Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery

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.

Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep contains three 19th century romance novellas. The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady takes us to the Cornish Coast in 1815. Helen Fletcher is rushing to Cornwall from Ireland to be by her ill father’s side. As Helen is preparing to depart the ship, a band of renegades’ attack and liberate a shipment of gunpowder. When Helen meets her father’s patron, Isaac Seaton, she is shocked when she is recognizes him as one of the smugglers. Seaton likes Helen’s fiery spirit, but he is afraid she will reveal his secret to the revenue man. Can Seaton persuade Helen to remain silent? The Doctor’s Woman has readers journeying to Dakota Territory in November of 1862. Dr. Edrith Nelson has passed away and his daughter, Emmy is preparing to leave town when soldiers need assistance with a patient. Dr. James Clark is the new physician at Fort Snelling and, with the recent influx of Native Americans needing medical aide, can use a qualified assistant like Emmy. Emmy agrees to stay and soon clashes with Dr. Clark on their different treatment methods. Can they find a way to work together and where will it lead? A House of Secrets takes us back to October 1890 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Amanda Carson is the chairwoman of the local Ladies Aide Society and has come up with a new project for their group. She wants to transform the dilapidated Grigg house into a school for the impoverished. Amanda’s search for the owner is met with resistance. She is unaware that her fiancé and city attorney, Joseph Blake uses the home as a safe house for woman who wish to escape from prostitution. If Joseph can just get Amanda to wait a couple of weeks, he will no longer have need of the home. Amanda, though, is a determined woman when she is on a mission. Joseph’s secret could cost him the woman he loves. Ladies of Intrigue contains three Christian romance stories set in the 1800s. I like the three different locales and the couples in the stories. It is nice to watch the couples learn to trust each other, overcome their differences and fall in love. I thought Ladies of Intrigue was well-written with steady pacing. I did feel that The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady needed more fleshing out. The ending felt incomplete. There are smugglers, soldiers, a dedicated doctor, sick Native Americans, a haunted house, corrupt men, romance, society ladies and much more in Ladies of Intrigue. I enjoyed these three sweet romantic stories with Christian values. If you are looking for a diverting nineteenth century romantic tales, then pick up Ladies of Intrigue.

Intrigue, indeed! 3 really great stories. Wonderfully written characters and story lines that will keep you turning the pages. Michelle Griep, in my opinion, is a master at bringing so many elements together in a story...love, hope, intrigue, mystery, heartbreak, sorrow and forgiveness. Some of her books really keep you on your toes. All 3 stories in Ladies of Intrigue are quick reads and very good. I highly recommend this book and all others written by this author. “I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.”