Sunday, April 19, 2020

About the Book

Book: House at the End of the Moor

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Christian Historical

Release Date: April 2020

An Opulent London Opera Star Escapes to the Rugged Landscape of the English Moors

Opera star Maggie Lee escapes her opulent lifestyle when threatened by a powerful politician who aims to ruin her life. She runs off to the wilds of the moors to live in anonymity. All that changes the day she discovers a half-dead man near her house. Escaped convict Oliver Ward is on the run to prove his innocence, until he gets hurt and is taken in by Maggie. He discovers some jewels in her possession—the very same jewels that got him convicted. Together they hatch a plan to return the jewels, clearing Oliver’s name and hopefully maintaining Maggie’s anonymity.

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MY REVIEW

This has been a lovely story that takes readers back to England in 1861. I loved how the author describes the time period which make it easy to visualize . Maggie is a recluse in her home and people know little about her. She is weary of everyone and has a trust issue. She has a secret that could destroy her if it gets out. I thought how sad it was for her to be in the home lonely and fearful. I don’t think I could sleep a wink in a place that was dreary and secluded. I found it very intriguing that she once was a very well know opera star. What made her run away from everything? Who is searching for her and what will happen if she is caught?

Oliver was easy to like because he is determined to prove his innocence in a crime that could put him in prison for a very long time. I liked his attitude of seeking the truth and never giving up. I won’t go into details of how Maggie and Oliver meet but I believe they have been brought together for a reason. Oliver does take a shining to Maggie but their relationship is slow to develop. I like that the author doesn’t throw them together with an immediate we are together forever type of story. It’s nice to see two characters slowly begin to open up and find someone they can relate to.

The story is filled with adventure as both characters have a mission to prove themselves innocent of their crime which brings surprises along the way. I loved the faith element in the book which gave it a feeling of hope. You will find forgiveness, redemption, trust and hope as the author whisks us away to a time where poverty was rampant and thieves abounded. I loved the ending and can’t wait to read another book from this very talented author.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

About the Author

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

More from Michelle

What comes to mind when you hear the word moor? For some, images of Jane Eyre spring to life. For others, The Hound of the Baskervilles starts barking. But for most, it’s a big fat goose egg. The fact is that most Americans don’t have a clue what a moor is, but never fear, my friend…after you read the next few paragraphs, you’ll never again go blank-minded when you hear the word moor.

Last summer I skipped across the pond and tromped around Dartmoor with my daughter and husband. What an awesome experience. I learned first-hand just how windy this vast stretch of land can be, for that’s really what a moor is at heart: a vast stretch of land. Webster’s defines it as an expanse of open rolling infertile land. Sounds rather desolate, eh? Yeah. Kind of. But it’s oh so much more.

In spring and summer, green does abound. Gorse bushes. Scrubby grasses. Lambs and sheep and goats. All these animals roam free so there are trails worn into the dirt that you can hike along. But I hear you…where could you possibly go if there’s nothing besides some farm animals roaming around the place?

You could hike to a tor, which is a “high, craggy hill.” Some of them can be a little treacherous to climb, but sweet mercy, what a view! The earth stretches out like a green and brown quilt. As I hiked that day last spring, whispers in the wind inspired me to wonder a lot of what-ifs, and those what-ifs came together in a story of intrigue and betrayal.

What would you do if you found a half-dead man bleeding in the middle of nowhere? Find out what heroine Maggie Lee does in The House at the End of the Moor.