O, the emotions in this story will have you all over the spectrum! From sadness to joy, hope, fear, angst, love, and healing, you will experience the whole gamut!
Immersed in Paradise's pain and heartbreaking history from page one, you are drawn into her world, but more Colleen has the ability to make her your new best friend, and you will be cheering her on!
The history between Blake and Paradise could be a stumbling block or a stepping stone. With the attacks against the Sanctuary escalating and nature throwing in her own set of hair rising obstacles, both of them are challenged with a choice. Do you let evil win, or do you choose the Light?
You'll have to read to see the conclusion for yourself, but be prepared you won't see the end coming.

Young Paradise Alden was home when her parents were murdered, a murder that has never been solved, but she didn’t see the killer. She then endured years in foster care, but has returned to Nova Cambridge, Alabama. She had a crush on Blake Lawson before she left and now, they will be reunited at The Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve. Blake has been working at the preserve to support his mother and step-brothers after the death of his step-father. He was shocked to see Paradise and had always felt bad that he was not there to support her. He still has questions about how his step-father died as well as concerns about the protestors who want the preserve shut down and the animals released. The protests have become violent and have led to the death of one of the young women. A local detective is determined to prove that Blake was responsible for her death and as tempers flare, the continued attacks against Blake and the preserve become dangerous to the employees and visitors. Are the protestors concerned about the animals or are they disrupting things so that someone else can take over the land…if so who, and why? Mystery abounds as Blake and Paradise are determined to solve her parents’ murder and protect and keep themselves and the animals safe. A gripping mystery from beginning to end (4.5)! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Ambush by Colleen Coble is a standalone, romantic suspense story.
This is another story written by Colleen that I enjoyed from the very beginning.
I was captivated with this book, and was immediately drawn to the story.
Coble is a talented writer and I look forward to each new addition she adds to her growing list of excellent novels she has written.

Christian Suspense readers will love this first book of the Sanctuary series. Set in an Alabama wildlife refuge, Paradise has come back to try to get her life back on track and get some answers about her parent’s murders. Blake has recently moved back to help his mother with the refuge and two small step brothers after his stepfather’s death. A series of dangerous incidents, an obnoxious cop and a variety of suspects will have readers guessing to the end. Loved learning about the different animals, their habitats and personalities. Loved the little brothers; “out of the mouths of babes.” It will be hard to wait for the next book. Highly recommended,

Ambush is the first in Colleen Coble's Sanctuary Novel series. It has the bonus of including appearances from her Pelican Harbor series and the Tupelo Grove series she co-wrote with Rick Acker. The novel is written in a similar style to these two series. Her protagonists are people who have had great challenges in life, survived, and are now ready to thrive. Unfortunately, obstacles abound, unlike answers which are elusive. A series of unexplained events from break-ins to possible murder place Blake Lawson in Deputy Creed Greene's crosshairs, in spite of the fact that it appears that Blake is actually the victim rather than the perpetrator. Blake, along with his high school girlfriend, who has recently returned to solve a mystery from her own past, must work to solve the mystery of who is after Blake before he finds himself in jail for the crimes.

Ambush has all the elements necessary for a great romantic suspense story: a wonderful plot, well-planted clues and red herrings, romantic tension, high stakes for the protagonists, and several likely suspects. Coble has pulled them all together to create a story readers won't be able to put down, and she has left a bit of a cliffhanger originating from the case Paradise Alden originally came to investigate to prepare us for the next book in the series. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Ambush from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

I have yet to read a book by Colleen Coble! Once again her newest book is absolutely wonderful! I didn’t realize this was the start of a new series. I thought it was a stand alone so imagine my surprise at the end when not everything was wrapped up and I was left wanting more! I will be very impatiently wait for the next book in the series!

Colleen Coble does such a beautiful job of hooking you at the beginning and then slowly reeling you in with characters and their stories. The way she introduces and bulids upon each person in her books makes you feel like you are there in the story and you move about the characters days and lives.

I love a good second chance romance book and Ambush give you just that! Paradise Alden returns to her hometown for the first time in years. With her she bings the baggage of the past from when her parents were brutally murdered as well as some new trauma from being attacked by a jaguar she was caring for. She will be recovering from her attack but can she handle working for her former high school sweetheart that she feels betrayed her when she was in the foster care. Can they move on from the past or will the past continue to haunt them?

I adore all of the emotions I had while reading this book. I laughed. I cried. I was on the edge of my seat! Seriously, I have no desire to ever come in any sort of contact with a hyena…ever! This book will take you for a wild ride and have you suspecting everyone of sabotage and murder. I am eagerly awaiting book two!

This novel is a wild ride in a wild animal sanctuary where the owner is being threatened and is in constant danger of being killed. That’s the scenario when Paradise comes back to Alabama to accept a job as a vet at the sanctuary and finds more than she bargained for. The layers in this book are numerous and all are equally memorable. Paradise is dealing with trauma in her childhood, betrayal by her best friend Blake (who happens to be the son of the sanctuary’s owner), and new trauma from being mauled by a big cat. Blake has his own issues to deal with as he takes seriously his commitment to his mom Jenna and his two half-brothers. All of the characters popped off the page and right into my imagination. I could picture Paradise with her “mane” of hair and the two precocious little boys who loved adventure. The mystery is in who is targeting the sanctuary and why. There are many twists and red herrings before the culprit is ultimately revealed, making the book absorbing and totally captivating. I enjoyed the themes of forgiveness, restoration, seeking truth, sacrifice, and family issues. I especially enjoyed seeing characters from a previous book who live in Tupelo Grove, from another series by Coble and Acker. The truth is I really enjoyed my journey through this fascinating book in which I learned a lot about wild animals and even more about human nature and how to make wiser choices. The faith foundation is obvious but not overwhelming to the storyline, but rather adding to the overall tale. I cannot wait for more in this series and to discover who will be featured next from the sanctuary or its environs!
Disclaimer
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are completely my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

Ambush is the first book in the new Sanctuary series! It is full of adventure and some romance. I loved how there was a lot of different wild animals and the dangers that the characters faced. There were some twists I didn’t expect. I also liked how some characters were brought in from a previous series. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I’m a long-time Colleen Coble fan, though I’ve fallen a little bit behind with some of her newer releases. When I had the opportunity to read this start to her new series as an ARC, I took it, the setting made this mama of a wild animal obsessed toddler want to read it ASAP. I was a little worried I’d feel like I was missing something since I had seen this was related to her Tupelo Grove series with Rick Acker and I haven’t gotten to those yet. But I wasn’t lost- it just made me intrigued to find out more about some of those secondary characters sooner rather than later.

First of all, let me tell you how much I loved all the animals in this book. From Rosy the fennec fox to Tigris the white tiger and those sketchy hyenas… I just loved it. Reminded me of the private animal park where we took our son for a visit last fall. So fun! I loved Blake and Paradise’s love for the animals and how important they all were to the story.

Secondly, the second chance romance is perfect and sweet. I love the real conversations, the conflicting emotions, and ultimately, the grace given to overcome the past. I was really rooting for Paradise and Blake and I hope this series continues to follow them and continues to explore some of the threads left hanging at the end of this one (which I’m sure it will).

Third, I really enjoyed the mystery/suspense here. Our characters face stressors from all sides- internally and externally- both from man and nature. It kept me on my toes and turning pages, and while I had suspicions, I didn’t fully guess the culprit! I still have some questions I hope the series answers but it’s nothing that’s going to drive me nuts until the next book comes out (which I count as a good thing)!

Recommended for lovers of Colleen Coble, romantic suspense, animals, protector MMCs, strong FMCs overcoming a lot, second chance romances, and so much more.

I received a complementary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson and NetGalley. I was not asked to leave a positive review and my opinions are my own.

Rating 4.75

This was a fast pace and thrilling romantic suspense. I was thoroughly kept engaged and in suspense reminded me of why I love this author’s books.

The danger around the sanctuary and the attacks felt realistic. I did guess one culprit was correct early on, but the final reveal and events I didn't see coming. I loved the setting in the sanctuary with all the dangerous animals which increased the danger. I felt the author got the nature of the animals correct and on par with their nature, especially the Hyenas.

The second chance story for the main characters involved forgiveness, trust and faith.

The highlight for me was the faith of the two small boys. They just trusted and believed in God’s protection and provision and the way they explained the North Star and how it was brought back to the Bible being our North Star was a really strong message!

Looking forward to the next book in the series, since there was a mystery not yet resolved in this book.

Ambush is a tense thriller set at a wildlife sanctuary. Paradise has returned to her hometown to work at the sanctuary even though it is run by the family of Blake, the guy who destroyed her heart and life years ago. But she’s back for more than just work. She is recovering from a jaguar attack. Plus she really wants to know who murdered her parents.

This is an entertaining first novel of a series that features foxes and hippos and tigers as well as the two adorable much younger brothers of Blake. There are some deep waters here - murder, jealousy, greed, along with brief discussions of abuse in foster care and a briefer mention of rape. My one real quibble with the story is that it didn’t show our characters dealing with those issues in order to move past them.

This is Christian fiction so expect discussions on faith and God.

Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to lovers of romantic suspense.

Family friendly but some topics are not advisable for young readers.

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

Ambush is the first book in the Sanctuary series which is set in Alabama. I have loved every book by this author. I love the way she tells a story. This was a fantastic start for this series. There is so much to enjoy. A family that puts each other first, a long-lost romance, murder, suspicious deaths, a sanctuary for wild animal, and a killer who is not done yet. I highly recommend this book.

Ambush by Colleen Coble is an exhilarating start to an enthralling series that seamlessly blends mystery with themes of faith. As the first book in the series, it captivated me from the very first page, immersing me in a world where suspense and spirituality beautifully intertwine. Coble’s masterful storytelling kept me on the edge of my seat as I unraveled a gripping mystery alongside a deeply resonant spiritual journey. The characters are richly developed, each facing their own struggles and growth, which restored my faith in God's presence and influence in our lives. Coble's ability to weave together a compelling plot with profound faith-based themes makes Ambush a standout, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this inspiring series. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling mystery that also touches the soul. Five stars!

Coble builds a sense of menace in this romantic suspense set in an exotic wildlife sanctuary. Paradise’s flashes of memory of her parents’ murders, sabotage, a current murder and the animals themselves all ramp up tension. I enjoyed the family dynamics and the elements of faith running throughout the story. It was also fun encountering characters from previous series. Although the main mystery is solved there is a clear set up for a continuing storyline. This won’t disappoint Coble’s many fans. Recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

The themes of this book are about letting go and letting God, redemption, trust and second chances. While the plot was inventive, I found it to drag at times and there was quite a bit of repetition. I also didn't care for ending most chapters with a question, as if that is going to keep me reading. A good thing about this plot is that the baddie was hidden until the end and the real motive was a surprise.

Veterinarian Paradise Alden had a rocky youth in the foster care system, but she always remembered her childhood in Nove Cambridge, Alabama and the best time of her life. After getting mauled by a jaguar, she decided that she needs to finally discover who killed her parents. Paradise takes a job The Sanctuary, a wildlife refuge, as their veterinarian. She comes face to face with the man who broke her young heart, the son of the refuge owner, Blake Lawson.

For fifteen years Blake Lawson has wondered what happened to Paradise Alden. When he comes face to face with her, he knows that his feelings for her are just as strong as they were back then. His goal is to make her remember what they once had. On the heels of Paradise's arrival, a body is discovered, and several odd and potentially deadly events occur at the refuge. With a detective who holds a grudge against Blake, he and Paradise will need to discover who is behind the attacks and why on their own. 3 1/2-Stars

My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

I love Colleen Coble's romantic suspense novels. They always hold your attention and keep you wanting more! I'm so glad this is the start of a new series and that we will see more of Paradise and Blake. The setting is different since it's at a wildlife refuge in Alabama. There's lots of action going on and it keeps you turning those pages! Can't wait to read/listen to the next in this series and see more of Blake's family too!

Karen Peakes did a great job narrating!

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 4 March 2025

Ambush is an entertaining read with interesting descriptions of a wild animal sanctuary and how animals behave in contained spaces but although I believe the plot is good (unsolved murders+romance+family difficult relationships) I felt sometimes it was too slow going for my liking. The crimes against the sanctuary are solved but the truth is still lacking for Paradise and it left an opening for the next book in the series.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

A unique and interesting plot that takes place at a wild animal refuge in Alabama. Paradise Alden returns to The Sanctuary run by mother and son duo Blake Lawson and Jenna Anderson. She will be a Vet to the exotic animals that have been rescued and face her fears after being mauled by a big cat. She also wants to find out what really happened when her parents were murdered when she was a child.
When strange things begin to happen at The Sanctuary, Paradise and Blake try to make sense of it all. They ponder who is really being targeted, where it stems from, and if it could have started with his step-father’s death.
Packed with danger, sneaky villains and lots of supposition, this suspenseful story will keep you guessing. There is a second chance romance, characters maturing in their faith, and interaction with hyenas and tigers that will have you holding your breath.
Ms Coble always presents a thrilling story that makes you think.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*

This book follows Paradise, as she returns to where she grew up to heal, reconnect with her first love, and attempt to find out who murdered her parents. There was a lot going on, but at the same time nothing was being done. The pacing of the book was slow at times and had a lot of Christian themes throughout. The ending was rushed, with no real buildup, and was pretty predictable. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the advanced reader copy.

This is a sweet, second chance romance that is also filled with plenty of danger, mystery, sabotage, and exotic animals. While I appreciate the suspense and the descriptions of the sanctuary and animals, I felt like I was missing a little more of the development of the relationship between Paradise and Blake. Overall, it was an enjoyable story that did one little cliffhanger at the end.