It happened again. If past experiences hadn’t worked out so well, I might have cried.  Okay, if I was a crier. I suppose there is that.

Liz Johnson started talking about her upcoming book—a mystery that takes place in Savannah, Georgia.  In the 1920’s. Being solved today.  Big old house. The works.

And sitting in my laptop was a new book—Savannah, Georgia. Old plantation-type home. In a grand tradition of days past, the owner has an annual long weekend house party.  This year’s theme—1920s.  And then there’s that body…

Once more, Liz Johnson and I came up with the same idea… totally different.

I for one, couldn’t wait to read hers.

The book arrived and after a look at my editorial calendar, I  marked it down to read the week of September 17th. For weeks, I gazed longingly at it.  Alas, I had deadlines.  Must. Meet. Deadlines.

On September 17th, I got a call. Within hours, I was packed to fly to Tulsa. A Sparkle of Silver went right on top of my suitcase. I’d read it from my brother’s hospital room—a bright spot in an otherwise awful time.

Never cracked it open. There was that whole getting to meet nieces for the first time, visiting with my mom, and doing “sister stuff” with my only sister.  I came home without having even peeked into it.  And with even more looming deadlines.

There was just one problem.I couldn’t schedule time to read that book until October 25th now!  Aaak!

But there I was this morning, hunkered down in my covers when I was supposed to be sleeping… reading when I was supposed to be sleeping.  Like a kid.  All over again.

Bliss.

Note: links may be affiliates that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, I requested a review copy of this book. Opinions are mine and not influenced by the ARC.

What about A Sparkle of Silver Shines Bright?

First off, I should state that I knew I’d love this book.  After reading many of Liz Johnson’s other books and loving them all, there was no doubt—especially after I read that intriguing synopsis.

The question was… how much?  Would A Sparkle of Silver make my top 10 of 2018 list?  Would I be raving about it to anyone who would listen? (Not that I’ve ever done that….) Would the author beg me to shut up about it already?

Or would it just be one of those books that I recommend anytime someone said Savannah, 1920s, dual-timeline novel, or Liz Johnson?

Yeah… how about all of the above?

In a style unique to her, Ms. Johnson transports us to the salt breezes of Savannah, Georgia—and transports us in time, too. Careful, well-chosen words give us insight into Ben’s and Millie’s characters—often with subtext rather than overt description.

So while most readers probably swooned over kisses in a hidden room, I swooned over excellent writing and capturing the essence of wonderful characters.  My heart squeezed at Grandma Joy’s dementia.  I know all too well the pain that comes when a loved one doesn’t remember you. She captured that perfectly, too.

The book slips effortlessly between today and yesterday through the journal entries, and unlike many books with an epistolary side, these entries are meaty and paint a full, broad, rich picture.

Adding to the mystery of who, what, and why, there’s also a sort of treasure hunt… of where.

I devoured A Sparkle of Silver in a matter of a few short hours. It helps when you’re a fast reader.  And now… now all I can think of is sneaking away to reread certain parts.  Finding the journal, exploring the house, visiting with the delightful old grandma…

What shines bright about this book?  How about setting, description, characters, plots, themes… What about the whole blasted thing?

Yeah. I need a second look at this book.  And will someone please tell me A Glitter of Gold will be out SOON?  Be merciful. Lie if necessary.

I’m waiting.

About the book

Title: A Sparkle of Silver

Author: Liz Johnson

Synopsis:  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.