Once Upon A Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep

Here is the book summary:

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.

And now, my review:

Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep is a compilation of 3 of her Christmas books all in one.  Each year for the past 3 years she has released a book and they have all been great!  It’s so nice to have them all in one book.  I have a physical book for this one and it’s a favorite of mine because of the “torn” look on the edges of each sheet.  I have read all three books in their entirety and a couple of them more than once.  It’s a great book to read from year to year at Christmas time.  In fact, for my family, we like to find Christmas books and hear them aloud and enjoy it all together.  With loads of intrigue, Christmas, and romance, what’s not to love!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Dickens-Christmas-Victorian/dp/1683222601/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24IX53DNCWG6T&keywords=once+upon+a+dickens+christmas&qid=1573856376&sprefix=once+%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-1

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/once+upon+a+dickens+christmas+series?_requestid=2304689

https://www.christianbook.com/once-upon-a-dickens-christmas/michelle-griep/9781683222606/product-reviews/3222606?submitted_review=1

When God Calls the Heart at Christmas by Brian Bird and Michelle Cox

Here is the book summary:

Celebrate Christmas in Hope Valley

Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Whether it’s in the fictional town of Hope Valley in the early 1900s or in our lives today, nothing is more profound than celebrating God’s most important gift to the world.

When God Calls the Heart at Christmas is about a celebration of faith, family, friends, and the most meaningful Yuletide traditions. Inspired by best-selling author Janette Oke and the Hallmark Channel original TV series When Calls the Heart, these twenty-five devotions not only explore “God-moments” from the series, but also commemorate favorite holiday recipes, stories, and traditions—many of them contributed by the Hearties, the beloved fans of the show. 

Journey with us to Hope Valley as we focus on all the reasons for this most blessed season. As shepherds and angels learned on that holy night so long ago, when God calls the heart at Christmas, you can expect a celebration.

And now, my review:

As a huge fan of When Calls the Heart series, I was really excited to read the When God Calls the Heart at Christmas Devotional.  The book shares about the characters in the TV Series, their personality traits and known character, and the authors’ personal experiences, too.  The book also includes some recipes to make for the family.  I found this to be heartwarming and a fun light-read devotional.  The Christmas Snoop was really funny!  I do think she needs a trophy for that one J 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/When-God-Calls-Heart-Christmas-ebook/dp/B07FK64GMP/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=when+god+calls+the+heart+at+christmas&qid=1559918637&s=gateway&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/calls-heart-christmas-devotional-journal-pack/brian-bird/pd/445524?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-god-calls-the-heart-at-christmas-brian-bird/1128186181?ean=9781424557288#/

A Tale of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep

Here is the book summary:

Book 2 in Reader Favorite Michelle Griep’s Charming Once Upon a Dickens Christmas Series

London, 1853: Innkeeper’s daughter Mina Scott will do anything to escape the drudgery of her life, for there’s nothing more mundane than serving customers day after day. Every minute she can, she reads and dreams of someday becoming a real lady—and catch the eye of William Barlow, a frequent guest at the inn.

William is a gentleman’s son, a charming but penniless rogue. However, his bachelor uncle will soon name an heir—either him or his scheming cousin. In an effort to secure the inheritance, William gives his uncle the impression he’s married, which works until he’s invited to bring his wife for a visit.

William asks Mina to be his pretend bride, only until his uncle names an heir on Christmas Day. Mina is flattered and frustrated by the offer, for she wants a true relationship with William. Yet, she agrees. . .then wishes she hadn’t. So does William. Deceiving the old man breaks both their hearts. When the truth is finally discovered, more than just money is lost.

Can two hearts survive such deception?

And now, my review:

A Tale of Two Hearts is set in historical London in the 1800s and is the second book in the Dicken’s Christmas series by Michelle Griep.  I love how the author speaks of God’s love and constant forgiveness that He extends.  She also encourages contentment, thankfulness, and second chances.  This is a story about a lowly innkeeper’s daughter, a young law clerk, and a rich uncle.  These characters have dreams and desires and they are trying to navigate their lives the best they can.  This being said, they don’t always make the wisest of choices.  As a reader, we all get to see how this all unfolds.  Happy reading. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Two-Hearts-Dickens-Christmas-ebook/dp/B07D46MW97/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

https://www.christianbook.com/hearts-once-upon-dickens-christmas-ebook/michelle-griep/9781683229124/pd/97304EB?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-tale-of-two-hearts-michelle-griep/1127905846?ean=9781683222590#/

Jacob's Bell by John Snyder

Here is the book summary:

For readers of Richard Paul Evans and Melody Carlson comes JACOB'S BELL, a heartwarming Christmas story about how an unlikely friendship between an old man and a little girl saved a family.

Sometimes the road to forgiveness and restoration can be a rocky one. Set in Chicago and Baltimore in 1944 with flashbacks to the 1920s, JACOB'S BELL follows Jacob MacCallum on his arduous journey to redemption.

At one time, Jacob had it all: wealth, a wonderful family and a position as one of the most respected businessmen in Chicago. Then he made some bad decisions and all that changed. For the past twenty years he lived in an alcohol-induced haze, riddled with guilt for the dreadful things he had done to his family and his role in the untimely death of his wife. Estranged from his children and penniless, he was in and out of jail, on the street and jumping freight trains for transportation. Realizing he needed a drastic change, Jacob embarked on a journey to find his children, seek their forgiveness, and restore his relationship with them. Befriended by a pastor at a Salvation Army mission, he struggled to transform his life. Yet finally he overcame his demons, but not without a fair number of setbacks. Jacob became a Salvation Army Bell Ringer at Christmastime. While ringing his bell on a street corner one snowy day, he met a young girl who, through a series of strange coincidences, led him back to his children and facilitated Jacob's forgiveness just in time for Christmas.

Author John Snyder pens a story of love, hardship, and reconciliation that will leave readers filled with Christmas joy.

And now, my review:

Jacob’s Bell by John Snyder was a new Christmas story that I had the pleasure of reading this year.  This stories setting is placed in the early to mid-1900s in America.  The picture this author paints, I felt took me right to America in years past.  It’s a story about poor choices that led to hard life consequences and there is a great need for redemption to be had.  This story made my heart ache at times, which is the purpose the writer intended I’m sure.  While sharing it with your family, you might want to do a pre-read through yourself to know if this is appropriate for your listeners.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Jacobs-Bell-Christmas-John-Snyder-ebook/dp/B079L67DP5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1545934799&sr=8-1&keywords=jacob%27s+bell

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jacobs-bell-john-snyder/1127922431?ean=9781546010395#/

https://www.christianbook.com/jacobs-bell-a-christmas-story/john-snyder/9781546010395/pd/010392?event=ESRCG

The Dawning of Indestructible Joy by John Piper

Here is the book summary:

Advent is for adoring Jesus.

The Christmas season is one of the busiest times of year. But it’s also a season of reflection and preparation for that special day when we mark Immanuel’s coming—the arrival of our eternal God in our own frail humanity.

This is the greatest of history’s many wonders, something too stupendous to celebrate just on one day. Advent is a way of lengthening and intensifying the joy of Christmas.

These 25 brief devotional readings from John Piper begin on December 1 and carry us to Christmas Day. Our hope is that God would use these meditations to deepen and sweeten your adoration of Jesus and help you keep him at the center of your Christmas season.

And now, my review:

The Dawning of Indestructible Joy by John Piper is such quiet, powerful truth delivered in a way that humbles the reader.  It is an amazing advent devotional that you will want to reflect on over and over.  This book was intended for the Advent Season but I find that the truths here are truths for all through the year.  You cannot reflect too often on what Christ has accomplished by coming to earth and dying for the sins of the world. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Dawning-Indestructible-Joy-Readings-Advent-ebook/dp/B00IFG0902/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519479826&sr=8-1&keywords=the+dawning+of+indestructible+joy+daily+readings+for+advent

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dawning-of-indestructible-joy-john-piper/1117738131?ean=9781433542367#/

https://www.christianbook.com/dawning-indestructible-daily-readings-advent-ebook/john-piper/9781433542398/pd/62279EB?product_redirect=1&Ntt=62279EB&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep

Here is the book summary:

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 five hundred 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.

And now, my review:

What my family had to say about the book 12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep as we enjoyed this as a family read aloud.  It was intriguing, mysterious, and scary in parts.  It was superfluously majestic and makes you want to read on.  It was also surprising, captivating, and very well written.  I really liked that it brought out an element of forgiveness in a freeing way.  This book has all these things and more to it!!  If you’re looking for a great Christmas read, you’ll want to remember to check this one out.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/12-Days-Bleakly-Manor-Christmas-ebook/dp/B071HB1FQ5/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1519478412&sr=1-1&keywords=12+days+at+bleakly+manor

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/12-days-at-bleakly-manor-michelle-griep/1125461109?ean=9781683222583#/

https://www.christianbook.com/12-days-at-bleakly-manor-1/michelle-griep/9781683222583/pd/22258X?product_redirect=1&Ntt=22258X&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

The Beloved Christmas Quilt By Wanda Brunstetter

Here is the book summary:

One Quilt Binds Three Generations of Amish Women
Enjoy the gift of a brand new romance from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, along with stories by her daughter-in-law, Jean and granddaughter, Richelle.

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy 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 Ebersol has been caregiver for a dying woman and her young son. When 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.
  

And now, my review:

The Beloved Christmas Quilt by Wanda Brunstetter is a wonderful Christmas book that includes 3 stories.  It is a series of stories that follow a special quilt that is being handed down from generation to generation.  In keeping with a traditional Brunstetter book, all of them have a sweet element of Amish romance.  In them, I saw a picture of new love, giving not selfishly but with others in mind, and sometimes what you think is the answer is not the answer at all. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Christmas-Quilt-Stories-Romance-ebook/dp/B071RNRYC4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519476553&sr=8-1&keywords=the+beloved+christmas+quilt+by+wanda+brunstetter

https://www.christianbook.com/the-beloved-christmas-quilt/wanda-brunstetter/9781683222255/pd/3222255?product_redirect=1&Ntt=3222255&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-beloved-christmas-quilt-wanda-e-brunstetter/1125461100?ean=9781683222255#/

My Merry Christmas by Sally Lloyd-Jones

Here is the book summary:

What is Christmas?  

Is it twinkling lights? Angels? Stars? This rhyming story by Sally Lloyd-Jones (the best-selling author of The Jesus Storybook Bible) helps children relate favorite holiday symbols to the true story of Christmas—the night Jesus was born.  

And now, my review:

This is SUCH a lovely board book to add to our collection of Christmas books to be read often every year at Christmas time.  It flows with a nice rhyming tempo and the illustrations are delightful.  I love books like that and so this book is no disappointment.  My family and I gathered around and picked a favorite animal/creature and followed it throughout every page.  With the Birth of Jesus as the focal point, it gave great opportunity to share together in our HOPE.  Merry Christmas all!!

I received a copy of this book from B&H/Lifeway in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Merry-Christmas-padded-board-book/dp/1433648954/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513197502&sr=8-1&keywords=my+merry+christmas+sally+lloyd+jones

https://www.christianbook.com/my-merry-christmas-sally-lloyd-jones/9781433648953/pd/648953?product_redirect=1&Ntt=648953&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

https://www.christianbook.com/my-merry-christmas-sally-lloyd-jones/9781433648953/pd/648953?product_redirect=1&Ntt=648953&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP