Monday, August 21, 2017

Brentwood's Ward by Michelle Griep #BookReview #Giveaway

*Please read giveaway details carefully.



and other fine booksellers.

Back Cover Copy:
 Place an unpolished lawman named Nicholas Brentwood as guardian over a spoiled, pompous beauty named Emily Payne and what do you get? More trouble than Brentwood bargains for. She is determined to find a husband this season. He just wants the large fee her father will pay him to help his ailing sister. After a series of dire mishaps, both their desires are thwarted, but each discovers that no matter what, God is in charge.



The Why:
The reason I first picked up this book is because I'd heard of the "Bow Street Runners" and thought the occupation must be terribly thrilling and interesting to read about. So when I learned Michelle Griep (fellow author in the Of Rags and Riches Collection) had written a story about one, well I just had to read it.

The Main Characters:
Intriguing, entertaining, gritty, unique, mysterious... These terms best describe this tale--and it's hero--for me. Nathan Brentwood puts me in mind of Lawrence of Arabia, perhaps in his back story at least. The heroine is a well-portrayed reflection of the times, garnering more interest with every page. I was quite attached to both by the time the book ended.

The Secondary Characters:
I sort of fell in love with secondary character Alexander Moore and just found out he has his own book coming soon called The Inkeeper's Daughter! Huzzah!

The Author's Particular Talent:
Michelle is incredible at writing plot twists, action sequences, and sense-igniting phrases. Her word-smithing carves a path that you're mind must follow until you no longer are reading about the character--you are the character.

The Stakes:
The constant threat of death cried out from every page, whether the death of a career, one's innocence, a friend, or a love interest, and kept me leafing through into the small morning hours.

Overall:
While a tad grittier than some CBA historicals (a near-rape scene comes to mind), the story brings to life so much history of the time and location. The characters were unlike any others I had read, and the thrill of the chase made this story shine. I wished for a little more of the heroine's faith-journey at the end, but very much admired the hero as he struggled yet relied on God no matter the circumstances.

The More Factor:
Definitely wanting to read more mysteries and historicals from this author's pen.


*GIVEAWAY:
I'm giving away a Kindle copy of Michelle's The Captive Heart, pictured below. To enter, comment with your email (in AT/DOTcom format). OR email me at natalieATnataliemonkDOTcom if you have trouble commenting on the page. For extra entries paste an URL where you've shared this giveaway on social media. Giveaway ends noon CST Sunday, August 27, 2017.



Back Cover Copy:
On the run from a brute of an aristocratic employer, Eleanor Morgan escapes from England to America, the land of the free, for the opportunity to serve an upstanding Charles Town family. But freedom is hard to come by as an indentured servant, and downright impossible when she’s forced to agree to an even harsher contract—marriage to a man she’s never met.

Backwoodsman Samuel Heath doesn’t care what others think of him—but his young daughter’s upbringing matters very much. The life of a trapper in the Carolina backcountry is no life for a small girl, but neither is abandoning his child to another family. He decides it’s time to marry again, but that proves to be an impossible task. Who wants to wed a murderer?

Both Samuel and Eleanor are survivors, facing down the threat of war, betrayal, and divided loyalties that could cost them everything, but this time they must face their biggest challenge ever . . .Love.




Comment Fodder:
Have you read any of Michelle Griep's books or is this author new to you?
If you have read Michelle's books, do you have a favorite?


***Winner of a paperback copy of Of Rags and Riches Romance Collection is Wendy Newcomb. Winner of Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman is Marisa Laudadio. Winner of the 35 Book Christian Romance "Book Your Summer Vacation" giveaway is Shannon Capelle. Congrats, winners!

17 comments:

  1. Would love to read this one. I have the Rags to Riches book but have yet to get to it in my overwhelmingly huge TBR pile. Thanks. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. I know what you mean, Paula! My TBR pile is completely out of hand right now, haha! Slowly and surely I'm inching it down, though. I'll get your name in the drawing!

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    2. It's so cute that you girls have a TBR pile. Mine is a freaking Mount Everest.

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  2. I've read A Captive Heart (loved it!!) and it captured me :-) Love Michelle's writing! I'm sharing the giveaway on FB and twitter.

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    1. Aww! Shucks! My little cheeks are pink!

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    2. Thank you for sharing the giveaway, Trixi!!

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  3. Love the cover of this book. Sound like a really good read!
    Blessings. Joy ibjoy1953 at yahoo dot com

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    1. I can't take any credit for it but I love it too!!!

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    2. I know! Aren't they beautiful? :)

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  4. I've read Brentwoods Ward. Loved it.

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    1. Thanks Teresa! Be on the lookout next spring for Alexander Moore's next case!

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    2. Thanks for coming by, Teresa!

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  5. I haven't had a chance to read any of Michelle's books yet, but these all sound so fascinating! I love reading about this period of US history!

    mylittlebirdiebooks (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. It's never to late to remedy that 😉

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    2. Hi, Karen! How fun to know you've been introduced to a new author through this post!
      It is a fascinating time in history, and Michelle writes it so well!

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  6. Thanks so much Natalie for hosting me today! Great surprise!

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    1. You're most welcome! Thank YOU for writing such intriguing characters! :) I can't wait for Moore! Um... that wasn't intended as a pun, but there you have it.

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