| Title | : | A Glitter of Gold (Georgia Coast Romance #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0800729412 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780800729417 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 368 |
| Publication | : | First published August 1, 2019 |
Carter has been searching for the location of the wreck detailed in the worn pages of an 18th-century diary, the discovery of which could open the door to his dream job at a prestigious museum. But convincing Anne to help him fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle is no easy task. And working with Carter means that Anne will have to do the one thing she swore she'd never do again: trust a man.
Finding a monetary backer and sticking with a search that's turning up nothing will take all their dedication--and every secret they've tried to hide. If they can find the lost ship, they may discover a treasure worth more than all the pirate gold in the world--love.
A Glitter of Gold (Georgia Coast Romance #2) Reviews
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I really enjoyed this southern romantic tale with a heavy dash of mystery from the past. I had read Liz Johnson’s previous series about PEI, but I was delighted with how different and unique this pirate-centered story is. Anne and Carter are both pressed to the wall financially and are facing possible ruin of everything they have dreamed of accomplishing.
Anne’s finding an old sword hilt on the beach after a hurricane is her last chance to make good in Savannah. That leads her to Carter and to an old journal of Rebecca, a woman who lived in Savannah in the old days of pirates and which has clues of where the pirate’s sword is from.
A unique contemporary story and an author I’ll definitely be reading more of.
Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required. -
"It sounds to me like you're carrying some heavy shame. And here's what I know. Grace is better than shame. Every time."
An evocative,powerful tale. Charming romance with likable Christian characters. An added intriguing mystery and treasure hunt. A split-time period story will keep you engaged throughout the book.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
Published August 6th 2019 by Fleming H. Revell Company .
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own. -
Forgiveness, trust and shame run ramped in this story. You get it all. I love the treasure hunt in this story it was so much fun. I love Johnson's contemporary stories and this series just might be my favorite series so far.
I gave this book 4 stars and I recommend it to contemporary fans.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own. -
I was quickly drawn into this story and really enjoyed the characters and setting. Savannah has such a unique vibe, and it was easy to imagine Anne and Carter in the city since I've been there once before. Anne and Carter are both likeable, and their friendship develops naturally. They each have issues from their past they are still working through that brought depth to the story, especially in the end as they overcome their personal struggles through faith and forgiveness. The pirate story was exciting and even though the longer passages from the diary slowed the pace of the present-day story at times, it was a good fit with Anne's tour business and Carter's background of maritime historical research, not to mention the family connection. I loved his Aunt Tessie, Wallace, and Hazel as secondary characters that supported Anne and Carter in their quest for funding to discover the location of the shipwreck. The attraction between Carter and Anne is a slow-burn through most of the book, but when they do surprise each other with romantic feelings, it's sweetly passionate. I appreciated that there was a good resolution to the story from the diary and everything wrapped up nicely.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own) -
A Glitter of Gold is the second book in the Georgia Coast Romance series by Liz Johnson but it can be read as a standalone. What if the treasure you found wasn’t the treasure you were searching for? What if God gave you both?
Anne Norris Is trying to make a new start miles away from the past she can’t forget. She renames herself Anne Bonny and leads pirate tours in old Savannah. Anne finds an artifact after a huge storm and takes it to be authenticated to museum director Carter Hale. Could this be a dream come true for both of them? They agree to help each other track down the sunken ship that the artifact could be from. They come up against many obstacles.
A friend who helps them search explains a plaque hanging in his boat: “Treasure is Trouble”. “Treasure isn’t trouble cause it’s so hard to find. Treasure is trouble because it reveals a man’s heart.”... Anything a man sets his mind on is his treasure... it’ll reveal true character.”
As Anne struggles with her past actions, Carter’s aunt Tessie tells her: “Shame is not your covering, Grace is.”
The beautiful entries in a diary handed down to Carter and some very old letters uncover clues to their search. The romance depicted there spark them to not abandon hope. Ms. Johnson describes a wonderful romance between Captain Samuel Thackery and Rebecca Jones who is searching for her brother in the mid-1700s.
Engaging from the start, the story was fascinating. The author got to the heart of what the characters were really looking for. It was full of themes of forgiveness, redemption and grace.
This is the first book I have read by Liz Johnson and it will not be my last; it is an exceptional tale.
*A copy of this book was provided by Revell Publishers through Interviews and Reviews. I was under no obligation to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own* -
A Glitter of Gold was a slightly different story from Ms. Johnson's Red Door series set on Prince Edward Island, a series I thoroughly enjoyed. Savannah, Georgia is the location for two timelines: current day and a pirate adventure from the past. Both timelines had such interesting love stories I hated for it to end.
In the present story Anne Norris was escaping a tragic past in California. Taking herself about as far as she could, Anne was living in Savannah working as a guide for her Rum Runner Tours, and keeping as far under the radar as she could. Walking on the beach after a hurricane, Anne noticed something metallic under the surface by the water. Shocked at her find, this could very well be a means out of her financial hardship as it appeared to be fairly ancient. Where one piece of a sunken ship is found, there must be more.
Carter, the curator of Savannah's maritime museum had quite a story connected to her find.
The connection was in the form of a journal written in the 1750s by Rebecca Jones, a journal handed down in Carter's family for generations. The journal tells a story of a young woman desperate to find her brother who had been taken captive by an unscrupulous pirate captain bound for the states. Cutting her hair and going by Nathaniel, hoping to make it to America to find Thomas, she was hired on as cabin boy by Captain Thackery... and from there the adventures began.
This story had me completely engaged from the first word to the last. I knew I enjoyed Liz Johnson's writing, and this book certainly confirmed it! Very good story and very clean. -
Thank you to Revell and the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
*REVIEW* 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I could say I loved A Glitter Of Gold just because of the setting. Savannah is my favorite city, and I've spent a lot of time there as well as Tybee Island. Just about everything in Savannah is haunted in some way, and there is a lot of pirate lore. I'm glad the story matched the vibe of the city. Anne and Carter are both running/hiding in different ways, and both are failing in their business ventures. Fate draws them together with a piece of possible treasure. I love a good treasure hunt, especially with bits of the past thrown in the mix. Anne and Carter slowly unravel this historic mystery while forming a genuine relationship, and thank goodness for that because I'm tired of the instant love formulaic stories I've been reading. This story felt more compelling and realistic. These characters are flawed, complex, entertaining and relatable because of these qualities. Faith is present in the story but not in an overdone way. It's a well balanced tale of hardship, loss, love, trust and redemption. I found it thoughtfully written, researched and very appealing overall. Liz Johnson has written an insightful story that's not a typical romance or mystery. It's a mixture that flows smoothly across the pages. Now, when will we see a story about Bonaventure?? -
A Glitter of Gold is the second book in Liz Johnson's Georgia Coast Romance series and another very good read. I loved the journal entries...that was one of my favorite things about the story. I found the hunt for the shipwreck aspect fascinating and was never bored.
I liked the characters. It was interesting to see how the romance progressed and the ending was sweet. I thought the story was written very well and can't wait for the next book.
All in all, I recommend A Glitter of Gold!
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.* -
In the beginning, I wasn't so sure about his story, but as it progressed and more was explained and showed, I really enjoyed this novel as a whole and so far this is my favourite book in the series. I am looking forward to A Dazzle of Diamonds.
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Arrrr, me hearties! Is there anyone who doesn’t enjoy a good treasure hunt? How about a treasure hunt with a mystery thrown in? A Glitter of Gold is all that and more. It’s a treasure hunt with a mystery, some romance, and a lesson about shame, forgiveness, and finding more than just earthly treasure.
Anne and Carter’s relationship had a rocky beginning, but it developed quite gently into a partnership, then a friendship, and then more as the story progressed, and while there wasn’t anything particularly surprising about the way this story played out, I enjoyed following the fortunes of both Anne and Carter in the here and now and Rebecca and Captain Thackery some 250 years ago as they sailed on the Catherine.
Woven through the story is the theme “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” from Matthew 6:21. While Anne and Carter focus on finding their sunken treasure, there is another character who challenges them to think about what the search for treasure reveals about a person’s heart. “You don’t even need to find it. Just get close enough to think that it’s within reach, and it’ll reveal true character. You a greedy, cheatin’ liar? Treasure will show you that. You a kind, decent sort? Treasure will tell you that too.” For two characters who are struggling with shame and a determination to prove themselves, it’s a revealing personal journey as well as a challenging treasure hunt.
Recommended for hunters of both temporal and eternal treasure!
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion. -
This is my favorite Liz Johnson book. It seems I rarely give a 5 star rating to a contemporary story, but Liz Johnson has hit a home run with A Glitter of Gold. It is a wonderful, easy read for a summer holiday filled with an old diary, a hunt for a sunken ship and a sweet romance.
Liz Johnson's skillful pen pulled this Midwest reader on a book vacation to the historical setting of Savannah, experiencing references to the walking historical tours, historic homes, pecan pralines, sweet tea and peaches. I absolutely adored Anne. What a burden she has carried for years. Only a skillful author can pull emotions from her readers as we cry for characters as if they were real people. But I believe it is because we are able to see some of our own character traits mirrored in fictional characters, that we become invested in the outcome of the story.
But what had me riding the emotional roller coaster was the theme of how grace covers all shame and how our worth should be judged by whom we belong.
One of my favorite quotes from the book : "Shame is not your covering. Grace is."
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own. -
Johnson's second Georgia Coast Romance is absolutely delightful.
Anne is a woman who unwittingly got involved with a terrible situation and is now suffering the consequences of her choices. She carries a load of shame and does not feel worthy of love or forgiveness. When she finds a gold artifact on the beach, she comes into contact with Carter, the man who runs the local museum. He too has brokenness from his past and guards his heart. As the two use the pages of an 18th century diary to try to locate a shipwreck, they grow closer, but they both have walls around themselves that are difficult to break down.
I loved the themes that resonate throughout this book dealing with trust, forgiveness, and shame. The adventure of the tale and the investigation are just icing on the cake for me as I adore a good treasure hunting story, but the relationships are what makes this book glitter with gold. The faith message is integral to the story, but is never preachy or overwhelming.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. -
Anne Norris moved to Savannah, Georgia to escape her past. Because of the history of pirates in the area, Anne starts a pirate tour guide business; but it has not been very successful, and she is about to lose her apartment. She discovers a gold sword hilt on the beach after a heavy storm and takes it to the local maritime museum run by Carter Hale III. The museum is struggling as well. Will her sword hilt connect with a family diary and help them both get their dreams aloft?
This was a delightfully easy read filled with pirate stories, history, romance and treasure. The story pulled me right in from the start with great characters, an intriguing journal/diary, and somewhat of a dual timeline. Johnson's writing flowed equally well in both the journal and the present day action. This is the second book in the series but reads well as a stand alone.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review. -
I love this story. This book is a contemporary romance and it involves a diary from the 18th century and a sword hilt treasure find. So, I got a glimpse of life on a pirate ship off the coast of Savannah and Tybee Island. I loved the diary story and would love this author to do a whole book like that. Well done Ms. Johnson! So all in all there are two romances going on. There is love, action, and mystery that kept me up late reading. It was worth the loss of sleep.
*I was given a copy of this book by the author and this is my honest opinion. -
Liz Johnson has done it again—written a romance that gave me all the feels and was impossible to put down!
Anne and Carter's story—ostensibly a search for a sunken ship, but really a search for belonging—is so engaging. And the chemistry between the two of them is 🔥. I also loved Carter's Aunt Tessie, who gently nudged both Anne and Carter out of the shadows of their pasts and toward each other. (I would love a book about Tessie's younger years. She's such a fascinating woman!)
There's also a secondary story, told entirely through 250-year-old documents, about sailors on the Catherine, the ship Anne and Carter are searching for. This story reminded me a bit of Lori Wick's Wings of the Morning (which really is just about the highest praise I can give—Smokey & Dallas forever!), not in the actual plot (though there are some basic similarities), but in the tone and in how the story made me feel.
Put those two stories together, and you have a captivating novel full of so much heart. Highly recommended for fans of romance!
Note: This is the second book in Johnson's Georgia Coast Romance series, but, other than the setting of Georgia and the common theme of a treasure hunt, I didn't catch any connections between the books. Both certainly work as stand-alone novels.
Disclosure of material connection: I received this novel from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own. -
Pirates, hidden treasures, a 200-year-old diary - what could go wrong? I loved this story. Liz Johnson has a way of dragging you into a story and holding you captivated until it's over. Many times telling myself 'just one more chapter...' with this one! My favourite part was the diary entries within the bigger story. Talk about captivating! Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance, beautiful storytelling and characters which tug at your heart.
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4.5
Review to come. -
3.5 stars
"He wanted fame and fortune in the spotlight . . . . She just wanted to survive. Unrecognized. Unseen. Anonymous."
He . . . . is museum director, Carter Hale. She . . . . is pirate-tour entrepreneur, Anne Norris. They both, are so much more.
When Anne Norris stumbles upon a piece of potential island treasure, she has no way of knowing that it might connect to an historic journal, which in turn might connect Carter Hale to a shipwreck just waiting to be discovered off the coast of Georgia. Both Anne and Carter need an infusion of cash for entirely different reasons; one owns a fledgling tourist business and the other is trying to manage a maritime museum that is on the brink of disaster. The trouble is, Carter is looking to better his future while Anne is desperate to escape her past. And then, they start looking at each other. Is gaining one treasure worth losing another?
At times a bit whimsical, maybe even borderline fantastical, but at its very core it is merciful; a story that is comfortable in its own skin, daring to shed shame in order to clothe itself in truth . . . plus, who could ever forget those sweet kisses??!
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. -
With A Glitter of Gold, Liz Johnson has written another layered contemporary romance with adventure on the surface and deeper themes of grace and trust at the core. This one happens to feature a little historical story of PIRATES and treasure that is just as riveting and wonderfully echoes the themes of the book.
This story really makes me want to visit Savannah and learn more about its nautical history! Besides the enchanting setting, Liz Johnson’s style brings the characters to life in tangible ways. I was rooting for Anne to find the security and forgiveness she longs for — even if it did take some major trials for her to arrive at a place of peace. Her backstory surprised me in many ways, making her fascinating and more relatable to readers. And Carter! He had some growing to do, too, especially when it came to familial expectations and personal identity. Anne and Carter’s unlikely partnership-turned-friendship (and romance!) leads to quite the adventure, meanwhile exposing the vulnerabilities of their pasts.
As fun and insightful as the contemporary story is, I just might be more in love with the historical elements of A Glitter of Gold. Carter and Anne search through an heirloom diary that tells of Rebecca’s quest and her involvement with Captain Samuel Thackery. Her bravery and fortitude are impressive, as are his integrity and strength of character. Their chemistry is palpable as their relationship shifts into something more… all I can say is, you might need a cooling splash of seawater after you read some of their sweet scenes together!
A Glitter of Gold is the perfect balance of pirates, adventure, longing, and forgiveness. I’m certainly looking forward to Liz’s next book in the series!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review. -
When Anne Norris was in college, she trusted the wrong person, and her boyfriend's eco-terrorist plot got her sent to prison. Now starting over in Savannah, Georgia, she runs a struggling pirate tour company, until she finds an artifact on the beach unearthed from the depths by a hurricane. Museum curator Carter Hale knows that Anne's discovery is the first solid piece of evidence that the shipwreck in his family's journal is real, but getting to the pirate ship Catherine is more complicated than either one of them thought.
I've found that a lot of Christian fiction is more interested in being Christian than it is in being good fiction, but this one is both. It's a good romance with a bit of mystery and historical intrigue. I especially like the sections from the historical diary, which is a mystery within the mystery. The book does rely on the "characters misunderstand each other and bad things happen" trope, but other than that, it's a solid story. -
A Glitter of Gold is the first Liz Johnson book I have read so far and let me tell you, I want to read everything she has ever written. The story flows effortlessly. Sometimes you can sense when an author is trying to do too much with their characterization or the plot, and it often works to their disadvantage. Johnson is telling a story both in the present time and the past (some 250 years ago or so), and she weaves them together with such grace. I have read other books that have used a similar technique and found myself wishing that the author spent more time in one time period than the other. I think that the author gives us a good mix of both worlds. To me, the mark of a truly good book is one that you don’t want to see end. While I appreciate the epilogue that tied up some loose ends, I really wanted to know what happens to our heroin after this adventure.
The cover art is beautiful and matches up stylistically with the other Georgia Coast Romance novel (A Sparkle of Silver). I paused a little when I looked at it because the cover model is Jessica Alba’s doppelganger. That little bit aside, once I really dove into the story, I didn’t think that the cover matched the novel. Anne didn’t seem like the type of woman to wear fancy looking drop earrings and a snazzy nautical scarf around her neck. But to be fair, having her appear sweaty and disheveled in her pirate getup probably wouldn’t be the way to go either.
When you have a story within a story, sometimes the page or chapter breaks get crazy with odd formatting. You can breathe easy knowing that A Glitter of Gold is not one of those books. The formatting is clean and the copy editing is impeccable. I could truly enjoy just reading this story without feeling tempted to reach for a red pencil and start marking away. The characters and dialogue are realistic, so you can just immerse yourself in the story. I also liked Johnson’s style of writing during the diary entries. You could tell that it was meant to be written long ago without the use of old timey words like “ye” and certainly no pirate talk.
This book would have been the perfect beach read if I had the good fortune to be on vacation. Alas, I was confined to a sweltering day at home with no air conditioning. It was a nice, cozy read as I sipped my iced tea on the couch. I resisted the siren song of Netflix over the weekend so that I could devour it all in one go. I can’t wait to read more from this author. -
A Glitter of Gold is a fun, well written story filled with romance, mystery, and pirates! :D
A Glitter of Gold is a great title and ties in very well with the plot of treasure hunting. The author’s writing style is relaxed as well as descriptive and made me feel like I was actually there. I enjoyed reading the journal entries written by a passenger of a pirate ship and I thought centering this book around pirates was interesting -- I learned quite a bit about them. :)
Anne Norris-- Anne moves from California to Georgia and wants to forget what has happened in her past. After a hurricane, she finds an old artifact that leads her to the other main character, Carter Hale...
My one criticism of Anne’s character was that she was overly cautious with the other characters in some spots. It seemed a little bit overdone. Otherwise, I liked her and enjoyed seeing her learn to trust God, as well as her friends and family more. :)
Carter Hale-- Carter has some problems in this book: a struggling museum and family issues. When Anne comes along with a golden treasure, he realizes that there may be an answer.
Carter was a very fun and likeable person. :D I enjoyed his aunt’s character as well! ;)
Overall, the romance was predictable, but sweet, and I loved this book! I would definitely recommend it for 13+. 4 stars.
**This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group through Interviews & Reviews.**
“Treasure isn’t trouble ‘cause it’s so hard to find. Treasure is trouble because it reveals a man’s heart.” -
A Glitter of Gold is the latest of Liz Johnson’s Georgia Coast Romances. This stand-alone novel is a treasure trove of romance and suspense. Anne Norris has recently moved to Savannah from California to get a new start in life, but her pirate tour business isn’t doing so well. Carter Hale is a local museum director interested in all kinds of local history, but the museum isn’t doing so well either. When Anne stumbles upon what appears to be a find from an old shipwreck, the two of them join together in a search that could change the businesses they run and their very lives. Neither of them is looking for romance, but maybe it found them!
Liz Johnson holds the reader’s attention with the addition of a diary and letters written in the 1700’s containing tales of shipwrecks and pirates. I was just as invested in the story of the diary writer as I was in the story of Carter and Anne. I felt like I was reading alongside Anne as she and Carter dare to solve this mystery of the old shipwreck.
The spiritual messages in A Glitter of Gold are an integral part of the story. The characters discover a God who loves them and covers them in grace.
I have loved every book I’ve read by Liz Johnson and this one joins the others as a delightful, intriguing read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are completely my own. -
Loved the story within the story! This was a great book!
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I received a copy of this book for free. This is my honest and thoughtful review.
After my rave review of last year's A SPARKLE OF SILVER, I could not wait to start reading this next installment! Once again, Liz Johnson has completely blown me away and cemented herself as an author on my insta-buy list!
Even though this is the second book in the series, it can very well be read as a stand-alone. The story follows two new characters, Anne and Carter, in their quest for information about a sunken ship off the coast of Savannah that occurred over 250 years ago.
Anne is attempting to reset her life following poor decision making and consequential mistakes, while Carter is struggling to keep the small museum he curates afloat. When Anne finds the hilt of a sword on the beach after a hurricane, she enlists Carter's help to determine its value. She quickly discovers that he has a vested interest in the item as well, having read about its description in the diary of a crew member who worked on board the ship for some time before it went down. Carter has spent much of his life trying to prove to his family, colleagues, and academia that the diary is in fact a piece of history and not a fantastic work of creative writing. Once Anne arrives, both of their lives are fundamentally changed.
"No matter how hard she tried to smile at Carter's silly joke, it didn't change who they were. She was a woman with a past she'd rather forget and name she could do without. He was a man with a name he didn't seem to want yet couldn't help but own."
The author's beautiful yet casual writing style is completely engaging and becomes incredibly immersive with the inclusion of the diary entries and letters sprinkled across the narrative. Readers will become just as excited as Anne to discover the truth behind the crew member's involvement on the Catherine. It's really a meta moment! Just as Anne is excited to return to the diary to find out more, readers will look forward to reading what Anne is reading and the pages will fly! The author is able to effortlessly weave the plot and historical subplots together so that everything becomes integral to the story and builds these interwoven relationships into a rich and multilayered story that kept me turning the pages long into the night!
"It sounds to me like you're carrying some heavy shame. And here's what I know. Grace is better than shame. Every time."
As with the previous book, so many genres come together to weave a layered story that any reader can enjoy. Filled with elements of mystery, suspense, romance, and history, the author's deft storytelling also crafts a captivating spiritual message about forgiveness and redemption.
This is an intensely heartwarming story that gracefully captures the power of second chances and the magic of uncovering true love. The picturesque descriptions of this coastal community will have you believing the sand is really in between your toes and the oppressive heat is beating down. So stay cool inside with this atmospheric read or take with you on your vacation to close out the summer and find some treasure of your own! -
Liz Johnson is such an amazing author. She takes a setting that I absolutely love, and brings it to life so I can visit it whenever I want, from the comfort of my own home. I have family that live on the Georgia Coast, and I have only visited a handful of times. But between my own memories, and Johnson's descriptive writings, I can still see the shoreline, I can smell the ocean, I can see the historic buildings, and I can feel as if I am right there.
A Glitter of Gold has so much going for it. Setting. Pirate story (need I say more!?). Love interest. A woman doing the impossible, all for the love she has for her brother - which by the way I thought was smart. Most times you see women do something for a love interest, so the fact that this was done for a family member made it so much more special and meaningful. Redemption. The grace of God. And an awesome journal that I couldn't get enough of!
Anne and Carter were wonderfully written characters. You could kind of sense the romantic tension from the beginning, but Johnson took her time with them. This is NOT one of those immediate attraction, fall in love and become an instant couple stories, and rightly so. This was so much more than that. Each character had something to overcome - whether it's a hurtful past, pride, forgiveness, or whatever. The story was more than just romance, it was truly the entire ride. Johnson gives you glimpses of the pasts of each of these characters, and as you start to put the puzzle pieces together, you understand how they got to where they are today. Then you realize why they act the way they do, and what they need to overcome in order to move on with their life, and Who's help they would need in order to do so.
Johnsons easily weaves a faith theme amongst the pages of this book and I thought she did so beautifully. Her words spoke right to my heart, and that is what I love about Christian Fiction. It has the power to touch people, to help people, to encourage people. It did all of this and more for me. Don't mistake this for being some preachy story, it is anything but that. Instead you see glimpses of the strength that helps these characters - it's natural, it's evident, and it's poetic. Bravo Liz Johnson.
I cannot get enough of this series honestly. It's one of those that I hope never ends - and yes part of that is because I simply adore the setting. But part of it is also because Johnson has written characters and circumstances that resonate with me. I cannot wait for the next installment!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. -
“And God’s grace isn’t just forgiveness. It’s also strength to face the hard times. It’s the thing that prompts you to get back up when you’ve been pushed down. Shame never did anything for anyone but make them feel lower than low. Grace refuses to leave you there. I refuse to leave you there.”
I have been a fan of Liz Johnson’s books since the Prince Edward Island Dreams series but she has clearly outdone herself with this book. There is something incredibly raw, delicate, vulnerable, painful yet hopeful and captivating within these beautiful pages. The author’s writing, as expected, is fluid, melodic, and easy to follow and the plot is full of delightful surprises as Anne and Carter hunt for a sunken ship off the coast of Tybee Island. The characters of Anne and Carter are down-to-earth and flawed, but so lovable in their humanness. The faith element, provided by Carter’s aunt Tessie, is straight-forward and full of life applications.
Anne, a once wrongly convicted felon in the state of CA, only wants anonymity and a little extra money from her city tours that she hosts in Savannah, GA. Carter is a museum director looking for a big find so that his tiny Savannah museum can stay afloat and he can get opportunities at bigger places. “She was a woman with a past she’d rather forget and a name she could do without. He was a man with a name he didn’t seem to want yet couldn’t help but own.” They meet when Anne finds a treasure after a hurricane sweeps through Savannah and they forge a tentative business partnership as they try to find a sunken ship from the mid-1700s that’s only known to Carter’s family through an inherited heirloom of a diary. The romance is sweet and beautiful but more beautiful is the theme of grace covering shame, guilt, bitterness, and past transgressions.
This is book 2 in Georgia Coast Romance but is actually a stand-alone. The characters from book 1 don’t cross over into this book but both books do share a similar location and a trope of treasure hunt and a journal to lead them. So even if you didn’t read A Sparkle of Silver (but you should!), you wouldn’t miss anything in this book. I can’t wait for the next book to go treasure hunting again!
I received a copy of the book from Baker Publishing Group and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own. -
The author gives us a young woman Anne who is really down on her luck, and her trust of her fellow man is at an all-time low.
Enter a young man who is trying to make a name for himself without relying on his famous last name, and fate throws them together.
Can Anne end up trust a man? Can Carter help himself and also Anne?
We are also given a backstory, a relative of Carter’s, but this relative and her precious diary begin to tie everything together.
Once you turn the first page, you will be page turning, and watch how wonderfully the author has the past meet the present. A don’t miss read!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.
