Lost Sheep

The House At The End Of The Moor by Michelle Griep is an absolutely marvellous Christian historical adventure that I just could not put down. It was a thrilling read.

The novel is set on Dartmoor, in Lydford and Bath. I revelled in these locations as I know them all. Dartmoor prison is a foreboding place, rising up out of the moor – my Dad drove us past it when we stayed in Lydford Gorge in autumn 1980. I have visited Bath on many occasions over the years. My familiarity with the landscape helped to bring the novel alive.

There are the main themes of restoration and the presence of God. “I’d never have survived … without God.” Sometimes life is very bleak indeed but without God, it is even worse. When we know God, we can have a hope for the future.

Restoring the years the locusts have taken links with the theme of prodigals returning. Like the prodigal son, we may fear our welcome but there is much rejoicing.

It is never wise to believe we know what others are thinking or know why they act in a certain manner. The novel shows that actions and motivations of others may be misinterpreted.

We cannot earn God’s grace. It is a gift freely given. There is a character who is trying to earn their way to heaven, to atone for past actions. No one can ever work their way to heaven. We would never be ‘good enough’, instead we must accept the free gift of grace.

Treasures of this world shackle us. “Locked in the chains of status and wealth.” The love of money is the root of all evil. Money does not have to be a prison if we use it wisely and remember we are God’s stewards of our money. This figurative prison of our own making mirrors the actual Dartmoor prison.

Michelle Griep has created a marvellous set of characters that elicited various emotional responses from me. I loved the leading characters and ‘lived’ the novel through their eyes.

Michelle Griep is a new author to me but I shall certainly be seeking out more of her books.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON

About the Book

Book: House at the End of the Moor

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Christian Historical

Release Date: April 2020

An Opulent London Opera Star Escapes to the Rugged Landscape of the English Moors

Opera star Maggie Lee escapes her opulent lifestyle when threatened by a powerful politician who aims to ruin her life. She runs off to the wilds of the moors to live in anonymity. All that changes the day she discovers a half-dead man near her house. Escaped convict Oliver Ward is on the run to prove his innocence, until he gets hurt and is taken in by Maggie. He discovers some jewels in her possession—the very same jewels that got him convicted. Together they hatch a plan to return the jewels, clearing Oliver’s name and hopefully maintaining Maggie’s anonymity.

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About the Author

Michelle 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 www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

More from Michelle

What comes to mind when you hear the word moor? For some, images of Jane Eyre spring to life. For others, The Hound of the Baskervilles starts barking. But for most, it’s a big fat goose egg. The fact is that most Americans don’t have a clue what a moor is, but never fear, my friend…after you read the next few paragraphs, you’ll never again go blank-minded when you hear the word moor.

Last summer I skipped across the pond and tromped around Dartmoor with my daughter and husband. What an awesome experience. I learned first-hand just how windy this vast stretch of land can be, for that’s really what a moor is at heart: a vast stretch of land. Webster’s defines it as an expanse of open rolling infertile land. Sounds rather desolate, eh? Yeah. Kind of. But it’s oh so much more.

In spring and summer, green does abound. Gorse bushes. Scrubby grasses. Lambs and sheep and goats. All these animals roam free so there are trails worn into the dirt that you can hike along. But I hear you…where could you possibly go if there’s nothing besides some farm animals roaming around the place?

You could hike to a tor, which is a “high, craggy hill.” Some of them can be a little treacherous to climb, but sweet mercy, what a view! The earth stretches out like a green and brown quilt. As I hiked that day last spring, whispers in the wind inspired me to wonder a lot of what-ifs, and those what-ifs came together in a story of intrigue and betrayal.

What would you do if you found a half-dead man bleeding in the middle of nowhere? Find out what heroine Maggie Lee does in The House at the End of the Moor.