Review - Garden of Secrets by Barbara Freethy

TITLE: Garden of Secrets
   
AUTHOR:    Barbara Freethy
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 368 pages
PUBLISHED:   Pocket Star Books, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  Dr. Charlotte Adams is torn between two men. Rev. Andrew Schilling is her past, a high-school romance that went drastically wrong. But he's back in town now and part of her present — along with newly-divorced Police Chief Joe Silviera, whom she's been powerfully attracted to for months. The question is, which man is her future — and Charlotte has to face and accept her past before she can build a life with Joe.


MY TAKE:    In January, I discovered Barbara Freethy and her Angel's Bay series when I read and enjoyed my review of At Hidden Falls.  I was drawn into the characters and the town immediately and wanted more.


Garden of Secrets is the fifth and final installment in Ms. Freethy's series set in the fictional town of Angel's Bay on the Central California coast.  As with the other books in the series, this one can be read alone.  I'm a sucker for stories in a series so I suggest reading all of them simply for the whole experience and enjoyment.


The people that populate this little town as well as the angels that are responsible for the name are what make this such a heart-warming and fun series.  The author has filled her tale(s) with characters that tug at your heart and make you wish you lived there with them. I had already decided that I really liked Charlotte from the last book.  She has a big heart and tries to help everyone else out while ignoring her own pain and past.  Her biggest problem is trying to decide which of the gorgeous men who are pursuing her is the one she should take a chance on.  I have to admit that I was rooting for Joe even back in the first book when he was still with Rachel.  Charlotte's first love Andrew just never did it for me.  I disliked him from the moment he showed up.  I had a hard time with Charlotte forgiving him so easily and spending so much time with him.  


The mystery and murder storyline was well done.  The author kept me guessing until right near the end.  I liked it when so many of the threads started to come together and several of the stories/issues were resolved.


I recommend this book as an enjoyable read with just the right touches of romance, intrigue and magic to appeal to everyone.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Pre-order your copy now:  Amazon, The Book Depository, Barnes & Noble

    

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - At Hidden Falls by Barbara Freethy

TITLE:     At Hidden Falls
AUTHOR:    Barbara Freethy
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 371 pages
PUBLISHED:   Pocket Star Books, 2011
ISBN#:   978-1-4391-7649-8
HOW I GOT IT:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS: Mysterious dreams draw costume designer Isabella Silviera to Angel’s Bay, the California coastal town where angels occasionally dance above the waves. Bestselling author Barbara Freethy enchants again in this emotional and compelling tale of family secrets, abiding friendships, and heart-touching romance.

Isabella’s drive to Angel’s Bay would have ended in tragedy when her car slid off a cliff if she hadn’t been rescued by Nick Hartley. As he helps her to safety, she realizes he is the man who has haunted her dreams. Nick, however, is committed to reconnecting with his estranged teenage daughter, refusing to respond to his powerful attraction to Isabella. And Isabella’s police chief brother has his hands full with a missing mother, an abandoned baby, and an unknown father. What is Isabella’s role in the mysteries—both past and present— that swirl around the town?When she starts helping at the Hartley family theater, all the pieces begin to link together. Loves found and lost, heartbreak and happiness, courage and betrayal are all part of the patchwork quilt of the community—and of life. Isabella’s gift is seeing the patterns. . .   

MY TAKE:   This was a very enjoyable afternoon's read.  The danger and excitement at the beginning of the book draw you in and keep you hooked throughout the story.  This is the fourth book in Barbara Freethy's "Angel's Bay" series but it is also a delightful stand alone read as well.  I am definitely looking forward to reading the other books now.

I think my favorite part of the story is reading about Nick and his struggle to reconnect with his teenage daughter.  They've been estranged for twelve years and are having an almost impossible time coming together.  I enjoyed the dialogue and Nick's range of emotions while he's facing the fact that his beautiful baby daughter is now a punked out, rebellious stranger.

Isabella was interesting.  A bit on the flighty side and a somewhat forceful when it comes to Nick and her brother, but she made for a good protagonist. 

Good romance story with a healthy mix of drama and mystery to top it off.
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Ing at As The Pages Turn has a great interview with Barbara Freethy and a GIVEAWAY today.  Be sure to check it out!

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon,  The Book Depository, Powell's Books, IndieBound

 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.