Diana's Review Of 'The Captive Heart' By Michelle Griep

The Captive Heart

The Captive Heart By Michelle Griep
Shiloh Run Press, October 1, 2016

Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars!~
(No Spoilers!)

Captivating!

In The Captive Heart, author Michelle Griep pens a spellbinding saga that sweeps the reader away to the heart of the strikingly beautiful, but perilous wilderness of South Carolina—fraught on every hand with wild animals, savage Indians, harsh elements, and unscrupulous, evil men. 

After her brute of an employer makes unwanted advances towards her, elegant English governess, Eleanor Morgan, has little choice but to flee to the colonies. When the family she is to work for never shows up, Eleanor is forced to settle for the only option available—marriage to a trapper and tracker who is determined to find a mother for his little girl, Grace.

Samuel Heath is looked upon by many as a murderer with a scarred face, hair as wild as a Gypsy's, and piercing, penetrating eyes. Eleanor finds him quite frightening and enigmatic, but in spite of his brawny, formidable persona, he treats her as one should a lady—never stepping beyond the bounds of propriety—while continuing to protect her from dreadfully precarious situations. Just who is this mysterious man and why do the Cherokee Indians hold him in such high esteem, but not the gossiping townsfolk? And why does the prim governess's heart do a strange dance when he draws a bit too close for comfort?

I have heard so many marvelous things about this author that my curiosity finally got the best of me and I decided to read her work. WOW! Talk about someone's heart doing a strange dance!? Mine was definitely racing out of control right along with Eleanor's during a wild animal attack, a terrible forest fire, and umm, well...definitely every time the the hunky hero showed up on the scene! lol Michelle Griep knows how to write an emotionally gripping novel that keeps the reader glued to every page...with complex, multi-faceted characters, descriptive prose, and suspense! Not to mention breathtaking romantic tension that left me weak in the knees. Oh my! I'm definitely a new fan and anxiously await her next book! If you don't read another novel again this year —

BE.SURE.NOT.TO.MISS.THIS.ONE!

This novel may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, B&N, BAM, and your local bookstore. 

GIVEAWAY: Michelle Griep is generously offering a paperback copy of The Captive Heart to one blessed commenter! (US entrants only.) Please be sure to leave your email address for contact purposes should your name be drawn - written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers. 

Books of the Year List by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Novel of the Year
Brentwoods' Ward by Michelle Griep

Debut Novel of the Year

Debut Christian fiction of the Year

Sword of Forgiveness by Debbie Lynne Costello

Other Favorite Books of the Year

SERIES that I can't wait to read so I've used my Kindle!

As Love Blooms by Lorna Seilstad

FABULOUS Series by Lorna Seilstad!

In Good Company by Jen Turano
Another Fabulous Series!

After a Fashion also by Jen Turano

To Win Her Favor

by Tamera Alexander

Also part of a fabulous series!

NOVELLAS of the Year

Novellas of the Year

 To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander
(Also available in audiobook format) This is part of a collection but available individually.

Bibliotherapy Novella of the Year

Tobogganing for Two by Darlene Franklin

Other Novellas of the Year

The Skiing Suitor by Niki Turner

Part of the "A Love's Sporting Chance" collection from Forget-Me-Not Books

With This Kiss Historical Collection

His Beloved Bride by Ruth Logan Herne and  
Grace Like Rain by Julie Lessman 

(The entire With This Kiss Historical Collection was lovely!)

Novella Collection of the Year - Most Eligible Bachelor from Barbour. All of the novellas in this collection are wonderfully done and I read all of them! This is my favorite of all the Barbour collections I have read to date! 

In this collection DEBUT Novella of 2015: Susie Dietze, Love's Reward 

• The Highwayman by Shannon McNear
• Four Brides And A Bachelor by Gabrielle Meyer
• Baker's Dozen by Gina Welborn

• A Doctor's Agreement by Cynthia Hickey
• The Final Baker Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo
• The Most Ineligible Bachelor In Town by Connie Stevens
• A Bride For A Bargain by Amanda Barratt
• Archeologist's Find- by Erica Vetsch

Other lovely collections with great stories by talented authors (Some of these I read while recovering from major surgery in the spring and enjoyed so much!) 

The Convenient Brides a great collection which includes wonderful novellas like those by Gabrielle Meyer - "A Groom for Josette," and Erica Vesch - "A Bride for Bear," stories from Andrea Boeschaar, Jennifer Uhlarik, Melissa Jagears' great story with "mature" characters and more!

Homestead Brides was SO GOOD!!! Wonderful novellas from some great authors!  A delightful collection. Ruth Logan Herne's "Prairie Promises" and Carla Olson Gade's "Proving Up" were two of my favorites, but all were so well done. One of the most moving tales was written by DiAnn Mills. Add in Pam Hillman's, Mary Connealy's, Erica Vetsch's, Kathleen Y'Barbo's, Darlene Franklin's and Becca Whitham's novellas and you have many novellas to keep you busy reading enjoyably for a long time!

I have to include the 2015 collection Christmas Traditions (Forget-Me-Not Romances, July 2015) because even though I am in it with The Fruitcake Challenge, I don't want to omit all the wonderful stories and authors in this collection, which stayed at the #1 spot on Amazon for anthologies for a long time and on the top #5 through Christmas. It includes a new 2015 novella by Angela Breidenbach plus wonderful stories by Cynthia Hickey, Gina Welborn (who spearheaded the collectin), Patty Smith Hall, Niki Turner, Darlene Franklin, and Jennifer AlLee.

GIVEAWAY: Paperback copy of Brentwood's Ward by Michelle Griep and another winner will receive Ebook or paperback (USA only unless available on BD) of choice of any of these books! Answer these questions: How many of these books were on your favorites list and which are you most yearning to read?  If you are like me there are probably many books you didn't get to read this year that you hope to catch up on!

Brentwood's Ward by Michelle Griep - Valentine Giveaway!

Brentwood's Ward

Brentwood's Ward
by Michelle Griep

Shiloh Run Press (January, 2015)

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

5 Stars *****

GREAT VALENTINE's DAY SELF-GIFT!!!

It's been a while since I've read a novel with writing at such a stellar level! Because I'm often writing and editing my own stuff I've just become super critical of what I read. Argh!!! Then I read Noela's review of Michelle Griep's new Regency. Because of what she wrote, I decided to read the copy I'd downloaded from NetGalley. (Full disclosure, I was under no compulsion to give a positive review.)

Characterization and story line were well done and writing craft exceptional. In fact, periodically I'd stop reading and just decide I should stop bothering to write anything more myself because Michelle's beautiful wordsmithing floored me!

She captures a time in London's history, early 1800's, when there were no police. Those who did work as Bow Street Runners" were mocked for their efforts and many, to earn a living, had to also perform detective work.  Hero, Nicholas Brentwood, is losing his sister, and can't turn down the offer to guard the daughter of a wealthy slave ship owner (another nice twist is that law has just been enacted to END this horrible practice in England.)  Emily Payne, although lovely and entitled is also embued with a fragility that makes her more likable plus her father has been unloving and even placed her in an unsafe situation which resulted in terrible consequences for her maid.

In a time when one's marriage matches determined the future, the underbelly of that system is fully exposed in this novel.

Faith messages included placing trust in God instead of self, finding one's own faith, and drawing on faith in difficult circumstances.

Bibliotherapy elements: This wasn't a strong bibliotherapy book per se and I'm loathe to indicate them all because I'm concerned that they'd result in spoilers. There's so much happening in this book that I'd have a long list of potential themes but my recommendation is just enjoy the great writing and don't worry about the therapeutic value of the story.

LIKELY TO BE ONE OF MY BEST OF 2015 BOOKS!!!

Purchase 'Brentwood's Ward' at: Amazon; CBD; Barnes & Noble; BAM; Book Depository.

GIVEAWAY: A copy of Brentward's Ward to one of our Valentine's Day weekend commenters!

Noela Nancarrow reviews BRENTWOOD'S WARD by Michelle Griep

Brentwood's Ward

Brentwood's Ward
by Michelle Griep

Shiloh Run Press: Gld edition (January 1, 2015)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

Michelle Griep pens an exquisite Regency novel that’s set in London 1807, incorporating shades of suspense, mystery, and romance in such an atmospheric story that it gives you the impression that you’ve just fallen into another era. And much like the misty rain blanketing London, a cloak of intrigue envelops this story, wholly enticing the reader to lose themselves within.

How difficult could guarding an heiress be? Lawman Nicholas Brentwood wonders this, especially after discovering that some of his colleagues had already turned down this lucrative assignment that was handed to him. Intent on earning enough to help his ailing sister, Nicholas takes on the challenging task of protecting the beautiful, although spoilt and headstrong heiress Emily Payne, and unwittingly lands in an evolving world of mystery and murder. Nicholas was as unprepared for that, as he was with the unraveling of his heart to Emily.

Emily Payne believes her entire future depends upon the upcoming ball, where she intends to garner a husband – and she has a particular man in mind! But is her new tag-along guardian going to mess up her plans in snaring a wealthy husband? However, as the grave danger around Emily increases, this may end up being the least of her troubles!

A master at words, author Michelle Griep adeptly molds her prose to bring life to every sentence in an invigorating story that serves up scads of suspense, peril, romance, and faith. I adored the richly-crafted characters such as the extremely perceptive hero Nicholas, and the self-indulgent Emily that has a penchant for hats, and found that these two inspired the most delightful dialogue. Woven throughout and tying this novel together, were the heartening messages on building trust and developing more positive attitudes in spite of circumstances, knowing that God is in charge.

 ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~

Purchase 'Brentwood's Ward' here: Amazon; CBD; Barnes & Noble; BAM; Book Depository..

GIVEAWAY: A $10 Amazon gift card will be given away to one blessed commenter!

Other novels by Michelle Griep

This week we are featuring Michelle Griep. In May I have read Michelle's latest release A Heart Deceived, which I have reviewed earlier this week. After reading that awesome book I just HAD to get her other two novels. I didn't have the time to read or review them yet, but they are on top of my TBR stack! 

The books I'm talking about are Undercurrent and Gallimore. Today I'd like to share the book covers and blurbs with you.

____________

UNDERCURRENT 

(Risen Books 2011)

Professor Cassie Larson leads a life her undergrad students hope to attain, until she tumbles into the North Sea and is sucked down into a swirling vortex…and a different century.

Alarik, son of a Viking chieftain, is blamed for a murder he didn’t commit—or did he? He can’t remember. On the run, saving a half-drowned foreign woman wasn’t in his plan.

Ragnar is a converted pagan shunned by many but determined to prove his Cousin Alarik’s innocence. He didn’t count on falling in love with Cassie or the deadly presence of evil that threatens his village in  Alarik’s absence.

Undercurrent is a timeless tale of honor and sacrifice.

GALLIMORE

(Black Lyon Publishing 2008)

Jessica Neale turns her back on everyone the day her husband dies. After conceding to a vacation in England, a bizarre storm and near-fatal accident alters her reality.

Colwyn Haukswyrth, as cold and unfeeling as the armor he wears, is a knight who has one focus in life-himself. The product of a family rooted in hatred andgreed, he never understood the significance of forgiveness. Until he meets Jessica Neale. More vexing and irksome than any wench he’s ever encountered, this provoking bit of a woman teaches him what genuine love is—a lesson he’ll take with him to the grave.ality, and she finds herself in the past. When confronted by a knight bearing the mirror-image of her apathetic heart, it’s a rude awakening to what she’s allowed herself to become.

GIVEAWAY: A book by Michelle Griep of your choice, and format—international winners ebook only.

Marian Baay reviews A HEART DECEIVED by Michelle Griep

A Heart Deceived

A HEART DECEIVED

By Michelle Griep

David C. Cook, 2013

Reviewed by Marian Baay

~5 stars~*****

Publisher’s book description:

Miri Brayden teeters on a razor's edge between placating and enraging her brother, whom she depends upon for support. Yet if his anger is unleashed, so is his madness. Miri must keep his descent into lunacy a secret, or he'll be committed to an asylum—and she'll be sent to the poorhouse. 

Ethan Goodwin has been on the run all of his life—from family, from the law ... from God. After a heart-changing encounter with the gritty Reverand John Newton, Ethan would like nothing more than to become a man of integrity—an impossible feat for an opium addict charged with murder. 

When Ethan shows up on Miri's doorstep, her balancing act falls to pieces. Both Ethan and Miri are caught in a web of lies and deceit—fallacies that land Ethan in prison and Miri in the asylum with her brother. Only the truth will set them free.

My review:

A new-to-me-author, this was my first introduction with Michelle Griep’s writing. This woman really can write! Usually I’m not so much into books with a sort of ‘dark’ setting and that’s why I looked at this book for at least three times and every time decided not to request it for review, but then I did it anyway—and boy, am I glad I did!

The author has a unique way with words that drew me into the story right away—on the first page I sat next to Miri in church in 18th century England and reluctantly had to let my new friend go on the last.

The descriptions are so rich and full, I could almost feel, hear, smell, and touch them. The emotions splattered from the pages—fear, despair, unfairness, hope, love, romance!

Extremely well written, excellent research, and a brilliant plot!!

*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley.*

You can find Michelle's books at Amazon, CBD, B&N and other bookstores.

___________________________________________________

GIVEAWAY: A book by Michelle Griep of your choice, and format—international winners ebook only.

TO DO: Like Michelle's author page on facebook and leave a comment here on Overcoming With God and put MG in your comment. Don't forget to leave your email address as well. 

Interview With Michelle Griep—Body Image and Faith

Michelle Griep, Author

Michelle Griep is the author of A HEART DECEIVED and of UNDERCURRENT and GALLIMORE.

Michelle, welcome to Overcoming With God. We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers. 

Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?

I have a sweet tooth the size of New York City. Can anyone relate? Cookies. Cake. CHOCOLATE! Yeah, I love me a large dessert, before and after the meal please. I’ve learned to not elbow people out of the way or mow down little old ladies with walkers when there’s a pastry to be had, and I’ve since curbed my urges to stuff my face with treats, but it wasn’t always that way.

Rewind the clock back to junior high. Afternoon. Math class. Boring…until the teacher announced that one student had brought cupcakes to share in honor of her birthday. Cupcakes?! You bet I was out of my seat before the teacher finished his sentence. That’s when I heard one of the boys call out, “Look at that. The fattest girl in the class is the first one up there.”

I was devastated. I honestly didn’t know I was fat, until then. The thing is…I wasn’t. Yeah, I admit I wasn’t Barbie thin. I had a little muffin top going on and the scale was 10 pounds more than it should’ve been. But that’s it. Ten pounds overweight, and I’ve struggled with my self-image ever since. For a while, I quit eating. Starvation works for only so long, though. So I lived on tuna sandwiches. I lost those pounds and then some, but when I looked into the mirror, I saw a fat girl.

Enter God. I discovered that God doesn’t even look at any fat jiggles or tight pants. He goes straight to the heart, and He was wondering why I cared what others thought about me more than what He did. That was a revolutionary thought. By digging into the Bible, I learned that God is more interested in how I look on the inside than the out.

There are days I still struggle with self-image. Who doesn’t? But God is faithful to remind me that this old body of mine will pass away. It’s okay if I eat a dessert now and then. He’ll love me just the same—and always will.

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print? 

For now, A HEART DECEIVED is available in eBook or paperback, as is UNDERCURRENT. GALLIMORE, however, is available in large print as well.

In A HEART DECEIVED, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  

There are three issues dealt with in the lives of the three main characters in A HEART DECEIVED…

Hero Ethan Goodwin is an opium addict. In the opening scene, he encounters God via a chance meeting with the Reverend John Newton. Throughout the story, Ethan deals with withdrawal from the drug while learning to depend upon God for his needs instead.

Heroine Miri Brayden has lived her entire life under the dark shadow of verbal abuse. As a result, her self image is nonexistent—until she discovers the love of God as shown through Ethan, and finds out she is a valuable creation.

Roland Brayden is Miri’s brother and is suffering from a debilitating virus causing the deterioration of his mental health. It’s a slow descent into lunacy, one which he occasionally surfaces from, and it frightens him to no end.

Throughout all these difficulties, God is there. It doesn’t mean He waves a magic wand and makes everything better, but it does mean that He changes hearts.

Thank you Michele for agreeing to answer these questions. I think many people struggle with these issues and we don't talk about it enough.

Bio: Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas…professionally, however, for the past 10 years. Her latest release, A HEART DECEIVED, is available by David C. Cook. You can find her at: www.writerofftheleash.blogspot.com, www.michellegriep.com or on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.

Giveaway: A copy of any of Michelle's books, your choice of format (international winners ebook only.)  Have you ever struggled with body image?  A sweet tooth?  Leave your comment and your email address to enter.