The Pelican Harbor Two Reasons to Run, Book 2, (Paperback)

** God had gotten them this far. ** Colleen Cobles newest novel, Two Reasons to Run, picks up immediately after the first novel in her Pelican Harbor Series ends, with Police Chief Jane Hardy still reeling from the news she learned about her past. When a man hints at sabotage and terrorism on the nearby oil platform in the Gulf, Jane must race to find out the truth. With the help of Reid Dixon, an investigative journalist who is also the father of her son Will, they must work together and rebuild their relationship all while searching out the truth about the potential terrorism. Two Reasons to Run is a fast-paced romantic thriller that draws on murders, kidnappings, shootings, thefts, stalking and sabotage to drive the plot. Coble does an incredible job of weaving the storylines together to leave the reader in suspense not only about the oil rig situation, but also in regards to both Janes and Reids pasts in a cult and their missing family members each is so desperate to find. The author also does a great job of developing characters. Both Jane and Reid are flawed and relatable; her crusty father Charles is intriguing; their son Will is inspirational; and she even includes some great animal characters like Parker the dog and Pete the Pelican. This story isnt just a great thriller though. Its filled with several amazing lessons, like God is still with us, even within the trials; how to face evil and even death with peace; sometimes we just need to focus on today and not worry about tomorrow; living in perpetual fear is no life; and the importance of trusting God. Fans of authors like Carrie Stuart Parks, Lynette Eason and Terri Blackstock will enjoy this novel. I would not recommend reading it as a standalone, as much of its plot refers back to the series first story, One Little Lie. Two Reasons to Run is due to be published on Sept. 8. Five stars out of five. Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

TWO REASONS TO RUN (The Pelican Harbor Series Book 2) is even more fast paced and filled with much more heart racing excitement than Book 1! Author Colleen Coble definitely ups the ante on grabbing on grabbing her readers attention early and keeping it until the final sentence is read. Book 2 starts exactly where Book 1 ends. Chief Jane Hardy is still coming to grips with an elaborate scheme to frame her father, the former Sheriff of Pelican Harbor. That was only the beginning of the mysteries that were unraveled in Book 1. She is now reunited with her presumed dead15 year old son Will and his father, famous documentarian Reid Bechtol. I particularly enjoy this series because the fictional setting is based on an area that I am very familiar with. As a reader, I always draw mental pictures of places and characters in my mind as I read. This time I do not have to as I know EXACTLY what the setting looks like! Also, when the setting in a small town, it seems as if the town seems to become a character in its on right. This setting is on the Mobile Bay and the mystery involves a murder on the oil platform Zeus. As the investigation begins, things quickly begin to not add up. One of Pelican Harbors native sons is the victim and he managed to leave some clues to a serious environmental threat that is looming. Only now he is missing, presumed dead, no body found yet but the time is ticking according to the information he managed to sneak out. From this point on, Coble takes readers on an edge of your seat adventure that involves such things as: being ordered to stand down by Homeland Security even when disagreeing with their assessment, deep diving under an oil rig, being challenged by everyone, everywhere that there is no threat but continuing investigating anyway, realizing your son is in danger and having to put him under protection. Jane has a plethora of reasons to run. But what if she stays? The ending is one of the greatest of all times! You will be spent as you read the final page! This is one of my favorite series! I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.