Ambush by Colleen Coble Series: Sanctuary #1
Published by Thomas Nelson on March 4, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Christian / Romance / Suspense, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Amateur Sleuth, Fiction / Romance / Suspense, Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense
Pages: 352
Format: Audiobook
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"Ambush is electric--the perfect blend of romance, suspense, and characters you swear are real . . . just one more proof of Coble at the top of her game." --Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author
The first book in the riveting new series from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble, where a young woman will do anything to uncover the truth of her parents' murder--even work alongside the man who once broke her heart.
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.
Colleen Coble's Ambush is just what her readers want--edge-of-your-seat suspense perfectly balanced with closed-door romance. The intricacies of a wild-animal sanctuary, sabotage, secrets that someone is willing to kill to keep hidden, and reconnecting with a first love make this a compelling story you won't want to miss. Perfect for fans of Allison Brennan and Dani Pettrey.
Also in The Sanctuary Series: Prowl (book #2, available November 2025) and Conspiracy (book #3; available July 2026).
Available now from Colleen: Fragile Designs, and from Colleen Coble and Rick Acker: What We Hide and I Think I Was Murdered.
All include discussion questions that are perfect for book clubs.
Okay, Colleen, I see how this is going to play out. I can call you Colleen, right? I mean, we are soon to be six books together this year. We are basically book besties, right? Let’s just rip the Band-Aid with a sketchy cop and a suspicious death in the first chapter. You aren’t playin’, but honestly, I’m here for it. Before I get into Paradise (LOVE that name) and Blake, I wanna talk about all the cameos. Hello Hez, Savannah, that poor ugly dog, Beginets, and Tupelo Grove. Having read the Tupelo Grove series earlier this year, it was so fun to get to see them again here.
While I absolutely adore the writing of Colleen Coble and really enjoyed this book, I did have some struggles. Paradise felt unfinished to me. The mystery of her parents’ death felt like it was going to have more impact to her story, but it felt more like background quests and her history and trauma were hinted at here and there; they never quite felt developed like they could have been. Also, there were so many characters. So many potential bad guys that I lost track of all the drama, sabotage, and who’s. Even as it was, almost too neatly wrapped up, I had to go back to remember who it was and how they played in. Maybe it was audio book, maybe it was memory loss, maybe it was a sun that is daily choosing violence, but it was what it was.
I gotta talk about the romance thread. I’m not bashing ya’ll keep reading! While it was prominent, it felt natural coming back together with someone from the past, hurts on both sides, and allowing grace and hope to bring you back together. It didn’t feel forced, and it didn’t detract from the bigger picture but slid right in. Therefore, I forgive the romance 😀 The faith threads, while good, in places felt awkward, and for Paradise lacked some depth in ways that I wish were better shared. Overall, I really enjoyed this book with all the chaos and drama and cameos that came with it. I’m queueing up book two as I can’t wait to see where this story goes.
About Colleen Coble
Publishers Weekly and USAToday best-selling 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 six million books in print. When she’s not writing, Colleen is playing Pokemon Go! with the family or traveling to the locales where she sets her novels. She’s a perpetual learner and a natural health nut. Colleen was the CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers for nineteen years and still serves on the Executive Board. She lives with her husband Dave in Arizona so she can spoil her small grandsons. She’s praying her granddaughter chooses Arizona for college to keep her close too.
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