It wasn’t until I was about a third of the way into this book that the story really grabbed me. After that, I didn’t want to stop reading!

The author did a good job of creating a mystery about the murders occurring in the small community where the story was set as well as the motives behind them. There was a love story as well.

I received this book from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

This is another advance copy that I received via NetGalley. It had a reasonably unique approach to its tale. The story jumps right into all the things that have been going wrong in the little town, and then the pace slows down for us to make attempts at trying to confirm who the actual culprit may be.

We have helicopter pilot Shauna struggling with normality since her husband's death. She stumbles into an even more precarious situation when she becomes the target of a killer on the hunt. She is joined in the hunt for the truth by her husband's best friend Zach who is carrying his own guilt. There are many relationships involved, and a lot of unresolved issues. Some of those, will get untangled in this book.

I liked the plot, but the style of narration is not what I am fond of or used to so I would probably just give it three stars.

Shauna McDade is a young widow whose husband, Jack dies in a climbing accident. She blames his best friend Zach Bannister for his death. Shauna owns a helicopter charter business in Lavender Tides, Washington State and has a five-year-old son, Alex. When a bomb kills her business partner, Clarence, she becomes concerned that she is in danger. When secrets from her childhood begin to surface, she must learn to let go of her anger and accept help from Zach.

It really made me sad to DNf this one. I am a fan of this author and have loved most of her books. But this one was weird. I felt like there was a lack of charterer development. I was about 30% in and I didn't really have a sense of who was who. It didn't read like the first in a series for me. it was also really slow. I just lost interest.

Another great read by favorite author, Colleen Coble! I have yet to be disappointed by any of her books I’ve picked up. This one, the first in the Lavender Tides series, drew me with its beautiful purple cover. Purple is my favorite color, after all.

This one dives right into danger, mystery, and murder. It leaves no room for a slow-building beginning in which to tell you everything about the characters before the action begins. This is a good thing! The author combines both action and character development in a seamless story, including relevant backstories.

There are a few flashback scenes, one which I thought could have been told better without making it a flashback. But, overall, nothing too distracting. Also, I felt the names of best friends Zach and Jack were too similar, and that occasionally threw me off.

There are multiple characters in this story besides the main characters, and like in all good murder mysteries, you aren’t quite sure what people and information are important to solving the case. This keeps you wondering, and pondering, and...sometimes worrying.

I enjoyed the pace, carried along mostly by conversation, with sprinkling in of the senses to make you feel you were right there with the characters. There was no good stopping place, and it was very easy for me to read chapter-after-chapter-after-chapter, and... oh, my goodness, three hours had gone by. Not as intense as others I have read through much of the story, yet I still found myself holding my breath and hoping Zach, Shauna, and Alex would escape the danger that was building.

Oh, and I particularly loved their nicknames for each other. I melted a little—okay, a lot—when I read that.

The pros far outweigh the minor cons mentioned above, and I would strongly recommend this book, whether you are a Colleen Coble fan or not. And if you’re not, you should be! If you like suspense, mystery, and romance, with loveably-flawed, determined characters, you won’t be disappointed.

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The View from Rainshadow Bay
A Lavender Tides Novel #1
Colleen Coble
Thomas Nelson, January 2018
ISBN 978-0-7180-8578-0
Hardcover

From the publisher—

After her husband, Jack, dies in a climbing incident, Shauna has only her five-year-old son and her helicopter charter business to live for. Every day is a struggle to make ends meet and she lives in constant fear of losing even more than she already has.

When her business partner is murdered, his final words convince Shauna that she’s in danger too. But where can she turn? Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and is the person she blames for his death. She’s barely spoken to him since. But right now he seems her only hope for protecting her son.

Zach is only too happy to assuage his guilt over Jack’s death by helping Shauna any way he can. But there are secrets involved dating back to Shauna’s childhood that more than one person would prefer to stay hidden.

I’m kind of betwixt and between on my feelings about this book. As romantic suspense, it pretty much delivers what you might expect but, with its Christian influence, it’s gentler and that’s fine with me. Where it fails, at least somewhat, is in the mystery. The pace is inconsistent and there are elements of the criminal activity that either don’t make much sense or don’t work at all. Just as a “for instance”, Shauna goes to deliver something to the guy who has kidnapped two people for ransom but, unknown to her, the two people who knew what she was doing have gone off on another mission and are unreachable PLUS they didn’t tell her they were going to leave her on her own AND one of them is the sheriff.

This doesn’t mean that I would never read another book by this author by any means. Ms. Coble has a very good reputation and a ton of books. I saw for myself in this book that she has a way with words when it comes to character and setting descriptions (although I did like her, Shauna comes across as a bit of a “Weak Willy” which I didn’t expect based on her background but I appreciate Ms. Coble‘s willingness to portray her this way). Anyway, I’d be willing to read more by this author…but maybe not a mystery.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, February 2018.

What an interesting story! It caught me from the very first lines. It keep getting deeper and deeper. More and more questions. More and more reasons to keep reading. Character development & depth was impeccable. Details were so well developed as well. Loved the love story throughout. This book kept my on my toes. I couldn’t put it down. So good. Can’t wait for the next story in the series.
I received a digital copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating:

3.5

My Review:

While still reading, I became increasingly concerned and conflicted in how to assess and rate this book. The premise was interesting and original and the mystery was intriguing with several creative story elements that keep me reading and had my rating floating at four-stars. However, I grew restless and annoyed with the uneven pace and quality of the writing as some storylines dragged and became tediously repetitious, while others seemed rushed. Ms. Coble excelled in her creation and colorful descriptions of the quirky small town and its characters as I could well envision the historical and antiquated buildings, persnickety mother-in-law, and a somewhat inept middle-aged Elvis-wannabe sheriff with a thick mane full of product who had somehow managed to snare a young model for a wife. That image still brings a smile to my lips.

THE VIEW FROM RAINSHADOW BAY by COLLEEN COBLE is Christian suspense at its best, with a good dose of romance.
Shauna McDade is a young widow who is left with a young son when her husband falls to his death in a climbing accident. She blames her husband's best friend, Zach Bannister, who is a real daredevil, for encouraging Jack to do dangerous things. Zach is devastated by his friend's death and blames himself for what happened. Shauna is forced to accept Zach's help when it becomes obvious that there is a killer on the loose who wants something from her. She and her son, Alex, move in with Zach, much to five year old Alex's delight. Alex adores Zach and the feeling is mutual.
The plot is well worked out and the characters are very real. The story is gripping and fast paced and the Christian message is good. We see the importance of dealing with fear, unforgiveness and even hatred. We also see how God protects and provides for His children and brings good out of really bad circumstances. We see Shauna's love for her son and her friends, and even for her drunken father, and Zach's willingness to put his life in danger in order to save Shauna and Zach. This is contrasted with the greed and pure evil shown by those who are willing to do anything in order to carry out their wicked plans.
I enjoyed the novel and can really recommend it. Whatever you do, do not start reading it too late in the day or the suspense could keep you reading all night!

This is a well layered Christian mystery about a woman whose husband has died a suspicious death and can't seem to move on with her life. The cover drew me to the book, but was surprised the main character was actually allergic to lavender! The suspense was good and the romance was sweet as you would expect in a Christian novel. This one is a real page-turner, especially toward the end.

I obtained this book through Net Galley and have left an honest review.

I distinctly remember when I decided that I wanted to read Colleen Coble's The View from Rainshadow Bay. It was just days after I had finished reading Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis which I enjoyed tremendously and was still feeling withdrawals. I couldn't find anything else that I wanted to read and then I read the description of this book was decided that I really wanted to read it.
While it was a somewhat enjoyable book to read, I also found it to be a bit of a let down. Maybe I'd hyped the book up too much in my own mind or had been expecting something different. I think maybe I went into this story with higher expectations than I should have.
All in all, I think it's an ok story, it's just not my cup of tea.
There were just too many annoyances in the book for me.
For instance, the pace of the story frustrated me. It was too slow in some parts of the story and felt rushed in others.
I also couldn't relate really well to the characters. There was just no emotional connectivity for me.
In all honesty, this is a book that I can't see myself re-reading.

I received an early copy of this book via Netgalley

An intense, harsh, and inspiring story that took my breath away with the instant, 'in-your-face' type of deadly action.
The author hits from the very start with brutal attacks that kills some of the major players in the story, where no one is safe from the villains, the clues are minimal, and the danger and fear are constant companions. Shauna and Zach are trying to solve several mysteries, some dating back all the way to Shauna's childhood, that suddenly seems to have some common denominators.
This story kept me on the edge from the start to finish. The relationship between Shauna and Zach is volatile because of the past. Zach is a good man, he is honest, caring, protective, and generous. He is a venturesome man who loves to take risks and test his limits. But the risks he has taken since his best friend died have had a new kind of edge to them. The guilt is eating him inside out, and the vedge between him and Shauna and her son is slowly breaking his heart.
Shauna lost her husband in a rock climbing incident. She has blamed Zach for the death of Jack, kept her son away from his godfather, and made it clear to everyone in town that she hates what Zach had done by daring her husband to climb the mountain that killed him. She is a feisty woman, passionate and capable. And she is devastated that the only person who can help her and protect her from the killer is the one she wanted to stay away from.
The themes of acceptance, forgiveness, and falling in love are well twined into suspense and action that kept the story going. The muddled relationships, the gossip of the town, the questions, and suspicions, the lingering anger from the past, it all build a sharp and strong story with intriguing and appealing plot twists. Even though the character's faith in God is a known assumption, it is not the main focus of the tale, but it is the main force guiding the characters actions and thoughts.
I enjoyed the mystery in the story, it kept me guessing to the very end. I might have had my suspicions but needed my confirmations when it came to the culprits. The romance between two longtime friends was tastefully yet passionately and ardently done. I loved the relationship Zach had with Shauna's son, there were so much admiration and trust in between them.
The whole story was build up with very realistic and rational way, that made it dangerously lifelike and alarmingly realistic. On the edge of your seat suspense with multiple layers of danger and threats mixed with sweet and clean yet amorous romance, family drama, and small-town issues, a story that took my breath away with its intensity and had me staying up late to find out whodunnit.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

The start to this new series is a page-turner from start to finish that left me aching for more.

Being a single mom and raising her five-year-old son alone is not something Shauna ever expected to happen to her. After her husband Jack dies in a climbing accident, she is left to provide for herself and her son while always fearing she will lose the little she has left. When another loved one close to her dies mysteriously, Shauna is convinced her life is in danger. She thinks she has no one to turn to when her late husband’s best friend, Zach Bannister, comes to help. She hasn’t forgiven him for always pushing Jack to the next big risk, which she blames for his death. Zach wants to do anything he can to prove to Shauna that he feels horrible about what happened to Jack and wants to be in her and her son’s lives. The more they uncover the more someone wants things to stay hidden and the more danger they all end up in.

Colleen Coble is one of the best Christian romantic suspense writers out there. The start of this new series is a perfect set up for what I expect to be a great series. Shauna and Zach have an obvious connection that both try to avoid and fight for as much of the novel as possible. It’s not something they take lightly after what happened to Jack; the appropriate emotion is displayed by both and at the right times. The protagonist’s identity is reveled at the end but enough clues are given throughout that it doesn’t come as a surprise or seem out of place. One of the best aspects of the novel was the emotional connection with the characters. When any of the characters ended up in a dangerous situation, the emotional connection drove the story more than any other tension would have. I can’t wait to see how this series continues. I recommend this to readers that like a strong emotional connection to their characters that will drive the story to the last page and leave them aching for more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Get ready for a gripping journey in Colleen Coble's The View from Rainshadow Bay as we meet Shauna, who believes her husband's best friend Zach is the one responsible for his death and her son to grow up without a father.

Zach lives life with risks. He convinced his friend Jack, Shauna’s husband, to go climbing with him. While the two are out, they agree to race to a certain point. While doing this, Jack gets killed, and Zach feels responsible for his death.

I have read a few other books by Coble, but this is the first time I am getting to start at the beginning of the series.

This book is my favorite by Coble so far. She wove together a complicated story with many different facets that kept me guessing. I enjoyed the setting of the story and felt as though I was watching the story unfold. Coble took me from merely reading the book to being transported, and that is what I love about a great book!

At one point in the book, Zach and Shauna are getting shot at in the woods. I felt like I was standing in the woods as Shauna took cover while Zach tried to track down the shooter.

Shauna owns a helicopter charter business, and there were a few times in the story when we got to go on the trip with Shauna. I enjoyed the imagery Coble used as it brought the story to life.

This book was so good that I jumped on Goodreads as soon as I finished it to find out about the next book. With what I know after reading this book, I can already tell The House at Saltwater Point is one I don't want to miss!

If you are looking for a thrilling, exciting read, The View from Rainshadow Bay is the book for you! Colleen Coble's books are always on my to read list and this one does not disappoint. You will be swept away into the mystery of this story as you read about the perils that main character, Shauna, and her family have to experience. Shauna is trying to deal with loss in her life while raising her young son who is everything to her. After losing her husband, she doesn't ever think she can love like that again, but sometimes love surprises you when you least expect it. This book is filled with suspense, excitement, and a little romance, too! I also really appreciated the message that was focused on in this book, which is from my favorite scripture of Romans 8:28. We all have bad things happen to us. That is out of our control. But we can trust God when he tells us that there will be good things that come from our troubles. God is bigger than whatever we are facing and He will be with us every step of the way. I received this book from the publisher and netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

When I first saw this book I was quite intrigued. The cover was really pretty and it's set in Washington state, which is where I'm from. While I enjoyed the story, it wasn't quite as good as I had hoped it would be. It was a bit slow at times and it took me way longer to get through than I would have expected. It just wasn't a real page-turner.

The characters were okay. There were a lot of characters to keep track of which made it a bit confusing at times as I couldn't always remember who each of the minor characters were. I also didn't really connect with Shauna or Zach. Shauna was the one I had the biggest issue with. She is supposed to be a Navy veteran yet none of her actions reflect that. For instance, she doesn't want to have or use a gun. I can maybe understand that she might just not like guns or something, but I would think wanting to protect your son from a killer would outweigh that fear. She was too much of a damsel in distress. Not capable to taking care of herself and always needing a man to do things for her.

The killer was another big issue for me. It was fairly easy to figure out who it was early on, and while I can live with that, the killer was just so inconsistent. He kills multiple people without a second thought, and then other times he has a conscience and doesn't want to kill. Each time he kills he does it in a totally different and extravagant way. And considering he wasn't a trained assassin, it just really made it unbelievable. Some instances being completely impossible to pull off.

There is also an instance where the killer is hiding out in Shauna's house waiting to kill her when she is home alone. Yet she is able to walk around, charge a phone enough to be able to look through it, and then leave and the killer never makes a move. I mean, come on! You have the perfect opportunity to make your move and you don't.

There were also quite a few inconsistencies in this book that frustrated me. One of the main ones being the plot line that is mentioned in the first paragraph of the synopsis is never finished. It's something that seems like it's going to play a big role in the story but then is never mentioned again.

Also the ending didn't make any sense. How exactly can one person overpower three men, tie them up, and keep a gun on them at the same time?

And while I did figure out who the killer was early on, the actual story behind what was going on was quite interesting. Without giving anything away, the plot revolved around something that was definitely unique (in a good way!) and not something I had ever really thought about before. I appreciated the author's creativity with it.

Overall, I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. There were parts of the story I did enjoy, and it had all the right ingredients to make a great story, but the execution just wasn't quite right. I've read quite a few of Colleen Coble's books and enjoyed them, but this one was just really lacking in a lot of places for me. I will probably pick up the next book in the series just to see where it goes.

Colleen Coble is one of my favorite writers and this was another excellent book!

I loved Shauna! She was real on so many levels. She struggled with anger and bitterness toward the man she felt was responsible for her husband’s death. She grieved at the loss of her mentor. Watching her grow throughout the story was heartwarming.

The story itself was full of action and engaging. I love it when the author gives clues throughout the story to allow the reader to try and figure out who the guilty one is. Of course, in this particular story, I didn’t figure it out until close to the end.

Definitely, recommend this to a Coble fan. If you’ve never read Colleen Coble this will give you a great taste of her style. I’m looking forward to more from this series.

4.5 Star Rating on the Amazon Scale
3.5 Star Rating on Goodreads
Disclaimer: I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.com, I was not required to give a review and the opinions here are my own.

The View From Rainshadow bay love, trust, answer, protection and God. Alex is a helicopter pilot taking people to and fro from lavender ties to Vancouver. She snack have a serious background which did he really really become the cause of it? Alex of him responsible but when a bomber become that is the only one who protects her and her son. David will love Blossom Way danger intensifies? Alex to the Lord to give her strength. Should we all? Colleen cable is such a wonderfully creative writer and I can't wait for the next book in the series. I hope I am blessed to read them.

I liked this story but felt like some things were brought up but never explained, so maybe that is for the next book in the series. Shauna lost her husband Jack to an accident that involved his best friend Zach, when Shauna and her son Alex's lives are threatened, Jack steps in to help. A story of forgiveness and redemption with suspense throughout. The plot took several twists and turns that made you wonder, "who did it". Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I love books written by Colleen Coble, so I was super excited to review this first book in the Lavender Tides series and overall it was a great read that didn't disappoint. There is action from the first chapter, with people dying, someone stalking & trying to attack the female lead character Shauna. I enjoyed watching the story come together, seeing how all the murders connected and why they were committed. The ending was great! I love when a story ends completely as it did in this book. I recommend this read for anyone who enjoys clean suspense fiction.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*