A Dazzle of Diamonds is a great addition to The Georgia Coast Romance series. Great plot, writing and a beautiful Savannah, Ga setting. I highly recommend this book and series. Can be read as a stand-alone. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

Book three in the Georgia Coast Romance series and DEFINITELY my favorite of the three.

Penelope Hunter is an event planner for a local and important venue. When her former fiancee (who left her at the altar for their wedding) arrives with his new fiancee to possibly book the location for their upcoming wedding, she is thrown for a little bit of a loop. Although Penelope has long believed she is healthy overall and has recovered from that major emotional blow, the surprise of it all just may lead her to take a route she wouldn't have usually chosen....you know, under normal circumstances.

Penelope's lifelong best friend Tucker Westbrook is a former Marine now running for County Sheriff. When his opponent starts a smear campaign (maligning the family name/heritage by accusing them of being traitors...this is apparently an extra big deal in the South), Tucker must follow the story and find the treasure. He is convinced this will clear his family name and the finder's fee will finance his campaign. We also soon learn he believes this will validate him in PJ's eyes.

This series is truly one of those where the books are standalone. I do still enjoy the small follow ups or nods to previous book's characters, so I definitely encourage people to read them in order when at all possible. That being said, you won't feel like you are always missing something with this one if you choose to skip around.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A Dazzle of Diamonds, by Liz Johnson, tells an interesting tale. Penelope Hunter, working as an event planner is shocked when the man, who left her at the altar, suddenly walks in her door with his his fiance!

Penelope is not sure how to respond. Out of habit, she turns to her best friend, Tucker Westbrook. Penelope and Tucker have been there for each other, ever since they were young. This time is a little different. Tucker is experiencing trouble of his own. He is attempting to run for sheriff, but there is gossip brewing about his family ancestors stealing a treasure that is loaded with diamonds. Unfortunately, this could have a negative effect on his campaign!

It is fun to see how Penelope and Tucker deal with both of their traumas. You will be excited to see where Penelope and Tucker land by the end of this tale!

This was my favorite of this series. I enjoyed Penelope and Tucker's story. It was a bit predictable but it was a good read.

Once in awhile a story comes along that combines all of your favorite elements in one fantastic read, and A Dazzle of Diamonds was that story for me. First off, the story is told partially in a dual timeline, and the second timeline is told entirely in epistolary style through a historical diary. Secondly, it features a heartwarming romance that invokes two of my all time favorite tropes: fake dating and friends to something more. A big portion of the story revolves around the rich history of Savannah, Georgia; and you can tell that the author did her research in the vividly described details and passages. Lastly, the faith element is always at the forefront, and both main characters learn the hard way that true healing and guidance comes only from Him and choosing to follow His direction.

A Dazzle of Diamonds is truly one of the best Christian romances I've read this year, and is definitely my favorite of the Georgia Coast Romances. I could sympathize with both main characters, and I loved watching their relationship grow and change from what they'd always known. I loved how insecurities were portrayed, and the healing process through His grace was both beautiful and completely believable. I adored Aunt Shirley, and the way she's able to help both Penelope and Tucker see their conflict from a different direction, and I thought she was a fantastic addition to the story. I've always been fascinated by the south, and I enjoyed learning more about Georgia, both in the present and the past of the story.

Finally, I have to comment on how much I loved the treasure hunt, and how it added a mysterious element to the romance unfolding between Penelope and Tucker. It definitely kept me guessing, and I honestly didn't want to see this one come to an end.

Definitely pick this one up if you're looking for a fantastic Christian romance, or if you're in the mood for a lovely, summery read to curl up with on vacation. I can't possibly recommend it enough.

Final Rating: 5/5.


Thanks so much to Revell for allowing me to advance read this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Revell) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved Tucker and Penelope. They have such a beautiful, long-term friendship. They can count on each other for everything. They are blissfully unaware of their attraction to each other. However, when they are suddenly thrown together in a unique way, their eyes are opened and their footing is a little more uncertain. They are wonderfully funny together and have an amazing chemistry. I loved reading about them.
This is a dual timeline book. The parts set in the past were not as interesting to me as the present. The present had some crazy moments that I couldn’t wait to get back for to see what happened.

I also loved Aunt Shirley. She is a spunky lady full of life and wisdom. Tucker and Penelope are lucky to have her. I laughed at Tucker’s antics to get her to call him back.

Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was a light easy romance with a good mix of storyline flitting between 1780’s and the present day. It was just the right length and both leads were really well written. It was very clean and wholesome.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read a preview copy of this book.

A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson is a romance with a bit of history and mystery. I really enjoyed the characters, and their long history of just being friends that moved into a romance of love. I also enjoyed the story line and of course the sweet HEA.. What I think I enjoyed most, were the diary entries and the letters from the civil war era. These gave clues to the mystery/treasure that the hero Tucker, and the heroine, Penelope were trying to solve. and recover. This is an easy read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson is one of the best romance novels I have read recently.

Returning to Savannah Georgia, this story features Penelope Hunter and Tucker Westbrook. Two best friends since, forever. Tucker is running for sheriff while PJ holds down the fort of the Savannah convention center. But things get a little unsettled, when Tuckers opponent brings to light a charge against the Westbrook family. When word gets out that his ancestors were part of stealing a treasure, PJ and Tucker find themselves in a quandary. Tucker trying to rescue his good name, and PJ almost losing her job because of her association with Tucker. The best friends start faking a dating situation, more to prove Tuckers worth. Things get out of hand in a hurry.

Aunt Shirley plays a key role in helping them discover where the treasure is hidden. Bringing Caroline's Civil War diary to light. Her love story parallels PJ's and Tuckers.

But the best part was the beautiful way these two young people fall in love with one another. Having known each other for 25 years, the realization startles them, as they each wrestle with emotions they never knew they had. We all struggle with self doubt at times, and Johnson has a way of telling this story with feeling and an open heart.

This is an all together delightful clean romance. Learning to trust God's plan in every situation.

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

I had read the other books in this Georgia Coast series, and each has it's own flavor. This one is two stories meshed into one. The first follows a modern day couple of friends and the struggles that they are having day to day...and ultimately their relationship. The second plot is told through a series of letters written during the Civil War and just afterward. As with the other books in this series, there is treasure to be found!