Michelle Griep: Ladies of Intrigue

By Kelly Bridgewater

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.

From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Michelle Griep writes wonderful Regency tales filled with history and intrigue. Her latest novel, Ladies of Intrigue, is actually comprised of three novellas. Personally, I don't enjoy novellas because everything is so rushed, and the plot doesn't feel complete. With Ladies of Intrigue, the novellas claim to have romance with a dash of mystery, but I did not discern any mystery in any of three novellas. The romance appeared rushed. BUT Griep does a fabulous job at bringing the Regency world to life. The setting shines on the page. As well as Griep's ability to create characters worth getting to know. I just, personally, wished the novellas were full length novels, so Griep could spend more time developing the romance and the mystery. If you are a fan of novellas and Griep's other writings or a fan of Sarah E. Ladd and Julie Klassen, then this might be the perfect book for you.

I received a complimentary copy of Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep from Barbour Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

From Amazon

About the Author:

I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I've been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write--except for that graffiti phase I went through as teenager. (Taken from Amazon.)

Mesu Andrews: Of Fire and Lions

By Kelly Bridgewater

Survival. A Hebrew girl first tasted it when she escaped death nearly seventy years ago as the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and took their finest as captives. She thought she'd perfected in the many years amongst the Magoi and the idol worshippers, pretending with all the others in King Nebuchadnezzar's court. Now, as Daniel's wife and a septuagenarian matriarch, Belili thinks she's safe and she can live out her days in Babylon without fear--until the night Daniel is escorted to Belshazzar's palace to interpret mysterious handwriting on a wall. The Persian Army invades, and Bellili's tightly-wound secrets unfurl with the arrival of the conquering army. What will the reign of Darius mean for Daniel, a man who prays to Yahweh alone?

Ultimately, Yahweh's sovereign hand guides Jerusalem's captives, and the frightened Hebrew girl is transformed into a confident woman, who realizes her need of the God who conquers both fire and lions.

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

Filled with Biblical fantasy and historical reverence, Mesu Andrews composed a story explaining what life might have been for Daniel and Abigail as they lived in captivity in Babylon. The book of Daniel has always been a favorite of mine right up there next to Revelation and Philippians, so when I heard about the story Of Fire andLions, I was curious to read the story. The research is deep and wonderfully done. I can't imagine the time and effort it takes to write a Biblical fiction story based on something from the Bible. The plot does capture my attention and makes me proud to be called a Christian. I find so many parallels with the crazy world today that it scares me. There are instances this novel made me want to pull out my Bible and read some more, which I'm sure Andrews would be excited to hear. Overall, Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews is a fascinating, deeply researched glance into the world of Daniel and his wife, Abigail, as people. Yes, most students of the Bible are familiar with Daniel and his story, but this was an interesting twist on his life. Andrews brought these characters to life. Fans of Connilynn Cossette and Tessa Afshar should pick up this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews from Waterbrook-Multnomah Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

From Amazon

About the Author:

Mesu grew up with a variegated Christian heritage. With grandparents from the Pilgrim Holiness, Nazarene, and Wesleyan Churches, her dad was a Quaker and mom charismatic. As you might imagine, God was a central figure in most family discussions, but theology was a battlefield and Scripture the weapon. As a rebellious teenager, Mesu rejected God and His Word, but discovered Jesus as a life-transforming Savior through the changed life of an old friend.

The desire for God's Word exploded with her new commitment, but devotional time was scarce due to the demands of a young wife and mother. So Mesu scoured the only two theology books available--children's Bible stories and her Bible. The stories she read to her daughters at night pointed her to the Bible passages she studied all day. She became an avid student of God's Word, searching historical and cultural settings as well as ancient texts and original languages.

Mesu and her husband Roy have raised those two daughters and now enjoy a tribe of grandkids, who get to hear those same Bible stories. Mesu's love for God's Word has never waned. She now writes biblical novels, rich with spiritual insight learned through fascinating discoveries in deep historical research.

Her first novel, Love Amid the Ashes (Revell)--the story of Job and the women who loved him--won the 2012 ECPA Book of the Year in the Debut Author Category. Her subsequent novels have released with high praise, shedding light on some of the shadowy women of Scripture. Love's Sacred Song (Revell, 2012) tells the story of the beloved shepherdess in King Solomon's Song of Solomon. Love in a Broken Vessel (Revell, 2013) tells the story of Hosea and Gomer and is the final stand-alone novel in the Treasures of His Love Series. Her fourth novel, In the Shadow of Jezebel (Revell, 2014) tells the fascinating story of Queen Athaliah and the courageous Princess Jehosheba.

The Treasures of the Nile series (Waterbrook/Multnomah, 2015-16) included The Pharaoh's Daughter and Miriam and spanned Moses' life from birth to the Exodus. Her 2017 release, Isaiah's Daughter (Waterbrook/Multnomah), explores the life and ministry of the prophet Isaiah and the tumultuous days of Judah under the reigns of Ahaz and Hezekiah but focuses on the woman Hephzibah--a fascinating character in Jewish legends.

Mesu writes in their log cabin tucked away in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Her best friend is an American Staffordshire Terrier named Zeke, who keeps her company on long writing days. Zeke also enjoys watching movies, long walks in the woods, and sitting by the fireplace on rainy days. (Taken from Amazon.)

Kate Breslin: Far Side of the Sea

By Kelly Bridgewater

In spring 1918, Lieutenant Colin Mabry, a British soldier working with MI8 after suffering injuries on the front, receives a message by carrier pigeon. It is from Jewel Reyer, the woman he once loved and who saved his life--a woman he believed to be dead. Traveling to France to answer her urgent summons, he desperately hopes this mission will ease his guilt and restore the courage he lost on the battlefield.

Colin is stunned, however, to discover the message came from Jewel's half sister, Johanna. Johanna, who works at a dovecote for French Army Intelligence, found Jewel's diary and believes her sister is alive in the custody of a German agent. With spies everywhere, Colin is skeptical of Johanna, but as they travel across France and Spain, a tentative trust begins to grow between them.

When their pursuit leads them straight into the midst of a treacherous plot, danger and deception turn their search for answers into a battle for their lives.

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

With Far Side of the Sea, Kate Breslin masterfully crafted a wonderful story of spies, espionage, and romance. Using an original idea, Breslin used carrier pigeons and made them a part of the action. She captured my attention pretty early on and didn't let go. The actions started right from the first page and allowed me to stay engrossed in the lives of Colin and Johanna. The romance fizzed and sparkled all through the story. It wasn't too sappy. It grew organically, allowing me to see their trust in each other grow while trying to hunt for Johanna's sister. The historical plot flowed well mixing with a hint of mystery, which really captured my suspense loving side. The story was original and well-written. I can't wait to re-read it and feel lost in the words again. This is definitely one of my favorite books of the year so far. Far Side of the Sea is an informative and entertaining read. I definitely recommend reading this novel. Fans of Breslin's other works, Roseanna M. White, and Elizabeth Camden should try this novel. It fits well with these type of historical romance novels.

I received a complimentary copy of Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About the Author:

From Amazon

Former bookseller-turned-author Kate Breslin enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family. A writer of travel articles and award-winning poetry, Kate received Christian Retailing's 2015 Best Award for First Time Author and her debut novel, For Such A Time, was shortlisted for both the Christy and RITA awards and received the American Christian Fiction Writer's 2015 Carol Award for Debut Novel. Kate's third novel, High As The Heavens, released June, 2017. When she's not writing inspirational fiction, Kate enjoys reading or taking long walks in Washington's beautiful woodlands. She also likes traveling to new places, both within the U.S. and abroad, having toured Greece, Rome, and much of Western Europe. New destinations make for fresh story ideas. Please visit her at www.katebreslin.com. (Taken from Amazon.)

Most Anticipated Books for Spring 2019

By Kelly Bridgewater

I enjoy when the publishing companies share their covers for the next publishing season. I really love seeing the covers and reading the synopsis' of the upcoming books. Then I add the books to my wish list, so I can buy them when they come out.

Here is the list of books that I can't wait to read from March until June 2019:  (All images come from Goodreads unless noted.)

Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin

 

The Highest of Hopes by Susan Anne Mason

 

The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

 

Romanov by Nadine Brandes

 

Pages of Her Life by James Rubart

 

Murder in the City of Liberty by Rachel McMillan

 

What about you? Are you looking forward to these books? Is there any book you would add to this?