Customer Reviews

Black Sands (Aloha Reef Series #2)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you've never read a Colleen Coble novel, click on the BUY NOW button IMMEDIATELY. If you love suspense with clever twists and turns, a romance that will warm your heart, and a storyline that leaves you filled with hope and promise, you won't be disappointed!

Black Sands, the second book in the Aloha series, blew me away! While in a series, Black Sands is easily a stand-alone novel. Set in Hawaii, Coble weaves the island culture and scenery into the story so masterfully that you can almost feel the ocean breeze kissing your face! With a strong heroine and an even stronger hero, you can't help but fall in love with these characters--become emotionally involved in the drama they face--and root them on to not only find the heroine's missing sister, rediscover the love they are destined to share, but also to be refilled with their faith.

This book is one of the best I've read in a long time! Get it. Read it. Devour the pages. It's a must-read!

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I am a loyal true-blue fan of Colleen Coble. She didn't disappoint me with Black Sands. Wonderful story, beautifully crafted with nail-biting tension. The setting was wonderful, I felt like I was there. The characters were so wonderfully flawed and real. The plot kept you guessing and everything they tried to do only compounded matters like the lava building up under the islands. I loved Mano and Annie, as they stumbled through the mystery and their growing attraction to one another. I loved Wilson. I have to get me a mongoose now, :0). The secondary characters were also well done, I closed the book feeling like I had made a whole bunch of new friends. (I also stayed up until 2:00am to finish it because I couldn't bear not knowing what happened.)

The book is not preachy, but it has definate take away value. At least it did for me. I know Colleen only wants to do God's will. I want her to know that she touched me with her work.

And now I can quit hiding it and let my son have it to read. (I think my hubby read it during the times I didn't have it clutched in my hands.) Can't wait for Dangerous Depths.

This author's books always keep me on the edge of my seat--and this novel is no exception! Ms. Coble's story twists at every turn and her memorable characters--including a fun mongoose--pull me into the story from the start! Experience the sights and smells of Hawaii without ever leaving your recliner.

A MUST READ!!!

I did not purchase this book for myself it was a gift for someone else. The only thing I can say is that it was in excellent condition when I got it.

It is hard to not tell you to forget the first book in this "Aloha Reef" series by famous Christian-Murder-Romance-Mystery writer Colleen Coble. I really do recommend the first book, also 5 stars of mystery reading. See my review. This second book, also taking place in Hawaii, is related, and carries enough characters onward, that the books in the "Aloha Reef Series" should be read in order. But as a last resort, "BLACK SANDS" could be read as a stand-alone novel. It's not recommended, but it is that good.

Book one, "Distant Echoes", gave readers a family and Hawaii location to begin to love. To smell the ocean breezes. To taste the local treats. When some book-one characters return on another island, with new suspense and intrigue, well, it's like a reunion. Of course there is new Aloha 'family' introduced in "Black Sands." Coble knows how to pull the emotional strings of readers and get you up close to the action, like volcanic activity, dolphin swimming, romantic beach activity, and yes even murder.

But "Black Sands" reaches into the possibility of a return from the dead. Coble's books do have a degree of Christian character influence; not preachy, but sinners struggling with life and needing a little of God's help to meet the end of a day. Or meet the return of the dead. Is a resurrection possible? It happened in the Bible. Expect anything and everything in Colleen Coble's mysteries--well, except the expected. She keeps readers guessing till the end. But isn't that why we buy them?

An excellent murder mystery. A new approach and twist, but the same high quality blend of suspense, romance, detailed settings, Christian influence, and READING ENJOYMENT.

Like me, you might as well buy the whole series because Colleen Coble's books are always checked out at the library. Do an Amazon search for her other books as well. Read my review on her Amish murder mystery, "Anathema".

Buy and enjoy and Aloha.

BLACK SANDS

By Colleen Coble

Review By Laura V. Hilton


Annie Tagama is mourning the death of her mother and her brother while trying to recover mentally and physically from a volcanic accident that left horrible burns all over her feet. Her boss, Gina, is determined that Annie get back on the job and face her fears, but Annie is finding it hard to concentrate because her younger sister, Leilani is missing. Annie has no one to help except her brother's best friend, Mano Oana.



Mano Oana is on leave from the Navy and takes the opportunity to return Tomi Tagama's belongings to his family, even though the family is rightfully angry at him for being responsible for Tomi's death. But as soon as he delivers the boxes, he learns that Leilani is missing. A strange phone call indicates that Tomi is still alive and in serious danger. Mano and Annie don't know what to believe. Where are Tomi and Leilana? Could the two incidents be somehow related?



Even though BLACK SANDS is the second book in the Aloha Reef series, it easily stands alone. It is nice to see some of the characters from the first book in the series make an appearance in this book. Annie is realistic, struggling to overcome her problems and gain control as her life skyrockets out of control. Mano has just learned he's suffering from an incurable disease and must think about his Naval career, but his attention is focused on Annie and her problems instead of his own. There were a lot of red herrings and I didn't guess who was behind the events until the end of the book.



I enjoyed BLACK SANDS, but I can't say it was really outstanding. Still, Colleen Coble brings her characters to life and the setting and plot are unique. I recommend BLACK SANDS to anyone who enjoys Ms. Coble's books, or loves a good romantic suspense. [...] 304 pages.

I love the way Colleen Coble writes her mystery stories. This was another exceptional book of mystery and intrigue, plus a little bit of romance as well. I couldn't wait to read the next book in her series.

In BLACK SANDS, we are gifted with what Coble does so well--a furry little creature named Wilson (who I would love to have curled up in my lap at this moment), a setting we can smell and touch, and an ending that leaves us satisfied.

Even though this is book two in her Aloha Reef series, don't worry if you haven't read DISTANT ECHOES. This one stands alone.

I like this book.

Black Sands is the second installment in the Aloha Reef series by Colleen Coble. While I enjoyed the first book in the series, Distant Echoes, the characters in Black Sands truly resonated with me.

Annie, the middle child in the Tagama family, is always the one behind the scenes keeping everything running smoothly, especially since her mother's death. Mano, her brother Tomi's best friend and Annie's childhood crush, has been like part of the family for years. But that all changes when Tomi is reported dead and Mano implicated in part for his death.

When Mano returns Tomi's belongings to the Tagama family the same day Annie's sister Leilani goes missing, Annie is forced to turn to him for help in finding her sister, in spite of her very mixed feelings.

The twists & turns of the story are exciting, but it is Annie & Mano who touched my heart. They are both strong but very human characters dealing with their individual weaknesses in realistic and faith filled ways. The spiritual growth of the characters, especially Annie, is as compelling to me as the suspenseful storyline.

I would recommend this book highly.