Of Gold and Shadows

Author: Michelle Griep
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Time's Lost Treasures #1
Pages: 368
Release Date: September 24, 2024
Publisher: Bethany House

The shadows hold secrets darker than they ever imagined. . . .

In 1888 Victorian England, Ami Dalton navigates a clandestine dual life. By day, she strives to establish herself as a respected Egyptologist, overcoming the gender biases that permeate academia. But with a heart for saving black-market artifacts from falling into the wrong hands, she is most often disguised as her alter ego, the Shadow Broker.

After eight years in India, Oxford's most eligible bachelor, Edmund Price, has come out of the shadows to run for Parliament and is in search of an Egyptologist to value a newly acquired collection. Expecting a renowned Oxford professor, Edmund instead finds himself entangled with Ami, the professor's determined daughter. As they delve into the treasures, their connection deepens, but trouble emerges when a golden griffin--rumored to bear the curse of Amentuk--surfaces, and they're left to wonder if the curse really is at play, or if something more nefarious is hiding among the shadows. . . .

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

I have been fascinated by archaeological digs and artifacts since I was given some fossils as a child. This story piqued my interest from the start. 

I liked the strength Ami Dalton had as an educated woman who was immersed in Egyptology. She was adamant about returning the items to the country of origin. 

Our hero, Edmund Price, has returned to England from India and is surprised that Ami is not obsessed with him and his wealth, as most other females are. Ami: “My head is turned by a finely wrapped mummified corpse, not a flesh and blood pile of muscles.” 

As Ami catalogs and values the artifacts that Edmund has purchased, Ami and Edmund help each other grow and recognize that God is at work in their lives. This complex tale was full of a Victorian atmosphere, lots of danger, intrigue, secret identities and a few shady characters. 

Ms. Griep adds interesting details such as word blindness, prank-playing by the servants, and the rumor of an ancient curse to round out the suspenseful twists and turns. Fans of Victorian Gothic stories will be pleased with the start of a new series and the authentic voice of the author. 

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.

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Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

Wow! I have to say this book is so much better than my expectations, which were high, to begin with. It has romance, intrigue, a little mystery and suspense all wrapped up in the lives of characters I absolutely love. 

Ami is spunky, intelligent, and not taken with conventions. She prefers dusty relics to ribbons and lace. She’s hired to value a shipment of Egyptian relics but hopes to convince the owner to return them to Egypt. She’s a bit surprised when she meets Mr. Price. He’s not what she expected.

Edmund is desperate to sell the shipment of relics he’s come in possession of, but he has no knowledge of how to value them. When the professor he seeks isn’t available, he hires his daughter, a young woman much different from the ones who swarm him whenever he’s out in public. She’s not what he expected.

I love the way the characters interact and grow throughout the book. There are great lessons in faith, acceptance, trust, and friendship that grow into abiding love. 

The picture of life in the Victorian era is rich with descriptions of the people and places of the time. So much so that I felt I was experiencing the sights and smells right along with the characters.

I recommend this book and will read it again. I was given a copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley and Interviews and Reviews. This is my honest opinion of the book.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep is an interesting look at Egyptian archeology and the lengths one woman would take to protect them.

In 1888, Ami Dalton is striving to make a name for herself in Egyptology. She surpasses most of the men she interacts with in intelligence, despite being looked down upon because of her gender. In her quest to prove herself, she takes on the secret identity of The Shadow Broker, rescuing valuable artifacts from illegal trade. 

When she is recruited by Edmund Price to appraise his Egyptian antiquities collection, he is astonished by her lack of knowledge regarding his reputation as Oxford’s most sought-after bachelor. While Ami continues to evaluate Edmund’s collection, odd incidents unfold, and unsurprisingly, they develop an attraction for each other.

Despite enjoying Ami’s banter with Edmund, I found the novel quite predictable. I knew from the outset that one character was not who he said he was and figured out the end way before I should have.

That said, I enjoyed this book, the faith element in it, and the minor obstacles the characters had to endure. If you are a Michelle Griep fan, I know you will enjoy this book!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley for my honest review.

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Reviewer: Katie Slocum

A female Egyptologist in Victorian England is not something you see every day. Ignoring traditional roles and popular opinion, Ami steals the show in this clean, romantic mystery with an ending you will not see coming.

I loved this adventure, with a unique set of characters. You never know what is going to happen next. I could picture Ami’s outlandish gowns and the looks on others’ faces when they saw her. Edmund is every girl’s dream no matter what century you live in, and together they are just perfect. Several antagonists provide just the right amount of conflict, and it is so satisfying to see them finally put in their place.

While the cover is beautiful, something feels missing to me. It seems like it could be used for any Victorian-era historical fiction. I would have loved to see Ami’s peacock feather dress there. And while the story moved along well, it felt slow until the last quarter, which hugely picked up the pace. I can usually read a book in about three days, but this one took me six days. I just could not get through more than a chapter or two in one sitting.

I love historical fiction with a strong female lead who is way ahead of her time. Overall, I enjoyed this novel and look forward to whatever surprises await in book two.

I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Adriann Harris

Michelle Griep again marvels her readers with a new page-turner, Of Gold and Shadows, first in her new series, Time’s Lost Treasures. Filled with adventure, mystery, danger, and romance, Griep, a master storyteller of Victorian historical Christian romance, will transport you into the world of Egyptology and the underbelly realm surrounding it in this captivating story set in 1888 in Oxford, England.

Ami Dalton, struggling to be recognized as an Egyptologist in a field dominated by men, has an alter-ego by night, the Shadow Broker. She tangles with cutthroats, trying to save black-market artifacts, but will this endeavor cause her demise in the end? Or will the most eligible bachelor in Oxford, Edmund Price, who recently acquired several crates of Egyptian artifacts, and hired Ami to appraise them, rescue her?  

Of Gold and Shadows, an action-packed adventure story, with mystery, curses, villains, sweet romance, a touch of humor, and faith undertones, is a marvelous beginning to this series. Michelle Griep’s spellbinding prose is sure to delight her readers as they become immersed into the new worlds of her Time’s Lost Treasures stories. Highly recommend and cannot wait to return to Victorian England with Michelle Griep for my next adventure with her astounding characters.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House via Net Galley through Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Carolyn Bryant

​Master storyteller Michelle Griep delivers another outstanding literary gift with Of Gold and Shadows.  

The captivating plot with unexpected, well-placed twists, mysterious happenings, and a surprising revelation kept me glued to the pages and “burning the midnight oil!” I was immersed in the “feels” of the story by the vividly sketched Victorian-era settings. Whether cataloguing and pricing ancient Egyptian antiquities at Price Manor or shadow brokering in London’s menacing Angel Alley, danger and intrigue abound.  

The characters are well-crafted and believable. I love eccentric young heroine Ami and dashing hero Edmund. A bit of sweet romance and a gentle faith thread add interest and inspiration to the story.  

I totally enjoyed this well-researched, entertaining read and highly recommend it. The sneak peek of the next Time’s Lost Treasures offering is a pleasing bonus, and I look forward to reading Eva’s story.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley.  

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