Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep contains three 19th century romance novellas. The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady takes us to the Cornish Coast in 1815. Helen Fletcher is rushing to Cornwall from Ireland to be by her ill father’s side. As Helen is preparing to depart the ship, a band of renegades’ attack and liberate a shipment of gunpowder. When Helen meets her father’s patron, Isaac Seaton, she is shocked when she is recognizes him as one of the smugglers. Seaton likes Helen’s fiery spirit, but he is afraid she will reveal his secret to the revenue man. Can Seaton persuade Helen to remain silent?

The Doctor’s Woman has readers journeying to Dakota Territory in November of 1862. Dr. Edrith Nelson has passed away and his daughter, Emmy is preparing to leave town when soldiers need assistance with a patient. Dr. James Clark is the new physician at Fort Snelling and, with the recent influx of Native Americans needing medical aide, can use a qualified assistant like Emmy. Emmy agrees to stay and soon clashes with Dr. Clark on their different treatment methods. Can they find a way to work together and where will it lead?

A House of Secrets takes us back to October 1890 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Amanda Carson is the chairwoman of the local Ladies Aide Society and has come up with a new project for their group. She wants to transform the dilapidated Grigg house into a school for the impoverished. Amanda’s search for the owner is met with resistance. She is unaware that her fiancé and city attorney, Joseph Blake uses the home as a safe house for woman who wish to escape from prostitution. If Joseph can just get Amanda to wait a couple of weeks, he will no longer have need of the home. Amanda, though, is a determined woman when she is on a mission. Joseph’s secret could cost him the woman he loves.

Ladies of Intrigue contains three Christian romance stories set in the 1800s. I like the three different locales and the couples in the stories. It is nice to watch the couples learn to trust each other, overcome their differences and fall in love. I thought Ladies of Intrigue was well-written with steady pacing. I did feel that The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady needed more fleshing out. The ending felt incomplete. There are smugglers, soldiers, a dedicated doctor, sick Native Americans, a haunted house, corrupt men, romance, society ladies and much more in Ladies of Intrigue. I enjoyed these three sweet romantic stories with Christian values. If you are looking for a diverting nineteenth century romantic tales, then pick up Ladies of Intrigue.

Michelle Griep amazed me as she portrayed such an amazing show of opposites attracting in her three amazing stories in one complete novel! In The Gentleman Smugglers Lady novel, in 1815, the governess is so proper nd home to assist her very sick father while she is astounded by her attraction to a smuggler who is her opposite in so many ways.

In 1862, Dr. James Clark and Emmy Nelson definitely do not see eye to eye as she goes to assist and learn from Dr. Clark, a city Doctor who is so different from what she's used to, a compassionate, caring person like her dad who is a missionary doctor. She learns a lot from Dr Clark, more than she thought she ever would.

Then there is Amanda Carston, who has her work cut out for her with the shabby housing situations in St. Paul in 1890. She sees that there is lots to clean up and what she starts off with is a well kept secret, a brothel that her beau has secretly been assisting with, women who didn't have any other means of survival and had to come to stay in this painstakingly horrendous house. She has to overcome a lot of her prejudgments but also see that there is a lot of compassion and care if she looks beyond the surface. She is these ladies last hope before they have to deal with a menacing head leader who is a lady worse than any man they've been forced to deal with.

These three tales are amazingly tied into each other as they show people having to overcome their assumptions about others . It just happens to be that they are the opposite gender in this book. What an amazing way to show how to overcome oneself and the author did it very well. I gave an honest review in exchange for this novel of three great tales! This novel gets 5 stars but wish more could be given for this great read!! It's a must-read! Can truth and love prevail when opposites collide?

This volume contains three different stories, each featuring strong women. From the title, I expected suspense, as in other novels I’ve read by the author. However, that’s not the case for all three of these. Yet, the ladies are intriguing and captivate the readers’ interest. The first novella does fit the suspense category. Set in England about 200 years ago, a gentlewoman meets a smuggler as she travels home to care for her ailing father. Yet he is not exactly what he seems. Their tale offers a rollicking ride. The second is quite different—jumping to the American frontier in the mid-nineteenth century. A doctor’s daughter ventures to a fort and finds herself assisting with medical procedures there. Could she find a fulfilling life as a doctor’s wife serving both Indians and soldiers rather than going back to the cultured East? The final entry, set in 1890, does contain suspense—surrounding a deteriorating house, which may come between a woman and her fiancé. All the characters are strong and compelling, as are their stories. Enjoy uncovering the secrets. (Don’t read back cover copy since it reveals too much!) I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this novella collection and this cover is so stunning!  Each novella had a different time period and setting which really made each story stand apart.  They all had great characters and compelling plots.  The romance in each of theses stories was really prominent, which was great!  I really enjoyed the variety that this novella collection offers to a historical romance fan!  I would definitely recommend this novella collection to readers who love leading ladies and romance!

Whether through full-length novel or shorter novella format, Michelle Griep consistently delivers a highly entertaining read. All three stories in Ladies of Intrigue, previously published in other collections, are now easily enjoyed under one cover – also perfect for new readers. Although I try not to miss any of Griep’s writing, all three stories were new to me.

From England’s ruggedly beautiful Cornwall coast in 1815, to the Dakota Territories during the Civil War era, and then to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1890, each story features strong lead characters dealing with situations during a troubled time. The characters are fleshed out remarkably well for a novella, romantic chemistry feels real (this is Griep after all, right?), and the storylines pulled me right into the era. But my favorite part was delving into the historical detail of each story and the way the characters responded to their individual situations.

Griep gently weaves spiritual themes and insight into these stories, all reflecting on timeless themes, such as questioning why bad things happen and the need to simply trust in God’s provision and guidance. I couldn’t pick a favorite, for each story is different and moving. Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is such a great set of books. The women are so strong and loving. They know what they want and go for it. They are very unselfish and live to help others. The men they love are very protective and faithful. I totally recommend this box set.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book from Netgalley.

I  just finished reading Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep and here are the reasons why this novella is intriguing. 
It has interesting historical settings and details. Each of the three stories deals with some intriguing aspect of history, whether it be smuggling in England, doctoring in the Dakotah Territory, or government issues in St. Paul. While short in length, each story is packed with many fascinating details.
It has fun characters. While, the characters could be developed more if they had a longer story, you still feel as though you get to know them even with the brevity of the time spent with them.
It has some light mystery involved or "dash of mystery" as the subtitle states.  While not enough mystery to actually fit under the mystery genre, the mysteries that are involved add just a touch of adventure and makes you want to keep reading to find out the conclusions of each story.
Who would I recommend this book for? I would recommend it for someone who wants stories that while short are interesting, and for someone who just wants a little mystery but mostly historical romance. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Michelle Griep is one of my favorite authors. I love the way she weaves words together that draw me in so quickly and make me feel like part of the story. Each of these stories are novella length but felt well developed and full. I loved them all but I think that The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady might be my favorite. Helen and Issac's first meet was fantastic. It makes me smile just thinking about it.

You honestly cannot go wrong with this book. Read them all at once, or one at a time. Either way you will find a bit of happy for your day.

Content: mild peril, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I mistakenly downloaded this book not realizing it was 3 novellas. While I prefer a full length novel I found myself enjoying this gem. Each story was enjoyable with enough plot to make it interesting and as always the bit of romance adds to the story. Along with good editing and writing the book was a pleasant surprise.

As soon as I heard about Michelle Griep’s “Ladies of Intrigue”, I was drawn in, and I jumped at the chance to review it. Three stories from the nineteenth century, tinged with mystery? Sign me up! Despite the brevity of the stories, each one had a twisting denouement and a swift but satisfying conclusion. They could all have easily been novel-length, but as it was, the rapid pace assured that there was no lagging to the plot. “The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady”, set on the Cornish coast in 1815, reminded me of Abigail Wilson’s “In the Shadow of Croft Towers”, so readers of this short story may enjoy that novel and vice versa. From there Griep takes us to 1862 Minnesota in “The Doctor’s Lady”, which was the least mysterious of the three but full of other conflict, including that between the Indians and the United States during the Sioux Uprising and the dangers of being a single woman during that time. My favorite, however, was “A House of Secrets”, which differed from the previous two stories in both title format and writing style. This last tale was written more poetically and featured characters from the upper class in Minnesota in 1890, and it held the most secrets. Each narrative focused on the characters’ need to trust and rely on God and His provision. It was interesting to trace how women’s roles and societal expectations changed over the decades through the timeline arc of this collection. Historical fiction and romance fans will enjoy these stories, which combine love, the conventions of the past, and the necessity of faith—both then and now.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and CelebrateLit and was under no obligation to post a review.

Ladies of Intrigue is a collection of three well written historical stories. I kept saying this one is my favorite, but then the next one would be even better. Each story featured a romance with endearing characters. I loved the spunk each lady showed. Each one had determination that was a feature their prospective husbands admired in them. This is a nice collection that all lovers of historical fiction will enjoy. I will say that The Doctor's Woman stood out as one of the best stories I have read in a long time. The other two were close seconds.


I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest feedback.

I absolutely adored ALL of the stories in this set. You simply can’t go wrong with this clean, wholesome collection. These stories are packed with likable, interesting characters, romance, intrigue, mystery and suspense. Every single story is guaranteed to pique your interest and warm your heart.

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley & Barbour Publishing, Inc. / Barbour Books in order to read and provide a voluntary and honest review, should I choose to do so.

#LadiesOfIntrigue #NetGalley

Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep is a lovely, light read with three heavy messages of love, hope, and faith.
Each story is driven by romance, but there is also enough mystery or adventure to keep you turning pages and hoping that the characters open their hearts and their eyes to each other before something else goes wrong.
And I appreciated how each story’s character arc brought both the women and the men closer to God through their own stubbornness or willfulness or mistakes. It was a great reminder that God uses everything for the good of those who love Him.
If you’re looking for a read that is inspirational and charming, grab a copy of Ladies of Intrigue.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own!

I don't know why I didn't realize this was a small collection of short stories. Perhaps I missed the description. Loved the title! The first story had real promise, but the language the author used to describe the feelings of the characters (especially the main male character) was a real turn-off for me. I am not into any kind of sensual descriptions, and several places in the story were overboard for me. I did like the storyline, though felt it ended a bit abruptly. If this storyline was taken and fleshed out it would make an excellent book. The second story I just couldn't get into, probably knowing it was a short story, and not wanting to get invested in characters I wouldn't be spending much time with. I stopped reading and honestly can't remember what the second story was even about. I liked the author's style, apart from the sensual language. I might look for other books by her.

Michelle Griep has penned three engaging novellas in Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery. These are all previously published novellas that have been compiled in one collection. In the last year or so, Ms. Griep has become one of my favorite authors, so I was thrilled to read some of her earlier work. In my humble opinion, it is more difficult for an author to excel at world building and character development in the shorter length stories, but I find that Michelle Griep is a master storyteller regardless of length of story or historical setting.

These stories are united by a common theme of secrets or intrigue. With danger, hidden secrets, noble causes and sweet romance, each story has a strong faith element that embodies Griep's writings. I love that she gives her readers heroines with grit, who are willing to escape the confines of society's expectations for women, sometimes placing themselves in unsavory environments in order to help others.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley and the author/publisher through CelebrateLit. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Three most enjoyable stories in one cover - what a lovely way to spend an afternoon!
Set in the early 1800's, we start out in a port village in Cornwall, England. I must admit that the idea of a gentleman smuggler brought several pictures to mind, most of which were quite correct. That coupled with a staid governess and a most interesting story emerges.
A doctor with a great deal of book knowledge arrives at Fort Snelling in Minnesota. How will he fare with frontier medicine, especially when dealing with the beautiful protege of a frontier doctor? Combine that with an epidemic and native cures to indulge in a tale that ends quite unexpectedly.
Mysteries always make for a good story....at least if you are the one knowing the secret behind it. A land title, a school for underprivileged children and a boiler explosion bring plenty of questions to this storyline.
I received this lovely anthology through Barbour Publishing, Netgalley and CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own.

I prefer full-length novels, but every once in a while it’s nice to pick up short reads (novellas) where I’m not staying up late, forcing my eyes open, to finish one more page or chapter. Ladies of Intrigue is comprised of three easy to read novellas, each of which can be read in one sitting.

I’ve read some of Michelle Griep’s previous books, so I knew I’d enjoy her writing style and voice. From the title of this one, I expected a bit more suspense, but I still enjoyed each novella.

The Gentleman Struggler’s Lady tells the story of an unlikely pair. I enjoyed the whirl of emotions and unexpected turns. I also like the contrast of loss and new beginnings.

The Doctor’s Woman is my favorite of the three stories. Emmy and James are interesting characters and the progression of their relationship is believable. I especially liked the medical knowledge Emmy gained during a period of time it wasn’t conventional.

A House of Secrets as you can guess from the title, contained the most mystery. Ugh…now I’m thinking this one might be my favorite of the three. Amanda has a good heart and I loved the romantic elements.

It’s difficult to give three stories a single rating. Although the first novella didn’t fully pull me in (3 stars) the others did (4 stars.)


Author: Michelle Griep
Publisher: Barbour
Pages: 288
Opening Line (Story 1): Recreasing a worn scrap of foolscap, Helen Fletcher tucked the paper into her valise, then snapped shut the clasp, wishing most of all she’d never received such horrid news.
I received a review copy of this book and was under no obligation to post a review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Book Summary (Amazon):
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.

My thoughts...If you like picking up a book that you can read in a day, pick up a novella. This book is a collection of 3 novellas, and only took me a few days of leisurely reading to complete. Each story was a little different, with "The Doctor's Woman" being completely different as it is set in the western US. The other two novellas were set in England.
Michelle Griep's full length novels are typically filled with exciting plot twists, romantic tension, and a nicely paced story line that will keep you reading from beginning to end. This novella collection is like three miniature versions of that. I personally liked "The Doctor's Woman" more than the other two because i enjoyed the characters and plot line a little more. The western setting is one I'm partial to as well, so I was quickly turning pages to see what would happen next. As with the nature of all novellas, you don't get all of the detail and the romantic aspect is usually sped up a bit. While there are times that I do like the long building up of tension, every so often it's nice to see things move along a little faster!

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley in order to give an honest review, which I did.**

Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Michelle Griep offers her readers three novellas that span the 19th century and include lovely settings for all three stories that will have readers wishing each story was just a bit longer.

I was interested to see how this book would be, given the inclusion of three short stories within the covers. I’m pleased to say that I really enjoyed each book separately but wished they were each slightly longer, mainly to get more background information for the characters. I would definitely say that the first story, The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady, was my favorite given it setting and subject. Helen Fletcher has come to the Cornish coast to spend time with her ailing father. But a feud between a young business man and his former employer lead to the boarding of the vessel that brings her to Cornwall. Little realizing that the handsome smuggler is her father’s benefactor, Helen is shocked when she finds out just who Isaac Seaton really is. Struggling to reconcile the two sides of this man, Helen determines not to lose her heart unless Isaac proves his reasons for smuggling are not for selfish gain. Isaac is challenged by this kind but feisty young woman’s words and faith. He will have to determine if his smuggling reasons still matter or if there is a better way to help others out. I love the British Isles and stories set there always seem to be well done. And while it was a bit hard at first to connect with the characters, I loved the action and adventure throughout the story. And the spiritual side of things was nicely done without feeling forced or annoying. The second story was really good too, with its setting in the Dakota territory. Emmy Nelson has served Fort Snelling and the surrounding communities alongside her missionary doctor father for many years, albeit without formal training as a nurse. Her more natural methods which include some Indian medicine cause a clash between her and the new doctor at the fort. But despite a bad initial meeting, Dr James Clark recognizes Emmy’s skill and her heart to help others. Requesting that she remain at the fort as his aide means spending more time with her, and leads to a good friendship and possibly more. But James will have to decide if he still wants to return to the city or if God has called him to a greater purpose than he ever dreamed. And Emmy will have the chance to fulfill her dream of ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of those in the Dakota Territory. I enjoyed this story and felt it was the most complete of the three, even though it wasn’t my favorite one. The dialogue was good and the pacing of the story was excellent. I also liked how both main characters learned lessons and grew spiritually in a realistic manner. The third story was my least favorite because it felt the most incomplete. Amanda Carston is trying to earn respect from her friends and her father and so sets out to make a difference in the lives of the poverty stricken. Knowing there are many in the city who cannot afford to educate their children, Amanda hopes to turn a dilapidated former mansion into a school for the poor. The only problem is that she cannot discover the deed holder nor can she find anyone else who knows. Joseph Blake is Amanda’s longtime friend, new beau and the secret owner of the ramshackle mansion Amanda wants to buy. Joseph works alongside a minister to help “soiled doves” escape their terrible line of work and the mansion is key to helping these women. Hoping to find a way to shut down the largest brothel in St. Paul, Joseph keeps his secret until doing so puts Amanda in danger from an evil man. Working together will require trust and forgiveness that both Joseph and Amanda must discover for the other. So, the plot is good but the actual telling of it just seemed too rushed for my taste. I did like the outcome and the characters but would have like a little more page time for the story to play out. The spiritual side of this story was also a little lacking and could have used a bit more bite. Overall, I enjoyed these stories and will certainly recommend them to others. I’m very pleased that Ms. Griep improved her writing as compared to her last book. I’m looking forward to the next work that Ms. Griep releases.

I received this E-book free of charge from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady was my favorite of the three. While all three stories were wonderful, Helen and Isaac stole my heart from chapter one. Their initial meeting was quite possibly my favorite of all time. Two things I noticed in common between the three books: grief and learning to actively trust in God. The grief was a bit more subtle in A House of Secrets but still there, in my opinion. 

It can be difficult to give your life over to God, to trust in Him despite your circumstances, but when done, it is a most treasured blessing.

As I've come to expect from Michelle Griep, the writing was poetic with a vivid clarity for detail. I love living vicariously through characters, and the adventure in Ladies of Intrigue met that need with equal parts adventure and romance. Strong female characters made better by the love and protectiveness of the men God placed in their lives made Ladies of Intrigue an absolute pleasure to read. Their growing faith in God gave the characters depth and humility as they learned to navigate a course not of their choosing but of God's.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley. I was not required to leave a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.