All Is Calm

Lonestar

by Colleen Coble, Devon O'Day (Narrator)

This Christmas, Lauren seeks sanctuary and finds unexpected romance at the Bluebird Ranch.

The Bluebird Ranch is the perfect place for Lauren Everman to hide. As the witness to a murder, she needs a place to catch her breath and the ranch s owners offer her much needed sanctuary. Her skill with horses means she s able to lend a hand with the foster kids who come to the ranch to learn to ride. Little Carly, age five, is her first and most shy student.

Brendan Waddell is recovering from a gunshot wound at Bluebird Ranch. His friends spacious and welcoming home is the perfect place for him to rest, especially during the holiday season. Newcomer Lauren intrigues him, even though she declares she s not interested in romance.

When Lauren and Brendan conspire to give young Carly ahappy Christmas, love blooms. But first the couple must race against time to find the killer before he strikes again."

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery, Christian

3 pages, Audiobook

First published November 18, 2014

About the author

USAToday bestselling author Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Arizona. She is the author of dozens of novels including the Rock Harbor Series, the Aloha Reef Series, the Mercy Falls Series, the Hope Beach Series, the Lonestar Series and two Women of Faith fiction selections, Alaska Twilight and Midnight Sea. She has more than 6 million books in print.

Reviews

[Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars for All is Calm (audiobook) Colleen Coble read by Devon O’Day.

A little romance breaks out when Lauren Everman moves back to Bluebird Ranch to hide out. She saw someone commit a murder and now she needs a place to lie low. She loves getting to working with horses and it’s an extra bonus for her that Brendan Waddell, Special Ops Intel man is there to look out for her.

[Sarah Grace Grzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The synopsis over hypes this more than a little. I can't really say I'm a fan of Coble's writing style or her romance. But if you are looking for a short Christmas-y romance with a dash of suspense, this is it. I liked the storyline with Carly and the puppy best. I have to say, I almost cried during that scene.

[Jessica Sinn (Books and Trouble) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don’t do it. That’s my advice if you’re a sucker for Christmas-themed books filled with horses , romance and mystery. I made the grave mistake of listening to this turkey on audio, and it was AWFUL. The narrator was just fine up until she switched into her little kid voice. She sounded like that creepy psychic woman from Poltergeist. I’m telling you, it was ridiculously bad. And then there’s the plot…or lack there of. It’s set in Texas, but it might as well have been anywhere USA. When you set a book in Texas, you need to have a good grasp on the culture, the small town neuroticisms, the twang. Perhaps it would have done her some good to pick up a title by Larry McMurty. Aside from ignoring all things Texan, she didn’t bother puzzling together a murder mystery. She threw out a couple of clues here and there, but it’s pretty easy to identify the killer early on. The romance (or as my fellow bloggers call it “insta-love”) was way too saccharine sweet. As for the leading lady, she fell flat as a pancake right from the get-go. All in all, this story is a total waste of time. I’ve seen more substance in a Lifetime movie starring Tori Spelling.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Basic short Christmas romance/mystery set in Texas. It was my first time reading Colleen Coble, so I haven't read the other books in this series. Nothing special here for me, but liked it well enough as a library borrow during Christmas. :-)

[Kaitlyn Krispense · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry, there's just too much cheese😭

The romance made me cringe, the obsessed-with-animals MC just didn't resonate with me (a farm girl that doesn't like animals, what?!), and the suspense felt very...rushed.

Idk, I think it was just too much plot for not enough book.

(Also, what kind of coyotes are they growing down in Texas, bc last I checked, they don't eat humans, but what do I know)

[angelpompom · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25✨

We need less insta-love and more love a first sight books because there’s a difference💕

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Is Calm is a short but action packed suspense. It is Christmas time on the Bluebird Ranch in South Texas. Rick and Allie bring in children who can benefit from time on a ranch to overcome their problems that life has thrown them. Lauren was one of the kids who had visited the ranch while living in foster care. Now, as an adult, when she needed to escape a bad situation, she went to the ranch and was hired to help with the horses. Brendan is a special ops soldier recovering from a bullet wound. He is friends with Rick and goes to the ranch to spend Christmas with the family and children. He quickly recognizes that something is wrong with Lauren and decides to help her out, if possible, after Rick requests his help for her. As Lauren and Brendan work together to find out who is behind a crime that Lauren is accused of, they become close. One of the children tugs on Lauren's heartstrings and for some reason, she is drawn to her. Among the twists and turns, romance is in the air during the holiday season. Faith is intertwined in this story and is important to the characters. Sweet, short suspense with a Christmas theme.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short read with romance and a dash of danger. I liked the part with Carly and the puppy best...

[Rochelle Saldaña · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute novella. Easy to read, likable characters, and a puppy! Who doesn’t love a puppy at Christmas?!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the house to myself, so I grabbed a glass of wine, some chocolate and curled up in bed with this book. It is formula but it was nicely done; very likeable characters and good a background.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did this novella on audio. I actually would have enjoyed a longer version of this story. So much happened in such a short period of time.. the character development was jam packed and the mystery and thrill of it was enjoyable. I liked the complex layers that were able to be explored *just* enough. The narrator did a great job of changing tones and pitches to match different characters.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

2. More romance than mystery. Not my cup of tea.

[Lovely Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️

[Jesus Beach Girl Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Lonestar series, Rick and Allie, and all the goings on at Bluebird Ranch. This is definitely my favorite Christmas story by Colleen Coble. If you enjoy the Lonestar series, you will enjoy All is Calm.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and I just wish this had been longer. Hope we get more books in this series!

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it's April, I needed a Christmas story. Calmness in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis is just what the doctor ordered. It's true, Coble is a master storyteller.

There's tension with a killer. There's romance. And there's action. Can Sheriff Tom protect Delilah? Can he win her heart?

I loved this story. It felt warm with a perfect ending.

[Chattynatty Van Waning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little Novella- some Christmas, some mystery, and some love. May be to predictable for some, but sometimes I like/need predictability in my reading life.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and sweet Christmas mystery! Did not care for the narrator - at all!

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this cozy short story on audio CD as something to have closer to the Christmas holiday, but found myself discouraged by the offerings on the radio, so I listened to this story instead. I call this story 'cozy' because it is a sweet romance, with a bit of suspense. Main character, Lauren, is suspected in a murder of a horse and a jockey at the ranch where she works. On the run, she meets Brandon, a special ops marine, recovering from an injury. Initially Brandon does not believe Lauren's story, but after some inquiries to her cousin, Tonya, he realizes that jealousy, and unfortunate timing on Lauren's part have set her up as a suspect. While Brandon is working to clear Lauren's name, the real murderer decides it is time to silence the one person who may remember more about the night of the murder than she should!

Entertaining, light suspense, with a some sweet Christmas cheer.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas Story

I've not read as many of the Lonestar series but this was a very enjoyable story. I enjoyed the story and characters. I loved Lauren's honesty in regards to Angel. Showed early on her character.

And I didn't guess the ending either. Well I knew it would be a happily ever after but how we got there was very good.

[Christi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a very good story. Think of it as a Hallmark movie with a no-name actress in the lead, an awful "mystery" surrounding her, and plenty of cowboys limping along.

In the audiobook version, the narrator was terrible at male and child voices.

At least it was super short.

[Kay Defreese · Rating 3 out of 5]

The romance was sweet. Mystery was okay for it being just a novela. Surprised at who the villain was.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice and quick Christmas read.

[Arlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fancy reading a Christmas story in the middle of the year. Katuwa lang.

[Nadine Keels · Rating 3 out of 5]

After witnessing a murder, Lauren Everman seeks sanctuary at the Bluebird Ranch during the Christmas season. Brendan Waddell is also staying at the ranch to recover from a gunshot wound he sustained during his Special Ops work. And he's got reason to suspect Lauren in connection with the murder she witnessed in All is Calm: A Lonestar Christmas Novella by author Colleen Coble.

I haven't read any of the novels in the Lonestar series, but I didn't have to before reading this standalone book. In keeping with its lovely cover of twinkling nighttime stars and Christmas lights, the story includes holiday warmth, affection, faith, and peace.

The unfolding suspense was what I liked most about this story, as the plot turned out to be a little more involved than I was expecting. However, I tend to prefer a sharper style in suspense reads. Some parts here didn't feel the most natural or original, especially concerning the romance, and I'm not convinced when a dangerous scene seems contrived—when a character walks into or remains in an obviously hazardous situation instead of getting out of there or calling for help.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this fairly quick read overall. It was my first time trying this author, and I plan to do so again.

[Ginny Muse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet novella with a little bit of romance and mystery.

I actually only read it because it was one of the only options I could find for a Christmas book available immediately from Libby on audio and in print. I didn’t have high expectations, but it still was kind of a disappointment. I’m not sure I’d tell anyone they should read it.

The book synopsis gives more of the details, but here’s my very brief run down.
Lauren has faced some trouble so she takes a horse and runs away to hide at a ranch she liked as a little girl. There she meets Brendon who is there for some rest and helping out. He vows to help clear Lauren’s name and solve a ‘whodunnit’ mystery, and can’t help but fall for her along the way. But she’s still in danger!
There are some sweet moments with children and animals (a puppy 😍,) some suspenseful times, and some minor cheesy romance.

There’s a lot going on for such a short book, so it feels kind of choppy. Nothing is filled out very much. It’s kind of an interesting plot, but it doesn’t play out that great in this format.
If you’re drawn to this type of story you won’t hate it, but it’s not going to be a new favorite. The best part about it (other than the puppy) was that it was over quickly.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about a woman named Lauren who is in trouble and has no one to help her so she goes to the ranch that helped her during her time as a foster child. Brendan is a man that is trying to figure out his next step in life.

Lauren and Brendan are on a quest to figure out who is trying to frame her and why. Running to the ranch was the best idea for Lauren as she gets help and support from those at the ranch and is able to soothe the foster children on the ranch as she has been in their shoes. During the quest, Brendan and Lauren develop reluctant feelings for one another. The chemistry between Lauren and Brendan is palpable though so that's good. It is an openly Christian story, and it is a solid story but some parts seemed cheesy with forced dialogue of the acknowledgement of God. There were some parts where it made sense in the telling of the Christmas story, but some other parts weren't necessary but it's not my story to tell.

[Nancy Holte · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love a good mystery mixed with a little bit of romance, this book is for you. It's a very quick audio listen as a novella, which makes it perfect for listening to during the Christmas season. I believe this is the third book in The Colleen Coble Christmas Collection series, but it's the only one I've read/listened to. I almost always love Colleen Coble's books, and once again, she's hit a home run.

Lauren Everman, a former foster kid, has run back to Bluebird Ranch, a refuge for troubled kids and abused horses, where she spent time as a teenager. Suspected of a murder that she witnessed, Lauren ran to the ranch to hide. Brendan Waddell has also come to Bluebird Ranch to recover from an on-the-job injury in the Marines. Brendan also happens to have skills as an investigator. The rest you'll have to read for yourself.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet....

All Is Calm presents a fast problem and solution, as well as a three day romance for all time. The novella format is not my favorite but the storyline was good. There were editing errors that took away from the plot. For instance, at the beginning when Lauren ran, it was a full day and a half to her sanctuary. Later it was a couple hours away. Then toward the end of the book, everything took place right there near the Bluebird Ranch. Also, the killer drove Lauren right up to the mine where he would leave her to die by coyote attack. Yet 30 minutes later as the rescue squad came in, they had to park the truck 2 miles away and ride the horses to the rescue. Maybe I'm picky, but it served me well for 40 years as a proofreader.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romantic suspense. Horses, puppies, orphans. One of the main characters was former military.

I felt like the story was so brief that it didn't have much depth of characterization, much time to develop a plot, or much sense of Christmas, although there was some of each of these facets of this book.

What the story had was excitement. I do try to tell my kids (unsuccessfully, most of the time) that there ought to be more to a story than just excitement. It ought to have some positive reason for reading it, something that makes one a better person for having read it.

It was a pleasant Christmas read, thoroughly enjoyable in its own right, but as light and as empty as cotton candy.