Brentwood's Ward (Bow Street Runners #1) by Michelle Griep

 

Title: Brentwood’s Ward (Bow Street Runners #1)

Author: Michelle Griep

Narrator: Pam Turlow

Pages: 322

Duration: 10 hours 25 minutes

Year: 2015

Genre: Historical Romance / Suspense / Mystery

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook / Audiobook (also available in paperback)

About the book:

     Placee an unpolished lawman named Nicholas Brentwood as guardian over a spoiled, pompous beauty named Emily Payne and what do you get? More trouble than Brentwood bargains for. She is determined to find a husband this season. He just wants the large fee her father will pay him to help his ailing sister. After a series of dire mishaps, both their desires are thwarted, but each discovers that no matter what, God is in charge.

My review:

     This is an incredible historical romance!

     I have to admit this book is also an incredible romantic suspense and mystery. I love both Emily and Nicholas. There are a number of other wonderful characters also. Two of my other favorites are Jenny and Hope. I loved seeing how Emily matured from a spoiled brat to grown woman ready to deal with difficult situations. Nicholas learned to actually call on God for guidance.

     The plot of this story captured my attention. I started reading the eBook and before I finished 2 chapters I had switched to the audio book so I could read it faster. I had to find out what was going on and where the danger was coming from.

     The narrator is fantastic! She was able to make the story come alive for me. Her variety of voices and accents was wonderful! It was extremely easy to envision who the different characters were. I will definitely be looking for more books that she has narrated.

     I absolutely have to give this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars for both the story and the narration. I highly recommend it.

Once Upon a Dickens Christmas (3 Novellas) by Michelle Griep

Title: Once Upon a Dickens Christmas (3 Novellas)

Author: Michelle Griep

Pages: 450

Year: 2019

Genre: Victorian Christmas Romances

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Pour yourself a cuppa, get lost in the merriment of the season, and enjoy a Dickensian Christmas in three stories from fan favorite Michelle Griep:

12 Days at Bleakly Manor

     Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.

A Tale of Two Hearts

     Pleasure seeker William Barlow needs a wife immediately to gain his uncle’s inheritance, and Mina Scott is just the girl to make him look respectable—too bad she turns him down. Ought he give her a second chance?

The Old Lace Shop

     Recently widowed Bella White is finally freed from the domination of the overbearing men in her life, but when she enters into a business partnership with the handsome Edmund Archer, she begins to wonder if marriage is worth a second chance.

My review:

     This book includes 3 Novellas. There were a few common things running from story to story. I enjoyed watching for them. The main one was the fact that in one way or another Charles Dickens is spoken of or actually appears in each one of them. That made for a fun point to keep my eye out for.

     Each of these Novellas is a wonderful Victorian Christmas romance!

12 Days at Bleakly Manor

     This book is filled with well developed and very strange characters. I love the two main ones, Clara and Ben. As we get to know them as well as the rest of the assorted house guests at Bleakly Manor a mystery starts to present itself. 

     Clara and Ben are the only two that know each other before arriving at the manor. It was interesting to see how their past affects their stay at the manor. Their interaction with each of the other house guests was very interesting. At times I wanted to tell some of them to just shut up. 

A Tale of Two Hearts

     I love both of the main characters. Their hearts are in the right place, but their plans to go about achieving the desired results are very twisted. They needed to learn to trust that God was in control and would take care of things without their schemes. They each dealt with a lot of angst over the deception that they were undertaking. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that they each had a friend who was speaking encouragement and guidance to them along the way.

     The quotes from different books by Charles Dickens at the start of each chapter were great. Most of the books quoted I have never read. I did find myself adding many of them to my to-be-read list.

     It was fun to learn about some of the traditions of 1800s Christmas time. I’m very glad that the author included some notes at the end of the book about them.

The Old Lace Shop

     I absolutely love 3 special characters in this wonderful story. Bella and Edmund are both trying to move past very painful marriages. They are using different methods to do so but the fact that they aren’t just wallowing in the pain is incredible. I think that my favorite character is Flora though. She is sweet and joyful.

     The plot of this story is wonderful. I loved seeing how Bella struggled to try and find a place for herself in the man’s world of business. She had a lot of attitudes in others to try and work her way past. She kept trying to figure it out though.

     I thoroughly enjoyed reading this collection of Novellas. I’m giving it a rating of 5 stars. I definitely recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep

Title: Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th Century Romance and Mystery

Author: Michelle Griep

Pages: 288

Release Date: February 1, 2019

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     3 Page-Turners Under One Cover from Reader Favorite Michelle Griep!

     Can truth and love prevail when no one is as they appear?

     The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady - Cornish Coast, 1815

     When 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?

     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.

     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 review:

     Three wonderful historical romance novellas.

     Each of these stories is set in a different time period and setting. I thoroughly enjoyed this variety. The main characters are all fantastic and well developed. The plots are all great and kept my interest.

     The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady - I found that this story really looks at the necessity of taking time to not jump to conclusions about a person’s character without getting to know their motives.

     The Doctor’s Woman - I loved seeing how the doctor and the daughter of the missionary doctor learned to work together.

     A House of Secrets - Trying to keep secrets is never a good way to treat the woman you are engaged to. 

     I truly enjoyed each of these stories and am giving this book a rating of 5 stars. I definitely recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

A Tale of Two Hearts (Once Upon a Dickens Christmas #2) by Michelle Griep

Title: A Tale of Two Hearts (Once Upon a Dickens Christmas #2)

Author: Michelle Griep

Pages: 192

Year: 2018

Genre: Historical Christmas Romance

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary eBook copy of this novel through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     London, 1853: Innkeeper’s daughter Mina Scott will do anything to escape the drudgery of her life, for there’s nothing more mundane than serving customers day after day. Every minute she can, she reads and dreams of someday becoming a real lady—and catch the eye of William Barlow, a frequent guest at the inn.

     William is a gentleman’s son, a charming but penniless rogue. However, his bachelor uncle will soon name an heir—either him or his scheming cousin. In an effort to secure the inheritance, William gives his uncle the impression he’s married, which works until he’s invited to bring his wife for a visit.

     William asks Mina to be his pretend bride, only until his uncle names an heir on Christmas Day. Mina is flattered and frustrated by the offer, for she wants a true relationship with William. Yet, she agrees. . .then wishes she hadn’t. So does William. Deceiving the old man breaks both their hearts. When the truth is finally discovered, more than just money is lost.

     Can two hearts survive such deception?

My review:

     This is a delightful Historical Christmas romance!

     I love both of the main characters. Their hearts are in the right place, but their plans to go about achieving the desired results are very twisted. They needed to learn to trust that God was in control and would take care of things without their schemes. They each dealt with a lot of angst over the deception that they were undertaking. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that they each had a friend who was speaking encouragement and guidance to them along the way.

     The quotes from different books by Charles Dickens at the start of each chapter were great. Most of the books quoted I have never read. I did find myself adding many of them to my to-be-read list.

     It was fun to learn about some of the traditions of 1800s Christmas time. I’m very glad that the author included some notes at the end of the book about them.

     I have decided to give this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I’m highly recommending it. You don’t have to be a die-hard Dickens reader to enjoy the story.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

12 Days at Bleakly Manor (Once Upon a Dickens Christmas #1) by Michelle Griep

Title: 12 Days at Bleakly Manor (Once Upon a Dickens Christmas #1)

Author: Michelle Griep

Pages: 192

Year: 2017

Genre: Christmas Story

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     A mysterious invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home may bring danger…and love?

     England, 1851: When Clara Chapman receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet feels compelled to attend—for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of five hundred pounds.

     But is she walking into danger? It appears so, especially when she comes face to face with one of the other guests—her former fiance, Benjamin Lane.

     Imprisoned unjustly, Ben wants revenge on whoever stole his honor. When he’s given the chance to gain his freedom, he jumps at it—and is faced with the anger of the woman he stood up at the altar. Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters.

     What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.

My review:

     An unusual Victorian Christmas story!

     This book is filled with well developed and very strange characters. I love the two main ones, Clara and Ben. As we get to know them, as well as, the rest of the assorted house guests at Bleakly Manor a mystery starts to present itself. 

     Clara and Ben are the only two that know each other before arriving at the manor. It was interesting to see how their past affects their stay at the manor. Their interaction with each of the other house guests was very interesting. At times I wanted to tell some of them to just shut up. 

     This was a fun book to read and I’m looking forward to seeing what else the author comes up with for this series.

     I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

     I’m giving this wonderful story a rating of 5 stars and recommending it because it captured my attention right up until the very end.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Captured Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #3) by Michelle Griep

Title: The Captured Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #3)

Author: Michelle Griep

Pages: 256

Release Date: June 1, 2018

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Barbour Books

Format: eBook (also available in Paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     A War-Torn Countryside Is No Place For A Lady

     Mercy Lytton is a lady like none other. Raised amongst the Mohawks, she straddles two cultures, yet each are united in one cause. . .to defeat the French. Born with a rare gift of unusually keen eyesight, she is chosen as a scout to accompany a team of men on a dangerous mission. Yet it is not her life that is threatened. It is her heart. Condemned as a traitor, Elias Dubois faces the gallows. At the last minute, he is offered his freedom if he consents to accompany a stolen shipment of French gold to a nearby fort—but he is the only they stole it from in the first place. It turns out that the real thief is the beguiling woman, Mercy Lytton, for she steals his every waking thought. Can love survive divided loyalties in a backcountry wilderness?

My review:

     This is a fantastic historical romance!

     The characters are incredibly well developed and easy to connect with. This is true of many of them, not just the two main ones. Both Mercy and Elias has deep seated wounds from their pasts. They were shaped by things they were told by family members raising them, just as we all are. The journeys there are on are shaped by those wounds and will hopefully bring them healing.

     The action and adventure is fabulous. They face many dangers that require them to work together to survive. At first they are so at odds with each other that their ability to do so is really in question. They discover strengths and weaknesses that they didn’t know they had. There are also strong believers in God that are working with them. They step up and and help point them to Him.

     I am giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars and highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*