💎💰 "A Dazzle of Diamonds" (Georgia Coast Romance #3) (2020) 💰💎 - Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Georgia Coast Romance (Book #3)
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Revell (August 4, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800729420
ISBN-13: 978-0800729424
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“Penelope Hunter loves her job as the events
manager at one of Savannah's premier historic venues--until her ex-fiancé walks
into her office with his new bride-to-be. To make matters worse, a scheming
social matriarch is intent on seeing Penelope fired, especially if she insists
on being seen with Tucker Westbrook.
Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his friendship with Penelope, who has been by his side since childhood. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot--and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South.
To clear his name, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a 150-year-old lost treasure. But the more time they spend together, the closer she comes to losing her job--and falling helplessly in love.”
Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his friendship with Penelope, who has been by his side since childhood. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot--and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South.
To clear his name, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a 150-year-old lost treasure. But the more time they spend together, the closer she comes to losing her job--and falling helplessly in love.”
Thank
you in advance to the publisher, Revell Books, for providing an advanced review
copy through Library Thing. A positive review was not required or requested,
and all words are my own.
I was
so HAPPY to get this ARC of A Dazzle
of Diamonds as I already had gotten A Sparkle of Silver and A
Glitter of Gold for Christmas (2019). Two of the books had toured with
JustRead and I missed out on them.
So, winning
the final book of the series was a SWEET bonus!
Now,
while I have the previous two books in the series, I haven’t read them. And,
yes, this is part of the series – BUT … it works great as a standalone read.
The story relies more on PJ, Tucker, and Tucker’s ancestor Caroline to tell the
story rather than the characters or even the town as some series do.
The
only previous story reference in this was Carter Hale, the museum director (A Glitter of Gold) and later his “wife”
Anne. Millie (A Sparkle of Silver)
does not seem to make an appearance at all. I would be interested in her story,
which might have concluded in that book or book #2.
I also
have Liz Johnson’s Prince Edward Island Dream series (The Red Door Inn, Where Two Hearts Meet, and On Love's Gentle Shore), but this is the first
book I’ve read by the author. It won’t be the last I can tell you that. This series
and this book is definitely worth a revisit.
As you
can see, this cover matches the other two in the series, and the title seems to
run on the same theme of jewels and precious metals.
The
main characters were a couple I fell in love with right off! Most of the time
it isn’t until the end, so I was really lucky with these two!
Penelope
(PJ) was a doll for dealing with her ex-fiancée. I also adored Tucker as well –
and his struggles. Their 25 year old friendship is definitely an “awww” moment.
And, it is easy to see how they could “hook up”, even by “pretend dating”.
I
enjoyed how Johnson didn’t write Tucker as perfect – his success, despite a
learning disability made him a more believable and realistic “hero” for me.
Honestly, I was rooting for his run for Sheriff.
Not
only is this a romance – but there is a scandal and some mystery thus making
this an exciting and intriguing read which plays out like a Hallmark movie.
Johnson
kept the story interesting with each chapter. While not a rapid pace, it didn’t
lag in any one area. The beautiful writing was evident in an ancestor’s diary. And,
as much as she could, the ancestor went into detail of the war and the human
toll of it. There were definitely moments of emotional conflict.
PJ and
Tucker’s alternate POV was told in third (3rd) person while Caroline’s
diary/letters were of course told in first (1st) person. I really
enjoyed the somewhat “dual” timeline structure of the story which also gave the
readers a second romance with Caroline and Josiah.
Tucker’s
father was on my bad side most of the novel. As far as Winston and Emmaline – that
was something I was giggling about. I couldn’t wait until Emmaline found out
Winston’s secret.
I’ll
admit that right off I was definitely hooked and didn’t want to put this book down.
Albeit I had things to do, and couldn’t spend the day reading. That didn’t stop
me from sneaking time away to read it. I had to solve the little mystery or
rather watch PJ and Tucker solve it. Which might, in today’s time, bother some
people as there are heavy Civil War and Confederate references, so it could be a
contentious if not controversial read depending on how one feels about the war
being part of a plot. However, the scandal and mystery of traitors and
treasures kept me hooked, and it also added a bit of suspense. It was
intriguing and fascinating to watch this unfold. More
While
distributed by Revell, a Christian/Faith themed publisher, this had some
elements of trusting God, seeking his guidance, and some light prayers – the tones
were not heavy or preachy. They were not a central arc of the story either.
There were some sweet messages in this novel. One that resonated with me was
that love is helping someone be the best version of themselves. Also, PJ
learning that just because one plan doesn’t work out, it doesn’t mean there isn’t
another. Also, that sometimes “stealing” isn’t so bad as long as it is for the
right reasons.
Slight
spoiler alert – the beginning and ending mirror except for a MINOR sentence change.
I will have to eventually read the other two to see if that is a pattern. But,
if not – it does work here and is adorable. Also, chapters 18 and 19 began the
same way. In chapter 18, it was PJ doing the action; in chapter 19, it was
Tucker. While some might think this is a typo – and might have well been – to me,
it works and shows how connected the two are.
By the
end, I couldn’t help but laugh at one guy’s misfortune. And, too bad there isn’t
a follow up – I’d definitely read it to see the outcome of that.
As stated, I haven’t read the previous two novels, but as soon as I can I will. This was the perfect end to the series and a sweet end at that.
Fans of
the previous two novels and the author will more than likely enjoy this book.
It was an adorable, endearing, delightful read that left me smiling at the end.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating
explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Other Books in the Series:
Series: Georgia Coast Romance (Book #1)
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Revell (October 16, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800729625
ISBN-13: 978-0800729622
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“Ninety years ago, Millie Sullivan's
great-grandmother was a guest at oil tycoon Howard Dawkins' palatial estate on
the shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia. Now, Millie plays a 1920s-era guest
during tours of the same manor. But when her grandmother suggests that there is
a lost diary containing the location of a hidden treasure on the estate, along
with the true identity of Millie's great-grandfather, Millie sets out to find
the truth of her heritage--and the fortune that might be hers. When security
guard Ben Thornton discovers her snooping in the estate's private library, he
threatens to have her fired. But her story seems almost too ludicrous to be
fiction, and her offer to split the treasure is too tempting to pass up . . .
Get ready for a romantic escapade through dark halls and dusty corners that will have you holding your breath and sighing with delight as two charming characters get caught up in the adventure of uncovering the past and finding their way to an unexpected future. ”
Get ready for a romantic escapade through dark halls and dusty corners that will have you holding your breath and sighing with delight as two charming characters get caught up in the adventure of uncovering the past and finding their way to an unexpected future. ”
Series: Georgia Coast Romance (Book #2)
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Revell (August 6, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800729412
ISBN-13: 978-0800729417
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“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. ”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LIZ JOHNSON is the author of more than a dozen novels, including A Sparkle of
Silver, A Glitter of Gold, The Red Door Inn, Where
Two Hearts Meet, and On Love's Gentle Shore, as well as a New
York Times bestselling novella and a handful of short stories. She
works in marketing and makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona.
You can
follow her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizjohnsonbooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizjohnsonbooks/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/lizjohnsonbooks
Or visit her website here: https://www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/
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