Lonestar Homecoming (Lonestar, Book 3)

I love Christian fiction and this is a really great read. I love Colleen Coble and have read most of her books, she is an excellent author. This book didn't disappoint and was just as great as the rest of her books. A brief synopsis: 'With nothing but five dollars, a train ticket, and the wedding dress she's wearing, Gracie Lister escapes with her daughter to the West Texas country where her family fell apart years ago. There, Lieutenant Michael Wayne--devoted single father, dedicated soldier--gives Gracie the hiding place she needs, and a job caring for his two children. Michael and Gracie aren't looking for love, but it finds them right away.' I quickly came to know Gracie and was a champion for her and wanted her to be successful in life after the problems she has dealt with. We learn that although she's been through so much and is so concerned that in her sin she has just gone too far to ever be forgiven by Christ. We know better of course and you'll hope along the way that she sees this also. This was well worth the read and truthfully once I started I couldn't put it down. I love the choices of authors available through […] and Thomas Nelson has so many incredibly wonderful Christian authors to enjoy!

While a fiction book, I found Lonestar Homecoming by Colleen Coble laced with reality. Gracie Lister is running from her ex-fiance and her past. She has always run from her problems, but they come crashing in around her and she finds it better to face them than continue to run. She finds healing, peace, love and the realization that God never left her. She lived with guilt so long over past mistakes thinking God and her own father hated her for the choices she made. She finds love in an unexpected "hero", Michael Wayne who saves her as she disembarks from a train clad only in a dirty wedding dress and toting her five year old daughter. I found the book filled with suspense, romance and fun.

Lonestar Homecoming by Colleen Coble is an awesome read. The story is set in modern day Texas. The main character Gracie is running away from her finance on her wedding day and while quite a few authors use this scenario none are quite as well written as this one in capturing the essence of a reader's heart. Lonestar Homecoming is a mystery and romance combined in one and that is quite possibly my favorite combination of writing. The book from the very beginning is full of intrigue and surprises that keeps you reading until the end. I had to finish it the same day I started reading it because I could not put it down. Colleen Coble is an excellent author. This book is the third in a series but stands on its own. I would highly recommend this book. I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255[...]: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

I had already read the first two Lonestar books and HAD to have this one. I wasn't disappointed. It kept me turning the pages til the end. Colleen Coble is a very talented author, who can write a good clean inspirational story that's also exciting.

Lonestar book 3 is equally a stand-alone. More a thriller, suspense, crime story than romance, but love is there, in fine family form. Yes it's Texas, a ranch, boots and cowboy hat mentioned, but IT IS NOT A WESTERN. This is a contemporary story of an unfortunate caught at the wrong place at the wrong time and getting spotted by a Mexican drug cartel. Gracie and child run for their lives, beginning on page 4. She in her wedding dress. It's suspense, action, terror...and somehow an arrangement between single parents takes place amid all the mayhem. Threats and attempts of all kinds begin a series of struggles for Gracie, her daughter Hope, and Michael with his 2 young kids. The question also arises, 'Where is God in all of this?' Does love even have a chance. I've read almost all of Colleen Coble's books (there are plenty) and this book has more mystery, suspense, and action than any read yet. If you've read "Lonestar Sanctuary" (book 1) and "Lonestar Secrets" (2), you will recognize the location, ranch names, and some of the neighbors, but that's all that connects this book to the previous 2 in the series. It can serve truly as a stand-alone, but I don't recommend it. I enjoyed the first 2 books too much not to recommend reading all 3. Romance takes a back seat to the action in this book, but it's there, be sure. Along with the subtle Christian influence of a couple of characters, both always a part of Coble's work. "Lonestar Homecoming" is not as bloody as "Anathema" (one of my favorite Coble books) but much more a thriller, packed with action from page 2 to the end. Also see Colleen Coble's new series beginning story, "The Lightkeeper's Daughter". Colleen Coble has perfected the oxymoron: Christian Murder Mystery. WRITE ON!, Mrs. Coble.