Once Upon a Dickens Christmas (3 Novellas) by Michelle Griep

Title: Once Upon a Dickens Christmas (3 Novellas)

Author: Michelle Griep

Pages: 450

Year: 2019

Genre: Victorian Christmas Romances

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     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 at 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.

My review:

     This book includes 3 Novellas. There were a few common things running from story to story. I enjoyed watching for them. The main one was the fact that in one way or another Charles Dickens is spoken of or actually appears in each one of them. That made for a fun point to keep my eye out for.

     Each of these Novellas is a wonderful Victorian Christmas romance!

12 Days at Bleakly Manor

     This book is filled with well developed and very strange characters. I love the two main ones, Clara and Ben. As we get to know them as well as the rest of the assorted house guests at Bleakly Manor a mystery starts to present itself. 

     Clara and Ben are the only two that know each other before arriving at the manor. It was interesting to see how their past affects their stay at the manor. Their interaction with each of the other house guests was very interesting. At times I wanted to tell some of them to just shut up. 

A Tale of Two Hearts

     I love both of the main characters. Their hearts are in the right place, but their plans to go about achieving the desired results are very twisted. They needed to learn to trust that God was in control and would take care of things without their schemes. They each dealt with a lot of angst over the deception that they were undertaking. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that they each had a friend who was speaking encouragement and guidance to them along the way.

     The quotes from different books by Charles Dickens at the start of each chapter were great. Most of the books quoted I have never read. I did find myself adding many of them to my to-be-read list.

     It was fun to learn about some of the traditions of 1800s Christmas time. I’m very glad that the author included some notes at the end of the book about them.

The Old Lace Shop

     I absolutely love 3 special characters in this wonderful story. Bella and Edmund are both trying to move past very painful marriages. They are using different methods to do so but the fact that they aren’t just wallowing in the pain is incredible. I think that my favorite character is Flora though. She is sweet and joyful.

     The plot of this story is wonderful. I loved seeing how Bella struggled to try and find a place for herself in the man’s world of business. She had a lot of attitudes in others to try and work her way past. She kept trying to figure it out though.

     I thoroughly enjoyed reading this collection of Novellas. I’m giving it a rating of 5 stars. I definitely recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*

The Beloved Christmas Quilt by Wanda E., Jean, and Richelle Brunstetter

Title: The Beloved Christmas Quilt

Author: Wanda E., Jean, and Richelle Brunstetter

Pages: 400

Year: 2017

Genre: Amish Romances

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     One quilt binds three generations of Amish women in these three stories of family, romance, and Amish faith by bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, her daughter-in-law, Jean, and granddaughter, Richelle.

     For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for they name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Psalm 31:3

     The scripture embroidered on the back of a  beloved quilt brings hope to three generations of Pennsylvania Amish women at Christmastime.

Luella’s Promise

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

     Luella Ebsersol has been caregiver for a dying woman and her young son. The Dena Lapp gives Luella her favorite quilt, she makes Luella promise to pass it down to her daughter. But Luella isn’t sure she will ever marry if she can’t find someone with maturity and faith like Dena’s husband Atlee Zook.

Karen’s Gift

by Jean Brunstetter

     Karen Allgyer and her husband moved to a slow-paced village to raise their children, but Karen longs for the closeness of family to help her through the challenges of managing three girls with one on the way. When life’s pressures rise, will Karen cave to her fears?

Roseanna’s Groom

by Richelle Lynn Brunstetter

     When the unexpected happens on the day of her wedding, Roseanna Allgyer can’t help blaming herself, despite not understanding why. Then an old friend returns to town, and she battles feeling for him—afraid of being hurt again.

My review:

     This in an incredible set of three Amish romances!

     I love all of the main characters in this book. Each of the authors wrote one of the stories. All three of them did an amazing job of developing wonderful characters and great relationships between them.

     Each story is a separate romance. They are each very different in the difficulties that the couples face. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that they each center on God and trusting Him to carry them through the hard times.

     One of my favorite aspects of this collection of stories is that they all have a family heirloom as a common factor between them. 

     I thoroughly enjoyed each of the stories in this book. I’m giving it a rating of 5 stars. I definitely recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*

Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope (Wrapped Up in Christmas #3) by Janice Lynn

Title: Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope (Wrapped Up in Christmas #3)

Author: Janice Lynn

Narrated By: Madeleine Maby & Seth Podowitz

Pages: 336

Duration: 8 hours 11 minutes

Release Date: October 26, 2021

Genre: Christmas Romance

Publisher: Hallmark Publishing

Format: Audiobook (also available in eBook and paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     He’s willing to risk his life to save others. Is she willing to risk her heart on him? Morgan’s late husband was a daredevil. . .and now she’s a widowed single mom. All she wants now is to set up a stable life for herself and her son in the small town of Pine Hill, Kentucky. Andrew’s a firefighter who thrives on the rush of saving others. His secret dream is to become a smokejumper and fight raging wildfires across the country. But it’ll mean leaving his hometown and the people who rely on him. Morgan and Andrew are drawn together as they both volunteer to make quilts for veterans at the local quilt shop. Morgan’s son looks up to Andrew, and Morgan can’t help but notice how good Andrew is with him. Meanwhile, Andrew’s torn between his ambition and his growing attraction to Morgan. They both have choices to make about their future. . .and about each other.

My review:

     This is an absolutely delightful Christmas romance!

     I LOVE all three of the main characters! Andrew and Morgan have very different plans for their lives. They are presented in such detail that I was able to really feel a connection to both of them. I ached for the hurt that they were each experiencing as their friendship grew and they were trying to work through the differences that seemed determined to separate them.

     I found many scenes that gave me a lot to laugh about as they had to deal with a number of matchmakers along the way. The descriptions of the planned Christmas wedding for an elderly couple were incredible.

     I found both of the narrators to be excellent! I could hear the emotions in their voices throughout the book. I loved the variety of voices that they each used for the various characters. I will be looking for more audiobooks that they have each done.

     I’m giving this marvelous story a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*

Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy by Janice Lynn

 

Title: Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy

Author: Janice Lynn

Narrated by: Rachel Jacobs and Alexander Cendese

Pages: 336

Length: 8 hours 17 minutes

Release Date: October 27, 2020

Genre: Christmas Romance

Publisher: Hallmark Publishing

Format: Audiobook (also available in paperback and eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     When Sophie Davis sorts through a box of donated books to her church, she’s surprised to discover a soldier’s journal. As the daughter of a veteran who watched her father struggle over the years, she feels a deep connection to the man who wrote the emotional entries.

     Former Marine Cole Aaron battled to find peace after returning to civilian life. He’s always needs to protect others. Now, fighting fires in Pine Hill, Kentucky helps him put out the demons within him. When Sophie shows up at the fire hall with his journal from when he’d first returned stateside, Cole can’t believe it was in the box he’d donated. Not wanting to face painful memories, he tells her to trash it.

     Sophie and Cole are drawn together as they both volunteer for their community, but it’s hard for Cole to let down his guard, and he doesn’t need anyone’s pity. After all he’s been through in the past, can he find faith in a more hopeful future. . .one touched by joy?

     This heartwarming romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Dilly Duchess Potatoes.

My review:

     This is a delightful Christmas romance!

     I love both of the main characters. Cole and Sophie and incredibly well developed and easy to connect with. I love the fact that they were connected by veterans. Cole is a veteran with huge emotional wounds from his time in the military. Sophie on the other hand has many memories of her father, who was a veteran with huge emotional wounds.

     I loved seeing how their friendship developed. Sophie was doing all she could to befriend Cole while he was doing everything to prevent becoming her friend. There were many moments that had me laughing out loud while I was listening to this audiobook.

     I had never heard of the Quilts of Love Foundation before reading this wonderful story. It is a marvelous organization and Sophie is deeply involved in it. I learned a lot about it and the work that they do.

     The book is written from alternating viewpoints. It goes back and forth from Sophie to Cole. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that this audiobook has two narrators. They both did a wonderful job making the story come to life.

     I thoroughly enjoyed this story and have decided to give it a rating of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*