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 … 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.
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I enjoyed this book centered around Penelope and Tucker so much that I stayed up all night reading it. They’ve been best friends for years and they always have each other’s back. Tucker owns his own security company and is running for sheriff. Penelope works at Savannah River Hall, as the event manager. Imagine her surprise, when she looks up and sees her ex-fiancé, Winston, in her office with his current fiancée, Emmaline. I loved that this book was centered around a side story from back in the 1860’s. We get to learn about Tucker’s relatives back in that time. We also get to learn a little about Emmaline and Winston. I loved all of the wonderful characters that I got to read about and I’m looking forward to reading more books from Liz Johnson.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful romance. I love Penelope and Tucker who are two best friends who finally figure out that they might be great for each other. There is a lot of romance and just a bit of suspense and politics and treasure to keep this rolling. I did not want to put this down. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
This author was totally new to me and although this is not the first of the series, I really enjoyed it.
Best friends, Penelope and Tucker scheme to help each other in their various situations, by starting up a fake romance which turns into more as they work together in helping his political campaign and her self esteem as her ex-fiance and his new fiance appear at her business in order to have her plan their wedding.
There are interesting subplots as they hunt for Civil War Treasure to clear up Tucker’s family’s past and they study diaries of Tucker’s ancestor in an effort to find this treasure. That brought out the genealogy interest in me, yet again. Love books like that! So the story line takes you back to the 1860’s in a split time presentation, making the storyline very captivating as their adventures continue and I think that held my attention throughout!
I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing. All thoughts are my own.
“But Maybe–just maybe–it would be worth it to really love him for as long as it lasted.”
A Dazzle of Diamonds is the third book in the Georgia Coast Romance series. The story follows best friends Penelope Hunter and Tucker Westbrook as they navigate their friendship, romance, faith, a mystery, an old diary, and discover that their past does not control their future. It is a wonderful story that had me smiling and sighing. The secondary characters such as Aunt Shirley were delightful as well and added to the story. Being set in the beautiful town of Savannah added to the southern charm of the story.
A Dazzle of Diamond by Liz Johnson exceeded my expectations. It is a wonderful read with southern charm and a sweet romance between friends. Liz expertly weaves in Biblical truths and about who we are in Christ. I highly recommend A Dazzle of Diamonds.
I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a review.
No Spoilers!
What a radiant, multifaceted gem of a novel this is!! In addition to a dual timeline there are three romances for the price of one (albeit one is certainly undeserved in my opinion!) However, everyone deserves a 2nd chance, I suppose—even capricious ratfinks. I feel better now that I got that off my chest and can go on with my life now. 😉
Penelope Hunter and Tucker Westbrook are well suited and compatible with one another. They’re smart, compassionate, funny, and ambitious, but there’s just one problem. They’re only best friends and have been forever. Or are they? I was highly amused by their witty banter and touched by their concern one for another, but it was rather over the top…for best friends, that is. As they join forces to find a 150 year old treasure, I was taken on an angst-filled, exciting journey to the past—where finding love is perhaps the greatest treasure of all.
A beautifully written novel I finished in two evenings because I just could not put it down! I also thoroughly enjoyed Liz Johnson’s previous series set on beautiful Prince Edward Island and I’m anxiously looking forward to returning there in her new series!
*I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.*
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.
Penelope and Tucker have been best friends for twenty five years. Penelope leaves the impression with her ex-fiancé’s fiancé that Tucker and her are an item. She does this because she wants Winston to know she has moved on from him leaving her at the altar. Tucker readily agrees. As he is running for sheriff, having an escort serves his purpose too. Also, Penelope has helped him with his campaign. A snag in his campaign happens when his apposer starts a smear campaign stating that Tuckers for bearers were traitors to the Confederate cause. In trying to find proof that they weren’t, Tucker and Penelope come across a journal indicating there is a buried treasure somewhere. The hunt is on.
This is a nice cozy read. Not a lot of edge of your set mystery. More of a romance with a little mystery thrown in. But a good book.
I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in anyway.
The title of this book resonates with me in more than one way, and as you read you will see what I am talking about. Sometimes we never see what is right in front of our eyes, and sadly we move in the wrong directions.
We are given a young woman Penelope with a lot of hurts, she had been hurt by the people she trusted the most, or most of them anyway. She has a best friend, Tucker, and they both are and have been there for one another most all of their lives, and once again they each have something they need and come together to help.
Will they wake up and see what is there? Will the scandal that is after Tucker’s family be alleviated?
A delightful, page-turner!!
I received this book through Net Galley and Revell Books, and was not required to give a positive review.
“Perhaps love means facing the hardships together. For life is not easy, and he has a terrible burden to bear. I wish to help him carry it. I wish to help him make peace and see him returned to the fullness of joy.”
Such a delightful and enchanting story of lost treasure, finding faith and love during the lowest of times, and rallying for the downtrodden. Liz Johnson has a way of creating romantic and breath-taking backdrops and plots filled with quirky, memorable, and down-to-earth characters attempting to heal from brokenness. This is book 3 in the Georgia Coast Romance series set in Savannah, GA but can be read as a stand-alone. If you enjoy well-written contemporary romance, this book will enthrall you. It really does dazzle like diamonds!
There is another diary and letters that are involved in this plot. This time the diary and letters belong to Tucker’s ancestors from the Civil War era that could possibly lead him to find a lost treasure to help fund his run for county sheriff and also clear his family’s name that has been smeared. Tucker is smart, loyal, compassionate, and driven but suffers from poor self-image and feels that he always has to prove himself to be worthy. Penelope is a fun, joyful, vivacious woman who thrives on lists and organization but she, too, has suffered a blow to her heart and ego when her ex-fiance left her at the altar. Tucker and Penelope (PJ) have been best friends forever and it takes this dive into the past to salvage the future that brings them together. Their friendship and love for each other is so genuine and their romance, despite hiccups and naysayers, is incredibly sweet. I really appreciated that their relationship wasn’t the typical one best friend carrying the torch for the other but they gradually realized each other’s potential as more than friends. As much as I loved Tucker and Penelope, Tucker’s aunt Shirley totally stole the show. Her maturity, knowledge of family history, unconditional love, and sage advice brought the plot and characters together seamlessly. There is forgiveness, reconciliation, letting go of fear, and finding true worth embedded into each character and subplot. This book is a must-read for your summer!
I received a copy of the book from Revell/Baker Publishing Group and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
This best friend contemporary rocky road to romance had a lot of humor and romantic missteps along the way. When the main characters use a journal from the Civil War to search for hidden treasure, more adventures ensue. Savannah was a fun setting and the author’s research is evident about the area. The characters have lessons to learn but are easy to root for when adversity hits. What a fun return to Savannah, Georgia. I was glad to see a few characters from earlier in the series however this book can be read and enjoyed on its own. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
‘Love isn’t about it always being easy but about trying to help the other person become the best version of themselves.’
This book is the best in Liz Johnson’s Georgia Coast Romance series! Hands down. Every ingredient is here: a hidden treasure, a great hero, quirky, cute heroine, wonderful plot, a super swoony romance to curl your toes, and a lot of just plan fun, that all cooks up together into a delightful book you do not want to miss.
‘This was a stupid idea. He was a grown man who did not play dress up.’
Penelope Hunter and Tucker Westbrook have been best buds for twenty five years. Until they really begin noticing each other. Circumstances happen and they decide they need to pretend dating and realize they not only love each other as friends, but just maybe more! Liz Johnson is at her very best here! I have always enjoyed her books, but this one just grabbed me and wouldn’t let go and carried me along, sparking joy in my heart. I cried, I laughed, I gasped, cried and laughed some more and was completely filled up and satisfied when I closed the book. This is definitely one for the keeper shelf. I hated to see it end. Highly recommended.
*My thanks to Revell Publishing and the author for a copy of this book. The opinions in this review are expressly my own.
It took me a long time to actually start this book. I think it was because I loved the first two books so much that I was afraid this final one wouldn’t be as good. Silly me.
From the first line to the last line, I was enchanted. The historical diary and letters were a familiar refrain in this series, and added excitement and adventure to the story. And, having read family diaries of the civil war, Liz’s grasp of word use and sentence structure of the era was marvelous.
I really liked the theme of childhood friends to forever loves. (That’s not a spoiler, we all know how it’s supposed to work out. It’s why we read books like this. Right?) That they already liked each other immensely was wonderful. And one thing I truly appreciated about both characters, was their ability to be honest with each other, even when avoiding the truth would have been easier or less painful. That part kind of made their self-doubts about loving each other a little hard to process. But I do get it. I do. The last scene between Tucker and his dad just brought me to tears.
I identified with both Penelope and Tucker. Tucker’s dyslexia. Penelope’s abandonment wounds. Their insecurities; their need to plan over their ability to trust. Learning to trust is a big theme in this novel. Trusting others; trusting themselves and trusting God. Something I also need to work on periodically.
I had an “Aunt Shirley” in my life and loved that Tucker’s aunt was so refreshingly blunt with both Tucker and Penelope, but without hurting their hearts. Tucker’s aunt is an amazing woman of God and helps both Penelope and Tucker see God’s working in their lives.
Although this book is part of a series, it is written as a stand-alone. You do not need to read the other books in the series to understand or follow this one, but after reading this one, you probably will totally want to. I recommend A Dazzle of Diamonds to anyone who likes HEA, treasure hunts, historical or contemporary Christian romance. Or reading. It’s that good.
Heartfelt thanks to Revell for the readers copy. The opinions above are all mine.
This series just outdone itself as I loved this. Penelope grabbed me from the first page and I became invested in her life. With southern charm this book will worm its way into you heart from the characters to the plot to the seamless flow of the story that Ms. Johnson is an expert at. I loved how the diary and letters from 1864 are woven in flawlessly and that the print changes so you know you are reading Caroline’s story. This book has a mystery to solve and a treasure to find as well as awakening romance and a hero in Tucker that melts you into a puddle of happiness. It’s like getting a present all tied up with the perfect bow. You can’t go wrong with A Dazzle of Diamonds as it will dazzle you into wanting more.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
3.5 stars
“The adventure is in the unknown. God has amazing things in store for you, but if you knew what they were, you’d miss out on the anticipation of discovering them.”
Penelope Jean Hunter spends her entire life planning significant events for other people, but when it comes to her own . . . they all fell apart three years ago. After the person responsible for those terribly thwarted plans shows up in her office with his new fiance, she and her best friend Tucker Westbrook come up with a startling anecdote for despondency; a clever romantic charade. Except, that pretend- dating Tucker just might be better than real-dating anyone else. If only there wasn’t a local election, Tucker’s reputation, and a lost treasure involved. . . . it’s complicated.
This story has just enough charm to be believable; the romance is sweet, the side story . . . well, it fringes on being far-fetched, but the characters are so perfectly matched with the plot that the reader really won’t care . . . what they will care about is why it’s taking Penelope and Tucker so long to see what is right before their very eyes . . . dazzling diamonds or not.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson is a romance with a bit of history and mystery. I really enjoyed the characters, and their long history of just being friends that moved into a romance of love. I also enjoyed the story line and of course the sweet HEA.. What I think I enjoyed most, were the diary entries and the letters from the civil war era. These gave clues to the mystery/treasure that the hero Tucker, and the heroine, Penelope were trying to solve. and recover. This is an easy read and I thoroughly enjoyed it
I really enjoyed this clean romance. I received this for free and I voluntarily chose to review it. I’ve given it a 4.7* rating. This had a little mystery with it. Just wish I had more time to read so I could get to the end faster. The heroine was just a little bit clumsy but her heart was in the right place. I liked the hero too but because he got mixed messages from his parents, he lacked some self esteem to go forward in life. So these two set out to solve an 200 year old mystery. Read to find out what all they found in their search.
This book has everything I need in a book: a historical city setting that has me taking a bookish vacation, a treasure hunt, and an old diary and letters that told a story all their own, giving it a split-time feel. I am not sure if the author has ever lived in the Deep South, but her love of the culture and its history is apparent.
I love a good ‘friends-to-more’ romantic trope and this one was just plain fun! The chemistry between PJ and Tucker practically sizzled right off the written page. Liz Johnson gives her readers hero/heroines that are so real: full of grit yet tender-hearted to the needs of others.
I loved the inspirational thread that God’s plan is best. But more importantly, I loved reading how Tucker sought to overcome his lifetime struggle of feeling inadequate, not being good enough. We all need a relative like Tucker’s Aunt Shirley, full of Southern sass and nuggets of wisdom.
Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine.
This book is adorable! Totally adorable!
Seriously, I don’t think Penelope and Tucker could have been more adorable! Their best-friends-who-are-fake-dating-but-feel-something-more schtick is the best I’ve read!
This story is a time split novel, with the historical storyline written in the form of a young woman’s diary during Civil War times. The switch between the present day treasure hunt and Caroline’s diary entries, which have the necessary clues to aide Tucker and Penelope’s search, is seamless!
Toss in Tucker’s quirky Aunt Shirley, a whole lot of southern sass and charm, and you’ve got yourself a total winner of a novel!
FIVE DAZZLING STARS! This book is totally adorable, totally made me grin from ear to ear, and I totally recommend it!
Reserve yourself a copy of A Dazzle of Diamonds by preordering at Baker Bookhouse and Christian Book . Release day is August 4th!
I received a complimentary advance reading copy of this book from Revell and LibraryThing Early Reviewers. A positive review was not required. Opinions expressed are completely my own.