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Treasured: A Second Chance Novel
Forget the Spa. This is a Girlfriends' Trip gone rogue into the wild, mystery-filled swamp where love, laughter, adventure and legends collide!
"Brinkley Josephine Taylor, you have lost your mind . . ."
Just days after her parents' tragic death, Brinkley Taylor finds an old treasure map that's been missing from her family's possession for decades. Encouraged by her besties, Mavis and Andi, she trades their annual friends' trip to a luxurious getaway for the untamed Louisiana swamp where secrets whisper through the cypress trees, danger lurks beneath the murky waters and X just might mark the spot.
"World's Most Fun FUNraiser . . ."
Armed with questionable survival skills, the world's most unreliable directions and a cover story flimsier than a mosquito net, they join a lively FUNraiser and outbid the locals at an auction for two rugged Cajuns and one eccentric New Orleans' artist as their guides. But it's Brinkley's charming guide, Diez Romero, whose pirate ancestry ties him to the alligator infested wetlands and maybe, the treasure itself.
"The Bayou has Eyes and Ears . . ."
With the help of the enigmatic Tante Izzy, the fiery local legend whose wisdom is as sharp as her wit and with secrets of her own, Brinkley must decide how far she's willing to go for answers.
A laugh-out-loud romantic mystery packed with adventure, danger, undeniable chemistry and the Magic of True Friendship!
"Brinkley Josephine Taylor, you have lost your mind . . ."
Just days after her parents' tragic death, Brinkley Taylor finds an old treasure map that's been missing from her family's possession for decades. Encouraged by her besties, Mavis and Andi, she trades their annual friends' trip to a luxurious getaway for the untamed Louisiana swamp where secrets whisper through the cypress trees, danger lurks beneath the murky waters and X just might mark the spot.
"World's Most Fun FUNraiser . . ."
Armed with questionable survival skills, the world's most unreliable directions and a cover story flimsier than a mosquito net, they join a lively FUNraiser and outbid the locals at an auction for two rugged Cajuns and one eccentric New Orleans' artist as their guides. But it's Brinkley's charming guide, Diez Romero, whose pirate ancestry ties him to the alligator infested wetlands and maybe, the treasure itself.
"The Bayou has Eyes and Ears . . ."
With the help of the enigmatic Tante Izzy, the fiery local legend whose wisdom is as sharp as her wit and with secrets of her own, Brinkley must decide how far she's willing to go for answers.
A laugh-out-loud romantic mystery packed with adventure, danger, undeniable chemistry and the Magic of True Friendship!
459 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 17, 2025
6 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Tina DeSalvo
13 books277 followersTina DeSalvo grew up in the suburbs of New Orleans, only minutes from the French Quarter. She moved to Cajun Country after college to take a job as a broadcast journalist. Like New Orleans had, now she gathered inspiration for what would become her wonderful fiction characters from the rich culture, unique traditions and lively events of the bayou community. Tina's Second Chance Novel Series are Contemporary stories of love, mystery, laughter and Cajun Charm.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 18, 2025
Treasured by Tina DeSalvo
A Second Chance novel. Contemporary southern romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better if read after Elli, Jewell and Abby for the southern feel and secondary characters.
Brinkley, Mavis and Andi have been best friends since college. After finding a long lost treasure map, the women take their annual girls trip to a small town on the Louisiana bayou. They keep their map a secret, while charming the locals and bidding high on guides for the wetlands.
Brinkley and Diez Romero have an undeniable chemistry. Andi and Jude can’t keep their eyes off each other, especially after that very public kiss. Mavis and Marc decide fishing is better than competing for some fake pirate jewels.
Can the vacation turn into more? Even though they’ve withheld their true reason for being in the small town? Will the women get run out of town when their reasons for being there are revealed?
Deep friendships rule the women and their time together. They will always be there for each other. Add in Tante Izzy, and the three totally enamored men, you won’t want this romance to end. A bit of intrigue and threat from an outsider, plus some elderly female hilarity adds more depth and realness to the small town. Home and comfort.
Oh, a little drama and angst with the romances that just melts the heart.
Incredibly heartwarming and joyous as it all comes together. With pink highlights and a dash of hope.
A Second Chance novel. Contemporary southern romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better if read after Elli, Jewell and Abby for the southern feel and secondary characters.
Brinkley, Mavis and Andi have been best friends since college. After finding a long lost treasure map, the women take their annual girls trip to a small town on the Louisiana bayou. They keep their map a secret, while charming the locals and bidding high on guides for the wetlands.
Brinkley and Diez Romero have an undeniable chemistry. Andi and Jude can’t keep their eyes off each other, especially after that very public kiss. Mavis and Marc decide fishing is better than competing for some fake pirate jewels.
Can the vacation turn into more? Even though they’ve withheld their true reason for being in the small town? Will the women get run out of town when their reasons for being there are revealed?
Deep friendships rule the women and their time together. They will always be there for each other. Add in Tante Izzy, and the three totally enamored men, you won’t want this romance to end. A bit of intrigue and threat from an outsider, plus some elderly female hilarity adds more depth and realness to the small town. Home and comfort.
Oh, a little drama and angst with the romances that just melts the heart.
Incredibly heartwarming and joyous as it all comes together. With pink highlights and a dash of hope.
August 1, 2025
Romantic and heartwarming story
Emotional story of family, friends, loss and grief.
Who wouldn't want to go on a Treasure hunt with your besties and hot men.
Healing girls trip (bayou, scary monster fish, alligators)
And of course TANTE IZZY!!!!
Emotional story of family, friends, loss and grief.
Who wouldn't want to go on a Treasure hunt with your besties and hot men.
Healing girls trip (bayou, scary monster fish, alligators)
And of course TANTE IZZY!!!!
June 17, 2025
It was very appropriate that I began reading this book on the date that my father passed away. I am not giving away anything to say that the book opens with the main character, Brinkley, thinking of both her deceased parents and calling their phone only to reach voicemail. I must admit that I have a saved voicemail of my mother’s message left for me, that I listen to every so often (sadly I do not have one of my dad). So immediately, I find I am a kindred spirit to Brinkley, the main character.
The story was very emotional for me. The plot contained many subjects, but foremost it was a journey through grief to find joy again. That even as an adult, when you lose your parents you feel like an orphan, but in time realize that family does not need to be blood relatives. You will find happiness again even if the loss never fully leaves.
The characters are wonderfully created, and each have their own personality and voice. Very interesting and unique careers for the three main characters. Brinkley is a cartographer, Mavis is a wedding planner extraordinaire, and Andi owns a famous candy company and is a member of Mensa International. I enjoy books with a wide range of character’s ages. I especially love books with the older population included, which brings me to Tante Izzy.
Tante Izzy and her two friends, which were introduced in previous books by Ms. DeSalvo, are also in this story, which adds comedic relief and heart hugs. Tante Izzy is one of a kind and a whoot! We should all be blessed with a Tante Izzy in our life. I care for all the characters so much (except the bad guy, of course) and am still thinking about them after I finished the last page. I want another book or two following this one!
This is a romance story, my favorite genre, so there are the storylines interwoven throughout the book of attraction and sparks flying. It warmed my heart for these three amazing women to find much more than what they set out for when they planned this girl’s trip.
I am a reader that is very attracted to book covers to pick my next read. Although I had already planned to read Ms. DeSalvo’s newest book, because I am a huge fan of her writing, the book cover would have drawn me in anyhow. Sometimes a cover is just perfect for the story, and that is true for Treasured! Friendship, a beautiful bayou setting, people that look like the character’s descriptions and a treasure map sets the mood for the story.
I definitely recommend this lovely story and hope that you find your treasure along the journey. What better way to ease grief than to take a girlfriend trip (even if it is “book travel”) to the bayou to search for treasure and maybe find joy again! What started as a heartbreaking book, due to the subject of recent grief, turned into a charming story full of hope, love and laughter.
The story was very emotional for me. The plot contained many subjects, but foremost it was a journey through grief to find joy again. That even as an adult, when you lose your parents you feel like an orphan, but in time realize that family does not need to be blood relatives. You will find happiness again even if the loss never fully leaves.
The characters are wonderfully created, and each have their own personality and voice. Very interesting and unique careers for the three main characters. Brinkley is a cartographer, Mavis is a wedding planner extraordinaire, and Andi owns a famous candy company and is a member of Mensa International. I enjoy books with a wide range of character’s ages. I especially love books with the older population included, which brings me to Tante Izzy.
Tante Izzy and her two friends, which were introduced in previous books by Ms. DeSalvo, are also in this story, which adds comedic relief and heart hugs. Tante Izzy is one of a kind and a whoot! We should all be blessed with a Tante Izzy in our life. I care for all the characters so much (except the bad guy, of course) and am still thinking about them after I finished the last page. I want another book or two following this one!
This is a romance story, my favorite genre, so there are the storylines interwoven throughout the book of attraction and sparks flying. It warmed my heart for these three amazing women to find much more than what they set out for when they planned this girl’s trip.
I am a reader that is very attracted to book covers to pick my next read. Although I had already planned to read Ms. DeSalvo’s newest book, because I am a huge fan of her writing, the book cover would have drawn me in anyhow. Sometimes a cover is just perfect for the story, and that is true for Treasured! Friendship, a beautiful bayou setting, people that look like the character’s descriptions and a treasure map sets the mood for the story.
I definitely recommend this lovely story and hope that you find your treasure along the journey. What better way to ease grief than to take a girlfriend trip (even if it is “book travel”) to the bayou to search for treasure and maybe find joy again! What started as a heartbreaking book, due to the subject of recent grief, turned into a charming story full of hope, love and laughter.
June 18, 2025
If you're looking for a new adventure this standalone story by raconteur Tina DeSalvo features interconnected characters from her Second Chance series. Treasured is a captivating story set in the swamplands somewhere South near Cane, Louisiana. In this road trip adventure, a trio of college besties set sail in search of treasure that might or might not...involve a pirate or two. 𝘓𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘻 𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘳 and discover loveable characters, southern charm, a dash of creole spice, and lots of laugh out loud moments in this epic bookcation that’s a perfect read anytime of the year.
I received an advance reader copy from the author for an honest and fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an advance reader copy from the author for an honest and fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 4, 2025
Life in Cajun Country
When three friends take a trip to Louisiana to search for pirate treasure, they find so much more than expected. I loved following them as they experienced life in the bayou; the food, music, wonderful characters and the wildlife. City folk out with the alligators and snakes was hilarious, although I wouldn't want to be near any alligator garfish. The story slowly built with the friendships and budding romance, leading to very unexpected happy ever after. Plus I learned so much about the bayou, I might have to search online to learn more.
When three friends take a trip to Louisiana to search for pirate treasure, they find so much more than expected. I loved following them as they experienced life in the bayou; the food, music, wonderful characters and the wildlife. City folk out with the alligators and snakes was hilarious, although I wouldn't want to be near any alligator garfish. The story slowly built with the friendships and budding romance, leading to very unexpected happy ever after. Plus I learned so much about the bayou, I might have to search online to learn more.
August 16, 2025
Such a cute book but with enough angst to keep you guessing on the edge of your seats. It wasn't anything I expected but was very thrilled with how everything played out!!!
June 17, 2025
Treasured: A Second Chance Novel by Tina DeSalvo is an absolute joy to read.
After losing her parents in a tragic car crash, Brinkley finds a long-lost treasure map, inspiring a healing girls trip with her besties.
Brinkley and Diez' HEA story has it all; Laid-back Cajun feels, a fun girls trip, adventurous treasure hunts, insta-chemistry/love, chaotic family and friend chaos, all packed in an action-packed heartwarming tale. Plus, Tante Izzy! IYKYK!
This standalone, happy romantic comedy has it all; heart, heat, scary monster fish, and the best of friends and family.
I loved every minute!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After losing her parents in a tragic car crash, Brinkley finds a long-lost treasure map, inspiring a healing girls trip with her besties.
Brinkley and Diez' HEA story has it all; Laid-back Cajun feels, a fun girls trip, adventurous treasure hunts, insta-chemistry/love, chaotic family and friend chaos, all packed in an action-packed heartwarming tale. Plus, Tante Izzy! IYKYK!
This standalone, happy romantic comedy has it all; heart, heat, scary monster fish, and the best of friends and family.
I loved every minute!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews