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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Did I Like Michelle Griep’s Latest Regency Novel?

by Chautona Havig · 5 Comments

Sometimes we see a book and know, without even reading the synopsis, that we're going to like it. Sometimes we're wrong, but I wasn't about The Noble Guardian. via @chautonahavig

Brown paper bags from Alphabeta Supermarkets—at least two of them. Inside, stacks of thin paperbacks with white covers and women and men in funny-looking historical clothes. The author: Barbara Cartland.

I read one and found it interesting in its novelty. Being one of those voracious readers who read everything from donut packaging to theology texts, I read the next. And another.

Somewhere about that time, I discovered a few things.

  • Girls in Regency times (although I didn’t know that was the era) were insipid twits.
  • Regency men had weak egos if their choice of women meant anything.
  • Reading those books might help me understand the hierarchy of English aristocracy.

So I read them. All of them.

Yes, you can roll your eyes. I still do.

They are why I didn’t want to read Austen’s works when I discovered the era they depicted. #becauseinsipid

Perhaps you’ll understand now why, even today, when the opportunity to review a book set in Regency times, I get a little bit nervous. You can understand that, right?

Well, I don’t get nervous if the book is written by Michelle Griep. She proved herself with The Innkeeper’s Daughter. So, when I had a chance to snag a review copy of The Noble Guardian from the publisher, I jumped at it.

Michelle Griep's The Noble Guardian

Note: links may be affiliate links for which I receive a small commission.  Additionally, I requested a review copy and chose to share my opinion.

Did I Like Michelle Griep’s Latest Regency Novel?

Nope. Why would I like a book with a sweet, fun, and sometimes feisty heroine, a principled and courageous hero, and lovely lessons in trust, faith, and reliance on the Lord? Who likes books where even 99.9% of the word choices are perfect? How could I possibly appreciate lovely writing or excellent story structure?

Tongue. Check. Cheek… check, check!

Griep took the sort of plot that might have been in a cheesy Regency romance and turned it on its head. The result: a believable story full of adventure, danger, hope, and faith.

My understanding of Scripture requires I do point out my one problem with The Noble Guardian.

Ms. Griep chose to have the Lord speaking to the hearts of the main characters, telling them what to do, what would come to pass, etc. While those words were mostly vague and generic I need to point them out for those who don’t agree with extra-Biblical conversations from the Lord with us.

It did not, however, detract from the story or cross into anything that I felt uncomfortable reading.

Who do I recommend the book for?

Lovers of historical fiction, strong but feminine women, books with realistic faith exhibited, or engaging stories will love this book. I knew I wouldn’t regret requesting a review copy, and I was right. It’s so great the rare times I get to be right! 😀

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Comments

  1. Caryl McAdoo says

    June 17, 2019 at 8:56 pm

    Loved the review! Sounds like Michelle has another winner!

    Reply
  2. Patty says

    June 17, 2019 at 4:27 am

    Samuel sounds like a great hero!
    I haven’t read many of Michelle Griep’s books, but have enjoyed all that I read.

    Reply
  3. Emma says

    June 15, 2019 at 9:24 pm

    This sounds good! I’m planning to read it next, after I finish the book I’m on now. I agree–this author writes a good Regency story.

    Reply
  4. Amelia says

    June 15, 2019 at 7:46 pm

    This sounds like a great book!

    Reply
  5. Rita Wray says

    June 15, 2019 at 1:27 pm

    Sounds like a great book.

    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
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
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