I couldn't finish it. The romance was just too cheesy, and the repetition of the romantic thoughts was just not for me. I also never really felt captured by the story itself. The story elements just seemed very surface level, or there was an extensive explanation of detail that didn't capture me into the story more. There may be an audience who enjoys this book, but for me personally I didn't enjoy it.

This story was such and enjoyable read! The pages were brimming with history of artifacts from ancient Egypt and it made every page feel like a discovery of a new ancient relic. From cursed artifacts to midnight deals in the shadows, this book kept me invested until the final pages. The romance between Ami and Edmund was natural and developed beautifully between them. The hint of mystery kept me guessing and added another layer to this story! There were a few twists in this story which will keep the reader guessing, which I love! The Victorian setting was the perfect backdrop for this story! I will definitely be continuing this series and am so excited that the author has already released the title of book two!

Here is the latest release from gothic Christian fiction author Michelle Griep. I loved her previous novels, so I was eager to dive into her new series. I did however remember from my previous experiences with her novels to not get to attached to any characters.

I loved Ami. She was such a great "take me as I am" character who wasn't going to change her values or personality for anyone. She was strong. Bold. Courageous. But had a heart that wanted to be loved and valued. She bravely explored a career that was considered UNWOMANLY with no apologies for her interests. I loved her haphazard dressing. That peacock dress must have been something else. LOL.

I also appreciated that she overcame her attitude towards the other young lady and realized that she too was trapped in societal rules.

Ed*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own. ward Price was a darling. I loved how he cherished Ami and made her feel valued. It gave her a glimpse of God and affected her behaviors. They were both strong and capable and recognized the strength in each other. I also liked that the author explore his flaw in his reading/writing and allowed him to heal through Ami's reaction to it.

A solid story and I can't wait to see Bram's story in the next book.

4 Stars

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book to review. All opinons are 100% my own.

I have read several of Michelle Griep's books, and I think this is my favorite! There is a little mystery, a sweet love story, and a lot of Egyptian artifacts! This was a low stress (but very engaging) read. While the story is simple to follow, I have to admit that I did not see the plot twist coming!

I received an arc via Netgalley, but all opinions are my own!

The Goods✨
•Shadow Broker
•Victorian England
•”Bosh!”
•her mismatched clothing
•Mr. Problem Solver
•a most eligible bachelor
•Egyptologist fmc
•superstitions
•the lobster
•odd happenings
•caretaking
•flirty banter
•strangers to more
•the poems 🥹

This was a fun, refreshing read. Edmund is Oxford’s most eligible bachelor and Ami could care less; they made the perfect pair. I absolutely loved their meet cute. Their love was formed through the bonds of friendship and a mutual respect and adoration for each other. I love a man who, especially in earlier time periods, is not threatened by a strong, independent woman. Edmund lifted Ami up in every way and was always encouraging her.

It was so easy to get into this book. Michelle Griep is so good at weaving such a detailed story. The pacing was perfect and the balance of mystery and romance kept me turning the pages. I also appreciate the light faith thread woven throughout the story. I’m so excited to see where this series goes.

Content: kisses

Thank you to Bethany House, Austenprose and the author for a gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.

Of Gold and Shadows is a mix of historical mystery, romance, and Christian fiction genres.

👑 Set in Victorian England,
❤️ The romance was insta love, but both our main characters were reluctant to admit it,
🚫 There was really no third act breakup or miscommunication, which I super loved,
🔍The mystery was a slow burn mystery, but when it really got going there was some heart-pounding action.

I'm particular to stories with strong women who buck social conventions, especially during the time periods where women were so restricted and not terribly respected. Ami was a great character, one who knew her mind, wasn't afraid to speak it, and wasn't worried about the things that other young women were worried about. But, the authour kept it real for the time also, as Ami was modest and proper in some regards, like with her reputation.

I enjoyed the setting for this story. I love stories set during this time period in England.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Our main character, Ami Dalton, is an aspiring Egyptologist, learning everything she knows from her father who is a renowned Professor at Oxford. Back in 1888, it was difficult for a women to be recognized for having skills beyond marrying a man. So, when eligible bachelor Edmund Price shows up to seek her father's assistance in valuing some Egyptian artifacts she's thrilled that he'll take her assistance since her father is not in the country.

There is more to both Ami and Edmund than meets the eye and they both find themselves attracted to the other. But, danger lurks around the corner and Ami finds herself in a terrible position, can Edmund get to her before something tragic happens.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Overall, this story was an enjoyable read and I'd definitely recommend for historical mystery and romance fans.

Thank you to Bethany House Fiction for the advanced digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

Of Gold and Shadows is a delight from start to finish. There’s something so magnetic and charming about Griep’s writing, and that was on full display here. I was immediately enchanted by her prose, her characters, and the world into which she placed them. The plot moves along at a steady clip, though the relationships being built are just as important as the story being told. This book was just exactly what I was hoping for when I reached for it.

In Victorian London, Egyptology is definitely a man’s game. Ami Dalton is determined to break into it anyway. The daughter of a renowned professor and archaeologist specializing in all things Egyptian, Ami was raised on stories that embedded within her heart a deep love for the region and its history. Her knowledge and expertise rival that of any man in her field. When Edward Price—business man, aspiring politician, and the most eligible bachelor in Oxford—needs someone to appraise a shipment of Egyptian artifacts, she jumps at the chance to prove herself. Both are determined to keep their relationship purely professional, but we all know how that story goes. But along their way to romance, nefarious villains, past hurts, and catty heiresses hinder their growth. Can they over come all of this hurdles—along with a potential Egyptian curse—and find happiness together?

My favorite aspects of this novel were the characters and the voice Griep adopted in the telling of her tale. Let’s start with the characters. Ami is an absolute delight. I love her spunk and her quick mind. I also love her complete lack of knowledge or care when it comes to fashion. She is a great balance of proper and scrappy, making her a really fun heroine who bucks against the cultural norms of her times while still maintaining a lovely sense of dignity. Ami is so passionate about history and artifacts and the preservation of both. She deeply loves her work. But even she is not entirely above superstition. However, she fights these brief lapses into superstition by leaning more firmly into her faith. Our male lead is Ami's polar opposite. Edmund is a well-to-do business owner and aspiring politician who attracts women like bees to honey. Which is unfortunate, as he seems to be allergic. I found him sweetly charming, and I was rooting for him as he battled the internal demons of his past, as well as a painful secret that impacted his everyday life.

There are similarities between the two that give them a deep bond, and differences between them that ensure interest and intrigue. Their banter is delightful right off the bat; it’s quippy and witty and pretty darn adorable. Both leads are ambitious in different ways, but those ambitions are largely for the benefit of others, not only themselves. They're each fighting imperialism in their own way, from inside the system. Even as they recognize their own privilege within it. They also share a strong sense of morality, both in their chosen fields and in their lives at large. That morality stems from a shared faith, which both parties take serious and which permeates their lives. Theirs is more than a Sunday faith. Much of the faith in the novel is expressed in the prayers of the central characters. Their prayers rang as heartfelt, especially those prayed in dire circumstances. There were also a few instances of discussion centered on faith that I found incredibly well presented.

And then there’s the writing. The voice and tone Griep chose to utilize perfectly suit the period. I found the telling of the story as charming and cozy as the story being told. I also appreciate the humor that courses through the narrative, and how it offsets some of the drama. The voice harkens back to the writings of the time period in which she set her story, but without ever feeling stuffy. I love that balance between historical and modern. At one point we are introduced to Ami’s hobby—the penning of short stories. The snippet of story within the story--Ami's writing--was beautifully written, in a far different voice than the main body. It really showcased Griep's skill.

I did have a couple of issues with the story, but they were very minor. There was a "twist" early on that I saw through immediately, and I was irritated that our main characters were blind to it for so long. The reveal for this was made in the last few pages of the book, and I thought that went on for far too long. I understand how it served the story, but it bothered me. My other small issues are some that I have with most historical romances. The romance itself was just a tad over the top. The crises around the 80% mark are also more than a touch overwrought. But this type of melodrama is par for the course with many--or even most--such period pieces. At least this was balanced by the sweetness and the humor, and didn't saturate the entire narrative.

Of Gold and Shadows is the second book I’ve read from Griep, and I can already tell that she’s going to be a new comfort author for me. I love her balance of humor and drama, of compelling plot and romance, and how faith courses through all of it. Of Gold and Shadows is the first installment in a loose duology, Time’s Lost Treasures, and I’m really looking forward to reading the second. In the meantime, I’m excited to dig into her back catalogue!

This perfectly charming Victorian mystery is filled with Gothic elements, true love, and archaeological artifacts. It’s an enjoyable page-turner that takes the reader on an adventurous journey. Ami and Edmund have personal obstacles to overcome—Edmund, who has dyslexia, hides it well, but his past hurts prevent him from forming close relationships. Meanwhile, Ami struggles to find her self-worth.

Ami and Edmund share amazing chemistry, and their witty banter is hilarious. Their romance is sweet, and I loved how it developed over time. Their playful exchanges were flirty and fun, and their kisses were simply perfect.

This is another fantastic historical novel by Michelle Griep! With a blend of intrigue, adventure, mystery, romance, and humor, it truly stands out as a great read!

I highly recommend this book. It had a bit of mystery surrounding a curse on a golden statue. It involves a female Egyptologist trying to make her way in a male dominated role, and an elusive famed bachelor returning to England. As Ami works for Mr. Price, he quickly comes to appreciate her wit and joy, compassion, as well a her unique knowledge of antiquities. I enjoyed their rapport.

Both Ami and Edmund have things they need to get past. Ami struggles with where to find her worth. There were a few things that seemed off but it was intentional and everything came out right in the end. It was hard to put this book down.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book delivered exactly what I expected- mystery and romance spun together by a wordsmithing genius. Something about the story reminded me of an Elizabeth Gaskell novel. I can't quite put my finger on why, but it certainly has me wanting to read another book. That has to be a good thing, right? I would recommend this book to anyone who loves, well, as I said before, mystery and romance. Add to that a Christian message and there you have it.
This book was provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley, but as always, my opinions are my own.

A perfectly charming Victorian mystery.
Perfect for the reader who loves all things Ancient Egypt and Archaeology.
Every character was well crafted and had multiple layers (even the villian).
I enjoyed the who-done- it aspect of the story.
There was even a twist at the end that I really didn't guess.
The romance was a slow burn.
I like how this author keeps the pace up through the whole story.
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally and all opinions are honest and completely my.

Another great historical novel by Michelle Griep! With intrigue and adventure, mystery and romance, and some humor injected in, this was a great historical novel! This book follows Ami Dalton, whose father is a renowned Egyptologist and professor. Having grown up at his feet, she longs to follow in his footsteps and wants to go on an Egyptian dig more than anything. But her gender keeps her from being taken seriously in the field. When Edmund Price goes in search of someone who can catalogue and price some antiquities he wants to sell, he stumbles upon Ami when looking for her father and hires her instead. And he gets much more than he bargained for. Fraught with character development in both Edmund and Ami (who are both extremely career-driven individuals), a sweet romance, and a lot of twists and turns, this one had a lot going for it that kept me turning pages. The plot line was exciting and certain things were shrouded in mystery. There was also a solid faith thread included as both characters needed to learn to trust Him to handle their problems instead of attempting to solve them themselves. I enjoyed watching them grow both individually and as a pair, as well as the mystery behind the curse, the missing artifacts and Edmund's business partner. There were a few things I saw coming, but the big twists were still big twists! This is one I'd easily recommend to fans of historical romance or historical suspense. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

I absolutely loved Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep. Ami’s charming personality and her work as an Egyptologist drew me into the story. My interest continued to grow as the mystery/curse of the griffin appeared and created another layer. The author masterfully added in spiritual elements about God as a good, loving Father and finding one’s worth in the love of God rather than achievement. I also appreciated a theme about balancing preservation of the past with living in the present. A twist at the end surprised me and provided the happy ending for all. All-in-all, it was a beautiful story that held my attention throughout.

Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep commences the Time’s Lost Treasures series, and I’m eager for the second installment. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy historical fiction with mystery, romance, and spiritual themes. Five stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

I loved this book so much! I’ve always been interested in archaeology, so when you combine that with an intriguing mystery, characters you can root for, a swoony romance, settings that come to life, a strong message of faith, and Michelle Griep’s stellar writing, you’re sure to have a winner on your hands. And this story was most definitely a winner! It’s one of my favorite reads of the year.

I was hooked from the very first line and couldn’t read fast enough. Ami and Edmund had amazing chemistry, and their banter was hilarious. They were so great together! There was a lot of humor in this book, which surprised me. I laughed out loud several times. Not to say this was all laughs. It wasn’t. It dealt with some serious issues as well, but I loved the mix of the two.

This is exactly the kind of book I always crave more of. I highly, highly recommend it! I was already a big fan of the author, but this made me even more so. I can’t wait for the next release!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

Of Gold and Shadows is a great fall read. While not dark and suspenseful like some of Griep other novels, I feel like this delves deeper into the characters. Ami feels like she has something to prove in a male-dominant career while Edmund has to prove he is more than just a rich bachelor. I really liked the artifact storyline and wished there was a little more details on that. There is good pace for most of the novel, but I feel like the ending was a little fast. Speaking of the ending... I wasn't prepared for that surprise.

What a great story! And a stunning cover that captures it!

I loved everything about this new novel from Michelle Griep. There’s mystery, slow-burn romance, quirky characters, incredible detail and a well-paced story that kept me turning the pages well into the night.

I think Ami is one of my new favourite characters! She loves Egyptology and is trying to make her footprint in the academic world, living in the shadow of her renowned Egyptologist father. She’s an odd duck – dresses contrary to societal expectations, isn’t concerned about social etiquette, and is focused solely on rescuing relics from Egypt to give back to the Egyptian people. Her drive is admirable and I love her humour.

Edmund Price is a swoony hero who has dyslexia and hides it well. His hurt from the past keeps him from getting close to anyone. But Ami…yes. Love their story!! Edmund is a fantastic hero, one who values loyalty to the extent of sacrificing his own comforts to help another.

There are some delightful twists to this story – including the criminal underworld. Characters aplenty – some questionable and others completely endearing.

It’s a great story with a light faith thread.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Of Gold and Shadows is such a fantastic story! The descriptive imagery made me feel as if I was in the story. Sometimes books can get weighed down with too much description, but we don’t have that issue with this one. You’re given just enough to help you really picture the scene and artifacts, without being too wordy. I was hooked from the first page and didn’t want to put the book down until I was finished.
I loved Ami and Edmund together. Their romance was so sweet and I loved how it developed. Their banter was flirty and fun, their kisses were perfection, and I loved how they really tried to understand each other.
This book had Biblical truth, a lot of twists and turns, was full of suspense, a bit of a mystery, and quite a few (not so bright) villains.
Of Gold and Shadows may have just tied with A Captivate Heart as my favorite Michelle Griep book/s.

“There’s a connection between teamwork and achievement, you know. Just like bees, people can accomplish so much more if they work together toward a common goal instead of insisting upon selfish ambitions.”

This book ticked all the boxes for me:
✔️Strong and intelligent female protagonist with just the right amount of sassy
“You will soon find I am not the average female. My head is turned by a finely wrapped, mummified corpse, not a flesh-and-blood pile of muscles.”
✔️captivating historical timeline with just the right amount of romance
✔️captivating mystery with dark secrets and legends
✔️Egypt - a great balance between cultural heritage and antiquities

I loved being prompted to Google:
Excelsior, bee skep, Lady Margaret Hall, and shadow brokering.

Themes I enjoyed:
✔️What we do when we find we’re missing out on recognition we feel we should have deserved
✔️What we do when we’ve got a commitment to honor, but it’s easier to quit and move on
✔️What we do when we find ourselves in a hazardous situation but we need to carry on with a noble cause
✔️Learning from bees
✔️Bearing emotional scars

I was gifted this copy by Bethany House and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Thank you to Michelle Griep, NetGalley, and Bethany House for this #gifted book!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Title: Of Gold and Shadows
Author: Michelle Griep
Genre: Historical Fiction
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Synopsis: “To protect the treasures of the past, one must understand the delicate dance between excavation, conservation, and the cultivation of present relationships.” As the daughter of a renowned Egyptologist, Ami Dalton’s passion for ancient artifacts runs strong. By day, she seeks to become a renowned Egyptologist herself, but by night, she rescues ancient artifacts and returns them to their rightful civilizations as The Shadow Broker. When given the opportunity to appraise a large Egyptian collection, she jumps at the chance to prove herself. The young and handsome businessman, Edmund Price, starts to take up more room in her thoughts than she originally planned, and the collection becomes more trouble than she realized. With supposed curses and practically priceless pieces, the mysteries pile up as strange happenings occur. Amy and Edmund must come to a compromise to save both Edmund’s business and the precious Egyptian collection.

Analysis: When I closed the last page of this book, I found myself wondering how I have never read any of Michelle’s books before, and this intriguing story left me wanting more! I loved the unique history, the romance, and rhetorical suspense. Ami is a strong and quirky heroine, and Edmund is definitely a swoon-worthy hero. I loved the nods to real life struggles such as “word blindness.” This book will have you rushing to finish but also wishing to savor the story! I definitely recommend adding it to your TBR! And I have good word from the author that you can look forward to more from this series!

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I like to take notes as I read or listen to a book to help jog my memory on parts I loved when I write a review. However, for most of this book I just breezed through reading and enjoying this story without stopping to jot down notes because I found the book captivating.. I always enjoy books by this author and this one wasn't any different. This is a great read for those who like a bit of adventure and mystery mixed in with their romance. I caught The Mummy vibes from this read! I thought the mystery was perfect as it keeps you hooked with just enought info to keep you interested but not coplicated or confused. I thought the world building, cast of characters and dialogue were wonderul. I appreciated the respect in given to both ideas of how to handle antiquities. Sale? Donate? There is a complexity & nuance to life. I appreciated how the author had this part unfold. I loved the ending, the little twists in the story and the flow of the plot. I liked the growth of hero and heroine. I reccomend reading or listening to the book.
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.