Of Gold and Shadows

Time’s Lost Treasures, Book 1

By: Michelle Griep

Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman

The shadows hold secrets darker than they ever imagined . . .

In 1888 Victorian England, Ami Dalton navigates a clandestine dual life. By day, she strives to establish herself as a respected Egyptologist, overcoming the gender biases that permeate academia. But with a heart for saving black-market artifacts from falling into the wrong hands, she is most often disguised as her alter ego, the Shadow Broker.

After eight years in India, Oxford's most eligible bachelor, Edmund Price, has come out of the shadows to run for Parliament and is in search of an Egyptologist to value a newly acquired collection. Expecting a renowned Oxford professor, Edmund instead finds himself entangled with Ami, the professor's determined daughter. As they delve into the treasures, their connection deepens, but trouble emerges when a golden griffin—rumored to bear the curse of Amentuk—surfaces, and they're left to wonder if the curse really is at play, or if something more nefarious is hiding among the shadows . . .

©2024 Michelle Griep (P)2024 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Don't miss all the romance, adventure, and danger in [this] new page-turner." -JULIE KLASSEN, bestselling author of Shadows of Swanford Abbey

Mystery, romance, & Egyptian artifacts!

Egyptian artifacts, ancient curses, the shadowy Black markets of Victorian England, achingly lovely romance, & plenty of danger & intrigue make Of Gold and Shadows a must read! I was enthralled from the beginning as Michelle Griep weaves a captivating tale. I loved the brave, intrepid Ami who risks her life to rescue Egyptian artifacts from the shadowy underworld & the dashing Edmund Price who despite his wealth & business acumen has his own vulnerabilities. As their worlds collide, I was captivated by their swoonworthy romance & the dangers they face.

Ami Dalton’s determined to prove her skill as an Egyptologist despite the odds against her in Victorian England. With her expertise in Egyptian artifacts, she finds herself authenticating the amazing collection of the handsome man who rescued her in a most unusual “problem solving” way. While he wants to sell the collection, she desires to preserve it. Ami has a secret life though beyond being a professor’s daughter. She’s known as the Shadow Broker who rescues treasures from the seedy underworld. But when she gets mixed up in their latest plot, she soon finds she may be in over her head.

Edmund Price is the most eligible man in Oxford. Having just returned from India after 8 years away, he’s looking to run for Parliament. Unfortunately, the stodgy professor he wants to hire to authenticate his Egyptian collection is the gorgeous daughter who captivated his attention earlier. As she works through his treasures, he finds himself falling for her, but he has to strike a careful balance between his feelings for her & the powerful man & his daughter who would elevate him to Parliament.

I adored this story! There were so many twists & turns. Ami & Edmund were such a delightful couple. The witty banter, shared faith, & sizzling chemistry between them kept me eagerly turning the pages. I loved their meet cute & their swoony romance. I also enjoyed Ami’s & Edmund’s character growth as they recognize what’s most important. Edmund’s poetry & his struggles with “word blindness” touched my heart. I also enjoyed Ami’s style, her intelligence, & pluckiness.

I’m a huge fan of all things Egypt & I loved the ancient mythology, curses, artifacts, & history woven into the story. The atmosphere was fantastic & I could easily picture the dangerous places Ami ventures into. The mystery kept me fully engaged. I also enjoyed the side characters especially Ami’s father.

I listened to the audiobook version & loved the narrator! She did a fantastic job bringing each of the characters to life. I especially enjoyed the way she voiced the male characters. Her voice was easy & pleasant to listen to.

Highly recommend! Can’t wait for the next book! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher but also purchased the audiobook version. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

Geart Story!!

If the readers have their choice any thing read by Sarah Zimmerman is going to great!!

A fun, easy read

This was a fun read with some really cute parts that made me chuckle and plenty of witty banter. The ending was a bit outlandish and a little too convenient, but I still enjoyed the book and would recommend.

For those who care to know, it’s a clean romance, kissing only, with no cursing. It also has an overtly (but not heavy-handed) Christian theme.

Storyline

Very much enjoyed it! Especially the antiques aspect, I hope there is more adventures by this couple coming in the future!

A Delightful Tale with Fabulous Narration

Griep is well known for her mysterious gothic style stories. I enjoyed Ami and Edmund in Of Gold and Shadows. Their exploits and mutual attraction are enough to keep avid readers involved in the story. History lovers will appreciate the abundance of Egyptian history and the artifacts. As always, mystery and intrigue and romance are woven together to create a delightfully entertaining tale.

Side note: Sarah Zimmerman narrates the audio book. She does an excellent job!!

I received a paperback copy of the book from the publisher, and also purchased an audio copy. I was not required to write a positive review. No compensation has been received.