Elaine L. Orr Boeken

Jolie always has her hands full appraising houses, running the food pantry, and enjoying her family. Enter Buck Brock - an annoying landlord who likes to skimp on amenities and wants Jolie to lowball appraisals on properties he's buying. He makes Lester Argrow -- usually Ocean Alley's most annoying realtor -- look like a polite uncle. She and Scoobie also decide to let a troubled Iraq War vet back into their lives, and Jolie finds him work cleaning units for Buck. Will Josh's presence help or hurt her family - especially Scoobie? Jolie's in the Java Jolt Coffee Shop when Buck's weekend tenant (a friend of Jolie's sister) collapses. No one expects her to die so quickly. It's hard to identify suspects, but Buck's new employee pops up on the police radar. Or could some evil person have put poison in a Java Jolt product just to cause trouble? Jolie, Scoobie, and friends are pondering this when an annoyed Buck asks Jolie to meet him at a house she just appraised. She's peeved, but he's a steady client. What she finds in the house does not encourage tourist traffic in Ocean Alley. As a mom of four-year-old twins, Jolie doesn't jump into crime solving casually. But figuring out two murders may be a leap she has to take.

War changes people. Because of it, Everett was a stay-at-home dad before it was a choice. Only his wife Sue Ellen had a clue why he seemed to find it hard to cope. His four children, while respectful, wished he could do more than create gardens and fix breakfast. Sue Ellen's illness meant he needed to be able to fend more for himself. It also brought his World War II secret to light. And from the sadness grew understanding and stronger bonds. An important story told with humor and grace.