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

A captivating read from beginning to end. I could not put this book down and ended up reading it in less than a day!

Harper was an adopted child who has a rough childhood that caused her not to trust others easily.

Oliver was a wealthy man who helped Harper as a teen and who became a role model and mentor to her even at the risk of alienating his own children, Ridge and Willow.

For years Harper wondered what happened to her parents. A friend purchased a DNA kit for Harper and together they found out that Harper has a half-sister named Annabelle.

The two women meet and hit it off. By speaking to one another they both come to the conclusion that both of their mother's had died under questionable circumstances. Harper decides to investigate and soon finds herself in a web of deceit that spans many years.

This sit on the edge of your seat book does not fail to deliver.

Colleen Coble has written such a unique story that kept me guessing the resolution the entire book.. I loved learning all the new things about pen shells, byssus strands and sea silk. The intricate weaving of this story line was wonderful.
I loved the title and how the strands signified many things. I sometimes had trouble connecting all the characters and would have liked a little more romance. But overall a wonderful book. I recommend it highly.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are entirely my own.

There is a lot of discussion about DNA testing and searches for family connections in our world today, but what if everyone searching isn’t searching with pure motives? What if something more sinister is going on? Colleen Coble once again brings one of today’s hottest topic to life in Strands of Truth. The depth she brings to her characters makes you want to fight for them and cheer for them while reading, and she always has me on pins and needles waiting to see how everything will be resolved. This one kept me guessing until the end, and I definitely recommend it!

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

Suspenseful results of a DNA test! Harper is looking for her family—she knows her mom died just a few hours after she was born. Eventually mentored by Oliver who catches her stealing, she “grows up” and becomes a law-abiding productive member of society. But, Harper still wonders about her family—which leads to the DNA testing. Oliver’s son, Ridge, dislikes her because he believes she hangs around for what she can get from Oliver. As the story progresses Harper learns about a half sister and some troubling details about the deaths of several people in the story. Murder, kidnapping, suspense—this story has it all! Well done Ms. Coble!

Secrets are the main plot of this book. Everyone has them and some of them are dangerous. I love Colleen Coble books for their characters' intricacies - weaknesses, strengths, assumptions, and the twists and turns of the plot. The family dynamics in this book feel very real. The plight of foster children and the effect on their lives as adults hit home too. Another great Coble book.

This book is a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.. Colleen Coble weaves a wonderful story of family (biological and otherwise), jealousy, and most importantly, forgiveness. The dynamic between Ridge and Harper is what initially draws the reader into the tale, as the author carefully weaves the story, sprinkling it with clues along the way. Fast paced with several twists... Highly recommended.

Colleen Coble explores another new aspect of our lives--that of DNA testing for the ordinary person. As the story unfolds, Harper is thrown into many challenging situations. We learn from this book not to judge people too hastily or perceive them a certain way without knowing their actual situation. It points out that DNA testing can be used for good or bad. When you read the book, be sure to read the author's comments in the back. She challenges you to think twice before submitting your DNA to an outside source. Since I only read when I go to bed, I found it somewhat challenging to keep the characters straight--who belonged to whom and how. But it all come to a suspense-filled ending that is sure to please.

Strands of Truth
Colleen Coble
September 10, 2019

Harper Taylor lived by herself on her old houseboat. She enjoyed making crafts and sale items from the jewels she found under water. It was a side industry for her, she was doing research Jackson Pharmaceuticals. Owner Oliver Jackson was looking for a tie in to using mollusks for medicinal purposes dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. His son, Ridge, is a specialist in mollusks. He had planned to open a lab to study the sea creatures and put out word for lab assistants. Oliver had other ideas. He already had developed a lab, fully equipt the building, hoping that Ridge would begin working there as soon as possible. After quibbling back and forth Ridge somewhat agreed, leaving his father to work the bed of bivalve mollusks. Harper joined him to do the work but somehow she became separated with him as she played with a manatee that loved to join her when diving. Figuring Oliver would page her at some point she went on with her work.
This family affair discloses the absence of Harper’s mother murdered shortly after she was born. Throughout her life as a foster child she wondered who her father was, what happened to her mother. At fifteen she ran from the latest home and was discovered by Oliver. He helped her to return to school and found decent foster parents to raise her the next three years. He paid for her education and continued to mentor her.
The story explores the world of Florida’s oceanography research as well as the people involved in it. The enigma tells the mystery of two women involved with a Navy man, the lives lost, the children born to him. It is a good read as Ms. Coble’s books are. She stays in the path of Christian story-telling but provides us with a suggestive tale of love between Harper and Ridge. She ties in well the landscape and marine science of Florida’s Islands. I did enjoy the book but I think I have enjoyed her series more. If you are a Coble fan it is well worth reading. If it is a first of hers for you and you savor a good comfort mystery, this is worth reading.
Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble is published by HarperCollins is set to come out on September 10, 2019.

Strands of Truth is a stand alone romantic suspense novel. Having your DNA analyzed is a popular thing to do these days and it has really gotten inexpensive to do. Harper Taylor has been alone since her mother after giving birth to her prematurely. She is successful as a marine biologist. She has her DNA and finds she has a half sister who is about 20 years older than her. She quickly bonds with Annabelle and finds out Annabelle's mother also died when Annabelle was an infant. Annabelle was about 5 months old. Were both women murdered? Neither woman has any clue who their mutual father is. As Harper comes closer to the truth both women's lives are in danger. I thought one person was behind all the was going on but I was wrong and it was somebody else. I loved it that the author was able to stump me.

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

I have been a fan of Colleen Coble's books for years but she just keeps getting better. I believe this is the best book of hers that I have ever read. As far as I am concerned she has really outdone herself on this one. It is a Murder Mystery and a Romance combined with a lesson on forgiveness. When Harper Taylor has her DNA done the trouble starts. It seems that someone wants her dead and will not be deterred from seeing it happen. Her Boss's son, Ridge, is determined to keep her safe in spite of the fact that he has never liked her and resented the way his father has catered to her. As things heat up with those who are trying to get to her for some unknown reason it will keep you on the edge of your seat and you will not want to put this page turner down until the end. And speaking of endings, this one was very satisfying. If you like a good romantic mystery you don't want to miss this one. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

The set-up was interesting and I was intrigued to see how malacology and DNA would be used in a thriller.
After flipping past multiple pages of praise for this and other books by Colleen Coble, I expected to be entertained and maybe educated along the way.

Unfortunately, this was on the level of a Hallmark Murder & Mystery. Which is fine if you know that going in. There was nothing thrilling or suspenseful or even scientific in this book.
The mollusks are used mostly for cooking and craft projects.
The main characters do no detecting, sleuthing or even mollusk related research.
The bad guys rely mostly on methods from the 60s like ether and potassium chloride.

I'm also concerned about a police department that doesn't seem to care when people are kidnapped multiple times in one week. Good thing the son of a kidnap victim is a detective! Only he just delivers evidence to the main characters for them to investigate. How is this believable?

It was very apparent who is behind all these decades of mayhem and why pretty early on in the book. So there wasn't any suspense there. Even the henchmen are only bad guys for good reasons (I can't make this stuff up.)

The romance was lukewarm and forced. The characters had zero chemistry. We are expected to believe Harper and Ridge go from despising each other to falling in love in ONE WEEK just because they have to spend some time together. There is way too much inner dialogue regarding her turquoise eyes and his thick black hair.

Oh! That reminds me! The author tells us that the main guy, Ridge, looks like an actor from Supernatural. So I looked up the actor on IMDB to get a visual. Chris McNally was in two episodes of Supernatural and played a busboy. Is Chris McNally related to Colleen Coble? How did she pick him to namedrop?

I was disappointed that this book did not deliver what was promised in the cover copy and testimonials.
This was not a thriller like Dennis Lehane, Lisa Gardner, or even James Patterson.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.*

All her life Harper has wanted connection, a family, to be loved ... what if that connection is the cause of murder !
She has spent years in foster care, then she was under the mentorship of a generous man named Oliver . Problem is Oliver’s son Ridge , doesn’t trust Harper. He thinks she’s after his father’s money.

Harper discovers a half sister via DNA testing, whose mom died when she was young. Are these two connected ?
This story was such an exciting page turner. The mystery, the past, the present, the backdrop of marine living !
A definite must read !

3.5 Stars

Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble is a romantic suspense novel with a heart. The plot is completely original. Who would have thought that looking for DNA through an ancestry program could cause so much drama. There was plenty of moments where the story progressed in trying to find the connections between the two sisters and hunting for their birth father. While that moved along nicely, the romance between Ridge and Harper was not believable. I had a really hard time believing they liked each other at all. Especially after learning how they felt about each other at the beginning of the novel. I had a really hard time turning those ideas off. The romance bothered me the rest of the novel. Coble should have written another love interest, not Ridge. Didn't fit the story line at all. Coble's writing was wonderful. She has proven why she is at the top of her genre with the details and character's perspective told by the characters. Overall, Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble is a fascinating tale of ancestry DNA and what could come out of the closet. I believe fans of Coble's other stories, DiAnn Mills, or Irene Hannon would enjoy this story.

I received a complimentary copy of Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

This is a complex tale about Harper, whose mother died when she was born and whose father is unknown. She grew up in Foster care and met Oliver, who mentored her and got her on her career path. Oliver’s son, Ridge, and his sister, did not like the attention Oliver gave Harper and distrusted Harper. As Harper prepares for a job in a lab Oliver has built and put Ridge in charge of, she gets news from a recent DNA test that she has a half sister. The half sister is quite a bit older than she is but her mother died in similar circumstances as Harper’s and again the father is unknown. The father is the parent they have in common. Someone keeps attempting to kidnap Harper and also her half sister.

It’s a fast paced story that keeps you reading long after you should have gone to bed. I really enjoyed this book and will look for more from this author.

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

Excellent read! Colleen Coble is a favorite with suspense with a tad of romance. Great location along the Florida coast with an interesting story of pen shells and results of DNA testing. Great character development. Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC

A riveting suspenseful drama with a side of romance, set along the lovely Florida Gulf coast!
Mysterious deaths both past and present seem to be linked together, but without witnesses and missing evidence, the threat continues to grow. Harper just wants a family of her own. Finding a living relative through DNA testing brings on more trouble than she can handle alone.

I liked the unique plot using the mollusk research for pharmaceuticals, and the idea of finding unknown relatives through a DNA test. Everyone longs for a place to belong, a loving family and safe network of friends. Harper had my sympathy from the get go as she reached out to find her own. Ridge took a lot longer to warm up to, assigning wrong motives to Harper, hanging onto resentment and bitterness. (I wanted to smack him a few times!) There was a lot of animosity and prejudice to overcome. Many families seem to struggle with this on some level though, I believe. Learning to forgive and trust isn't easy, but with God's help, it is possible.
The setting was a perfect one to create peril with the scuba diving, unpredictable weather, and suspicious characters popping out at every turn. The suspense and mystery kept the story moving along at a good pace, building tension up as it is finally revealed who was orchestrating the events, both past and present. A few winks to another series were fun too.

Recommend to readers who enjoy a good suspenseful mystery with faith and romance. 4.5 stars

This was an exciting suspenseful mystery taking place in Florida present day and in the 1960 and 1990’s dealing with the Weeki Wachee mermaids!
Harper and Annabelle find out that they are sisters by finding out the results of a DNA test! Someone goes on a killing spree after they meet each other and Harper’s stepfather, Oliver Jackson, is assaulted while tending to his underwater mollusks, and the man also tries to kidnap Harper! Oliver’s son, Ridge, and Harper try to discover who the assailant is and why he wants to kill Oliver!
You will have to read the book for yourself to see who the killer is and what happens to Harper, Ridge and Annabelle!

The idea of this book was interesting, I'll give the author that. This was not my favorite suspense book because I struggled to connect with the characters and didn't feel the mystery. (if you know what I mean.)
The storyline was interesting with the glimpses into the past but I had issues with the present. Reading about Harper was difficult because she was a distant type of character. Annabelle was much more welcoming to the reader and was such a sweet lady on the page.
Now on to the mystery. Blah is basically my thoughts on it. I don't have a lot to say about it except that there was no 'heart-pounding' like the genre is known for.
Although I was a bit disappointed by this book, I will be looking into other books by Coble soon.
Rating: 3 Stars
Content: 4 Stars
*I received a complementary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.

"Strands of Truth" was an enjoyable story. The overarching story focuses on the secrets that DNA testing can reveal and the lengths people will go to protect their families, even if their actions are criminal. The subplot focuses on Harper Taylor and Ridge Jackson. Ridge's father, Oliver, a wealthy businessman, had been a mentor to Harper since she was found on their property at age fifteen, having run away from the latest abusive foster family. Ridge had long believed that Harper was taking advantage of his father and he was displeased that Oliver was providing financial help with Harper's latest project, but he had been unable to find the proof to convince his father that she was not trustworthy. However, Harper and Ridge were going to have to spend more time together, as Oliver had come up with a business plan that involved Ridge running a lab doing research on mollusks for medicinal purposes, with the focus initially on the pen shells that Harper was growing and harvesting. Yet, Harper and Ridge find themselves spending even more time together after Oliver and Harper are attacked, and Oliver ends up in critical condition. Then Annabelle, who Harper had discovered was her half-sister, was also attacked, and the incidents, and later events, seemed to more than a coincidence.

Having the story focus on a connection revealed through DNA testing, with the two women searching for the identity of their father, was a good choice considering the prevalence of personal DNA testing and the potential for such testing to reveal unpleasant surprises. I liked the discussion of trust and God's grace, and displaying grace towards others that was a major part of the Harper/Ridge storyline and the more general Jackson family storyline. The author created some good surprising events in the story. Well worth the read.

I received a review copy via NetGalley.

I’ve read several books by Colleen Cobble and have enjoyed them all. They are all easy to read and fast paced. I highly recommend this book.