I enjoyed this novel. I liked the information included about farming pen shells and making sea silk. I liked the issue of DNA ancestry research and how it can reveal possible family relationships yet also open the door for pain and suffering, even tragedy. I liked how Coble presented dysfunctional family relationships and how right action because of Christian faith can be healing.

There is much suspense in the novel. Some of it was due to poor decisions by characters and I didn't like that. Knowing that an attack by bad guys is planned but wandering around without having arranged police protection (when the police were involved), is one example. Another is a law enforcement officer driving to a suspense filled location and calling for back-up as he arrives (not while driving to the location).

Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable novel. It has lots of suspense, interesting information, and good lessons on family dynamics and how Christian faith influences action.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Another wonderful story by Colleen that captured me with the mystery and romance from the first page to last sentence.

Stands of Truth is the latest novel by Colleen Coble. Harper Taylor’s mother died as the result of an auto accident moments after Harper was delivered. Spending her early years with an addicted grandmother and her middle childhood in awful foster situations, when wealthy Oliver Jackson catches her stealing from his garage Harper is given a new lease on life. Oliver becomes her mentor, finding a good foster home for her, fostering her interest in sea life, and providing her with a college education. Oliver has now become a partner in her business to farm mollusks. The biggest hole in her life still exists however; it is her lack of family connection.

Oliver’s kids, Ridge and Willow, have always scorned Harper. Ridge is certain that Harper is somehow playing his dad, manipulating him for her financial gain. When Oliver offers Ridge his own marine lab with the stipulation that they will be using some of Harper’s project as a focus and that she is to be working with him, Ridge doesn’t readily say yes. But when Oliver and his boat disappear while helping Harper in her field and someone tries to kidnap Harper, Ridge finds there is so much more to Harper than he had expected.

Harper’s best friend, Sara, in trying to help Harper find a family connection, submits Harper’s DNA to a company that does such matching. A half-sister is found just a short distance away. When the two sisters meet, they find an instant connection despite their double decade age difference. Both have no information pointing them to the identity of their father. Both girls’ mothers died under questionable circumstances. Then the next connection is when someone also attempts to kidnap Annabelle.

In a tale that weaves DNA, greed, and the extents someone might go to for a loved one, Ms. Coble has again spun a thriller that will keep you up late at night to determine the outcome of this fast paced mystery. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!

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

Right off the bat in this one several mysterious events occur to three different characters in the book - including break-ins and attempted abductions and eventually one character even ends up dead. All the while, it's not clear who is after these people and why. Throughout the book there are snippets of dialogue from the person causing harm that indicate he is doing these things to get money to save his sick child. During these snippets his identity and the master mind behind the plan is hidden. Added to that you have family drama and a hate to love relationship between two characters, making this an enjoyable page turner of a mystery.

Thank you NetGally for an ARC of this wonderful suspense romance book.

4.5 stars! I haven't picked up a Colleen Coble book in a while and I am very glad I picked this one up. The amount of suspense kept me completely interested in this book that I finished it in a day. Usually I am not a huge fan of books that go back into the past, but this one those parts were vital to the story. I love that this story was multi layered and everything was tied up at the end with a little bow. The only thing i wish it had more of was Ridge and Harpers relationship once they fell in love. I felt that was a little rushed at the end.

I felt the subjects of this story were very interesting and all very different, but vital to the story. The the subjects of the family (the members), the family business, Harpers past, Annabells past, and the political elements were all different from each other, however Colleen intertwined and made them all work together. The amount of suspense was perfect to completely keep your attention and wonder what would happen next.

This book is coming out Septemer 10th and it is a must pick up!

Colleen Coble is the queen of Christian romantic suspense and "Strands of Truth" is one of her best. Harper is a marine biologist who came of age after living in a series of foster homes. She researches pen shell mollusks and also makes jewelry from them. For years she's been mentored by wealthy Oliver Jackson which has resulted in jealousy and mistrust from his son Ridge and daughter towards Harper. When Oliver is found unconscious in the water after a "shell check" with Harper this accident quickly raises suspicions. The action quickly picks up and adversaries realize that working together to solve this mystery will bring faster results. What they don't realize is that it can also grow forgiveness and more. The action is fast paced with a plot line that that has some surprises, not to mention the expected romantic entanglements. I couldn't put this book down and can't wait for the next one.

A mysterious stranger is trying to kidnap Harper! Then her sister is kidnapped. What is going on? Does it have anything to do with their mothers' deaths? Suspense abounds in this story by Colleen Coble! Of course there's a little romance too. An enjoyable read.
I received advance advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So, of course, all opinions are my own.
Thank you!

‘Past sins have a way of affecting the present!’

Have you ever considered what testing your DNA might bring into your life? Growing up in the foster system, Harper Taylor thought she had no blood family. Was it possible she might find some family that way? Oliver Jackson, a wealthy businessman, had become her benefactor when she was just 15, setting her up to become a well-educated woman. Perhaps now was the time to see if her ancestry held any clues.

The author has given us a page-turner that practically flies through a 30 year span. The twists and turns keep you wondering how murder, abduction, sea silk and pen shells will bring conclusions to the many questions being asked. The wonderful detail found me almost smelling the water and feeling the sand between my toes. I enjoyed learning a little about bivalve mollusks and their harvest.

Perhaps the best part was observing Harper as she learns to believe that she is deserving of God’s grace as well as the realization that she could create her own family among friends! You don't want to miss this incredible story.

I received an ARC through NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and CelebrateLit. My 5 star rating was not solicited. All impressions and opinions are my own.

When Harper Taylor was a child, she was tossed around from one bad foster home to another, until she finally ran away. At that time, Oliver Jackson found her a good home and became her mentor. Oliver’s children never liked Harper and were always jealous of her. Even though Oliver was always good to Harper, she still longed for a real family.

Now about fifteen years later, she decides to do a DNA test, in hopes of finding some of her relatives and discovers a half-sister. Is it just a coincidence that each of their mothers died a tragic death? But ever since receiving the results of the DNA test, Harper and her half-sister, Annabelle, have been involved in several dangerous attacks.

Ridge Jackson, Oliver’s son, still holds a grudge against Harper. But when his father gets caught in the crossfire of an attack on Harper and winds up in the hospital, Ridge and Harper work together to get to the bottom of all the sudden strange events. Can they finally call a truce after all these years? And can they figure out who has been after Harper and her sister, before it’s too late?

This book kept me on the edge of my seat! There was one twist after another and I never wanted to put it down. Colleen Coble wrote an outstanding story that kept me guessing and intrigued throughout the whole book. I especially loved how the author weaved in Biblical truth about trusting God and forgiving others. This story was truly a gem. My only regret was that it had to come to an end!

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

Colleen Coble has a way of writing Suspense that leaves you craving more. This has to be one of my favorites of hers to date.

Murders, kidnappings, a touch of romance make this a page-turner that is difficult to put down. Mysterious deaths that tie back to a bunch of ten-year-old unsolved murders were woven together in a suspenseful tale.

While I did have a pretty good idea on who the “bad guy” was early on in the story, it did was still interesting to see how it was all going to turn out.

Strands of Truth
by Colleen Coble
Rating: 4.5/5
Release date: Sep 10, 2019

Colleen Coble NEVER disappoints! Here’s another fast-paced, action-packed, mystery with inspirational romance that will keep you guessing and reading till the end!

This is a story that spans generations and it was a bit confusing at first but the reader gets used it. They are clear when changing the date for the setting, so they do their best not to confuse you. I appreciated all the different characters’ POVs and was encouraged to see true character development and not just with the main characters of Harper and Ridge. The romance is not as well-developed as the rest of the story (hence not a perfect 5/5), but the rest of the book elements make for a delightful read that I highly recommend.

As someone who’s tried out Ancestry DNA and 23andMe, I loved how Coble’s mind just ran with a story – not just any story but a mystery. As a total geek, I kept trying to guess the why and was not disappointed with the ending. The story is more than just boy falls in the love with girl and there’s some mystery in the background. The book stands out because it allows its characters to be human and adapt and find some sort of peace in a chaotic world.

My thanks to the author, CelebrateLit, and Netgalley for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

It all started with a DNA test. Harper felt alone, no family and few real friends. She finds she has a half sister through a DNA test and seeks her out. They discover that both their moms died while they were infants under questionable circumstances. Then is when strange and terrifying things begin to happen.
Ridge has always resented Harper because of the interest his father Oliver took in her. He thinks she is after his money. But after going from one foster family to another with no real love, Oliver becomes a mentor of sorts to Harper. When Oliver is attacked underwater and left for dead, Ridge and Harper become allies in finding out what is going on.
This was a suspense story that I really got into and read as quickly as I possibly could. Kidnappings, murders, break-ins and car tailings were just some of the mysterious happenings that kept me guessing as to what was developing. I wanted to figure it out before all was revealed but that didn’t happen. And I liked that! The characters drank lots of coffee too, and although not pertinent to the plot, I liked that! So with a cup of steaming coffee in my own hand, I read and became totally immersed in the lives of the characters.
I received a complimentary ebook from the publisher through Net Galley but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise. All opinions are my own.

Strands of Truth
I usually stick to historical fiction. This 5-star winner by Colleen Coble dealt with murders in the past but was not historical fiction. I enjoyed the suspense, the drama, the complexity, and the romance. I have wondered about stories of people discovering relatives through DNA tests. Simple DNA tests resulted in a young woman being kidnapped, murder, and an exciting story that kept me awake long past my bedtime. It was easy to follow even though it slipped back and forth between time-periods, and women involved. I will look for Colleen Coble again.
This book was supplied by Net Galley and required no review.

Harper grew up in foster care until Oliver took her under his wing, but she has never truly felt part of a family. Thru a DNA test Harper learns she has a half sister. Both women have an uncanny history in common and when both are targeted for kidnapping Harper needs to find out why.

This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it. There was suspense and romance. I did guess who the bad guy was but there was still part of the story that surprised me. I will definitely read this author again. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

This book is an absolute home run! Loved the characters, the unique storyline and the setting, which Coble always does well. (I have to say I am a very big fan of her work!) I read this book in less than 24 hours and that doesn't happen often.

Harper Taylor is a marine biologist with a fractured past who is trying to find a piece of her that's missing--her family. After taking a DNA test, she finds a sister named Annabelle living nearby who is several years her senior. Excited and encouraged by this new development, Harper soon learns her quest for lost family members might not be what she's expected or what she's ready to face.

Ridge Jackson is the son of Oliver, who took Harper in during a vulnerable time in her life. Ridge resents Harper's closeness with his father, but can't seem to stay away from her. Oliver, a pharmaceutical mogul, wants Ridge and Harper to work together in a state of the art lab to help find a cure for Alzheimer's using the mollusks that are common to the shorelines in Florida.

After an attack on both Harper and Oliver, Ridge vows to find the culprit behind the assaults. As Ridge attempts to bring those who targeted his family to justice, he learns there are deeper secrets than just unknown family members.

What the reader finds in "Strands of Truth" is a complex web of intrigue, unsolved murders and an unhealthy love that won't take no for an answer. Coble's work is well researched and full of details that pulls the reader in and doesn't let up until the last page.

For anyone who has wondered about the sinister side of DNA testing and how it could be misused or misappropriated, this book deftly handles that question. Coble brings God's grace and second chances into her work, and "Strands of Truth" is no exception. I love the fact that when I read a novel like this, I also walk away with knowledge I didn't have before I read it. The author weaves bits of Florida's past into the story, along with elements of sea silk procurement and the various uses for mollusks. I would have never searched for this information without a story like this, and any book that encourages more learning is even better in my book!

I was an advanced reader, thanks to #NetGalley and Thomas Nelson. All opinions are my own and I chose to review.

Harper finds her biological half-sister and begins a relationship. Meanwhile, someone has targeted Harper and those close to her. Strands of Truth is a suspense novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you devour every page of the book & will keep you guessing until the very end. Excellent novel!

I had a really hard time connecting with the characters. I ended up DNFing this book fairly quickly because of the disconnect.

I enjoyed this book,, especially liked the story line about the effects of DNA testing on family members. There was enough mystery, and romance in the book to keep me reading.. One of her best books to date.

I awaited Colleen Coble's new novel, Strands of Truth, with eager anticipation and my patience was definitely rewarded—as I found myself totally immersed in the oceanic world of manatees, mollusks, and murder! Coble is so proficient at descriptive imagery that I felt at one with this beautiful setting, and could actually feel the warm sand between my toes and see the foamy waves crashing against the shore!

I love a book that challenges me and teaches me things I wasn't aware of—mollusks and other sea treasures perhaps containing neurological and antibiotic uses? Who knew?

Harper is a wonderful heroine...intelligent and compassionate, but with plenty of baggage from her childhood. She wouldn't be the main character in a book without that! lol Ridge has his own issues, but as handsome and chivalrous as he is...who really cares? ;-) I felt the romantic chemistry between the two was somewhat lacking, but I find that often in suspense novels.

I was thrilled that I didn't guess who-dun-it (because I normally do), but the perpetrator caught me totally off guard. Way to go, Ms. Coble! The only reason I couldn't give it five stars is because some dastardly deeds by a certain character seemed rather far-fetched in my opinion. Without further ado, I highly recommend putting 'Strands of Truth' on your must-be-read list!

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Thomas Nelson publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.*

I liked the aspect of DNA ancestry being used in this way. It made for a unique mystery. I didn't care for the writing style. Things seemed to jump around and often were disjointed. I didn't connect to the characters. Overall it's a good read, just not what I would have expected from the blurb and cover.