The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep – Book Review, Preview

Item: The Noble Guardian
Rating: 4.5
Author: Phyllis Helton

Posted June 10, 2019 by Phyllis Helton in Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Giveaways, Guest Post /

The Noble Guardian

by Michelle Griep

Published by Shiloh Run Press
Publication Date May 3, 2019
Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Action/Adventure, Clean Romance
Setting: England Regency Era – UK – 1795 – 1837
Written for: Adults
Pages: 320

Synopsis:

A Cross-Country Trip through Regency England Brings Intrigue, Rogues, and High Adventure The must-read conclusion to Michelle Griep’s Bow Street Runners Trilogy: Life couldn’t be better for Abigail Gilbert—but it’s been a long time in coming. Having lived with a family who hated her, it’s finally her time for love. Abby sets off on a journey across England to marry one of the most prestigious gentlemen in the land—until highwaymen upset her plans and threaten her life. Horse patrol captain Daniel Thatcher arrives just in time to save Abby. But she’s simply another victim in a job he’s come to despise. Tired of the dark side of humanity, he intends to buy land and retire. Abby pleads with him to escort her for the rest of her journey. He refuses—until she offers him something he desperately needs to achieve his goal. . .money. Delivering her safely will give him more than enough to buy property. So begins an impossible trek for the cynical lawman and the proper lady. Each will be indelibly changed by the time they reach her betrothed, if they don’t kill one another first—or fall in love.

I would like to thank Celebrate Lit, Netgalley for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.

It seems like each time I begin reading a book by Michelle Griep, I quickly find a huge smile on my face from the colorful descriptions and fascinating language. Then I start frantically marking passages to quote and get so caught up in the narrative I realize that I missed some great ones and need to page back and re-read. . .

Abby’s journey to meet her betrothed should have been a boring jaunt north. It ended up being anything but. Highwaymen and unscrupulous men posing as protectors were just the beginning of her problems.

I love the way every time I thought Abby was going to lose it, she pulled herself together and showed such strength. Her Cinderellaesque past was lamentable yet had molded her into a woman of integrity and kindness.

One of the things I especially appreciated was the subtlety the author employed. Several events had moments she could have highlighted and emphasized to make sure they were picked up on and yet she wisely restrained assuming her readers are intelligent enough to make the connections. In a world of authors who sometimes repeat things ad nauseam to make sure they are clear, this was very welcome.

As Samuel attempted to foist Abby off on a trusted friend, things became even more complicated. The surprising change to their adventure ended up being a wonderful twist to the story.

I have no warnings for this story, only an admonition that you hurry and grab a copy. This delightful story is a must for every library!

Michelle's The Noble Guardian Pinterest Board

(click here to go directly to the board on Pinterest)

Highwaymen Aren’t All Glamorous

by Michelle Griep

Highwaymen are often romanticized in historical romances, but the truth is these fella’s were generally not compassionate thieves at all. They were cutthroat robbers who sometimes killed. Here’s a brief history so that you’re in the know.

The term “highwayman” simply means a thief who steals—usually at gunpoint—from travelers on the road. Not all, but some of those attacks turned deadly, the robbers not wishing to leave anyone behind who could identify them. Others wore masks for the same purpose.

Long, deserted stretches of roads that were main thoroughfares were the particular favorite haunts of these men. Criminals would choose remote highways that supplied regular traffic going to and from major destinations, such as Hounslow Heath, about fifteen miles outside of London.

To combat these villains, in 1805 the Bow Street Horse Patrol was created. There were about sixty men hired to protect travelers on the principal roads within sixty miles of London. Most of the men had served previously in a cavalry regiment. Their most successful achievement was to rid Hounslow Heath of highwaymen.

And that’s where I got the idea for my hero, Samuel Thatcher, in The Noble Guardian. He’s a rough and tumble man who’s tired of life and the wickedness of man. Mostly he’s just biding his time until he retires—that is until he rescues Miss Abigail Gilbert from the clutches of one of the worst offenders of all…Shankhart Robbins.

Sound like an adventure? It is. Settle back with your own copy and see what it’s like to ride the rugged heath in a carriage, bounding along—until you hear the crack of a pistol.

Enjoy!

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Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize that includes a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of The Noble Guardian!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e31b/the-noble-guardian-celebration-tour-giveaway

About Michelle Griep

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 www.michellegriep.com.