A Sparkle of Silver is one suspenseful treasure hunt, full of adventure and romance! 5 stars!

A Sparkle of Silver is my tenth book by Liz Johnson and I can wholeheartedly say her writing has only gotten better over time, with this book being her very best and my favorite.

I love the premise it begins with, the belief that finding long lost treasure can solve all of Millie Sullivan's problems, like having to live on a shoestring budget while financially supporting her grandmother Joy. Joy suffers from dementia and needs to move to another facility. Millie's unwitting accomplice is part time security guard Ben Thornton who is pulled into her search by her offer to split the treasure and he accepts, as he has financial needs of his own.

Their treasure hunt has lots of twists and turns, I walked each step with them throughly convinced I could figure this mystery out. But no, I did not. Johnson takes the reader on such a suspenseful quest that picked up speed as it went along to the point the last portion of the book was like being on a runaway train, one I was happy to be on. Much of the key information that gives clues to the mystery is found in Millie's great-grandmother Ruth's journal of 1929 making this an incredible and excellent dual timeline story. I loved it!

There are so many spiritual insights and great quotes I found myself highlighting half of some pages. I especially appreciated the wisdom of grandma Joy in a particularly lucid conversation as she encouraged her granddaughter Millie. Some of my favorites,
*"You know that every single one of us is more than the worst thing we've ever done. "
*"That's life. The struggle and the scraping. The figuring out how to find joy in the midst of pain."
*"You're looking for money to be your provider. Money isn't who provides for you. Money is a tool. God is the one who provides."
*"...even the hard times are managable when you have someone to share the pain with."

The developing romance between Millie and Ben started at a slow simmer and worked up in intensity, full of great kisses, to the point Millie herself said she "nearly melted into a puddle at his feet." The epilogue was truly wonderful and I couldn't have loved it more.

Now that I've read this first book in the Georgia Coast Romance series set on St Simons Island, I'm looking forward to book two, Glitter of Gold, and its Savannah setting, releasing next year.
I appreciate Liz Johnson's fabulous writing in this suspenseful romance and thank Revell for making a copy available for review.

Calling all treasure hunters—especially those who enjoy a sweet and slightly whimsical romance thrown into the mix! This story was a good mix of light-hearted and heartfelt as Ben and Millie sought to find a treasure that would not only relieve them of some heavy financial burdens, but also unravel the mystery of who Millie’s great-grandfather was.

Millie, in particular, was a likeable heroine, with her penchant for reading romance novels and carrying on conversations with herself. Her grandmother has dementia and Millie needs to find a home that can care for her properly, but that’s going to take a bucket load of money that she just doesn’t have. When, in one of her lucid moments, Millie’s grandmother tells her of a lost diary that holds the key to finding hidden treasure, Millie decides it’s her best—and possibly only—chance of finding the money she needs to make sure her grandmother is properly cared for. She’ll do anything she can to find that treasure—even promise half of it to the security guard who finds her snooping in the estate library…

Ben was a charming and very hardworking hero, holding down three jobs so that he could begin to make restitution for his mother’s crimes. Despite their initial wariness of each other, Ben and Millie made a fun team, and I found myself getting caught up in the hunt, the building romantic tension, and even in finding out what exactly DID happen during that summer Millie’s great-grandmother stayed at the estate. And the tension only increased as I began to realise there were more connections in this story than I originally thought.

But beneath all the fun and mystery, there were some serious lessons for Millie and Ben to learn as well—about forgiveness and grace, and who or what we look to as our provider. There were a few times when the plot felt a little weak—things that seemed a little too convenient or ‘arranged’—but on the whole, this was a fun way to spend a few hours.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

I enjoyed reading this book. There’s much to love in this story. The setting is a grand old mansion and estate on St. Simon’s Island. Millie and Ben are two good people who work hard to do what’s right, even when there’s great financial sacrifice to do this. Their love story is a sweet one. They are racing against time to find a hidden treasure on the estate and Millie’s Grandma Joy is the key to the split-time aspect of this book. We view the Chateau in its golden days of wealth and splendor through the characters of George and Ruth. There’s a faith aspect in the stories of both couples of God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness.

I loved the storyline of Millie and Ben’s search for the hidden treasure, and was cheering for their happily-ever-after all through the book. A clean and sweet novel with no embarrassing scenes or foul language, it’s a great book for those times when you want a fun story to read and relax.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A Sparkle of Silver is a new book by Liz Johnson that is the first book in this series. This book begins in present day and you meet Millie. Millie is just making ends meet by working several jobs so that she can take care of her grandmother who has dementia. While speaking with her grandmother she discovers a hint at unknown family secrets. With the information provided by her grandmother, she begins on a journey to discover the truth to her heritage and past. When she begins, she meets Ben who is on a journey trying to make up for mistakes from his past (and his mother’s past). Together, they will journey to discover the truth and also learn some truths about themselves. This is a romantic story that is set in present day, but you also visit to a time in the late 1920s. This is the first book by Ms. Johnson that I have read, but I will definitely be reading her books again. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend you read this book! You will not be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

This was an interesting treasure hunt story. Much of the book were journal entries and letters from the main character's great-grandmother. While the story was an interesting mystery, I didn't get as caught up in it as I was hoping to. I did really like Ben - he was really sweet - but I didn't connect with Millie even though I wanted to.

If you enjoy mysteries or treasure hunts and don't mind epistolary books then you'll probably enjoy this more than I did.

That being said, I really liked Johnson's last series.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

Millie is desperate for funds in order to provide the care that her Grandma Joy needs. Currently working two jobs and it still isn’t enough. Something her grandma says sets her on a quest to find a journal written by her great-grandmother. Will this journal hold old family secrets and lead her to a possible treasure? While searching the Chateau, under the disguise of working there, she gets caught by security guard Ben. Are all her hopes dashed? No, she is able to convince him to help her. Ben is also working multiple jobs in order to try to earn enough money to make correct his mother’s actions.

Together they set out on a mission to find the possible treasure. What they discover along the way may cause pain but they also discover grace and forgiveness.

Ben and Millie make the perfect team, with their skills complementing one another assisting them in their search. I was intrigued to see where their search would take them and enjoyed seeing a relationship bloom. They had a realness to them that made it easy to empathize with their pain. I have never dealt with someone close having dementia but could feel Millie’s pain when she interacted with Grandma Joy and the pressure she felt trying to provide for her. Ben feels guilty for something he had no control over and when it turns out that Millie has a connection to it all hope of a relationship seems lost.

I especially enjoyed reading the journal entries. I felt like I was right there with Great Grandma Ruth and wished happiness for her. Over the last few years I have found myself really enjoying dual-timeline stories and this is another one I can add to my favourites list.

Some things I love about Liz Johnson's books: the intrinsic humor, the quirky characters and the amazing settings. I've read Liz's books set on Prince Edward Island and loved them. Now she's moved south with her Georgia coast series and landed on St. Simon's Island. Since I visited the island several years ago, I had to read this book. And she did not disappoint. As Millie feels the stress of needing to help her grandmother, she doesn't just sit and hope for a remedy. Instead she takes on an almost mythical legend with determination. Millie is a delightful character who has lived through disappointment and challenges. Yet she's ready to tackle a new obstacle with aplomb and hope. Ben suffers from the destructive path left by his mother. He wants nothing more than to right a terrible wrong. He finds himself entangled in Millie's scheme. I like Ben because he wants to better himself and break the cycle his mom pushed upon him. The history woven throughout the story represents the times of the rich and famous quite well. If you enjoy women's fiction with a dash of mystery and romance, you'll enjoy A Sparkle of Silver. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Sparkle of Silver is the first book in Liz Johnson's Georgia Coast Romance Series. What a way to start a new series. This novel was so good, it has romance, family, adventure, suspense and history. There's something for everyone. There was such a loving relationship between Millie Sullivan and her Grandma Joy. This story had me at the heartstrings from the very start. The author does a great job of showing us what families deal with having a loved one with Alzheimer's. Millie wants to do what is best for grandma, but her funds have run out. She faces grandma being evicted from the facility she is in. Grandma Joy's story was difficult for me, having just recently placed both my father and mother into a facility. You always wish you could continue to take care of them, but sometimes there comes a time when the best and safest thing for them, is not your first choice.

I found it interesting that Grandma Joy, all this time has been hiding a secret. When she tries to reveal it, Millie is not sure she can trust what grandma is telling her. Millie sets out to find a lost diary, a hidden treasure and her true heritage. Ben Thornton unexpectedly becomes her partner in crime. This was a page-turner mystery laced with romance. The love story is one of my favorites this year. I believe it worked so well because both Millie and Ben were not looking for a relationship. Both are trying to solve their own personal problems, they don't have time for romance in their life.

Millie has gone to Grandma Joy with her biggest problem, Ben. There are some wonderful quotes from grandma, one of my favorites, “You know that every single one of us is more than the worst thing we've done. All of us. We bear the image of our Marker. Even Ben.”......
“And we're surely more than the worst thing someone in our family has done.”

I found this to be an exciting mystery, yet sweet historical Christian love story.

I was given a copy of this book by Revell Publishers through NetGalleys.
The opinions in this review are my own.

Ben and Millie connect as they search for a treasure, hoping to gain money to solve family problems they each face. This is an interesting story with a mystery Ben and Millie try to solve. Ben and Millie both grab your heartstrings as they are fighting for their families and trying to help the best they can. Good read!

A Sparkle of Silver (Georgia Coast Romance #1) by Liz Johnson is a great book - 4 1/2 Stars! I love reading books that have two time periods with a mystery to solve and a good romance. There is danger while looking for a hidden treasure. There is danger in learning to trust someone with your secrets. Beautiful locations on St. Simons Island off the Georgia coast. Millie's great-grandmother hid a journal that tells the location of the treasure and Millie needs the money. Ben catches her and she offers him half the treasure to help her find it. Check it out and discover what they find.

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

I could not stop reading this engaging book. I really loved most everything about this book. The mystery was perfect and not at all scary (I don't like scary books). The characters were fun, flawed and had a great sense of humor. The biblical truths were great and portrayed so well. It did not have a dual timeline, but it kind of felt like it with the diary entries and they were magical. I felt like I was walking the halls and rooms of the Chateau right there with Millie and Ben and I love old mansions, so it was a lot of fun. I highly recommend this fun mystery!

Liz Johnson's latest series begins with A Sparkle of Silver. This tale opens with Millie Sullivan visiting her grandmother. Millie does not know what to think when her grandmother does not even recognize her!

When her grandmother suddenly becomes alert, Millie hears a story of old. One summer in the 1920s, her great-grandmother was visiting at Chateau Hawkins, a oil tycoon's summer home. Her great-grandmother has left a diary containing details of her visit and most importantly, a map to a treasure left behind!

When Millie learns that her grandmother is soon to be kicked out the nursing home, she knows she must find a new source of funding. After her grandmother was caught up in a financial scam, she has nothing left to pay for new housing!

In an effort to help her grandmother, Millie decides to take a job at the historic Chateau. Millie soons meets up with co-worker, Ben Thornton. These two, each for reasons of their own, decide to team up in an effort to locate the missing treasure!

Hold on until the final page to discover if Millie and Ben are ever able to find the treasure, as they sneak around this ancient home!

This is the first book I have read by Liz Johnson, and I really enjoyed it. It’s a nice mix of mystery and Christian romance. You won’t find any characters falling into bed on a first date, or the ridiculous amount of cursing that is found in most secular fiction books these days

The story has multiple layers and excellent characterization. I felt I really got to know the people in the book because they were so well described, and the way they handled the situations they found themselves in revealed a good bit about their personalities. The characters also have have moments where they draw away from their faith because of what they are going through, but they do find their way back again.

With a nice wrap-up at the end, this is a book I think is worth reading.

I’ve loved all of this author’s books. I love the cover of this book. I love the title of this book. I loved the first chapter of this book, and the ending was superb. But I admit in the middle I was often lost and/or confused. But thankfully the end made up for it. The mystery, the loose ends all tied up and the romance were all wonderfully done. But I do wish portions of this book had been as tight, clear and fluid as the others.
For me though, it is a book that spoke reassuring and unheard words to me. My dad had Alzheimer’s and the grandmother in this story had a similar thing, dementia. I loved the words about how her experiences, even if she can’t remember them live on through the people she helped. She said, “No matter if I forget, I know there are those who remember that I was there during a hard time or brought a measure of comfort in a difficult season or helped raise a young woman who can change the world.” Thank you, Liz

I was given a copy to read by NetGalley (thank you) but the opinions are entirely my own.

A new series Georgia Coast Romance, this story takes place at St Simone Island, Georgia. Where Millie.having read an old dairy, could there be a treasure, snooping around the old place. Security guy Ben, is intrigued with the story and her, agrees to help her. Another part deals with Ruth from the 1920 and tells Millie about those days, the romance, the glamour and the diary. Is there a treasure hidden, or a love blossoms with these two looking for it, is the treasure. A good plot of two stories coming together, with intrigue, romance, and beautiful settings. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion from Net Galley and Revell .