Short Version: Folks looking for a cozy, paranormal romance will be sorely disappointed :(.

Longer Version, Spoilers: What I liked most about the first book in this series was that the characters who were juggling a paranormal romance, a ghost story, and a historical fiction/mystery were not gimmicks. They were not over-the-top or campy. The friendships and potential romances introduced were done with great finesse and humanity. I related to them and enjoyed them all.
This sequel seemed to have no desire to associate with its predecessor :(. Benedict Fairfax is the typical monologuing villain. Mistress Flyte is the cliche speaks-in-riddles wise woman. Marcus is the cautionary tale that Drugs and Rock-n-Roll turn kids Evil. And poor Samuel is written out of the series with a non-character who... smiles prettily and knows when to be quiet? That's about all that gets said of Henrietta.
The book seemed to have no interest in conflict resolution either, which - most book-lovers will tell you - is rather a central part of story crafting. This book has the villain reveal his backstory and desires, no intrigue or effort on the part of the heroine required, and then the heroine... gives him what he wants. Well, first she /leaves/ to go antique shopping in her own time, /then/ she travels back and gives him what he wants. The heroine behaves as though this is a job well done, no more conflict. Shocking no one, the villain returns to threaten her again... Turns out, ignoring a problem doesn't make it go away.
The sequel takes a bit of a genre shift from the first book too, distancing itself from romance or mystery, and instead investing heavily in becoming a Christian Fiction. The heroine was chosen by God and given a Goode Booke to guide her in playing guardian angel to people in need. Her previously shown bravery and ingenuity will no longer be necessary, as God has a plan for her which will make itself obvious when the timing is right, she need merely wait for the plot to come to her. She feels peace in forsaking love, guilt, or other emotions for duty, and she feels a deeper sense of community knowing she follows the chosen path and her mission benefits people past and present. This character might resonate with other readers, and that's fine. No sarcasm, if surrendering to a higher power is a theme which speaks to a reader, I'm glad they found this book. But I found surrendering the best parts of Xanthe's character to make her a passive, faithful puppet, to be bitterly disappointing.