Glitter of Gold
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4.8 • 4 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Anne Norris moved to Savannah, Georgia, for a fresh start. Now her pirate-tour business is flagging, and paying the rent requires more than wishful thinking. When she discovers evidence of a shipwreck off the coast of Tybee Island, she knows it could be just the boon she needs to stay afloat. She takes her findings to local museum director Carter Hale for confirmation, but she runs after a disastrous first meeting.
Carter has been searching for the location of the wreck detailed in the worn pages of an 18th-century diary, the discovery of which could open the door to his dream job at a prestigious museum. But convincing Anne to help him fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle is no easy task. And working with Carter means that Anne will have to do the one thing she swore she'd never do again: trust a man.
Finding a monetary backer and sticking with a search that's turning up nothing will take all their dedication--and every secret they've tried to hide. If they can find the lost ship, they may discover a treasure worth more than all the pirate gold in the world--love.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This entertaining tale from Johnson (A Sparkle of Silver) explores a woman's slow process of forgiving herself. Anne Norris, disgraced and ashamed after serving time on "accessory to domestic terrorism" charges for unknowingly helping her boyfriend bomb an oil rig, has run from California to live a quiet life in Savannah, Ga. But her pirate-tour business, centered on the historic buccaneer haven of Tybee Island, is struggling. Days after a hurricane, Anne stumbles upon the golden hilt of a sword buried in the sand that she believes could lead to treasure that would change her life. She takes it to Dr. Carter Hale at a local museum, and he is delighted to see the sword hilt, which he thinks is described in an 18th-century family diary. Believing the sword hilt proves the existence of a nearby shipwreck, Carter convinces Anne to work with him to locate the ship despite her reservations about letting anyone new into her life. Launching herself into the search, Anne learns that she doesn't have to hide from her past and that God has forgiven her mistakes. Both an exciting treasure hunt and penetrating exploration of overcoming past mistakes, Johnson's excellent novel will captivate readers.
Customer Reviews
Mesmerizing double storyline...
Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21...this is a story of finding forgiveness and accepting grace. Of allowing others in when you’ve been hurt by so many. It was intriguing from beginning to end. I absolutely loved it!
This was a masterfully woven tale of blended times between contemporary and historical fiction. When a piece of history shows up in a beachside town in Georgia, two lives are changed forever. Anne Norris was taking a stroll along the beach after Hurricane Lorenzo swept through. There, she hardly believed her eyes when she found evidence of a shipwreck. She soon meets museum director, Carter Hale who has an historical journal that may tie into the piece she found. Now they are thinking of treasures, a sunken ship, and lost love.
I was mesmerized by this story from page one! So much heart for the main characters. The mystery, piracy, and romance was intriguing. I was rooting for their happy ending and found it hard to put down. One of my favorite quotes was “Carter had read way more scandalous stories in the Bible and had decided a long time ago that God could use whatever story he liked to do whatever he wanted.” What a wonderful take on God writing our stories. Johnson did an amazing job with this book. It’s my new favorite of hers!
I loved this line, too. It was “a decision to put the past to rest and live with hope for tomorrow.” That’s living with hope and walking in grace.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Revell and NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion."
A sweet romance with two stories in one book
A Glitter of Gold is two romance stories in one! This novel is a contemporary love story between Carter and Anne alongside a historic love story between Rebecca and Captain Samuel Thackery. Carter and Anne are searching for the ship that brought together Rebecca and Samuel 250 years ago.
The romance between Carter and Anne is a great example of love finding you when you are not looking for it. Anne has trust issues after some previous missteps, and rightfully so. Carter is only looking for his ticket out of Savannah.
“I’m serious. You can’t just decide that you’re not going to fall in love.” [Anne]
“But you can’t find someone you’re not looking for.” [Carter]
“Says who? Don’t you ever watch romantic comedies? Those people fall in love on accident all the time.” [Anne]
“Those people are also fictional.” [Carter]
The relationship between Carter and Anne builds slowly, through friendship and trust. I cherished the growth in these two characters over the course of the novel. And they bond over The Princess Bride, one of my personal favorites.
Like Carter and Anne, I was fascinated by Rebecca and Samuel Thackery’s story. This part of the novel is told through Rebecca’s diary and letters. It’s a great technique of telling their story. The diary entries weave throughout the novel as Anne reads them. I was charmed by Rebecca immediately. The lengths she goes through to rescue her brother are very impressive. And then, there is Captain Thackery, the swash-buckling owner of the sword hilt that Anne recovered on the beach. Let’s just say he’s the romantic hero that Rebecca (and I!) needed. The historical portion of the novel, with Rebecca and Samuel, flows smoothly with the modern story of Carter and Anne. This portion of the book reminded me a bit of Susanna Kearsley, without the time travel. I relished how the love story between Rebecca and Samuel brings together, and inspires, the love story between Carter and Anne.
Ms. Johnson’s writing style is casual and charming. I quickly empathized with the characters, wishing that I was there in Savannah to take Anne’s walking pirate tour and to visit the Savannah Maritime Museum. The primary and secondary characters are well-developed. I believed the excitement when Anne found the sword hilt and then again when Carter instantly recognized it as Captain Thackery’s sword.
A Glitter of Gold is the second in a series but can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first novel in the series, but I’m intrigued by Ms. Johnson’s storytelling and will be checking it out.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Glitter of Gold from the start. Check it out if you are interested in a sweet romance that builds as the characters grow.