#NetGalley Book Review: Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery by Michelle Griep

These are lovely - I really like this author.

Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery
by Michelle Griep

File Size: 1038 KB
Print Length: 288 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books (February 1, 2019)
ASIN: B07HYM6HQ6
Genre: Christian Romance, Historical Romance
My Rating 4.75 of 5.0

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.

Review:
The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady
Helen is a Pastor’s daughter who has traveled to help her ill father. As she arrives in his community she is kidnapped by a local smuggler. Inadvertently she sees the face of the man who saves her. She is soon surprised to find out his identity. She has a dilemma as she is reluctant to turn in the man who has saved her and cared for her father so caringly.

Isaac has bent his own rules in the name of revenge. The staunch faith of Helen makes him question his motives and look for alternatives. Will he be able to make Helen see him as a reliable person rather than a scoundrel?

I fully loved both of these characters and how the story plays out. There is risk with a lascivious authority not only stalking the smuggler but also inappropriately pursuing Helen and/or Isaac’s single sister. The plot keeps it moving quickly while I was rooting for this couple to get together. I especially loved Helen’s reliance on God and willingness to look for the best in others. She also wasn’t afraid to speak her mind to rebuke inappropriate behavior. My rating 4.75.

The Doctor’s Woman
Emmy is the daughter of a missionary doctor who has recently died. She is preparing to leave the wilderness to return to her society Aunt when she is asked to help at the Fort Snelling while they await the new doctor. Emmy is about to tend a man with a seriously crushed leg when Dr. James Clark arrives. Dr. Clark is a city doctor seeking a coveted position at Harvard. To gain his recommendation he has been directed to show he is able to survive a tour of service in the wilds of the West.

Dr. Clark and Emmy meet with sparks flying. He asks her to stay to help him and the commander makes him responsible for her welfare in the rough environment. He is still set on strict old fashion doctoring techniques while Emmy tries to encourage using some natural remedies learned from the Indians – even those Indians who killed her fiancé. The doctor gains respect for Emmy’s dedication although her independence frustrates him. But when it comes time for him to return to the East will he be willing to part from Emmy?

These are two more engaging characters and another story with plenty of conflict and moments of danger. The description of the western hardships is well done. Their struggles through the circumstances and the decisions they face provide inspiring encouragement. My rating 5.0.

A House of Secrets
Young Amanda has secured the chairmanship of the Ladies Aide Society which she hopes will impress her standoff father. Amanda wants to obtain the title to a dilapidated house to turn it into a safe place for educating street children. A haughty Society member puts Amanda on a deadline to get the title or lose on her first project.

Amanda seeks the help of her fiancé, the city Attorney to find the owner of the land. He claims he is too busy with other issues to help right now but really he is hiding his involvement with the property. He has been using the house to help brothel girls escape from the hands of the city’s most infamous madam. He doesn’t want to let Amanda know his connection to the house, nor certain family secrets.

A powerful business man is thwarting Joseph’s efforts to close down the local brothel. The corrupt man is quick to comfort Amanda when she is devastated to learn of Joseph’s betrayal. Just as matters come to a head a life-threatening accident pushes Joseph to face his fears and Amanda to address her impulsive rejection.

I liked the interesting brothel and society history in this story. The story felt a little rushed and didn’t pull me in as much as the first two. Still, it was entertaining, and I appreciated the messages regarding the harm of secrets in a personal relationship. My rating 4.5.

I enjoyed a previous historical romance by this author, The Captive Heart. I highly recommend this author and this story to readers who like Christian and historical romance with real life danger and conflict.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019NetGalley and 2019 Alphabet goals.