This is a delightful collection of three short stories by Michelle Griep. Each story is unique and displays the author's keen ability to write historical fiction that draws the reader into that time period. The author‘s descriptive and poetic style weaves three engaging stories filled with suspenseful escapades and enduring faith.
Favorite quotes:
“Sometimes what we see, Miss Fletcher, and what is truth are two different things. The world is not as black and white as you seem to believe. More often it is grey.”
“You are love. Trust in that. Believe in that.”
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed reading these three short stories. Each story is set in a different time and place, and are not connected in any way. The writing was excellent and they hold your attention. This is a wonderful book. Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

An entertaing and fun to read collection of historical short stories.
It was an enjoyable read, very well written.
There's a religious message but it's woven into the plot and does not overcome the plots.
Recommded.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

This book consisted of 3 separate historical stories. It was very interesting and a bit of a mystery, which always keeps me reading. I think that my favorite story was the second one. Really enjoyed the characters in that one. But each story was unique and interesting.

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Fans of Christian historical romance will not be disappointed with Michelle Griep's collection of short stories. This is a collection of three different stories, about three intriguing women, all from three different time periods.

The first story The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady, written about the Cornish Coast in 1815. The book starts out with intrigue and suspense. Helen Fletcher is sailing from Ireland, where she worked as a nanny. She is coming home to care for her ailing father a pastor. She goes up top of the ship, thinking it is time to depart the ship and instead gets carried off by a smuggler robing them. This book had me at the heartstrings right from the first page.

The Second The Doctor's Woman was about Dakota Territory in 1862. Emmy Nelson has just lost her missionary father, who was a doctor. Her aunt has sent a carriage for her to come live with her in the big city. The wild west is no place for a lady. Emmy has loved living out west and helping her father with his medical practice. The new doctor for Fort Snelling has been delayed and the fort is at present without a doctor. Two soldiers come for her father, due to a major accident. Learning that her father has died they convince Emmy to come and take car of the patient, she is all they have. Just as she is giving instructions, in walks the city doctor Dr. James Clark. Right from the start it is obvious they have two ways of doing things. It is interesting to see who is going to learn the most from the other.

A House Of Secrets is the third story in this set, from St. Paul, Minnesota and 1890. Amanda Carston is waiting with her best friend Moe, for her fiance' to pick them up for their engagement party. He finally arrives dreadfully late with a police officer. The secrets and surprises go on and on from there. Ms. Griep is an incredible storyteller. I enjoyed this collection of short stories and think it would make a wonderful gift.

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Ladies of Intrigue
By Michelle Griep
Ladies of Intrigue is a collection of three unique historical romance novellas. Each story was skillfully written with depth in characters, plot, and intrigue. I truly enjoyed this collection.

This compilation of three novellas of pirates, ghosts, wartime romance and an allusion to the beginnings of the fight against human trafficking was action packed! I enjoyed these stories, as each one held characters that were well developed, intelligent and easy to care about. Michelle Griep does a great job of setting the time period, using language appropriate for the setting, and using atmosphere to set the scene. I especially liked the story set in the Civil War, as it spoke against prejudice in a time when not many people stood up for those seen as enemies--the indigenous Indians. The female characters were all determined, sometimes stubborn, but always capable. The only constructive criticism I would add is that it appears all the men in these stories (even though set in different places) had a love for sandalwood cologne. ;)

I have read several of Michelle Griep's works and she is always delightful. Lots of research, great characters and solid stories. This book would be a wonderful gift for anyone who likes shorter reads or those looking for action along with romance.
I appreciated the opportunity to read early from #NetGalley and chose to leave a review. All opinions are my own.

If you are a Michelle Griep fan you will want to make sure you add Ladies of Intrigue to your "must read" list. This book, which comes out February 1, 2019, is a quick read because it's hard to put down.

My favourite story was the first one The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady. That one I could not put down and read it straight through. I loved the storyline and the characters and was disappointed it ended. I wonder how the author kept it to a short story as it has the potential to be a full-length novel.

Of course, the other two stories were equally thrilling and also have the potential to be full-length novels, but there was something about Isaac Seaton and Helen Fletcher that left me wanting more. Perhaps the danger involved? I hope the author brings them to life again someday.

If you are looking for some well-developed stories to get lost in, I highly recommend Ladies of Intrigue.

I’m learning to appreciate the novella and Ladies of Intrigues by Michelle Griep has three beautifully written historical romance novellas! The characters and settings are so well created, I would have enjoyed spending more time in each. The reader is given enough to connect to each of the lead characters but I still have questions about their background and what will happen next in their worlds! Perhaps Michelle Griep will come back and expand these stories. I have tried to choose a favourite but I keep changing my mind, each has a charm of its own. It’s a five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale.

This was a great collection of stories. Each had a heroine that was strong in character and didn't bow to anyone. Each story was a page turner and was set in different parts of the world. I liked that each story was vastly different in their characters and plots and settings. I recommend this book to those that like to have romance, intrigue and strong women characters.

Michele Griep has again demonstrated her fantastic writing skills in the three novellas in Ladies Of Intrigue. These novellas range from 19th century England to frontier Minnesota. Each story is filled with romance and a touch of mystery. The heroines are strong women wrapped in femininity that draw the heroes to their side. The settings are diverse but very believable. I know I can never go wrong in buying a book by Ms. Griep. So grab your tea and settle in for a cozy read.

I was given a copy of Ladies of Intrigue by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep is a collection of three short stories of women who push the limits of what women are capable of achieving in the 1800’s.
The Gentle Smuggler’s Lady is set in 1815 when Helen Fletcher arrives at Port village of Treporth, Cornwall, England to attend to her ailing father. Upon docking the ship is overtaken by thieves raiding the cargo. She gets a glimpse of the man in charge. He takes her on a wild horseback ride to the local inn before she is accosted by the drunken longshoremen. What will happen when she realizes he is the benefactor offering food and shelter to her father?
The Doctor’s Woman is set in western United States in 1862. Emmy Nelson is overcome with grief at the death of her father, Dr. Edrith Nelson. She is packed up and ready to go live with her aunt when two soldiers come looking for her father. Will she defy her aunt and go the fort to assist them? Of course she does and meets the newly arrived Dr. Clark. They immediately disagree on treatment for the soldier’s leg and she does give in to the doctor. He assumes she is a nurse at the fort as they work together. She starts to leave as they finish up but he asks her to stay as he sees how accomplished she is. When his time is up what will she do next? Will Dr. Clark head back east to Harvard or has he found a higher calling?
A House of Secrets is set in 1890 St. Paul Minnesota. Amanda is engaged to Joseph who is the town attorney and always a bit late. When he finally arrives to escort her to their engagement dinner he tells her he has one stop to make on the way. They stop at a brothel where he and a police officer need to deliver a paper. Joseph’s goal is to shut down the brothel but why is he so obsessed with doing so? Amanda wants to purchase an abandoned house to start a school for underprivileged children but Joseph seems to stand in her way. Why is he not being more supportive?
I always love to read anything by Michelle Griep and this collection does not disappoint. Each story has many twists and turns to arrive at an ending you may not totally expect. I give this book 5 of 5 stars. The characters are warm and engaging and the story lines keep you reading till the end.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I’m a faithful fan of Griep’s books. While the stories are a bit predictable, they are in such a way that I couldn’t help but smile and cheer on the three heroines. I loved the idea of three novellas as it is easier for me to digest them in separate sittings. I received an ARC from net galley and offer a review of my own willingness.

This is a wonderful trio of *longer* short stories by Michelle Griep. Per usual, the writing is crisp, the characters are well-developed, and inspirational messages are gentle and thought-provoking. The first story is set in the Regency period, my favorite. It is set in Cornwall and concerns smuggling. That's another favorite theme and locale of mine, thanks to Daphne Du Maurier. The second one concerns a young doctor and another doctor's daughter in 19th century Minnesota. The third one is a bit different, as the main characters are already engaged. Here we have SJWs of late 19th Century America. I love Michelle Griep!

Another fabulous book by Michelle Griep. This book showcases Ms. Griep's ability to write stories that are no less engaging for their brevity. It's a book of three novellas, all different characters, they can be read in any order, and I would be hard pressed to choose my favorite. True to her trademark style, faith in God is a central theme and a common motivation for Griep's characters. Growing in faith and learning more about God's love through the experiences they face is always central to the story. Each story has aspects of action/adventure and romance. These are very sweet romance stories, completely clean, and in my opinion, not too sappy. They're also filled with dashing rogues and gentlemen trying to do the right thing for the love of God and a good woman ; )
All three stories kept me reading, and, although shorter stories, I found them engaging and well-developed.

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

There are three stories of three different women in various locations (Cornwall, the Wild West, and St. Paul, MN). Each storyline was unique. If you are a fan of Griep, you’ll enjoy this trilogy of novellas with spunky heroines and dashing heroes. I think my favorite was the Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady, but I enjoyed all three.

Three unrelated novellas with great characters, good storylines and the enjoyable writing style all of Michelle Griep's books have. Worth the read if you love her books or historical fiction with mysteries and well written romance.

A great compilation of 19th century novellas with compelling characters and great settings. These were previously published in multi-author anthologies.

The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady
What a delightful little story! I'm utterly convinced Michelle Griep can't write a bad story.
For being short, it sure packed a punch. The main characters are strong: Helen and Isaac don't meet under the best circumstances, and he doesn't leave a good impression on her. But then Helen finds out he's the landowner over the parish where her father lives. And although Helen wants to dislike Isaac, he's not the lawless smuggler she thought him to be.
Actually, I'm pretty sure Isaac Seaton is a friend of Ross Poldark. It wasn't mentioned (probably to keep Mr. Poldark's privacy), but it's hard to pretend it's not there. ;)
Beautiful, dramatic setting, engaging characters, a very sweet ending, and the kind of prose that grabs you with all the feels.
Could we perchance expect a story for Esther Seaton?

The Doctor's Woman
I read Michelle Griep's story The Doctor's Woman and loved it. Emmy is spirited and strong and she tried to do the right thing, sometimes putting herself in peril. James, well James was a great leading man and I'm glad he learned what was really more important in the end.
Although it's a novella, the characters are well developed and the story is satisfying. As usual, the imagery is fantastic.

A House of Secrets
Amanda and Joseph are engaged to be married and I liked that they already had an established relationship. Nonetheless, there are secrets Joseph believes he needs to keep that cause problems for both of them.
Joseph is a city attorney and Amanda the new chairwoman for a ladies aide society. Both of them are good persons who want to help those less fortunate and try their best at doing so. The storydoes a good job at depicting the opposite social settings between the rich and the poor, and both Joseph and Amanda have specific plans and goals to make things better.
The epilogue brought everything together and their efforts were rewarded.
Love, love, love the opening paragraph of chapter two—classic Griep imaging.

I received a copy from Barbour publishing through Netgalley and this is my own opinion.

Thank you to Barbour Publishing Inc., and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoyed this book! Three short stories in one book! It takes real talent to draw the reader in and tell a complete story in just a few pages. The author did an outstanding job writing stories about three intriguing women.

Three great stories in one book! Wow! You know you're in for a treat when you see Michelle Griep's name on the cover. Seriously. And this book fits in nicely will all her others.
Here's my suggestion- start with the last story in the book and then go to the beginning and read through the middle. That way you start out great and it gets better and better. The Doctor's Woman could have been twice as long and I'd still want to know more.
Can't wait to see what Michelle comes up with next!
I was provided a copy by the publisher but as always, my opinions are my own.

Three great reads in one book. Each story can be read in one sitting. Sweet romances with suspense that left a satisfying happily ever after.
*I was given a copy of this book by Barbour publishing. I was not under any obligation to leave a review. This is my honest opinion.

This 3-novella collection is a delightful addition to my personal library. I enjoy reading anything written by Michelle Griep, and I was delighted to get my hands on this collection of her stories. Each story can be read in one sitting.

Each story is a stand-alone, filled with page-turning adventure and vivid characters that you won't soon forget. These stories are filled with sweet romance a dash of mystery and plenty of witty dialogue. If I had to pick of favorite of the three it would be The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady. 

Long-time fans of Michelle Griep will want to be sure to snag a copy for themselves. If you haven't yet had the pleasure of reading one of Michelle Griep's stories, then this is the perfect opportunity to get your feet wet and see what you've been missing!

I give this collection 4 stars and encourage you to pick up a copy to enjoy as soon as possible! 

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I am not required to write a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.)

I only recently became aware of the compelling stories Michelle Griep writes, so I love that this novella collection gives a snapshot of her abilities to write engrossing stories—no matter the backdrop.
After reading Laura Frantz’s A Bound Heart, I loved getting to dive back into a similar world with the first novella. It was a fun read, with enough twists in it to keep it interesting.
The middle novella was my favorite. I can see why this was a Carol award winner. Emmy and James clash immediately, and it was fun to see that in such a vivid way right from the start. These two characters have such a great chemistry, and the issues they each face, both without and within themselves, are so believable. Those are the kind of stories that I love, because they challenge me to change as well.
The last novella has a different flair to it. Amanda finds herself pitted against an unknown person (at least for a time) as she tries to do good in her community and gain her father’s approval. Secrets are the main problem for these two, but there are legitimate reasons behind them, rather than the sometimes cliché ‘misunderstanding’.
I enjoyed all three of these novellas, because they gave me a glimpse into the talents of Griep. Each story felt fresh and compelling, and ensured once again, that Michelle Griep will be one of my go-to authors.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I haven’t read many anthologies before so this was a nice teaser to what a full anthology of novellas would look like. I was expecting more of a mystery aspect throughout the novellas because that’s what “intrigue” made me think of, but I’m actually not disappointed that the novellas strayed from the conventional mystery. I think that would have gotten overdone after a while.

I think my favorite story was The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady. I loved all the action in that story, as well as the setting! I would definitely recommend this to someone who hasn’t encountered an anthology before. Jumping from story to story can be kind of difficult as first but this is a good foray into trying it before reading one on a larger scale.

Michelle Griep is one of my favorite authors, and I eagerly looked forward to reading this collection of stories. I was not disappointed. These novella-length stories feature ladies that exhibit courage, strength, and faith in difficult circumstances. I loved each heroine in this book and the different historical setting for each story. The storylines were indeed intriguing and held my attention. Even though these are shorter stories, each felt complete and the endings did not seem rushed. The romances are sweet and tender, and the “heroes” are worthy of winning the hand of the heroine in their story. These stories are the perfect length to read when you need something a little shorter and lighter to read,
This is a collection I’ll be reading again. This is excellent sweet and clean Christian fiction.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A collection of three tales of adventure and love. I read the first one as part of another collection of novellas that released two years ago. The other two were new to me. They are both fast paced and kept me flipping through the pages.
If you are looking for a quick read that pulls you in quick I would recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book from the Publisher through Netgalley. My opinion is my own.

In Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep you get three short, charming romantic stories with a bit of mystery. I enjoyed all three stories as they had wonderful, interesting characters and descriptive, immersive settings.

My favorite was the second story, The Doctor’s Woman. The growth and changes that Dr. James Clark goes through while at the Fort were compelling. His words of love and devotion to Emmy toward the end of the story were so romantic. It was also interesting to read about this period of history.

As an aside, I would like to compliment the team of designers who create Michelle Griep’s book covers. They are always beautiful, but this one is especially stunning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the ARC

A wonderful collection of well written novellas! Some of my all time favorites from previously published collections, gathered into their own book. I loved revisiting Regency era Cornwall, an army outpost in Civil War era Minnesota, and 1890's St. Paul. Great characters, some action and adventure, and a romance in each one with some sighworthy moments. "I love you more than life and air." Oh my. Major sigh.
These all have a bit of faith inserted into the plot, worked naturally into the characters' struggle. Not at all preachy, but enough to bring deeper meaning to the stories. "Why is it that good things do not always happen to good people?” None of these were light and fluffy, containing enough grit to make the setting feel authentic , and unique plots to make the stories quite remarkable. I enjoyed each one! This author is becoming one of my favorites for historical fiction. I look forward to whatever she has next in store!

Sometimes, I prefer short stories because my time is limited and I don't want to forget half the plot....this book is perfect for those times! These three short, yet related, stories set in the 19th century are stand-alone novellas that can be read separately. My favorite story was The Doctor's Woman, set in the Civil War. Short stories, in my opinion, are one of the hardest writing forms to craft, because you have to get characters, setting, and plot shoved into such a tiny set of pages....but the author does a great job of fleshing out an entire story in just a few pages. As the title indicates, each of these stories has an element of mystery, none of which are too easy to see through, and they keep the reader guessing. It is a Christian book, and there are spiritual elements included, but nothing overt or preachy.

Three different stories by the same author, with each being a third of the book, and each quickly drawing you in.
Whether we are in old England, the city of St. Paul or in a U.S. Military Fort, we are offered a story that includes a strong woman as the main character.
Of course, you can sit down and read one, and they save the next for later, but like the candy it is hard not to turn the next page.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour and was not required to give a positive review.

Ladies of Intrigue
3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery
by Michelle Griep
Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Barbour Books
Christian , Romance
Pub Date 01 Feb 2019



I am reviewing a copy of Ladies of Intrigue through Barbour Publishing and Netgalley:


In the first story The Gentleman‘s Smmuggler’s Lady we are taking to 1815 Cornwall England we meet the prim and proper governess Helen Fletcher who has returned to England to be with her dying father in order to comfort him. She does not expect to fall in love with a smuggler while she’s there but she falls in love with Issac Seaton. Will she be able keep his unusual secret?


The second story in Ladies of Intrigue is The Doctor’s Woman that takes us to the Dakota Territory where we meet Emmy Nelson, the daughter of a Missionary Doctor, and Dr James Clark a city doctor who find themselves working together at Fort Snelling during the Dakota uprising, which is where there real clash of ideals begin.


In the final story A House of Secrets we are transported back to St Paul Minnesota in 1890 where we meet Amanda Carston a ladies aide chairman whose determined to clean up St Paul’s Ramshackle housing she starts with the absolutely worst one a haunted house that is secretly owned by her beau. A home that he uses to help brothel girls escape from the hands of the most infamous madam.


I give Ladies of Intrigue five out of five star!

Happy Reading!

A really lovely collection of three Michelle Griep short stories. I’d forgotten that I’d read the first story in another anthology, and what a delight to discover it again! Each story is a standalone, and are so engaging, I wish they had been full length novels.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Overall 4.5 *

I love Michelle Griep's writing style. She's a favorite go to author for me. Whenever I see that she has a new story for me to read and enjoy, I jump on the chance to read it! This is a collection of three of her novellas that were included in three different anthologies. I actually had read one of the anthologies but not the other two. So let me just say I was pretty excited with the chance to have the other two that I had missed put into a collection of just Michelle Griep's. Woohoo!

This isn't going to be an in detail review like I normally do. Life has been busy and I'm trying to catch up. So if you're looking for a longwinded, rambling thoughts review, this isn't it. If you're looking for shorter and sweet, this is it! ;-)

Like the title suggests, there's a dash of mystery in each story, sweet and clean romance, great characters, characters learning to trust in God, pain and healing, hidden identities, hidden truths, uncovering the truths, danger, suspense, smuggling, doctoring, trickery, death, friends, and most importantly sweet love!

I liked the three couples that these stories were about. They each learned to trust and help each other as their friendships began and developed into something more.

Thanks for this great collection Michelle Griep! If any of you are fans of this author, this is a great collection for you. Three different stories to curl up and enjoy, all in one sitting, or to be enjoyed individually! Anyway you choose I hope you enjoy them as I did!

Content: Clean. Some moments of peril but nothing graphic. The characters have some kissing scenes but nothing further. The characters talk about God and turning their lives over to His guidance.

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

Happy Reading!!!

I have truly come to love Michelle Griep books. These 3 tales are very well written and informative of the times in which they take place. Very much enjoyed these tales. Highly recommend. I received an advance reader copy from the publisher. 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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

I've read and enjoyed several other books by the author before, but I found this one somewhat disappointing. It consists of three novellas (the first of which I had previously read in some other collection, though I didn't realise it until I started reading) that would all be great as full length books but felt rather too rushed and abrupt as the lengths they were. All in all, though each one was good as far as it went, none of them went far enough, and the last one in particular I ended up a bit confused about one scene, which a novel-length story would have been able to clarify. If you like shorter stories, these may suit you, but personally I wasn't thrilled and probably won't re-read them - though if the author ever expands them to the length they felt like they should be and publishes them, I'd happily read them.

Summary: Clean and well-written, with interesting storylines - but not meeting their full potential in any one of the three stories. 3.5 stars.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

Summary: Ladies of Intrigue is a novel containing three short stories by Michelle Griep set in the 1800s.

The first story, The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady, is set in 1815 England. Helen Fletcher is grateful, but worried. A stranger has paid her passage to be at her dying father’s bedside. Before she even arrives however, her ship is boarded by smugglers. Will she make it to her father’s bedside in time, and what kind of man is Isaac Seaton really-her mysterious benefactor?

The second, The Doctor’s Woman, is set in 1862 Dakota Territory. Emmy Nelson is struggling with the death of her doctor father, and the demands of an overbearing aunt. Her dreams have been crushed, and she has no choice but to pack her things and move away from the place she loves.

Before she can leave, she is suddenly summoned to Fort Snelling for a medical emergency. Relying on all of her father’s training, she is pushed into action to help save the patient.

But she isn’t the only one who arrives. Dr. James Clark has arrived as the new fort doctor, and has very strict beliefs in regards to medicine. Can the two work together-especially when a dangerous illness begins to spread throughout the fort?

The third story, A House of Secrets, takes place in 1890 Minnesota. Amanda Carston is happy. She is going to marry the man she loves, and as Ladies Aide Chairwoman, she has a fantastic idea to begin cleaning up downtown, and hopefully gain her father’s approval in the process. But why is her fiance so set against her plans? What could he be hiding? And will she finally be able to do something that will make her father proud of her?

My Thoughts: This book was wonderful. I was sucked in right away with The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady-the writing was fantastic (almost poetic), and it was the perfect blend of roguish Robin Hood hero, and damsel in distress. I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only complaint was that I wished it would have been longer so I could keep reading! I would love a sequel starring Isaac’s sister-there could be so much more to cover. HINT. HINT. Anyway, I think you can tell I liked it.

Both of the other stories were also well-written, and had interesting characters and storylines. I very much enjoyed the book, and it is worth the read. I look forward to reading more books by Michelle Griep in the future as well.

As always, I would like to thank Barbour Publishing, Inc. for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

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.