I’m featuring a Georgia Coast Romance today, A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson, who says this about her latest novel, “it’s the story of a woman trying to move on from her shame-filled past and a man trying to make a name for himself apart from his family’s success. Anne spent more than five years in prison after she was framed for a crime she didn’t commit, but she hopes to make a new life for herself in Savannah, far from her past. Carter has spent his entire life trying to prove that he doesn’t need his father’s money or reputation to make a name for himself, and when he meets Anne, he thinks he just might have a chance to discover something valuable that could change the entire course of his career. But working together means they will have to learn to trust each other, which isn’t easy for these two independent people.”

Intrigued? Read on to learn more about the story and meet Anne and Carter. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway of A Glitter of Gold, thanks to the wonderful folk at Revell Books!

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.

Meet Anne & Carter

Physical Stats

Height:

Anne is quite petite at 5 foot 2. And Carter is 5 foot 10.

Hair colour & style:

Anne has dark brown hair in a pixie cut, but she wears a big floppy pirate hat every day on her job.

Carter also had dark hair, and it’s well trimmed and perpetually tousled by the wind and running his fingers through his hair.

Eye colour:

Anne – light brown

Carter – gray/green hazel

Favorite accessory or clothing style:

Anne wears a pirate costume every day that she leads pirate tours, complete with flowing pants and boots and a bright red sash.

Carter can’t see without his black glasses, so they’re always perched on his nose.

Resembles… 

I always thought Anne looks a lot like Lily Collins with a pixie cut. And Carter and his grin remind me of Jeremy Jordan—especially in his role as Jack Kelly in the Broadway production of Newsies.

Can’t live without…

Anne can’t live without her purse, which is approximately the size of a Mazda. After spending years behind bars, she keeps everything important in her purse and always has it nearby. Carter can’t live without his diary because he loves playing detective to history.

Strengths

Anne has a very independent nature, and when she sets out to do something, she’ll do it on her own. Carter never gives up. Despite endless closed doors, he’s still pursuing his dreams and following leads on a sunken ship.

Vulnerabilities

Anne carries her secret shame into everything she does. Because of a bad choice, she believes she has to hide from her past. Carter hates everything his family name stands for, yet he can’t seem to let go of it.

Passions

Anne loves pirates and history and sweet Savannah pralines. Carter loves uncovering history and finding things that no one else alive has ever seen.

What book or movie would they recommend?

Anne would recommend the book (and the movie) The Princess Bride. But definitely the book first. Carter would recommend Rebecca’s diary and the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Your inspiration for the character

I knew that I wanted a character who had to hide a big secret, maybe a crime, but I didn’t know what it was. And then, on a roadtrip with my sister, brother-in-law, and oldest niece, we brainstormed what Anne’s crime might have been and why she would have committed it—how she would have been caught up in something so terrible.

Carter was actually inspired by the Gilmore Girls. I got to thinking about how all the old money in New England shapes the next generations. I was thinking about a man born into that, rejected by his family for pursuing his passion. What does his life look like if he wants to be free of his name but can’t help but be pulled back into it? His rebellion is so much different than the characters on Gilmore Girls but no less meaningful to him.

Background to the story

Anne and Carter’s story came from a trip I took to Savannah and a fascination with Savannah’s fascination with stories. The people of Savannah are forever telling stories about the city’s history, and I’ve never seen a city that showcases its history so much. On my first visit, I heard the story of the shanghai tunnels—which were sometimes used to conscript young men into ship crews. Young men might go to a tavern, have a bit too much to drink, and be knocked out. They’d be shuttled through the tunnels and wake up on a ship hundreds of miles from home. And I knew I had to tell a story that featured those tunnels.

Thanks so much, Liz!

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 makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona.

Relz Reviewz Extras
All Things Johnson @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Liz’s website and blog
Buy at Amazon: A Glitter of Gold or Koorong

Chara

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