CONSPIRACY by Colleen Coble, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

SANCTUARY SERIES #3

REBECCA REVIEWS:
"Someone has an attack leopard?"

Apparently so. Wildlife veterinarian Paradise Alden had come face to face with the big cat and lived to tell the story, thanks to her boyfriend Blake Lawson's quick response. The evidence showed that a privately owned animal had been turned loose on The Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve for the express purpose of stalking Paradise, and oddly enough the encounter is coupled with an unveiled threat on the cusp of her half-brother Drew's visit.

Solving her parents' murder had been hanging over Paradise's shoulders for fifteen years. The coincidental deaths of Drew's parents in the same time frame was certainly curious, making everyone convinced that the two incidents were connected. Now that the two siblings have re-united, they begin to dig through every thread of evidence, while it becomes crystal clear that someone is ready and willing to kill again in order to hide a decades old conspiracy.

With its dizzying array of plot threads and red herrings, this story leads readers through a maze of possibilities, with a conclusion that most would never see coming, and even if they had, would never have predicted the depth of depraved intentions. On the bright side, there is the sweetest romance that has been a long time coming, along with encouraging reminders that God really does have a plan worth waiting for, and yes, we all need community . . . just ask the lemurs! 
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW: 

BackCover Blurb:
In the third book in USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble's Sanctuary series, Paradise Alden learns firsthand that a conspiracy of lemurs is a family . . . but a conspiracy of people can be deadly.

Fifteen years of secrets. One chance for justice.

Just as wildlife veterinarian Paradise Alden begins to envision a future with Blake Lawson, the ghosts of her past return with a vengeance. The murder of her parents has shadowed her for fifteen years, but a new threat brings the cold case into the terrifying present. A trained leopard--a chilling embodiment of Paradise's deepest fears--is now stalking her.

Haunted by resurfacing memories, Paradise, Blake, and her newfound brother, Drew, follow a trail of clues that leads them into a web of dark family secrets. The deeper they dig, the more shocking the connections become, linking their families to a dangerous conspiracy that someone is still willing to kill to protect.

With every step closer to the truth, the killer becomes more desperate. Paradise, Blake, and Drew must race to expose a murderer who has remained hidden for fifteen years, but this time, they are the ones being stalked. If they can't unmask the killer, the past will destroy both the fragile future Paradise and Blake are trying to build and the family she has finally found with her brother.

Colleen Coble's Conspiracy combines gripping suspense with slow-burn romance and includes intriguing mysteries from both the past and present, sabotage and danger, second-chance romance, found family, and themes of overcoming pain and how the past doesn't have to define you. Perfect for fans of Laura Dave, Allison Brennan, and Lynette Eason.

Thomas Nelson Publishing, July, 2026

Available in digital book, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy CONSPIRACY at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

THE RELUCTANT HEALER OF HALIFAX by Terrie Todd, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

TRIXI'S REVIEW:
This is an eye-opening look at a disaster that happened in December of 1917 in Halifax Nova Scotia. A piece of history I didn’t know existed but appreciated learning through the expert pen of Terrie Todd. She brought it to vivid detail in the lives of her characters by both their reactions and emotions. It’s also a romance story which prevails through the tough times that happen afterwards...one that tests the love of Oliver and Pearline. I think for me this story touched on a lot of emotion that fully involved me. What a truly enjoyable read!

Faith-filled and emotional, you can’t help but be completely immersed in the pages of this story!!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. *

SEE REVIEWS BY WINNIE AND REBECCA

BackCover Blurb:
Her Family, Her Home, Her Future—All Leveled in One Thunderous Explosion

When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

Three days ago, Pearline Campbell's family was whole and Oliver Hamilton still loved her. But upon returning to Halifax disfigured and shellshocked, Oliver ended their relationship. Then came Thursday, December 6, 1917, when the Halifax harbor was leveled by a tremendous explosion. . .and Pearline fears nothing will ever be whole again. Her parents are dead, her brother is missing, and her sister refuses to speak. Pearline must fortify herself to open her home to needy orphans, including an unidentified baby. Where can she find the strength for each new day as misery grips the city?

More from the Enduring Hope Series:
The Angel of Second Street by Barbara Tifft Blakey
The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly J. Goshorn
The Caregiver of Wounded Knee by Debby Lee
The Daughter of Shiloh by Terri J. Haynes
The Girl from Tomorrow’s Town by Naomi Musch 

Barbour Publishing, August, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook

Buy THE RELUCTANT HEALER OF HALIFAX at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

 

ALL THAT LIES BENEATH by D.L. Wood, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

 

 A Southern Private Investigator Crime Thriller (P.I. Sophie Walsh, Book 1)

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"There's something terrifying about staring into the eyes of a serial killer."

Private investigator Sophie Walsh had worked incredibly hard alongside local law enforcement to deliver justice for the three women whom The Perfect Princess Killer had murdered. On the morning of convicted killer Kurt Fogerty's sentencing, everything that Sophie assumed about the case fell apart on the way into the courthouse. Starting all over again; now that was something that Sophie definitely knew how to do.

These kinds of investigative plot lines are my very favorite! This story starts out at a reasonable pace, but in the blink of an eye, one discovery puts everyone in panic mode, rapidly pulling on every thread of evidence until the answers fall into place. The results prove shocking.

Next episode, please!

*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb: 
The case was closed—until another body turned up.
 

Private investigator Sophie Walsh thought the nightmare was over when a conviction finally came in the Perfect Princess serial killings. But when another young woman is found murdered—with the same chilling signature—the certainty shatters. As whispers of a copycat, partner, or devastating mistake surface, Sophie races to uncover the truth. Did they convict the right man? Or is the real killer still watching—and ready to strike again?
 

Set in a small Southern town with secrets as deep as the Tennessee River, All That Lies Beneath delivers gripping suspense with twists you won’t see coming.

Settle in for a gripping small-town thriller, where the secrets that surface reveal no one is safe.

Book One in the Private Investigator Sophie Walsh series of Southern crime thrillers.
**Please note, this novel was previously included in the Secrets Along the Shore anthology briefly published in 2025. If you purchased that, you already have this novel.

SilverGlass Press, March, 2026

Buy ALL THAT LIES BENEATH in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon 

TRAINING GROUNDS and TRACKING SAFETY by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REFUGE COVE SERIES 5 & 6

REBECCA'S REVIEWS:

TRAINING GROUNDS (#5)

"Eventually I realized the fear wasn't protecting me. It was just keeping me stuck."

As if witnessing a co-worker die by the hands of a powerful Hollywood director wasn't enough to send Rowan King fleeing cross country, it was the fact that she had left evidence of her presence behind . . . and they both knew it. Returning to Refuge Cove had not been in Rowan's immediate plans, but the hometown girl turned movie star didn't know what else to do. She certainly didn't expect to come face to face with the man she left behind.

It was Rowan King. What were the chances? Former U. S. Marshal Wes Bennett now owned his own successful security company and was heading to Refuge Cove to do a risk assessment for their new cottages when he nearly collided with Rowan's car, or rather, she nearly collided with his truck. The woman was spooked, that was obvious, but she was also hiding something, and it was big . . . he still knew her well enough to see below the surface of her well choreographed responses.

Knowing the right thing to do and doing it? Two different things. Can she? Will she?

A sweet second chance romance layered beautifully into a continuing series while holding its own in every way that matters. 4.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
She ran to the one place she thought she’d be safe. She was wrong.

After witnessing a powerful man cover up a murder, actress Rowan King flees Hollywood with a target on her back and nowhere to turn—except home. Refuge Cove was built by her family to protect women in danger. She just never expected to become one of them.

The last thing she wants is to bring trouble to their doorstep. But someone already knows where she is.
Security specialist Wes Bennett expects his latest assignment at Refuge Cove to be simple: strengthen the sanctuary’s defenses and move on. But everything changes when Rowan, the woman who left him behind a decade ago and never looked back, crashes back into his life.

As threats against Rowan escalate, Wes realizes danger has followed her to Refuge Cove. Protecting her means uncovering the truth she’s terrified to reveal.

Now Rowan and Wes must confront the past they left behind before a killer destroys any chance they have at a future.


TRACKING SAFETY (#6)

"He had a thousand things to say to her. Yet he couldn't remember a single one."

It was Jenna. The woman he had pledged to cherish for the rest of his days, only to wake up one morning and find her gone, her wedding band left behind along with their three children. No explanation given. No communication shared in over two years. And just like that, she was back? Luke King could scarcely believe his eyes or fully absorb her incredible explanation . . . except that he had no reason not to, especially when her past comes rushing back into focus.

Believing her was one thing. Forgiving her was quite another.

This taut, tangy story takes off in directions that neither Jenna or Luke could have predicted, however, was it possible for what was lost to become found, while teaming together for the fight of their lives and those of their family.

"For the first time since she'd come through that gate, she let herself hope that some things, given enough time and a steady hand, could be coaxed back." Just like Freya. 4.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
One day she was there. The next, she was gone.

Luke King never thought he’d see his wife again. Two years ago, Jenna walked away from their life together, leaving no clue as to why, and no answers to give their three young children. Though he never stopped wondering why she disappeared, he’d finally began to accept the painful truth: Jenna wasn’t coming back.

Then she does.

Walking away from her family was the hardest thing Jenna King had ever done. But she had no choice. Staying would have put them all in danger. Now, after two years of looking over her shoulder, it’s finally safe to return and tell Luke the truth.

However, the danger Jenna fled is closer than ever, and this time, it threatens everyone she loves. Luke and Jenna will have to decide if what they had is worth fighting for—before someone makes the final decision for them.
 

*I purchased both of these books and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

Buy one or more of the REFUGE COVE SERIES in paperback or digital ebook at Amazon