A mystery or suspense would not be my first choice usually, but I love Colleen Coble. The House at Saltwater Point is the second in the Lavender Tides series. The author catches your interest in the first few pages of this book, when a main character disappears. Ms. Coble's characters are so developed, you can imagine them as your friends. It is hard to forget them when you have turned the last page and closed the book. If you are like me, you will find you can not turn the pages fast enough. I stayed up all night reading, I could not put the book down. Yet when you come to the end, she leaves you wanting more. Colleen Coble does not disappoint. She is a master storyteller. Pick this one up, you won't be disappointed!
I received a complementary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishers through NetGalleys. The opinions expressed in this book are my own.

As soon as I finished "The House at Saltwater Point" I was eager for more; so looking forward to the next book in the series to come out! Colleen has done an excellent job with this book - the characters are well-developed and they became so real, the storyline is filled with twists and turns so it completely holds the reader's interest and the cover is gorgeous! Ellie is a house flipper and is becoming well-known for this; however her work and her entire world is flipped upside down when her sister disappears. Not knowing what to think and believe about her sister and her disappearance as Ellie questioning what is true and what she believed to be true. Grayson is seeking the truth in this disappearance, but he and Ellie has varying viewpoints, and Grayson is working through some other things in his personal life and work life as well.
This is a fast-paced read that will have you completely engrossed in the storyline and involved in the characters' lives. It is a nice balance of suspense and romance which I loved and I am eager for the further books in this series!

The House at Saltwater Point is a book in the Lavender Tides series by Colleen Coble. I loved Grayson and Ellie’s characters. Ellie flips houses with her partner Jason. Jason is her sister’s ex-husband. Ellie’s sister Mac goes missing and is suspected of stealing a pallet of cocaine.
Grayson is an intelligence officer with the Coast Guard. He is working the case against Mac. He is also reeling from the news that he was adopted and has a sister.
Grayson and Ellie work to find out what happened to Mac and the drugs. As they spend more time together they start developing feelings for each other. I thought they were adorable together.
The ending has some surprises that will probably play over into the next book which should be very interesting.

Secrets, lies and suspense! That’s what you’ll find in this, book two, in the Lavender Tides series by the talented Collen Coble.

When Ellie’s sister Mackenzie disappears, Ellie is determined to figure out what happened and in attempting to do so much, much more is yet to be discovered.

I enjoyed reading this suspenseful mystery. It was an engaging tale about the complexity of family and its hidden (good and bad) treasures.

I received an advanced review copy (ARC) of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What a page turner!

I loved this second installment in the Lavender Tide series. I truly did not want to put this book down to and attend to my adulating duties. My family got fed and I read on the couch well into the wee hours before I succumbed to sleep. I awoke checked the calendar for the days commitments, grabbed a cup of coffee and my book and settled in to find out whether or not Ellie and Grayson find Mac.

The tension was taut from the first chapter to the last. The author gets the reader invested in the characters quickly then lays out the plot. It is not smooth sailing for Ellie. Everything she thought she knew about her sister is questioned. Her relationships, her motives, even her job.

It is so much fun to try to figure out what really happened to Mackenzie and why? There were several plot twists I did not see coming.

If you love a good mystery with endearing characters, then you will love The House At Saltwater Point. I'm sure you will find this book as intriguing as I did.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Christian Fiction.

My Rating: 4 Stars.

Recommendation: 16+ up.

My favorite character/s: Ellie is an interesting character in how she treats her sister's disappearance, and how she treated Grayson: seeing as he thought her sister had left, and yet she was friendly because he was a friend's relative.

My Verse for Ellie is Psalm 30:5
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

My thoughts: I have read a few of Colleen Coble's books although this one was the first one that is a full-length novel that I have read by her. It was fast paced and kept me guessing how it would end. I enjoyed The House at Saltwater Point, but it seemed to end abruptly, too fast, and almost rushed at the end. It was well written until the last two chapters that it seemed rushed. Otherwise, it was a great summer read.

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

I really enjoyed the story, the mystery, the characters, and the area descriptions. This made me go back to read the author’s first book, and will definitely watch for new ones!

The second in a series and like most in a series like this they can be read out of order as each book centers around a different character in the same setting. The rule follower in me has a hard time not starting on book one, chapter one, page one, so I had read book one in this series and completely suggest starting there, but if you are a rebel, you can start here!

Ellie Blackmore is flipping houses and her partner is her sister's ex boyfriend, a little weird of a working relationship, but it works. Ellie heads to her sister's boat to celebrate her sister's birthday and she doesn't find her sister and instead finds a puddle of blood . . . .

Colleen Coble does this genius thing where she writes a mystery/thriller that can also be defined as a women's fiction piece of art with a dash of Christian fiction. Colleen Coble is the side of Christian fiction that I like where there are bits and pieces but it is subtle and the plot of the book matters way more to her.

I loved the characters in this book. They were so unique and different but at the same time felt so real. Of course the mystery part is a little over the top, but nothing to roll your eyes at! I love what she puts these characters through. There isn't much I would add or take away from this one, the pacing was spot on. I loved the peek ins of previous characters from book one and that the reader gets to catch up with them while not taking away the focus of this book.

I will absolutely continue this series and was excited to see on Goodreads that book three is already planned for release in January of 2019!

I really enjoyed this mystery and the many characters that inhabited it. The writing was terrific. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this book, as I do all of Colleen Coble’s, but I had a little trouble keeping track of all the characters and their roles and the mystery to be solved was not as believable as some of her stories, but it wrapped up nicely and had just the right amount of intrigue and kept me guessing. The romance was sweet and just right.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Ellie Blackmore is knee-deep in her renovation business, which she runs with her ex brother-in-law, and making plans to renovate a house for herself, when her sister Mackenzie goes missing. There's a large bloodstain on the deck of her beloved sailboat, and now rumors of her involvement with a missing cocaine shipment are circulating. The main source of those rumors have swept into town with Coast Guard Intelligence Officer Grayson Bradshaw. As Ellie and Grayson both seek answers to Mackenzie's disappearance, Grayson has family questions of his own to sort out.

This was a tough book for me to review; once again, I didn't realize this was part of a series, and thus I was not familiar with the characters and hints of backstories sprinkled throughout this book. That always puts me at a disadvantage, but it does lead me to say that this is probably not best read as a stand alone novel. Also, there was a lot going on in this book, and I feel like several of the plot lines could have been better served by having their own book. It was a lot to try to get invested in as a reader, and it was hard to believe that any of the characters could have been dealing with that many major things at once.

I could see how readers who enjoy suspenseful romance books, however, could enjoy this. Grayson and Ellie were thrown together because of the case of her sister, but there were reasons for them to not just be at odds on opposite sides of the case. These side storylines fed their relationship and kept it interesting.

While this book wasn't quite for me, I give it 3 stars. Ellie's persistent faith in her sister, and a group of connected friends made me want to see how it all turned out.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The House at Saltwater Point

By Colleen Coble, Thomas Nelson,

The House at Saltwater Point, Colleen Coble’s second book in the Lavender Tides series features Ellie Black Blackmore, blogger and the creative genius behind Lavender Farm Homes. She and her partner, Jason Yarwood, buy and remodel homes on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula to resell to high-end clients. She and her sister, Mackenzie, seem to have their lives together, despite their tumultuous upbringing.

All that changes when her sister disappears right before her birthday. Has Ellie never really known her sister? Evidence points to her sister’s involvement in stealing a shipment of cocaine from the Coast Guard. Ellie sets out to prove people wrong, but Coast Guard investigator Grayson Bradshaw seems determined to prove her wrong.

Grayson Bradshaw arrives at Lavender Tides determined to get to the bottom of the mystery of a stolen shipment of confiscated cocaine. His targeted perp, Mackenzie Blackmore, has disappeared—the evidence points to kidnapping and murder. The perp’s sister, Ellie, staunchly defends her sister’s honor and seems naively determined to prove him wrong.

But when someone makes repeated attempts on Ellie’s life, Grayson starts to wonder if maybe all his instincts (and evidence) could mask a deeper, more sinister plot. Ellie and Grayson team up to uncover a diabolical plot before time runs out for Mackenzie, Ellie, and everyone they hold dear.

This second book in the Lavender Tides series brings back characters from the first book (although you don’t need to read the first one to enjoy the second one). Newlyweds Shauna and Zach Bannister continue their search for Shauna’s long-lost siblings. Coble, a masterfully keeps the reader in suspense with plot twists and turns.

Readers who love Cara Putman, Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, and Dani Pettrey will enjoy this book.

Rating 4.5

The high action suspense from Book 1 in the Lavender Tides series continues full on in Book 2. I would have given this book a 5, but I would like to have seen a stronger spiritual thread since this is considered Christian fiction.

Lavender Tides is harboring secrets that could affect the entire US. Ellie Blackshaw, a local house flipper, and Coast Guard Investigator, Grayson Bradshaw, connect when Ellie's sister, Mac, disappears and seems to be tied to the disappearance of a large shipment of cocaine from a local warehouse. But appearances aren't always what they seem to be. The the lavender fields of of Washington's Puget Sound to international terrorism Ellie and Grayson dodge bullets, bombs, and terrorists. Throw in family problems that reveal deep secrets and a developing romance, and the results are a suspense-filled book that kept me up long past my bedtime in order to finish. But I do have to admit, I figured out about two-thirds of the way through what Mac what doing; but it certainly didn't spoil a good read.

Outstanding read, Gorgeous description of the swamp and swamp life, Can't put down, Intriguing, and some how unbelievable but possible.

Even though this is book 2 of 3, it is a fine stand alone book. But It makes me feel better to read 1 before 2.
And some of the players from book 1 are there so if you don't read one, you won't know that you are visiting with friends.

There are a lot of characters in this book so you will need to spend a little extra time with them - were they all needed? That question I will leave up to you to decide.

One of my favorite things about Colleen's book is how she includes romance, mystery.

Bet the ending will surprise you.

Ellie Blackmore runs a blog, and flips houses in Lavender Falls, WA, with her partner, Jason. But when her sister disappears from the bloody deck of her boat, it sends Ellie on a search for the truth.



Shauna and Zach are married now, and on their way to meet her long lost brother. Coastguard Grayson Bradshaw is thrown for a loop when he hears Shauna's news, but when he is sent to Lavender Falls to investigate stolen cocaine. Ellie's sister is the main suspect. But he believes that more is at play.



Will Ellie and Grayson be able to unravel the mystery and find the truth?



Grayson is sorry about Ellie's sister's disappearance, but he knows things about Mac that she doesn't, but he can't help admiring her devotion to her sister. They agree to work together and be open minded as they work through all the evidence to find the truth. But as they get closer, the risk grows. Ellie finds her tires slashed, her house broken into, and more. They discover that there is a whole lot more going on than a missing sister and drugs.



Ellie is smart and capable, she is determined to continue fixing up her house, and struggles to find peace about the things that happened in her childhood.



Grayson is a good man, and he continues to help Ellie search for the truth, he is very protective of her, and admires her strength and beauty.



Plenty of action, great characters, and intentional dialog, as well as touches of humor that give this book great dimension. Fast paced and enjoyable, I really liked how this book wasn't as dark as previous books by Colleen Coble have been.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

The House at Satwater Point by Colleen Coble had an interesting plot, it kept me up too late a couple of nights!

Colleen did a great job weaving in multiple plot lines, which made the read even more enjoyable. The book held a nice suspense, not too much, not too little. The plot held a home renovation, but those elements didn't detract from the plot, instead the reno helped things move along nicely.

Highly recommend. Grab your copy of The House at Saltwater Point today!

The House at Saltwater Point by Colleen Coble is the second book in the Lavender Tides series. It could be read alone as a stand alone novel, but several of the story's subplots would not be as clear or as meaningful. The main character, Ellie, spends her time buying and renovating houses including a house that sits atop Saltwater Point hence the title of the book. Her world is completely rocked as she discovers her sister, Mackenzie "Mac" is missing and presumed dead. If that was not bad enough, a Coast Guard officer named Grayson shows up and accuses her lost sister of traffiking in cocaine. Seeking to clear her sister's name, Ellie and Grayson discover her sister's disappearance is much more complex and linked to terrorist activity. In typical fashion, Coble has once again weaved an intricate plot that will have the reader flipping pages quickly to find out what will happen next.

Beautiful Lavender Tides is harboring more secrets, this time with international ties and the potential for huge consequences. Ellie Blackmore has been building a name for herself as a house flipper. But, when her sister, Mackenzie, disappears, she finds herself unable to concentrate on anything but finding out what happened to her. Her only clue is the huge bloodstain left behind on Mackenzie’s boat. Ellie knows that her sister wasn’t on the best of terms with her ex husband, Jason, but he wouldn’t her her, would he? Coast Guard Intelligence Officer, Grayson Bradshaw, believes that Mackenzie faked her own death after stealing a seized cocaine shipment. Ellie and Grayson team up to find the truth, but truth is often more complicated than it appears, especially when family is involved!

The House at Saltwater Point is the second novel in Colleen Coble’s Lavender Tides series and I really enjoyed getting to visit with my favorite characters from book one and getting introduced to new faces, like Ellie and Grayson. I love that Shauna is finally finding her long lost siblings and seeing how happy she and Zach are. The story was very interesting and I couldn’t put this book down once I started reading. Colleen is an excellent storyteller and I’ve enjoyed everything that I’ve read by her, so far. Her descriptions make you feel as if you’re actually there on Puget Sound, I can just see it in my mind’s eye. I’m definitely looking forward to reading book three and continuing on the adventures in Lavender Tides.

Ellie is "Hammer Girl." She buys and remodels homes to flip. Her sister, Mac sometimes helps, and Mac's x-husband, Jason is an employee of Ellie's.
When a huge amount of cocaine is missing, Coast Guard's Grayson is sent to investigate. Grayson has been on the hunt for a terrorist who is believed to be involved in the cocaine. Then, a large amount of blood, Mac's, is found on her boat and she is presumed to be dead.
One of the unbelievable things about this story was how Grayson was constantly sharing information in the case with Ellie and even taking her with him to question people.
I have loved all of Colleen Coble's books and expected nothing less from this one, but I just couldn't enjoy it as much as her other ones. While it was good, there was something lacking. While still a good story, just not as enjoyable for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.