Tuesday, February 12, 2019

LADIES OF INTRIGUE - Michelle Griep - One Free Book


Welcome back, Michelle. How did you come up with the idea for this story?
Since there are 3 different stories, I have 3 different answers :
The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady was inspired from my time visiting Cornwall where smugglers abound. And Poldark. Who isn’t inspired by Poldark?!
The Doctor’s Woman is a story dear to my heart because I live so close to the fort where this atrocity took place.
A House of Secrets came about from a tidbit of history I uncovered one day while at the Minnesota History Museum, about a secret tunnel reported running from a brothel to the Minnesota Club.

If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
Robin Jones Gunn because I heard her speak one time and she’s so personable.
Heather Gilbert because she’s such a sweetie.
Lindsay Harrell because I keep meaning to read her books and I just haven’t gotten around to it yet…bad reader!
Cara Putnam because I’ve never met her but I’d really like to.
Ane Mulligan because she’s another one of my bestest critique buddies in the world.
Deborah Raney because she’s just so doggone noble.

Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
Laura Frantz because her smile is infectious.
Julie Klassen because she’s one of my writing buddies.
Lori Benton because I want to write like her when I grow up.
Joanna Davidson Politano because I love her stories and I’d like to meet her.
Shannon McNear because her writing is stellar and we can plot together.
Elizabeth Ludwig because she is truly my partner in crime.

Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?
Hah! I almost choked on that one. Does any author ever really have it made? Writing is such a subjective thing that there’s no guarantee ever that anyone will “have it made.” My biggest problem currently is striving to beat down self-doubt, wondering if I can keep coming up with intriguing ideas.

Tell us about the featured book.
These 3 stories were previously published in other collections but now they are all under one cover. Here’s a blurb:

Can truth and love prevail when no one is as they appear?

The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady
Cornish Coast 1815
When a prim and proper governess returns to England from abroad, she expects to comfort her dying father—not fall in love with a smuggler. Will Helen Fletcher keep Isaac Seaton’s unusual secret?

The Doctor’s Woman (A Carol Award Winner!)
Dakota Territory 1862
Emmy Nelson, daughter of a missionary doctor, and Dr. James Clark, city doctor aspiring to teach, find themselves working side by side at Fort Snelling during the Dakota Uprising. That is when the real clash of ideals begins.

A House of Secrets
St. Paul, Minnesota 1890

Ladies Aide Chairman, Amanda Carston resolves to clean up St. Paul’s ramshackle housing, starting with the worst of the worst: a “haunted” house that’s secretly owned by her beau—a home that’s his only means of helping brothel girls escape from the hands of the city’s most infamous madam.

Please give us the first page of the book.
1815, port village of Treporth, Cornwall, England
Pretend I am courageous.

Pretend my heart still beats.

Pretend all manner of blissful things. . .

and that I shall find him alive.

Re-creasing a worn scrap of foolscap, Helen Fletcher tucked the paper into her valise then snapped shut the clasp, wishing most of all she’d never received such horrid news. No one had ever warned her about the dangers of parchment.

Pretend the world is right and well. . .for it would be—or she would die trying to make it so.

She rose from her sleeping berth and paced the few steps to the small mirror on the wall. Grey-blue light, the last from the end of a melancholic day, leaked through the porthole into her tiny accommodations. The vessel Nancarrow had never been meant to haul passengers, but the captain had made an exception for her plight, thank God. Removing her hat from a hook, she did her best to pin up her dark hair beneath the brim, then tied the ribbon secure. Now that they were docked, she’d not be sorry to leave this tucked-away compartment.

“Of course Father will be fine,” she whispered to her reflection, taking courage in the voicing of such a hope. She lifted her chin, staring into her own eyes. “And you will be, too.”

Whirling about, she retrieved her valise and left her sanctuary of the past fortnight. The corridor was a maze and a dim one at that. Very few vigil lanterns lit the way. She edged past stacks of crates secured against one wall then turned sideways to squeeze through a narrow throat of a space next to a post. Though she ought be used to it by now, the tight quarters smelled of brine and dampness and overworked ship hands—an odor she wouldn’t miss.

At last she made it to the stairs leading to fresh air and England. She’d never been to Cornwall, Bath having been her former home before leaving as a governess to Ireland. But as long as she was with Father, it would no doubt feel like home.

She gripped the railing with one gloved hand and ascended the wooden rungs. Her other hand held tightly to all she owned in this life, which was precious little. No matter. God would provide. He always did. Was not the very fact she’d been sent passage to attend her ailing father proof enough of God’s surprising provision?

The closer she climbed toward the top deck, the louder shouts echoed and boots thudded. Strange. When they’d set sail from Ireland’s green coast, the crew had sung ditties of brisk winds and prows cutting through the ocean blue. Ought not the ballads of mooring at a friendly port be jolly as well? She frowned. No, those rumbles and curses were decidedly not merry at all.

I’m intrigued. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Thank you, Michelle, for sharing this collection with my blog readers and me. I look forward to reading all three stories.

Readers, here are links to the book.
Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery - Paperback
Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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18 comments:

Shelia64 said...

sounds like a great book! Shelia from Mississippi

Kay Garrett said...

Always enjoy Michelle Griep's book. I would greatly love the opportunity to read "LADIES OF INTRIGUE" which is on my TBR list. I like the idea of three stories with one theme and what a great theme - truth and love prevailing when no ones is as they seem.

Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
Kay Garrett of Mountain View, AR
2clowns at arkansas dot net

Michelle Griep said...

Thanks Sheila and Kay! And thank you, Lena, for hosting me :)

Abigail Mitchell said...

All of your books look so good! Thank you for the chance to win this! God bless.
Abigail in VA

Vivian Furbay said...

Michelle is a great author and I have been blessed to read some of her books. Would enjoy reading this one! Vivian Furbay of CO

Raechel said...

This collection sounds so good!! Definitely on my TBR list. I've been to Fort Snelling, but have never read a book set there. Sounds interesting!
Thanks for this great interview and fun giveaway!
Raechel in MN

Lori Smanski said...

Oh this sounds like a wonderful book of three stories. The blurb of the first part makes me want to pick up this book. Thanks for the great interview.
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

Melanie Backus said...

I would love to read this book. Thank you for the opportunity.
Melanie Backus, TX

Wendy Newcomb said...

I've been seeing this book and that beautiful cover just pulls me to reading it so thank you for the chance to win a copy.

Wendy in South Sioux City, NE

wfnren at aol dot com

ASC Book Reviews said...

CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS ONE! :D

Happy Valentines! Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a), NM
amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

Caryl Kane said...

Hello Lena and Michelle! Michelle is one of my must read authors! I'm excited to read this one.

Caryl K in TEXAS

Pam K. said...

I've read several of Michelle's books and liked them very much. LADIES OF INTRIGUE sounds really good! Thanks for the giveaway.

pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas

Patty said...

It's been a while since I have read any of Michelle's stories. I know I have missed several of her newest releases. Thanks for sharing about this collection!

Patty in SC

Alison Boss said...

Michelle & Lena, thanks for this fun interview! I always enjoy getting to know more about an author. I have anticipating the release of Ladies of Intrigue!! It sounds sooo good! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!!!

Alison from MI
nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I've read a few of Michelle's books and thoroughly enjoyed them. Thanks for sharing!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)Gmail(dot)com

Elly said...

LOVE Michelle Griep!!!
Elly -Indiana-

Shamekka said...

I’m one of those people who judges a book by its cover and ever since I’ve seen this book’s cover I’ve wanted to read it. It is a beautiful cover!

Shamekka-Alabama

Sharon Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.