Artist Samantha Cartwright arrives in Cat's Paw Cove for
a visit with her great Aunt Emma, hoping to get clarity about Emma's cryptic
prediction. Instead, Sam finds out she must mind her aunt's metaphysical shop
while Emma is away on vacation. The temporary job proves impossible for Sam
because unlike Emma, Sam possesses no magical powers. Lucky for her, tall,
dark, and handsome help enters the shop just in the nick of time.
Eli Kincaid managed to get on the bad side of a ruthless loan
shark. Now his life depends upon his ability to con an innocent woman out of
the only thing of value she owns -- a precious jewel she inherited. If he can
get close to Sam, maybe he can figure out where she's keeping the gem. What he
hadn't counted on was falling for his mark. Can he escape the web of deception
and protect Sam as sinister forces close in on both of them?
Fun book. Sam arrives in Cat's Paw Cove expecting to spend
time with her Aunt Emma. Instead, Emma has left on vacation, leaving Sam in
charge of her shop. This puts Sam in a tough spot because she has none of Emma's
magical powers. She's grateful for the tall, dark, and hunky guy who steps up
to give her a hand. Unknown to her, Eli isn't just a chance acquaintance. A
professional gambler, a run of bad luck put Eli at the mercy of a loan shark. His
debt will be forgiven if Eli acquires (through fair means or foul) the sapphire
brooch that Sam inherited from her father. All he has to do is get close enough
to find it.
I liked both Sam and Eli. Sam is an incredible artist
with very little confidence in herself. Her childhood was spent with a mother
who always put her down. The only good parts were the times she spent with her
Aunt Emma, who encouraged Sam's creativity. Sam went out on her own when she
was seventeen, determined to make it on her own. She knows she has made mistakes,
but she learns from them and moves on. Eli is a good guy at heart. His
childhood wasn't all that great either, and when his mother died he was raised
by his older sister. He may be a gambler, but he's an honest one until this
situation puts his sister's life at risk.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Sam
and Eli. There are sparks between them from the start, but Sam is wary. She's
been hurt before by men who have lied and cheated, so trusting Eli won't be
easy. Eli lays the charm on pretty thick, which works against him a bit. Once
he dials it back a little, Sam is more willing to accept his help in the shop. I
liked watching them get to know each other and share bits of their pasts. This
posed a problem for Eli because he quickly realized that he was falling for
her. When the threats against him extend to his sister and Sam, Eli knows he
has to do something to end it. There were some intense moments when the bad
guys show up in Cat's Paw Cove, and Eli has some decisions to make. I ached for
Sam when she learned the truth. I liked the way that everything worked out. The
epilogue was great.
I enjoyed seeing more of the town's residents. Each one
is intriguing, which leaves me hoping that they all get stories of their own. I
especially enjoyed seeing more of Jordan and her ability to communicate with
animals.
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