Colleen Coble returns to what she does best in “Ambush,” the first installment in her new Sanctuary series. Known for her masterful blend of romantic suspense set against coastal backdrops, Coble delivers a story of second chances and lurking danger that unfolds within the unique setting of a wildlife refuge in Alabama. As with her Pelican Harbor and Lavender Tides series, Coble proves once again that she knows how to balance heart-pounding suspense with tender romance, though this latest offering occasionally struggles with an overabundance of plot threads.
A Sanctuary Full of Secrets
Paradise Alden returns to her hometown of Nova Cambridge, Alabama, fifteen years after her parents’ brutal murder forced her into the foster care system. Now a veterinarian recovering from a traumatic jaguar attack that nearly ended her career, Paradise accepts a position at The Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve, hoping to face her fears of big cats while uncovering suppressed memories about her parents’ deaths.
What should be a fresh start quickly spirals into chaos when a dead body is discovered on the property her first day. The victim? Animal rights activist Danielle Mason, found in a horse trailer. This discovery is just the beginning of a series of escalating attacks on the refuge: arson, shots fired at bear enclosures, sabotaged predator habitats, and dangerous break-ins.
Paradise must work alongside Blake Lawson, her first love who she believes betrayed her all those years ago. Blake returned to The Sanctuary six months earlier to help his widowed mother Jenna run the refuge and raise his young half-brothers after his stepfather’s suspicious death. With local detective Creed Greene determined to pin the crimes on Blake, Paradise and Blake form an uneasy alliance to uncover the truth before the next attack proves fatal.
Strengths That Make “Ambush” Shine
Vivid Setting That Comes Alive
Coble’s depiction of The Sanctuary is masterfully crafted, creating an immersive environment that educates as it entertains. Each animal enclosure, from hyenas to white tigers, becomes a distinct and memorable location. Readers feel the Alabama humidity, hear the calls of exotic birds, and experience the rush of adrenaline when predators roam nearby. Coble clearly did her research on wildlife refuges (acknowledging help from a real predator keeper in her author’s note), and this attention to detail elevates the novel beyond typical romantic suspense.
Characters With Authentic Emotional Journeys
Paradise’s character arc is genuinely affecting. Her journey from a trauma-hardened woman who flinches at touch to someone who can brave a tiger enclosure to save a child feels earned rather than contrived. Particularly compelling is her gradual reconciliation with faith after years of feeling abandoned by God, which Coble handles with nuance rather than preachiness:
“Her eyes filled with tears again. She’d blamed him, raged inside at his betrayal. Yet he’d kept her in his heart and had prayed for her. Was he right? Had God been there waiting for her to hear his voice, sense his love for her? She wanted to believe that, but something in her warred with lowering her guard enough to accept it.”
Blake’s steady, selfless nature provides the perfect counterbalance to Paradise’s defensive walls. His interactions with his young brothers Isaac and Levi add depth to his character, showing his capacity for love beyond his feelings for Paradise. The boys themselves are delightfully authentic rather than the saccharine cutouts sometimes found in suspense novels featuring children.
Skillful Blend of Romance and Danger
Coble excels at weaving moments of tenderness between heart-pounding action scenes. The rekindling romance between Paradise and Blake develops gradually against the backdrop of escalating danger, making both elements feel organic rather than forced. Their shared history creates natural tension, and their chemistry feels genuine when they finally acknowledge their lingering feelings:
“Blake wasn’t someone who spoke flowery words of love—he was a man of action who showed his love for those close to him with every decision he made.”
Areas That Could Use Improvement
Plot Complexity Bordering on Overcrowded
“Ambush” by Colleen Coble juggles multiple mysteries: the killing of Danielle Mason, the suspicious death of Blake’s stepfather, Paradise’s parents’ murder, Paradise’s unknown half-brother, and the identity of whoever is sabotaging The Sanctuary. While Coble’s ambition is admirable, some storylines receive insufficient development or hasty resolution.
The revelation of Paradise’s half-brother, for example, creates significant emotional impact but remains largely unresolved by the novel’s end. Similarly, the last-minute revelation that the initial suspect in her parents’ murder was innocent feels like setup for a sequel rather than meaningful closure within this book.
Villain Motivations That Sometimes Strain Credibility
While the primary antagonists’ motivations are eventually explained, their elaborate scheme to drive Jenna to sell The Sanctuary (involving murder, arson, and releasing dangerous predators) seems disproportionate to their goals. The revelation about natural gas deposits under the property comes somewhat late in the narrative, making earlier actions seem unnecessarily convoluted when simpler means might have achieved the same ends.
Religious Elements That Sometimes Interrupt Narrative Flow
Colleen Coble is known for incorporating faith elements into her suspense novels, and “Ambush” continues this tradition. While Paradise’s spiritual journey generally meshes well with her emotional growth, occasional references to faith feel inserted rather than integrated, particularly in high-tension scenes where they temporarily halt the building suspense.
Final Assessment
“Ambush” delivers what Colleen Coble’s readers have come to expect: compelling characters facing deadly threats while finding love amidst the chaos. The wildlife refuge setting provides a fresh backdrop for her characteristically taut suspense, and Paradise and Blake’s romance satisfies with its slow-burning intensity. Despite some narrative threads that could have used more focused development, the novel succeeds as both an engaging standalone story and a promising series opener.
Fans of Coble’s previous works (particularly her Pelican Harbor series) will find familiar comfort in her storytelling style, while the unique setting offers something new to appreciate. Readers who enjoy Dani Pettrey, Lynette Eason, or Carrie Stuart Parks will find “Ambush” a worthy addition to their romantic suspense collection.
What Makes “Ambush” Stand Out
Unique Wildlife Preserve Setting
Unlike many romantic suspense novels set in small towns or coastal communities, “Ambush” by Colleen Coble utilizes its wildlife refuge setting as more than just scenery. The animals and their enclosures become integral to both the plot and character development:
- The big cats serve as metaphors for Paradise’s internal struggles
- Animal behaviors mirror human relationships throughout the narrative
- The safari tours and animal care routines provide natural opportunities for character interaction
- The preservation mission creates meaningful stakes beyond personal safety
Skillful Balance of Multiple Genres
Coble deftly combines elements from several genres:
- Mystery thriller: Multiple interconnected crimes with red herrings and danger
- Romance: Second-chance love story with emotional obstacles to overcome
- Christian fiction: Themes of forgiveness, faith, and redemption
- Family drama: Blake’s responsibilities to his brothers and mother create additional tension
Connections to Coble’s Literary Universe
Readers familiar with Coble’s other series will appreciate the connections to her fictional Alabama coastal towns. References to Pelican Harbor and cameos from characters connected to previous books (including Gwen Marcey from Carrie Stuart Parks’ novels) create a sense of a larger, cohesive world without requiring knowledge of her previous works.
Perfect For Readers Who Enjoy:
- Second-chance romance with meaningful obstacles
- Suspense with multiple interconnected mysteries
- Character growth through facing fears
- Unique settings that influence the narrative
- Faith elements that complement rather than overshadow the story
- Family dynamics alongside romantic relationships
The Verdict
“Ambush” marks a solid start to what promises to be another engaging series from Colleen Coble. While the multitude of plot threads occasionally threatens to overwhelm the narrative, the compelling characters, unique setting, and skillful blend of romance and suspense create an immersive reading experience. Paradise and Blake’s journey toward healing—both individually and together—provides an emotional anchor amidst the escalating danger.
Coble continues to demonstrate why she remains a leading voice in Christian romantic suspense. If you’re looking for a page-turning blend of mystery and romance where both the danger and the relationships feel authentic, “Ambush” delivers a satisfying adventure that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment in The Sanctuary series.
