A Glitter of Gold

Author: Liz Johnson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Georgia Coast Romance #2
Release Date: August 6, 2019

Discover a treasure worth more than all the pirate gold in the world

Anne Norris moved to Savannah, Georgia, for a fresh start. Now her pirate-tour business is flagging and paying the rent requires more than wishful thinking. When she discovers evidence of a shipwreck off the coast of Tybee Island, she knows it could be just the boon she needs to stay afloat. She takes her findings to local museum director Carter Hale for confirmation, but things do not go as planned.

Carter is fascinated with the wreck, 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.

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

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*

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Reviewer: Liz Franklin

A Glitter of Gold is a fun, well written story filled with romance, mystery, and pirates! 

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. 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+.

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group.

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Reviewer: Susan Snodgrass

'You're a child of God and that's all you have to be. That's enough.'

Anne Norris is hiding from her past, her life shaded with shame; shame God doesn't see. Barely existing, Anne discovers a treasure on the beach after a devastating hurricane on the Georgia coast. Taking it to a museum, she meets Carter Hale, who is also running from his past. If Anne works with Carter to discover what this artifact is, she'll have to trust a man, something she has vowed never to do again.

Full of history, a touch of the pirate, along with a 250 year old mystery, this book was just so fulfilling to read. Add in excerpts from a diary that old as well, and your heart becomes engaged early on. A treasure hunt, sprinkled with a sweet romance and a dual time also thrown in, this one is another gem to add to Johnson's books (pun intended). I loved it very much and highly recommend it to one and all. Well done!

My thanks to Revell Publishing and the author for a preview copy of this book. The opinions stated here are entirely my own. 

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Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt

A 250 year old diary, an ancient sword hilt & a pirate legend all mash up to bring adventure, love and the promise of a treasure worth far more than gold!
 
I’m not sure how to put how I feel about this story other than I loved everything about it! And even that seems lame compared to what is contained within the pages of the book. Because I don’t want to underscore how it grabbed a hold of me from the very first page & then Liz Johnson sealed it by including pages of an ancient diary about pirates and the danger of the high seas! Wow, you’re in for quite an adventure with “A Glitter of Gold”!
 
I think I loved Anne from the very start. She’s smart, a little sassy, and wants to make a new name for herself after a tragic past. A past which she had no control over and cost her dearly. Living with guilt and shame, she runs to Savannah, Georgia to start a pirate tour company. Because if it’s one thing she loves, it’s a good story and the history behind it. Carter has his own family issues he’s not dealt with and a failing museum. When Anne brings him evidence of a shipwreck he’s been trying to prove really happened…he sees doors opening for his dream career. Trying to convince her to partner up with him proves difficult at best. But the pages of a diary sway her just enough to go along for the ride.
 
I really love how Johnson incorporated two stories in one, the distant past and in today’s world. So it’s like getting your cake and the best frosting in the world coating it! This has so many layers to uncover and each one is more delightful than the previous one.  Being a romantic at heart, I found pleasure in watching these two fall in love. Anne has been burnt in the romance department, so seeing her open up to the possibility was charming. It just proves that love can come from unexpected places. There were also some very powerful spiritual messages included. Carter was reminded that God saw him as more than what he thought he was & His grace can set Anne free from guilt and shame.  Oh, and I really loved Aunt Tessie! She was a wise woman who God used to speak truths into their lives and engulf them in her healing hugs. She had that southern charm and welcoming spirit.
 
This one is for contemporary inspirational fiction readers who also love a little touch of historical & a romance to warm the heart!

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Winnie Thomas

Liz Johnson has penned another charming story in her Georgia Coast Romance series. A Glitter of Gold, set in contemporary Georgia, drew me in quickly and kept me turning pages.

Rebecca Jones’ journal from 250 years prior was a unique and fascinating addition to the story, and added an extra dimension to it. Her adventures and the tie-in to the contemporary part of the story enthralled me. Johnson has created realistic, emotionally layered, and endearing characters that came to life and touched my heart. Anne Norris was a hurting and broken heroine, and Carter Hale was the perfect hero to help heal her hurts. Their growing relationship was fun to follow. The stellar cast of supporting characters, especially Aunt Tessie, helped to round out the story and make it even more delightful.

With adventure, history, suspense, and romance, this story has a bit of everything. I especially enjoyed the messages of grace, forgiveness, hope, and trust that added so much to it. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author/Revell. All opinions are my own.​

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Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

"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.

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