Helpful Score: 2
This book "Tidewater Inn: A Hope Beach Novel" is the first book I've read from author Colleen Coble. It's the first in a new Hope Beach Series with the second one "Rosemary Cottage" due out in July 2013. It's a Christian based mystery/romance which uses scripture throughout to make points in the story. This particular book touches mainly on selfishness versus selflessness and with greed versus generosity.
Tidewater Inn's main character is Libby, who has grown-up with an alcoholic, eccentric mother who gave her little stability. Libby has had to struggle to make ends meet all her life, even though she works hard in restoring historic homes. Libby's well-meaning mother told Libby that her father died when she was just five years old. Much to Libby's surprise she gets a call from her friend and co-worker Nicole telling her that she has just inherited a gorgeous old beachfront inn, named the Tidewater Inn on the picturesque island of Hope Beach, from her father Ray. To top it off, Nicole informs Libby that she also has two half-siblings, a brother named Brent and a sister named Vanessa.
While Libby's friend Nicole is on the island waiting for Libby to join her, she sets up a meeting with Vanessa. Waiting for Vanessa to arrive, Nicole is abducted while Libby is watching on a webcam by two strange men. Libby immediately packs her bags and takes off for Hope Beach.
If that's not enough for Libby to deal with when she arrives in Hope Beach, she has to deal with the scrutiny of the local sheriff, as well as, pressure from outside real estate tycoons who are willing to drop 12 million for her inn and the growing resentment and anger of her two half-siblings. The only people that seem to be on her side are her newly introduced aunt Pearl, who is the local Postmistress and Alec the handsome, Coast Guard lieutenant who helps when her borrowed car breaks down. Will Libby find out what happened to Nicole before she's in jail as the prime suspect? Will she sell the beloved Tidewater that her long lost father left to her?
I loved the way the author uses the character's reference to scripture in this book. It seemed to be very realistic and it dealt with real issues that many people face today. This definitely will not be the last book that I read from author Colleen Cobble, I've added the next installment of this series to my must read list. I really like Libby and I found that she was a woman that many women would be able to relate to in some form. Also, this mystery wasn't too easy to solve as in many books of this type, which was a nice bonus.
Overall, I'd highly recommend for fans of Christian romance or Christian mysteries.
Tidewater Inn's main character is Libby, who has grown-up with an alcoholic, eccentric mother who gave her little stability. Libby has had to struggle to make ends meet all her life, even though she works hard in restoring historic homes. Libby's well-meaning mother told Libby that her father died when she was just five years old. Much to Libby's surprise she gets a call from her friend and co-worker Nicole telling her that she has just inherited a gorgeous old beachfront inn, named the Tidewater Inn on the picturesque island of Hope Beach, from her father Ray. To top it off, Nicole informs Libby that she also has two half-siblings, a brother named Brent and a sister named Vanessa.
While Libby's friend Nicole is on the island waiting for Libby to join her, she sets up a meeting with Vanessa. Waiting for Vanessa to arrive, Nicole is abducted while Libby is watching on a webcam by two strange men. Libby immediately packs her bags and takes off for Hope Beach.
If that's not enough for Libby to deal with when she arrives in Hope Beach, she has to deal with the scrutiny of the local sheriff, as well as, pressure from outside real estate tycoons who are willing to drop 12 million for her inn and the growing resentment and anger of her two half-siblings. The only people that seem to be on her side are her newly introduced aunt Pearl, who is the local Postmistress and Alec the handsome, Coast Guard lieutenant who helps when her borrowed car breaks down. Will Libby find out what happened to Nicole before she's in jail as the prime suspect? Will she sell the beloved Tidewater that her long lost father left to her?
I loved the way the author uses the character's reference to scripture in this book. It seemed to be very realistic and it dealt with real issues that many people face today. This definitely will not be the last book that I read from author Colleen Cobble, I've added the next installment of this series to my must read list. I really like Libby and I found that she was a woman that many women would be able to relate to in some form. Also, this mystery wasn't too easy to solve as in many books of this type, which was a nice bonus.
Overall, I'd highly recommend for fans of Christian romance or Christian mysteries.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a story that has been told over and over and over by nearly every author out there. I didn't find anything different or suspenseful about it, the only change is the location and the names of the people, it didn't hold my interest past page 70 and by then you're reading an old storyline already told.
Helpful Score: 1
A very good suspense novel by Colleen Coble. I enjoyed it and would recommend it!
Libby Holladay and her business partner (and friend) Nicole, love doing historical renovation. Libby is thrilled when she finds she's inherited a wonderful old hotel (Tidewater Inn) on the shores of Hope Island. She also finds out she has some family she never knew about. Then there is the good-looking Coast Guard Lieutenant, Alec Bourne, whom she finds herself very attracted to. She'd like to keep and renovate the Inn, but it doesn't take long to realize how much money it will actually take to renovate the Inn. Money she doesn't have. She's not sure why a father she never knew would will her the Inn without any funds to fix it up. The bother and sister she didn't know she had, are angry at her because they think she's trying to steal what should be rightfully theirs. To make matters worse, Nicole is kidnapped while Libby watches on video cam and now they think she's responsible. Even Alec seems to doubt her innocence. What else can go wrong? Oh, you'd be surprised! But when all is said and done, can God truly work all things together for good?
Tidewater Inn is an excellent romantic suspense and one that is difficult to put down once you pick it up. There were several unexpected turns and a few gasps along the way. The characters were true-to-life with all their faults. To me, that's realistic. While I was reading I truly felt like I was on Hope Island and was able to experience the beauty of the Island with Libby. I thought the author did a great job of getting the message across, that our behavior definitely makes a difference in other peoples lives. As we see with Libby, that's not always an easy thing to do, but God didn't call us to 'easy' now did He? That was a good reminder to me, that we need to be careful of the things we say and do. One thing I absolutely loved (and I know all Colleen Coble fans will too) is the surprise appearance of some beloved characters. That put the story over-the-top for me! I encourage you to read the book to find out who they are!!! If you are in the mood for a tropical vacation, I highly recommend you visit Hope Island. Do be careful though, you may run into some rough waters! Great Job, Colleen!
Print Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 17, 2012)
ASIN: B007D1TNYS
*I received this complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Tidewater Inn is an excellent romantic suspense and one that is difficult to put down once you pick it up. There were several unexpected turns and a few gasps along the way. The characters were true-to-life with all their faults. To me, that's realistic. While I was reading I truly felt like I was on Hope Island and was able to experience the beauty of the Island with Libby. I thought the author did a great job of getting the message across, that our behavior definitely makes a difference in other peoples lives. As we see with Libby, that's not always an easy thing to do, but God didn't call us to 'easy' now did He? That was a good reminder to me, that we need to be careful of the things we say and do. One thing I absolutely loved (and I know all Colleen Coble fans will too) is the surprise appearance of some beloved characters. That put the story over-the-top for me! I encourage you to read the book to find out who they are!!! If you are in the mood for a tropical vacation, I highly recommend you visit Hope Island. Do be careful though, you may run into some rough waters! Great Job, Colleen!
Print Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 17, 2012)
ASIN: B007D1TNYS
*I received this complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Donna C. (darkcoffeeclouds) -
This is another good fiction story by Colleen Coble. I enjoyed the mystery but as with her other books I´ve read, there are always a few details that bother me. In this story there is one detail that is mentioned in one part (mentioned at the dinner table at the Inn with everyone present) and then later the same detail comes up again and some of the people that had been at the table earlier were surprised. It seems like an editor would catch that or the author would reread the book before publishing. That is just one thing. There were some parts that were just not realistic. It was still good though and Im glad I read it. Im just not sure I want to read the rest of the series.
