This BOOK!
This AUTHOR!
Can I possibly give this book 100 stars? No, only 5? Well it deserves 100+ stars.
The last book in the Bow Street Runners series, I am sorry to see it end.
I have read the other books in the series but this does work well as a stand alone as some back story is shared in books 2 and 3.
I could not turn the pages fast enough in this book, it was love at first sentence for me.
I was thoroughly engrossed in the story!
Southampton, England 1815 is the setting we find ourselves in at the start of the book.
I knew Samuel Thatcher had a story to be told when I encountered him in previous books and oh what a story it is. We meet cutthroats,scumbags,thieves,liars and the likes of those you'd never want to encounter in a dark alley if you had the misfortune to wander there.
This is by far Michelle Greip's best book to date. She is a bold writer not afraid to show a little dirt in her books to make it realistic, very realistic. We encounter mud, blood,stinking clouts and spilled stew, can't forget that spilled stew in the coaching inn. The majority of the book takes place with "Captain" escorting Abigail Gilbert to her Sir Johnathon Aberley baronet. An arranged marriage is to take place. Oh my what a wild and at times dangerous adventure is to be had along the way.
A baby who stole my heart figures into this book as well. Feeling he owes his friend to deliver the baby to her Aunt, this little mischief maker is quite the charmer as she babbles away and takes her first steps. The romance is there but it's subtle, we are not overwhelmed with it as the book concentrates on the adventure but you can feel the sizzle burning in the background.
Will that be all for the handsome and courageous noble guardian when he arrives at the mansion of her intended badly wounded as he delivers her there?
I so loved this book and didn't want it to end.
Expected publication: June 1st 2019 by Shiloh Run Press.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Michelle Griep’s latest, The Noble Guardian, is a resounding conclusion to her Bow Street Runner’s series. As I journeyed through the books in this set, I found that each one was an improvement on the last. Many series seem to dwindle with each installment – but not in this case!

From start to finish Griep engulfs her reader in the plight of Abigail and Samuel, each character trying to learn their way, face personal demons, and search for truth. Griep keeps up a steady pace, full of action, depth, and character development, which will resonate soundly with her readers.

I invite you to pick up this book, fall in love with the characters, and become part of their journey. You will not be disappointed.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Fantastic as usual for the author Michelle Griep! I have read several of her stories including the two other bow street runner stories Brentwoods Ward and The Innkeepers Daughter. Fun seeing the stories continue and both family's and happy endings multiply. The characters in this story were delightful and realistic. Their love slow and progressive, the danger giving suspense and depth to the story. Very interesting read, almost read it straight though in one sitting. I could hardly put it down! Highly recommend and will continue to look for the next no doubt wonderful story from this author!

Michelle Griep did it again! I enjoyed her last book, "Ladies of Intrigue," and I appreciate the work and detail she puts into her novels, set in Victorian times. "The Noble Guardian" is another engrossing read, filled with danger, love in the strangest of places, an unexpected child to transport and a woman running from the fractured family who raised her. I didn't realize this book was #3 in a series, as I got to read it thanks to #NetGalley, but I will be reading the preceding books after this!

Griep always gives the reader relatable characters that interact in ways that you might not expect. This novel is no exception, as Abby is a woman who is betrothed to a wealthy baronet of her father's choice, headed across the heaths of England to meet him, along with her maid. As the trip progresses, Abby's maid deserts her, and she is forced to pay for a postillion and a guardian to protect her over the harrowing journey-- one fraught with thieves and highwaymen ready to rob an unsuspecting woman.

Thankfully, she encounters Samuel, a Bow Street Runner, who begins the journey with Abby after she is physically attacked by a lecherous man claiming to be a guardian. He is not a minute too soon. Samuel knows Abby will never make it to her intended baronet, Sir Jonathan, if he does not help her. The Bow Street Runner's primary goals were to keep the roads within 60 miles of London safe for the travelers, and Samuel takes his job as a magistrate serious. He is, in fact, a good man, which Abby is not used to.

Abby enters into this agreement with the intent of it being a means to an end, but as Emma, a child with no mother, is introduced into the mix, the dynamics of the relationship between Samuel and Abby begins to change. She is thrust into the motherly role and all that it entails, including a sickness that could threaten all their lives. Samuel also has a target on his back from some especially dangerous highwaymen who would rather see him dead, making Abby and Emma precious cargo he must also protect.

The characters are well developed and the reader can't help but fall in love with each of them in their own way. Abby grows and changes throughout the story, finding strength she didn't know she had, and Samuel is working towards protecting his charges and doing what is right, both in the eyes of the law and the eyes of God. Can this ragtag group of people make it to their final destinations?
Will Abby choose her dashing baronet, or the noble guardian who has protected both her and baby Emma all the way to their awaiting new lives? Does Abby choose to trust a family who never really treated her well or a stranger willing to put himself in harm's way for her safety and welfare?

"The Noble Guardian" is so well done. Griep is an author whose work is excellent and well researched. She doesn't write in a way that lets the reader think she's neglected her homework, often leaving detailed explanations of points in history she chooses to highlight in her books at the conclusion. I can't get enough of her stories! Many thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a review. If you enjoy Victorian novels with a dash of romance and adventure, do not miss Griep's work!

As always Michelle Griep gives us a story evenly balanced with everything a reader can want. History, researched impeccably. Connections to past books in the series, with characters so well developed, they feel like friends. Plot so thick you keep turning the pages, hoping that everything will work out.

With both Abby & Samuel you have two people - instantly likable, souls so desperately in need of companionship and love, yet needing to understand the great love of a God, who unconditionally loves.

So many aspects of this story that I loved. This author is a master storyteller.

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC. This is my honest review.

This was a great read! It was the conclusion of a series called Bow Street Runners Trilogy. I have missed one of this trilogy but they are individually wonderful books.

As Abby takes off across England to her forthcoming marriage to a man she barely knows, danger lurks at every corner in her travels. She hires Captain Samuel Thatcher as a guardian. Their adventures are many. It's such a page turner book! Yes, you won't want to put this one down.

And what happens with the marriage? You will definitely need to read every last page! This book is too good to put down.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

In 1815 England travel was by chaise with a driver and usually a second man whose job was to watch for and protect from highwaymen. Abigail Gilbert is sent away from her home alone, to be married to a man she has met just once. What follows is seemingly endless perils, making one wonder if she will safely reach her destination. Along the way, her manages to hire horse patrol captain Samuel Thatcher. Unfortunately the danger doesn’t end with her new guardian. Throw a twist into the trip and suddenly he has even more to protect. Advice from an old farmer - ‘Yer not God, so quit tryin’ to be’ encourages Samuel to realize that he is not alone in his protection duties! Between illness, strong storms and death, this incredible book was impossible to put down. The nail-biting action starts at the beginning and continues right to the end. You don’t want to miss this 3rd book in the Bow Street Runners series!
I received an ARC through Barbour Publishing, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. A positive review was not required and all impressions and opinions are my own.

Wow! What a ride, I loved this book! I have enjoyed every one of Michelle Griep's stories, but this was (in my opinion) the best in the bowstreet runner series!
I loved how much action and danger the characters had to dodge, it felt like I was watching a movie! Samuel was a great character, bruised by a past, but faithful to his oath, he made a great good guy!
Abby was sharp and spunky, and had her own insecurities, she grew over the course of the book and I enjoyed watching it!

This book comes in to a close second to Captive Heart as my favorite from this author.
Recommended for anyone who wants a fast paced historical romance with a lot of action!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. My review is my own.

Michelle Griep’s The Noble Guardian is a fascinating, and very well done, Regency novel.

This is the first of Ms. Griep’s books that I have had the pleasure of reading, and I think I may have found a new favorite—The characters were intriguing and dynamic, the storyline was seamless and multi-faceted, and the themes were powerful and hopeful!

Samuel Thatcher is a hardened man. After years of bringing the worst of humanity to justice, he is beginning to lose faith. But beneath the hard shell and the glowering stares, there is a man of strength and goodness, kindness, and stubbornness!

And Abigail Gilbert—a woman whose life, though one of misery and hardship, has taught her to find hope in all circumstances, and seek for the best in others—including the rough Captain Thatcher.

But what happens when life doesn’t go as planned, and Abby’s carefully constructed future begins to shatter?

These two wounded souls must fight for each other, and for hope, as they travel the length of England in a perilous and mishap-laden journey. The author did a fantastic job creating a thrilling story full of faith and love! I also enjoyed learning a bit more along the way about the Bow Street “Runners”—a group of people I had never heard of before this book! ❤️

Four stars for a wonderful, entertaining, romantic read!!

This is the third book in the Bow Street Runners series. I have not read the first two books but felt that this is a good stand alone novel. I would like to go back and read the first two because I so enjoyed this one. The characters are enjoyable and the writing is very descriptive. Every scene leaps off the page and I felt truly captivated by the details.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Abigail Gilbert’s life has been so trying that she is excited to leave her family behind and go off to marry a veritable stranger. The bullying from her family has made her tough and that toughness serves her well as she travels across the country to her intended. She’s an intriguing mix of hopefulness and tender toughness.
Samuel Thatcher is a fascinating man. He has seen so much evil as he has tracked down thieves and murderers yet he has a soft spot for a woman who can’t help but attract trouble and a young child. He is a self-less servant and a noble guardian.
This book concludes the Bow Street Runners Trilogy but it can easily be read as a stand-alone. The book has a nice pace and flow to it. It is peppered throughout with rich imagery. “Apparently this grand and glorious headache had unpacked its bags and moved in, settling for a lengthy stay no matter what she did to evict it” (location 1516). I enjoyed it and learned a lot about highwaymen, runners, and coaching inns. I’d recommend it.
Thank you to Barbour Publishing for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Bow Street Runners Trilogy:
Book 1: Brentwood’s Ward
Book 2: The Innkeeper’s Daughter
Book 3: The Noble Guardian

Highwaymen and Bow Street Runners. Two historical groups of people that I had heard of but didn't know much about.  Now, after reading The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep, I know quite a bit more on the subjects thanks to her inclusion of both in the book.  I didn't realize the fact until after I read the book , but The Noble Guardian is the third book in the Bow Street Runners Trilogy. I didn't feel that I missed anything by starting with the third until I realized it was the third. Now, I'm wondering about the stories told previously so I'll definitely be adding the first to books to my list of books to read.  The historical details included in the book were fascinating, and as I mentioned before, helped me to learn about subjects that I truly knew very little about. The romance, the adventure, the hint of mystery-- all these combined to form an enjoyable book to read. However, I did not enjoy the violent descriptions. I am very sensitive to violence and felt that some of the descriptions were a little too intense for me. However, that is just my opinion. If you are not so sensitive to violence, then you probably would be perfectly fine with the descriptions. 

I recommend this book for those who enjoy historical fiction, romances, and adventure.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It was hard for me to get into this book. The plot was interesting, enough action to hold my interest, but I couldn't warm to the two main characters. For two people being attracted to each other they didn't really show each other their attraction, especially not in their dialogue, until close to the end of the novel.

A Christian regency romance with Cinderella overtones!

I really enjoyed this storyline. Abigail Gilbert, daughter of a wealthy merchant from a previous marriage, spurned and bullied by her stepmother, is to begin a new life as the wife of a handsome Baron. Her dreams are finally coming true. Abby's head is full of the wonderful life she will have with her husband-to-be. After all, to offer for her hand after one meeting surely must mean the Baron is in love with her? Sigh! All her dreams will surely come true! The fact that her stepmother sends her off with no company but her maid and the driver, on a trip of many days through sparse and dangerous countryside did seem harsh, but Abigail was not to be deterred.
A group of horse patrol Bow Street runners, under Captain Samuel Thatcher, have been pursuing a gang of cut throat highwaymen with a vicious leader, Shankhart Robbins, operating on Hounslow Heath.
Samuel and Abby cross paths on the Heath when Samuel rescues Abby from an attack by part of Shankhart's gang.
Samuel pondered, "Who in their right mind had sent them out on their own? Allowed them to travel without a manservant? Without any kind of protection whatsoever?" A very good question. Why had neither her family or the Baron not seen to her safety?
After some tense happenings, Samuel agrees to act as a Guardian for the rest of Abbey's journey to the home of her betrothed. Of course the plot becomes far more complex and both Abby and Samuel are severely tested along the way by the situations they meet.
Abby's journey really becomes a pilgrimage for them both, filled with challenges, misunderstandings, and danger, supplemented by moments of empathy, self realization, enlightenment and grace.
Both lead characters are strong people, survivors, already tested by their pasts. They are both equally fascinating, having been trained up in the school of hard knocks and disillusionment.
I was quite comfortable with the way Abby and Samuel's faith was integrated into the plot. I felt their beliefs were appropriately portrayed without being preachy and without being imposed over the story line. All flowed quite naturally out of the events they experienced.
I enjoyed this novel enough to decide to read previous novels in this series.

A Barbour ARC via NetGalley

If you haven't read any of the novels in the Bow Street Runners series, you are in for a treat! I wasn't sure if I could read each as a stand alone, so I started at book one an began a thrilling ride of romance and adventure with these courageous Runners. I'm having a difficult time picking a favorite...Brentwood's Ward and The Noble Guardian were slightly more enjoyable for me than The Innkeeper's Daughter. I discovered Michelle Griep while reading the Daughter's of the Mayflower series and am I ever glad that I did! I have read many of her novels since then and she has quickly become an author I am confident will tell me a fantastic story I will have a hard time putting down. The Noble Guardian did have me reading long into the night, well past the time I should have put the story down. I really enjoyed the main characters and the exciting plot and thought Samuel was a swoon-worthy hero. I would recommend the entire Bow Street series to those who enjoy historical romance.

The Noble Guardian will be available for purchase from your local or online book retailer June 1, 2019.

Thank you Barbour Publishing and Net Galley for the free copy of The Noble Guardian. The opinions expressed here are my own.

The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep follows a young woman who is neglected by her family as she makes her way across the country, towards her new husband who she has dances with once. However, the road is quite perilous with highwayman, and one handsome rugged lawman comes to her aid... and more trouble arises. Wink wink. Ok, there is VERY real trouble, but tbh I lived for this very slow burn romance. It seems to me Michelle Griep’s writing grows with each novel. Not that her first novels are bad, far from it, but they’re just getting better! This time, there were many suprises for me, you think you know how the plot will go but there are some twists and turns that leave you guessing!

Also, the characters were phenomenol. Abby struggles with her past of mental abuse and if she believes in God after what she’s been through. She is very feisty and when she set her mind to something, she’ll do everything to achieve it. She has set a higher goal for herself, to be happy, to be self sufficient, which is what drives her through most of the books. To leave things in God’s hand is a bit of a struggle for her, though she accepts it more than our rugged lawman Samuel. He is weary of his job and wants to find peace. Until he finds Abby... I love how he takes her seriously and sees her not as a feeble woman, but as a person. And the main antagonist is truly very creepy! There are other creeps though that would be a spoiler, but it’s very well done. And there’s a little girl that is just extremely cute and I want to cuddle her (see, there’s a suprise you wouldn’t expect already lol!).

All in all, it is a very well written historical romance, with lots of action and feels. I very much enjoyed reading it and I suspect I will be rereading it soon in final version when it comes out (that cover is so gorgeous!!). The only thing I disliked is that the characters heard the voice of God a few times, I really dislike when that happens but it was only like 3 times so I can live with it lol!

I received a free ebook from netgalley (thanks sooo much!) in exchange for an honest opinion.

I was wondering when I started this book if it would do the action as part of the story or as a side plot. I thought it was well woven into the story with the characters. I enjoyed hearing about highwaymen and the men that tried to catch them. It was a story that I enjoyed very much.

Abby has lived a Cinderella-pre-ball sort of life - the unwanted stepdaughter who is always being maltreated in various ways, though with the difference that outwardly she has been looked after and is therefore expected to feel grateful. But now she is betrothed to a handsome baronet whom she met in London - at one ball. Glad to shake the dust of her home off her feet, she is excited and hopeful about her upcoming marriage. But her stepmother ensures that she has no escort but her maid, and when they are attacked by highwaymen, it is only the opportune arrival of Samuel that saves her from the proverbial fate worse than death. Samuel has been a Runner for ten years and is fed up with his job - always seeing the most evil side of human nature is wearing on him. He stays only because he has not yet saved quite enough to buy a farm. But when he is forced to leave the area following a threat to his life, and Abby offers him a considerable reward for seeing her safely to her betrothed's house, the two begin on a journey together that will change them both...

This is an author I always enjoy, and this book was no exception. A pair of thoroughly determined (we won't say stubborn) characters who must work together whether they want to or not, a delightful baby/toddler (I loved Emma), and a desperate villain who is out for blood - what more could one want? On top of that, the writing is good, the overall storyline well crafted, the ending highly satisfying, and the content clean (where there was violence, it was never described particularly graphically). My one quibble would be that Samuel seemed to get out of nasty situations a bit too easily at times - but it was no big deal. Note that, though part of a series, it is fine to read alone - I believe I have read the earlier books, but it was a while ago and I don't particularly remember the stories (I'll have to go back and read them again now). Recommended - 4.5 stars.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

A quick moving, "can't put it down" conclusion to an excellent regency series. Abby grabbed my heart from the very beginning as a humble, genuine, heroine. Started to remind me of Cinderella. Don't let her humility fool you though; she's a spitfire who is perfectly capable of standing up for herself. Enter Samuel in one of my favorite introductory scenes. From that point on, a delightful push and pull relationship builds. Abby’s ability to see the best in people breaks down the rough and tough exterior of Samuel and I couldn’t help but cheer them on, even knowing she was betrothed to another. I enjoyed the glimpses at previous characters and enjoyed that the focus truly remained on Abby and Samuel. Michelle Griep is a master at Regency stories and perfectly blends romance and intrigue in this tale.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Michelle Griep is quickly becoming one of my favorite regency authors with her sense of humor and beautiful way she incorporates spiritual truths. This book had me laughing and cheering the protagonist all the way. This definitely won’t disappoint you.