A Sparkle of Silver

Author: Liz Johnson

Series: Georgia Coast Romance #1

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 16, 2018

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Roman

Camilla “Millie” Sullivan is having a hard go of it.  Living in the small beach town of St. Simons Island, Georgia, and working as a waitress at the Hermit Crab Café, Millie also looks out for her elderly grandmother, who has dementia.  As Grandma Joy gets worse, she is being evicted from her care facility because her dementia is too severe for her current home, yet she is being denied funding for anything more suitable.  Her life savings have been squandered as the result of her being a victim of a scam, and Millie has no idea what to do.  She takes a second job at Chateau Devereaux, a local historical home, and remembers that Grandma Joy mentioned a relative who stayed there one summer.  The relative supposedly left a diary there with clues to a buried treasure.  Not expecting much, Millie decides to search the library for the missing tome, and amazingly, finds it.  Before she can leave with the book, however, she is accosted by Ben, a security guard.  Not wanting to lose both their jobs, she makes him an offer he can’t refuse: help her find the buried treasure, and she will split the spoils with him.  Needing the money himself, Ben reluctantly agrees.  Ben is working three jobs in an effort to pay back money that his mother has swindled out of people.  While they don’t hit it off at first, Ben and Millie grow to trust each other and to find that they are actually quite attracted to one another.  But will they find any treasure and be able to claim it as their own in time to keep Grandma Joy from being homeless?

This is a quick, easy read with plenty to enjoy.  On one hand, the reader gets to know Millie very quickly and understands the immense love she holds for her dear Grandma Joy.  Ben comes off as gruff and unfeeling until we see him with his students and later as he explains why he works so hard.  Together, their chemistry makes us want to read more.  On the other side, the story unfolds through diary entries that Millie’s relatives wrote while enjoying St. Simons Island over the summer as a guest of a friend.  Ruth is a country girl from a farm, and a whole new world of mystery, romance, and danger greet her at the wealthy friends’ home.  Together, Ben and Millie get to know one another, and Millie’s heritage, while looking for what could be the answer to their problems.  The characters are likeable and easy to get to know, and the situation, while definitely unrealistic, is a fun break from real life.  I had no problem engaging in the book and quickly wanting more.  It was a quick read that left me satisfied when I was done.  I would definitely recommend this book as a fun, uncomplicated read to anyone who enjoys romance and mysteries, especially when we get an interesting glimpse into the past.

While the language is not offensive to the readers and the main characters don’t do anything more involved than kiss passionately, there is a murder and thwarted sexual assault.  Not many details are given, but if anyone is easily upset by these topics, I do recommend caution.  Otherwise, the story is short and sweet and full of historical references.  It is a chaste romance and interesting treasure hunt.  Any reader who enjoys this kind of story should find A Sparkle of Silver as charming as I did.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.  The views and opinions expressed within are my own.