Once Upon a Dickens Christmas

3 Charming Christmas Tales Set in Victorian England

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Pub Date 01 Sep 2019 | Archive Date 31 Oct 2019

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Description

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.
 
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...

Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781683222606
PRICE $15.99 (USD)
PAGES 448

Average rating from 103 members


Featured Reviews

Michelle Griep is such a wonderful writer and this set of 3 three short stories is no exception. All three are Christmas themed Victorian stories with a definite Christian message that is never overly preachy with some romance and lovely, believable characters. There's a heartwarming message in these stories that is perfectly done. I enjoyed the second and third stories just a bit more than the first but honestly all three were very, very enjoyable to read.

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This book is so good! All three stories are very well written and hold your attention. If you like Victorian Christmas romance stories, you will love this book. This stories in this book have drama, suspense and romance. This is the perfect book to curl up with and take a step back in time. It will put a smile on your face and joy in your heart. I enjoyed every minute spent reading this book. Thank you Barbour Publishing, Inc. Shiloh Run Press via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this wonderful book. All opinions expressed are my own.

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I have never read a book by Charles Dickens. Not even the famous A Christmas Carol. I am, however, familiar with some of his story titles, like Bleak House and a Tale of Two Cities. So the play on words in Once Upon a Christmas (12 Days at Bleakly Manor and A Tale of Two Hearts) appealed to me. I'm still not sure what Dickens story The Old Lace Shop was built around, but it doesn't matter because Michelle Griep created three delightful stories that swept me away and kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning.

While each story has its own unique characters, the central theme of having a second chance at life, love and redemption ran through them all - making the entire book seem like one big novel, with Charles Dickens (and one gold coin) making guest appearances (where needed), in each story. I loved it!

Best line in the book - "Either your faith will move mountains, or your doubt will create them." I will take this with me from now on as I found it encouraging and inspiring.

I cannot say which story was my favourite as they were all entertaining, with mystery, romance, and of course, a bit of Christmas cheer thrown in — making this book a "must-have" for the Christmas season!

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An EXCELLENT collection of Christmas stories by a favorite author!

Once Upon a Dickens Christmas is a wonderful collection of three Victorian novellas by Michelle Griep. The first two stories, “12 Days at Bleakly Manor” and “A Tale of Two Hearts” have been previously published but are definitely worth a re-read. The last tale, “The Old Lace Shop” is a new addition, and my favorite of the three. I love getting lost in a story, and Griep does such a masterful job of creating a plot that draws me in with characters that are memorable. Historical inspirational fiction is my favorite genre, but have a low tolerance for over-the-top, eye rolling romance or plot twists. Griep has become one of my favorite authors because she mixes the perfect amount of spiritual insight, intrigue, and character development to keep me turning pages well past my bedtime. You need to read this book!
Thanks so much to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy in order to supply my honest opinion.

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I am never disappointed with Michelle Griep and have been waiting awhile for her third Christmas installment. I was not disappointed, and the wait was worth every moment. Not many authors can capture such depth in a short novella, but in each of these three stories, you will meet and fall in love with the characters. The writing is genuine and complex, and I loved every moment. Were I asked to pick a favorite, I could not. The stories will transport you to the everyday life in the dark but redemptive realities of London’s streets. Life was hard for many, but love was able to overcome even the steepest barriers. The authenticity will keep you engaged and be watchful for the guest appearance of Dickens himself!

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Michelle Griep, self-proclaimed “author, blogger, and occasional super-hero when her cape is clean.” knows how to do heartwarming, wholesome historical fiction.

In her three-novella series, she provides a Dickensian-feel to bring on the Christmas cheer and leave you to feel like you’ve been sitting fireside – all warm and cheerful on the inside.

My favourite of the three novellas included was the first (12 Days at Bleakly Manor), but they were all appealing within their own right. These titles balance mystery with romance and a sprinkling of faith (but not in a heavy-handed obnoxious way.) The recipe leaves you with a delightful narrative that you’ll want to enjoy curled up in a cozy place with a tea – even better if there’s a Christmas tree illuminated in the corner.

Published September 1st, and available for purchase now.

My thanks to the author and publisher, Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of Barbour Books. I was provided with a complimentary title via NetGalley and all thoughts are my own.

Review scheduled to be published via my blog (https://lifelovelaughterlinds.home.blog/?p=849) September 16, 2019, 2pm EDT.

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This is my new favorite Christmas inspired collection!! I knew that I would love it because I live anything that the author has written. I have read the first story in this collection but when I saw that there were the other 2 which I had not read I just had to request it. If you want a fun cozy read that will pull your heartstrings then settle down with your favorite beverage and read this collection. It’s never two early for Christmas

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I so enjoy Michelle Griep's books. This author is a master at character development. Ms. Griep's latest book is a wonderful collection of Victorian novellas. Charles Dickens makes a star appearance, in these Dickenesian stories. The three tales are connected by a Second Chance gold coin. Even though I had read one of these before, I enjoyed it so much I wanted to read them in order. These are the type of novellas you can't put down. Love, redemption, sacrifice and loyalty are all woven throughout this story. I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalleys. The opinions expressed in this book are my own.

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Received this through Net Galley,thanks so much!! I enjoyed all of the stories what beautiful written stories of Christmas and relationships,to bad we can't keep the spirit of Christmas all year long!! Wonderful writing and Christmas should be every day of the year! Read these stories it will open up your hearts!!

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Once Upon A Dickens Christmas is my first Christmas read of the season. I was thrilled to get my hands on it. It is a compilation of three different novellas. The first two, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor and A Tale of Two Hearts came out in the previous two years so I had already read them. I chose to skip over them and went right to The Old Lace Shop.

If you are a fan of Dickens then I think you will enjoy these three stories. Michelle Griep does an excellent job in capturing the essence of Dickens writing style with a unique twist that is all her own. There is a little bit of mystery and a little bit of romance thrown in to all three novellas.

This would make a lovely gift for the book lover on your Christmas list.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

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Fan's of Dickens will be delighted with Michelle Griep's 12 Days at Bleakly Manor. The setting is a large country manor with limited staff. A group of people each receive an invitation to spend the 12 days of Christmas at the Manor. If they stay the entire time, they will be granted something they really desire. the characters are an odd group, some endearing, others truly weird. I enjoyed the story and look forward to re reading it on a cold snowy day with a large cup of tea and a cozy blanket!

`Michele Griep's A Tale of Two Hearts is every bit as delightful as her first Christmas story Twelve Days at Bleakley Manor. She fills her stories with charming characters in interesting settings. Ms. Griep's books always teach a lesson but in a way that entertains. I loved the characters Mina and William. They are from different classes but meet at Mina's family's pub. Set at Christmas time the story definitely has a Dicken's feel to it. I read this during one of the hottest weeks of summer, so I turned the AC on high, curled up in a blanket and drank hot tea LOL.
So grab your mug of tea and enjoy a good read!

So now I have finished The Old Lace Shop. I was not disappointed, in fact I think it is my favorite of the three novellas! This was a lovely story about second chances. The plot was lively and the characters were just as quirky as in her other tales. So grab a mug of hot tea and settle in for a fantastic tale!

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations! All thoughts are my own.

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I read the first two books that last two years, but this year was the first time I read The Old Lace Shop. Oh, I loved going back in time and seeing the world through Bella and Edmund’s eyes.
Michelle just does an outstanding job of bringing the past to life. She did it with each of the stories in this book.
If you love historical romance and want a bit of Christmas thrown in I highly recommend this collection, you can’t go wrong.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley.com. All opinions are my own.

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With Michelle Griep at the helm I know I will enjoy a good story and this one was just as delightful!
Each story has it's own charm and I loved seeing the world through these characters' lives!
I wanted to read each story one at a time but of course that didn't happen at all!!! They were just begging to be read all at once!!
I enjoyed going back to the 12 days at Bleakly Manor but the other two I hadn't read before.
Michelle has done a great job in her writing style by adding the Charles Dickens feel to these marvelous stories.
I think my favorite thing about these stories are the second chances and how each person benefits from it.
I quite agree with another reader about feeling the Christmas spirit all year round. It all has to do with what's truly in our hearts y'all!!
This book will make a great gift for your friends, family. We need to spread the love readers!!
The cover y'all is just beautiful and yellow is my favorite color!! The story was just wow!! I can't wait for y'all to read this awesome book!
I'm rereading it again at Christmas. This was just too good to pass up!
My thanks for a copy of this book. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own

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Once Upon a Dickens Christmas is a collection of heartwarming that are stories perfect for the Christmas season. Griep’s signature style of writing that is rich in Victorian detail with a good dose of whimsy makes this anthology a treat that avid historical fiction readers will not want to miss. With nods to some of Charles Dickens’ most beloved novels, each story boasts a heartwarming tale in a variety of genres that offer something for every reader. From mystery to sweet romance to a tale of redemption, these three stories have central themes of faith, grace, forgiveness, and love wrapped in a cozy atmosphere of the Victorian Christmas celebrations that gave us what are some of our most treasured traditions to this day.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Michelle Griep is such a versatile writer and I have yet to find a novel of hers that I haven’t liked. So it was no surprise to me that I very much enjoyed this collection of novellas.
Each of these novellas strikes a note that feels very Dickens-like, and yet still feel unique from each other and other stories I have read. I loved the cast of quirky characters each book introduced, as well as the setting which often felt as much a character as any of the others.
I particularly enjoyed The Old Lace Shop and the different point of view that Michelle used. It really set it apart from the others, and I liked the change.
If you’re looking for a collection to put you in the Christmas spirit, Once Upon a Dickens Christmas is one you’ll want to pick up soon! Or if you’re looking for some fun holiday reading but don’t have a lot of time to devote to one full-length story, then this is the collection for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

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I've always enjoyed stories by Michelle Griep, so to have a three-in-one was like opening an extra special Christmas present! Which is exactly what these are based on, Christmas. Step back in time and walk in the Victorian era, Dickens classics come to life.

Each story has its unique blend of cast, characters, plot and a little mystery behind them. I like the recurrence of a “second chance coin” that blended these three together beautifully. I also loved how circumstances brought two people together and how by the end, they fell in love. If I had to choose a “favorite” among them, I'd have to go with “The Old Lace Shop” as it reminds me of “North & South”. My favorite four-part TV show made into full length movie in the history of movies! And let's not forget the unique dialogue Griep uses to tell these tales of old; all in her own writers voice that I know so well. I've never been disappointed by any of her novels and know I'm in for a treat with each story she pens!

If you're looking for those perfect Christmasy reads for the holidays, be sure to pick up “Once Upon a Dickens Christmas”!

“You see, my dear, real joy is not found in the best moments of life, but in trusting that God is making the best of every moment...” A Tale of Two Hearts.

*I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing through Netgalley and was not obligated to leave a review. *

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12 Days at Bleakly Manor

OH where do I start...I was so enthralled in this story. It kept me guessing and surprised the whole way through.

I loved Ben Lane. He had so many challenges and was so wrongfully accused. To be branded would be so hard knowing you are marked for life. But Christ also brands our hearts and marks us as His own when we accept Him. I loved how Ben was so adventures and forgave Clara so easily once he knew she did not know.

Clara was such a special character. She had lots of characteristics we all face. She knew rejection and not feeling good enough. Jesus showed her that in Him she was loved and complete.

This story is one that I will definitely read again and can see myself reading every Christmas!

A Tale of Two Hearts:




LOVED this story!!




Mina is someone I wish was real so I could be friends with her in real life. I identified with her so much! She was kind, compassionate and caring. She loved books and dreamed BIG dreams.

Will was as handsome as ever and he wanted to regain his honor and good name. Maybe he went about it a little wrong but his heart was in the right place.

I honestly did not want this story to end! It was a beautiful Christmas Story!

I did love how this story and 12 Days at Bleakly Manor did connect a little...read to find out how.

The Old Lace Shop

This story was very well wrote! It kept you turning the pages to find out what happened next.

Bella had endured so much but came out of it stronger and more determined.

Edmund had so much fear that he allowed it to keep him shut in. But God has a way of breaking down our barriers.

This was a beautiful story.

I highly recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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"My mother— God rest her—always told me to think of eternity, then live backward from that. Such a view has a way o’ whittlin’ down our current troubles to a size we can crumple up into a ball and toss aside.”
Do you love the classic dickens stories? This is a good addition to your library and a treasure. Full of similar hard times and strife in cruel times, where humanity triumphs. The first story is a fabulous mystery that will keep you guessing to the last. A second chance coin threads it's way through all of the stories. Of course with these authors you can't go wrong. Curl up with this book as soon as you get a chance. You'll love it!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"We are all different.We all bear one cross or another. And because of it, do we not each face our own particular cruelties?”

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Once Upon a Dickens Christmas is a charming book. It involved three stories, which I liked. I could finish one story in a sitting before moving on to the next. Thank you to Netgalley for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

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One little coin changes lives at Christmastime...

12 Days a Bleakly Manor: What a story to start with! 12 Days At Bleakly Manor has it all: mystery, danger, romance, quirky characters, a house with secrets of its own, and a lovely holiday setting. I had a fun time reading this book and will definitely be looking for more from this author. I enjoyed trying to puzzle everything out and I was in for some real surprises along with hero and heroine.

A Tale of Two Hearts: A Tale Of Two Hearts was a little different than its predecessor in that there was less adventure and more about the motivations of the hero and heroine themselves. Will and Mina are two of the most delightfully flawed characters. They make mistakes and their relationship is mostly based on deceit as they do all of the wrong things for the right reasons.

The Old Lace Shop: My second favorite of the three, The Old Lace Shop truly is a tale of second chances as everyone in it is in need of a second or even a third chance. I couldn't help but like the main characters, they've both been deeply hurt but they try so hard to rely on their faith to get them through. Toss in some suspense and you get quite the Christmas adventure!

Overall: Whether you are a Dickens fan or not Michelle Griep's Once Upon A Dickens Christmas is a fun collection of stories. These tales of redemption, forgiveness, and second chances, in a historical romance setting are perfect for reading during the Christmas season or any time really...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

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Christmas Regency at it's best! All three of these novellas had a sparkle of humor with life lessons learned and of course romance that will sweep you off your feet!

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