#BookReview - 12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep

Title:  12 Days at Bleakly Manor (Once Upon a Dickens Christmas, Book #1)
Author:  Michelle Griep
Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery, Holiday, Romance, Inspirational
Release Date:  September 1, 2017

About the Book:

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 fiancé, 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.

Buy Links: Amazon 
AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER - Release Date September 1, 2017

My Review:

My craving for all things Victorian has been indulged!  This book had so much of what I love within its pages… Mystery, History, Holiday, Drama, Twists and Turns and Sweet Romance… all with a hint of Christianity.  And that history was right on target with a bonus of some historical clarifications toward the back of the book.  Thank you Michelle Griep for that too! 

Once I started reading, I could not put this book down.  Not extremely lengthy, but just enough to be thorough with the story.  Charles Dickens would be proud!

Set in London in 1850, Clara Chapman's life had taken a downward turn having lost her fortune and being left at the alter, abandoned by the man she loved.  Then she received an invitation.  If she can stay at Bleakly Manor for twelve nights she will be given a large sum of money.  Clara's ailing aunt encourages her to accept.

Upon arriving at Bleakly Manor, Clara realizes she is not the only person to receive such an invitation, each with a reward geared just for them.  One of those invitee's is none other than Ben Lane, the man accused of embezzlement and destroying Clara's father's business... and the man who had left her standing at the alter.  Unbeknownst to Clara, Ben had actually been imprisoned unjustly all these months.

Michelle Griep created a wonderful assortment of characters, and a mystery with lots of twists and turns.  Who is their host?  Which of the houseguests will remain to win their prize? 

I would love to see a Christmastime movie made from this novel.  And this is just Book #1 of the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series.  I can't wait to read the next one!

Disclosure:  A complimentary ARC was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own. 

My Rating:

About the Author:

I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I chose the latter. Way cheaper. I've been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write...except for that graffiti phase I went through as a teenager. Oops. Did I say that out loud?