A wonderfully curated collection of romance, danger, mystery, and history, Of Gold and Shadows is an absolute delight that readers simply cannot miss! This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024, and I adored it! A spunky bluestocking Egyptologist heroine and a conscientious protective businessman hero collide when a collection of Egyptian artifacts arrives at an English countryside estate—along with a load of trouble! The romance was swoon worthy, the plot was utterly riveting, the faith arc totally inspiring, and the mystery completely surprising! You absolutely cannot miss this page-turning adventure from Michelle Griep!

Thank you to Michelle Griep and Bethany House for my copy of this amazing book!

Of Gold and Shadows
Michelle Griep

Incredible Victorian era, historical fiction, full of mystery, faith, and romance. This one follows Ami an Egyptologist, who also saves black market artifacts. Ami saves those artifacts from getting into the wrong, hands all while being disguised as the shadow broker.

Edmond is running for parliament. He is also on the hunt for an Egyptologist to value his newest treasures. He never expected that Ami would be his Egyptologist. When these two met, Sparks flew. I love their chemistry, they had so much tension. It was undeniable. Ami was such a quirky, full of wit character, and Edmond he was straight laced and poised. They were opposites, but opposites totally attract.

Michelle Griep will draw you into her fully submissive writing. The Victorian era atmosphere was one I will be happy to be wisked away to any day.

I’ve always been interested in Egyptology and Archeology. This book was full of adventure , some mystery and romance. I like Ami, she’s strong and determined. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Michelle Griep for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Of Gold and Shadows, which was released September 24, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I received this book after the publication date. I love this author’s books. She writes a lot of fun historical fiction. I’m excited for this new series. I’m obsessed with Victorian England. I loved that she was an Egyptologist. Ancient Egypt is one of my favorite topics. Ami and Edmund were really fun characters. I loved the plot. There was a good mix of suspense and romance. I’ll def read more books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Victorian stories!

No one. And I mean no one, can write atmosphere or vibes better than Michelle Griep. While her historical frontier book The Captive Heart will forever and ever be my favorite, her gothic mysteries are so vivid and rich you are immediately immersed up to the gills in sights, sounds, and feels. The words on the page come to life with her expertly written prose. Her choice of phrasing and attention to appropriate dialect and slang is impeccable.

✨Cemeteries always smelled of earthworms and damp dog fur, especially after a rain, and Brudge rather liked it that way. It made death more tangible. Imminent.

✨Nothing moved save for the slight tremble of leaves on the trees, dripping leftover raindrops like so many drops of blood. Tombstones the colour of bleached bones popped up from the dirt, quiet sentries of the dead.

How can one read that and not instantly feel the eerie chill creep up the back of your neck all the while itching to run from the shadows even though you are safe in the comfort of your own home. Pure mastery!!

Of Gold and Shadows is a must read for anyone who loves cozy mysteries, a little suspense, a swoony imperfect hero, a feisty, intelligent, brave heroine, and cast of sketchy, Cockney blokes.

I will say I listened to the audiobook while reading this one. Sarah Zimmerman did a smashing job! Her accents, inflection, tones were fantastic! One of my favorite single narrator listen ever.

Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House for the eARC, all opinions are my own.

A review will be posted to Instagram and Tik Tok on Sept 30

I received a free copy of Of Gold and Shadows through Austenprose PR for a book tour. Thank you so much for this opportunity!

This was such a fun read and reminded me of another recent read that I equally enjoyed also set around the antiquities world, The Cloverton Charade by Sarah E. Ladd, except this time with a focus on Egyptian artifacts!

I loved our two main characters, Ami and Edmund. Their instant attraction for each other is so sweet and tender as we get to watch them fall in love and seem to be in denial about it. I loved how strong-willed Ami was, wanting to be seen as a professional and taken seriously as an Egyptologist. And Edmund cared so much about those around him and helped Ami to be seen as a professional. I also found Edmund’s efforts to spend more time with Ami to be adorable!

And there’s a thriller mystery aspect to this as well that was also entertaining to follow. In fact, this aspect is there from the start which had me captivated. The premise around the Egyptian artifacts and the mythology around them added some interesting plot points. Some twists I found easy to see, but others I did find surprising. I didn't want to put this down.

If you enjoy historical fiction romances with a side of mystery, you should definitely pick this one up! I found this to be thoroughly enjoyable and I absolutely adored the romance between our mains!

SO FANTASTICALLY GOOD!!!!

Ami Dalton is not like other women. She spends her days as an Egyptologist and her nights as a Shadow Broker to rescue artifacts from the black market. When Oxford's most eligible bachelor returns to town with a large collection of artifacts and hires Ami to examine and value the collection, she sees this as a chance to gain respect in a field with few women.

Edmund Price was expecting a stodgy old professor when he went searching for someone to hire, not the spuny and intriguing Ami. As they spend time together as Ami examines the treasure, an undeniable attraction builds between them. But as danger and trouble seem to be around every corner, they start to wonder if they are the victims of an ancient Egyptian curse or if there is someone who

What you'll love:
Victorian era
Egytologist FMC
cinnamon roll hero
multiple pov
forced proximity
lots of chemistry
twists and turns
intrigue and suspense
ancient curse
flirty banter
Bosh!
swoony romance
light elements of faith

I know I say this every time I read a new Michelle book, but I think this may just be my new favorite of her stories!!! Talk about a binge read. This book is full of vivid characters, intrigue and suspense, plot twists, bumbling villains, flirty banter, and an absolutely downright swoony romance. It really needs to come with a warning label about lack of sleep and desire to do anything but read until that last page is turned.

There is so much to unpack with this story but for the sake of avoiding spoilers, I will just say that Michelle manages to give so much depth and fascinating backstory to the characters without giving up the fast pace of the story. It was brilliantly done! She painted them in such vivid ways that the book was like a movie playing out in my head.

It kept me guessing and on my toes until the very end...and then Michelle still had a few surprise to throw in, lol. I absolutely loved every bit of the story and am excited for the rest of the series! This was another 5-star winner from Michelle and one that will certainly not be collecting any dust on my shelf!

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep is the perfect story. I loved every page of this glorious Historical Romance. I admit to feeling a little stressed going into this book. Not because I thought this story would be boring or tedious or anything like that. But because I am so swamped at work. I thought to myself, “Am I going to have time and motivation to read this book right now?” Silly me. I had nothing to worry about. This book was the perfect escape from my very overwhelming work schedule. Simply put, I devoured this story in hours. The pacing is perfect. The engagement is extremely high. I loved the Suspense — this is what kept me turning pages furiously throughout the day and into the night. I was sure I had the mystery figured out, but I was totally wrong. It was great! Griep got me on this one. And the romance between Ami and Edmund…absolute perfection!!! The meet-cute is hilarious. The chemistry is pretty instant. And the tension between the two is impeccable. Edmund is the best hero ever. He is detail-oriented — it’s what allows him to be so good at business — and, boy, does he pay attention to Ami. This alone made Edmund super swoony in my book. Edmund appreciates all the ways that Ami is NOT like the women of his upper-class Society. To snooty Society Ami is weird, but to Edmund, Ami is perfect. Ami is a rad heroine. She is so smart. She absolutely does not care what others think about her. And she is courageous. But she has a heart that’s been hurt, not by one big thing, but by small, seemingly insignificant things that over time turned her into a sort of introverted, independent, solo actor. She doesn’t need anyone…until she meets Edmund and he has her rethinking her life’s goals, plans, and purposes. I really enjoyed how these two characters become actual friends, help each other overcome their issues, work together to overcome the evil against them, and fall in love. Edmund and Ami’s love story is super sweet and highly endearing, full of adventure and intrigue, and I was so there for every minute. I will miss these two tremendously charming and relatable characters.

There is so much more to say about Of Gold and Shadows, but I don’t want to accidentally spoil one second of this outstanding and superb story. This book is Historical Romance at its finest. If you are a fan of well-written, engaging, suspenseful, and fun Historical Romances filled with excellently crafted characters and thematic depth, then this is 100% the book for you. Purchase a copy ASAP. You won’t be disappointed you did!

I received a complimentary paperback and eBook copy of this novel from Bethany House Publishers. I was under no obligation to leave a review of any kind. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Want an historical novel, with suspense, romance, and Egypt? How about the 1880s? Strong women bucking social norms? Swoony men that are loyal and flawed in the best ways? Curses? Artifacts?
In case you didn't guess it, I'm talking about Of Gold and Shadows! It will keep you guessing the entire story. So definitely check it out.

Our story begins on a damp night in July of 1888 among the gravestones at St. Sepulchre's in Oxford, England, perfectly setting the mood for this story, a story that involves someone known as the Shadow Broker who buys Egyptian antiquities in the shadows of the evening, someone no one would suspect of such stealth and secrecy, nor of being able to conduct business with disreputable dealers who came about their wares in less than scrupulous ways. In the brighter spots of Oxford, where men and women typically adhere to the rules of society, the author introduces us to two people who are not exactly typical, Ami Dalton who is a bit of an eccentric and Edmund Price who, while being Oxford's most eligible bachelor, avoids the feminine set who vie for his attention. While readers may think they know how historical romance books work, let me assure you finding out how these two get from point A to point B is a fun read with many unexpected turns of event, some hilarious, some angst-filled, and some quite dangerous.

Michelle Griep always provides many hours of reading pleasure with her tales that skillfully combine intrigue, humor, and light out of darkness. Of Gold and Shadows is a delightful example of this. Fans and those new to Griep's writing will be thrilled with this first book in her Time Lost Treasures series. I am grateful to have a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

This was a really fun read! The balance between mystery and romance was well done. Ami and Edmund were both very lovable and relatable and wondering how they would overcome their flaws and weaknesses kept me invested in their story.

So few books have female main characters who are Egyptologists, which makes Ami Dalton a unique character. She is one fearless, determined young lady who will stop at nothing to get the artifacts that have been surfacing in England to the British Museum so the public can enjoy them. Ami is definitely one of a kind. She is so focused on her work that she doesn’t pay attention to her clothing, including her shoes. Eating is secondary, skipping meals often. She is also frank when talking to people concerning women’s rights and returning antiquities to Egypt. Edmund Price also found her to be intriguing and genuine.

Edmund was compassionate, caring, and wounded from what had happened to him in the past. It took a lot of courage and vulnerability to share with Ami his reading and spelling difficulty that we now call dyslexia. His attempts at writing poetry were so dear.I loved his nickname of Mr. Problem Solver because it described him very well.

Things to love:
Shadow Broker
Egyptian curse
Bosh!
Humor
Danger, mystery
Shady business partner
Plot twists
Bumbling villains
Exciting ending

I highly recommend reading this Victorian era book. I hope you love it as much as I did. Time will fly by as you become engrossed in Ami and Edmund’s story.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

"Ifwe are meant to be ”— she pulled back and collected his hand, pressing a kiss to his knuckles—“ then God’s will shall not be thwarted. He always makes a way.”

Michelle Griep's "Of Gold and Shadows" is a thrilling Victorian-era romance with hints of "The Mummy" and "Indiana Jones." The characters, storyline, and twists captivated me. This inspirational novel masterfully blends suspense and romance, ensuring an engaging read. I highly recommend it to historical romantic suspense enthusiasts, especially those who adore the Victorian era.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the ARC and finished copy of Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep. All opinions are my own.

While I currently have other books by this author that I want to read, this is my first book by Michelle Griep. I was completely blown away!

I wanted to read this book mainly because it involved Egyptian artifacts, and I’ve loved learning about ancient Egypt since I was a kid. What I did not expect, on top of all the great Egyptian content, was the beautiful romance and story of faith.

This story follows Ami Dalton, an Egyptologist that is struggling to be seen for her expertise in a man’s world. When she is offered the opportunity to value wealthy businessman, Edmund Price’s collection of Egyptian artifacts, she never expected to fall in love along the way.

I enjoyed these main characters so much! Both Ami and Edmund were likable people, and I really appreciated their Christian faith journeys in this story. They weren’t perfect people, but they learned from their mistakes and learned to trust God’s plans for their lives instead of their own.

The romance was so sweet and had so many moments that made me giggle. They were just so adorable, and I really appreciated their friendship and vulnerability with each other.

Besides these two main characters, the story is told from an additional surprise point of view that I felt was interesting and added to the danger in the story.

I loved getting to learn a little more about ancient Egyptian history, and I appreciated Ami’s opinions about the artifacts and how they should be treated.

Overall, I just adored this story and am sad that it’s over. I will definitely be reading the second book in this duology because I really liked this author’s writing.

Frankly, not quite what I was expecting at first, but the story crept up on me.

A delightful story of a female Egyptologist who wants to prove herself, and a selfless yet misled young businessman with a heart of gold. It's full of faith, intrigue, self-discovery, and romance... with a dash of adventure and humor!

I quite enjoyed how everything wrapped up in the end.

Thank you to the author, Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the early copy!

Looking for a captivating read this fall? Of Gold And Shadows is a must-read! This story is a perfect blend of adventure, intrigue, romance, and mystery, with a wonderful touch of faith and humor. The author's atmospheric writing transported me to another world, with villains, twists and turns, and cursed artifacts. It’s a page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved it!

With excellent writing, fantastic character development, and a perfectly paced storyline, I highly recommend this book!

It’s the first book in the Times Lost Treasures series, and I can’t wait for book 2!

Thanks to Bethany House Publishing, NetGalley, and Austenprose PR for a copy!

Readers will be intrigued with Ami and her knowledge of Egyptian antiquities. Out to earn the recognition that she well deserves, Ami catalogues and prices the artifacts but on the side shadows in the darkness purchasing lost items. Interesting plot and surprising twists makes this an enjoyable read.

Loved reading the inspirational and awesome Christian romance story. When Edmond needs someone to value a collection of Egyptian Artifacts, he hires a woman Egyptologist, Ami. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written full of mystery and intrigue, and a must read riveting love story.

This was a very good book. There was history, intrigue, romance, curses, and a bit of womens rights!

Ami has an egyptologist for a father, and so she has also spent time learning, but she is female, and thus not qualified. Edmund is looking for her father to give a value to some artifacts that he has purchased, but her father is out of the country. So Ami comes as the next best thing.

And then the fun begins. There are talks of curses, dangers, marriages, parliament, and twists and turns along the way.

The characters are fun, are well worth rooting for. A fun read!

THOUGHTS.

I think this was a good book overall and it does have its audience. I do think that the audience isn’t quite me. Some aspects didn’t work for me, but some did.

I liked most of the scenes involving the two main leads, Ami and Edmund. There’s a lot of moments for them to get to know each other and when a book only has one main kissing scene you want it to deliver and it does. I thought they had wonderful chemistry. I also thought the historical aspects were interesting too.

It is a standalone and wraps up most things well. There was one plot point that threw me off about closing part of the story, the rest was good though. The faith elements were fairly well woven in too. It is a more moderate theme throughout.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: moderate
Content Warnings: physical altercations, murder, weapons violence