensity to everything that is happening to Paradise and Blake. Both have returned to Pelican Bay because they have to, and now they wonder if they might have a second chance at love. First they have to survive everything going wrong at the sanctuary for exotic animals that Blake and his mom runs much is happening, but this redemptive story will keep you coming back for more. I highly recommend it!

Ambush by Colleen Coble is set in a wildlife refuge in Nova Cambridge, Alabama and sends veterinarian Paradise Alden, and her high school sweetheart, Blake Lawson, on an adventure they won't soon forget.
Paradise comes back to her hometown after being away for 15 years. Having faced multiple traumas Paradise never expected to return to this place. But now she's determined to put her parents' murders to rest and finds herself facing multiple fears.
Coble does a good job of navigating several hard issues and the battle to determine whether trusting God is worth the surrender. I enjoyed this story though I would not want to be one of the characters! So many dangers lurking ahead!
I did struggle with the attempt to mix a small town feel with so many unknowns. My experience with small towns and what's navigated through the pages of this book don't mesh though maybe things are a bit different in the south. :)
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read this saga! I enjoyed this journey and look forward to reading more! All opinions are my own.

This is the first Colleen Coble book I have read. Originally I picked this book up through my local book store ARC program because of the cover. I haver seen some online chatter about Coble, and figured I could get in on the hype.

Coble's writing style has a smooth flow to it that made this story an easy read. There were no errors that made the story difficult to follow. The story started out slow and towards the ending the pace picked up. It was time to put the book down for the night, but it had me at the edge of my seat...so I stayed up way to late to finish it. It was unpredictable. I was drawn into the book from the first chapter and my interest was peaked through out the story. It was entertaining and definitely a page turner.

The characters were strong and didn’t give into letting their fears control their decisions. The book ended with some things left in the air. I will be waiting eagerly to read book two in this series to find out if these questions get answers.

Ambush is a thrilling adventure set in a wildlife sanctuary. The story is captivating, the characters are inviting, and the location is perfect. There are multiple layers to the plot, so each page is gripping and satisfying, but not complete, which meant the pages kept flying! Like Paradise, I wanted answers, and I wanted closure. Instead, I received an adventure with a little bit of both. I love that this is a series starter, so I know there is more to come. In the meantime, this story is brilliant and a satisfying intro. I don’t want to divulge any details, so if you enjoy thrilling adventures, mystery on multiple layers, romance, and small town living amid a wildlife sanctuary, you are going to love this.
I also had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook version and the narrator did an excellent job of capturing the characters: personalities, accents, and emotions.
I received a copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Wildlife veterinarian Paradise returns to her hometown and a wildlife sanctuary operated by her former boyfriend and his mother. She is hoping to regain her confidence dealing with large cats after being attacked by a leopard. She must also face the demons from her past, the death of her parents and rejection by family and friends. The refuge is under by animal activists. A murder, sabotage, burglary and hurricane add to the tension. Can Paradise overcome her fears and feeling of rejection?
This book had me hooked from the beginning and I highly recommend it. I was given an advanced copy for my unbiased review.

Colleen Coble is a master storyteller, weaving tales that pull the reader in and keep you there until the end. Ambush is no different. With a unique setting at an animal sanctuary and unknown danger at every turn, the pages will fly by as you race to find all the answers.
The characters are so real: flawed and not perfect but genuine in their efforts to improve. The reader gets to learn alongside them as they navigate life. With a present time threat and cold case murders, the danger grows every day. Throw in danger, mystery attacks, and threats in the most unexpected places and the learning curve is huge. I loved being along for the ride! The setting helped add to the story, like the backdrop to a movie. The layers make the story come to life.
Colleen Coble kept me engrossed in the story from beginning to end. Each twist added another layer of adrenaline and suspense to keep me glued to the book. A must read for anyone looking for suspense, faith, and romance in one wonderful story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank You Netgalley and Colleen Coble for another great mystery. I received the electronic and audio ARC. My favorite way to read books are as a tandem read. I would say this book was a second chance romance with a mystery involved. The mystery part wasn't cheesy and was very real. I loved the safari feel of the book and enjoyed the whole thing. This is a Christian tagged read so if any mention of the big guy bothers you, I would pass.

Colleen Coble presents Ambush (A Sanctuary Novel Book 1), and things are dangerous in the wildlife refuge known as The Sanctuary! Paradise Alden has accepted a veterinarian job in her old hometown, the one place she never thought she would return to for many reasons. It has been fifteen years, and maybe Paradise is going to find out if she is strong enough to face the demons from her past—abuse in the foster care system, betrayal by her first love, and the near-deadly jaguar attack that almost cost her career. She does not trust men or God and is unsure she can trust herself.
Blake Lawson is the man who broke Paradise’s heart and has since made her distrust all men. However, seeing him makes her heart beat faster and her knees weak. Paradise knows he has grown into a good man who has returned home to help his mom run the Sanctuary and help take care of his young half-brothers.
The day Paradise arrives, a body is found on the grounds. That was only the beginning of her “Welcome Home Party,” as much more mischief, mayhem, and murder continued. The setting of The Sanctuary is almost like the character itself. While it is a beautiful habitat during the day, it can be creepy and deadly at night. And never more so than during a raging storm when electricity is lost. Then, you plunge into a depth of darkness like nowhere else, surrounded by wild animals in enclosures depicting their natural habitats. And when a murderer is on the loose somewhere on the premises, where can you hide for protection? Will the animals protect you or harm you? This one is a thriller!
Thomas Nelson and NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. However, my opinions are entirely my own and uninfluenced.

"Lions, and tigers, and bears! Oh, my!" No, I'm not reviewing 'The Wizard of Oz'—but 'Ambush' is an intriguing suspense set on a wildlife refuge which protects exotic, but frightening animals such as lions, tigers, jaguars, laughing hyenas, and bears! Oh my! 😳

Once attacked by a black jaguar, Paradise Alden accepts a position working as a veterinarian on a wildlife sanctuary in her hometown. Suffering from more than one trauma in her life causes her to be somewhat withdrawn and defensive at first, but her courage and fortitude causes her character to evolve tremendously. And Blake is just about perfect . . . godly, compassionate, brave, loving, and selfless.

I enjoyed learning about the wild animals in their habitat—even the BIG cats have a way of greeting their caretakers in an affectionate manner and who knew hippos liked whole watermelons? Interesting stuff! Although not preachy at all, the author included a faith thread throughout which served to enhance the novel for me. It's actually a mystery within a mystery as a major whodunit is solved and others are left unresolvable for future books, I presume. Cannot wait!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review.*