The View from Rainshadow Bay (A Lavender Tides Novel)

The View from Rainshadow Bay was filled with action, suspense and romance. Great characters and I loved the setting. Great start to a riveting series! I highly recommend it for Colleen Coble fans and anyone that loves a good mystery.

After loving the Rock Harbor series, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Lavender Tides but I quickly fell in love with it! Ms. Coble does an excellent job enduring her characters to you and drawing you in with suspense and thrills. I was quickly drawn into Shauna and Zach’s story. The characters were not only likable but believable. The twists and turns kept me guessing until the end. Just when I thought I had figured out who was behind the murders, I would get proven wrong. Thrilling until the end! Looking forward to more books in this series!

This was an interesting book which kept my attention. A widow is raising her son alone and with the more unusual occupation as a helicopter pilot. Since her husband's death a year before, she has blamed her husband's best friend for his death, but when some one comes after her with criminal intent, she is faced with the decision to move into this guy's house for the safety offered there.

This was an interesting book, with Christian overtones but not so much that a non-Christian reader would think that religion is being poured no-stop down their throats. I wasn't really sure if this book was meant to be a mystery or a suspense novel. In the end the mystery is solved in as few a words as possible. I'm not too sure of the actual science behind the mystery and as it was barely explained, I doubt that the author was very much comfortable in describing the science as well, nor why the mystery was covered up for around 20 years and then everything was bursting wide open and at a very fast pace.

The romance in the book was fine and with a promise that this book was the beginning of a series, it will be nice to know what else is going on the characters lives, hopefully without the need to manufacture a mystery or something suspenseful with the book. However it is a good book to read and relax a bit with while getting pounded with a record snowfall!

Another good novel by Colleen Coble. In this story we have a mystery revolving around several fatal accidents and then what appears to be a couple of murders. Shauna's husband has died from a rock climbing accident and she has carried a grudge for over a year against Zach, the best friend of her husband Jack, whom she believes is responsible for her husbands death.

But when close friends of Shauna's and Zach's start to turn up dead there appears to be more at work here than just accidents. Shauna and her son Alex become apparent targets of the murder and Zach takes them into his home to protect them from danger.

The emotional ups and downs are written very well. The underlying fears, bitterness and anger that people are harboring is also very well written. The themes of love and forgiveness as well as friendship and loyalty are well documented. Also the themes of trust in God and dependence on Him for supplying our needs is also well developed.

This book is entertaining, the mystery is well written and hidden and the themes are well developed. Thus it will make for a great book club read and discussion starter for book clubs, or church groups.

Enjoy!

While still reading, I became concerned and conflicted in how to assess and rate this book. The premise was interesting and original and the mystery was intriguing with several creative story elements that keep me reading and had my rating floating at four-stars. However, I grew restless and annoyed with the uneven pace and quality of the writing as some storylines dragged and became tediously repetitious, while others seemed rushed. Ms. Coble excelled in her creation and colorful descriptions of the quirky small town and its characters as I could well envision the historical and antiquated buildings, persnickety mother-in-law, and a somewhat inept middle-aged Elvis-wannabe sheriff with a thick mane full of product who had somehow managed to snare a young model for a wife. That image still brings a smile to my lips.

I could not finish this book as the main character, Shauna, came across as a complete idiot to me. She blames Zach for her husbands death but is obviously ignoring that her husband was an adrenaline junkie as well. Its been a year and she's still refusing to allow Zach, who was supposed to be a great friend of hers back in her life and his blaming him all over town for "killing" her husband when she knows it was a climbing accident. I could have overlooked this and gone with the whole "her character is going to evolve and she will come to terms with her grief" if her actions after her business partners death weren't completely idiotic. Her partner tells her he's in danger and tells Shauna she must get this package to his wife as its incredibly important. Two minutes later his house blows up, Shauna is convinced its murder yet she doesn't tell the sheriff about the package because "I promised him". Acts of an idiot. I skimmed through the rest of the book. Nothing I saw made me interested enough in Shauna's life and this story to make me want to finish this book.

Shauna never tires of flying her chopper over the Pacific NW, nor of the charm of her town Lavender Tides. She had to do this for her son Alex, she had no one else to turn her since Jack had died. Her own father was too unreliable. She had to ask Zach for help, even though she would never forgive him for Jack's death. Alex was more important and right now he needed a father role model. She knew Zach was it.

Zach built the Hurricane Roost Airport. As a "dare-devil junkie," Zach knows that Shauna is hurting. But, so was he. After all Jack had been his best friend. When Shauna requests that Zach go on a father-son hike with Alex, Jack had no reservations in saying yes. Could this be a chance to make things right for Alex and Shauna?

What begins as answer to a call from Clarence, soon explodes into a deceptive web of murder. Who would want to kill Clarence or Lucy? Is their daughter's death also involved? So many questions!

When a friend asks you to do something for them, you usually would. If they ask you to keep something safe or deliver it, well that wouldn't be a problem. Unless what is hidden inside the box is exactly what is desired by the killer.

From the beginning, this novel became a source of intrigue and frustration. As each piece of the mystery surfaced, it began to unravel. As a reader, I felt that I was looking at a tapestry in which every thread is intricately woven to the plot. As you followed one thread, another secret was discovered. Shauna, Zach, and Alex will not be safe until all secrets are revealed. Not even a super hero could keep them from the destruction that is exploding around them!

Can murder be delightfully intriguing? Not only did Lavender Tides take your breath away with beautifully detailed settings, the characters are crafted with a mixture of real life turmoil. As a reader, you will discover that this is a mystery that could be a "true to life reality."
MrsK

** spoiler alert ** **FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW.**

Ever since her husband, Jack, died in a mountain climbing accident, Shauna McDade lives only for her five-year-old son and her helicopter charter business. Every day is a struggle to make ends meet and she lives in constant fear of losing more than she’s already lost. When her business partner and close friend is murdered, his final words are enough to convince Shauna that she’s in danger, too. But, where can she turn? Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and is the person she blames for the accident that caused his death. She’s barely spoken to him since, but, right now, he may be her only option for protecting her son. Zach’s perfectly willing to do all he can to keep Shauna and Alex safe. But, there are secrets dating all the way back to Shauna’s childhood that more than one person would go to extreme lengths to make sure they stay secret. This is a story of suspense, intrigue, and second chances.

I have read other books by Colleen Coble and I tend to enjoy her historical novels more. There were a few inconsistencies in this story, that I won’t go into, but I still enjoyed it. I did find that Coble has a lot of talent as far as character development, but she seemed to forget some details in Shauna’s backstory. The story was still very suspenseful and I did really enjoy it but I feel I could have enjoyed it more if it hadn’t been for these inconsistencies. I think she had a very good idea and that the storyline had a lot of potential. Hopefully the rest of the series will live up to this potential. I liked Shauna and Zach, in general. I thought she was a little bit hard on Zach, but I can’t promise that I wouldn’t be the same way towards the person I blamed for my husband’s death. So, forgiveness was another big theme in the story. I’m still looking forward to seeing what happens next because I do enjoy Coble’s books, in general, and I feel this series has a lot of potential.

There's nothing like a Colleen Coble romantic suspense to send a reader into a tilt-a-whirling tailspin of frenzied delight! Because the villains are diabolical and not always easy to spot and the heroine comes with emotional baggage and the hero wrestles with past decisions and there's murder and mayhem at ever turn and there is hope (however unrealistic it seems at first) in a happily-ever-after...if everyone can stay alive long enough to enjoy it!

Complex characters (and I DID NOT like Shauna at first!) I had to keep reminding myself that anger is a grieving stage but she is so over-the-top hard on Zach in the beginning! Gah! I wanted to throw my book, I was that steamed (but of course, I didn't because, contrary to these broiling emotions, I am, at heart, a gentle reader.) Phew! But she does figure things out and draws closer to the Lord in the process so I've forgiven her. And Zach -- oy -- constantly beating himself up over his friend's death because Shauna won't let him forget...wait, I'm not going there because I have forgiven her...I think. Maybe. Well, it's a process. My heart's in the right place even if my feelings are still a bit messed up. :-) Okay, we can tick the box that says this story is an emotional read! My favourite kind! Add in the twisty turn suspensey bits and you get the kind of page-turner that will keep you on edge right to the very end.

Book Description -" After her husband, Jack, dies in a climbing incident, Shauna has only her five-year-old son and her helicopter charter business to live for. Every day is a struggle to make ends meet and she lives in constant fear of losing even more than she already has. When her business partner is murdered, his final words convince Shauna that she’s in danger too. But where can she turn? Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and is the person she blames for his death. She’s barely spoken to him since. But right now he seems her only hope for protecting her son. Zach is only too happy to assuage his guilt over Jack’s death by helping Shauna any way he can. But there are secrets involved dating back to Shauna’s childhood that more than one person would prefer to stay hidden. In The View from Rainshadow Bay, suspense, danger, and a longing to love again ignite amid the gorgeous lavender fields of Washington State."

The View From Rainshadow Bay is the first book in Collen Coble's brand new series, Lavender Tides that takes place in Washington State. The book draws you in very quickly and keeps you page turning all the way to the end. Colleen Coble crafts a very good suspense novel without the need for it to be overly gory or graphic. Several people do die during the story. The element of romance is always a nice addition to her stories, especially since it is not overly romantic. I really enjoyed reading about Shauna and Zach, and especially liked Zach's character. It is a fiction suspense story, with a lot of suspense elements, so there are many parts of the story that seem a bit unbelievable but that's why it's fiction. There were a few loose ends that I didn't think were fully resolved but this is a series with 2 more books planned and that could be why. I looked forward to reading the other books in this series.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance to the FTC regulations.

Colleen Coble’s latest novel, The View from Rainshadow Bay, is an adrenaline-laced thrill ride for fans of romantic suspense. The first book in the Lavender Tides novel has everything Coble’s fans have come to expect — great characters, non-stop action, and a romance that will leave you swooning! I loved this book, and I know you will too!

Main characters Shauna McDade and Zach Bannister used to be the best of friends — until an accident leaves Shauna a widow and Zach dealing with the guilt of killing his life-long friend, Jack. With a relationship that is often openly hostile, they are thrown together when mutual friends are murdered and Shauna and her young son are threatened. The two join forces and must fight threats and their own attraction to each other.

From the opening chapter of The View from Rainshadow Bay the reader is in for some fast-paced action as the main characters face dangers from all sides. And these are some great characters. Shauna and Zach are true-to-life with real doubts, fears, and failings. They struggle with making sense of their world and the questions of where God is in the toughest of times. They both rely on God, though, even when it is so hard to do. Shauna and her mother-in-law wrestle with the fear of loss. I found their attitudes and actions very realistic. It is very natural to shut yourself off from the things that might hurt. The chemistry between Shauna and Zach is there from the start, and I (along with some of the supporting characters) was cheering for their relationship throughout the book. The mystery presented in the book is well-written — I found myself changing my mind over and over as to whodunit. In the end, Coble surprised me. I love it when I can’t figure it out! A bonus in this book is the wonderful setting. The picture postcard, small town of Lavender Tides is surrounded by natural beauty — forests and sea. And I would love to see the lavender fields that are described. This is definitely a town I would want to visit (and revisit as the series progresses.)

The View from Rainshadow Bay is another winner from Coble. There is a bit of a cliffhanger from a secondary story thread, but part of that will be resolved in the next book, The House at Saltwater Point, which will be released this Summer. I am anticipate more great reading ahead!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to TLC book tours for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The View from Rainshadow Bay is Colleen Coble's premier into her new Lavender Tides Series. This is also my introduction to the author's work.
Shauna McDade is a recently widowed young mother trying to make a life for herself and her five year old son in the Pacific Northwest. When close friends and loved ones are murdered, Shauna must look to Zach Bannister, the man she blames for the death of her husband, for protection from would-be killers. Unable to rely on the help of local law enforcement, Shauna and Zach uncover evidence that leads them to her father's involvement in not only the recent deaths but also the death of her mother 25 years earlier.
I found this novel a little too simplistic and implausible for my tastes. Financial issues and other stumbling blocks were too easily resolved and made some parts of the story seem silly.
Initially, the plot was interesting and moved forward at a good pace, however, later the action became somewhat unbelievable. Once I discovered the motive and characters involved I had to suspend all credibility in the story. None of the "bad guys" in this story had the background, connections, or expertise to pull off this sort of crime. The science was woefully lacking and the absence of the kind of scientific and governmental involvement that would make this story realistic demonstrated the author's lack of research and experience with this sort serious international plot. There were also issues left unresolved that would have added to a satisfying conclusion. Some unresolved issues, I'm sure, are meant to be addressed in later editions in the series.
The characters themselves were engaging and likeable. Their struggles with loss, guilt, and pain was realistic. I wouldn't mind meeting them in another book.
The setting was unremarkable. I felt the author has no real intimate knowledge of the area other than what could be easily found on Google.
The Christian component of the book was relatively light-handed and shouldn't deter non-Christian readers from enjoying the book.

The View from Rainshadow Bay (Lavender Tides #1) by Colleen Coble

January 2018
Christian romance, fiction

I received a digital ARC of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Shauna McDade is a young widow with a 5-year-old son, Alex, who lives in Lavender Tides, a small town near Seattle. She enjoys her work flying a helicopter to get aerial photographs of Puget Sound and Mount Ranier.

Zach Bannister operates an emergency plane transport business at Harriman Roost Airport, a small busy airport he built after getting out of the Coast Guard. He had been best friend’s with Shauna’s husband, Jack, until his accidental death for which he grieves everyday. He had been with Jack that day during one of Zach’s thrill seeking adventures which ultimately cost Jack his life. Once an integral part of their life, Zach has now been outcasted by many who blame him for encouraging Jack to participate in his risky mountain climbing trek.

A year later, Shauna and Zach are brought together after the mysterious death of a close friend. They begin to unravel a secret which seems to explain a few deaths which were once deemed “accidental”. The book had many overlapping stories which add depth to the characters as well as the novel itself.

This novel would appeal to anyone who enjoys a dramatic story with mystery and romance. The Christian undertones in the book provide a supportive aspect to the characters rather than overshadow the theme of the story.

An intense, harsh, and inspiring story that took my breath away with the instant, 'in-your-face' type of deadly action.
The author hits from the very start with brutal attacks that kills some of the major players in the story, where no one is safe from the villains, the clues are minimal, and the danger and fear are constant companions. Shauna and Zach are trying to solve several mysteries, some dating back all the way to Shauna's childhood, that suddenly seems to have some common denominators.
This story kept me on the edge from the start to finish. The relationship between Shauna and Zach is volatile because of the past. Zach is a good man, he is honest, caring, protective, and generous. He is a venturesome man who loves to take risks and test his limits. But the risks he has taken since his best friend died have had a new kind of edge to them. The guilt is eating him inside out, and the vedge between him and Shauna and her son is slowly breaking his heart.
Shauna lost her husband in a rock climbing incident. She has blamed Zach for the death of Jack, kept her son away from his godfather, and made it clear to everyone in town that she hates what Zach had done by daring her husband to climb the mountain that killed him. She is a feisty woman, passionate and capable. And she is devastated that the only person who can help her and protect her from the killer is the one she wanted to stay away from.
The themes of acceptance, forgiveness, and falling in love are well twined into suspense and action that kept the story going. The muddled relationships, the gossip of the town, the questions, and suspicions, the lingering anger from the past, it all build a sharp and strong story with intriguing and appealing plot twists. Even though the character's faith in God is a known assumption, it is not the main focus of the tale, but it is the main force guiding the characters actions and thoughts.
I enjoyed the mystery in the story, it kept me guessing to the very end. I might have had my suspicions but needed my confirmations when it came to the culprits. The romance between two longtime friends was tastefully yet passionately and ardently done. I loved the relationship Zach had with Shauna's son, there were so much admiration and trust in between them.
The whole story was build up with very realistic and rational way, that made it dangerously lifelike and alarmingly realistic. On the edge of your seat suspense with multiple layers of danger and threats mixed with sweet and clean yet amorous romance, family drama, and small-town issues, a story that took my breath away with its intensity and had me staying up late to find out whodunnit.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

The first exciting installment in the Lavender Tides series, The View from Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble is a fast-paced and intriguing mystery with elements of romance and faith.

Although it has been a year since Shauna McDade lost her beloved husband, Jack, she blames his best friend, Zach Bannister, for the climbing accident that claimed his life. Struggling to make ends meets, Shauna has been learning aerial photography from her close friend and father figure Clarence Glennon who has been separated from his wife Lucy since their only child, Darla, died from a drug overdose. When Clarence then Lucy die under suspicious circumstances, Zach and Shauna do not think local sheriff Everett Bruchell is taking their concerns seriously so they begin their own investigation. Fearing for Shauna and her five year old son Alex’s safety, Zach convinces them to stay with him while they attempt to figure out what is happening to the people they care about.

Shauna is no stranger to tragedy and she has suffered several heartrending losses in her life. Her father is an alcoholic so she finds support from her friends. Her mother in law Marilyn has been a rock since Jack’s death and like Shauna, she also blames Zach for his loss. Extremely reluctant to accept his help since she cannot forgive him for what she perceives as his role in Jack’s accident, Shauna’s common sense prevails when they uncover very troubling information that whatever Clarence was looking into might somehow be linked to her mother who died when Shauna was a child.

An adrenaline junkie, Zach feels incredibly guilty over his self perceived role in Jack’s death. Despite his close friend’s tragic loss, he still continues to seek out pulse-pounding adventures. However, when he and Shauna begin spending time together, he comes to a new understanding of the reasons for his risky behavior. Genuinely worried about Shauna and Alex’s safety, he is greatly relieved when she agrees to stay with him. Looking over the contents of a box Clarence wanted Lucy to have, Zach and Shauna are certain these items are somehow connected to both their friends’ shocking deaths.

Zach and Shauna’s investigation into what Clarence was researching before his murder have surprising ties to her childhood and two other deaths. Some of the details they uncover are quite puzzling and virtually impossible to understand. What is the significance of a photo that Clarence apparently took during one of his flights? How did a necklace that belonged to Shauna’s mother end up in Clarence’s possession? Why is Shauna’s father so reluctant to answer herquestions? And most importantly, do the earlier deaths have any connection to most recent murders of Clarence and Lucy?

The View from Rainshadow Bay is an engaging and captivating romantic suspense novel. Shauna is a sympathetic and likable lead character who gradually comes to terms with her husband’s loss over the course of the story. Zach is quite charming and his guilt over Jack’s death is understandable but misplaced. Zach and Shauna’s investigation into the Clarence and Lucy’s death is interesting but the Sheriff’s reluctance to take their concerns seriously is rather frustrating. The spiritual aspect is understated with Colleen Coble skillfully weaving the characters’ faith into the storyline in way that feels completely natural. While most of the various story arcs are fully resolved there is one question that will hopefully be answered in a future installment of the Lavender Tides series.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

Shauna McDade lost her husband, Jack, in a climbing accident. Now she’s raising their son, Alex, and trying to keep her helicopter charter business going. When her good friend gives her a box to give to his wife along with a crypt message, Shauna fears she may be in danger. Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and a good friend to her too. She however, blames him for Jack’s death and has had nothing to do with him since then. Then something happens that requires her to seek his help and protection. Zach blames himself for what happened to Jack, so he’s willing to help Shauna out with whatever she needs. Neither one is prepared for the feelings that arise as well as the secrets; ones that go all way back to when Shauna was just a girl.

WOW! Coble does it again! This was not only hard to put down but difficult to figure out. It kept me turning pages as fast as I could to find out just who was involved. I love it when a story challenges me that way. I enjoyed getting to know Shauna, Zach and Alex. All really great characters! There is a back story concerning Shauna that I believe will carry over to the next book, which I can’t wait to read! One thing I really appreciated was the little spiritual truths that popped up all through the story. I found that very encouraging. The View from Rainshadow Bay has a beautiful soothing cover. But reader beware, once you open the book you’ll find yourself in the middle of a well-crafted, hard to put down, full of twists and turns story that will keep up long past your bed time. It’s one I highly recommend.

*This complimentary copy was provided by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Some favorite moments:

Life doesn’t always fit into our neat boxes.

“Have the courage to admit you want justice for you, not for them. Justice this side of heaven is a myth. It’s not our job anyway. Real justice belongs to God.”

God never said bad things wouldn’t happen, but he’s promised to work those things for good in our lives.

God is faithful through everything that comes.

The View from Rainshadow Bay (Lavender Tides #1)
by Colleen Coble

SUMMARY: It’s been a year since her husband’s death in a tragic rock-climbing accident, and Shauna struggles to raise their young son and make ends meet. A friend’s final words to her before he is murdered convinces Shauna she is in danger. She teams up with her husband’s best friend to unravel secrets that have been around since her childhood.

MY REVIEW: Well, I wonder if I’m the only one who has never read Colleen Coble before? I admit I picked this one up because I love the smell of lavender and it’s got a gorgeous cover. LOL. Although murder mysteries are not my usual cup of tea (because I never know “whodunnit” until the author reveals it!), I have seen this author’s books everywhere and thought “Why not?” And I was pleasantly surprised. I actually enjoyed it!

I really liked the characters. They felt realistic in their struggles with their faith and with their grief. There was enough doubt cast on various characters in the story to make you suspect several, and yet a few surprises were also thrown in. I would recommend it to my friends, and I will be purchasing this one for our church library. I also plan to read rest of the series when they are published. Hmm, perhaps Colleen Coble will get me hooked on murder mysteries!

The only thing I felt was off in the story was that the killer seemed so much more cold-hearted in the beginning than the end. At the end, he didn’t really want to kill again. I don’t know it just seemed inconsistent with the development of his character at the beginning.

MY RATING: 4 stars. I decided to go ahead and give it 4 stars despite the off feeling with the killer at the end. I did really enjoy the story. It kept me wanting to read to find out what happened.

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At my request, I received a free electronic copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review.  This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review other than getting to keep the e-book.

I could not finish this book as the main character, Shauna, came across as a complete idiot to me. She blames Zach for her husbands death but is obviously ignoring that her husband was an adrenaline junkie as well. Its been a year and she's still refusing to allow Zach, who was supposed to be a great friend of hers back in her life and his blaming him all over town for "killing" her husband when she knows it was a climbing accident. I could have overlooked this and gone with the whole "her character is going to evolve and she will come to terms with her grief" if her actions after her business partners death weren't completely idiotic. Her partner tells her he's in danger and tells Shauna she must get this package to his wife as its incredibly important. Two minutes later his house blows up, Shauna is convinced its murder yet she doesn't tell the sheriff about the package because "I promised him". Acts of an idiot. I skimmed through the rest of the book. Nothing I saw made me interested enough in Shauna's life and this story to make me want to finish this book.

This is a "clean" Christian romance that, like Colleen Coble's other books, manages to infuse a bit of spirituality into the story without making it preachy.

A year ago, helicopter pilot Shauna McDade lost her husband, Jack, in a mountain climbing accident in the Pacific Northwest. She and her young son have gone on with their lives, but she still is burdened with grief every day. And she blames Jack's longtime friend and daredevil sports partner, Zach Bannister, for egging Jack on in the risky climb that killed him. She wants nothing to do with him, while he is wracked with guilt over Jack's death.

But when Shauna's mentor and business partner is killed in a house explosion that's definitely suspicious, Shauna finds herself turning to the one man she has resented for so long. And when other people are killed, she begins to realize that she -- and her son -- are in mortal danger because of secrets held by those close to her. She and Zach must team up to find out those secrets, and unmask a killer.

This is a satisfying romantic suspense novel with believeable characters. It's a fast read but not a lightweight story.

Shauna never tires of flying her chopper over the Pacific NW, nor of the charm of her town Lavender Tides. She had to do this for her son Alex, she had no one else to turn her since Jack had died. Her own father was too unreliable. She had to ask Zach for help, even though she would never forgive him for Jack's death. Alex was more important and right now he needed a father role model. She knew Zach was it.

Zach built the Hurricane Roost Airport. As a "dare-devil junkie," Zach knows that Shauna is hurting. But, so was he. After all Jack had been his best friend. When Shauna requests that Zach go on a father-son hike with Alex, Jack had no reservations in saying yes. Could this be a chance to make things right for Alex and Shauna?

What begins as answer to a call from Clarence, soon explodes into a deceptive web of murder. Who would want to kill Clarence or Lucy? Is their daughter's death also involved? So many questions!

When a friend asks you to do something for them, you usually would. If they ask you to keep something safe or deliver it, well that wouldn't be a problem. Unless what is hidden inside the box is exactly what is desired by the killer.

From the beginning, this novel became a source of intrigue and frustration. As each piece of the mystery surfaced, it began to unravel. As a reader, I felt that I was looking at a tapestry in which every thread is intricately woven to the plot. As you followed one thread, another secret was discovered. Shauna, Zach, and Alex will not be safe until all secrets are revealed. Not even a super hero could keep them from the destruction that is exploding around them!

Can murder be delightfully intriguing? Not only did Lavender Tides take your breath away with beautifully detailed settings, the characters are crafted with a mixture of real life turmoil. As a reader, you will discover that this is a mystery that could be a "true to life reality."
MrsK

** spoiler alert ** **FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW.**

Ever since her husband, Jack, died in a mountain climbing accident, Shauna McDade lives only for her five-year-old son and her helicopter charter business. Every day is a struggle to make ends meet and she lives in constant fear of losing more than she’s already lost. When her business partner and close friend is murdered, his final words are enough to convince Shauna that she’s in danger, too. But, where can she turn? Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and is the person she blames for the accident that caused his death. She’s barely spoken to him since, but, right now, he may be her only option for protecting her son. Zach’s perfectly willing to do all he can to keep Shauna and Alex safe. But, there are secrets dating all the way back to Shauna’s childhood that more than one person would go to extreme lengths to make sure they stay secret. This is a story of suspense, intrigue, and second chances.

I have read other books by Colleen Coble and I tend to enjoy her historical novels more. There were a few inconsistencies in this story, that I won’t go into, but I still enjoyed it. I did find that Coble has a lot of talent as far as character development, but she seemed to forget some details in Shauna’s backstory. The story was still very suspenseful and I did really enjoy it but I feel I could have enjoyed it more if it hadn’t been for these inconsistencies. I think she had a very good idea and that the storyline had a lot of potential. Hopefully the rest of the series will live up to this potential. I liked Shauna and Zach, in general. I thought she was a little bit hard on Zach, but I can’t promise that I wouldn’t be the same way towards the person I blamed for my husband’s death. So, forgiveness was another big theme in the story. I’m still looking forward to seeing what happens next because I do enjoy Coble’s books, in general, and I feel this series has a lot of potential.

There's nothing like a Colleen Coble romantic suspense to send a reader into a tilt-a-whirling tailspin of frenzied delight! Because the villains are diabolical and not always easy to spot and the heroine comes with emotional baggage and the hero wrestles with past decisions and there's murder and mayhem at ever turn and there is hope (however unrealistic it seems at first) in a happily-ever-after...if everyone can stay alive long enough to enjoy it!

Complex characters (and I DID NOT like Shauna at first!) I had to keep reminding myself that anger is a grieving stage but she is so over-the-top hard on Zach in the beginning! Gah! I wanted to throw my book, I was that steamed (but of course, I didn't because, contrary to these broiling emotions, I am, at heart, a gentle reader.) Phew! But she does figure things out and draws closer to the Lord in the process so I've forgiven her. And Zach -- oy -- constantly beating himself up over his friend's death because Shauna won't let him forget...wait, I'm not going there because I have forgiven her...I think. Maybe. Well, it's a process. My heart's in the right place even if my feelings are still a bit messed up. :-) Okay, we can tick the box that says this story is an emotional read! My favourite kind! Add in the twisty turn suspensey bits and you get the kind of page-turner that will keep you on edge right to the very end.

Book Description -" After her husband, Jack, dies in a climbing incident, Shauna has only her five-year-old son and her helicopter charter business to live for. Every day is a struggle to make ends meet and she lives in constant fear of losing even more than she already has. When her business partner is murdered, his final words convince Shauna that she’s in danger too. But where can she turn? Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and is the person she blames for his death. She’s barely spoken to him since. But right now he seems her only hope for protecting her son. Zach is only too happy to assuage his guilt over Jack’s death by helping Shauna any way he can. But there are secrets involved dating back to Shauna’s childhood that more than one person would prefer to stay hidden. In The View from Rainshadow Bay, suspense, danger, and a longing to love again ignite amid the gorgeous lavender fields of Washington State."

The View From Rainshadow Bay is the first book in Collen Coble's brand new series, Lavender Tides that takes place in Washington State. The book draws you in very quickly and keeps you page turning all the way to the end. Colleen Coble crafts a very good suspense novel without the need for it to be overly gory or graphic. Several people do die during the story. The element of romance is always a nice addition to her stories, especially since it is not overly romantic. I really enjoyed reading about Shauna and Zach, and especially liked Zach's character. It is a fiction suspense story, with a lot of suspense elements, so there are many parts of the story that seem a bit unbelievable but that's why it's fiction. There were a few loose ends that I didn't think were fully resolved but this is a series with 2 more books planned and that could be why. I looked forward to reading the other books in this series.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance to the FTC regulations.

Colleen Coble’s latest novel, The View from Rainshadow Bay, is an adrenaline-laced thrill ride for fans of romantic suspense. The first book in the Lavender Tides novel has everything Coble’s fans have come to expect — great characters, non-stop action, and a romance that will leave you swooning! I loved this book, and I know you will too!

Main characters Shauna McDade and Zach Bannister used to be the best of friends — until an accident leaves Shauna a widow and Zach dealing with the guilt of killing his life-long friend, Jack. With a relationship that is often openly hostile, they are thrown together when mutual friends are murdered and Shauna and her young son are threatened. The two join forces and must fight threats and their own attraction to each other.

From the opening chapter of The View from Rainshadow Bay the reader is in for some fast-paced action as the main characters face dangers from all sides. And these are some great characters. Shauna and Zach are true-to-life with real doubts, fears, and failings. They struggle with making sense of their world and the questions of where God is in the toughest of times. They both rely on God, though, even when it is so hard to do. Shauna and her mother-in-law wrestle with the fear of loss. I found their attitudes and actions very realistic. It is very natural to shut yourself off from the things that might hurt. The chemistry between Shauna and Zach is there from the start, and I (along with some of the supporting characters) was cheering for their relationship throughout the book. The mystery presented in the book is well-written — I found myself changing my mind over and over as to whodunit. In the end, Coble surprised me. I love it when I can’t figure it out! A bonus in this book is the wonderful setting. The picture postcard, small town of Lavender Tides is surrounded by natural beauty — forests and sea. And I would love to see the lavender fields that are described. This is definitely a town I would want to visit (and revisit as the series progresses.)

The View from Rainshadow Bay is another winner from Coble. There is a bit of a cliffhanger from a secondary story thread, but part of that will be resolved in the next book, The House at Saltwater Point, which will be released this Summer. I am anticipate more great reading ahead!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to TLC book tours for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The View from Rainshadow Bay is Colleen Coble's premier into her new Lavender Tides Series. This is also my introduction to the author's work.
Shauna McDade is a recently widowed young mother trying to make a life for herself and her five year old son in the Pacific Northwest. When close friends and loved ones are murdered, Shauna must look to Zach Bannister, the man she blames for the death of her husband, for protection from would-be killers. Unable to rely on the help of local law enforcement, Shauna and Zach uncover evidence that leads them to her father's involvement in not only the recent deaths but also the death of her mother 25 years earlier.
I found this novel a little too simplistic and implausible for my tastes. Financial issues and other stumbling blocks were too easily resolved and made some parts of the story seem silly.
Initially, the plot was interesting and moved forward at a good pace, however, later the action became somewhat unbelievable. Once I discovered the motive and characters involved I had to suspend all credibility in the story. None of the "bad guys" in this story had the background, connections, or expertise to pull off this sort of crime. The science was woefully lacking and the absence of the kind of scientific and governmental involvement that would make this story realistic demonstrated the author's lack of research and experience with this sort serious international plot. There were also issues left unresolved that would have added to a satisfying conclusion. Some unresolved issues, I'm sure, are meant to be addressed in later editions in the series.
The characters themselves were engaging and likeable. Their struggles with loss, guilt, and pain was realistic. I wouldn't mind meeting them in another book.
The setting was unremarkable. I felt the author has no real intimate knowledge of the area other than what could be easily found on Google.
The Christian component of the book was relatively light-handed and shouldn't deter non-Christian readers from enjoying the book.

The View from Rainshadow Bay (Lavender Tides #1) by Colleen Coble

January 2018
Christian romance, fiction

I received a digital ARC of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Shauna McDade is a young widow with a 5-year-old son, Alex, who lives in Lavender Tides, a small town near Seattle. She enjoys her work flying a helicopter to get aerial photographs of Puget Sound and Mount Ranier.

Zach Bannister operates an emergency plane transport business at Harriman Roost Airport, a small busy airport he built after getting out of the Coast Guard. He had been best friend’s with Shauna’s husband, Jack, until his accidental death for which he grieves everyday. He had been with Jack that day during one of Zach’s thrill seeking adventures which ultimately cost Jack his life. Once an integral part of their life, Zach has now been outcasted by many who blame him for encouraging Jack to participate in his risky mountain climbing trek.

A year later, Shauna and Zach are brought together after the mysterious death of a close friend. They begin to unravel a secret which seems to explain a few deaths which were once deemed “accidental”. The book had many overlapping stories which add depth to the characters as well as the novel itself.

This novel would appeal to anyone who enjoys a dramatic story with mystery and romance. The Christian undertones in the book provide a supportive aspect to the characters rather than overshadow the theme of the story.

An intense, harsh, and inspiring story that took my breath away with the instant, 'in-your-face' type of deadly action.
The author hits from the very start with brutal attacks that kills some of the major players in the story, where no one is safe from the villains, the clues are minimal, and the danger and fear are constant companions. Shauna and Zach are trying to solve several mysteries, some dating back all the way to Shauna's childhood, that suddenly seems to have some common denominators.
This story kept me on the edge from the start to finish. The relationship between Shauna and Zach is volatile because of the past. Zach is a good man, he is honest, caring, protective, and generous. He is a venturesome man who loves to take risks and test his limits. But the risks he has taken since his best friend died have had a new kind of edge to them. The guilt is eating him inside out, and the vedge between him and Shauna and her son is slowly breaking his heart.
Shauna lost her husband in a rock climbing incident. She has blamed Zach for the death of Jack, kept her son away from his godfather, and made it clear to everyone in town that she hates what Zach had done by daring her husband to climb the mountain that killed him. She is a feisty woman, passionate and capable. And she is devastated that the only person who can help her and protect her from the killer is the one she wanted to stay away from.
The themes of acceptance, forgiveness, and falling in love are well twined into suspense and action that kept the story going. The muddled relationships, the gossip of the town, the questions, and suspicions, the lingering anger from the past, it all build a sharp and strong story with intriguing and appealing plot twists. Even though the character's faith in God is a known assumption, it is not the main focus of the tale, but it is the main force guiding the characters actions and thoughts.
I enjoyed the mystery in the story, it kept me guessing to the very end. I might have had my suspicions but needed my confirmations when it came to the culprits. The romance between two longtime friends was tastefully yet passionately and ardently done. I loved the relationship Zach had with Shauna's son, there were so much admiration and trust in between them.
The whole story was build up with very realistic and rational way, that made it dangerously lifelike and alarmingly realistic. On the edge of your seat suspense with multiple layers of danger and threats mixed with sweet and clean yet amorous romance, family drama, and small-town issues, a story that took my breath away with its intensity and had me staying up late to find out whodunnit.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

The first exciting installment in the Lavender Tides series, The View from Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble is a fast-paced and intriguing mystery with elements of romance and faith.

Although it has been a year since Shauna McDade lost her beloved husband, Jack, she blames his best friend, Zach Bannister, for the climbing accident that claimed his life. Struggling to make ends meets, Shauna has been learning aerial photography from her close friend and father figure Clarence Glennon who has been separated from his wife Lucy since their only child, Darla, died from a drug overdose. When Clarence then Lucy die under suspicious circumstances, Zach and Shauna do not think local sheriff Everett Bruchell is taking their concerns seriously so they begin their own investigation. Fearing for Shauna and her five year old son Alex’s safety, Zach convinces them to stay with him while they attempt to figure out what is happening to the people they care about.

Shauna is no stranger to tragedy and she has suffered several heartrending losses in her life. Her father is an alcoholic so she finds support from her friends. Her mother in law Marilyn has been a rock since Jack’s death and like Shauna, she also blames Zach for his loss. Extremely reluctant to accept his help since she cannot forgive him for what she perceives as his role in Jack’s accident, Shauna’s common sense prevails when they uncover very troubling information that whatever Clarence was looking into might somehow be linked to her mother who died when Shauna was a child.

An adrenaline junkie, Zach feels incredibly guilty over his self perceived role in Jack’s death. Despite his close friend’s tragic loss, he still continues to seek out pulse-pounding adventures. However, when he and Shauna begin spending time together, he comes to a new understanding of the reasons for his risky behavior. Genuinely worried about Shauna and Alex’s safety, he is greatly relieved when she agrees to stay with him. Looking over the contents of a box Clarence wanted Lucy to have, Zach and Shauna are certain these items are somehow connected to both their friends’ shocking deaths.

Zach and Shauna’s investigation into what Clarence was researching before his murder have surprising ties to her childhood and two other deaths. Some of the details they uncover are quite puzzling and virtually impossible to understand. What is the significance of a photo that Clarence apparently took during one of his flights? How did a necklace that belonged to Shauna’s mother end up in Clarence’s possession? Why is Shauna’s father so reluctant to answer herquestions? And most importantly, do the earlier deaths have any connection to most recent murders of Clarence and Lucy?

The View from Rainshadow Bay is an engaging and captivating romantic suspense novel. Shauna is a sympathetic and likable lead character who gradually comes to terms with her husband’s loss over the course of the story. Zach is quite charming and his guilt over Jack’s death is understandable but misplaced. Zach and Shauna’s investigation into the Clarence and Lucy’s death is interesting but the Sheriff’s reluctance to take their concerns seriously is rather frustrating. The spiritual aspect is understated with Colleen Coble skillfully weaving the characters’ faith into the storyline in way that feels completely natural. While most of the various story arcs are fully resolved there is one question that will hopefully be answered in a future installment of the Lavender Tides series.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

Shauna McDade lost her husband, Jack, in a climbing accident. Now she’s raising their son, Alex, and trying to keep her helicopter charter business going. When her good friend gives her a box to give to his wife along with a crypt message, Shauna fears she may be in danger. Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and a good friend to her too. She however, blames him for Jack’s death and has had nothing to do with him since then. Then something happens that requires her to seek his help and protection. Zach blames himself for what happened to Jack, so he’s willing to help Shauna out with whatever she needs. Neither one is prepared for the feelings that arise as well as the secrets; ones that go all way back to when Shauna was just a girl.

WOW! Coble does it again! This was not only hard to put down but difficult to figure out. It kept me turning pages as fast as I could to find out just who was involved. I love it when a story challenges me that way. I enjoyed getting to know Shauna, Zach and Alex. All really great characters! There is a back story concerning Shauna that I believe will carry over to the next book, which I can’t wait to read! One thing I really appreciated was the little spiritual truths that popped up all through the story. I found that very encouraging. The View from Rainshadow Bay has a beautiful soothing cover. But reader beware, once you open the book you’ll find yourself in the middle of a well-crafted, hard to put down, full of twists and turns story that will keep up long past your bed time. It’s one I highly recommend.

*This complimentary copy was provided by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Some favorite moments:

Life doesn’t always fit into our neat boxes.

“Have the courage to admit you want justice for you, not for them. Justice this side of heaven is a myth. It’s not our job anyway. Real justice belongs to God.”

God never said bad things wouldn’t happen, but he’s promised to work those things for good in our lives.

God is faithful through everything that comes.

The View from Rainshadow Bay (Lavender Tides #1)
by Colleen Coble

SUMMARY: It’s been a year since her husband’s death in a tragic rock-climbing accident, and Shauna struggles to raise their young son and make ends meet. A friend’s final words to her before he is murdered convinces Shauna she is in danger. She teams up with her husband’s best friend to unravel secrets that have been around since her childhood.

MY REVIEW: Well, I wonder if I’m the only one who has never read Colleen Coble before? I admit I picked this one up because I love the smell of lavender and it’s got a gorgeous cover. LOL. Although murder mysteries are not my usual cup of tea (because I never know “whodunnit” until the author reveals it!), I have seen this author’s books everywhere and thought “Why not?” And I was pleasantly surprised. I actually enjoyed it!

I really liked the characters. They felt realistic in their struggles with their faith and with their grief. There was enough doubt cast on various characters in the story to make you suspect several, and yet a few surprises were also thrown in. I would recommend it to my friends, and I will be purchasing this one for our church library. I also plan to read rest of the series when they are published. Hmm, perhaps Colleen Coble will get me hooked on murder mysteries!

The only thing I felt was off in the story was that the killer seemed so much more cold-hearted in the beginning than the end. At the end, he didn’t really want to kill again. I don’t know it just seemed inconsistent with the development of his character at the beginning.

MY RATING: 4 stars. I decided to go ahead and give it 4 stars despite the off feeling with the killer at the end. I did really enjoy the story. It kept me wanting to read to find out what happened.

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At my request, I received a free electronic copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review.  This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review other than getting to keep the e-book.

Years back I fell in love with the writings penned from Colleen Coble. She writes fast thrillers that seem like they are made for the big screen. I have read every series she has penned and she has never ceased to amaze me. The Rock Harbor and Sunset Cove series remain faves for me.

This latest series is beginning with a great read! I was hooked just with the prologue. She brings us characters that leap off the pages. She gives such detail into their lives that we can relate to them on many levels. We are able to journey with them as they seek truth and justice. They have endured loss and trial. We are gifted to see the heart of these characters. Yes, Colleen Coble is a master at keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

I enjoyed the depths of this novel. The story grows with each chapter. Just when you think it is about to calm down there's something more, something strange, another aspect for these characters to figure out. As they journey through we are allowed to experience emotions of anger, guilt, wounds of yesterday, trust and renewal.

Wrapped in this novel is a faith that Coble never strays away from. That speaks volumes as her writing gift that she shares with us. These characters face mountain after mountain. But in their climb we their tenacity and constant push to keep going forward.

I have to share that towards the end of this novel there were some aspects that were hard to believe as the story continued down these winding paths, but for me that brought to light that so much of our lives seems unbelievable at the time. But in each step we walk with faith and it is that faith and strength from our Savior that gives us exactly what we need to face the impossible.

If you're searching for a great new series, maybe just an escape from the busy day, this is a terrific choice!! I cannot wait to see what is next to come in the Lavender Tides Novels!!

This novel was a gift from Thomas Nelson for sharing my review with you.

The View from Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Colleen Coble gifts her readers with an exciting new series that starts with a story so dangerously tense you will have to read it cover to cover before you put it down.

I really enjoyed this book. From its beautiful cover to the excellent writing inside, there was so much about this book to love. And to make it even better, it’s a mystery, which is my favorite type of book. Ms. Coble has been one of my absolute favorite authors since I first read her Aloha Reef series and she reminded me once again why that is with this new series she is writing – the stories just keep getting better! It is hard to write in the same genre without being repetitive or cliche and even harder when you are writing for a Christian audience. Ms. Coble takes this in stride, though, and offers up a deeply suspenseful story while also giving readers a challenge to examine their reasons for long-held grudges or bitterness. Shauna McDade had all she ever wanted in life: a loving husband, a sweet little boy, a wonderful home, and her dream job piloting her helicopter for business and pleasure trips. And then a year ago, with the tragic death of her husband, her world spins out of control. To make matters worse, all evidence points to his death being an accident that happened because he was racing his best friend up a rock face – said friend also being Shauna’s best friend Zach Bannister. Feeling deep anger and resentment towards Zach and his continuous desire for dangerous adrenaline challenges, Shauna has worked hard to avoid him whenever possible. Problem is, her son misses his uncle “Zachster” and is upset at him not being around. Loath to let him near her son, Shauna prays for the courage to let Alex spend time with Zach, as long as it’s under safe conditions. But more tragedies are coming to strike in this small community, beginning with a couple who have been surrogate parents to Shauna since she returned home from serving in the Navy. Clarence and Lucy Glennon have gone through some rough days since their daughter’s supposed drug overdose a year ago. But they are hoping work things out and Shauna spends time with both of them as much as she can. When she stops by to visit Clarence one afternoon, he asks her deliver a package to Lucy and keep an eye on her. He is going away for a while as he has learned something that is putting his and Lucy’s lives in danger. Shauna agrees but only if he will tell her whats going on as soon as possible. Clarence reluctantly agrees and Shauna heads out to find Lucy, never dreaming his home will explode into flames seconds later. Unable to help in any other way, Shauna goes to see Lucy and offer comfort. Lucy is beside herself with grief and looks beyond exhausted. She had been planning to move back home the next day and deeply regrets not going sooner. Upon receiving the box from Shauna, Lucy opens it to reveal maps, letters, paperwork and a locket necklace that looks remarkably like the one that Shauna’s mother was wearing when she was killed. Not able to make sense of what is in the box, Lucy suggests they turn it over to the Sheriff for investigation. But someone is after that box and they will kill anyone in their way, starting with Lucy. What follows next is an incredibly tense journey into the past to figure out who is so desperate to get their hands on the box and why. Along the way, Shauna will have to work through her bitterness and anger if she is going to be able to keep her son safe and find love again. Zach will also have to move beyond the guilt he has let control his life and stop seeking thrills that are a danger to his very life. Both will have to find the forgiveness and trust they both need in God and in each other if they stand a chance of catching the culprit before he takes away everything they hold dear. Ms. Coble took this story, which had many possible plot lines available, and wove together a story that was both complex and engaging. She carefully chose her details and revealed them in just the right order and timing to keep me holding my breath and sighing in relief repeatedly. I was pleased to see that she made Shauna’s journey to forgiveness and surrender a real struggle and didn’t just have her casually set it aside. It made for a better connection with me that Shauna was “real” enough to need time and soul searching to move beyond her deeply held emotions into the peace that comes only from God. Zach too, offers a character for me to identify with as he struggled to move beyond the guilt he carries over Jack’s death. While I have not had that particular experience, there have been multiple times I have hung on to guilt over an experience that honestly was not mine to hold on to. It was a good reminder to read of Zach’s surrender to God, giving him the chance to move into a better relationship with Shauna and eventually find love. I’m very excited to see where Ms. Coble will take this series next. I’ve got a feeling there are several characters from this story that will be back front and center soon and I, for one, will be putting their stories on my “must read” list.

I received this E-book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Fiction via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.

I never realized that Colleen Coble wrote Christian Fiction until seeing her new novel listed in BookPage for March 2018.

This book explores guilt, blame, and forgiveness. Zach blames himself for the death of his friend. Shauna and Marilyn blame him also. Lewis blames himself for his wife's death. Penelope blames Lewis for how her mother turned out.

Some characters choose to listen to God and have some resolution, others choose not to do this. Along the way, many learned that what they assumed was true wasn't really the truth. Jack's death wasn't an accident and wasn't Zach's fault. As other deaths continue to pile up, Zach, Shauna, and the sheriff struggle to figure out what links them all together.

I did guess who the one culprit was before it was revealed, but I misremembered the name of the character (so in a sense, I didn't guess correctly). I did wonder why the culprit thought that Shauna would still have the contents of the box Clarence gave her rather than the sheriff having them. He never really seemed to consider that they'd been turned over to the sheriff.

And I suspect future books in the series will answer the question of what happened to Connor and Brenna.

The discussion questions at the end discuss ideas like where is God when bad things happen? Why do bad things happen to good people? What should our response be when bad things happen? Can God make good things come out of bad circumstances? All good questions.

The View from Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble is the introduction to her newest and latest series set in Washington state. With Coble being so established in the Christian romantic suspense genre, I knew what to expect before even starting the novel. Coble does a good job at creating characters who jump from the page and intermingle with the plot.

A good romantic suspense novel with have the same amount of romance and suspense in the story. The romance or the suspense doesn't overshadow the other parts of the story. They both deepened as the story progresses bringing depth to the characters as individuals and as a whole. Coble does a good job at this.

In The View from Rainshadow Bay, Coble invites me into the life of Shauna and Zach. I see their dark moment in their past, which affects who they are as we meet them on the page. Shauna and Zach learn how to move on with their lives and learn to accept love into their heart. Both Shauna and Zach change and transform by the end of the novel into better people, which I really enjoy seeing.

As for the suspense, Coble does a good job at creating conflict that isn't what every other suspense writer has done, she does keep you guessing and surprised when something happens to the character. I finished the book in a day. It was interesting and held my attention.

Overall, The View from Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble features transformative characters caught up in moving on from their past hurts and staying alive as the truth from the past comes forward in their lives. I enjoyed this novel and recommend it to fans of Irene Hannon, DiAnn Mills, Dee Henderson, Katy Herman, Christy Barritt, and Brandilyn Collins.

I received a complimentary copy of The View from Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

The View from Rainshadow Bay tells the story of Shauna McDade. She is a widow putting her life back together and taking loving care of her young son Alex. Her life once again is turned upside down when her friend and mentor is murdered. She turns to her late husband's best friend, Zach Bannister. As they work to solve the mystery of her friend, they only discover more mysteries from the long ago past and from recent years as well.

This is a romantic suspense novel, and Colleen Coble does an exceptional job at balancing both aspects of the book. I really liked the characters of Shauna and Zach, and wanted them to find happiness and healing together.

The mystery was very fast paced and had a number of interesting facets. I loved the little pieces of the mystery -- an old, one-of-a-kind necklace, some aerial photographs, a surprising video message.

The setting for this novel was amazing. I have never visited Washington state but have always wanted to. This novel only made me want to visit more! It is set in the small town of Lavender Tides:

"Most of the Victorian buildings and storefronts had been constructed in the 1880s, and the town often drew in tourists searching for a short stopover on a trip from Port Townsend to Sequim.

Many aging hippies had found its charm irresistible enough that they'd moved in and opened everything from coffee shops to pottery studios. In the golden glow of the late afternoon sun, the town looked magical with its bustling pier stretching out into the blue water" (pp. 4 - 5).

There is a faith message in the book as Shauna reconnects with her church family after her husband's death, and Shauna and Zach share similar faith and values.

The View from Rainshadow Bay is the first book in Colleen Coble's new Lavender Tides series. I am already looking forward to reading the next book! I recommend this novel for fans of romantic suspense, well written mysteries, and Christian fiction.

Book description: "After her husband, Jack, dies in a climbing incident, Shauna has only her five-year-old son and her helicopter charter business to live for. Every day is a struggle to make ends meet and she lives in constant fear of losing even more than she already has.
When her business partner is murdered, his final words convince Shauna that she’s in danger too. But where can she turn? Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and is the person she blames for his death. She’s barely spoken to him since. But right now he seems her only hope for protecting her son.
Zach is only too happy to assuage his guilt over Jack’s death by helping Shauna any way he can. But there are secrets involved dating back to Shauna’s childhood that more than one person would prefer to stay hidden.
In The View from Rainshadow Bay, suspense, danger, and a longing to love again ignite amid the gorgeous lavender fields of Washington State."
My review: I sometimes feel that my review of books by Colleen Coble are all the same! That is because all her books are amazing! This one is no exception! The characters, setting, and plot pulled me into the story. The suspense kept me turning pages late into the night. There are several Christian themes in this book, but the one that stood out the most to me was the theme of forgiveness. I always appreciate the Christian themes that are presented. This book is a great start to a new series. I already feel like I know the characters, and I am looking forward to reading more about them. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Colleen Coble can always be counted on for hours of reading enjoyment. Her latest novel, The View From Rainshadow Bay, is no exception. Coble consistently sets her romantic mysteries in locations that are intricately woven into the storyline. In this novel her readers will spend time in the Pacific Northwest with Shauna McDade, a young widow and single mom. Shauna’s life spun out of control beginning with her husband’s falling to his death while mountain climbing with his childhood friend, Zach Bannister. Now Shauna is in the uncomfortable position of having to rely on Zach, not only to fill in for her husband on a father and son outing, but to provide safe shelter for herself and her son Alex. As readers of romantic fiction could already guess, both Shauna and Zach find their feelings toward one another changing as they both share a living space as well as work together to solve a rash of murders in the small town of Lavender Tides.
The theme of The View From Rainshadow Bay comes from Romans 8:28: And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. This is a verse that many of us have had to rely on when facing tough times, and we can find encouragement in Shauna’s story. That said, this book is not preachy in any way, and would be equally enjoyed by Christians and non-Christians. The mystery is intriguing, and Coble provides many possible antagonists for the reader to sort through in an effort to identify the murderer. The romance adds tension to the story without taking over.
I thank NetGalley and the Thomas Nelson publishing company for providing me a copy of The View From Rainshadow Bay in exchange for an honest review. I received no monetary compensation.

Probably everyone knows someone who seems to go around looking for trouble. In this story, Shauna was the widow of a man who seemed to live his life seeking danger. The more dangerous the activity, the more he and his best friend Zach were drawn to it. The problem is that the husband was killed on one of their dangerous escapades. Shauna holds Zach responsible for the death of her husband and Zach lives with a sense of guilt that he goaded his friend too much, causing him to take unnecessary risks that resulted in his death. But is it really that cut and dried? What will it take for Shauna to forgive Zach and for him to forgive himself? After the murders of her business partner and his wife, is her life in danger? Why were they killed? How can she keep herself and her son safe when it appears she is being threatened? Possibly one question that will linger longer than any of the others is whether it was a wise decision for her and her son to stay with Zach until the murders were solved and they could be safe in their own home again? Each reader will have their own opinion, but the uppermost thought in Shauna’s mind was keeping Alex safe. Even as she did everything possible to keep him safe, could she keep her own heart safe? What an exciting story as efforts to find the murderer of her friends leads them on a course that collides with events from her past. Colleen Coble masterfully draws word pictures of places, events, and people that keep the reader captivated and reading with bated breath to find out what is going to happen next.

Colleen Coble is the master of Christian romantic suspense, and The View from Rainshadow Bay is no exception. It starts with a murder in the Prologue, and the pace never lets up.

It’s been a year, but Shauna McDade still blames Zach Bannister for the death of her husband. Unfortunately, she needs his help as a father-substitute for her son’s class trip. Two murders and a mysterious box later, she needs Zach’s help for more than just the class trip.

One of the items in the box is a unique necklace that belonged to Shauna’s mother—one that was supposed to have been buried with her. Shauna and Zach chase clues together, but there are no easy answers. It’s a detailed plot, with lots of seemingly insignificant events coming together in an unexpected end twist (no spoilers, but I really hope this is fiction!).

And that makes it kind of hard to review—pretty much anything I might want to say could be giving away a significant plot point. So I’ll keep it simple and say that if you’re a fan of Colleen Coble, Christian romantic suspense, or both, then you’ll want to read this book.

The View from Rainshadow Bay is the first in the new Lavender Tides series from Colleen Coble, so it’s a great place to start if you’ve never read her books before. Recommended.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Another great read by favorite author, Colleen Coble! I have yet to be disappointed by any of her books I’ve picked up. This one, the first in the Lavender Tides series, drew me with its beautiful purple cover. Purple is my favorite color, after all.

This one dives right into danger, mystery, and murder. It leaves no room for a slow-building beginning in which to tell you everything about the characters before the action begins. This is a good thing! The author combines both action and character development in a seamless story, including relevant backstories.

There are a few flashback scenes, one which I thought could have been told better without making it a flashback. But, overall, nothing too distracting. Also, I felt the names of best friends Zach and Jack were too similar, and that occasionally threw me off.

There are multiple characters in this story besides the main characters, and like in all good murder mysteries, you aren’t quite sure what people and information are important to solving the case. This keeps you wondering, and pondering, and...sometimes worrying.

I enjoyed the pace, carried along mostly by conversation, with sprinkling in of the senses to make you feel you were right there with the characters. There was no good stopping place, and it was very easy for me to read chapter-after-chapter-after-chapter, and... oh, my goodness, three hours had gone by. Not as intense as others I have read through much of the story, yet I still found myself holding my breath and hoping Zach, Shauna, and Alex would escape the danger that was building.

Oh, and I particularly loved their nicknames for each other. I melted a little—okay, a lot—when I read that.

The pros far outweigh the minor cons mentioned above, and I would strongly recommend this book, whether you are a Colleen Coble fan or not. And if you’re not, you should be! If you like suspense, mystery, and romance, with loveably-flawed, determined characters, you won’t be disappointed.

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a great way to start off my romantic suspense reading for 2018. I could not figure out who the bad guys were until they were revealed. I love that!

Shauna is trying to make a life for herself and her 5 year old son after her husband dies while on a rock climbing adventure with his best friend Zach. Zach has never been able to forgive himself for the death of Jack. One day while Shauna was visiting a family friend he gives her a box and told her to give it to his estranged wife for safekeeping. As she is driving away the house explodes killing her friend. Shauna realizes it was no ordinary explosion and that the mysterious box and its contents have something to do with the explosion. Shauna enlists the help of Zack even though she blames him for her husbands death. Can Shauna and Zach figure out why the box is so important before others are killed or worse them?

You will be on the edge of your seat reading The View from Rainshadow Bay. There are several mysteries tied into the main mystery and your mind will be continuing to think about what is happening next. I caught myself several times still reading at 3am as I could not put the book down. The characters are well thought out and every action and reaction is true life.

I cannot wait for the second book in the series to be released this July.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an advanced copy in exchange for a review based on my own thoughts and opinions.

Shauna lost her husband, Jack, in an unfortunate accident while he was scaling a cliff of ice with his best friend, Zach. She has blamed Zach and held him responsible for goading Jack into doing a host of dangerous things which ended in his death. She was struggling to make it as a single mother, making money to keep their lives afloat and being both mother and father to their son, Alex. Flying chartered trips in her helicopter just wasn't cutting it. When tragedy strikes the life of a dear friend, she is thrust into danger.

Zach lived with the guilt that he challenged his best friend, Jack, to a race up on ice slope which ended in his fall and death. He tried to numb the pain by doing the next crazy adventure... skydiving... BASE jumping; he had scheduled a volcano surfing trip next month. Unfortunately, the adrenaline wears off and doesn't dull the ache inside. When Shauna and her son, Alex, are in danger, Zach feels that he owes it to them and to Jack to protect her with his own life.

The View from Rainshadow Bay is a Colleen Coble romantic suspense novel. The characters were easy to like, and the story was sweet and redemptive. Both of the main characters had gone through an immense loss and were living with grief and bitterness, angry at themselves or others. Brought together because of the danger, both Zach and Shauna began to work through their issues, forgiving themselves and others. That is a beautiful part of the story. The story is suspenseful and I didn't want to put the book down so I could find out how it ends. I was less impressed on the suspense part of the novel. The villain was creepy and unpleasant, but I was totally surprised at who the culprit was. I like a good twist as much as the next reader, but I went back through the novel and looked at all of the conversations that included that character, and I couldn't find any clues pointing me to him/her. I'm of the opinion that there should be some small clues and hints pointing me towards the villain, so I was disappointed to have this person identified as the culprit all of a sudden. To me, it felt like a random choice without good background and motivation. I enjoy Colleen Coble's novels, but I would not say that this is one of her best.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions above are my own.