“Previously Loved Treasures” is another beautiful story about relationships from the gifted author Bette Lee Crosby. With a bit of magic and a lot of love, this book is sure to warm your heart. ( )

What a nice story. Previously Loved Treasures was a delightful look into the life of a character who desperately needed a family and found exactly what she was looking for, in a sort of round about way.

Synopsis:
In Previously Loved Treasures recently widowed Ida Sweetwater and her granddaughter come together in a heartwarming mystery rich with imagination and magic.

Struggling to make ends meet, Ida turns her home into a boarding house and goes in search of used furniture. This quest leads to the Previously Loved Treasures shop and Peter Pennington, a delightfully strange proprietor who anticipates people’s needs. In addition to bargains, Peter hands out sage advice. When a pocket watch belonging to one of the residents goes missing for a second time he warns of danger—but will Ida’s granddaughter listen and will she heed his advice?

My Review:
This was just one of those books that leaves you feeling really good. Not to say that it didn't have its share of heartache and drama but when I closed the book, I felt satisfied that all of the characters were going to be ok. At least, all the characters I cared about.

Ida is delightful, a grandmother and friend that anyone would be honored to have. She was looking for her son and instead found a granddaughter. This granddaughter, Caroline, was also looking for something, and Ida came at just the right time in her life when she needed her the most. In fact, I think what I loved most about this book is that almost all of the characters accepted each other and grew to love each other, filling in the empty spaces in their hearts.

The character of Peter was fascinating. Was he real or was he a guardian angel? I tend to lean toward guardian angel. He was definitely sent to give these women what they needed but also to guide them toward the right path and the right choices. I like to think we all have that little something or someone helping us make the right decisions, but to really have that guidance be a tangible person with a store full of just what you need added that perfect little bit of magic to the story. It was enough to give a bit of fun when wondering what each item's purpose would be.

Are there some "not so nice" people in this book trying to ruin things for our main characters? Absolutely, and they are mean and nasty and I felt angry when they acted so terribly. There were times when I wanted certain characters to meet an untimely end. I won't say more because I don't want to spoil the story. I think it is important for everyone to pick up this book and meet Peter, Ida, Caroline, and all of the other characters for themselves. I can only hope to have kind people like this in my life when I need them.

I can almost guarantee that you will finish this story and have the same feeling of satisfaction that I did. I just love a happy ending.
( )

In Previously loved treasures we meet Ida SweetWater who has just lost her Husband. She decides to find her estranged son. Only problem is a private detective costs a lot of money. So she decides to bake pies to sell at the local bakery and when that doesn't raise enough money she decides to rent rooms to boarders. Her boarders become like family along the way she discovers she has a granddaughter she invites her to come for a visit so they can meet each other. Ida needs some more furniture for a spare room her quest leads her to previously loved treasures and Peter Pennington a strange little man who can anticipate peoples needs. In addition to bargains he also gives advice. After Ida dies her granddaughter inherits the house except Ida's brother in law is convinced the house should be his. Join the tenants in the search for the missing will. A heart warming story with some quirky characters. beautifully written i look forward to reading more stories by Bette Lee Crosby. ( )

After her husband's death Ida wanted to find her estranged son. Hiring a private detective to search for Jim proved to be very expensive and in order to pay for the search she decided to rent rooms in her house.
The detective was unable to find her son but found the granddaughter Ida didn't know existed.
Soon Ida and Caroline were united and along with the roomers formed an unusual family.

Previously Loved Treasures was a unique second hand store. The owner always seemed to know exactly what you needed, even if you didn't. Peter Pennington seemed to know when you were coming, why you were coming and exactly what you could pay.

The author had me in the palm of her hand from the first paragraph until the ending. The people were real people with real life issues. Parts of the story made me laugh, others made me cry and others made me angry. The ending gave me goosebumps.

A good book gives you a pleasant way to spend a few hours. It may entertain you. A great book makes you think, makes you feel. This was most assuredly a great book.

I received this book for free in exchange for providing this honest review. ( )

This is one of those rare books you can read once, then again and again and never tire of it. After her husband dies, Ida tries to find her son, who left home decades ago. When she cannot afford to hire a detective to find him, she rents her huge house out to strangers. This is Ida’s story and their story—and Caroline’s story. The detective never finds her son, but does fine Ida’s granddaughter, Caroline, who comes to live with Ida and the rest of her “borders”. This story is one of the most endearing and heartfelt stories I have ever read. Living and eating together, the roomers in Ida’s house bond with each other and with her, making them one big family. Only one person stick out for not really becoming part of the group, Ida’s dead husband’s younger step-brother, a never do-well con man and thief, who causes some serious problems for all of them. I loved the way the author drew the characters out through their words, actions and interactions with each other. In today’s age, anyone would have difficulty finding a group as loving of each other or as willing to accept and love one another as these people. In addition, the author has added a touch of mystery and magic to the story with the owner of a second hand store, Peter Pennington, who is sort of eccentric but definitely helpful in more ways than one. I loved every page and chapter of this story and was definitely sorry to see it end. I have read and enjoyed all of the author’s books, but this one touched me in a very special way, though I cannot explain why. I think almost everyone would enjoy this heartwarming story and recommend it to anyone and everyone. If I could give it more than five stars, I definitely would. I received this from Library Thing to read and review. ( )