Abby is an endearing character who has lived a life unloved and unaccepted. Her journey begins with deep hope and anticipation of being Lord Jonathan’s beloved bride. However, the path to Brakewell Hall is full of twists and turns. As a character, Abby was believable. I’ve known girls who are just like her–hopeful and perhaps slightly disillusioned to the truth.
The Captain, now, is one that I slightly better understand. He is stoic and unrelenting in what he believes is right. Granted, I totally don’t identify with his whole theme of going after highway bandits, but I loved the action and energy those scenes exuded.
The spiritual plot was there. In the beginning, it appeared as if both characters were believers, but then at the halfway point, there were some conversations (pretty much the only solid spiritual conversations in the book) and it seems as if one of the characters gets saved at that point. I was slightly disappointed because, near the end, the entirety of the spiritual plot revolved more around the characters and their romantic desires than anything else.
Speaking of romantic desires… I don’t hide that I’m not a huge romance fan. In some books, I can tolerate more than others, all depending on how it is written. This one had more description than I cared for. There is an almost-rape scene (more than just mentioned in passing–the reader gets a few details of the attack) and a couple of mentions of men’s hands traveling down further than they should, etc.
I really do like Griep’s writing style and her descriptions. As a writer, I can admire the style, even though the content isn’t quite what I fully appreciate.
*I received this book from Celebrate Lit Bloggers and happily provided my honest review*
Book: The Noble Guardian
Author: Michelle Griep
Genre: Christian Historical
Release date: June, 2019
A Cross-Country Trip through Regency England Brings Intrigue, Rogues, and High Adventure
The must-read conclusion to Michelle Griep’s Bow Street Runners Trilogy: Life couldn’t be better for Abigail Gilbert—but it’s been a long time in coming. Having lived with a family who hated her, it’s finally her time for love. Abby sets off on a journey across England to marry one of the most prestigious gentlemen in the land—until highwaymen upset her plans and threaten her life.
Horse patrol captain Samuel Thatcher arrives just in time to save Abby. But she’s simply another victim in a job he’s come to despise. Tired of the dark side of humanity, he intends to buy land and retire.
Abby pleads with him to escort her for the rest of her journey. He refuses—until she offers him something he desperately needs to achieve his goal. . .money. Delivering her safely will give him more than enough to buy property.
So begins an impossible trek for the cynical lawman and the proper lady. Each will be indelibly changed by the time they reach her betrothed, if they don’t kill one another first—or fall in love.
Click here to purchase your copy.
To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize that includes a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of The Noble Guardian!!
About the AuthorMichelle 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 http://www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
More from Michelle
Highwaymen Aren’t All Glamorous
Highwaymen are often romanticized in historical romances, but the truth is these fella’s were generally not compassionate thieves at all. They were cutthroat robbers who sometimes killed. Here’s a brief history so that you’re in the know.
The term “highwayman” simply means a thief who steals—usually at gunpoint—from travelers on the road. Not all, but some of those attacks turned deadly, the robbers not wishing to leave anyone behind who could identify them. Others wore masks for the same purpose.
Long, deserted stretches of roads that were main thoroughfares were the particular favorite haunts of these men. Criminals would choose remote highways that supplied regular traffic going to and from major destinations, such as Hounslow Heath, about fifteen miles outside of London.
To combat these villains, in 1805 the Bow Street Horse Patrol was created. There were about sixty men hired to protect travelers on the principal roads within sixty miles of London. Most of the men had served previously in a cavalry regiment. Their most successful achievement was to rid Hounslow Heath of highwaymen.
And that’s where I got the idea for my hero, Samuel Thatcher, in The Noble Guardian. He’s a rough and tumble man who’s tired of life and the wickedness of man. Mostly he’s just biding his time until he retires—that is until he rescues Miss Abigail Gilbert from the clutches of one of the worst offenders of all…Shankhart Robbins.
Sound like an adventure? It is. Settle back with your own copy and see what it’s like to ride the rugged heath in a carriage, bounding along—until you hear the crack of a pistol.
Enjoy!
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