Title: A Glitter of Gold

Author: Liz Johnson

Series: Georgia Coast Romance book 2

Chapters: 21 plus epilogue

Pages: 368

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Rating: 4 stars

A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson is the second book in the Georgia Coast Romance series but can be read as a standalone. This book follows different characters than the first book. Anne Norris has moved to Georgia and started a walking history tour of the city but she's running from her past. Carter Hale a museum director and the black sheep of his family but still wants to make the name Hale proud. When the hilt of a sword brings them together and leads to a possible shipwreck. Anne agrees to help Carter find the ship but he must leave her name out of the media he makes the promise to do but later will find himself not sure that he can help that promise.
Mistakes that Anne made in her past has her questioning rather or not she deserves to have a future. Carter doesn't think he should plan for wife or kids until he meets his goals in life. Neither was looking for love or a relationship but can the quest for a shipwreck and a journal from past show this two what they really want and who writes their story.

This book was a little show starting out that it took me a bit to get into at first, but after a few chapters it picked up and before I knew it I wanted to know what was going to with not only the shipwreck but what if anything was going to happen between Anne and Carter. The main theme of this book is grace, but more importantly God's Grace. Which is something that both Anne and Carter need to learn. I loved the historical mystery of the shipwreck and the amateur genealogist in me loved the fact that someone in the story had genealogical ties to the shipwreck. It gave the final touch to make the story come full circle.

I would recommend this one to fans of Christian fiction, those who love sweet stories, and a bit of mystery in their comptnary fiction.


I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All Opinions expressed are mine alone.

This is the first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last. She writes a captivating story that left me not wanting to put the book down. The characters are very interesting and it felt like they were real people.

Glitter of Gold is the latest from Liz Johnson. This tale will take you down south to Savannah, GA. You will meet Anne Norris and see how a poor choice has left a negative mark on her life, but you will also see how now she is trying to build a new life for herself!

When Anne takes a walk on the beach after a severe hurricane hits the area, she comes upon a piece of gold protruding from the sand. Anne has been running a business, leading tours of the area telling tales of the pirates of old. So when Anne sees this bit of gold, she thinks it may be of value!

Anne visits a local museum looking for information and she meets Carter Hale. Little does she know, Carter has been searching for this bit of gold for years. This find has come at just the right time, both Carter and Anne's businesses are in financial trouble!

While you read, you will learn about how Carter and Anne deal with this important find. You will also learn about a tale from the 17th century, contained in a diary that has been in the Hale families' possession for years. It is interesting to see how God uses this situation to meet needs in both Anne's and Carter's lives!

I received this e-book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

(4 stars) - a slow beginning but worth the investment

[This is book 2 of Liz Johnson's Georgia Coast Romance series, but each title is a standalone]

I loved the premise of this book. The characters are well drawn & engaging. The writing succeeds in drawing the reader in smoothly. The journal entries read more like a novel than a diary, but they do a great job of enhancing the story.

Unfortunately, the first half of the book after the introductory set up began to feel repetitive and overly angsty. Happily, the second half made up for it, and the conclusion is quite satisfying.

*Clean romance level: passionate kisses
*Religion: generic Christian, takes up very little space (ie a part of the characters' arc rather than the plot) not preachy

I love this Georgia Coast Romance series. This is the second one that I have read so far and cannot wait to read the next one. Reading about areas that I am familiar with makes it so much more interesting. This contemporary romance by Liz Johnson is filled with trust issues, treasure hunting, pirate stories, a diary that leads the way, and unexpected love. Anne finds the hilt of a sword in the aftermath of a hurricane and finds herself in the local museum in Savannah. When she takes that hilt to the museum director, Carter, she finds that he is a wealth of information. The diary he has holds key information that could help them find the rest of the sword. The treasure found may not be just from the ship. A great story!

This book caught me off guard. It felt so different from Johnson’s other books but I liked it. The initial premise was unusual and surprised me. And who doesn’t enjoy a story about pirates?!
Anne and Carter are both in desperate straits when a “glitter of gold” brings them together. Their partnership has a rocky start but their banter as they grow more comfortable with each other is fun. I LOVED the story of Rebecca and felt it was one of the most emotional love stories I’ve read in a while. In this case, the dual timelines really served the book well.
I appreciated a seaman’s take on an old verse as he chose to focus on what God had given him rather than what God had taken from him. So often we focus on our losses and miss the beauty of the blessings. It was a good reminder.
I enjoyed learning more about pirates and searching for sunken ships and the difficulty in that. It was a great read. Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
#AGlitterOfGold

This is a treasure hunt you will want to go on! Carter and Anne are seeking a treasure! They might find one worth more than good. Anne has a past that is full of shame. Carter hasn’t lived up to family expectations. This was one that I couldn’t put down and enjoyed reading! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Packed with deep emotions and filled with important life lessons, A Glitter of Gold tells a compelling story about finding treasures of grace, forgiveness, and love after being battered by storms, both natural and man-made.

Anne’s fortuitous discovery of a precious artifact caused a chain of events that changed her life forever. Not only did it lead her to Carter, but it also gave her a reason to stay in Savannah, the place she has chosen to hide from the shame of her bad decisions in California.

With the help of a 250-year old diary, Carter’s Aunt Tessie, and an influential grand lady, Anne and Carter worked together to search for a sunken ship, the treasures of which they hoped will secure their individual goals. Despite many difficulties thrown their way, including betrayal of trust, Anne and Carter found what they were looking for and so much more. She received true freedom from her past and he had his family returned to him when he surrendered his pride to right a wrong.

I enjoyed Liz Johnson’s previous novel A Sparkle of Silver that’s why I snatched up the opportunity to review this second book in the series. A Glitter of Gold certainly exceeded my expectations. The clever device of narrating a story within a story lent the Georgia Coast Romance series a unique quality that makes it stand out against other books in the genre. Rebecca and Captain Thackery’s suspenseful tale is a real treasure with its action-packed high-seas adventure sequences. There was plenty of drama, bits of humor, historical factoids, so much wisdom, and loads of love. Five glittering gold stars.

While I never got that invested in the treasure hunt side of the story I found myself engrossed in the characters and had to know where the story would take them and how it would end.

Anne is trying to rebuild her life after a terrible situation and is carrying such a heavy burden; I really felt for her and wanted her to learn to let others in. Carter has a dream and vision, but is struggling to reach it. These two meet through the discovery of an artifact and begin the journey of discovering where it came from. This journey takes them on a path that they weren’t expecting and teaches them so much about themselves. I enjoyed experiencing these characters and seeing them learn to trust.

I especially enjoyed the journal entries from an old diary and found myself missing them once we got through the whole diary. The ending left me feeling completely satisfied. I enjoyed my time spent with these characters and look forward to seeing what Ms. Johnson writes next.

A Glitter of Gold is the latest novel by Liz Johnson. Having read many of her previous books, I was anxious to get my hands on this one. And she did not disappoint.

Anne Norris moved to Savannah, Georgia to start a new life, only wanting to live a life of anonymity. But after a hurricane pushes through Savannah, she discovers something on the beach. Something of worth. She cautiously approaches the museum curator, Carter Hale, with her find. Carter has possession of a diary that, if he can provide credibility, will be the answer to his dreams. And so the story brims with a most fascinating account of pirate life in the 1700's,

This story is about trust. Trust when trust has been violated. To the point of ruining Anne's life. Can love, finding forgiveness and accepting grace change all of that? I think there is a powerful message here.

Just like Liz Johnson's other novels, I was totally captivated by this story. She has a way of weaving faith, love, and mystery to bring you to a satisfying conclusion. Definitely a five star for me.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

A Glitter of Gold is a fun read by Liz Johnson. It tells the story of Anne who has moved to Savannah, Georgia for a fresh start. She finds a treasure on the beach after a storm and meets with museum director Carter to discover the value of the treasure. Anne and Carter work together to solve a mystery and develop a special friendship in the process. Great read!

"It don't have to be gold or silver or nothin' that glitters. Anything a man sets his mind on is his treasure."

A little bit of treasure sure can go a long way, and for Anne and Carter, who are both battling their own financial demons, finding a glittering artifact seems like the answer to their prayers. But sometimes you have to discover the past, let go of mistakes and grudges, and open up to forgiveness and acceptance before you can reap any benefits that a bit of gold is willing to give.

A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson is the second in the Georgia Coast Romance series, but the setting and characters are different, so these books can stand alone. There is a similarity between both books in that they have a story within a story. In A Glitter of Gold, the modern story is linked to a marvelous tale that unfolds across the pages of a 250-year-old diary.

Both Anne and Carter are each running from a past that refuses to unhook its harmful tentacles. Holding on to resentment or regret will always bring nothing but heartache and fear of commitment. After paying a heavy price for unwittingly becoming embroiled in a deadly scheme, Anne flees California and starts a new life in Savannah, Georgia, as the owner and only employee of Rum Runners History Tours, but she is stuck in a holding pattern as she hides from her past. Carter is struggling to save the Savannah Maritime Museum and keep himself employed, but he is stuck in a holding pattern as well because he staunchly refuses to even acknowledge his family name and wealth as a possible solution. Both Anne and Carter are stubbornly determined to stand on their own two feet, even as their world crumbles around them.

"All is not lost, even when it may seem so."

Hurricane Lorenzo hits the coast of Georgia, and both Anne's and Carter's lives will never be the same. A chance discovery following this storm sets these two on a long overdue decisive course that will force them to open their eyes and hearts to self-forgiveness, acceptance, and love.

Everything about this story is enjoyable, including the old diary entries that bring to life a tale of sweet romance, pirates, and a sunken ship that could mean the answer to both Anne's and Carter's financial woes. If they could only find it. And therein lies the problem. Who in their right mind would financially back a wild goose chase that is based on nothing more than a bit of gold, a young girl's diary, and two people dripping with desperation?

A Glitter of Gold is entertaining all the way through, and Liz Johnson has uniquely weaved together old and new adventures to produce an entrancing tale full of interesting characters and a madcap dash to keep the financial wolves at bay, which also fans the flames of a sweet romance that is full of healing, laughter, reconciliation, and second chances.

While A Glitter of Gold is enjoyable, it is also a reminder of the well-worn cliché that 'all that glitters (or glisters if you're a Shakespeare fan) is not gold.' Friendship, trust, family, and hope are so much more valuable when seeking true happiness and freedom from a dark past and a resentful youth. In their search for a lost ship, Anne and Carter just might find a cache of personal riches that is far more precious than gold.

Pirates. Diaries. Sunken Ships. Treasure Hunts. If your are looking for a book about any of these topics, you'll definitely want to read Liz Johnson's A Glitter of Gold. While the main story takes place in current times, you'll also be drawn into the story that takes place in the 1700s through the diary. I loved the two stories taking place at the same time and that I, as the reader, only found out what happened next in the diary story when Anne found out. It made me feel as if I were reading the diary over Anne's shoulder or something. I did not like the fact that this book ended because I was not ready to leave the characters, and the stories, and the fun I was having. But in spite of the fact that it ended, it is still a wonderful book that will sweep its readers away to the Georgia coast and give them an escape from their lives while entertaining them with stories of diaries, pirates and treasure hunts.

I would recommend this book to all who enjoy contemporary romance, pirate stories, and shipwrecks.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to Revell for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.

What’s more fun than a book about finding treasure – especially when the main characters love the pirate history of Savannah? But there is so much more depth to this book than just a treasure hunt.

Anne has to come to terms with her traumatic past. She must decide how much of it to share with Carter. I think that this book does an excellent job of exploring shame and how it can control someone’s life, even after they have been released from their sins.

I also enjoyed Carter’s story and how he struggled with being his own person, and not one that is overshadowed by who he is. I think that the author also did an excellent job of exploring family estrangement.

My only desire is that I wanted more out of the ending. The build up and pace of the novel was great, but I think that the ending felt super rushed.

This book is out now, and is the second book in the series, but it is definitely a stand alone book, too. I do recommend reading the other book in this series, though, because it was just as good as this one.

The author takes us back to Savannah Georgia and Tybee Island where the weather is unpredictable and the people are friendly. Enter Anne, she has a sullied past that was not of her own doing but she has made her home in Savannah running Rum Runners Tours sharing the history of pirates and their impact on the town.  Carter is bucking his father's aspirations for him and loves history which is in part due to his Aunt giving him a diary from 250 years ago.

This book has so much going for it - love, guilt, fear, mystery, faith, and the pursuit of happiness.  Anne has a lot of guilt that is weighing her down due to events that were beyond her control yet she took the blame for the tragedy.  This is a theme that runs through the book and I found this line very appropriate to how she feels about herself and the situation that happened:

"But what you're really carrying is shame.  Shame for your actions. Shame for your inaction. Shame for the embarrassment you caused your family."

Anne beats herself up in this book...a LOT!  It has also made it hard for her to trust anyone or even allow herself to be happy.  It is very sad to see someone beat themselves up over the past the way Anne does in this story.  As the details are revealed her actions and words make more sense.  She has a lot to learn and finding a treasure, meeting Carter, and moving forward does help.

Carter has his own baggage in going against his father and the career plans that he wanted Carter to follow which did not line up with Carter's dreams.  I had to admire Carter for sticking to his guns and making it on his own.  Granted, not everything was flowing smoothly but he was out there and wasn't bailed out by his family's name or connections.

One of the minor characters that I really like is Tessie, Carter's aunt.  She was disowned from her family for following her heart and she was wise to not second guess her actions.  She is very wise in her conversations with Anne and I think it was something of a turning point for Anne's life.

Another point of the story that stuck out to me is how the media was not portraying the whole story about what happened to Anne.  As we see in today's media, they are only focused on the bad and not the whole truth which is a sad state of affairs for our country.

The mystery comes from the treasure that is found plus the diary.  While I don't want to spoil too much of the story, I liked this passage that was in the diary because while written 250 years it still applies today.

"My heart, which was injured beyond repair, has been restored. And I believe only a good God would allow me to know such joy. For I do feel joy and love and enough merriment to dance a thousand jigs."

All in all, we enjoyed this story and was treated to a sneak peek of the next book in this series and I cannot WAIT to read the story of Penelope and Tucker.  That's all I'm saying.  We give this book 4 paws up and as a side note while it is the second in a series you do not have to read the first book to enjoy this one.

Intricate and unique story that blends the past and the present so beautifully. Interesting opener with the looming Hurricane on the Georgia coast, and the teasers about Anne’s past life.

In comes Carter, who is trying to save the Savannah Maritime Museum from the unavoidable closure that is on its way, all the while frustrated with his high profile connections - and his inner desire to distance himself from the Hale name, and prove that he can make a success of himself on his own merits - in a museum of a lot higher repute in a major city.

A find on the beach after the hurricane has passed, brings the two together, and the story quickly develops with the retelling of the diary - that Anne & Carter both believe will prove the existence of a merchant ship, sunk by pirates off the shoreline of Tybee Island.

Guilt & insecurity plague Anne’s life. Carter knows he needs her help, but will she let him in close enough for them to discover the truth about the shipwreck - and just what is the story from the diary? A tender tale of kidnapping/forced slavery - secrets and bravery of a woman called Rebecca, who will do anything to find her brother.

I received a complimentary copy from Revell. This is my honest review.

This book made me laugh and cry. This was one of my favorite books so far this year. I loved the characters and the story. I loved the diary parts that showed us what it was like on a merchant ship years ago. This had action and romance. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

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.

A Glitter of Gold is two romance stories in one! This novel is a contemporary love story between Carter and Anne alongside a historic love story between Rebecca and Captain Samuel Thackery. Carter and Anne are searching for the ship that brought together Rebecca and Samuel 250 years ago.
The romance between Carter and Anne is a great example of love finding you when you are not looking for it. Anne has trust issues after some previous missteps, and rightfully so. Carter is only looking for his ticket out of Savannah.

“I’m serious. You can’t just decide that you’re not going to fall in love.” [Anne]
“But you can’t find someone you’re not looking for.” [Carter]
“Says who? Don’t you ever watch romantic comedies? Those people fall in love on accident all the time.” [Anne]
“Those people are also fictional.” [Carter]

The relationship between Carter and Anne builds slowly, through friendship and trust. I cherished the growth in these two characters over the course of the novel. And they bond over The Princess Bride, one of my personal favorites.
Like Carter and Anne, I was fascinated by Rebecca and Samuel Thackery’s story. This part of the novel is told through Rebecca’s diary and letters. It’s a great technique of telling their story. The diary entries weave throughout the novel as Anne reads them. I was charmed by Rebecca immediately. The lengths she goes through to rescue her brother are very impressive. And then, there is Captain Thackery, the swash-buckling owner of the sword hilt that Anne recovered on the beach. Let’s just say he’s the romantic hero that Rebecca (and I!) needed. The historical portion of the novel, with Rebecca and Samuel, flows smoothly with the modern story of Carter and Anne. This portion of the book reminded me a bit of Susanna Kearsley, without the time travel. I relished how the love story between Rebecca and Samuel brings together, and inspires, the love story between Carter and Anne.
Ms. Johnson’s writing style is casual and charming. I quickly empathized with the characters, wishing that I was there in Savannah to take Anne’s walking pirate tour and to visit the Savannah Maritime Museum. The primary and secondary characters are well-developed. I believed the excitement when Anne found the sword hilt and then again when Carter instantly recognized it as Captain Thackery’s sword.
A Glitter of Gold is the second in a series but can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first novel in the series, but I’m intrigued by Ms. Johnson’s storytelling and will be checking it out.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Glitter of Gold from the start. Check it out if you are interested in a sweet romance that builds as the characters grow.

I really enjoyed "A Glitter of God (Georgia Coast Romance Book #2) by Liz Johnson. Great and believable characters with a wonderful plot. After a hurricane Anne discovers a treasure she believes will help her out of her financial problems. She takes the discovery to Carter Hale who runs the local Historical Museum and after a ruff start, they decide to work together to discover a sunken ship off of Tybee Island. Carter has an old diary that has been passed down to him that he believes will help them discover the location of the shipwreck. I love books that take you to the past and how it effects the present. There are pirates, danger and romance. Love Ms. Johnson's books and can't wait for the next one in this series.

I received this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.