Maggie Lee is determined to stay hidden in her house at the end of the moor until escaped convict Oliver Ward comes crashing into her life. As Maggie conceals Oliver from a cruel and vindictive lawman, they both come to realize that Oliver's unjust conviction for jewel theft and Maggie's sudden flight from London are inextricably connected. Together, they decide to return to the metropolis and break free from the shackles that bind them. If they succeed, Maggie will be able to sing her arias without fear and Oliver will be able to find his way into Parliament once again. But when a powerful politician puts all his resources into overthrowing their plan, Oliver ruefully realizes that he must turn for help to the one man he never wanted to see again...his estranged father.

This quick read was filled with adventure, mystery, romance, and faith. Maggie and Oliver are bound together by circumstance, but will they give in to suspicion and fear or will they allow trust to build between them? The sadistic villain (who is given his own point of view in some sections) was a little bit over the top, but the plot surrounding the stolen jewels, paste replicas, and fraudulent insurance claims was an interesting one. All in all, this was a pleasant read and quite in keeping with Michelle Griep's other novels set in England. If you enjoyed Griep's Bow Street Runner series (beginning with Brentwood's Ward), you'll enjoy this one as well.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Open Your Heart

This book was a great read. It caught my interest from the start and just got better the farther on I read. An Opera singer hiding in a house on the moors, an escaped convict, a missing ruby necklace, a corrupt politician, an unethical theater manager, a famous Lawyer and a constable with a mean streak all come together to make for an engaging tale in the English countryside and the city of Bath.

The author has done a great job with this book it is well written and engaging. Mr. Barrows the constable kind of reminded me of the Coyote in the Roadrunner cartoon. He would get so close to catching his prey than something would happen to him and the criminal would escape again. He was the character you loved to hate. Quite a frustrating man and a bit comical. I loved that he finally found that God was the answer.

I was so happy to see that Oliver finally reconciles with his father when Oliver stopped wrestling with his faith and let God take over. It was sad that Maggie lost her father but the romance between Oliver and Maggie was heartwarming.

The book is a gem to read, inspirational and engaging. I would definitely recommend it.

Thanks to Michelle Griep, Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advance copy of the book.

The characters of Oliver and Daisy Lee/Maggie works well, others you wanted to really dislike. There is a lot to like in this book. There were moments that were very interesting, even suspenseful with many twists and turns and a few surprises. The author has done a lot of research prior to writing this book, I liked the history and the Christian view point. But there were also stretches where the story dragged on and on. All and all it is a good book. I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in return for my honest review. Thank you.

The synopsis hints at a little bit of mystery for Michelle Griep's latest novel, The House at the End of the Moor. It does have a mystery. I enjoy the writing. Griep is wonderful at using her descriptions and crafting unique characters that carry readers through the story. The plot was a little different from any previous Regency novels. I enjoyed that idea. The romance wasn't really a leadng factor in the story. In fact, not that important that when they married at the end of the novel, I felt cheatened. The hero and heroine really didn't have feelings for each other throughout the whole novel. They may have said something about each other toward the end, but the majority of the story, they were most focused on returning to a normal life without having to look over their backs for someone to bring them harm. Overall, The House at the End of the Moor is a mystery wrapped in a Regency novel. While the plot was fine and held my attention, the romance was unbelievable. If readers enjoy Griep's other stories, Julie Klassen, or Sarah E. Ladd, then this might be a novel right up their alley.

I received a complimentary copy of The House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep from Barbour Publishing, through Celebrate Lit tours, but the opinions stated are all my own.

To be perfectly honest, I had never heard of this book or author until it popped up on Netgalley. I am extremely glad that it did. I will def read more by this author. Michelle Griep rights a romance that is both compelling and completely different from any other I have read before. A convict set free. A hidden bird let loose. A villain questioning his motives. (This was prob my fav part of the book. How many times does a villain turn good!!)
Would def recommend.

A thrilling Victorian era adventure across the moors of England! A Good Samaritan act puts a young woman in peril, binding the two main characters in a plan to bring justice down on those who have wronged them.
This well written tale has it all--action, treachery, inspiration, and romance--with colorful characters worthy of a Dickens novel. It felt like reading a fast paced classic, reminiscent of The Count of Monte Cristo or Les Miserables, but with a unique plot of its own. The theme of justice is at the center of the story, both on a personal level and in society. Both main characters have reasons to be angry at the injustice done to them, setting up a perfect scenario to seek revenge or choose forgiveness.
"...righteousness belongs to God alone. It will not be found at the hand of man."
There are some powerful moments of surrender, redemption and reconciliation. It was quite moving at times. It reminded me of Psalm 73 where the writer despairs until he realizes that God has not abandoned him and that He will bring justice in the end. Hope for failed relationships and trusting God to help in times of need also added inspiration to the story. The ending included a perfect wrap up and left me in a bit of a book hangover--the sign of a great story.

Recommend to readers who enjoy historical Christian fiction with action, adventure, inspiration and a bit of romance. (A warning for tender readers--there is some violence, associated mainly with the prison and a ruthless guard--but not overly detailed.)

This book hooks you on the first page and doesn’t let go! It is full of action, adventure, drama, mystery and romance. It’s a book that you don’t want to end but you just have to know what happens next. Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

What a wonderful and at times suspenseful book! I love the main characters and can relate to them on so many different levels. This is a creative work of art woven together into a love story that you don't expect. I loved the twists and turns and the little surprises hidden throughout this book. Wonderfully written, smooth flowing story line and believable characters.

I was captivated by this compelling story from the gloomy beginning to the sunny ending! The first thing I noticed about The House at the End of the Moor is that it is written from two points of view—first person present tense for Maggie and third person past tense for Oliver. I thought this might be problematic for me since I prefer stories written in third person past tense only; however, Ms. Griep’s skillful crafting of this narrative makes it work for me! The story flows with many twists and turns and builds to a very satisfying conclusion. The characters are well-developed and engaging. To whatever Victorian England setting the adventure takes you—the infamous Dartmoor Prison, the desolate English moor, the filthy slums of Bath, the opulent Ward Manor—you will find vivid, detailed imagery that elicits the sights, sounds, and smells of the locale. As in all of Ms. Griep’s books, spiritual truths are consistently and effectively conveyed. I highly recommend this book!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley but was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep is a gripping journey from despair and hopelessness to redemption and forgiveness.

The author presents an exciting cast of characters with Oliver, who is an escaped convict. And Maggie, who has shut herself away from society to escape her past. Both find their lives inextricably bound together in a surprising way.

Another character who I loved to hate was Sebastian Barrows, a constable at Dartmoor Prison. Believing himself to be doing God's work and trying to atone for his own sins, he was brutal and unrelenting in his quest to unleash "God's justice" on those in his care. His journey to God, along with Oliver and Maggie's journey to forgiveness and redemption, makes this a book worth reading.

With danger, mysteries and, of course, a growing love story, the House at the End of the Moor presents forgiveness, redemption and mercy in an emotional tale that surprises at every turn of the page.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Barbour Publishing through Netgalley.

Wow, what a ride this one was!

I love Michelle Griep's writing and the imagery in the first chapter alone blew me away! And then to see that the male main character has a 3rd person/past tense POV and the female main character has 1st person/present tense—double wow!

The setting is decidedly Gothic, what with the moors, the theme, and the villains. Oliver's situation in the opening chapter is heart wrenching, and Maggie is hiding a secret, and is in fear of being discovered. When their lives collide, we know something spectacular will result from it.

Oliver has been wrongly accused and incarcerated in the worst conditions. His gaoler is a cruel religious fanatic who delights in inflicting pain. When the opportunity presents itself for Ryan to escape, he takes it and ends up wounded in the moors.

When Maggie's maid finds him, Maggie decides to nurse him back to health, even at the peril of being discovered. Despite knowing he's an escaped convict, she doesn't feel threatened and eventually, Maggie and Oliver make a plan to travel to Bath to clear his name and return the jewels.

All the while, the constable is after Oliver and Maggie's former manager wants her back, and these are not good men.

The historical, social, and geographical setting are so well depicted, but didn't feel intrusive on the main plot.

It's Maggie and Oliver and the way their relationship develops that make the story shine. And how it shines! Highly recommend!

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I thought this would be a book of historical suspense, Instead, it seemed to be a rather pompous and preachy story. It had a lot of self-righteous justifications from villains. and characters offering effusive and improbable forgiveness. The settings are done well and create a gothic atmosphere. I just whish it all didn't seem so overdone.. It is written with different characters narrating sections, all in the present tense. That style prevented me from investing much in the protaganists and made the story seem choppy..

IN Michelle Griep's The House at the End of the Moor, readers join main characters Margaret and Oliver on a suspenseful adventure for truth. "Maggie" has something to hide, but things with Oliver are not what they seem, either. Thrown together in a race against time to prove their innocence and return some jewels to the rightful owner, Maggie and Oliver face varied antagonists and challenges along the way. A period novel, The House at the End of the Moor is delightful and enjoyable even while it shows the sinister side of culture and money--and at the same time gives a true historical picture of Dartmoor Prison, parliament, life for slum-dwellers, and high society.

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review.

The House at the End of the Moore is another enjoyable read by Griep. She is a talented author who masters the era with historic detail. The story had action, mystery and romance with characters you love. And some not as much. I enjoyed the story and as always will be looking forward to the author's next novel.

In this cleverly written novel, Maggie Lee, stage name Daisy Lee, who briefly hides using the moniker Mrs. Margaret Dosett, joins forces with wrongly convicted Oliver Wade to clear his name and bring to justice the true criminal.

Told in two points of view, one third person, the other first person present, this tale features complex characters and has a distinct gothic undertone.

I found Sebastian Barrow particularly fascinating. His twisted interpretation of Scripture and skewed sense of justice is downright creepy. His fate near the end completely surprised me.

As always, Griep's prose is crisp and evocative. While I have frequently come across the subject matter of poverty in Victorian London, here it's depicted in gritty reality in Bath.

If you're looking for rainbows and unicorns, you will not find them here. Forgiveness is an important theme.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this wonderful novel.

The beginning of this book grabbed my attention immediately. At first I wondered if this was going to be more of a thriller than a cozy mystery! The authors descriptions of the area and events had me guessing!
There was not only a great story unfolding before me, but I learned about the geography and history as well. The House at the End of the Moor contained all the good stuff you want in a book.

I may sound presumptuous in saying this, but this might just be my favourite book of 2020. Yes, this is only my second book of the year so far. But it is that good. Mystery, intrigue, suspense, romance, faith, history. This book has it all. From the very first chapter, I didn’t want to put this book down. The characters are so well thought out. The plot maintains your interest throughout, and comes to a satisfying ending. I can’t recommend this book enough. Will be reading more from Michelle Griep.

This book has a great storyline with memorable characters! It pulls you in from the beginning and has a little bit of everything, action, mystery, and romance.

The House at the End of the Moor is a lovely little story about a girl, Maggie, who had been an opera star, but had to go into hiding. A rough looking man is found on her property, Oliver, who has escaped from prison. She takes cf him until one day, while hiding from the warden, he discovers the very necklace he was sentenced for stealing. They decide to journey together to Bath, and the story get more intriguing. This book kept me turning pages until the end. Very enjoyable story!

Michelle Griep has given us another fascinating English tale! Never one to shy away from the good, ugly, or bad, Michelle will have you feeling immediate sympathy for Oliver, enduring a hellish existence in a gaol.
Meet Maggie, hiding out from her past. Living in a house at the end of the Moor, she takes in a man near death.
Hounded by the past and injustice of the courts, Oliver and Maggie take great risks to see that justice is done.
The story carries a strong gospel message. Forgiveness is a theme throughout the story, but I'm thankful that it is noted that forgiveness does not demand forgetting or denying what has happened in ones past.
The story is well written with plenty of unexpected twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages!