Review of The Master Craftsman by Kelli Stuart

 

About the Book ~

In 1917, Alma Pihl, a master craftsman in the House of Fabergé, was charged to protect one of the greatest secrets in Russian history--an unknown Fabergé Egg that Peter Karl Fabergé secretly created to honor his divided allegiance to both the people of Russia and the Imperial tsar's family. When Alma and her husband escaped Russia for their native Finland in 1921, she took the secret with her, guarding her past connection to the Romanov family. 

Three generations later, world-renowned treasure hunter Nick Laine is sick and fears the secret of the missing egg will die with him. With time running out, he entrusts the mission of retrieving the egg to his estranged daughter, Ava, who has little idea of the dangers she is about to face. As the stakes are raised, Ava is forced to declare her own allegiance--and the consequences are greater than she could have imagined.

For more information about Kelli Stuart and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

If you enjoy dual-time stories, mysteries, and a treasure hunt to boot, then The Master Craftsman by Kelli Stuart is the book to check all those boxes!

The Master Craftsman is a captivating hunt for an unknown Fabergé Egg! I loved this premise, and the treasure hunt itself was my favorite part of the story! It gave me a lot of Uncharted/Nathan Drake (the video game) vibes. Additionally, I'm fascinated by Russian history, so the immersive quality of the historical storyline as well as all the gleaned history in the modern storyline immediately drew me into the story and kept me turning the pages. The author also incorporated a plot twist full of betrayal and a whole lot of danger at just the right moment. 

While I didn't connect with the characters in a soulmate way, I did enjoy their journeys. However, there is ongoing mention of an affair in an almost justifiable way that could be potentially triggering. Though bittersweet at times, The Master Craftsman subtly points to our inherent value being given by the ultimate Master Craftsman as well as love being the greatest treasure of all.

Three Stars ~ The Master Craftsman by Kelli Stuart is a treasure of a story! The Master Craftsman is a standalone, but the author has other books in her backlist for readers to enjoy.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson

About the Book ~ 

Uncovering the past can lead to an unexpected future . . .

Millie Sullivan plays a 1920s-era guest during tours of a palatial estate on the shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia, where her great-grandmother was a real guest ninety years ago. When Millie learns of a lost diary that may contain the location of a hidden treasure on the estate and reveal the identity of her great-grandfather, she sets out to find the truth of her heritage -- and the fortune she desperately needs. But it won't be easy.

When security guard Ben Thornton discovers her snooping in the estate's private library, he threatens to have her fired. Still, her story seems 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.

For more information about Liz Johnson and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~ 

I'm going to confess something...

I decided to read A Sparkle of Silver because of the first line of the summary... "Millie Sullivan plays a 1920s-era guest - " And that's all it took for me to want to read the book! I'm a sucker for anything relating to the 1920's!

But what I found when I started reading A Sparkle of Silver surprised and delighted me! This story is actually more of a big, beautiful diamond than a simple sparkle of silver!

Multiple facets make up Millie and Ben's story. Humor. Romance. History. Suspense. Mystery. The author expertly wrote each of these different threads so that they shined not only by themselves but also as they worked together. One moment we (and by "we," I obviously mean the characters) would be running for our (the characters) lives, and the next moment we (ummm...still the characters?) would be laughing (okay...that was definitely me...) before we (me...and Millie!) swooned!!! I was thoroughly swept into this tale that hinted at times gone by in the middle of a contemporary treasure hunt!

Ben and Millie's romantic journey will require a hand-fan, and I don't mean one of those paper ones. Invest in a beautifully embroidered cloth hand-fan. You will be putting it to good use. While their relationship starts with them both feeling kind of "eh..." about each other, lots of emotional vulnerability and dusty alcoves while they hunt for forgotten treasure make for a prime setting for some swooning!

But the spiritual journey is the greatest treasure found in this novel! In their own ways, Ben and Millie had to see that money could not be their true Provider and that God would not betray them. Ben and Millie show us that true love is someone who walks with you through all the junk life throws at you, who forgives you when you screw up, and who sees you as more than past mistakes - their relationship so beautifully illustrates how God sees each one of us!

Five Stars - A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson delighted me in so many ways! A Sparkle of Silver is the first book in Liz Johnson's new Georgia Coast Romance Series with Revell! I'm really looking forward to the next book!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!