Petty thief Birdie Kaminski has arrived in Liberty, Ohio with one thing on her mind...Treasure! Her plan is to steal a cache of treasure hidden since the Civil War. She's in possession of a charming clue which has been passed down in her family for generations: 'Liberty safeguards the cherished heart.' The beautiful thief has dreams of going straight. She secretly admires the clue's author, freedwoman Justice Postell, who rose from the horrors of slavery to build a new life for herself in Ohio.
According to family lore, Justice left South Carolina at the dawn of the Civil War. Heavy with child, Justice journeyed north carrying untold riches. As Birdie searches for the treasure, she begins to believe a more questionable part of the story: a tale of love between Justice and Lucas Postell, a French plantation owner who was Birdie's ancestor. If the stories are true, Justice bore a child with Lucas. Some of those black relatives might still live in town. Birdie can't help but wonder if she's actually found one - Liberty's feisty matriarch, Theodora Hendricks, who packs a pistol and an assortment of heartwarming stories about Justice Postell.
Birdie has no idea that an investigative reporter who has recently arrived in town will soon trip her up - as will her conscience when she begins to wonder if it's possible for her to start fresh with stolen riches. Yet with each new clue Birdie unearths, she discovers a family history more precious than gems, a tradition of love far richer than she could possibly imagine.
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I actually remember reading this when I first received a copy of it from the author. I believe that I only read as far as the second or third chapter, before I discovered that my computer had corrupted the book and then crashed - taking much of my previous reading material down with it. Oh well. I'm happy to say that I bought a brand spanking new copy for my virtual library, and I'm only a tad dismayed that it took me such a long time to read this book. :)
The characters and plot was incredibly likable - especially Birdie and Theodora - and the setting was very believable. I found myself rooting for Birdie and crying at several very touching points throughout the story. I do find myself crying quite frequently with certain books. I'm a complete marshmallow when it comes to heartwarming books - what can I say! :) I certainly give Treasure Me by Christine Nolfi an A+! and am eagerly awaiting my chance to read Second Chance Grill - the next book in the Liberty series.
According to family lore, Justice left South Carolina at the dawn of the Civil War. Heavy with child, Justice journeyed north carrying untold riches. As Birdie searches for the treasure, she begins to believe a more questionable part of the story: a tale of love between Justice and Lucas Postell, a French plantation owner who was Birdie's ancestor. If the stories are true, Justice bore a child with Lucas. Some of those black relatives might still live in town. Birdie can't help but wonder if she's actually found one - Liberty's feisty matriarch, Theodora Hendricks, who packs a pistol and an assortment of heartwarming stories about Justice Postell.
Birdie has no idea that an investigative reporter who has recently arrived in town will soon trip her up - as will her conscience when she begins to wonder if it's possible for her to start fresh with stolen riches. Yet with each new clue Birdie unearths, she discovers a family history more precious than gems, a tradition of love far richer than she could possibly imagine.
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I actually remember reading this when I first received a copy of it from the author. I believe that I only read as far as the second or third chapter, before I discovered that my computer had corrupted the book and then crashed - taking much of my previous reading material down with it. Oh well. I'm happy to say that I bought a brand spanking new copy for my virtual library, and I'm only a tad dismayed that it took me such a long time to read this book. :)
The characters and plot was incredibly likable - especially Birdie and Theodora - and the setting was very believable. I found myself rooting for Birdie and crying at several very touching points throughout the story. I do find myself crying quite frequently with certain books. I'm a complete marshmallow when it comes to heartwarming books - what can I say! :) I certainly give Treasure Me by Christine Nolfi an A+! and am eagerly awaiting my chance to read Second Chance Grill - the next book in the Liberty series.
Birdie is a thief, even though she wants to go legit. But she's carried a scrap of paper her mom gave her for years, a clue to a treasure. Birdie wants that treasure so she can afford to not be a thief. She arrives in Liberty, a very small town, and immediately go to the Second Chance Grill, a place she saw in the newspaper that was the home of the painting she was seeking. The painting is of Justice Postell, a freedwoman who went north years ago, carrying the baby of the plantation owner. The owner being Birdie's great-grandfather. Birdie figures that if she can find the portrait, it will give her the next clue to the big treasure.
Hugh is an investigative reporter who has a problem keeping his pants up. Getting fired because he misses so many deadlines seems to be things a bit more in perspective for him. His boss offers him a proposition - go to Liberty to follow up on a possible scam without a paycheck and if he can deliver the goods, he saves his job.
Hugh and Birdie arrive at the restaurant at the same time and both want the only available apartment in town. The proprieter bades them to share it, with Birdie waitressing to work off her share. They don't like it and they don't like each other, but there is something sizzling between then.
Birdie meets Theodora, an elderly woman who is a spitfire. She takes to Birdie immediately and shares her stories about Justice. Birdie is enraptured. She's always wanted a family. Her mom was a thief and her father in prison. Birdie also finds some new clues to the rubies while she is making new friends in the small town. She's never stayed long in any place, but she'd like to stay here. Unfortunately, she knows if she finds the rubies she has to leave.
Hugh is on to Birdie; he starts investigating her and knows her for a thief. He's angry at himself for wanting her but he can't help himself. He wants a relationship with Birdie, but she doesn't do long-term anything. It's just easier that way.
But when another reporter gets wind of Birdie and the rubies, things fly apart. Birdie is terrified of the townsfolk she has been pickpocketing as well as the disappointed looks on her friends faces. She thought she had trusted Hugh, perhaps loved him, but instead he breaks that trust.
With romance, buried treasure, suspense and drama, Treasure Me is fantastic! I read this book in one sitting as I couldn't put it down. I was drawn into the characters lives, relishing their every move. Great character development, excellent dialogue and a solid plot set the tone for this lively and entertaining tale. I felt sorry for them and I got angry with them and that is the mark of a great writer. I highly recommend Treasure Me!
Hugh is an investigative reporter who has a problem keeping his pants up. Getting fired because he misses so many deadlines seems to be things a bit more in perspective for him. His boss offers him a proposition - go to Liberty to follow up on a possible scam without a paycheck and if he can deliver the goods, he saves his job.
Hugh and Birdie arrive at the restaurant at the same time and both want the only available apartment in town. The proprieter bades them to share it, with Birdie waitressing to work off her share. They don't like it and they don't like each other, but there is something sizzling between then.
Birdie meets Theodora, an elderly woman who is a spitfire. She takes to Birdie immediately and shares her stories about Justice. Birdie is enraptured. She's always wanted a family. Her mom was a thief and her father in prison. Birdie also finds some new clues to the rubies while she is making new friends in the small town. She's never stayed long in any place, but she'd like to stay here. Unfortunately, she knows if she finds the rubies she has to leave.
Hugh is on to Birdie; he starts investigating her and knows her for a thief. He's angry at himself for wanting her but he can't help himself. He wants a relationship with Birdie, but she doesn't do long-term anything. It's just easier that way.
But when another reporter gets wind of Birdie and the rubies, things fly apart. Birdie is terrified of the townsfolk she has been pickpocketing as well as the disappointed looks on her friends faces. She thought she had trusted Hugh, perhaps loved him, but instead he breaks that trust.
With romance, buried treasure, suspense and drama, Treasure Me is fantastic! I read this book in one sitting as I couldn't put it down. I was drawn into the characters lives, relishing their every move. Great character development, excellent dialogue and a solid plot set the tone for this lively and entertaining tale. I felt sorry for them and I got angry with them and that is the mark of a great writer. I highly recommend Treasure Me!
