Ambush
Colleen Coble
March 04, 2025

Paradise Alden traveled down the roads to her old home of Nova Cambridge in Alabama. She had not been back in years. She accepted a job as a vet to work for Jenna Anderson, who owned and operated the large farm that housed The Sanctuary. Paradise would be caring for the animals who are injured or sick as well as administering vaccinations. It sounded well and good but she would also be working for Blake, Jenna´s oldest son. The duo were high school sweethearts but things fell apart. She went off to college to become a veterinarian, and he joined the Marines. Jenna´s two younger sons, Issac and Levi lived with their mom and brother in the large home. Paradise had a small cottage to live in. Although wages were lower than most she had a home. She was starting again after suffering from a horrible arm injury while caring for a large animal.
Ambush will be published by Thomas Nelson on March 04, 2025. I was able to read Coble´s latest novel via NetGalley. This is another unsettling story. The fate of the sanctuary was being threatened by someone. Aside from the daily work of caring for the farm and the animals, caretakers needed to find who was attacking the family and farm buildings. Once again, Colleen Coble gives readers a heart-pounding tale. It is truly a page-turner, exceptionally written. Be certain to pick up Ambush, and do enjoy!

Veterinarian Paradise Alden has scars. She hopes returning to The Sanctuary will help heal at least some of them, maybe the ones that turn her blood cold at the scream of a big cat and just maybe some of the ones that started stacking up the night her parents were murdered. Blake Lawson, however, is not a scar she is ready to heal so quickly. But Paradise has ties to The Sanctuary and to Blake’s mother, Jenna, that are just strong enough to bring her back into his orbit. Those ties are tested when Jenna’s home and livelihood become the target of a war of attrition. One by one, the strange and sometimes deadly attacks stack up to shake confidence in The Sanctuary and the people involved there. And those attacks feel quite real to the reader, as Colleen Coble works the literary magic that has solidified her place in the realms of romantic suspense royalty over the last seventy-five breathtaking novels. Hit by hit, the reader rolls along with Paradise and Blake, unraveling the mysteries of the attacks on their home and of what happened to her parents so many years ago. Put on your big girl boots, because this story is not a trek for the adventure averse!

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

Buckle up for a wild ride! This book will capture your attention from the beginning. Paradise and Blake have known each other since they were teenagers. Paradise's parents were murdered and the murder remains unsolved. Paradise and Blake haven't seen each other for 15 years, since they were 15 years old. Paradise returns to Blake's home to work as a veterinary for his family's animal sanctuary that he runs along with his widowed mother. It soon becomes apparent that someone is sabotaging their business and trying to force them to sell. A lot of mystery surrounds the death of Blake's stepdad, too. As they try to solve all of these mysteries and attempts on their lives, will they make it out alive? Will they be able to save their livelihood and the Sanctuary? Will Paradise and Blake be able to get past their differences and forge a life together? Read this fast paced book to find out! I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed are completely my own. #netgalley #ambush #thomasnelsonfiction

Ambush by Colleen Coble is the first book in the Sanctuary series. Blake Lawson who is one of the main characters was introduced in the Tupelo series. He appeared as Hez's first cousin. Blake Lawson's mother is running a sanctuary for wild animals that her late husband established. He tragically died earlier and Blake is helping his mother run the sanctuary. Her mother is raising Blake's half brothers. Paradise Alden previously lived in the Alabama small town and returns after 15 years as a veternarian for the sanctuary. Her parents died some 15 years earlier. Shortly after she arrived someone dies and other dangerous things begin to happen at the sanctuary. With Blake's help they begin to unravel what is happening there. I can usually guess who the villian is but I was stumpted until the end on this story.

There was also a side mystery going on what happened with Paradise's parents. That mystery will be solved in future books.

I am usually a Coble fan but I didn't like this book that much. I didn't like the premise, I didn't like the female main character. I thought it was really odd that a police department could be so inept in this day and age. In truth, this was a pretty depressing read for me. It could be that I have my own depression issues and that colored my take on it all. In any case, I didn't love this book and I will not read the rest of the books in this series. I had a few issues with some of the details of in the plot lines. If you are a fan of Coble's books, you may like this but I didn't enjoy it.

A story of second chances. A lot of twists and turns until we reach the end of the story—but it’s not really the end, is it? Some questions are answered for Blake and Paradise, but Coble leaves us hanging with two big questions about Paradise’s family. I’m ready for book two now!

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

Having recently read (and really enjoyed) I Think I was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker, I jumped at Ambush, the first in a new series by Coble.

With a much different tone to I Think I was Murdered, I found the dialogue in this quite cheesy at times, and the faith based discussions often felt quite out of the blue. There was also a lot going on, with different characters, threads and attacks to follow.

However, overall this was a very fun read. The exotic wildlife park felt unique and exciting, and the building suspense is dotted with twists, turns and drama. The ending was satisfying and fast paced. Paradise and Blake’s characters were well developed with intriguing backstories, setting a solid foundation for the series. The writing style is engaging and entertaining.

I received a complimentary book from the publisher through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and the opinions are my own.

Ambush is a captivating blend of suspense, romance, and faith that kept me engaged from start to finish. The story follows Paradise, who returns to her childhood hometown to assist at an animal rescue reserve, only to reunite with her former love, Blake who she feels had previously betrayed her. As both become entangled in a series of murder investigations—both past and present—they must navigate danger, secrets, and unexpected twists. Coble masterfully weaves two compelling mysteries: the sabotage of The Sanctuary wildlife refuge and the pursuit of the truth behind a 20-year-old unsolved murder. Memorable characters and steady pacing make this novel a thrilling read. With elements of second-chance romance and a strong faith thread, Ambush delivers an exciting and heartfelt story filled with suspense, mystery, and redemption. Fans of romantic suspense will find this book both gripping and satisfying.

I received a complimentary book from the publisher through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and the opinions are my own.

Loved this book! It was a combination second chance love and mystery with a bit of suspense tucked inside. The story’s setting was original and the book was well written. The characters were engaging and had well defined personalities. Even the sanctuary animals had those well defined personalities. Definitely keeping my eye out for any other books by this author.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided review.

Ambush kicks off with a mystery with an intense feeling of anticipation. The drive to discover what happened to the family she started with and work through the details that follow. Add in the extra drama give lots to delve into to sort out. This definitely has me looking out for more! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I absolutely loved this story. It is centered around Paradise who has come back to her hometown to work at a sanctuary in hopes of healing from an attack from a big cat. However, it’s owned by Blake’s family and he broke her heart many years ago. While healing, she’s hoping to remember the details of her parents murder which happened when she was young. The murderers were never found. Since that night, her life has been in shambles. Upon her return to work at the sanctuary, there are lots of problems….. There is a murder, break-ins, the cottage Paradise was staying in was burned down and oh so much more evil going on. Thankfully God is in control through it all and all things fall in to place and questions are answered. Thanks to NetGalley for choosing me to read and review this great story. Don’t miss this one.

Colleen Coble does it again! This story of Paradise broke my heart at times. She experienced the murder of her parents when she was young. From there she lived in not-so-good circumstances as she was abused. When she becomes an adult she decides to go back home and she takes a job at a wildlife refuge.

The last thing Paradise needed when she went back to her hometown and took on a new job was a dead body. And it was found where she worked, so it brought up memories of her parents' murder. But it didn't stop there...but I can't spoiler it for anyone.

This one was a page-turner for me and I was engaged with the book the entire way through. The characters were realistic and believable and nothing felt contrived. I loved it.

This was my first book by Colleen Coble. I’ve seen a lot of recommendations so I was excited to get an ALC of Ambush from NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

Right away I was drawn in to the story. Paradise arrives back to the small town where she lived as a child, to help in the animal rescue reserve. Almost instantly she comes face to face with her childhood boyfriend, Blake, who also came back to help his mom run the reserve and help raise his young brothers.

Both Paradise and Blake find themselves in the middle of several murder cases. Past and present. Not to mention the twists and unexpected reveals!

This book had very good interaction between the main characters. I could feel their connections. There were several mysteries intertwined which made for interesting reading and left me wanting more. I enjoyed the animals. I hope this book is the start of a series because I want to know this family better and see more mysteries solved.

I knew when I chose this read that it would be a good one, and Colleen Coble didn't disappoint! If you enjoy a faith based read with non-stop action, this book has it.
You think you know the reason all these dangerous incidents are happening, but then there is something else, another different incident.
Yes, there are murders, and shots fired, sabotage, arson, then add in flooding and tornadoes. I was wondering if everything was related, but wow, and then some answers come, but then what we did know changed! Cliff hanger!
I felt so sorry for Paradise, she is a Veterinarian, and now accepting a new job at an animal sanctuary in her old hometown, Nova Cambridge, Alabama. It must have taken a lot of courage to come back here. A place where her parents were murdered, and a place where she will be taking care of big cats, she is still recovering from a mauling by a leopard.
Then there is Blake Lawson, he is home helping his mother take care of his brothers, and the sanctuary, after the untimely death of his stepfather.
Now I can't wait for the next book in this series!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

There's just WAY too much going on to keep my concentration.
Paradise is investigating her parent's murder, the animal sanctuary is being sabotaged, and then throw in a tornado and flooding. I felt like it was just bouncing back and forth from one storyline to another. I just felt that the dialogue was not written by a seasoned author. Not her best work.
I received a free e-arc from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and opinion. All opinions are my own and my apologies to the author but this just wasn't what I thought it would be.

Ambush is an exciting thriller that largely takes place on a wildlife refuge. Paradise and Blake were neighbors and childhood sweethearts until Paradise was forced to move to another foster home. Now, as an adult, Paradise has come back to the refuge to work and get some closure with regard to her parents’ murder and her childhood. As she and Blake get to know each other again, strange things start happening at the refuge and the local deputy eyes Blake as the culprit. Blake and Paradise decide to investigate the crimes on their own to determine who is behind them and why. The non-stop action picks up more so in the second half of the book with twists that you don’t see coming. Each event is like another layer of the onion peeled back. A good read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery story! And it was fun to have Hez and some other characters from What We Hide. :) It's a fast-paced story happening in the present, and it's about something a little different than the usual story that I read! I also like that there's not a lot of misunderstanding that lingers too long, as there often is in other stories. The characters are great, and there's good character development.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of this book! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Lions, tigers, hyenas...Oh my! Ambush drew me straight in from the beginning and didn't let go until the end. Blake and Paradise returned to work at The Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve for different reasons. They have a past, including a shared betrayal from Paradise's past, but will they be able to clear the air and have a second chance?
Paradise faced hardships and abuse in the foster care system after her parents' murders and has a hard time believing in God. Readers will see how her perspective about God changes as her character arc grows in this story.
Things start going askew at the property. Who is behind the attacks aimed at the property, Blake, and his family, Who is trying to frame Blake? In addition to this mystery, Paradise embarks on a quest to find her parents' murderer and discovers some shocking truths.
This was a fast-paced read with suspense, danger, second chances, twists and turns, and faith threads. I'm hoping there will be a second installment.
I received a complimentary book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I clearly read another book than most of the other people who have reviewed this. This just didn't connect with me AT ALL. I finished, because I needed to, but it was tough to do. I didn't get any suspense, thrills, mystery or suspense. The romance felt middle-schoolish, and the dialogue didn't feel believable to me. The Christian aspect felt more naturally presented, and worked with the story, but that was about the only positive I came across.

Clearly many folks really liked this. I just wasn't one of them.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.