This is the first book I have read by this author. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was pretty fast-paced with plenty of plot twists, which I like. I liked the characters Maggie and Oliver, so it was easy to root for them. The character, Groat, is very disturbing and there is plenty of good vs. evil in this story. I also like how she brought about the character, Barrow's, reform. This is not a light read, because of the amount of evil portrayed in the book, therefore, I would not say this is a new favorite but I did enjoy reading it and got through it fairly quickly.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this lovely tale of healing, love, and trusting God.
The characters were vibrant and interesting, the romance was adorable, and the plot's pacing was perfect (making it very hard to put the book down at times).
At first, I found that Maggie's POV (first person written in present tense) felt a little bit awkward in this genre, but I got used to it, and by time I was half-way through the book, I didn't even notice it.
I'd recommend this book to fans of Historical Romance, especially with threads of suspense and mystery.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)

The House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep is a gripping page turner that draws the reader into the story and holds on till the end.
The story begins in Dartmoor Prison in 1861 where we find Oliver Ward imprisoned for a crime he insists he did not commit. His next-door cell mate Jarney also insists he is innocent. They are overseen by a prison guard named Barrow who has convinced himself he is doing God’s will by strongly punishing, and severely injuring these whom he believes are beneath himself and deserve God’s wrath meted out through him. They make plans to escape when they can but will they make it and be able to prove their innocence before Barrow tracks them down?
I loved this book. It is filled with intrigue and danger that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is very difficult to put down once you start reading it. There is also a romance but will they live to fulfill their love for each other? I give this book 5 of 5 stars. Michelle never disappoints when it comes to surprising twists and turns and characters that leap off the page. This book is no exception. Wonderfully written and I can’t imagine anyone not loving it.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I was first introduced to Michelle Griep while reading The Daughters of the Mayflower series. Since then I have read many of her books including The Bow Street Runners series and I have yet to be disappointed! The House at the End of the Moor is so aptly titled. Dark and broody this book has a bit of everything: mystery, adventure, romance and a villain so vile you will love to hate him. Vividly descriptive with an intriguing story line, I was pulled back in time and found myself glued to the pages, unsure of where the story would turn next. The romance factor in this novel is not as prevalent as in previous novels but the characters were very likable and I still found myself rooting for their relationship throughout the story. Themes of forgiveness, justice, and redemption are blended seamlessly alongside the message that God is merciful and the One who redeems. If you enjoy reading books by Julie Klassen I think you would enjoy The House at the End of the Moor.

The House at the End of the Moor will be available for purchase from your local or online book retailer April 1, 2020

Thank you Barbour Books and Net Galley for the free advanced reader copy of The House at the End of the Moor. The opinions expressed here are my own.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.

The romance and mystery in this story were what really made it sing. Opera stars are not often featured in Christian fiction, which is a shame, as opera is a fascinating style of voice work. Mrs. Griep’s book perfectly displayed a distraught opera singer in hiding, and I especially enjoyed the moments when Margaret’s voice was put to great use within the story’s plot. Those beautiful moments came at just the right time and were used very well to shove the story forward in exquisite fashion. The mystery surrounding a set of jewels kept my attention throughout, and I was intrigued to learn more about where they came from and how they would be used in the story and to discover who all the various players were. The mystery was played out well and with enough twists to keep me guessing throughout. I applaud the author for perfectly developing this aspect of the story.

A couple of lines tipped into dangerous territory for me. “… As if I am her salvation” and “… he studied his redeemer—for his redeemer she was, in more ways than she could possibly know” lofted humans into the place of the true Redeemer, Jesus Christ. These thoughts of two different characters were never refuted or cleared up with biblical truth, so the reader is left confused by these comments as to where true redemption and salvation come from. Yet, there were other moments when biblical truth (on other themes) was displayed brilliantly, pointing readers to the only Savior who took our place upon the cross a couple thousand years ago. So there were pros and cons to the spiritual aspect of this story, and those lines I mentioned did weigh into my rating of three stars.

What further dragged the rating down was the plethora of expletives, profane phrases, and replacement expletives and expletive phrases. It felt as if I should stuff cotton in my ears to get away from the assault upon my mind, only the words were going in through my eyes instead. The amount of bad language was shocking in a Christian fiction book, and it saddens me to see the genre falling from its previously higher standards. While I realize not all readers will be offended at such use of the English language, personally I found it off-putting, unnecessary, and very distracting from the story.

There was one random moment of breastfeeding by a character who seemed inserted solely for the shock factor, as she left about five seconds after we “see” her with a kid suckling her breast. She never returned nor was mentioned again after that brief cameo, which left me wondering what the point was of inserting her in the first place.

The antagonist was overly creepy and obviously evil. His finale didn’t make sense to me, but that could have been because it seemed too rushed. I would have rather seen him make such a choice about two thirds into the story so there was more time for further development after the decision was made. I appreciate the personal theme for this character, but the way he kept claiming he was working “for God” while completely acting barbarically toward his fellow human beings left me with an awful aftertaste in my mouth and negative chills skittering through me. Honestly, his point-of-view scenes were excruciating to read as he seemed completely psychotic and utterly evil. I’m so glad I wasn’t the writer behind the pen on this character, because I wouldn’t want to spend that much time inside Sebastian Barrows’ evil-minded head. I must say, though, that Mrs. Griep definitely nailed the personality of a psycho with this one. Perhaps my dislike of Mr. Barrows is proof that she’s a master craftswoman when it comes to characterization.

Content: bad language of varying degrees (including profane phrases), alcohol, tobacco, one casual mention of betting

This was a surprisingly good book and my first by Michelle Griep. The description drew my interest and kept it the entire read. The two main characters, Maggie and Oliver were made for each other. They were both willing to open their hearts to hear what the other was saying. There were tense moments between them at first, but faith and trust brought them through.

Oliver surprised Maggie several times with his goodness and desire to help others. That part of his character is what lead one of the villains to go after him and continue to try to ruin him. That goodness is, also, part of what drew Maggie to him.

It is endearing to find out that some of the situations in which a person believes they have been wronged, can be caused by miscommunication and can be corrected.

The House at the End of the Moor has some really dark characters, yet the ending left me with a good feeling. The way in which God and faith are interwoven was appreciated. Some of the ‘darkness’ of one character was a bit deep. I realize it was used to show the depths of his evil, but was a bit much for me. Having shared that, I still enjoyed the book and will look for more by Michelle Griep.

"The House at the End of the Moor" by Michelle Griep is an Historical fiction book. The setting is Dartmoor, England. It is removed and a quiet location on the moors. Maggie Lee is a caring woman. She finds Oliver Ward on the moor. He is almost dead and hurt. She and her housekeeper carry him to their home and care for him. It is most unusual for a woman to care for a man under those terms. She was willing to risk her safety for him. The book has themes of justice, forgiveness, rich vs poor. , The story leaves the reader constantly wondering what is next. The story moves from one suspense scene to the next. There is an analogy of forgiveness with the father and the son at the end of the book. It is very powerful. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. It is very well written and full of suspense. There are lots of cliff hangers in the book. The opinions are my own . I will post my review on netgalley , Goodreads, Amazon, my blog facebook, share with church staff.

Michelle Griep is my go to author when I am looking for a fast paced regency/Victorian romance with a little bit of a gothic feel.
She once again comes up with a very unique plot of a reverse heist to clear the name of someone accused of a crime they didn't commit.
What I liked:
As always her books move along quickly.
I really liked the heist type of story line.

What I didn't get into:
For some reason I didn't connect with either of the main characters.
There wasn't as much romance build up as some of her other books.

For those who want a Victorian era tale, without much romance this may be a book you want to look into. For me it wasn't my favorite from this author

4.5 stars

I was expecting a Victorian drama, but I wasn’t expecting the level of misty Gothic-inspired suspense I found. There was so much atmosphere in this novel that it was addictive and the book was almost impossible to put down. To be honest, I stayed up until 2 am to finish it!

Pretty quickly we discover that the hero has been wrongfully imprisoned, but the heroine may be a criminal too, we discover...what a mess. I found it a bit unlikely that the two would end up in the same spot when he escapes, but of course that’s necessary for the plot. Other than that I found the story entertaining and interesting.

There’s a bit of violence, plus one character that’s super warped, so it may not be for everyone if you don’t like extra creepy villains.

Favorite moments: When Oliver’s father shows up near the end and what all that entails. And the epilogue...

Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

From the very beginning Michelle Griep’s new book, The House at the End of the Moor, grips your attention. I couldn’t help but read and read as the story pulled me in further and further. The characters were so interesting and it was compelling to learn more about them, their fears, and what they were running and hiding from. I loved the expressions of faith and the truths shared. The love story was sweet, clean, and beautiful. And the ending was lovely and full of joy for so many good characters. Great book that I definitely recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.

Justice is not free...someone must pay.

What an incredible book, certainly one you will not put down until you have finished, so be sure you have no other plans for your day! Oliver Ward finds himself in Dartmoor Prison for a crime he did not commit. Figuring the only way out of this situation is to escape and then clear his name, he starts to plan. That is when things start to get very difficult. Maggie Lee is living at the end of the moor incognito, having run away from a promising career for reasons yet to be discovered.

Between danger and intrigue the mystery surrounding these wonderful characters starts to unfold. Will the revenge they seek bring them happiness in the end? As they try to resolve their difficulties they begin to realize that the justice they so earnestly seek must be paid by someone, just as God nailed those injustices on the One who did not deserve it. They must resolve relationships before justice can happen. I loved the growth and change seen in Oliver and also Barrow, the Constable. The author shows that repentance is the key to real change.

This copy was received through Barbour Publishing, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. The comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

Why I was surprised when I couldn't put this book down, I don't know. I have read and enjoyed so many of this authors stories. I love the way Michelle just takes you right into the story from the very first pages. For a short time you can leave your troubles and worries behind. Michelle gives us adventure, mystery, family, faith and a wonderful love story. Not just the one between Maggie Lee and Oliver Ward, but one between father and son and also between two wrongly accused sell mates. I would highly recommend this new book by Michelle Griep, you will not be disappointed. I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

•°o•:*:•.WELL TOLD, BUT DARK.•:*:• o°•

A well told story but with a great deal of darkness.
For me, the darker side of the story is heavy laden and lingering even after resolution. Yes, God is woven throughout, but so is evil. While I realize we live in great darkness every day, I personally prefer stories that do not remind me of that fact so keenly. I am a fan of this author and I did like the two main characters, especially how each one championed the less fortunate.
Set in 1861, England

Favorite Quote: “If we are not faithful in the small things, we will not be found faithful in the large.”

A Rather Heated Quote 😳:
"My own traitorous hand rises to press against his, and I tell myself it is merely to reassure this man who’s been through so much in the past nine months. But that’s a lie. I want to feel his strong fingers, to give in to this foreign desire urging me to know more of him in ways I’ve never experienced."

I received an eCopy from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review with no further compensation or expectation. All opinions expressed are my own.

***Reviews will be posted to AMZN, B&N, BooksAMillion, CBD, Goodreads, Kobo, my blog: BlieJeansAndTeacups.blohspot.com

A great storyline and atmosphere, well written characters and a plot that flows: these elements are what makes this story an engrossing and entertaining read.
I liked this story and I recommended it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Michelle Griep is a masterful wordsmith to be sure, and I was quickly drawn in to this story by the isolated, old house on the moor and the heroine wistfully reading Jane Eyre. However, it seems not much time was spent in that house and the ensuing tale was disappointing. I found myself in a twixt 'tween the two—being bored and wanting to skim—or my heart racing because of the quandary the main characters were in.

The romance fell flat as did my connection with the hero and heroine. I really wanted to love this story as Ms. Griep is one of my fave authors, but unlike many other readers, it just didn't happen for me. The wonderful conclusion rather redeemed the novel, however, with a few twists and turns, and a spiritual thread of love, redemption, and forgiveness.

*I received a copy of this novel by Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.*

I absolutely enjoyed reading 'The House at the End of the Moor' and would rate it as one of my favourite reads this year. This book had me hooked from the first page until the last. In fact, i didn't really want it to end! I seldom write what the story is about as i prefer one to read the book for themselves, but i can highly recommend. I am hoping to read more titles by Michelle Griep.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review which i have voluntarily given.

Michelle Griep enters 2020 with a brand new book full of the things I love--Regency England, romance, and intrigue, to name just a few. Reminiscent of Julie Klassen, especially her latest book Bridge to Belle Island, the story nevertheless stands on its own and made me eager to read or reread more of Michelle's books.

I think the best part of this story was, I never quite knew where it was going to go. For example, Oliver and Maggie lay all their cards on the table pretty early, so to speak. I left myself wondering, "Okay, what are we gonna do for the next 200 pages? Where did all the secrets and intrigue go?" However, Michelle did not disappoint. The House at the End of the Moor isn't heavy on classic plot twists, but the characters make enough unexpected moves that you stay on your toes throughout. Even knowing who the villains were almost from the beginning, I stayed invested, especially since Maggie and Oliver were so often one wrong move away from devastation at the hands of said villains. I love it when villains are defeated despite being on exactly the right track.

Michelle's characters remain as memorable as always, and their motivations are multifaceted and realistic. I especially appreciated the interplay, romantic and otherwise, between our two lead characters. The scene where they banter in the carriage is probably my favorite, but I also love the scene where Maggie meets Oliver's father, the Hawk of Crown Court. I rooted for her as she cajoled Oliver to make amends with his father while examining her own paternal relationship and achieving spiritual growth.

In fact, the spiritual thread in The House at the End of the Moor is the strongest I've seen from Michelle Griep in awhile. Neither Oliver nor Maggie have reason to trust or even acknowledge God, yet they come to find His love for them in a well-paced, organic way. I loved the contrast between our just, yet gracious God and the evil Barrow, who personifies what happens when legalism and self-righteousness are stirred with vengeance and taken to dangerous levels. I hated him...but I loved to hate him. The same is true for Mr. Groat, who even down to his name will inspire revulsion.

The suspenseful, adventurous elements balance well with quiet moments of character growth. For instance, the reason for Oliver's strained relationship with his father broke my heart, but I also loved their late night conversation in the study, so fraught with tension, love, and attempts at love that have not been communicated well. The suspense of Maggie's final performance works beautifully against her realization that she is her own woman and can be free and safe on her terms and God's.

Since I did read an early copy, there are some issues. Spacing is a big one. It often looks like this: ."Then he said..." or, "Yes.I think..." There are also some issues with line spacing, hyphens, and the like that need to be cleaned up, as well as some lettering that is inexplicably bolded or italicized. Otherwise though, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and want to read more like it.

Filled with mystery, intrigue, dastardly characters and romance, The House at the End of the Moor
follows both Maggie and Oliver in their search for truth and freedom from their past.

Both innocent, their paths entwine to discover the truth behind Oliver's incarceration and Maggie's forced disappearance from society.

The House at the End of the Moor is a truly enjoyable read with well-developed characters and plot.

Delightful read!
Michelle Griep's writing ability takes you on a little vacation to another time, another place.
The main characters in this book have integrity and as they experience several challenging situations they listen to the whisper of the Holy Spirit to guide them and thus change them from the inside out. It not only changes them but has a ripple effect on the lives of others.
I enjoyed the story line and the intrigue that surrounded how Oliver came to need refuge and who is Maggie and why is she living almost alone at the end of the moor?

Lovely historical romance. Well-written, but I am not a fan of the writing style execution. The language used is not as "poetic" as it could be and the story, after the first half, had a strange flow. It became stilted and stiff for a few chapters before getting back to normal. The end, where all "Christy" award authors decide to write "the sermon" is platitudinal (my word). It strikes as false when it's plopped into the book at the end. The reader understood that the father & son made amends, or the bad guy became a good guy, without the Bible wrap-up. Except for a few glitches, good story. Liked the premise.