This is my favorite Michelle Griep book so far! (I never would have thought that I would love a GOTHIC Christian Historical Fiction book, but here I am, LOVING IT!)

This author has a masterful way of writing that engages all your senses and draws you into the characters’ world and in this case you find yourself in England in 1890 in a town full of people who are highly superstitious and where there have been mysteriously bizarre slaughtering of animals that have the townsfolk blaming their own resident vampire, Sir James Morgan. Rosa Edwards is a young woman who is on a mission to educate her fellow townsfolk and rid them of their ignorant judgmental ways. (I just love her positive energy and her ambition to better herself and her community!)

What I loved about this book:
- Rosa worked with her father in his library (I just love books about books and book-loving people!)
- the bits of witty dialogue that portrayed the accents (who doesn’t love a good British accents?!?) and the vernacular of some of these eccentric characters! (I could just hear it in my head the way I know it would have sounded in real life!)
Quote -“It were an ill wind a’blew in ‘ere yesterday, bringing all manner o’ evil with it”
- the quotes from Dracula by Bram Stoker at the beginning of each chapter ( now I have to be sure to read that one!)
- the ROMANCE - AHHHHHH!!!!! There were parts that I read over a couple of times because they just made me feel like I did when I first fell in love, breathless and euphoric!
-the author had me loathing Mr. Alvin Mallow at first and then towards the end she had me feeling empathetic towards him and even admiring him, reluctantly.
-James’s interactions with the old rector Mr. Austen and how with each encounter James grew closer to the truth that the good Lord created us to be in community, that people need people.
Quote - “”People need you and you need people.”
And that we weren’t created to carry heavy burdens, we’re meant to share them with our loved ones and the Creator Himself.

This book had so much that I loved about it. Do yourself a favor - read it!

Set in England, 1890, a superstitious community believes the legends about vampires. Rosa works at her father's lending library and seeks to help educate the community, believing that more knowledge will help dispel their superstitious tendencies. When Sir James returns, the animosity stirs up as the folklore about vampires involves his family.

The story isn't gruesome, James' family suffers from a blood disease that he's seeking to cure with herbs. It's an interesting opportunity to reflect on the powerful pull of public opinion, Also raises the question of how to persevere in faith when God's people have betrayed you. I enjoyed it!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review!

I loved this book! Mysterious new man in town. Rosa works for her father’s library. Rumors of vampires! Romance!

4

Where do I even begin? This book was so good! It's the kind of Gothic yet faith-filled read that I can never get enough of. And what a wonderful homage to Dracula! Since Dracula is one of my all-time favorite books, I loved all the nods to the classic. I had to smile every time I noticed a familiar name or place.
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I liked James and Rosa right from the start. Rosa's the kind of bookish, spunky, and determined heroine that I love reading about. James was charming, chivalrous, and just an all-around good guy. He was the very definition of swoony. I really felt for him, though. The way others treated him with suspicion and superstition regarding his health condition infuriated me. I didn't know much about porphyria beforehand, so it was really interesting learning about it.

I can't say enough good things about this book. It's one of the best I've read this year. If you're a fan of Gothic historical romance, you're sure to love it too. I can't recommend it highly enough.

I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

“She really ought to pedal onward and get back to the library, but there was such raw power in the way he moved that it mesmerized her like little else she had known. She watched his tall form until shadows and mist swallowed him whole, leaving her entirely unsettled.”

Absolutely loved this second book in the Of Monsters and Men series! I have to admit Dracula is one of my favorite “horror” stories and Michelle Griep brilliantly took the idea of a vampire and turned it on its head. She created a character so sympathetic and tortured that he instantly drew my compassion. It’s the story of a troubled man trying to find a cure for the life threatening illness he faces which also plagues his mother, all the while resisting love and warding off villagers bent on his destruction.

Sir James Morgan traveled to Whitby, England from his castle in Transylvania to care for his mother who suffers from porphyria. After rescuing a beautiful woman after a bicycle accident, he’s pleasantly surprised to find she works in her father’s library where he’s hoping to find medical texts. As he desperately searches for a cure, he can’t help but fall in love with Rosa. Knowing the outcome of the disease, he resists anything more than friendship and keeps himself shuttered away from others. The strange symptoms of the disease, the cattle found mutilated, and the superstitious nature of the townsfolk foster the idea that Sir James is indeed a dreaded vampire.

Rosa Edwards is a forward thinking librarian studying to be a secretary. She wants nothing more than to share books and knowledge with her small English village to help combat superstitions. Though many can’t afford the subscription, she finds ways to provide books. When she meets James, he has a profound effect on her. As she tries to discourage a persistent suitor, she wants nothing more than to get to know the mysterious stranger better. James is elusive, yet always seems to be there when she needs him. If she can only get him to trust her, and take a chance on love.

I loved everything about this story! The atmosphere was fantastic with an eerie manor, freakish thunderstorms, and fog shrouded streets. The romance between Rosa and James was electric with a passionate undercurrent throughout. Their first kiss was amazing! I loved how he tried to scare her off at times by playing the vampire role. I so sympathized with James. He wanted nothing more than what he felt was best for Rosa, yet he yearned for love and acceptance. I loved the kind rector who helped convince James he needed the companionship of others.

All the nods to Dracula were fabulous. I enjoyed the way the author weaved Bram Stoker into the story and the little Easter eggs pointing to the classic novel. I loved that James’ butler was named Renfield and chuckled every time I saw his name. It was fascinating learning more about porphyria and how the symptoms matched so well with the concept of a vampire.

It’s a fast paced, perfectly gothic romance, with a touch of inspiration and suspense. Highly recommend to gothic and historical romance fans as well as those who enjoy the classics. I can’t wait to see which “monster” she’ll tackle next, although I have a theory. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.

When Sir James Morgan returns from Transylvania to England, his reclusive ways and strange behaviors give rise to rumors in the village. The man must be a vampire, and the mysterious deaths of sheep and cattle with their throats slit only confirms the matter. Rosa Edwards, daughter of the village librarian, is the only one open-minded enough to reject such superstitions. She appreciates the aloof but courteous Sir James and discovers that he is a kind and misunderstood soul. She makes an arrangement with him to deliver books daily to his secluded manor house. But what exactly are the mysterious screams coming from Sir James’ house? And why can he not bear to be outside in the sunlight?

Inspired by events in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, this story explores the beauty of believing in someone against the slings and arrows of public opinion. Rosa is a determined young woman, hoping to forge a life for herself as a secretary. She dreams of providing books and education for the poor and underprivileged and of purchasing a typewriter so she can pursue her secretarial dreams. Sir James is a devoted and driven individual, seeking to find a cure for that which threatens himself and those dear to him. Torn between his duties as a son and his duties to his estate back in Transylvania, he must also battle his attraction to the feisty librarian who refuses to let his reputation and life go up in flames.

The premise of this book was interesting, and I enjoyed the Bram Stoker cameo and the tie-ins with Dracula. The Christian elements of the story were woven in well to the characters’ lives. Some of the characters were a little too over the top to be fully believable, but all in all, it was a fun homage and an intriguing Victorian adventure.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

4.5 ⭐️

This book was so atmospheric & moody! It was the perfect accompaniment to today’s blustering storm.

The Gothic intrigue is strong right from the get-go & carries through the entire story. Despite having never been to Whitby, I fell in love with the location as a child & always enjoy getting to return there through fiction. Plus, there’s a fun Bram Stoker & Dracula cameo, but it isn’t too spooky or creepy. Instead, the story reminded me of Jane Eyre, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and Jaime Jo Wright’s books.

James & Rosa were lovely — the mysterious baronet & the bookish librarian. The way their stories intertwined & the progression of their relationship were beautifully done. And I loved the hint of the “fake relationship” trope.

With heart-stirring faith themes, Griep paints a poignant picture of true love and friendship while learning to trust amid the hurts & harms of superstition and gossip.



*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

delicious

I don’t think I’ve ever used the word “delicious” to describe a book before, but it fits this one! Sir James gives off all the Beast vibes as Rosa does the Belle vibes. I love the weaving of fact and creativity here. So much swoon!

As always as well: hope. The world needs more of it and Michelle never fails to lead her readers right back to the greatest source of hope: Jesus. ❤️

Two thumbs up!