Greetings Friends!
Today’s feature is a BOOK REVIEW as part of the Lone Star Book Blog Tours.
A SPARKLE OF SILVER
Georgia Coast Romance #1
by
LIZ JOHNSON
Date of Publication: October 16, 2018
Number of Pages: 368
Scroll down for the giveaway!
Millie Sullivan plays a 1920s-era guest during tours of a palatial estate on the shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia, where her great-grandmother was a real guest ninety years ago. When Millie learns of a lost diary that may contain the location of a hidden treasure on the estate and reveal the identity of her great-grandfather, she sets out to find the truth of her heritage—and the fortune she desperately needs. But it won’t be easy.
When security guard Ben Thornton discovers her snooping in the estate’s private library, he threatens to have her fired. Still, her story seems too ludicrous to be fiction, and her offer to split the treasure is too tempting to pass up. Get ready for a romantic escapade through dark halls and dusty corners that will have you holding your breath and sighing with delight.
PRAISE FOR A SPARKLE OF SILVER:
“A mystery, a treasure hunt, and a split-time romance—all set within a beautiful chateau. What more could we want?”—Katherine Reay, author of Dear Mr. Knightley and A Portrait of Emily Price
“A charming romance about real people triumphing over real problems. Add in a dash of mystery, a treasure hunt, and old family secrets, and you have a story that will warm every corner of your heart.”—Victoria Bylin, award-winning author of Together with You
“Lovers of history will enjoy this treasure-seeking adventure through a historic estate, and readers will appreciate a story that turns up riches of the lasting kind.”—Denise Hunter, bestselling author of Honeysuckle Dreams
CLICK TO PURCHASE
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest and thoughtful review.
This book instantly charmed me with its synopsis about discovering secrets in a library and I had to know more! And given that it was the first in a new series, I was even more intrigued. Now having spent a whirlwind adventure on the Georgia coast, I CANNOT wait to come back!
Generations collide in this heartwarming story of Millie attempting to learn the truth behind her great-grandmother’s past, which may prove beneficial in solving the financial burdens she faces in trying to provide the means to support her grandmother’s long term care with Alzheimer’s in assisted living. Unfortunately, the weight of the world rests on Millie’s shoulders and has been for quite some time. Despite her grandmother’s condition, Millie makes a final leap of faith to find an elusive treasure that may belong to her family. There is so much for any reader to enjoy with this story filled with elements of mystery, suspense, romance, and history that blends into an incredible spiritual message about forgiveness.
The relationship that develops between Millie and Ben is so believable and breathtaking. While we are only with them for a short time, their moments together never felt rushed. In fact, the pacing was done so incredibly well as to simultaneously build on the gradual attraction felt between them, while also showcasing that time is of the essence in the race to uncover secrets. They each have their own strong and relevant reasons for wanting to find this treasure and initially only need each other in order to gain that reward; however, as they gradually get to know one another and allow their walls to come down, they ultimately find love, the greatest prize of all.
“Real love isn’t love because it’s easy or always feels good. It’s love because you choose not to be self-serving.”
It is always so refreshing to read about characters living beyond themselves and trying to make a difference in the world around them. Both Millie and Ben truly embodied that spirit, and it is through them and their connections with others, that Johnson took this light romance to an inspiring level.
Additionally, please humor me as I wax poetically about the important role books play throughout the story! Millie’s penchant for reading so many romance books really set the bar high for any potential suitor. And let’s just say that Ben was by far a truly worthy match in making her own fairy tale come true. While I’m not generally a fan of the epistolary format, I was won over by Johnson’s writing style and looked forward to joining Millie in the reading of the diary to learn more right along with her.
Overall, this was an incredibly heartwarming story that I do hope you will read! This book has been by far my favorite one this year and I couldn’t wait to carve out some time each day to pick it up. A short sneak peak into the the next book at the end featuring a whole new cast of characters was only a tease! So for now, I’ll be picking up some of Johnson’s previous books as I wait for more!
Liz Johnson is the author of more than a dozen novels, including The Red Door Inn, Where Two Hearts Meet, and On Love’s Gentle Shore, as well as a New York Times bestselling novella and a handful of short stories. A marketing manager for a Christian film company, she makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona.
You can connect with her on:
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
GRAND PRIZE: Print Copy of A Sparkle of Silver, a Tin of Georgia Peach Cookies, a Handmade Wooden Treasure Box; SECOND PRIZE: Print Copy + $25 B&N Gift Card;THIRD PRIZE: Print Copy + $10 Starbucks Gift CardOCTOBER 10-19, 2018
BEST OF LUCK!
Many thanks to Lone Star Book Blog Tours and Liz Johnson! It was an absolute pleasure reading, reviewing, and hosting! Be sure to check out the other stops on the tour for more opinions and extras!
VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
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10/16/18
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Author Interview
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10/16/18
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Bonus Notable Quotable
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10/17/18
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Excerpt
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10/18/18
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Review
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10/19/18
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Character Interview
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10/20/18
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Review
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10/21/18
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Playlist
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10/22/18
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Review
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10/23/18
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Excerpt
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10/24/18
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Review
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10/25/18
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Review
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That's What She's Reading 
WHOA! The best of the year?! That's awesome! Now I want to read it too. Thanks for a great review!
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