I am hooked on the Angel's Bay series. Not only is Ms. Freethy a wonderful story teller, but her stories have a fantastic mystery to solve. In Shelter Cove continues the story of the Angel's Bay inhabitants and hints at the unraveling mystery of what really happened to the downed ship, The Gabriella.
Summary:
Brianna Kane has had a rough five years. She was once, young, happy, in love, and looking to the future. When she was supposed to be planning a wedding, she was standing in support of her husband as he was tried and convicted of stealing three priceless works of art titled "The Three Faces of Eve." Brianna believed in her husband Derek, and chose to side with him and his family, with the exception of his grandfather, during this rough patch. She was also pregnant, and Derek swore he didn't do what he was accused of and he'd win his appeal. With one of his closest friends' testimony Derek is sent to prison for a five year sentence. Brianna continues to raise her son alone and visit with her husband, looking forward to when their lives can get back on track. Unfortunately, Derek is killed only weeks before his release, leaving the wife and child he never really got to live with. Devastated, Brianna intends to move to Angel's Bay to be closer to Derek's parents, but also to find the truth and prove Derek's innocence. She anticipated some gossip and hateful people, but she didnt anticipate coming face to face with the man who helped convict her husband, and the man who always gave her a tingle. Jason Marlow was deaply affected when he had no other choice but to arrest one of his closest friends. He didnt want to, but being a cop and having seen Derek the night of the robbery, he had no choice but to believe the story and the evidence. Still, he's continued to think of it over the years, and think of Brianna. Before he knew she was Derek's he wanted her. Seeing her after five years has not diminished his feelings, but Brianna hates him, blames him for ruining her life. She also brings up his ire in thinking that he may have made a mistake. He doesn't believe he did, but still it was a difficult situation. While he knows he should stay away, he cant seem to listen to what his mind is saying, and it gets worse when it turns out he's housesitting next door to Brianna's home. Things are more than rocky in the beginning, but with the innocence of childhood, Brianna's son Lucas keeps pulling them together. Neither one, especially Brianna, can predict that getting closer will be healing and that they actually want to. At the same time Jason and Brianna are failing at staying away from each other, Colin and Kara Lynch are trying to adjust to having a new baby and Colin's therapy. Its only been a little over a month since Faith was born and Colin woke up, and life didn't exactly go back to the way it was before. Kara is excited to have both her miracles, but she's also tired and worried that Colin is rushing his recovery and doesnt want her anymore. Colin is having a difficult time being weaker than he used to be. He's used to being able to protect and provide for his family and it's frustrating to think that his wife cant rely on him as she used to. Colin also feels he won't be enough for a woman like Kara anymore. With emotions running high and miscommunications abounding, they have a long journey ahead, and finding each other again may be easier than they ever imagined. They also worry about their best friend Jason. Kara and Colin feel Jason should keep his distance from all the Kanes at the risk of getting his heart broken, but Jason cant help himself. He's been waiting for a woman like Brianna his entire life, and he knew the moment he saw her that she was it. Sometimes, knowing isn't enough. Someone seems to be getting desperate to keep the secret of where the stolen paintings are. It was always believed that Derek had an accomplice, but no one ever came up or was hinted at. But when expert forgeries are found of the beautiful paintings, links to the past are revealed as well as a tragic plan of revenge. Jason and Brianna will have to fight not only for the truth, but also fight public opinion, the Kanes' disappointment, and risk their lives in order to have a chance at finding themselves and a future together. Throughout this time, Charlotte and Joe are still helping the very pregnant Annie. It is still a mystery as to who the father is, but as the baby will be arriving shortly, plans have to be made. Annie is reviewing several couples in and around town for the chance at adopting her baby, but without her divulging the identity of the father, it makes the process stressful and risky. Charlotte is still dodging Andrew's advances, although he is getting closer. She also keeps thinking about the very sexy police chief, Joe. Joe is still a very married man and just because divorce papers may be involved, doesnt mean Charlotte can push her way in. With tensions mounting in the small bay town, and more and more artifacts making themselves known from the lost shop Gabriella, Angel's Bay is looking at something colassal happening.
Jason and Brianna were great. I loved their chemistry and how they came together despite their differences to find the truth and ended up finding each other in the process. I loved the parallel stories happening alongside the main romance and whodunit. My favorite are Charlotte and Joe. Cant wait to get started on the next in the series and hopefully solve the mystery surrounding Annie and her baby! <3