Holiday reading with a side of suspense: Review of All is Calm, All is Bright by Colleen Coble

‘Tis the season for holiday entertainment, and if Hallmark channel movies are your thing, I’ve got a book to recommend.

All is Calm, All is Bright by Colleen Coble is a two-novella collection set in two of the author’s most popular fictional settings, Bluebird Ranch and Hope Beach. Though I have not personally read many of the stories set in either place, I enjoyed these two short stories. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my review.) They are short and sweet reads to get you in the holiday spirit.

In All is Calm, Lauren flees to the ranch she remembers fondly from childhood to escape danger surrounding a death she witnessed. There, she meets Brendan, a friend of the ranch’s owner, who is recovering from a military injury. Together, they try to get to the bottom of the mystery, and in the meantime, they discover a mutual attraction.

In All is Bright, Delilah is in the midst of planning a friend’s wedding when her car is run off the road. Connecting that incident with the strange phone calls she’s been receiving, she is forced to admit there is more to the threats than a simple prank. Helping her uncover the source of the threat is Tom, the local sheriff, a widower who has been interested in Delilah for a while. He aims to keep her safe from danger and offer her an unforgettable gift on Christmas, if she survives till then.

Both stories remind me of why I’ve enjoyed Coble’s writing in the past. Sweet romance with a side of suspense makes for a page-turning read. Throw in the holiday settings and you’ve got a great recipe for Christmas reading.