About the Book
Title: The Innkeeper’s Daughter
Author: Michelle Griep
Genre: Historical Christian Fiction
Release Date: March 1, 2018
A London officer goes undercover to expose a plot against the Crown
Dover, England, 1808: Officer Alexander Moore goes undercover as a gambling gentleman to expose a high-stakes plot against the king—and he’s a master of disguise, for Johanna Langley believes him to be quite the rogue. . .until she can no longer fight against his unrelenting charm.
All Johanna wants is to keep the family inn afloat, but when the rent and the hearth payment are due at the same time, where will she find the extra funds? If she doesn’t come up with the money, there will be nowhere to go other than the workhouse—where she’ll be separated from her ailing mother and ten-year-old brother.
Alex desperately wants to help Johanna, especially when she confides in him, but his mission—finding and bringing to justice a traitor to the crown—must come first, or they could all end up dead.
Click here to purchase your copy!
My Perspective
Readers, get ready to transport yourself back to 1808 England. Not only will you want to be a guest at the Inn, you will find yourself wanting to join in the action, the fun, and even the secrets. The setting for this book took me by surprise. I’ve read historic novels placed in London and loved them, so I wasn’t sure how a non-London location would work in my mind. Early on I found that I loved it. The people (good and bad), the buildings, the streets, all of it really. Michelle Griep paints a lovely picture, well and honestly sometimes not so lovely, but that’s okay. She has a way of writing that stirs all your senses into thinking you are really there. This is one setting I’d like to visit again.
It’s no secret that Johanna needs help keeping her family afloat. The inn is rundown, she owes too much money, and quite frankly is in over her head. But she doesn’t let all of that stop her from trying. Johanna is a very determined character, willing to do whatever it takes. I admire that about her, to a point. I think there were a couple of times she was willing to go a tad too far, but maybe we all would have. With all strong heroines, there is a side to them that it takes a certain type of person to bring out. And who better for the job than Alexander Moore. He pushed her buttons and I loved seeing her get flustered over him.
As much as I loved seeing Alexander and Johanna interact, I think some of my favorite scenes stemmed around Alexander and Thomas. Thomas was so spunky, and often did things before really thinking about them. He provided not only a comedic relief at times, but an added layer to this story that made it so much better. When an author has the ability to make me think about and love a secondary character, they’ve done their job as a writer. So often we get tied up with the main characters that the secondary ones seem almost like an after thought. I like bringing them to the forefront a little bit, and Michelle Griep has done just that.
Characters and setting aside, this book is full of romance, fun, adventure, and suspense. Imagine being placed in your favorite spy movie, and then set it in 1808. Alexander could easily be compared to James Bond, or other swoon worthy spies. He certainly caught my eye! I can promise you I’ll be looking for more great novels by Michelle Griep in the future. And as for this one, well it’s hanging around for awhile so that I can visit Dover whenever I’d like.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About the Author
Michelle Griep has been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle. Michelle is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and MCWG (Minnesota Christian Writers Guild). Keep up with her adventures at her blog “Writer off the Leash” or visit www.michellegriep.com.
Guest Post from Michelle Griep
Celebrating Oak Apple Day
Spring is just around the corner, or maybe it’s in full bloom in your neck of the woods. Regardless, by this time of year, everyone is ready to celebrate. . .and nothing new is under the sun. For centuries people have been eager to welcome budding greenery and warmth.
In my recent release, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, I incorporated a spring holiday that’s been around for over 500 years in England, one you may never heard of.
Oak Apple Day.
This ancient celebration dates back to the year 1651. At the time, Charles II escaped the Roundhead army by taking cover in an oak tree. Everyone loved ol’ Charlie and was glad he lived, so in his honor, a new national holiday was born—one that in some parts of England is still celebrated today.
Another name for this annual event is Royal Oak Day and the festivities occur every May 29th. Celebration traditions vary from parades to the ringing of bells, but one thing that is standard is that it’s a day to pin an oak leaf on your lapel. If you fail to wear one, you could end up getting pinched.
The hero in my latest release is kind enough to remind the heroine that she forgot to pin on her leaf, thus saving her from untoward pinches. Interested in hearing more about this gallant fellow and the forgetful miss? Here’s a blurb about The Innkeeper’s Daughter…
Tension is high with the threat of a Napoleonic attack in Regency England, but risk from abroad means nothing when there’s danger at home.
Officer Alexander Moore goes undercover as a gambling gentleman to expose a high-stakes plot against the crown—and he’s a master of disguise, for Johanna Langley believes him to be quite the rogue . . . until she can no longer fight against his unrelenting charm.
All Johanna wants is to keep the family inn afloat, but when the rent and the hearth payment are due at the same time, where will she find the extra funds? If she doesn’t come up with the money, there will be nowhere to go other than the workhouse—where she’ll be separated from her ailing mother and ten-year-old brother.
Alex desperately wants to help Johanna, especially when she confides in him, but his mission—finding and bringing to justice a traitor to the crown—must come first, or they could all end up dead.
It’s a race against time for them both.
Blog Stops
Just the Write Escape, March 15
Fiction Aficionado, March 15
All-of-a-kind Mom, March 15
The Morning Chapter, March 15
Reflections From My Bookshelves, March 16
Reading Is My SuperPower, March 16
Mommynificent, March 16
Blogging With Carol, March 16
Among the Reads, March 17
Connie’s History Classroom, March 17
Mary Hake, March 17
Blossoms and Blessings, March 17
Karen Sue Hadley, March 18
The Power of Words, March 18
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, March 18
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, March 18
Kathleen Denly, March 19
Faithfully Bookish, March 19
Captive Dreams Window, March 19
Red Headed Book Lady, March 19
The Fizzy Pop Collection, March 20
Remembrancy, March 20
Inklings and notions, March 20
Book by Book, March 20
Moments Dipped in Ink, March 21
Black ‘n’ Gold Girl’s Book Spot, March 21
Singing Librarian Books, March 21
To Everything a Season, March 21
Bookworm Mama, March 22
Two Points of Interest, March 22
Vicky Sluiter, March 22
Carpe Diem, March 22
Pause for Tales, March 23
Have A Wonderful Day, March 23
A Baker’s Perspective, March 23
margaret kazmierczak, March 23 (Interview)
proud to be an autism mom, March 24
Bibliophile Reviews, March 24
A Greater Yes, March 24
Texas Book-aholic, March 25
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 25
Janices book reviews, March 25
A Reader’s Brain, March 26
Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 26
Simple Harvest Reads, March 26 (Mindy Houng Guest Post)
Kaylee’s Kind Of Writes, March 27
My Writer’s Life, March 27
Pursuing Stacie, March 27
Bigreadersite, March 27
Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 28
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 28
Pink Granny’s Journey, March 28
The PhD Mamma, March 28
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize of a signed copy of The Innkeeper’s Daughter and a $25 gift card from Barnes & Noble!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cb72
Thank you for your perspective and the information on “The Innkeeper’s Daughter” by Michelle Griep as well as being part of the book tour.
I have this book on my TBR list and would love the opportunity to read it. Love the cover and everything I’ve heard about it just reaffirms my desire to read it.
Yay! I love being on TBR lists! Thanks for putting me there, Kay!
I loved this book! ?
I agree with you about the secondary characters. I appreciated that they were flushed out. They had personality and were interesting. And, yes, I agree that Alexander is like James Bond of the 1800s. He is so cool! Great review. ?
It would be kind of fun to meet Alex in real life, eh?
Thanks for hosting me on your blog today. Great to be here!
“The Innkeeper’s Daughter” sounds like an interesting read. Looking forward to reading the book. It’s on my TBR list.
I have been captivated with ‘The Innkeeper’s Daughter’ since I first heard about it! I find the whole storyline of Alex going undercover with his many disguises to expose a plot against the Crown so intriguing…..and I am equally curious to find out how Joanna and her 10 year old brother, Thomas, come into this whole mix! Now after reading your review, Jessica, I’m even more smitten! You painted such a picture of the story with your review, that I want to read it even more! Oh! I just love reading! So many grand adventures…. 🙂 Thanks for the great review!!
thank you for your review. this sounds like such an interesting story line. the more reviews i read, the more i have to read this book. the hearts in this book sound like there is a lot to untangle.
I love Michelle’s books! I’m excited to read this one!