Man of Shadow and Mist: Volume 2

This is a review for NetGalley of Michelle Griep's latest book titled Man of Shadow and Mist.  I am a huge fan of Michelle Griep because her stories are amazing and very engaging, and this story was right up her alley! I also highly recommend Lost in Darkness, the book she wrote previous to this, as it is a great story, but you don't need to read if to understand this at all!! For Man of Shadow and Mist, I was engaged from the onset, and as I read, the story kept getting more and more exciting, finally ending with a climax that left me wanting to read more of her books, but very satisfied as the ending was completely unpredictable, which is what I like in a story!  This is not one genre, but includes the regency era, mystery, suspense, romance, and as always, a story of faith and grace, and repentance that will warm the heart!  I can't say that about many books, but with all those genres wrapped in one, the story flowed nicely, and the characters blended together in great ways, which really made me love this story!  It has a Dracula feel to it, but not in a way Dracula is normally portrayed, and actually Michelle does include Bram Stoker in the story, but that only adds to the story, not takes away! I actually bought Dracula as a result of reading this book, and I can't wait to read it!  But again , I loved this book, and this author!  I highly recommend this book, and give it 5 out of 5 stars. The story takes place in 1890 in England, where vampire lore is rampant, superstition is very much alive! Rosa Edwards, a local librarian isn't having any of it! She wants to stop the superstition, as she sees it is doing way more hard than good to her whole community. But the gossip mill kicks superstition into high gear as Sir James Morgan returns to his manor that seems to be shadowed in darkness! Sir James is not happy to be back in England, because he hates the weather, the rumors and the suspicion that he sees in the eyes of his superstitious neighbors.  But he is forced to stay due to his mother who is dying of an illness that he is desperately trying to find a cure for because it also affects him!  He believes this illness will very soon claim his mother, and eventually take his own life!  As a result of the illness, Sir James is unable to go into the sun because it causes welts to occur on his skin, but the gossip mongers think it is because he is a vampire!! Rosa wants to refute these rumors, so she befriends Sir James, in hopes of quelling said rumors, and she finds herself drawn to him, but there seem to be more questions than answers  they as their relationship develops.  James has to fight the rumors and superstition, which eventually leads to violence, and Rosa must !ale the choice whether to follow the people she grew up with, or stand up for a very mysterious man who she seems drawn to!  But you must read the story to find out what happens! This is an exciting book! I was captivated from the start!  I loved it, and highly recommend it!  Michelle Griep continues to be one of my favorites, and this is  the 6th book of hers that I read! 

4 stars, Superstitions MAN OF SHADOW AND MIST (OF MONSTERS AND MEN, 2) by Michelle Griep A gothic romance, mystery about Rosa, who works in her father's lending library, and James who visits the lending library often for herbal concoctions, that Rosa's family also sells. Rosa is trying to get her community to give up their superstitions, they see evil around every corner. James is trying to find a remedy for the ailments that have struck his family. Meanwhile, the community is on the hunt for vampires. I received a complimentary copy of #ManOfShadowAndMist from #BarbourFiction I was under no obligation to post a review. #GothicRomance #Vampires #Mystery #InspyFiction #ChristianFiction #MichelleGriep

I love this series of books that Michelle Griep has written that are based upon classic Gothic tales. This particular story is based upon Bram Stoker’s Dracula in which superstitious villagers are so easily swayed to believe the worst about Sir James Morgan due to the power of suggestion and unexplained events. Rosa Edwards is a fearless heroine and a loyal and fierce defender of Sir James. She had me cheering for her throughout the story as she refused to give into fear or rumors about him and his family. Seeing her love for the people of the town and the need for everyone to enjoy reading hit a soft spot in my heart. She went well beyond just being a librarian when she chose to find patrons for those who couldn’t afford a subscription. While I at first did not like Albin Mallow and the tactics he employed to try and turn circumstances to fit his needs, I was happy to see he redeemed himself and chose to share the truth. I actually felt sorry for him and felt better things would be in the future for him. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy Gothic romance stories with a thread of faith throughout the story. While it is the second on the series, it can be read as a standalone if you so choose. I received a copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive comment. All opinions are my own.