‘Tidewater Inn’: A Coast Guard Captain plus Mystery and Romance

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STORY: Libby Holladay has been alone since she was a child. Her father left her and her free-spirited mother was no role model. Now that her mother has passed away, Libby has no family but she runs a successful business restoring historic buildings along with her business partner and best friend, Nicole. 

‘Tidewater Inn’: A Coast Guard Captain plus Mystery and Romance. A review of the 2012 novel by Colleen Coble. All text © Rissi JC

Following a trip to Hope Beach to scout out some potential work sites, Nicole is kidnapped. Not only does this send Libby on a frantic search to find her, but she also saw it happen on a security camera. In trying to save the
footage, she mistakenly erases the evidence which then puts her under suspicion by the local law enforcement… will she be able to prove her innocence? And what happens when she unearths secrets about her family that she never knew?

TIDEWATER INN, BY COLLEEN COBLE | BOOK REVIEW

REVIEW: This is the story that unfolds in this gem of a novel, and Colleen is a fabulous story-teller. With exception to one novel, I have a fondness for each of her books or those that I have read – most of all, her “Lonestar” series. This novel, her most recent is no different though it packs a more poignant kind of punch. Though I was a bit skeptical after reading her last book, save for some minor flawed turn of phrases (words or conversation that doesn’t “fit”) she again proved that she has her prose down to a science, one that creates likable characters and fabulous chemistry between them. ‘Tidewater’ specifically boasts “classy” characters who value honesty and love, and most of all seek God’s voice in trouble and the complexities of life. The book never seems to waver from the comfort Libby takes in trusting God and its setting plus that background in architecture will delight readers who enjoy preserving or visiting historical places or things.

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Anyone looking for a romance novel may want to look elsewhere since the focus is on finding Nicole. There is some romantic hand-holding, however the story has little time to go further. The hero, Alec Bourne (how appropriate!) is a Coast Guard Captain and is quite unforgettable. He is a true gentleman whose one desire is to protect Libby. By the end of the book, the reader understands more about Libby’s internal struggles and heartbreaks, and hope she and Alec are going to follow their hearts. Some may not like the “uncertainty” in that but it’s a more touching way to conclude the story than leaving it at an epilogue so many months later saying “I do’s” or cementing a relationship with a proposal. ‘Tidewater’ has a special story to share, one of forgiveness that leads to love. It’s one that minor flaws cannot hide.

IN CONCLUSION: This novel tells a story of unconditional forgiveness with some hints of mystery and romance to keep up a cloak of intrigue. Engaging characters compel the reader to want to keep turning pages and leave us anxious for the second novel, Rose Cottage.

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About the Book:

Author: Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: 2012
Source: Publisher provided – thank you!
Add the Book: Goodreads
Find the R E V I E W Elsewhere: Goodreads | WordPress
Series: Hope Beach Novels Book 1
Genre: Christian Fiction, Mystery
Rating: 4 ½ out of 5

With thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book for reviewing purposes

Find out what fellow reviewers think of Tidewater Inn

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

4 comments

  1. Colleen – wow! Thank you for writing such a charming story – it was a delight to read.

    Thank you so much for stopping by and for the RT. :-) I greatly appreciate both.

    Sarah – these author-hosted giveaways are pretty awesome, aren't they!? :-)

    Unfortunately, I cannot enter you into the giveaway. You have to do it. You can enter through here (this post) or by going to the Litfuse site – just follow the directions and you can enter. But don't wait – it ends today (8/23)! Good luck!!!

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