THE NOBLE GUARDIAN - MICHELLE GRIEP

Book 3 - The Bow Street Runners

•°o•:*:•. Highwaymen, Coaching Inns, 

Peril & Romance .•:*:• o°•

Southampton, England, 1815

Author's Choice
for heroine

Abigail Gilbert is an outsider in her own home.  Her family has managed to marry her off to a prestigious baronet she met once at a dance, which will boost their own names in society, practically shoving her out the door into a carriage headed for Penrith with only a ladies maid to aid her on the difficult journey. They make plans to go abroad before she is actually even wed.  But not without one final slap from her always angry stepmother.

Author's choice for hero

But, she looks to the future with Sir Jonathan Aberley and her chance for love and belonging at long last, despite the arduous journey ahead of her.

31-year-old Captain Samuel Thatcher patrols the highways of the rugged heath. “Shankhart Robbins was out there, all right. Somewhere. And worse –he’d be back. Evil always had a way of returning bigger and blacker than before, singeing any soul it touched.”

May I just say, Shankhart- what a villainous name!

Samuel is forced to help Abagail when her carriage is accosted and see her safely to Sir Jonathan, who is not at all what was expected.  The dangers and surprises abound which make for a most enjoyable read for lovers of mystery and historical romance.

Spiritual Moment: “She pushed the last hairpin into place then bowed her head. She’d learned long ago while enduring the hurts of her stepmother that only through prayer would she find peace.”

Tea Moment(s): “The servant appeared with a thick slice of pastry and a steaming pot of bohea.”

That was a new one for me, so in looking it up I found “a black China tea that comes from the last crop of the season and is typically regarded as of low quality. Early 18^th century named after the Bu-yi (Wuyi) hills in China, from where black tea first came to Britain”.

“The woman wasn’t old, but neither was she young. Rather, she was timeless, her apron holding in an eternity of love and life and laughter. She was the kind of woman with whom you could share a pot of tea and your deepest secrets.”

I downloaded a copy of this book through Net Galley via the publisher with no fee and no compensation in the hopes of an honest review. My opinion is entirely my own.

Michelle Griep

Connect with the author at Michelle Griep dot com.

© June 1, 2019, Shiloh Run Press/Barbour Publishing 

The Bow Street Runners Series

Until next time,

Hugs & Cuppa

Ladies of Intrigue – 3 Novellas by Michelle Griep

•°o•:*:•.Danger, Intrigue, Romance.•:*:• o°•

Publisher's story synopsis followed by my thoughts.

The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady

Cornish Coast, 1815When a prim and proper governess returns to England from abroad, she expects to comfort her dying father—not fall in love with a smuggler. Will Helen Fletcher keep Isaac Seaton’s unusual secret?

MY THOUGHTS:
Good story, filled with danger and intrigue.  I found it ended very abruptly with a question left hanging regarding some of the smugglers' final outcome. I liked both of the main characters.
Tea Quote: “Come in, come in! Take a cup o’ nettle tea.”

The Doctor’s Woman (A Carol Award Winner)

Dakota Territory, 1862
Emmy Nelson, daughter of a missionary doctor, and Dr. James Clark, city doctor aspiring to teach, find themselves working side by side at Fort Snelling during the Dakota Uprising. That is when the real clash of ideals begins.

MY THOUGHTS:
I enjoyed this story with Sioux Indians, rough territory and practicing various types of medicine in the old days.  It wrapped up nicely.
Spiritual Quote: “You have a healing gift, daughter. It’s not for man to chide what God’s given. Never be ashamed of what you are.”

A House of Secrets

St. Paul, Minnesota, 1890

Ladies Aide Chairman, Amanda Carston resolves to clean up St. Paul’s ramshackle housing, starting with the worst of the worst: a “haunted” house that’s secretly owned by her beau—a home that’s his only means of helping brothel girls escape from the hands of the city’s most infamous madam.

MY THOUGHTS:
Amanda has no idea her fiancé has any connection to the house. Joseph Blake is keeping the secret to protect her and the girls, avenge his sister and also thwart an evil city councilman – who, in my mind, looked like the walrus from Disney’s Alice in Wonderland singing Cabbages and Kings.
Mental anxiety over the happenings plus romance of the sweet couple. Wrapped up nicely.
Romantic Quote: “The warmth of his brown eyes reached out and held her, cherishing her as the most valuable of God’s creations. Her. The sole focus of such tenderness. She wished she could package it up and carry it around all day.”

CAUTIONARY NOTE: A few writings might push the envelope for some, so just a head’s up. **“Thievery is wrong.”  Indeed. A principle he knew as intimately as a lover – one no honest man should ever have to bed. **“half-burned timbers reached into the night sky, dark on dark, like blackened bones trying to escape from a grave.” **“bricks holding in secrets like a jealous lover, guarding rumors of foul play.” **Most shameless maples had already disrobed for their coming marriage to winter, but a few discreet maidens refused to shed their orange and red leaves.”

I downloaded a copy of this book through Net Galley via the publisher with no fee and no compensation in their hopes of an honest review.

Connect with the author at Michelle Griep dot com.

© February 1, 2019 Barbour Publishing 4 stars        
Available HERE for pre-order.

Until next time,
Hugs and a Cup of Tea!

A Tale of Two Hearts Michelle Griep

Click here for Amazon link

•°o•:*:•. Book Lover’s Dream .•:*:• o°•

London, 1853 Miss Wilhelmina Scott, aka Mina, serves in her father’s inn, The Golden Egg. But, she much prefers to have her nose in a good book such as ‘David Copperfield’ or daydream of her ‘brown-haired hero’, William Barlow. Miss Whymsy is her former governess and co-conspirator in lending her books and enlisting her help with The Single Women’s Society of Social Reform. Effie is another dear friend who helps guide her in the story and added prayer, older wisdom, and grounding in her life.

William Barlow frequents her father’s taproom with his good friend and fellow law clerk, Mr. Fitzroy.  Mina has been taken with him for the better part of a year and is shocked when he suddenly suggests she become his pretend bride. He is trying to overcome a besmirched past and to win the favor of his uncle while thwarting his scheming cousins, Percy and devious wife Alice.

Uncle Barlow is a dear, kind man who enjoys books as much as Mina and is trying to ascertain the best candidate to inherit his home and fortune before he formally names an heir.

Foley 1850 Bone China, England, 'Broadway' tea set

TEA MOMENT: “He’s invited me to a tea of all things.” His voice smooth as fresh flowing honey, grew louder the closer she drew to his table.  Can you imagine that Fitz? A tea. How awful.” A smile curved her mouth as she imagined taking tea with William.  Just the two of them.  Him in his finest frock coat with a snowy cravat.  Her in a new gown.  She’d pour a steaming cup for him, and he’d lift a choice little cake to her lips while speaking of his deepest affections.  She sighed, warm and contented.  “I should think a tea would be very pleasant she murmured.” Both men turned toward her.

Tea is referenced several times in this story.

A SURPRISE guest happily appears at the end of the story that caused my mouth to fall open.  But no spoilers here!

I truly enjoyed this story.  Five stars. 

To be released September 2018, Barbour Publ., Shiloh Run Press, – 30 chapters

I received an advance eCopy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion which I am privileged to provide, with no further compensation.

SERIES: Once Upon A Dickens Christmas

Book #1 - 12 Days at Bleakly Manor September 2017

Book #2 A Tale of Two Hearts September 2018

Book #3 The Old Lace Shop expected in September 2019

Today I enjoyed Pukka Revitalise Tea while
reading A Tale of Two Hearts.
It is a warming blend of cinnamon, cardamom and ginger!

Until next time, hugs and a cup of tea,

12 Days at Bleakly Manor 5 Star Book Review

•°o•:*:•. Wow! Game of ‘Clue’ set in 1850 London .•:*:• o°•

This story had so many twists and turns and really kept me guessing.  It very much reminded me of the game of Clue with its quirky characters and mysterious manor. It kept me guessing all the way through. Each person had received an invitation to celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas (Dec 25 to Jan 5). Each guest received a cryptic invitation and would win a gift important only to them IF they could last the entire time.  Kindhearted Clara and honorable Benjamin each received invitations, not knowing the other had as well.  Each had suffered much, and finding their way back to each other was unexpected for both, but because of their faith and buried love for one another, it was not as difficult as they would have imagined.  The big reason for the mystery was not one I would have guessed AT ALL!  What a fun and unique surprise. A favorite supporting character was Miss Scurry and her box of “friends”.  She was a kind hearted elderly lady who just wanted companionship. There are plenty of tea drinking moments as well.

I enjoyed this story very much, and the cover is gorgeous!

© To be released September 2017, Shiloh Run Press, 182 pages – 31 chapters

I received an advance eCopy from NetGalley., in exchange for my honest opinion which I am privileged to provide, with no further compensation.

SERIES: Once Upon A Dickens Christmas

Book #2 A Tale of Two Hearts is expected in Fall 2018

About the Author: Michelle Griep has been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle. Michelle is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and MCWG (Minnesota Christian Writers Guild). Keep up with her adventures at her blog "Writer off the Leash" or visit michellegriep.com.

Hugs and a Christmas (in July) Cup of Tea,