I have read numerous books by Michelle Griep, including A Tale of Two Hearts, which is included here. Seeing her name on a book, I always know it will be reading.
Once Upon a Dickens Christmas
by Michelle Griep
Published by Shiloh Run Press
Publication Date September 1, 2019
Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Clean Romance
Setting: England Victorian Era – UK – 1837 – 1901
Written for: Adults
Pages: 450
Synopsis:
Three Delightful Christmas Tales from Beloved Storyteller Michelle Griep Pour yourself a cuppa, get lost in the merriment of the season, and enjoy a Dickensian Christmas in three stories from fan favorite Michelle Griep: 12 Days a Bleakly Manor: Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love. A Tale of Two Hearts: Pleasure seeker William Barlow needs a wife immediately to gain his uncle’s inheritance, and Mina Scott is just the girl to make him look respectable—too bad she turns him down. Ought he give her a second chance? The Old Lace Shop: Recently widowed Bella White is finally freed from the domination of the overbearing men in her life, but when she enters into a business partnership with the handsome Edmund Archer, she begins to wonder if marriage is worth a second chance.
I would like to thank Netgalley for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
Two common threads run through the stories. The “Second Chance Coin” which the bearers discover holds far more value than the gold used to fashion it. And Charles Dickens, which shouldn’t be a surprise based on the title. The first two books contained in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas were previously released as stand-alone books. I have previously reviewed A Tale of Two Hearts and so I will not repeat the review here.
Michelle Griep applies her signature tongue-in-cheek humor to create characters who are endearing, quirky, and memorable in these stories and makes Victorian England come alive.
In 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, an unknown host invites an eclectic group to a Christmas house party with an intriguing boon offered to those who stay the full twelve days. The strangers never meet their host and are appalled at the poor fare offered. Yet the bonus for staying, while different for each guest, has each one determined to remain. Until a robbery, a fire, and countless “accidents” have them rethinking their priorities.
I may have loved the clever names of the characters even more than the story. Let me introduce you to a few of them.
- Mr. Minnow, an eely thin man
- Miss Scurry, a timid older woman who carries a box containing her friends. Mice
- Mademoiselle Pretents, the Frenchwoman who looks down her nose at everyone else
The puzzle of the strange occurrences had me wondering. I was surprised to find who was behind the trouble and even more surprised to discover the identity of the host. This was a fun mystery!
The Old Lace Shop offers second chances, and not only to Bella and Edward. Full of surprises, this delightful story revealed the tender heart of the widow who was left with no reason to mourn the death of her husband. Her compassion for the blind women who peopled the town she now considered her home had her determined to find them employment other than begging.
The stories had deep inspirational messages as the characters were reminded to trust God and to look to Him for their help.
If you enjoy Christmas stories and Victorian-era fiction, you won’t want to miss reading Once Upon a Dickens Christmas.
Michelle's The Old Lace Shop Pinterest Board
(click here to go directly to the board on Pinterest)
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About Michelle Griep
Michelle Griep has been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle. Michelle is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and MCWG (Minnesota Christian Writers Guild). Keep up with her adventures at her blog “Writer off the Leash” or visit www.michellegriep.com.
I enjoyed reading this book review of Once Upon a Dickens Christmas, it is really a very good book with 3 amazing stores. Have a Great weekend. God Bless you.