Friday, November 10, 2017

12 Days at Bleakly Manor Book 1 in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep


Book Description....

"A mysterious invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home may bring danger...and love?

England, 1851: When Clara Chapman receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet feels compelled to attend—for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of one thousand pounds.

But is she walking into danger? It appears so, especially when she comes face to face with one of the other guests—her former fiancĂ©, Benjamin Lane.

Imprisoned unjustly, Ben wants revenge on whoever stole his honor. When he’s given the chance to gain his freedom, he jumps at it—and is faced with the anger of the woman he stood up at the altar. 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.

Pour a cup of tea and settle in for Book 1 of the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series--a page-turning Victorian-era holiday tale--by Michelle Griep, a reader and critic favorite."

Title:  12 Days at Bleakly Manor Bleakly Manor
Author:  Michelle Griep
Publisher:   Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Series:  Book 1 in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas  
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating:  Four
Review:

"12 Day at Bleakly Manor" by Michelle Griep

My Thoughts.....

This was quite a interesting story of Christian historical romance and mystery during 1850's holidays in England.  I liked how this author brings to the readers some really intriguing characters during the '12 Days at Bleakly Manor' that had a particular reason for being at this location. Be ready for a fast paced, fun, quirky read with a Gothic and mysterious setting with some great descriptions given and even a little bite of danger. 

What happens when Clara Chapman who was once from a well to do family, rejected by her father and later by her fiance now found to be poor living with her Aunt Deborha receives a cyptic  invitation?

"The Twelve Days of Christmas
As never's been reveled
Your presence, Miss Chapman,
Is respectfully hearld.
Bleakly Manor's the place
And after twelve nights
Five hundred pounds
Will be yours by rights."

Who was Benjamin Lane who had been in prison for stealing and is to be deportation to a labor camp from another country.  Now what on earth does he have to do with all or this?  Well, as the reader continues to read we find that Benjamin believes he was been betrayed by someone he once had loved and that he was also innocent of all of this mess he had been accused of.  What will happen when he receives the same invitation to Bleakly Manor that 10 others had received?   Now, what will Ben be promised?

Will Clara and Ben [the two main characters] who had some huge misunderstandings be able to work through it all out just be able to come to a better understanding of it all?

I enjoyed how this author was able to bring in the Christian elements [with trust and faith elements] in this very realistic story that will keep you turning the pages to see what was coming next in this story that was of  'second chances and choosing between revenge ad forgiveness.'  I did notice that the '12 day of Bleakly Manor 'started on December 24th  and ending January 5, 1851 which I thought was somewhat strange but as I was reading I get this  idea from the author was done for a particular reason.

This was quite a interesting story after all is said and done.  To find all of the answers to the above questions and so  much more you will have to pick up this good read that has so many twist to see it's a good story of second chances and redeemed love. This is definitely one of those stories that will keep one guessing until the very end!  Even though this novel is around Christmas holiday, I found that it's the kind of read that  one can be read at any time of the year.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.










No comments:

Post a Comment

Her Exception 3: A Fake Relationship Romance (The Office Series) Kindle Edition by B. Love

 Book Excerpt: " Depending on who you ask, Jeremy Phoenix is either the hero or villain in their story. Growing up privileged did not c...