I enjoyed all three of the books in this collection. They were sweet, wholesome romances, with interesting characters and plot, but not too sappy to be exaggerated and overly sentimental. All set in the 1800's, each book has great character development and a bit of mystery in the plot to keep it from being predictable. Each book kept well to the period in which the setting occurs. Although each book was enjoyable, my favorite was A Doctor's Woman, the second story in the book. It appealed to me the most simply because it has a strong, female protagonist who practices medicine alongside a man she comes to love. The book is set at a military post and also has early American Indians as characters. These are some of my favorite elements in a historical novel. The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady (the first story in the book) was my second favorite and was interesting because of the secrets, mystery and elements of danger involved. I enjoyed the characters and their interactions with one another. A House of Secrets was the final story in the book. Although I did enjoy it, it was my least favorite. I didn't really care for the main female character, Amanda, but found her fiance, Joseph to be very interesting. One thing that caused me to not like Amanda as much was her reaction when finding out Joseph's secret. I felt she was a bit shallow in her reaction. I won't give any more details to ruin the story, but she did (sorta) redeem herself in the end. All-in-all, I did enjoy this collection of historical novellas.

Michelle Griep has such a way with her descriptions! And in reading this collection, I realized that she not only uses intriguing metaphors, she often has them tie into the story itself in a unique way.

My favorite story in this collection was The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady. Full of the author's rich language and humorous situations, the story was well-paced. In addition to the romance was a gentleman's dilemma of seeking justice (um, maybe revenge?) or allowing the Lord to be the one to set things to right.

While at the climax of the story I expected Helen to be the one to extract them from their difficulty,, I was not expecting the solution to be what it was!

The Doctor's Woman was the most serious of the stories as Emmy found herself assisting the handsome doctor at the Fort. I was saddened by the attitudes towards the Indians, though not surprised. The adventure here was more a battle over disease and treatment methods. (Dr. James Clark was amusing, being scornful about Emmy's dismissal of such a scientifically proven method as using leeches!)

A House of Secrets paired the insecure Ladies Aide Chairwoman, Amanda, who was trying to prove her worth to her father, with Joseph, an attorney with secrets he feared would cause him to lose the woman he loved. As they both battled the evils of their city, they learned that their secrets could only drive them apart.

I’m so excited to have seen a review for this book which inspired me to pick it up! Jaycee Weaver is a new author for me but you can expect to see more reviews for her here as I plan on reading many more of her books!


I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.

I had an opportunity to read The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady once before and was pleased to find it among this collection. Helen was to travel aboard ship to help her ailing father but got much more than she bargained for. Pirates....and a handsome one at that, set her heart roiling like the sea itself. Things are not always as they seem so this story takes a surprising turn as Helen earns her niche as an intriguing lady. Sometimes a novella can be too short to capture the heart of the story but not so for The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady.


The Doctor's Woman, set in Fort Snelling is a testament of Michelle's talent as a writer of historical fiction set in military outposts in middle America. Harsh conditions tested the mettle of the men who served and the courageous women who joined their husbands far from conventions of society. The story of Emmy and James is one such story, but what sets this novella apart from others is how they came to work together. Their love was not found in ballrooms nor cotillions but among the caring way they cared for the Dakota women and children encamped at Fort Snelling. This is heartwarming and a worthy read for those who enjoy American Historical fiction.


A House of Secrets is a glimpse into the "Gay Nineties" when lovely young ladies belonged to "well intentioned" organizations based on service projects and planned social events to improve the lot of the less fortunate. By and large the members were protected from the unpleasant side of life and followed the norms of decorum of the day. Amanda Carston, new chair for the Ladies Aide Society was not so demure as to sip tea when she had goals to achieve for the annual service project. She meant to start school for the poor and was willing to go to great lengths to achieve her goal.

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Her fiancee was involved with his own project and the timing of his plans nearly collide with hers. As City Attorney, his job was on the line and his investigation of shady characters keeps this story going. This story has seemingly complex characters but Amanda was pretty predictable, albeit sweet. She learned a lot while pursuing her service project, and found out the hard way what a dedicated man Joseph was to her. I enjoyed the way Michelle tied up the tangled web of good intentions and misunderstandings.

If you like historical fiction, I recommend Ladies of Intrigue with 4 stars. I found this collection a good traveling companion on a very long flight.

Three very different stories spanning the 19th century offering quirky characters, romance…and mystery.

Set in Regency England, The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady offers mystery and intrigue coupled with adventure and wrapped in romance. It wasn’t my favorite story in the collection, but I did like it this novella as it offered another side of the Regency era that isn’t often featured in Christian fiction.

Book two, The Doctor’s Woman, was not my favorite. I’m not a huge fan of Civil War fiction, and so I mostly skimmed this story. The characters mostly seemed likeable, but the story just wasn’t my cup of tea.

My favorite story in this collection was A House of Secrets. I loved the characters and the mystery in this story kept me guessing. There was a slightly eerie feeling to the novella that I really liked. I also loved that it was set in late October, further lending to that spooky atmosphere and creating the perfect reading experience.

Another fun and unique set of stories from an author I am quickly coming to love. If you love historical romance with a dash of intrigue and an inspirational message, you’ll want to give this book a try.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Thank you to Barbour Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this delightful collection of romance and intrigue in the 19th century.

Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep has three faith filled historical short stories. Each exciting story is set in a different time period and three very unique ladies. All the stories have a message of how God is present and working in a believer’s life. While this is a collection of short stories I felt all were complete and not too short. I especially liked the second story because of the frontier medicine. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book.

This was a delightfully entertaining collection of three short stories. I have just been starting to get into historical fiction and this book definitely helped keep my interest in this genre. I thoroughly enjoyed all three of these stories and will definitely pick this book back up and do a re-read of it.

Griep's collection of stories will hold your interest from The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady  to The Doctor's Woman and lastly  A House of Secrets.
Beautiful, dramatic settings, engaging characters, with interesting dialog between the characters and each have a lovely ending. There is a spiritual content flowing through each of these as told by a master story teller..........All opinions expressed in this review are my own.  My thanks to Barbour Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this delightful collection of romance and intrigue taking place in the 19th century.

Three Romantic Tales Set in the 19th Century

Each of the three tales is a love story with some mystery. One couple is engaged. The other two have just met, but each couple has a complete story.

The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady pairs Helen, a governess returning to England to care for her pastor father, with Issac, a smuggler. However, the smuggler is also the owner of an estate who has given her father a cottage to live in and the sustenance to care for him in his illness. Helen doesn’t want to hide a lawbreaker, but she is beholden to him for her father’s care.

The Doctor’s Woman brings Emmy Nelson, the daughter of a missionary doctor, into contact with Dr. James Clark, the new doctor at Fort Snelling. During a Dakota uprising the doctor has no one to help him except Emmy. They find a new respect for each other and love.

A House of Secrets features an engaged couple, Amanda and Joseph. Both want to help the poor of the city. Amanda, Ladies Aide Chairman, wants to start a school. Joseph want to help young women escape from prostitution. Although their aims are the same, a secret separates them.

The three stories are delightful romances. I have to admit the first was my favorite probably because of the action. However, the other two are well done with characters you can relate to and well described settings. All three are true to the era. They showcase Christian ideals and the romance is clean and delightful. If you enjoy historical romance, these are good novellas.

I received this book from Barbour Books for this review

Ladies of Intrigue includes three separate stories all set in the 19th Century. I requested the opportunity to read and review this book because I had thoroughly enjoyed previous books by this author. The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady and The Doctor's Woman, the first two stories were fair, but the last story, A House of Secrets, was truly intriguing. It would have been a wonderful plot to have fleshed out into a full-length novel. I was glad to have plugged through the first two stories to reach the third. In this story Amanda Carston struggles for her father's approval before marrying and beginning the next stage of her life. Unfortunately her plans for achieving this goal run counter to the plans her fiance, city attorney Joseph Blake, has for rescuing women from and ultimately closing a local brothel. Keeping a family secret bars him from sharing his efforts with Amanda, something that ultimately has dire consequences.

I would give the first two stories three stars and the final story four. I appreciate receiving a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to write a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

3 short stories of love and women who are strong and have faith in God and turn their life to his guidance. Wholesome tales and you can read rather quickly.

I enjoyed the writing and the stories. If you want a bit of romance that also deals with faith this might be the book for you.

Please Note: This is a previously published and re-packaged novella collection.
This is one of my favorite authors and fortunately I have not read any of these novellas before, so they were a treat for me. Each one is skillfully written so that the length of the novella does not make you feel that you are missing something or that it was too short. Ms. Griep has done an excellent job of her storytelling in small doses. Sometimes it’s just nice to just have a short novella to enjoy. So, dive into the 19th century, and enjoy a few novellas with a hint of mystery!
The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady - Helen Fletcher is dispatched to care for her ailing father who is residing in the parsonage at Seaton Hall. She takes a ship that is not normally a passenger ship, but comes upon smugglers that have boarded the ship upon docking. A shocking rescue ensues and she is carried to safety by one of the smugglers. As she settles into the parsonage, she realizes that she recognizes the rescuer-smuggler. Is he what he seems, or not?
The Doctor’s Woman - Emmaline “Emmy” Nelson is mourning the loss of her missionary doctor father when she is suddenly thrust into the position of assisting the newly arrived Dr. Clark in a surgery. They find themselves working together during the Dakota uprising at Fort Snelling. Could Emmy possibly consider working for the demanding physician, or should she return to genteel society with her Aunt?
A House of Secrets - As Chairwoman of the Ladies’ Aide Society, Amanda Carston is trying to impress the members by taking on the most ramshackle building in town to provide a school for the underprivileged. She is desperately seeking the owner of the property, when she is stonewalled by her own fiancée. She is engaged to city attorney Joseph Blake and is crushed when he refuses to help her find the owner. He has his own motives for this action, but he cannot let her in on his plan due to a certain unscrupulous character in city hall.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. A positive review is not required and all opinions on the book are completely my own.

Michelle Griep has quickly risen to the top of my list of favorite authors. Her stories are romantic, intense, and quickly transport me far away from the mundane. This collection of novellas is no exception, proving that whatever time period or location she’s writing about, or even how long the story is, it will surely be outstanding.

The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady

There is so much packed into this novella that I’m not even sure where to start. The swoony hero, the tenacious heroine who pretends everything is fine in order to make it so, the solid spiritual content, and the love story are all perfect. Lots of great moments in this one, which is impressive given the length.

The Doctor’s Woman

I stand corrected—the hero in this novella is even better than the last. Emmaline is no slouch herself; though not fearless exactly, she takes a stand when it matters, regardless of what it may cost her. I found much to admire and inspire in Emmy. When the two of them are on the page together, sparks fly and those around them benefit from how they drive each other to be the best they possibly can be.

A House of Secrets

I loved how some of these very minor characters are described because it helped to paint a visual picture in my mind; for example, the secretary who either sucked on lemons or the “sourness inside her refused to be kept in.” I also appreciated the tenderness between the main characters, engaged before the beginning of the story, but still learning more about each other through these pages.

Each story has something to make it unique but they are all well-written and riveting. Fans of Griep will not be disappointed, even if they don’t usually read novellas, and those who enjoy historical romance, in general, should not miss this fantastic collection.

I received a review copy of this book from the author and publisher but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.

For readers wanting to sample the writings of a new author or genre, novellas are a wonderful way of doing so. Each story is rich in history, adventure and action plus faith to set the tone. Great for a quick read! Recommended!

A delightful book that holds three different stories of three different women from three different time periods. A treasure to read...and savor. Enjoy three books in one.

I read Ladies of Intrigue and wished that each one was a full-length story! They were all so good! Each one was slightly different but in each the heroine was brave and lovely and in need of a hero. I would recommend this book to anyone!

With acknowledgements of influence and support to other favorite authors like Julie Klassen, MaryLu Tyndall, and recently-added favorite Shannon McNear, Michelle Griep has done it again: Crafted 3 delightful masterpieces to add to my shelf! These stories focus on two main elements: intriguing characters, and the romance that is born and blossoms as a result. The mystery element is not so much part of the genre, except in the question of the character of Isaac in the first story, and an old "haunted" house in the final story. It really has no presence in the middle story.

"The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady" -
OK, the title is a mouthful, and certainly 'intrigues' the reader as to how w have a gentleman who is also a smuggler. And that's the question Helen asks herself! Their first meeting, she is swept off her feet (literally and against her will) by this smuggler who claims to be protecting her...after threatening her first with a gun, and stealing a shipment of cargo. She's come from Ireland to care for her ailing father, and she has always gotten through the tough times by pretending everything is fine. She's determined and capable, and trusts no one. But when her second encounter with this smuggler reveals him to be a gentleman of standing, she flounders to know which person Isaac really is, while finding herself drawn to his kindness and strength. This story is one of heartache mixed with the raw beginnings of hope from ashes.

The conclusion was a bit rushed for me. I felt like the smuggler part of the story-line was never quite resolved. It left off with a hint of assuming everything worked out, but I still questioned some of Isaac's hasty actions and the repercussions. The romance, too, though gradually building through most of the story, ended up feeling crammed hastily in with the chaos of the ending. Because of the ending, I bring this story from 4 stars down to 3.

"The Doctor's Woman" -
Ah, but this one was by far my favorite!--and I'd buy the book for this one alone, even if I hadn't enjoyed the others. I loved everything about it. When I finished, I wanted to go back and read it again. James Clark is the new and temporary doctor at an Army fort in this story, while Emmy is the daughter of the recently deceased and only other doctor of the area. An accident brings Emmy to assist just as James arrives, and they immediately clash with differing ideas of medicine and treatments. But forced to work together through sickness and injury, they pull together to work side-by-side for the needs of many. Admiration and friendship grow to love, built strong through the trials of one long winter. There is tension, humor, and swoon-worthy romance. The build of their relationship is believable and solid, which not many novellas can boast--having less pages to express that journey adequately.

This one completely satisfies from beginning to end. A very enthusiastic, glittering 5 stars.

"A House of Secrets" -
Amanda and Joseph--this story begins with an already-engaged couple both on separate missions, both determined to succeed. Joseph, an attorney, is determined to shut down the city brothels, and Amanda is on a mission that revolves around the mysterious and abandoned Grigg house. She wants more than anything to please her father, and prove herself capable of great things: This means, turning the old house into a school to help the poor. But little does she know that her pursuits into the mystery of the house leads straight into the darkness surrounding her fiancé's past. A past Joseph promised to never reveal--and one he fears will tear the woman he loves most away from him.

Here is a story that mixes mystery with a delicious romantic tension. The reader doesn't get to witness the beginnings of their relationship, or who they are as that relationship grows from first meeting to proposal. But you start to learn who they are in snapshots as they pursue their missions...with a slow-build of thoughts and emotions as they proceed into danger. Another rushed ending, in that the final loose-ends were tied up through brief dialogue explaining what happened well after the fact. 4 stars.

As a combined rating, this book averages out to 4 stars, and one I look forward to displaying on my home library shelf.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book, though containing an interesting plot, was difficult to read as the writing style was so clunky it made it difficult to become engaged in the book or sympathetic with the characters. I'm all for a well placed, sparingly used, metaphor. However, this author added so many metaphors on every page, I could not wade through them without getting pulled out of the story. The imagery used in these overused metaphors causes the reader to stumble in an attempt to visualize such an unlikely comparison.

The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady
Helen’s ship is boarded by smugglers when it docks at her destination. She eventually makes it to where her dad is on his sickbed and the adventures continue with the help of Isaac and his sister. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the story keeps you engaged throughout.
The Doctor’s Woman
Emmy is asked to come help attend an injured man at the Fort, where soon upon arrival she meets Dr Clark, who believes more of book learned medicine, then some of the natural methods she prefers. I enjoyed the interplay between these two as they went about working in situations that came up among the people. Another engaging story.
A House of Secrets
Joseph Blake has a secret he’s keeping from his fiancée Amanda. When she finds out part of it, will she ever forgive him? This one started a little slower for me than the others, but soon grabs on and won’t let go. I enjoyed the main two characters, and their respective best friends. Great conclusion to this 3 novella collection, though all books are separate.
A complimentary copy was provided by Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery by Michelle Griep is a great read especially when you have a short time but want to read some romance and mystery. Pick one of the three stories to read as they are all great. My favorite was The House of Secrets, about rescuing ladies of the night from the cities infamous madame. All the stories offer a wonderful glimpse into the past. Danger, mystery and romance; what could be better. I enjoy Ms. Griep's books and look forward to more by this author.

I received this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

Ladies of Intrigue contains three short stories, each centered on a woman with spirit, determination, and a strong faith at different times in the 1800's.

Although I truly enjoyed each one of these stories, I felt as if each one could have been turned into a full length novel. I didn't want them to end. I wanted them to be developed further and I didn't want to stop reading. Especially the first story, The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady. Wow!

If you are a fan of short stories about intriguing ladies with a splash of Christianity and strong men who do the right thing, this book is for you. As for me, as good as this book was, I think I preferred Michelle Griep's other full length novels. But that's just me. I never want a good book to end.