Book Review - THE SEASIDE LIBRARY by Brenda Novak

 

Title: The Seaside Library

Author: Brenda Novak
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women's Friendship, Mystery
Publisher: Mira
Release Date: April 11, 2023

Available for Pre-order

About the Book:

Mariners Island is barely ten miles long, but when Ivy, Ariana and Cam were teenagers, it was their whole world. Beyond the pristine beaches and iconic lighthouse lies the beautiful old library that belongs to Ivy’s family. While that bound Ivy to the island as an adult, Ariana could not leave Mariners behind fast enough. The town holds too many…memories. Not only her unrequited feelings for Cam, but the tragedy that left a scar on the community.

When a young girl went missing, a teenage Cam was unthinkably the prime suspect. Ariana and Ivy knew he couldn’t have hurt anyone, and they promised to protect him—even if it meant lying on his behalf.

Now, twenty years later, Ariana returns to Mariners just as new evidence emerges on the case, calling into question everything the three friends thought they knew—and everyone they thought they could trust. What really happened that night? Over the course of one eventful summer, Ariana, Ivy and Cam will learn the truth—about their pasts, their futures and the ties that still bind them as closely as the pages of a book…

Buy Links: Amazon 

Books are available for Pre-order with a release date of April 11, 2023. Audiobook is also available for pre-order

My Review:

Thinking "The Seaside Library" was just another summer romance story, I found myself pleasantly surprised to find that it was so much more! This book deals with long-time friendships and what a person would do to protect a friend. And although there was a sprinkling of romance, there was also a mystery. And a few twists and turns that kept me turning those pages! Did he really do it? If not him, then who?

As always, Brenda Novak has created great, complex characters. I'd love to see more of them in future books and learn more about the private detective, Warner Williams, and also Detective Livingston.

My Rating:

About the Author:

It was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak's career as a bestselling author--she caught her day-care provider drugging her children with cough syrup to get them to sleep all day. That was when Brenda decided she needed to quit her job as a loan officer and help make a living from home.

"When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book," Brenda says. But she sold that book, and the rest is history. Her novels have made the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists and won many awards, including five Rita nominations, the Book Buyer's Best, the Book Seller's Best and the National Reader's Choice Award.

Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are proud parents of five children--three girls and two boys. When she's not spending time with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising funds for diabetes research (her youngest son has this disease). So far, Brenda has raised $2.6 million. Please visit http://www.brendanovakforthecure.org to see how you can help.

Book Review - A HARD DAY FOR A HANGOVER by Darynda Jones

Title:  A Hard Day for a Hangover
Author:  Darynda Jones
Genre:  Mystery, Suspense, Private Investigator
Release Date:  December 6, 2022
 Available for Pre-Order

About the Book:

A Hard Day for a Hangover is another humorous installment in Darynda Jones's wine mystery series deemed: "Laugh-out-loud funny, intensely suspenseful, page-turning fun."—New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan

Some people greet the day with open arms. Sheriff Sunshine Vicram would rather give it a hearty shove and get back into bed, because there’s just too much going on right now. There’s a series of women going missing, and Sunny feels powerless to stop it. There’s her persistent and awesomely-rebellious daughter Auri, who’s out to singlehandedly become Del Sol’s youngest and fiercest investigator. And then there’s drama with Levi Ravinder—the guy she’s loved and lusted after for years. The guy who might just be her one and only. The guy who comes from a family of disingenuous vipers looking to oust him—and Sunshine—for good.

Like we said, the new day can take a hike.

The blockbuster conclusion to the bestselling Sunshine Vicram trilogy, A Hard Day for a Hangover will have listeners laughing and cheering to the very last page.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

This is Book #3 in this series about Sheriff Sunshine Vicram and quite frankly, I'm sorry to see it end! Darynda Jones has once again brought us likeable characters that make us laugh and cry. Yes, I laughed out loud at times and had tears rolling down my cheeks at other times. I love the banter between friends and family. 

In "A Hard Day for a Hangover", secrets are revealed and questions are answered. There is a mystery to be solved (one that gets your heart pounding while you sit on the edge of your seat), and a relationship that needs to be fixed (that makes you smile and your heart will warm). Although the author gives you some background information, you really should read the first two books in this series to fully understand the background between Sunshine, Levi, Auri, Cruz and everyone else. You will be so glad that you did. Book #3 picks up right where Book #2 left off.

Although "A Hard Day for a Hangover" was read as an ebook, I listened to the two previous books in this series on audio. If you are into audio books, I highly recommend this series. Heck! I highly recommend this series no matter how you read it.

Disclosure: A complimentary advance copy was provided by NetGalley and the Publisher, St.Martin's Press, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

My Rating: 

About the Author:

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier, and her books have been translated into 18 languages. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that legacy. She currently has two series with St. Martin's Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. 

Book Review - A BAD DAY FOR SUNSHINE by Darynda Jones

Title:  A Bad Day for Sunshine
Author:  Darynda Jones
Genre:  Mystery, Suspense, Private Investigator
Release Date:  April 7, 2020

About the Book:

New York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones is back with the first novel in the brand-new snarky, sassy, wickedly fun Sunshine Vicram series—A Bad Day for Sunshine!

Sheriff Sunshine Vicram finds her cup o’ joe more than half full when the small village of Del Sol, New Mexico, becomes the center of national attention for a kidnapper on the loose.

Del Sol, New Mexico is known for three things: its fry-an-egg-on-the-cement summers, strong cups of coffee—and, now, a nationwide manhunt? Del Sol native Sunshine Vicram has returned to town as the elected sheriff—thanks to her adorably meddlesome parents who nominated her—and she expects her biggest crime wave to involve an elderly flasher named Doug. But a teenage girl is missing, a kidnapper is on the loose, and all of this is reminding Sunshine why she left Del Sol in the first place. Add to that the trouble at her daughter’s new school, plus and a kidnapped prized rooster named Puff Daddy, and, well, the forecast looks anything but sunny.

But even clouds have their silver linings. This one's got Levi, Sunshine's sexy, almost-old-flame, and a fiery-hot US Marshal. With temperatures rising everywhere she turns, Del Sol's normally cool-minded sheriff is finding herself knee-deep in drama and danger. Can Sunshine face the call of duty—and find the kidnapper who's terrorizing her beloved hometown—without falling head over high heels in love...or worse?

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

After reading her Charley Davidson series, Darynda Jones quickly became one of my favorite authors.  I was so happy to discover that she had a new book out and hopefully the beginning of a whole new series.

I picked up this one on Audible and the narration was outstanding. The story itself contained everything I had hoped for. Mystery, suspense, likeable characters and a touch of humor in typical Darynda Jones style!  Loved it!

My Rating: 

About the Author:

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier, and her books have been translated into 18 languages. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that legacy. She currently has two series with St. Martin's Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. 

Book Review - NO ONE LIVES TWICE by Julie Moffett

Title:  No One Lives Twice (Book 1, Lexie Carmichael Mystery Series
Author:  Julie Moffett
Genre:  Humorous Fiction, Mystery
Publisher:  Carina Press
Release Date:  August 1, 2010

About the Book:

Get your geek on! Prepare for adventure with reformed hacker and trouble magnet Lexi Carmichael as she does whatever it takes to help the good guys win.

I'm Lexi Carmichael, geek extraordinaire. I spend my days stopping computer hackers at the National Security Agency. My nights? Those I spend avoiding my mother and eating cereal for dinner. Even though I work for a top-secret agency, I've never been in an exciting car chase, sipped a stirred (not shaken) martini, or shot a poison dart from an umbrella.

Until today, that is, when two gun-toting thugs popped up in my life and my best friend disappeared. So, I've enlisted the help of the Zimmerman twins—the reclusive architects of America's most sensitive electronic networks—to help me navigate a bewildering maze of leads to find her.

Along the way, my path collides with a sexy government agent and a rich, handsome lawyer, both of whom seem to have the hots for me. Hacking, espionage, sexy spy-men—it's a geek girl's dream come true. If it weren't for those gun-toting thugs…

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

Oh my! Needing something to read that would take me away from reality for awhile, a friend recommended this Lexi Carmichael series. Oh my! It definitely took me away. Laughing out loud and not putting this book down for even a minute type of taking me away. Why have I not read this author before!?! I immediately downloaded the next two books in this series. Highly recommended!

My Rating:

About the Author:

Julie Moffett is the bestselling author of the long-running, geeky Lexi Carmichael Mystery Series that USA Today says: "...runs a riveting gamut from hilarious to deadly, and the perfectly paced action in between will have you hanging on to Lexi's every word and breathless for her next geeked-out adventure." Julie also writes the young adult White Knights spin-off series featuring a cool, teenage hacker girl. Julie's been publishing books for 25 years, but writing for a lot longer. She writes in the genres of mystery, young adult, historical romance and paranormal romance.

Julie has won numerous awards, including the Mystery & Mayhem Award for Best YA/New Adult Mystery, the HOLT Award for Best Novel with Romantic Elements, a HOLT Merit Award for Best Novel by a Virginia Author (twice!), the Award of Excellence, a PRISM Award for Best Romantic Time-Travel AND Best of the Best Paranormal Books, and an EPIC Award for Best Action/Adventure Novel. She has also garnered additional nominations for the Booksellers' Best Award, Daphne du Maurier Award, the Dante Rossetti Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence.

Julie is a military brat (Air Force) and has traveled extensively. Her more exciting exploits include attending high school in Okinawa, Japan; backpacking around Europe and Scandinavia for several months; a year-long college graduate study in Warsaw, Poland; and a wonderful trip to Scotland and Ireland where she fell in love with castles, kilts and brogues.

Julie has a B.A. in Political Science and Russian Language from Colorado College, a M.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and an M.Ed from Liberty University. She has worked as a proposal writer, journalist, teacher, librarian and researcher. Julie speaks Russian and Polish and has two awesome sons.

Visit Julie's website at: https://www.juliemoffett.com/
The Official Lexi Carmichael Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=memhgojYeXM
Julie's Reader's Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vanessa88/

Follow Julie on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulieMoffettAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JMoffettAuthor
Instagram: https://instagram.com/julie_moffett/

Audio Book Review - THE MYSTERY OF ALICE by Lee Bacon

Title: The Mystery of Alice 
Author: Lee Bacon
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery
Narrators: Bryan Kennedy, Jessica Almasy, Josh Hurley,Cassandra Morris, Libby McKnight, Emily Bauer, Michael Crouch
Release Date: May 2, 2019

About the Book:

An enthralling and inventive thriller, only on Audible

Thirteen-year-old Emily Poe has been given the opportunity of a lifetime: A chance to attend the exclusive Audyn School in Manhattan. But to win the scholarship, she has to pass a test like nothing she’s ever experienced before: A nearly bare room, a set of strange clues, a locked door. And a mysterious organization - the Leopold Foundation - that’s watching her every move.

But the real test has just begun. Despite the strange circumstances - in a new house, at a new school - Emily instantly bonds with fellow scholarship winner Alice Wray. 

And then Alice goes missing. 

Chronicling every surprising twist and turn of her search through her own private video diary, Emily sets out to find the truth behind Alice’s disappearance. Soon she’s drawn deep into the inner circle of the Audyn School’s elite, the Nobility, who each have secrets of their own. As clues and lies mount, Emily must sort truth from fiction to solve the Mystery of Alice before it’s too late. 

My Review:

This was one of those free books you receive as a member of Audible, so my expectations were not high.  Also, this story was about a 13-year-old girl. Ugh.  As you know, I'm not particularly fond of 13-year-old girls and rarely review books about 13-year-old girls. Too much teenage drama.

Surprisingly, I was quite entertained by this unique audible book, although there was a bit of teenage drama I needed to suffer through. I found the new made-up words created by Emily to be rather fun and interesting. 

The entire story was a series of diary notes recorded by the main character, Emily. The various narrator's, especially the voice of Emily, were awesome. The entire book can be listened to in six hours and twenty four minutes.  

My Rating:

About the Author:

Lee Bacon is the author of several books for young people, including the JOSHUA DREAD and LEGENDTOPIA series, as well as the bestselling Audible Original audio story THE MYSTERY OF ALICE. His upcoming novel THE LAST HUMAN is being developed as a major motion picture from Phil Lord & Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) and Sony Pictures. His books have been translated into twenty languages. To find out more, check out his website: www.leebaconbooks.com.

Book Blitz & Giveaway - A Pilgrimage to Death by Alexa Padgett

A Pilgrimage to Death
Alexa Padgett
Publication date: August 14th 2018
Genres: Adult, Mystery, Thriller

They murdered her sister. They threatened her church. But their day of reckoning will cost her everything…

When Cici Gurule finds the dead body of a parishioner in the nearby Santa Fe National Forest, she’s horrified to realize the victim bears the same stab wounds that ended her twin sister’s life one year earlier.

Now, as a freewheeling, progressive reverend who’ll stop at nothing to protect her flock, she’ll need to join forces with her detective friend and loyal pair of Great Pyrenees to hunt down the killer before she’s forced to officiate another funeral.

Soon, however, Cici discovers her sister was on the trail of a deep-rooted criminal operation, and her death was no random act of violence. With the criminals out for Cici’s blood, she needs to catch the wolf by the tail…before it goes in for the kill.

Fans of Gillian Flynn, Paula Hawkins, and Stacy Claflin will love Alexa’s Padgett’s new edge-of-your-seat novel! Scroll up and click to start this fast-paced, high-octane mystery thriller!

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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Request a review copy here!

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EXCERPT:

Sam brought his chair down with a soft thump as it hit the patio paver but he didn’t say anything for another long moment.
“Anna Carmen was my best friend. She helped me through a hard time—she helped me see what I couldn’t then.”
Cici’s lip trembled as she lifted her teacup. “I miss her, too. So much. Yesterday . . . it all came bubbling back up.”
Sam’s hand settled on Cici’s shoulder in that gesture of comfort she’d come to depend on.
“I know you do. And, yeah, I figured it would.”
Jaycee sidled up to their table and settled Sam’s large glass of iced tea on the table. Condensation formed on the glass, dripping down to wet the white napkin beneath it.
“I thought of something,” the girl said.
Both Cici and Sam turned their faces up to the teenager.
“Mr. Johnson told me one time he was meeting someone about a case.” Her brow wrinkled for a moment before she shrugged. “Does that help?”
Sam tugged at his short ponytail. “Maybe. Thanks, Jaycee.”
“Sure.” The girl skittered off to greet some new patrons.
“You think you know what the case is, don’t you?” Cici asked, pouring more tea into her cup.

Author Bio:
With a degree in international marketing and a varied career path that includes content management for a web firm, marketing direction for a high-profile sports agency, and a two-year stint with a renowned literary agency, award-winning author Alexa Padgett has returned to her first love: writing fiction.
Alexa spent a good part of her youth traveling. From Budapest to Belize, Calgary to Coober Pedy, she soaked in the myriad smells, sounds, and feels of these gorgeous places, wishing she could live in them all—at least for a while. And she does in her books.
She lives in New Mexico with her husband, children, and Great Pyrenees pup, Ash. When not writing, schlepping, or volunteering, she can be found in her tiny kitchen, channeling her inner Barefoot Contessa.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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New Release! Book Review - SCANDAL ABOVE STAIRS by Jennifer Ashley

Title: Scandal Above Stairs
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense 
Publisher: Penguin Group LLC (USA)
Release Date: July 3, 2018

About the Book:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Death Below Stairs

A mystery of stolen antiquities has Kat Holloway setting aside her apron once again for the intrigues of the upper echelons of Victorian London

Priceless artwork has gone missing from the home of a wealthy baronet, and his wife stands to take the blame. When Kat's employer asks for help in clearing her friend's name, Kat trades her kitchen for the homes of Mayfair's wealthiest families. Soon antiques are disappearing not only from the extravagant households of connoisseurs and collectors, but from the illustrious British Museum.

As the thefts increase in frequency, Kat calls upon her friend Daniel McAdam, who has already set himself up in a pawnshop on the Strand as a seedy receiver of stolen goods. When a man is murdered in Ethe shop, Kat must use all of her wits to see that the thieves are caught and justice is done.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

Ever since I read DEATH BELOW STAIRS, Book 1 of the Kat Holloway Mystery series, I have been anxiously waiting for another of these fabulous novels by Jennifer Ashley.  I was thrilled to get my hands on an ARC of this new book!  

Downton Abbey fans will love this series.  Kat Holloway is a cook for the grand Mayfair house and has to deal with scullery maids, footmen and Mr. Davis, the butler.  In addition to the other lovable characters introduced previously, which includes Lady Cynthia who likes to dress in men's clothing to gad about town, and Daniel McAdams, the elusive and secretive cohort to Mrs. Holloway's sleuthing, we are introduced to Tess, a street urchin who becomes Mrs. Holloway's assistant cook.  I love these characters!  

The mystery this time involves stolen antiquities and works of art.  And murder.  Yes, we are dropped head first into another murder.  I don't want to give away any spoilers, but this one caught me off guard!

Fabulous writing and fabulous characters!  I can't wait to read the next book in this series.  Oh!  And when a few more of these books are written, I would love to see them all on Masterpiece Theater.  Please?

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

#BookReview, #ScandalAboveStairs, #DowntonAbbeyFan

My Rating:

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical, paranormal, and contemporary romance as Jennifer Ashley; paranormal romance and urban fantasy as Allyson James; and mysteries as Ashley Gardner. Jennifer's novels have won RWA's RITA and RT Reviewer's Choice awards among others. 

For information on her novels as Jennifer Ashley and Allyson James visit www.jenniferashley.com. Also see http://www.gardnermysteries.com (Ashley Gardner) for her other works.

#BookReview - A Strange Scottish Shore by Juliana Gray

Title:  A Strange Scottish Shore
Author:  Juliana Gray
Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Time Travel
Release Date:  September 19, 2017

About the Book:

The acclaimed author of A Most Extraordinary Pursuit brings a dazzling voice and extraordinary plot twists to this captivating Scottish adventure...
 
Scotland, 1906. A mysterious object discovered inside an ancient castle calls Maximilian Haywood, the new Duke of Olympia, and his fellow researcher Emmeline Truelove north to the remote Orkney Islands. No stranger to the study of anachronisms in archeological digs, Haywood is nevertheless puzzled by the artifact: a suit of clothing that, according to family legend, once belonged to a selkie who rose from the sea and married the castle’s first laird.
 
But Haywood and Truelove soon realize they’re not the only ones interested in the selkie’s strange hide. When their mutual friend Lord Silverton vanishes in the night from an Edinburgh street, their quest takes a dangerous turn through time, which puts Haywood’s extraordinary talents—and Truelove’s courage—to their most breathtaking test yet.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

When I first agreed to read and review the ARC "A Strange Scottish Shore" from NetGalley, I had not realized it was Book #2 in this series.  Sorrowfully, I did not realize it until I was halfway into Chapter Two and I was totally confused as to what was happening.  Confused, but also very much intrigued.  So much so, that I immediately purchased Book #1, "A Most Extraordinary Pursuit" and delved right in.  I had one of those great "Ah ha!" moments!  As soon as I finished that book, I started again with "A Strange Scottish Shore" with renewed vigor!  And this time, I loved it!!

Juliana Gray has created the most astonishing characters ever!  Not your typical cookie-cutter characters.  No, no, no.  These are the most unique characters to ever grace the pages of a novel and I loved every one of them... except for those you need to totally dislike.  Shocking revelations come to light when Max and Emmaline discover Max's unique abilities and sends Miss Truelove six hundred years in the past to find Lord Silverton.  What all she finds will keep you thoroughly entertained in the mystery and in the romance.  Yes, Book #2 has much more romance in it!  And I loved the way the story was interwoven with mythology.  Beautifully written!  I do hope there will be more books in this series.

My Rating:

About the Author:

Juliana Gray is the pen name of New York Times bestselling author Beatriz Williams. She lives near the Connecticut shore with her long-suffering husband, two scheming cats, a beagle of dubious origins, and four largely unsupervised children.

A graduate of Stanford University with an MBA from Columbia, Beatriz spent several years in New York and London hiding her early attempts at fiction, first on company laptops as a corporate and communications strategy consultant, and then as an at-home producer of small persons. 

#BookBlitz & #GiveAway - The Cutting Room Floor by Dawn Klehr

The Cutting Room Floor
Dawn Klehr
Publication date: October 13th 2017
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Young Adult

Behind-the-scenes secrets could turn deadly for Desmond and Riley
Life in the Heights has never been easy for seventeen-year-old Riley Frost, but when she’s publicly dumped and outed at the same time, she becomes an immediate social outcast at her high school. So Riley swears off romance and throws herself into solving the shocking murder of her favorite teacher, Ms. Dunn.
Riley turns to her best friend, budding filmmaker Desmond Brandt, for help. What she doesn’t know is that Dez has been secretly directing her life, blackmailing her friends, and hoping his manipulations will make her love him. When his schemes go too far, Dez’s web of lies threatens to destroy both of their lives.

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:
Dawn Klehr is the author of the young adult thrillers: The Cutting Room Floor and If You Wrong Us.
She began her career in TV news and though she’s been on both sides of the camera, she prefers to lurk behind the lens. Mostly, she loves to get lost in stories –in film, the theater, or on the page – and is a sucker for both the sinister and the sappy. She’s currently channeling her dark side as she works on her next book.
Dawn lives in the Twin Cities with her funny husband, adorable son, and naughty dog.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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#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?