Title: Ambush
Series: Sanctuary Series #1
Author: Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Fiction
Genre: Mystery Thriller, Christian Romance
Pub Date: March 4, 2025
My Rating: 4.4
Pages 352

Our protagonist Paradise Alden is a veterinarian who returns to Nova Cambridge, Alabama, her hometown to work in a wild life sanctuary.
She left fifteen years ago when her parents were murdered. That in itself was horrible, however her life continued downward with abuse in the foster care system. Paradise helped out at the Sanctuary as it was her happy place to get away from foster care. She worked with Hank Anderson who was the vet.
Now she is hoping the “Sanctuary” will help her better accept the traumas that have happened in her life which includes being attacked by jaguar when a coworker accidently left a door open.
The Sanctuary is run by Jenny Anderson, her husband was Hank and when he died in a suspicious accident she needed a vet she contacted Paradise. She is also Blake Lawson’s mother – Blake is a former lover whom Paradise believes destroyed her life.

Now at The Sanctuary a body is found. turns out to be Danielle Mason a woman who has made a nuisance of herself the past two years. There had been an altercation when Ms. Mason and other protesters blocked the entrance with a sign “Free the Animals or Death to the Keepers.” Blake and his mother are suspects.

Soon a series of events are happening including a break-in, and a shooting.
Paradise has never gotten over Blake and he feels the same way. When a series of negative events happen including a break-in, animal’s gates left unlocked as well as a shooting they know they need to work together to find out what is going on and who is behind these events. Additionally Paradise still wants to know who murdered her parents as that mystery was never solved- additionally Hank’s accident still needs to be resolved!

I am an author, Colleen Coble fan! Whenever I see a new book by her - it automatically goes on my TBR list! This is # 29 for me!
As always she does not disappoint, I am a big thriller fan and Ms. Coble always comes through with twists that I didn’t see coming!

The back of her books are also worth a read,
In “A Note from the Author” she tells us her inspiration for this story was her visit to the “Out of Africa Wildlife Park’ with her grandson Silas’ birthday. In her ‘Acknowledgement’ she thanks those who helped her with her research. Then there are her thoughtful ‘Discussion Questions’. In other words her stories are a ‘win win’!
Love Paradise and Blake and look forward to Book 2 "Prowl".
Ms. Coble dropped some bread crumbs so that I am already looking forward to it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me with another great Coble eGalley!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 4, 2025.

It was fun to see characters from Pelican Harbor and Tupelo Grove make a cameo appearance in Sanctuary. I thought an animal refuge was a great place to set this romantic suspense mystery drama, filled with mayhem. I loved how the author wove a surprising secret into the story. I liked learning about how the animals were fed and watched over. I learned how dangerous it was to work there and what rules were put in place to keep the animals and humans safe. Colleen said her grandson's birthday celebration at Our of Africa Wildlife Park inspired this novel.

The fact that everyone in the story could have been a suspect was a great twist. Until the very end, I couldn't stop wondering who may have caused the destruction of the Sanctuary. I was utterly captivated by the plot from the very beginning. I was hooked by the story's tension, suspense, and the glimmer of romance.

This book is the first book in an exciting new Sanctuary adventure series. I couldn't be more excited! I look forward to learning more about the animals' care, interactions with humans, and the behind-the-scenes activities. I can't wait to spend more time with the main characters too. Thank you, Colleen. I guarantee this book will be a hit with your book group. You should definitely read this novel!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN: Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

Such a great book! I was so excited to start this new series and it didn’t disappoint. Can’t wait to read the next one!
I received an ARC copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

As always, Colleen Coble has excellent timing of suspense and the romance between the main characters. As an animal lover, I especially loved that it was set in an animal sanctuary. The web of plotlines that eventually connect keeps me on my toes and trying to figure out who the person causing issues at the Sanctuary like murders, fires, break ins, sabotage like opening the gates of the hyenas.

There's just WAY too much going on here. Paradise is investigating her parent's murder, the animal sanctuary is being sabotaged, and then throw in a tornado and flooding. I felt like I was watching a game of ping pong, boinging from one plot line to the other. Lots of cheesy, clunky dialogue. Not her best work.

Someone is out to ruin the reputation of The Sanctuary, a wildlife preserve in Alabama run by a mother and son, Jenna and Blake. Mysterious things continue to occur putting the owners at risk both physically and financially leaving them wondering if they should simply give up their home and the wildlife preserve.
Paradise Alden is a large animal vet dealing with PTSD after sustaining injuries from a black panther attack. She has returned to her childhood hometown to help out at The Sanctuary, but she has ulterior motives. Not only does she long to rehabilitate from her attack, but she is looking to uncover the truth about her parents deaths from nearly two decades ago. Reconnecting with her first love, Blake, and finding herself in the midst of a dangerous investigation were not supposed to be part of her healing journey.

With a great cast of characters as well as characters from other series, Ambush is full of excitement with multiple mysteries to unravel and questions to answer.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4.5 stars! What an exciting story! I loved all the exotic animals that live at The Sanctuary in this book. The characters are flawed and human but genuine and I loved seeing them develop. This seems to most likely be set up for another book and I can’t wait to continue the story. Colleen is one of my absolute favorite authors and I look forward to all of her books.

This book was another great non-stop action and suspense from author Colleen Coble. I’ve always loved Colleen Coble’s books and this one was no exception. I liked how this one had a couple of different mysteries in it. Paradise and Blake have such a great chemistry and history together. This one also had a twist that I never saw coming. I highly recommend this book.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I hope that this author never stops writing.
Her stories always makes me sit on the edge of my seat.
I love how she makes her characters comes alive and I enjoy their journey to find out who done it.
5 stars from me for another exciting adventure.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

4.5/5 Stars
Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ok so I decided to get out of the Rom-Com pool dip my toes in the Thriller/ Murder Suspense hot tub, where there are Romance bubbles nearing the surface.

There was a lot going on in this book and I felt like if I skimmed any pages I'd miss any important detail. There were multiple murders being investigated in a small town; one in the present and the double murder of the FMCs parents from the past. The fmc and mmc were also animal sanctuary employees turned amateur detectives.

Paradise was a teenager when her parents were murdered and she was put into a foster home thanks to a welfare check brought on by her then concerned boyfriend. Blake. Paradise resented Blake for making that call and landing in an abusive foster home.

She comes back 15 years later to work in the large cat sanctuary that her ex,'s family owns. Blake is thankful she's back and him, his 2 younger brothers and mother welcome her back with open arms.

That same day as her return, a woman is found dead in one of the animal cages. She was murdered. Blake and Paradise feel like the Sherriff isn't doing enough and they start investigating the murder on their own. They also get closer to solving the mystery and affair cover up involved in her parents murder.

Paradise and Blake fall into a easy familiarity with eachother as they work together ❤️.

I did enjoy reading 📚 this book but as I said making sure I didn't miss any details in all of the twists and turns of the story was difficult.

Also, there were issues with the 3rd person POV shifting inconstantly. Sometimes it would be in Paradises pov but point out details or observations she couldn't have been aware of because if her time away.

I loved this book! A perfect blend of intrigue, suspense and how faith can get you through anything. Paradise and Blake and the various side characters are so endearing and I loved the crossover of Hez and Savannah from, "What We Hide." Hopefully Paradise and Blake will make an appearance in the second Tupelo Grove book. I can't wait for the next book in this series. A not to be missed Christian Mystery from the fantastic Colleen Coble!

I always enjoy Colleen Coble’s books, and Ambush was no exception! It was especially fun to see characters from her other book series make appearances. This story is a suspenseful romance, full of fast-paced action that kept me hooked from start to finish.

As with her other books, I’d definitely recommend Ambush to anyone who enjoys an exciting blend of mystery, romance, and thrills.

Thanks to #netgalley and #thomasnelson for the opportunity to read this book.

A wildlife animal sanctuary is a unique setting for this exciting new series. With a little romance, a lot of animals, and multiple mysteries, this expertly woven suspense is difficult to put down. It was nice to see familiar characters from the Tupelo Grove series, and the author states that she also includes characters from the Pelican Harbor series, which I have not read. But you do not have to read any of those books first to enjoy this one. My only disclaimer is a warning for mention of suicide. I liked that the book concluded well, but did not wrap up perfectly, leaving room for a sequel while also being realistic. If you love a clean whodunit with many Christian elements, that was even better than What We Hide, don’t miss this one. I am already looking forward to book 2.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Thomas Nelson Fiction through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Colleen Coble brings us another excellent and suspenseful story with her new book, Ambush. I love the strength of Paradise as she comes home and tries to solve the murder of her parents while healing herself from the traumas of the past. Paradise learns to trust again as she rekindles her relationship with Blake. Someone is trying to sabotage The Sanctuary, Blake’s mother’s wildlife park, which adds twists and turns, a few surprises, lots of suspense, and some unanswered questions. I cannot wait for the next installment to the story!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Amidst danger and drama, Blake and Paradise have opportunity for a second-change romance. Set in the lush and vast landscape of an animal Sanctuary (preserve/park), can they harness the challenges of past memories while also dealing with the present? Because of the setting, it affords the book many unique and exciting scenes. Also, the animals become another cast of characters.
There is plenty of suspense plus mystery, enough to certainly carry over into the rest of the series. This one wraps up quickly and satisfactorily. It left me thinking that the danger was not the point. The point was the relationships and courage they found along the way. What do you think would happen if you ran on fear instead of stepping up to the curves and angles popping up on life's journey? Everyone in here is facing that scenario, even the "bad guys".
I enjoyed this book and found it to be tense and thrilling. The natural element of predatory animals really raises the stakes. The park is interesting and holds so much potential! I hope to learn more about Blake and Paradise in the rest of the series! (This is what I would consider a "clean" romance. It had moderate attraction between MCs and there were only a couple of kisses.)

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Net Galley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks.

Let me start by saying I love the setting in this series: the Sanctuary. As a big animal person, the setting alone will draw me to read these books. This was my favorite part of the book. While I don't mind a second chances romance, there were a lot of "thoughts" in this novel of thinking about the other person. The thing that made Paradise dislike Blake should have been more prominent in my opinion because it caused her to leave for 15 years. The situation was really only glossed over and then all of the sudden, everything is well and she's thinking about their future children.

I wish there weren't quite as many characters. 75 pages from the end, we really are introduced to the culprit (mentioned in passing during the book but not really introduced). It was a little like it was out of nowhere.

All in all, 3.5 rounded up to 4. I'll read the next one because I grew to like these characters and (like I said) love the setting.

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

This is a sweet, action filled story of love, secrets, family and second chances all with a mystery wrapped around it. I loved the characters, flaws and all. They seemed real with feelings that are genuine and true to the situations each found themselves in. I wish Paradise had more closure, but that should come in the next book....I hope! Overall a fast paced, action packed book that hooked me from the start. Loved it!
I received an advance copy of this. book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a Christian suspense with underlying romance. Paradise lost her parents while she was very young in an unsolved murder. She is then thrown into the foster system and has a history of being abused by men. Her faith is shaken and she does not feel God is looking over her at all and she falls away from her faith. She returns to her home town as an adult with the intentions of finding peace in her solve by hopefully solving her parents murder. She finds a job at a place called the Sanctuary which is owned by a family that had a special place in her life at one point. The story is a slow burn with other mysterious things happening at the Sanctuary and her friend Blake is in the midst of it. While they are finding themselves intertwined a romance maybe blooming. The characters are likable and relatable and it is not too much faith in religion forward which allows for the story to flow and it is more complimentary to the story. I really liked the little boys and how they are cared for and bring a smile to the readers. Additionally the romance doesn't always flow into a happily ever after but does show how romance and connection is a basis for a good relationship with the ups as well as the downs. Many thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley.

I love Colleen Coble’s books and her latest book. Ambush was no exception. Excellent plot and relatable characters. I definitely recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

Animals, mystery, romance are hallmarks of this first book in the new sanctuary series by Colleen Coble. The characters were complex and worked through their issues over the course of the book which was something that I really appreciated about it.

I enjoyed the Christian elements of the story. It had some really good themes including that God never abandons you. While most of the mysteries were solved, it was obvious that there was going to be a book 2 as one of the side stories has not been tied up. Looking forward to seeing where the author takes the story from here.

I receive complimentary books for various sources including, Netgalley, Authors, and other such sources. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received compensation.