I have not read many of Michelle Griep's books, but I will definitely be looking forward to reading more of them! This was a fun book about a quirky young lady name Ami who has thrown her heart and soul into studying ancient Egypt...but is also trying to rescue antiquities from the black market on the side. When someone comes looking for her father at the university, but gets her instead, she is VERY excited and ready to prove her worth in the field, but ends up getting all wrapped up in various schemes. Definitely a great read and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!

Ami Dalton lives a dual existence with a shadowed alter ego as a broker of black market artifacts.

When parliament candidate Edmund Price comes to Oxford, England, with a newly acquired collection he enlists Ami's help to value. But the collection is not unfettered, it comes with a mysterious history that holds more than meets the eye. Together he and Ami must get to the bottom of the collection and the strange happenings that are becoming more frequent.

An enjoyable read, it does a great job of bringing the time and culture to life. Ami is a forward thinking woman for the time, and I liked her and Edmund as a team. There was a lot going on, with the mystery, romance, and delving into Egyptology. Edmund is a clever and kind man, and I liked how he was supportive of Ami throughout.

Overall, an enjoyable read with strong characters and an intriguing plot. Great for fans of historical romance in the Victorian era!


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

First off: I’m sorry this took me so long to write a review for after DNFing it. It just frustrated me immensely.

I wanted so much to like this. I’ve heard so much about Michelle Griep, and I absolutely love that the story has gothic vibes, as I adore gothic fiction… But I couldn’t finish Of Gold and Shadows. It was a very slow beginning, one that, although it was in medias res, was hard to invest in. I thought there were some really interesting peculiarities about the characters, but for the most part I found them annoying. There was much insta-love on his part, and on her part… *sigh* It was the typical “not like other girls”, “I’m fine on my own” bit, and I just can’t take that. Maybe she gets better, I don’t know, but I know I just wasn’t having it.

Also… the amount of times, in the six or seven chapters I read, that “laughter bubbled out of her” (or some variation) was used was absolutely insane. I get wanting to be unique in prose, but can we not just say “she laughed”? Or, if you’re really gonna use “laughter bubbled out of her”, just use it once! After one time, it sticks out like a very, very sore thumb. It was distracting.

Another great story from one of my favorite authors, Michelle Griep. When the heroine, who leads a clandestine dual life (respected Egyptologist and a black market Shadow Broker), and Oxford's most eligible bachelor meet the sparks do fly! I liked the message found throughout the book that "God’s will shall not be thwarted. He always makes a way.” Of Gold and Shadows is an entertaining Victorian era romance that is woven with suspense and mystery. Readers who enjoy historical romantic suspense will not want to miss this book. I read a complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are my own.

There are author's whose books you will read if they're around but don't go out of your way to find them. This is not one of those authors for me. I must read all of the author's books, couldn't dare to miss one. They are filled with intrigue and action and keep me on my toes wondering how things will end up as the story progresses.
Danger is around every other corner and had me holding my breath as I was reading.
I enjoyed seeing a nontraditional role a woman had in this Victorian England taking pace regency style historical fiction book.
Growing up Ami Dalton has been impressed with the work her father does as an Egyptologist, hearing the talk and seeing the artifacts her father works with she became enamored with this type of thing as well. Getting the education to become one as a woman hasn't been easy and many don't take her seriously.
When she hears of precious artifacts falling into the wrong hands on the black market, she knows she must do everything in her power to save them and preserve them.
Edmund Price is looking for an Egyptologist to work with him to get a very valuable piece and he expects a renowned Oxford professor, a male to work with him. This is not what he gets.
A golden griffin rumored to bear the curse of Amentuk is found the danger starts. With danger abound can they escape with their lives intact? I loved learning about the Egyptian artifacts and the descriptions of the behind the scenes work of the Egyptologist is fascinating. A spellbinding read that has me anxiously awaiting the next in the series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I always love Michelle’s stories. This particular story had one of my favorite ideas: being loved for your ism’s and not in spite of them. Ami is a quirky and skilled Egyptologist. Edmund is an incredibly eligible bachelor…in need of an appraiser for Egyptian artifacts currently in his possession. Throw in some mystery and suspense, crackling chemistry, and you have an excellent adventure. Some similar vibes: the Mummy, Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Indiana Jones, perhaps even a little 101 Dalmatians (two of the villain henchmen remind me of Cruella’s lackeys).

This one was so good! Ami was such a great character. I loved how focused she was on her work, and how little she cared about society and clothes, etc. She was spunky and smart (though I did think it was overly naive of her to go out that last night in London). And I liked Edmund. His character was very well developed, with the challenges he'd gone through. I liked how their relationship developed, and how fun their banter and conversations were. I thought the mystery with the curse was obvious, but the twist with Stuart was a big surprise, and so good! Lots of tender moments, and exciting scenes, and I enjoyed it all. I'll be looking forward to the second one!

I absolutely enjoyed this book. I thought that Michelle Giep did an excellent job with the characters and story line. I loved the historical aspect of the book with the archeologist vibes. I love anything to do with Egypt, and this book was perfect fit for me. I am so glad that I go the chance to read it. I highly recommend it to the history/historical fiction readers. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you Net Galley ARC and Bethany House

“Perhaps-just maybe- all her striving to prove her intelligence and credibility didn’t matter a whit to God…perhaps her worth was in who she was, who God made her to be, instead of being measured by what she achieved. Dare she believe that?”

The name Michelle Griep is synonymous in my book with “must buy.” Her latest, Of Gold and Shadows, is a great representation of her finest work. Griep combines a female Egyptologist who wants for recognition in the field, a rich young man with a strong moral compass but a misguided way of helping the needy, and treasures, one cursed, that literally seem up for grabs.

Ami Dalton is the young Egyptologist who has two goals: gain recognition in her field and make her archaeologist father proud of her. Cataloguing and valuing handsome, young Edmund Price’s Egyptian relics is a great job that should lead her a step closer to her goals.

Edmund has recently returned from India and has a heart for the people there, wishing to help them by acquiring a Parliament seat so he can be influential in laws governing taxes on India. We quickly get the idea that Edmund is a fish swimming upstream, as we see others of influence in England only wanting to benefit from India and its people. But, as noble and faith-based as his caring ideas are, will the ends justify the means?

I loved the twist revealed at the end! I could not figure out why a certain character behaved as he did! I also loved how Edmund and Ami took turns building each other up, using their faith. But will they allow God to ultimately guide their future, or will they each continue down their pre-determined paths?

Michelle Griep always delivers a compelling story, a swoony romance, and truth nuggets carefully placed for maximum effect. Her ability to create the atmosphere by use of language ( expressions like “bosh,” “ codswallop,”and “stars and lightning”) and lyrical prose is so expressive. Sometimes I would have to stop reading, reread a sentence, and just savor the beauty of it!

I highly recommend this book for any historical romance fans!

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher through NetGalley, but I also purchased my own copy for the keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“God’s will shall not be thwarted. He always makes as way.”

“Bottling up bad memories is a recipe for broken glass.”

“…his vulnerabilities were not s sign of weakness but were in fact opportunities for God’s love to be made perfect.”

“A good journalist could make a pile of manure into a bag of diamonds. A bad one, turn a saint into a sinner.”

“That’s the thing about fathers. They tend to have a way to make us feel like needy, negligible, little children-save for our Heavenly Father, that is…We are never insignificant in His eyes.”- Ami

I love anything to do with Egypt, so this was right up my alley. While I didn't notice the book was labeled "Christian", it did not effect my enjoyment of the story--didn't get preachy or anything. This is the story of Ami and Edmund at their quest to save relics from being stolen or sold. It was also a classic tale of poor girl meets wealthy bachelor and they fall madly in love despite them being from different social circles. I enjoyed it and am happy to see that it is part of a new series.

Michelle Griep has a new release and it is rich with intrigue. Of Gold and Shadows is the first book in the Time’s Lost Treasures series, a Victorian era adventure involving Egyptologist Ami Dalton and Oxford’s most eligible bachelor, Edmund Price. Ami is accustomed to not belonging; raised by her widowed father, a well respected Egyptologist and Oxford professor, she developed a strong sense of self and a passion for all things Egyptian. In need of an expert, and unable to contract her father for the position, Edmund brings Ami to his country estate to value an extensive collection of artifacts. Intrigue abounds on all levels: mythical, criminal, and personal as Ami’s lesser known exploits surface to interfere with Edmund’s artifacts and someone interferes with Ami and Edmund. With intricate scene setting and relatable characters, Griep pulls us along on a goosebump inducing romp through jolly old England, minds and hearts alert for danger and romance.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

I fell straight into this story and didn’t want it to end. Griep kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved Ami and her quirks. I’m not entirely sure I believe in the behavior of the characters in light of the time period, but I didn’t mind at all. I found the whole story to be delightful.

The author dealt well with superstitions and curses, the history of artifacts and belief systems, the complexity of business verses philanthropy and greed, and while again not necessarily keeping with the time period, the author also broached the subject of imperialism and repatriation of treasures. And all of these themes were rather seamlessly woven into a page turning mystery with a romantic flair.

I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.

{Thank you to @netgalley and to Bethany House Publishers for my gifted e-copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.}

This was my first novel by Michelle Griep, and I will definitely read more of her books in the future. I’m really excited that “Of Gold and Shadows” is the first book of a new series, “Time’s Lost Treasures.”

This book included so many fun elements. I loved the romance (kisses only,) faith elements, Egyptology, mystery, and suspense. Ami was the perfect quirky heroine, and Edmund made a fantastic and complex hero. I loved how each of the characters faced difficult decisions and moral dilemmas , ultimately learning to rely on God rather than their own strength and limited understanding. I also appreciated the word blindness rep! I’d never encountered a word blind character in a book before!

If you’re looking for a Victorian era, Christian historical fiction with romance and mystery, I would recommend this title! Plus, isn’t this cover beautiful? I absolutely love it!

Ami Dalton grew up the daughter of a renowned Egptologist and she's working hard to follow in his footsteps. She holds a secret identity as the Shadow Broker, seeking to find Egyptian artifacts and either place them where all can enjoy or send them back to their homeland. Her greatest desire is to one day lead an archaeological dig herself.

But when she literally stumbles into Edmund Price, England's most eligible bachelor, her short-term goals are sidetracked. Edmund has imported a shipment of Egyptian artifacts and needs someone to evaluate them and price them to sell quickly. Ami agrees to help with the ulterior motive of convincing him to sell them not to the public but to a museum in Cairo.

Edmund has never met anyone like Ami. She cares about different things and expresses herself unlike any woman he's ever met. It's refreshing to meet a female who isn't chasing after him. When strange things begin happening around his manor home, could they be related to the curse of the golden griffin than was found in one of his crates? Or is something more sinister and human in nature at work?

This is an adventurous novel full of intrigue and romance. I enjoyed the main characters and found them to be believable and worth cheering for. Though I saw some of the twists and turns coming, others took me by surprise. The romance was sweet and clean. I actually thought there was a little too much romance for my taste, if only because it seemed to dominate the middle part of the story. Your taste may differ. There are also beautiful layers of faith that will stir your heart even as the story stirs your imagination.

I'd recommend this story for all fans of historical romance with threads of suspense.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

The cover is bold and the same can be said for our characters. Especially, the FMC Miss Ami Dalton! The banter between Ami and Edmund was perfection and the slow burn romance intertwined with the overall story was so well done. The mysteries behind shadow brokering, cursed relics and Edmund’s past was intriguing.

I also connected to the message, in that our imperfections ‘are not signs of weakness but opportunities for God’s love to be made perfect.’ A true testament to that was Edmund’s poem and Ami’s ability to ‘balance preserving the past while existing in the present.’

Overall, Of Gold and Shadows has it all, faith, humor, heart, mystery and more! I need more gothic stories with Egyptologist’s set in the Victorian era because this was brilliant. If you enjoy slow burn, workplace romances told in multipov, I highly recommend you check this out.

Thank you @michellegriep @bethanyhousefiction @austenprose for my gifted copies for the tour.

Oh this was a fun one! I loved the combination of Egyptian artifacts and a female historian and a good mystery mixed in. This time my hunch was not so far off.
Ami Dalton was such a fun heroine! I loved seeing her at work in her field, and that she took a stand for things in an era when it was practically unheard of for females to be involved in those things.
The artifacts, the Egyptian history, the setting, and the other characters all combine to make this an unforgettable tale.
As I already stated, I loved the mystery in this book, and I enjoyed seeing how the solving of it all fell into place.
Michelle Griep remains one of my favorite historical fiction authors.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Of Gold And Shadows was the perfect choice for the longer nights of Autumn. Atmospheric in its setting, this novel’s nod to Victorian England includes the fascination with all things Egyptian and Charles Dickens. Ami Dalton is an aspiring Egyptologist set on proving that women can have expertise in the area of archeology. She teams up with the much sought after Edmund Price as she values his large haul of antiquities. Ancient curses, political machinations, scheming partners, and a thoroughly despicable villain combine to make this an intriguing and fun read. But it is Ami and Edmund’s immediate chemistry that made me love this book. The opposites attract trope was skillfully handled with these two quirky and lovable characters. The book has a twistingly good mystery as well — I thought I knew what was going on, but boy was I surprised. I liked that a lot!

So if you love a historical novel that immerses you in a long gone time and place, gives you a fun reading romp, and satisfies your desire for an HEA, then Of Gold And Shadows is for you. An added bonus is this is just the first installment in Griep’s Time’s Lost Treasure series. More great reading to come!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

#BookReview : OF GOLD AND SHADOWS by Michelle Griep

“The truth is, Mr. Fletcher, that good and bad things occur every minute of every day, yet God is sovereign over all. Nothing happens that is not by His design.”

Ami, an Egyptologist by passion and a Shadow Broker by necessity, dedicates herself to recovering stolen artifacts and returning them to their rightful home in Egypt. Edmund Price, a wealthy English businessman and eligible bachelor, seeks a professional to appraise his extensive collection.
Their initial encounter was both humorous and endearing. Their subsequent interactions and witty banter were both entertaining and informative, showcasing excellent chemistry. The added elements of mystery and danger further captivated my interest. However, what truly resonated with me were their heartfelt prayers to God and Edmund’s poignant poetry.
Christian historical romance readers will undoubtedly appreciate this book. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series.


Rating: 5 ⭐
Series : Time's Lost Treasures, book 1
Pub date: Sep 24 2024

Thank you Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I absolutely loved this book and found it delightful in every way! The pacing and characterizations were perfection, and I was intrigued by every single story line! Both main characters were relatable, and as the reader, I was cheering for them from the beginning. I am very excited for the next book in this series! Highly recommend, especially for readers who enjoy Roseanna White's books and/or Tracy Higley's Sahara Aldridge books!

I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from NetGalley but promptly bought the paperback to share and reread!

This is my first book by Griep. I saw this book on Bookstagram so much that I decided to try it. It was an interesting read. The Egyptian mythology and history was definitely a unique addition. Our heroine is definitely a wild one - in clothes, attitude, profession, and side hobbies. She was a character. Our hero had some downsides with the wool being pulled over his eyes a bit. I had some times of frustration with them both. I may or may not have shouted a time or two. Lol. This is a Christian historical romance with suspense. It was a good read.