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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

The Things That Change In 75 Years Will Capture Your Heart

by Chautona Havig · 11 Comments

12 Days at Bleakly Manor“Whatcha readin’?” (said with a perfect imitation of Isabella from Phineas and Ferb).

I passed the book across the table with great reluctance. “12 Days at Bleakly Manor.”

He gave it a cursory glance. “What’s it about?”

“The author gave Charles Dickens a bit of writer’s block and had him set up an elaborate scheme to watch how people handle things if they just stay in one house for twelve days at Christmas. There are allusions to characters in Bleak House, but I actually see other characters in it as well—Little Dorrit and Our Mutual Friend for instance.”

“Interesting. How’d you hear about it?” I explained about the blog tour company from which I request books to read and review. That prompted a nod and the light of understanding in his eyes. “Aah… so a favorite author, then.”

I shook my head and grinned as understanding shifted to surprise. There’s something a bit satisfying when one can trip someone up. “I’d never heard of her before, but she is a new favorite author. I guarantee if another of her books are offered, I’ll hit the request button faster than I can say, ‘Yes!’”

And I did.

Four more times so far. To read all the previous reviews you can here:

  • 12 Days at Bleakly Manor 
  • The Captured Bride 
  • The Innkeeper’s Daughter 
  • A Tale of Two Hearts 

And of course, you’re reading the fourth/fifth here. Ladies of Intrigue.

Oh, yeah. When Ladies of Intrigue popped up for review, I requested a copy without even bothering to read the synopsis. I mean, why would I? Michelle Griep has never steered me wrong—except perhaps in the pronunciation of her surname. Is it “Grape,” “Greep,” or “Gripe”? People with strangely-pronounced names wish to know.

When it arrived, with its stunningly beautiful cover, I flipped it over to read. Three books in one! Score! Yes, they were novellas. No, novellas are not my cuppa… usually. There are exceptions, and I suspected Ms. Griep would be one. Then I checked the dates. 1815-1890. The novels span seventy-five years! From Regency England, to Dakota Territory, to Minnesota (okay, those last two feel a little Laura Ingalls-ish, don’t they?).

I knew I’d love it—just knew it. I also knew that I’d get to see the changes in history and location play out on the page in a way I don’t even know if the author intended. That intrigued me!

Note: some links are affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

The Things That Change In 75 Years Will Capture Your Heart

Let’s start with locations. Cornish seaside? I couldn’t help but picture the little village of Port Isaac (called Portwenn in the Doc Martin series) as being “just around the bend” while I read. That’s one great thing about watching British shows—you get to see some of those places that you read about in other books.

Dakota Territory? The draw of my father’s ballads… rugged land, tensions between natives and military, the bitter cold of Laura Ingalls’ winters. I felt as though I walked with Emmy and saw the heartbreak and pain suffered there.

St. Paul, Minnesota? I’ve been there—sleek skyscrapers, traffic, airports… one-half of the “Twin Cities.” But in A House of Secrets, Ms. Griep showed me an older, seedier side of the town. No, I guess that part of it doesn’t “capture your heart,” but what happens there—what her Joseph does—definitely will.

There’s more, though.

As I’ve often said, I don’t usually care for novellas. They often feel rushed—incomplete. Usually, I want more, and not in a good way. When a reader wants more because they don’t want a story to end, that’s every author’s dream. However, when a reader wants more because they feel as though they’ve been left with an incomplete story… That’s how I usually feel about novellas.

Not these. While I’ve no doubt that Ms. Griep could have turned each one of these into a full-length novel, I didn’t once feel as though I was being dragged past the bullet points of a story. Instead, she wrote each one complete, even if snack-sized instead of a full meal.

Okay, so the characters in these books will capture your heart as well. Seriously, I loved all of them, which is pretty cool. With three books and three time periods—not to mention three locations, the chance that I wouldn’t like one of them was high. Didn’t happen. The only people I didn’t like were ones I wasn’t supposed to. And Ms. Griep did a great job of making me dislike them.

There’s something else about Ladies of Intrigue that you should know.

I said this was about things that did change. But things that didn’t were even more interesting. Each girl had similar attributes. They were all strong without being ridiculously so and each knew her own heart. That was such a nice thing after reading several recently where the girls couldn’t possibly guess what was happening in that important organ! Whatever could this be!?! Gag.

Ms. Griep didn’t do that to me. I’d plop down five stars for that right away. Just sayin’.

Still, with similar elements to their personalities, the girls didn’t feel like a more modern, carbon copy of the previous one(s). Each girl had her own unique story, her own personality, her own reactions to what happened to her. This takes a killer understanding of human nature, and the author showed that beautifully.

Another thing that didn’t change was her phenomenal writing.

Ms. Griep first intrigued me with her ability to take a scene and describe every bit of it that I need to know—and with as few words as possible. Unlike some authors who spend pages describing a single room, *cough, Dickens* she wields her word brush with delicate care. Turns of phrases capture your attention without slipping into personal prose.

In fact, the only thing about the writing that tripped me up was both the second and the third characters, about thirty years apart, used the exclamation, “La!” It jarred me out of the second story a bit. I don’t know if it’s just something incredibly popular among young ladies of the latter half of the 19th century, or if she got into that habit and didn’t realize she’d done it twice in a row.

Seriously, though, if that’s all I have to complain about, well… I’ll take it. I’m so glad I requested a review copy, and I’ll be looking forward to her next book.

Recommended for lovers of historical fiction, books about plucky girls who aren’t determined to prove their superiority to men, and novellas! Three in one, folks!

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Comments

  1. Dianna says

    March 9, 2019 at 1:48 pm

    It’s the cover that makes me want to read this book. Then, after seeing your review — it’s definitely on the list. (Loved the Phineas & Ferb reference. I used to like watching that cartoon with my kids.)

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 10, 2019 at 1:01 am

      Such a fun show. I love it. 😀

      Reply
  2. Pam K. says

    March 5, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    I really enjoy Michelle Griep’s books, especially the Bow Street Runners series. This novella collection looks like one I will really like too.

    Reply
  3. Michelle Griep says

    March 3, 2019 at 11:50 am

    Your reviews always give me the biggest smile! Thanks so much, my friend. I am honored to be amongst you favorite authors 🙂 Oh yeah, and it’s “Greep” but trust me, I’ve heard them all.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 3, 2019 at 2:52 pm

      YAY!!! I guessed right. Just as I was typing that out, I thought. “Hey, it could be ‘grape,’ too. Hmmm…” But I’ve been calling you “Greep” in my head, and I’m so happy I was right. (I get the “heard ’em all. Even my mother’s side of the family doesn’t say/spell my name right. They add an N and make me sound like “Shan-TONE-uh” *blinks*

      Reply
  4. Becky D. says

    March 3, 2019 at 11:45 am

    Such a great review! I love Michelle’s writing as well, and am looking forward to reading this collection.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 3, 2019 at 2:53 pm

      It’s really a lovely collection.

      Reply
  5. Amelia says

    March 3, 2019 at 11:13 am

    I always enjoy your reviews. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 3, 2019 at 2:53 pm

      Aw, thanks!

      Reply
  6. Emma says

    March 3, 2019 at 10:05 am

    Bleakly Manor was quite the book! It kept me guessing all the way through. I enjoyed The Innkeeper’s Daughter, too, but haven’t yet read any of her other books. These sound interesting.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 3, 2019 at 2:54 pm

      These are a nice, quick read. So, if you need something that you can read on a day when you have a bit of time but not a lot, it’s perfect. Just read one and go.

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
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