Review: All Is Calm, All Is Bright (Hope Beach) by Colleen Coble

All Is Calm, All Is Bright (Hope Beach) by Colleen Coble

Published October 6th 2015 by Thomas Nelson-Fiction

All Is Calm

Brendan Waddell needs a place to recuperate. Lauren Everman needs a place to hide. It's going to be an unexpectedly romantic Christmas at Bluebird Ranch.

Brendan Waddell has always considered Bluebird Ranch a little piece of heaven: an idyllic ranch that pairs abused children with abused horses, run by one of his old Marine buddies. Now, recovering from an on-the-job injury, Brendan thinks the ranch is the perfect place to spend Christmas healing up.

When Lauren Everman was a seventeen-year-old foster kid, Bluebird Ranch was the safest place she knew. Now it's the perfect hideout for a woman on the run. As the witness to a murder, Lauren needs somewhere to lie low, and her skill with horses means she'll be able to lend a hand with the troubled kids at Bluebird—without answering too many questions.

Lauren's rich hair, high cheekbones, and dark eyes immediately get Brendan's attention—but so does her secretive behavior. This Special Ops Intel man knows a woman on the run when he sees one, and he's not about to let her put Bluebird Ranch at risk.

But as Brendan and Lauren get to know each other, their suspicions evaporate and romance starts to sizzle. But this would-be couple has more to worry about than each other—there's a killer on the loose who wants Lauren kept quiet.

All Is Bright

A romantic, Christmas wedding at her seaside hotel gives Delilah a chance to shine with her unique gifts. But will her light be snuffed out before the bride and groom say “I do”?

As manager of the Tidewater Inn, Delilah Carter has been planning a spectacular Christmas wedding for her friends at the grand hotel overlooking the ocean. While picking up still more twinkly lights and some last-minute groceries for the reception dinner, a huge truck runs her off the freezing, wet roads into the dark night. Her car stops just short of an enormous tree and the truck speeds off into the night. Delilah escapes with her life and has almost convinced herself the whole thing was an accident, but then she begins to receive threatening phone calls. With the wedding just hours away, she's distracted and anxious. Then Sheriff Tom Bourne stops by the inn and volunteers to help.

Tom has always had a soft spot for Delilah, and he's determined to protect her. But he is pulled away by a bizarre Christmas stunt that has the neighborhood reeling, and Delilah is attacked again.

Will Delilah have to cancel the Christmas wedding at Tidewater Inn? And will Tom's protection be enough to save Delilah from the shadowy figure looming in the background?

My Thoughts

All Is Calm, All Is Bright was a fun introduction into Colleen Coble’s writing. I’m not one to pick up mystery/drama books so quickly, but these two short stories were a perfect taste into this genre I don’t quite often indulge in. Coupled with the fact that it had a bit of holiday essence in the novel, I have to say this novella is a perfect escape for the winter season.

All Is Calm introduces us to Lauren Everman who flees to Bluebird Ranch in order to save a beloved animal and escape the charges she’s facing for attempted murder. She fell in love with Bluebird Ranch when she was a seventeen year old foster kid, so she hopes to return to find some solace. Brendan Waddell is staying at the ranch while he recovers from an injury that’s keeping him from his military duties, which he hopes to return to soon. When Lauren and Brendan meet at the ranch, they quickly develop a romance that neither expected, and together they work to clear Lauren’s name and bring a little holiday cheer to the foster kids at Bluebird Ranch.

All Is Bright takes us to Tidewater Inn where Delilah Carter is helping her friend plan a Christmas wedding. During a quick run into town, she’s driven off the road by a mysterious man and that’s when Sherriff Tom Bourne becomes involved in the investigation. Tom has always cared for Delilah, so he’s determined to keep her safe and get to the bottom of the attacks. As Delilah and Tom spend time together, they begin to fall in love, which makes for the perfect holiday romance!

Overall, All Is Calm, All Is Bright offers a little mystery, a dash of romance and a sprinkle of Christmas cheer... Two short stories based on existing series I haven't read but will now add to my TBR. Colleen Coble is a new-to-me author that grabbed my attention with her holiday novellas. Can't wait to try more by this author!

3.5 Suns

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