A long-ago shipwreck off the California coast led the survivors to the haven they named Angel’s Bay. Their shared adversity brought fellowship and joy . . . but also unsuspected secrets. Acclaimed author Barbara Freethy returns to the town where angels still keep watch, with a compelling story of a young widow trying to find the truth and bring closure for her son and herself.
The theft of three priceless paintings sent Derek Kane to prison and destroyed the dreams of his wife, Brianna. When Derek unexpectedly dies just weeks before his release, Brianna returns to Angel’s Bay with her young son, determined to prove her husband’s innocence and find the missing paintings. Her efforts are stymied by Jason Marlow, the police officer who sent Derek to jail— betraying his former friend. And when unexpected passion flares between Brianna and Jason, she must choose between the past and the present, the guilty and the innocent, the truth and the lies. For nothing is what it seems. . . .
Barbara's love of writing developed out of a love of reading. Growing up in an all-boy neighborhood, she spent quite a bit of time reading through her mother's large library, many of which were romantic novels. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara, she went into Public Relations, but soon discovered that writing was her true passion.
Barbara was traditionally published for many years, then formed her own publishing company FOG CITY PUBLISHING in 2011 and has since sold over 10 million books! She has published 75 novels ranging from mystery thrillers to romantic suspense and contemporary romance.
Her book SUMMER SECRETS was a #1 New York Times bestseller! And twenty-five other novels have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. She is currently writing two ongoing series, a contemporary romance series set in Whisper Lake and a romantic suspense series: Off The Grid: FBI Series. She is also known for her bestselling Callaway Family Series, which offers up fourteen books and two novellas.
When Barbara isn't writing or publishing, which isn't very often these days, she is playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family in beautiful Lake Tahoe or reading books!
For a complete list of her books, visit her website!
Author: Barbara Freethy First published: 2010 Length: 357 pages, 4160 kindle locations Setting: Contemporary. Angel’s Bay, California. Sex: Explicit-ish. Infrequent. Hero: Deputy. Heroine: Teacher Includes: Excerpt from The Way Back Home by Barbara Freethy
Small town series with overlapping, ongoing story arcs.
Overall, I am enjoying the series but there are bits and pieces that annoy me.
The relationship between our two MCs is forced and unlikely.
Charlotte is a pain, and the mystery of the father is grating.
The author keeps forcing a link between the contemporary story and a historical shipwreck without any reason for it.
And the mystery was rapidly but rather unsatisfactorily concluded.
2.5 stars, rounded up. It’s okay.
Angel’s Bay: Book 1 Suddenly One Summer (2009) - Jenna Davies and Reid Tanner Book 2 On Shadow Beach (2010) - Lauren Jamison and Shane Murray Book 3 In Shelter Cove (2010) - Brianna Kane and Jason Marlow Book 4 At Hidden Falls (2011) - Isabella Silviera and Nick Hartley Book 5 Garden of Secrets (2011) - Charlotte Adams and Joe Silviera or Andrew Schilling
The third book in this series, again I enjoyed it very much. Another mystery, keeping me on my toes, I thought I had guessed correctly about half way through but it was not until closer to the end that I figured it out. I will miss it when this series if finished, just another two to go
This series just keeps getting better and better! Although I had my suspicions I wasn't 100% sure whodunit. Barbara Freethy is an excellent author - her stories draw the readers into the lives of the characters from start to finish and for a long time after you close the book. I enjoyed this book very much and thought the follow-uo messages written to readers from all the leading ladies of this series was a lovely touch. I immediately downloaded book 4 & 5 as soon as I finished reading this wonderful book.
This is an addicting series...The "main" story line reaches a conclusion, but there are a number of little "cliffhangers" that continue on through the books.
This is the third book in the Angel's Bay series and it was a great read. Brianna Kane returned to her late husband's hometown hoping to connect with his family and for her son to have grandparents. She was all alone now that Derek had died in prison for stealing three painting and assaulting the nightwatchman at the museum. She had always believed that her husband was innocent and now that she was at Angel's Bay, she was going to prove it because she felt her son deserved to believe in his father. They were preparing for their wedding when he was sent to prison so it was no stretch for her to marry him while he was behind bars. He was only three months from release when he was involved in a fight at the prison and he was killed. Now she has to face his best friend, Jason Marlow, who was the Deputy Sheriff that testified against him and prove him wrong. This is a great story and one you will enjoy.
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
Too many things did not sit well with me. By 50%, I wasn't that much interested anymore. The in-laws were too much, couldn't give their daughter-in-law some space, their dead son Derek was too perfect, etc. No wonder 4 y.o. Lucas is enraged when he doesn't win first place. What kind of life is waiting for him out there? Brianna cannot keep ANY secrets. One of them being an important detail during an ongoing investigation. Jason was okay, a bit pushy but I understood where he came from. Those are the ones I remember right off the bat; I didn't have any paper with me to take notes.
I enjoy Barbara Freethy stories and series. This series does not disappoint. It has everything, love, drama, a wonderful town by the sea. Family values. You can read in order or out of sync, entertaining either way
A mystery love story. Easy read and you get invested in the town and its community members! I want more Shelter Cove books and love that you can explore more of the characters in her other books! A story that kept me guessing who was at fault.
Now that's a fun book. Lots of romantic angst, a good mystery to solve, and I didn't figure out whodunit. But why do we have to wait for Charlotte and Joe for book 5?
Book 3 of angel bay. It has a little of everything. It has drama,love betrayal, death, art and twists so good. Love the characters suspenseful and magical
Too soap opera-ish, I liked the protagonists enough, but the romance developed too quickly and was too far fetched, and the mystery too melodramatic. An extra star for the glimpses into the other characters lives.
It kept you guessing as to who Derek was and his accomplice. I still trying to figure out which adoptive father is Annie's. Looking forward to seeing who it is.
I was disappointed in this book. After reading the back, I was intrigued and was expecting a good mystery. Brianna's husband was convicted of a crime he claims he did not commit. Brianna tries to clear his name (although he's now dead). She vows to find the truth, to question anyone and everyone and investigate until she clears his name. She does this twice in the book, and when she does question someone, she finds very little out.
The main action of the book takes place in the last 40 pages or so, so the resolution is a little too quick. Also, I was intrigued with all the secondary characters stories. After page 250 or so, they were never discussed again and their stories are never resolved. Was disappointed overall.
Oh my...I am hooked on Barbara Freethy. She is a fantastic author. Her characters and location are so real you feel as if you're a part of the story. And with everything that happens to them, it's like real life we can relate to.
The first three in Angel's Bay series each can be read as stand-alone novels but it's fun to follow along with the town and see how the author weaves in and out of the storylines. Introducing new characters, revising other's we know already...
I really enjoy book series - you get to follow the same characters through different and continuing circumstances and adventures. With the Angel's Bay series, there is one mystery, drama, or secret to uncover after another. The small town of Angel's Bay is somewhere I'd love to live and the characters are people I could see myself being life long friends with. Three of five books in the series down.....two to go! I can tell I'm going to be so very disappointed to get to the end of book # 5! But, first, I'll get started with # 4 right away!