A beautifully written Christian Fiction take on the Dracula legend replete with a mysterious nobleman who cannot suffer the sun, an innocent if headstrong young librarian who falls under his sway, a steadfast if aged servant, and a town fueled by superstition and a ready flame. Add a creepy mansion, stormy weather, and a woman dying of madness, and the gothic tone is firmly set. The story progresses with enough suspense to keep any reader happy while coming together at the end in a way that lets the characters share in the joy. I particularly liked the way the author wove Bram Stoker and his novel into the plot and her attention to the local history of Whitby. Well done, Michelle Griep!

Highly recommended for Christian Fiction readers and for general readers who are open to Christian perspective and content.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. It's my favorite of Griep's books. It was fun seeing Bram Stoker write a book even as rumors swirled around James Morgan potentially being a vampire. I loved Rosa's heart. She longed for the poor to be educated and to be able to move past superstitious fears. She was a faithful friend to James when he had none. I loved seeing how her compassion and caring affected James who had never known kindness or affection.

The book hooked my interest right from the start and never let up. It was a great, fascinating read and I'd highly recommend it. Thank you to Barbour Fiction for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this review. I have heard wonderful things about Michelle Griep’s books, but had never read one before. I was expecting it to be a good story, but I was blown away with this book. It is beyond good. It is an amazing, captivating, romantic, mysterious gothic-style story that you won’t want to put down.

I don’t know how she did it, but Michelle made me feel like I was in England. I could see and feel the fog and the smell of the water.

Rosa is a librarian who does not hold to superstitious beliefs, like many of the people in town. In fact, she wants to help them be more educated and not hold onto these wayward thoughts.

James, a very mysterious man, returns to his estate in England to take care of important matters, but his timing could not be worse. When bad things start happening, the superstitious townsfolk are quick to blame this peculiar man.

Rosa tries to befriend James and he tries to keep her at arms length.

I love how Rosa doesn’t just agree with what everyone else says. She truly wants to get to know James and form her own opinions of him.


Things I loved:
Dual POV
Gothic feel
Amazing chemistry
Rosa’s desire to help
Nod to Bram Stoker
Historical romance
The first kiss (swoon)

This is such a beautiful story of friendship, understanding, and acceptance. Both characters could have turned out differently. Rosa could have let others impact her thoughts of James without ever bothering to get to know him. James could have let his childhood turn him into an unkind and cruel person, yet he chooses time and time again to put others first.

I will definitely be reading more of Michelle Grieps
books!

Thank you @netgalley for a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh my! I love myself a good Victorian era gothic story and Michelle Griep delivered! This series, Of Monsters and Men, have featured two of my favorite classic novels and I've loved watching how the author weaves history of Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley into these stories. It's deliciously captivating!

From the beginning the tone is set to create the gothic feel and what the title denotes...Shadow and Mist. There is a lot of unknown from the villagers and townspeople and the way they feed off of the atmosphere of the weather, the mysterious deaths of animals and their fear keeps them a little ignorant and suspecting. And unfortunately, Sir James Morgan has a family history that doesn't shed too kindly a light on him or his past, or his future.

The first meeting of James and Rosa was wonderful! The mystery surrounding this large man in the swirling mist and shadows only brings Rosa a greater desire to come to know him and his kindness.

I loved the beauty and the beast vibes going on throughout the story! And I really liked how Rosa worked hard to help those around her become more educated and aware and less ignorant and casting judgement on things they don't know and understand. Rosa is definitely a fabulous heroine who wasn't going to let anyone else tell her what she should do in her story! I loved her spunk and goodness and desire to help everyone.

Great themes of hope and forgiveness and understanding and love!

Content: Clean. This is a christian fiction and the characters do think about God and how they can draw closer to Him as well as being like Him in serving and caring for others. This book deals with some sickness/disease and death. It was very well written and one I would share with my teenagers.

I received a copy from the publisher, Barbour Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

WOW!! What a great read! This book hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go! It's a love story full of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. I loved it!
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Man of Shadow and Mist is the perfect title for this moody gothic romance. It isn’t my typical kind of read, shrouded in superstition, fear of a thought-to-be vampire, and misty twilight atmosphere, but perhaps that’s what makes it so alluring!

I’ve read several books by this author, and I’m always captured by her writing style. These characters become so familiar and their story plays like a movie in my head—vivid visuals that stay with me long after I close the book.

Wonderful historical suspense, sweet romance, and fabulous atmosphere, this is a keeper on my shelf. A fabulous opening line and a bookish heroine makes it even more unforgettable.

First Line: Books are joy.
Series: Of Monsters and Men book 2
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Author: Michelle Griep
Page Count: 320

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

When Sir James Morgan returns from Transylvania to England, his reclusive ways and strange behaviors give rise to rumors in the village. The man must be a vampire, and the mysterious deaths of sheep and cattle with their throats slit only confirms the matter. Rosa Edwards, daughter of the village librarian, is the only one open-minded enough to reject such superstitions. She appreciates the aloof but courteous Sir James and discovers that he is a kind and misunderstood soul. She makes an arrangement with him to deliver books daily to his secluded manor house. But what exactly are the mysterious screams coming from Sir James’ house? And why can he not bear to be outside in the sunlight?

Inspired by events in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, this story explores the beauty of believing in someone against the slings and arrows of public opinion. Rosa is a determined young woman, hoping to forge a life for herself as a secretary. She dreams of providing books and education for the poor and underprivileged and of purchasing a typewriter so she can pursue her secretarial dreams. Sir James is a devoted and driven individual, seeking to find a cure for that which threatens himself and those dear to him. Torn between his duties as a son and his duties to his estate back in Transylvania, he must also battle his attraction to the feisty librarian who refuses to let his reputation and life go up in flames.

The premise of this book was interesting, and I enjoyed the Bram Stoker cameo and the tie-ins with Dracula. The Christian elements of the story were woven in well to the characters’ lives. Some of the characters were a little too over the top to be fully believable, but all in all, it was a fun homage and an intriguing Victorian adventure.

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

This book was so well written! Even though Rosa and James had their own different struggles, they were both very relatable and likeable characters. The underlying suspense plot kept me coming back for more. A must read for anyone who enjoys Gothic style romances!

Michelle Griep is always one of my go-to authors, and this story was no different.

I am always going to love a bookish hero or heroine. Rosa was the perfect mixture of sweet and strong. I loved her desire to get books in the hands of anyone who wanted one. This was a great glimpse into her heart and her desire for everyone to have access to knowledge.

Now James is a wonderful, brooding hero. I have to admit that I have a soft spot for the brooding hero, so I immediately loved James. But what I loved most about him was his dogged search for a cure for his mother’s illness. I have to give Griep a lot of credit here for the research she did into a disease that others would associate with the myths of vampires.

James and Rosa have such a sweet romance. I loved watching their relationship develop from acquaintanceship to friendship to romance. The obstacles between them don’t feel contrived, especially in light of James’s struggles.

I also love the nods to Dracula and Bram Stoker.

Overall, Man of Shadow and Mist is a sweet romance with a gothic flair for historical romance lovers.

(Note: I received a copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Man of Shadow and Mist is an enchanting Dracula retelling that entertains with suspense rather than horror, and is an action-packed love story that is sure to delight readers! A protective hero and bookish heroine fall for one another in a superstitious English village, while rumors of vampires run amok. I loved the constant twists and turns the story took, and I am always thrilled when there are some daring rescues thrown in! Best of all, this book splendidly proclaims the hope of the Gospel. I was inspired by James’ sacrificial love and Rosa’s faith despite the superstitions and opinions of others. Readers of Michelle Griep’s “Lost in Darkness” will thoroughly enjoy this second installment in her series of gothic novel retellings, which can all be read as standalone books. Like she always does, Michelle Griep has delivered another excellent faith-based romantic adventure you will not want to miss!

I received a copy of this book for review purposes. My thoughts are my own— I really did love it!

Wow! More than 5 stars is deserved for this book! It is exceptional! I enjoyed everything about it: the setting, the characters, and the sweet love story! This author is being added to my favorites list! My favorite character is James- what a guy! He's committed to his mother, compassionate, someone you can really count on. The ending was a complete surprise- loved it!
I was provided a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

𝑴𝒚 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝑴𝒚 𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌: 😱😨😭😔😚😍😍😍🥰😌😌😨😰💘💘

Romance with gothic backdrops have been my recent reads and 'Man of Shadow and Mist' filled the slot perfectly.
I loved how we were introduced into the book with a whole eerie and spooky background. I felt for James as he had so much on his shoulders and then the whole town was up for calling him a vampire. Rosa was a total bad-ass and I loved how her hot-headedness gave us hope when all felt lost. Rosa's father was also a welcome personality since I love fathers who support their daughters instead of being ignorant about them or act with non-chahalance.

In conclusion, "Man of Shadow and Mist" is a masterpiece that effortlessly blends the darkness of the Gothic with the tender embrace of romance. Griep's spellbinding prose and captivating characters make this novel an absolute must-read for fans of the genre. Prepare to be transported to a realm where love conquers all, even in the face of shadows and uncertainty.
I hope the next book in this instalment deals with werewolves. I need to see how a whole werewolf plot can be pulled off in Michelle's writing.
The research on history of that time and the disease were also appreciated.

I am voluntarily reviewing a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. The entire review is my personal opinion.

I wasn’t too sure what to expect with this story. I like Lost in Darkness and other books by Michelle Griep, so I figured I would like this one also. The story grabs your attention from the beginning. The romance is steamy with a star-crossed lovers theme. I like the main characters and I even cried some at their struggles.
The spiritual message was about forgiveness and community with other believers, but it wasn’t preachy. It seemed to be woven into the story in a believable way. If I had been through what James did I would’ve written off my family and avoided society completely. But that’s not what God wants for us and it’s not what’s best for us. The compassion James has towards his mother, in spite of how poorly she treated him, is admirable. Even at the end of her life he despaired for her soul because she was unsaved. Even though James is vilified and mistreated by society, he recognizes that he still needs others in his life and that there are good people out there. These were good reminders for me because I struggle with forgiveness and trusting others too. I recommend this book.
This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review.

If you think of Dracula as a fantasy drama, and maybe not your cup of tea, give this book a chance anyway. I questioned if this is the type of story I wanted to read and I loved it. It also has a Beauty and the Beast feel. Michelle Griep knows how to make a story pop off the page even if it’s not the genre you typically read. The story really is more about acceptance and compassion for others. I love Rosa’s character. She is strong, determined, and wants to help those down on their luck. James has been tormented all of his life with a hereditary disease passed down from his mother. He has come to England to care for his mother in her last days. As he and Rosa continually cross paths, usually in some type of heroic event, their chemistry radiated from each other. But obstacles are constantly getting in the way. There is so much going on in the story and it flows so well, I could hardly put it down. It is an intriguing and suspenseful drama with sweet, clean romance. Obviously with a vampire backstory, there is talk of blood, murder and death. All done with great decorum. I recommend giving it a read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I always love Michelle Griep books, but I'm especially enjoying her Of Monsters & Men books, with notes of classic tales, including cameo appearances by their authors. Bram Stoker makes an appearance here, seeking editorial advice from our main character James who is rumored to be a vampire. As with Lost In Darkness, we get a rational explanation for what might appear to be the supernatural. The only real monsters here are the villains preying on the ignorant and superstitious - using fear and misunderstanding to their own selfish gain.
James knows well the sting of ridicule and the shame of the fear incited by his family. HIs Mother has done little to change public perception and relished in giving credence to the rumors of the unnatural. But when he meets Rosa, James finds a friend willing to stand by him, and to challenge society's prejudices.
Rosa has been constantly dodging her Mother's many attempts to marry her off, while chasing her own dream of becoming a secretary. But in James, Rosa finds a man unlike any she's ever met. Having spent a lifetime fighting against society's preconceived ideas, James isn't deterred by Rosa's dreams. Both of them will learn what beauty God can bring from ashes, and find that change is possible for those who keep fighting.
I especially love Michelle Griep's side characters. (My favorite is still Mr. Nutbrown & his puppet Nixy from The Innkeeper's Daughter, but I digress!) The Reverend Austen has all kinds of thought-provoking wisdom to dole out in this book. Plenty that I underlined and filed away for later.
A wonderful read, as always.

It’s a book by Michelle Griep so obviously I loved everything about it. I mean, I knew it would be a good book, but man, oh man—the tension and drama and eeriness she created in this novel was beyond what I expected. I was completely emersed in the unknown. The way she drew out dozens and dozens of tense moments is masterful! The entire book had a mysterious and dark overtone, but with faith woven throughout the entire story it was intriguing and I never felt the darkness would overwhelm. Brilliantly done! I can't believe that I haven’t read her first book in this series (but thankfully they are stand-alone novels so I didn’t spoil anything). Adding it to my TBR pile right now!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

An amazing Gothic, Christian fiction. Vampires, religion and a library.

It's 1890 in England. Rosa and her father own the library. Sir James Morgan is believed to be cursed.

I loved the quotes from Bram Stoker's Dracula,

The BEST book I have read!!

The dark legend of Bram Stocker’s Dracula meets the unexpected romance of Beauty and the Beast in Michelle Griep’s latest novel. The characters are rich and multifaceted, the villains are despicable, and story will keep you turning pages long into the night.

If you love your historicals with a Gothic twist, then you’re going to love Man of Shadow of Mist.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rosa Edwards is on a personal mission to stamp out superstition through books and education. Then a stranger arrives in her village on an ill wind. While he always seems to be on hand to rescue Rosa from calamity, the villagers only see a reclusive man from Transylvania who avoids sunlight and whose mother is rumored to be a vampire. Rosa has sworn off marriage, seeking to be an 1890s career woman. Now she is surprisingly drawn to Sir James Morgan. Will a friendship with him endanger her, those she loves, and possibly even her father's livelihood?

Michelle Griep has gifted her readers with an engrossing Gothic tale filled with darkness and light, despair and hope, revenge and forgiveness. Through it all Griep leads readers to see God's sovereignty and goodness even when times are at their worse.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Man of Shadow and Mist from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Rumors swirl about Sir James Morgan. Is he a man or a beast? Villagers are convinced he might be one of those famous vampires who hail from Transylvania—the home of Sir James's ancestors.

Rosa Edwards doesn't believe anything of the sort. As a librarian and a champion for education, she wants everyone to understand that vampires are fictional and there is nothing to fear from Sir James. However, as she gets to know the man herself, she must admit there are more than a few strange things about him and his home that might leave people wondering.

James searches for a cure for his mother's illness while Rosa tries to fend off a determined suitor who won't take no for an answer. Can it be that the two of them can help each other through their predicaments?

I loved how Michelle Griep weaves a tale of mystery with deep layers of faith and hope. With a story that could contain such darkness, she shines a ray of light. There's still plenty of Gothic overtones, but they do not overtake the main themes. Rosa is a very determined heroine and there's a vulnerability to James despite the protective barriers he carries around his heart. You can't help but hope for the best for them all the way through to the surprising conclusion to the story.

I received my copy of the book from NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own.