Second in a series called Pacific Coast Private Eyes comes a tale of a lady who is a Navy chaplain. She has come to Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, having arranged to meet a man whose soldier brother died in her arms. Angela Gallagher now has PTSD from her experiences overseas but she still tries to help others.

SEASIDE SECRETS are involved when a car bomb explodes and Angela is horrified to see someone she'd just spoken to being harmed. Also at the scene is Dan Blackwater, a heart surgeon coming to terms with the end of his army medic career, in his own way. He doesn't hesitate to try to rescue the person in the car. Can they find what caused someone to plant the bomb? Do they even trust each other? Angela is helping out her sisters who run a private investigation firm, while on leave, but she doesn't have a PI licence. What's more, the police are adamant that they, not the public, should look into the matter.

The seaside location in Cobalt Cove is well utilized, with kayaking a nice interlude followed by getting cut off in a lighthouse by high tide, a cliff climb and other escapades. Kelp and driftwood wash up on the beach, in parallel with drifting people who wash up in town. This tale by Dana Mentink who lives in a northern Californian coastal location will certainly appeal to those who enjoy outdoor adventures. As a romance it's extremely restrained, with the two main characters more concerned about talking through their emotional problems. Until they each feel they are healed, committing to any kind of relationship would seem wrong and unfair. The war has wrecked their lives and prospects in various ways but these courageous individuals are taking one day at a time, realizing that the lessons learned under fire can still save their lives and those of others.

Firstly SEASIDE SECRETS comes across as a suspense novel with shady characters, violence and misdirection along the way. Dan learns that even here, not everyone around him is to be trusted while Angela has to work at opening her heart, not just her moral obligation of duty to others. The first book in this series is appropriately called 'Dangerous Tidings' but this understated romance reads perfectly well as a standalone. I'll be looking out for the next book in the series.