Michelle Griep has been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayola. She is a Christy Award–winning author of historical romances that both intrigue and evoke a smile. She’s an anglophile at heart, and you’ll most often find her partaking of a proper cream tea while scheming up her next novel . . . but it’s probably easier to find her at MichelleGriep.com or on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Here, Michelle talks about what draws her to historical England and why she finds writing stories in that setting so much fun.
FF: Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel, Of Silver and Secrets?
The mistress of a derelict estate in need of funds and a down-on-his-luck college professor team up together to unearth precious artifacts—but both are hiding more secrets than a Roman dig. When an ancient ring is found on Eva Inman’s crumbling estate, she seeks help from a Cambridge professor in hopes of salvaging her dire financial troubles. She doesn’t realize he is a ghost from her past until she walks into his office—and the meeting unleashes haunting memories and fiery sparks.
Bram Webb is surprised to see Eva but even more astonished at the ring she shows him. This discovery could be his last chance to redeem his uncle’s fading memory and secure their future at Trinity College. Secrets and danger abound as Eva and Bram race to uncover a long-forgotten Roman settlement, all while trying to ignore their growing attraction.
FF: Of Silver and Secrets continues your TIME’S LOST TREASURES series. How does this book build on the world you created in the first novel?
There are lots of tie-ins. Professor Bram Webb makes a cameo appearance in Of Gold and Shadows as one of Edmund Price’s former schoolmates. In Of Silver and Secrets, Edmund Price makes a cameo appearance as well. Both stories highlight a different college town, the first featuring Oxford, the second at Cambridge. And each delves into a different culture and era, from Egyptian artifacts to Roman ruins.
FF: Victorian England comes alive in your writing. What draws you to this particular time period?
Cobbled streets. Gas lamps. Carriages, gowns, romance, and intrigue. This is what comes to mind when I think of England in the nineteenth century. I am a huge fan of Dickens and all the detail he put in to describing this era has got me totally hooked. Tell us about the research involved in crafting authentic details about Victorian archaeology and academia. It’s a good thing I like to read because that’s where I found most of my information. In the back of every story I write, I always include a bibliography, so if I happen to spark any interest in a Roman dig, you’ll know where to go to find out more.
FF: The search for an ancient Christian Roman settlement plays a central role in your story. What inspired this particular historical element?
It’s no secret Christians were persecuted in ancient Rome. Some stayed despite the dangers. Others fled. England is one place where they went. There are two sites that snagged my attention: Vindolanda and Verulamium. There is no clear evidence any Christians settled near Cambridge, so that made it a good spot for some ruins that had never been discovered.
FF: The theme of curses and superstitions runs throughout the novel. How does this element enhance the story’s tension?
Curses are creepy, and I love me a good gothic tale. While Of Silver and Shadows isn’t a traditional gothic and doesn’t necessarily expand on superstitions, the idea of ancient legends adds an air of mystery and foreboding. Eva and Bram must figure out if they are battling tangible obstacles or supernatural forces. This element blurs the line between reality and myth, making every setback a bit more ominous . . . which should keep readers on edge and invested in the unfolding drama!
FF: The novel deals with themes of guilt, redemption, and second chances. How does faith play a role in your characters’ journey?
For Eva, faith helps her confront the misconception that her suffering is divine punishment, teaching her that God’s forgiveness is unconditional, even when she struggles to forgive herself. For Bram, faith allows him to accept his brokenness and embrace vulnerability, showing him that strength isn’t about hiding pain but about trusting in grace and healing. Through faith, both characters learn to let go of the past and find hope in second chances.
FF: Your heroine is responsible for both a failing estate and her blind sister. How do these responsibilities shape her character?
These responsibilities make Eva fiercely determined while revealing her inner struggles—namely that she fears being alone. Managing the failing estate forces her to be resourceful and resilient, constantly searching for solutions despite overwhelming odds. Caring for her blind sister highlights her compassion and selflessness, though it also fuels her guilt and sense of inadequacy. Together, these burdens shape Eva into a complex, relatable character who grows through her challenges and ultimately learns to lean on God’s provision instead of her own devices.
FF: Eva and Bram share a complicated past. How does their history influence their present relationship?
Their shared history creates both tension and a deep undercurrent of connection in their present relationship. Past mistakes and unresolved emotions resurface, forcing them to confront old wounds while rediscovering the bond they once had. This history adds layers to their interactions, as every decision they make is influenced by lingering guilt, regret, and unspoken feelings. Ultimately, their journey together becomes as much about healing the past as it is about building a future.
FF: What are you working on next?
I’m currently working on two very different stories: The Bird of Bedford Manor—A Regency tale about Juliet Finch, a woman ruined by her father’s sins and forced to poach to survive. When estate owner Henry Russell enlists her help to track a stalker, the tables turn, and she becomes the prey. As danger grows, Henry realizes he’s fallen for the woman he never expected to love.
I don’t have a title for the other one, but it is a Victorian Christmas tale that features Belle, the girl who dumped Scrooge. In Victorian London, the determined and resourceful Belle inherits an orphanage and dreams of creating the perfect Christmas for the children, even as the crumbling building and uncooperative staff test her resolve. When a dashing barrister arrives searching for his missing nephew, Belle is drawn into his quest, adding to her already overwhelming responsibilities. As the holiday approaches and a lucrative offer to sell the orphanage tempts her, Belle faces an impossible choice: fight to protect the home she’s building or surrender to the pressure and walk away
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Of Silver and Secrets
Time’s Lost Treasures, Book #2
Michelle Griep
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Available Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
ISBN-10: 0764242571
ISBN-13: 978-0764242571
Book Summary:
In 1889 England, Eva Inman is left desperate for funds to care for her blind sister after their father’s death. Upon unearthing an ancient silver ring, she reluctantly hires Bram Webb, a Roman archeology expert and former childhood friend, to excavate the land in pursuit of more relics. Will secrets and guarded hearts threaten their love and tear them apart?
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