I enjoyed this book a great deal more than I expected to. Given how interesting the premise sounded, that really is saying something. I expected an interesting historical romance, and I got that but also a whole lot more. There was a great deal of plotting and intrigue packed into this story and while I'd begun to guess some of it a number of twists still caught me off guard.
I liked both of the main characters a great deal. Johanna is worn down with her trials and the ways it shows in her behavior are very believable. Alex was a wonderful hero and the romance between them felt very real and understandable. I greatly enjoyed the amount of time we spent in Alex's viewpoint, getting a real look at the things he was investigating. I loved that while the romance felt real and believable it was not the only thing the characters had to think or talk about.
I could say a fair bit here about some of the rest of the cast as well, there was a delightful and dastardly cast to fill in the rest of the story and I found most of them very well-fleshed out and extremely interesting to read. I was left wondering a bit about what some of them might go on to do after the story as well.
I've never read any of Michele Griep's work before. Her writing was beautiful and polished. I was pulled into the setting and the story quite thoroughly and enjoyed it enough that I'm quite likely to hunt up more of her work.
In short if you want to read a historical mystery/romance that doesn't pull too many punches this is a book I would happily recommend.

I greatly enjoyed this novel! Though I think the story moved a bit slowly at first, the development of the chemistry between Alex and Johanna was delightful and well worth it. I loved reading about their interactions. The second half was plenty action packed to make up for the quieter start. Who the traitor was and how that worked out I wouldn't have and didn't guess, which I like. Though I would have liked to see Mrs. Langley's reaction to her visitor at the end.... but overall, a really great read!

This is more of an historic mystery than a romance. There are certainly romantic undertones and a romantic relationship between the main characters but they serve to give depth to the story rather than be the pupose of it. Alexander has been sent to the English coast to root out a traitor. He's a law officer with several years experience and this is a particularly dangerous case. Evidence points to starting at the local tavern. It is managed by Johanna Langley, together with her mother and young brother. They live a hand to mouth existence which might give rise to temptation to make money in less that savory ways. Johanna is a strong, hard working young woman who is the backbone of her family. The descriptions of her life and what it must have been like to run a poor coastal tavern in early 18th century England feel spot on. The sense of period is excellent and there are several unique secondary characters who are very well-rounded.. I admit to a soft spot for a puppeteer with the moniker Lucius Nutbrown, who has a hand puppet do much of his talking for him. There are several similarly .nice touches to give depth to the story. Recommend..

Johanna and her mother are Innkeepers in Dover, England, during the Napoleonic Era. The two of them are fighting tooth and nail to keep their inn and keep it open. It is the source of their living.

Alex Moore is dispatched to Dover, to Johanna's Inn, specifically, to root out a traitor to the King. Because Alex has a history in Dover, though he hasn't been there in several years, he is using a different identity than that of his own.

Michelle Griep has an interesting cast of characters populating her book. Alex and Johanna are pretty interesting in their own right, one cannot overlook Mr Nutbrown--who only speaks through puppets, Mr Spurge--who owns the inn Johanna runs and is threatening to throw her into debtors prison, and one cannot forget Johanna's younger brother, Thomas who is by turn creating havoc or drumming up business for the inn.

The following opinions are fully the opinions of the owner of this blog and have not been influenced in any way by anyone else.

I got to a point where I lost interest in the story and I jumped ahead to the end of the book to see how all the loose ends get tied up. Michelle has done a great job in bringing the story together, but it just wasn't the kind of story I could get lost in. I give it three stars.

My thanks to Shiloh Run Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

Alexander Moore is undercover in Dover. His boss has given him directions on where to stay and how to conduct himself in this 1808 story. Johanna is doing her best to keep the family inn going with her mother and 10 year old brother since her father died. Alex is attracted to her when they meet. He tries to help and still stay true to his assignment. He is to become engaged to Viscount Coburn's daughter to see who the traitor is and become close to the Viscount. There are some smugglers around town he has dealt with before so trying to stay away from them and still find out what is going on is a trick he seems good at but when the whole thing comes to a head who is the real traitor?

I have never read this author before but I will definitely be reading more of her books. This book was very entertaining, it keeps you guessing, you will wonder up until the last page what will happen. This book is a mystery and that mystery is carried through the whole story. I was left wanting to read more. Thank you NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for the advanced reading copy. If you like mystery, historical and Christion Fiction this book is for you.

What do you do when you are at the end of your rope, only to look up and see it fraying!
Griep returns with another tale of the bow street runners. In this book Alex Moore is sent undercover to flush out a traitor, all the while lodging at an inn run by a woman determined to keep her family out of the workhouse.
I always look forward to reading a book from this author, she has a unique way of weaving intrigue and action into her stories.
I enjoyed the way this story reminds us to put our trust in God, not in our own strength.
I received a copy of this book through netgalley for my review.

This book was a nice read overall. I thought it was a little slow in places. My favorite character was Mr. Nutbrown and his puppet, he’s strange but becomes kind of endearing. I liked Alex and so so on Joanna. It was a nice little read for a cloudy day.

A historical romance. Johanna, her mother and brother are trying hard to keep their Inn open. They have fallen on hard times and the banker is breathing down their neck. Enters Alex a handsome man, with a mysterious background.
This novel has love, greed, corruption, and faith. It is a heartwarming read. Interesting, tender. Great storyline.
5 Stars

Though unfamiliar with this author, I found the premise intriguing. What I discovered was an extremely well-written and engaging story, full of intrigue and one surprise after another.

The book is lengthy, and yet, as it draws to a close, you may find yourself wishing for more. Such is the skill of this author. Michelle Griep had created a world so easy to visualize, it's like stepping into that reality. Even if you know nothing of history, you will be able to follow and understand everything. Except for the money. I just can't seem to remember how British money works!

The characters are multidimensional and some are truly unique. Mr. Nutbrown and his pal Nixie may be my favorites. Ms. Griep’s ability to inject such life and personality into Nixie is particularly impressive. I'm not ashamed to admit I grew to care for Nixie, and Mr. Nutbrown, in all of his tragic neuroses.

There is an unapologetic Christian leaning in this book. Yet observations about God and His providence are natural and seem to be largely reflective of the times. Still, there are some very powerful introspective moments where characters come to the realization that God is in control and they must rely on Him.

Ms. Griep is skilled in the use metaphors and, my personal favorite, personification. Like this one: “The only thing amiss was the pewter sky, clouds bullying down with grey fists.” And this: “Darkness extended a calling card, one he pushed away. “

I loved this nugget of wisdom: “It is hard to believe now, Johanna, but love gets easier once the heart is broken. It's a casting away of the shell. Of course it hurts. It's meant to. But broken things are always the beginning of better things. A plant cannot grow without first the ground being broken. The most plentiful yields come from a field ravaged by a plow.”

This was a humorous, and accurate, description of an Irish brogue: “Flannery cursed his luck, his fellow officers, and something about a dog or maybe a potato -- hard to tell when the passion lit up and his brogue took over.”

This review is longer than those I usually write, but this book is so deserving of praise, I feel a need to explain it so more people will take the time to read it. I loved it!

I asked to read and review The Innkeeper's Daughter, by Michelle Griep, and I am so happy I was chosen to do so. My review is not based on being given this book, but my own, honest opinion, freely given.

The book is set in the 1700's in England, specifically, Dover. It is a combination of a love story, and mystery/adventure, with a small amount of history thrown in. The book starts out with mystery and the mystery is woven throughout the book. It will keep you wanting to read more.

The characters are fairly well developed, as in all stories, some more than others. There are a couple of characters that I wish were a little more developed, but it does not detract from my enjoyment of the story. The story flows well also. Some of the highlights are the intrigue with smuggling, the difficulty of going undercover, the hardship of not having a male head of household, just to mention a few. If you like historical fiction, Christian fiction, or mystery, you will enjoy this book.

It is also a Christian book and very well done. It is not preachy in any way but shows the importance of faith.

I have never read this author before but I will definitely be reading more from her. She has talent.

I will give this book 4 stars out of five. The main reason for this is that there was one character in the book that, in my opinion, was not fully wrapped up at the end of the story. I felt this character needed a better closure. Would I purchase this as a gift or recommend it to a friend, yes, I certainly would. I hope whoever reads this review will be encouraged to read this book

This is a clean, Christian , Regency Mystery. There are too many errors to put down . Suffice it to say, if you like to read, clean, romance in historical settings. I recommend Devon Loyal. In this book, it's insulting to our intelligence, that someone could be beaten, starved, as severely as Alexander, and be well the next day! Ludicrous. The only good thing, was the Mystery. That's it! It was very slow going.
Thanks!
carolintallahassee 👒

Dover, England, 1808: Officer Alexander Moore goes undercover as a gambling gentleman to expose a high-stakes plot against the king—and he’s a master of disguise, for Johanna Langley believes him to be quite the rogue. . .until she can no longer fight against his unrelenting charm.

This book was very entertaining and had a great story. It contained Griep's usual mix of quirky characters. Johanna Langley, the heroine, has low self-esteem yet at the same time is fighting with every breath to save her father's inn for her mom, her brother, and herself. Surrounded by a scalawag of a brother who spends most of his time trying to dodge work, a set of unmusical musicians who are determined to make music at the inn for free room and board, and quirkiest of all a boarder, Mr. Nutbrown, who can only talk through his puppet. His was definitely a wonderfully creative character. Then throw in the undercover Bow Street Runner, Alexander Moore aka Alex Morton, who finds his heart drawn to Johanna the entire time he is trying to find out who is plotting against the King, and the result is one intriguing read.

Johanna's dire straits led her to get quite angry with God and feel like he was punishing her. But as Alex walked through all of her troubles with her, he helped her grow in a better understanding of God along with her mom.

The suspense and intrigue was never overdone but woven nicely through the rest of the plot. The romance was sweet yet never mushy. A complicated Regency romance and mystery with a satisfying ending.

This book will be officially released next month.

FAVORITE QUOTES: "Just because you fail doesn't mean you are a failure. It simply means you're human."

"God is not sitting about, watching impassive. Our tears are His. You never--ever--cry alone."

"You must bring your broken heart to God--or your broken heart will make you leave Him."

A fast-paced romantic read that is sure to draw you in from the beginning and hold your attention until the very end.

I was surprised how much I liked the book. While I do love Regency novels sometimes I find them a bit on the overly dramatic side. In The Innkeeper's Daughter elements of suspense and intrigue were present and even intense at times, but not overdone. There were a number of plot twists and turns. I love it when an author includes events that I couldn't predict that still seem authentic to the tale.

The characters were real, with their own hang-ups, false beliefs, deep desires and well kept secrets. The introduction of Mr. Nutbrown and his oddly endearing mental instability was truly a brilliant move to add interest to the story.

As a Christian novel God is very much a part of the story, but only in so much as each character interacts with Him. This is not a book that is teaching about God as much as it is a book about characters who have a relationship with God and are growing in their understanding of Him.

While this book is not marketed as a part of a series, there were references back to Brentwood's Ward, which I have not read. It did not detract from the story except that I did find myself wondering what I might have missed by not reading the first book.

All in all, I found The Innkeeper's Daughter to be an entertaining read and I'd recommend it.

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I received a free advanced reader's copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Innkeepers Daughter by Michelle Griep is a romance and mystery combined as only Michelle can. The setting is England in 1808.
Johanna’s father has passed away and she, along with her mother and younger brother, are managing the inn. It is rundown and they are barely making ends meet. Alexander Morton is an undercover policeman who is searching for a traitor and staying at the inn. There are some other very colorful characters staying there also. Mr. Nutbrown and his puppet Nixie who avoid Johanna as they cannot pay for their room. Mr. Quail and his band who are staying free in exchange for playing music each night, which they do very poorly. Is anyone who they say they are though? Lots of questions and few answers until the end.
I enjoyed this story very much. No one writes characters who jump off the page like Michelle Griep. There is a lot going on in this book and at times it may be a bit confusing but isn’t that real life? The story is well-researched from the historical standpoint and the plot has many twists and turns. Several of the characters must learn to lean on God for strength and assistance in trying circumstances. With all the excitement and twists and turns this book will appeal to a broad audience. It is definitely a page turner. I rate this book 5 of 5 stars and highly recommend it.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Innkeeper’s Daughter is a pretty good read. My favorite by this author. 4 stars.

When I first saw the cover, I thought, from the design, it was an Amish themed novel. Being a fan of that genre as well, I would have been happy either way but instead received a novel set in 1808 and really enjoyed it. I am very picky about Regency romance because usually the language and all the Lords and Ladies stuff distracts me from the story line. The Innkeepers Daughter was a smooth read with a good story line that could translate from this era to romances set in modern times. It was easy to picture the setting and I liked the main heroines love for and sense of duty to her family. For me, this story kept me engaged and invested in the families welfare as well as the romance. I read and reviewed this completely voluntarily and am very glad I did. 3.5/4 stars

A dangerous, undercover assignment requires Alex risk his life, his reputation...and possibly the love of a lifetime!

First of all, the cover is gorgeous! That, combined with a recognizable author whom I have read before, had me excited enough to read this book. Then, I find out it is another Bow Street Runner story! I bought and read Brentwood’s Ward back in January 2016, and loved it—but had no idea the author was going to write another one. So, undeniably, I was ecstatic to discover this continuation. That being said, this is a completely stand-alone novel and can be thoroughly enjoyed without having read Brentwood’s Ward. Actually, this one is even better!

With settings and characters reminding me of a Charles Dickens’ novel—especially in descriptions of the shudder-worthy Tanny Needler—to the hauntingly beautiful scene with the violin, and moments woven with heartbreak and humor, everything about this novel was enthralling to read, including its range of interesting characters: From the puppet-wielding Mr. Nutbrown, the incorrigible Thomas, the shadowy Thatcher, the persistent Mr. Quail, and the spoiled Miss Coburn, to the struggling yet faith-filled Johanna, and the reluctant-hero but admirable Alex.

Alex is the most well-thought-out and intriguing character of this story, and much of the world is viewed through his eyes. The author skillfully paints these scenes through his own observations and attentions to detail—from the style of a person’s hair and clothing, to their movements and mannerisms—without detracting from the flow of the story. His background and occupation make him as cautious as a man in a lion’s den. Always on careful guard, hand ready for his blade, yet more ready to slay his opponent with a charming smile and smooth words. The difference to his charm is that there is something genuine beneath the surface. He cares when people are taken advantage of and despises the superficial and the arrogant, stepping in instinctively where chivalry is needed. Just the kind of man the heroine in this story can swoon for!

Besides Alex, we also view the story through Johanna, the beautiful and determined Innkeeper’s Daughter. Her stubborn bravery both clashes and compliments with his stubborn charm. In the distressing uncertainty of her future, she must also fight against the turbulent emotions brought on by the mysterious and “too good to be true” Alex—a man she longs to trust, yet remains a mystery and, therefore, a risk her heart cannot afford to take. But, alas, there is no stopping her traitorous heart, is there?

I cannot say enough about this book, and how much I enjoyed reading it. It is a must add for any reader’s shelf who enjoys mystery, danger, intrigue, and romance. What more could a person want? This book has all of that and more. Once you start you will not want to put it down!

I received an advanced reader’s copy from the Barbour Publishing, Inc on NetGalley for an honest review.