ambush – Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner

About the Book

Product Details

ISBN-13:9780840714220 Publisher:Nelson, Thomas, Inc. Publication date:03/04/2025. Series:A Sanctuary Novel , #1 Pages:352

Paradise Alden’s childhood in Nova Cambridge, Alabama, was idyllic until the night her parents were murdered. Since then, life has left her scarred. The abuse she suffered in the foster care system, her first love’s betrayal, and the jaguar attack that nearly destroyed her career have led to an unshakable distrust—in men, in God, and maybe in even in herself.

After fifteen years, returning to her hometown is a last resort to finding her life again. She’s hoping the wildlife refuge where she’s accepted a veterinarian job will be the perfect place to heal from her recent traumas and unlock her memories about the night her parents died. But the day she arrives at The Sanctuary, a body is discovered on the grounds. And soon, a series of deadly events threatens not only her future, but the man who, despite all odds, still makes her pulse stutter. Arson, a shooting, a break-in, and multiple instances of animals being freed from their enclosures all point back to him, but Paradise knows Blake Lawson isn’t responsible. Not the man who has been helping his mother manage The Sanctuary these past six months and care for his stepbrothers in the wake of their father’s death . . . even if his betrayal years ago cost her everything.

Someone dangerous is lurking beneath the town’s moss-draped trees, and Paradise refuses to let another murderer disappear into the shadows.

My Thoughts

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

Christian Fiction with Suspense, Rated PG

About the Author

Best-selling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 5 million books in print and her books have been on the USAToday bestseller list, the ECPA, CBA, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon bestseller lists. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com.

Purchase Links

With great appreciation to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publisher, Inc. for the advanced review copy!

I was impressed deeply when I read Jehoshaphat’s prayer this morning in my devotional. He is pressed by a great horde of enemies since several nations have joined forces against Judah. So, he prays to the Lord and this is part of His prayer.

Sometimes, I feel as though “a great horde” is attacking my soul. Battle follows battle, whether it is for my health, a death in the family, a beloved one’s struggles with their health, or the spiritual battle that I face daily inside my heart as my husband spouts off the latest bad news from our unspiritual and ungodly leaders. All of these together combine to make a great horde in my life. You probably have a number of attackers as well. It is the life we live…God gives us peace in the battles but He does not promise that we won’t have to face conflicts.

What is the solution? Jehoshaphat offers that as the verse continues. We need to admit that we don’t know what to do. Confess to God that we have done all that we know how in our finite minds and yet still we are beset by the enemy and feeling that defeat may be coming. Then, we just have to be still and keep our eyes on God. Jehoshaphat did not say, “Okay, let’s gather a large army against them and all of our best weapons. “ No, he waited and kept his eyes on God. If you open II Chronicles 20 and read it for yourself, it says:

”You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”“
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭20‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/2ch.20.17.ESV

These are the words from the Lord to the people as they stood waiting for Him after hearing Jehoshaphat’s prayer. So, how did the victory come?

”And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.“
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭20‬:‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/2ch.20.22.ESV

The LORD set an ambush against the enemies. He stepped into the middle of the fray and He defeated them.

What can we learn from Jehoshaphat’s prayer? First of all, our enemies are many and powerful. As a conservative Christian, I look around at all that is happening, shake my head and cannot believe that I am still living in America. But if we admit that we are powerless, that God has all of the sovereignty and it is ultimately His battle, then we can rest in His promise to bring the victory. We don’t know how or when it will come, but it is on its way as long as we are waiting on the Lord and admitting that we don’t know what to do or have the power to do it. Then, as we wait, we keep our eyes firmly on the Lord. As the news gets worse, we can believe with our whole hearts that God will not be mocked. Even as the ungodly proclaim their dominion over our nation (like saying Roe v. Wade will be the “law of the land”), God is working behind the scenes to come into the battle and ambush the enemy in an unexpected way. I don’t know how or when this will happen. And I hate that some of our own leaders are enemies of God, but I do know that He wins in the end, so I am keeping my eyes on Him.

Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner

Tag: ambush

Review: Ambush by Colleen Coble