Growing up in True, Alaska, the only truth I knew was that Delilah Campbell was an arrogant pain in my ass. She was also my everything, and still haunts my every waking moment.I don’t have a single memory that doesn’t include Lie, and I can still taste her, even though Alaska’s no longer big enough for the both of us. After our savage breakup, I fled, chasing my dream and becoming a decorated … decorated Green Beret. Ten years later, one bad jump propelled me straight from Special Forces back home, guiding rich idiots into the wilderness, where I struggle to keep them from getting themselves killed. It’s not the life I planned, but at least I’m not behind a desk somewhere.
Then one night, my cell rings, shattering my peaceful existence.
“Connor,” I’d recognize her voice anywhere, and it’s like I’m sixteen again, crazy in love and cocky as hell after finding all those gold bars everyone’s been searching for since before we were even born.
I want to tell her to go to hell and throw my phone in the river, but it seems Delilah’s visceral grip on me is permanent.
“It’s mom. She’s missing. I need your help….”
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4 stars
In Michelle Pace’s latest novel, we’re treated to a friends to enemies to lovers story.
Delilah and Connor have more baggage than a luggage carousel at the airport and it took just as long to get their luggage squared away. While I did enjoy the story, it took awhile to really hook me. They’re great, complex characters and Pace does a great job of building your investment in them and the other characters. For me, the romance suspense really started up in the last several chapters and then I was clinging to my seat.
Great read with an exciting adventure in remote Alaska; even if the bears don’t get you, you’re not out of the woods yet!
AnnMarie – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Gold and past love in Alaska
Connor Garrett left Delilah “Lie” Campbell, his first love, his first everything, in Alaska when he joined the military and became a Special Forces Green Beret. He was hurt while serving, discharged, and now leads hunting and fishing expeditions in his home state of Alaska.
He thought he had Lie out of his system until one day she calls and asks for help. Her mother, a commercial delivery pilot in Alaska, has disappeared and has been missing four days.
Also missing is a hijacked shipment of gold bars. Connor and Garrett found some of the missing gold when they were just teenagers but there’s still some unaccounted for.
This was a good, not great, adventure romance. I liked the main characters – most of the time. There was at least one character I wish had played a bigger part in the story. I’m not sure whether the author plans on any follow-up stories to this one. If not, then I’m really disappointed that this character didn’t play a bigger part.
I probably would have rated it 3 1/2 stars if I could have.
I received this book from Tule Publishing through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
Mystery mixed with romance.
Loved the story line and the author. Great read!!
TRUE GOLD is an Alaskan Book that is going on my Alaskan Recommendation List. I enjoyed this book so much that I will be starting MIDNIGHT SON Book 2.
TRUE GOLD is the turbulent love story of Connor Garrett and Delilah Campbell. Their mothers were the best of friends and they had known each other since babies. Throughout their childhood they became inseparable best friends. As teenagers they shared their first kiss. They shared their first time. And they shared their first love together. They thought they would be forever. Connor’s dream of becoming a Green Beret would mean he would be leaving Alaska behind as well as Lilah. His heart was shattered when she declared she would not wait. The breakup was savage. Alaska no longer was big enough for both of them. The divide between them seemed insurmountable. Ten years later when Connor’s cell phone rings. The unbelievable happens when Lilah was on the other end. Her mother was missing…
This story is filled with suspense and mystery. Two cross-starred lovers who find that, even after all this time, they can only trust each other. This is not an easy story and lots of interesting revelations and secrets revealed. A real page turner till the end. This book can be read as a standalone, but I can’t wait to start Midnight Son and read Boone and Andi’s story.
Finally, an author who really researched the setting. As an Alaskan, I tend to read books set here with a critical eye. I’m not just interested in the plot, the background needs to be right. This one makes the grade all the way around.
This book is the story of Delilah, Lie for short, and Connor.
Lie and Connor both grew up in True, Alaska. They were each other’s everything but it didn’t last. After a bad break-up, Connor went after his dream of becoming a Green Beret.
Ten years later, Connor was injured in a jump while on a mission for the Special Forces. He comes back to Alaska. He becomes a guide taking wealthy people into the wilderness and keeping them safe. He is not happy with how this has worked out but it beats being working at a desk.
Connor has no memories in Alaska that don’t include Lie. He feels that Alaska isn’t big enough for the two of them. Lie is a big pain in his butt, and thoughts of her cross his mind all to often.
One night, Lie has to reach out to Connor. She has no other choice. He has no choice but to help her. Lie reaches out to him only because her mother is missing and she needs his help.
One phone call is all it takes to make him feel sixteen again. One call is all it takes for his mundane life to be broken into pieces.
Edgy and angsty, this mystery will leave you not wanting to put it down. I will be looking forward to her next book.
True Gold is a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat! There are culprits, thieves, mysteries, and a second chance at love.
Searching for her lost Alaskan bush pilot mother, Delilah is reunited with pilot Connor after years of remorse, anger and difficult feelings to say the least. There is more to the disappearance than a plane crash…so much more!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
True Gold by Michelle Pace
I almost gave up on this book in the beginning. Why? Because I found Connor and Delilah so mean to one another. I realized there had to be a back story but couldn’t understand how the two, with so much anger between them, could ever find a happily ever after. As I read further the flashbacks began to show how the two of them might have ended up feeling and acting as they did and still having mega-chemistry between them. By the end of the book I was rooting for them to end up alive and safe together.
This book, set in Alaska, was a roller coaster ride of emotions, dysfunctional families, relationship problems, poor communication, greed, secrets, a treasure hunt, kidnapping, murder, mayhem and a second chance romance and it kept me reading till the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
This book was the first book I’ve read by this author. I will be reading more books by her for sure!! Suspense and mysteries make me so happy. I was sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time. The emotions, feelings and all around story line are gut wrenching and full of life. The author does an amazing job with the characters, keeping them separated but they are all part of this amazing story that will leave an impact on your reading history! I couldn’t turn the pages of this book fast enough – and the disappointment I felt when I reached the end – plus added book hangover – this is one amazingly written, suspenseful, twisted and steamy book that you will love and adore. Pace has proven to me she will be a one click author in the future on anything she writes!! Click today! You’ll love this book!!
Connor and Lilah have a past. She had to call him to help her on an important task. Connor doesn’t want to, but he does reluctantly. Their story is one that turns into a suspenseful tale of a situation where time is ticking and they have to find an important person in Lilah’s life. It’s a story that brings these 2 characters closer together and makes you swoon.
I cannot day enough great things about this book. Everyone she read this book!!
A romantic suspense set in the wilds of Alaska. This story has action, steam, family, danger, and gold. Lilah and Connor belonged together. It just took a lot of heartache, pain, distance, danger, and family to make them realize it. Both characters were strong, just full of hurt and misunderstanding, and I loved their interactions. The secondary characters were also interesting, and I hope for another trip to True, Alaska.
I received a copy through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
This is not the first book I have read by Michelle Pace and it certainly won’t be the last. I have anticipated this book since I first read the blurb and I was not disappointed. Michelle has a way with words that suck you in with her descriptions, characters, main and secondary, and her story telling. I never once wanted to skip ahead and skim to get to a more interesting part of the story. The story was original and kept me guessing throughout.
If you are looking for a love story that is not cheesy or sappy and is realistic, this is it. If you love second chances, this is it. If you are looking for mystery/intrigue/suspense that keeps you guessing, this is it. I thought I had it figured out, but then I was thrown.
The main characters, Connor and Lilah, were strong, relatable and have amazing chemistry. They grew up together, became lovers and for various reasons ended up going their separate ways. Years later, they find themselves back in each other’s lives when Lilah calls Connor for his help after her mother turns up missing. Far from predictable, True Gold will keep your full attention and will stay with you after the final word of “The End.”
I am a HUGE Michelle Pace fan so I have been waiting impatiently for True Gold to be released. I was not disappointed! I’ve never thought a lot about Alaska as a vacation spot but Michelle has made me desperate to visit. The world building was well thought out and researched. I honestly feel like I’ve been to this charming fictitious little town. One of the many things I love about MIchelle’s books is the relationships are complicated and realistic. Lie isn’t the swoony, mindless female of the typical romance novel. She’s strong and stubborn and sometimes so annoying you want to die. Connor is far from perfect and he makes stupid childish decisions when it comes to Lie but their relationship is compelling and impossible to forget. True Gold is a treasure and I know it’s going to be one of those books I read so many times I can quote it effortlessly. Bravo Michelle!!!
While I enjoyed it..I didn’t get any real closure.
I really enjoyed but I felt like there were holes.
I have so many questions. So much still doesn’t make sense to me.
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 4/5
Main Characters (hero/heroine)~ 4/5
Secondary Characters~ 4/5
The Feels~ 4/5
Pacing~ 4/5
Addictiveness~4/5
Angst~ 4/5
Steam/Hotness/Chemisty ~ 4/5
Theme or Tone~ 4/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 4/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 4/5
Originality~ 4/5
Ending~ 4/5
Book Cover~ Gorgeous
Source~ Kindle eBook – copy provided by NetGalley
Would I read more from the author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Yes
This was my first book by this author and wow, I just loved this story. Connor and Delilah were so good together. This is a second chance romance that is packed with angst and romance. The story had me from the beginning, the fact that they were each other’s first love and then having to solve a mystery together was fantastic. I loved that it was set in Alaska and we got to experience a place I don’t usually read about. If you looking for a suspense romance then this is for you. Great read. I loved Connor!!
This is a fast-paced, suspenseful read. There is plenty of intrigue, suspense, danger,twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Conner and Delilah.are quirky, complex characters. The suspenseful storyline will keep your interest until the end.
Delilah and Connor’s story is an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end, and had me on tenterhooks throughout. This is a well written flawless story which is fast paced, and is gritty, raw, heartbreaking, and with twists, action, suspense, mystery, and thrilling. I was intrigued and hooked throughout and I look forward to reading more form this talented author, whose work I recommend for all.
This book lives up to its title; it is True Gold. I was immediately intrigued when I read the blurb for this book. I read a lot of romantic suspense but I have never read one set in the wilds of Alaska. After the blurb I saw the amazing cover and was blown away. I could not start this book soon enough. This book is the kind of book I could sit and read in one sitting, if real life didn’t get in the way. Which sadly it did, but I do not regret finishing the book in the wee morning hours on a workday.
Michelle Pace has woven an intricate tale of loss, pain, lost love, mystery, greed, and passion into a beautiful tapestry of words. The storyline is complex and exacting and Connor and Delilah’s backstory is painful and pulls on the reader’s heartstrings. I’m glad the author did not info bomb the reader with their past history and meted it out over time, otherwise I’d have been a crying mess.
As high school sweethearts, they were “the” couple, finding lost treasure and collecting a big reward. However, since then the couple has not had an easy go of things, together or apart. Both characters are strong and bullheaded but broken by their pasts on multiple levels. Your first love is not supposed to be your forever love, but for Connor and Delilah their time apart did nothing to diffuse their deep-rooted passion, even though they have hurt each other repeatedly in the past, and swore they hated each other. But when Delilah needed help because her mother was missing, ex-Green Beret turned wilderness guide, Connor, has to choose whether he wants to shred his heart again and help her or walk away. Luckily, he decides to help and what follows in a well-paced story with well-developed characters who pull the reader into the story and through all the twists and turns as they solve the mystery of all the things missing in True Alaska.
This is definitely a 5+star read and I look forward to more from this author. #netgalley #truegold
This book had nail-biting intensity. I didn’t know who to trust.
It all started with the hijacking of a plane carrying ten pallets of gold bars for Aurora Corporation and the gold getting dropped in various locations throughout the Alaskan wilderness.
Many years ago, Delilah and Conner were teenagers and in love. They gained fame when they discovered the ninth drop location. There are still people with gold fever looking for the last of the treasure. Now, Delilah’s mother, Luann, has gone missing. Not knowing if she is dead or alive, Delilah and Conner are on a mission to find LuAnn before it’s too late. Delilah and Conner find themselves in some serious jeopardy and the threat for their lives also brings them closer together again.
I sat on the edge of my seat reading this book. I had a hard time putting it down or finding a place to stop reading. I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense part, but I also kept hoping Delilah and Conner would find a way to get back together. They split on bad terms and through a lot of the book, they don’t get along very well, but they knew they needed each other to complete their mission. In the story, LuAnn said not to trust anyone. That statement was very true. I had no idea who was good or bad in this book until the very end. I definitely recommend this exciting book.
A very fast paced story with alot of twists and turns. Lilah with the help of her ex Conner returns to her hometown after her mom vanishes in her plane but it doesn’t end there. They soon learn the reason for her disappearance and the possible trap they have walked into. It was exciting and emotional and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.