Once Upon a Dickens Christmas: 3 Charming Christmas Tales Set in Victorian England

When a new story from Michelle Griep shows up, I quickly snatch it up to read. And this collection of Christmas tales does not disappoint. The first two stories in the book, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor and A Tale of Two Hearts were released before and The Old Lace Shop is the newest addition to this series. Each tale is a stand-alone story and the three are loosely tied together by a second chance coin, often given to someone in dire circumstances and a cameo appearance by Charles Dickens. The characters are great--evocative, vibrant and likable. In each story, the hero and heroine have had difficult situations to work through in their past and for one reason or another are now in a situation where they must work together to make things work out for their future. And, of course, there is a villain! Each story gripped me right from the start and just got better and better with twists to the plot, topsy-turvy happenings that keep the reader's attention and a delightful romance. The author has a definite thread of faith in God woven throughout the story, reminding readers that He is a God who loves to give His children second chances. As each story comes to a dramatic conclusion, the reader, along with the characters wonder how in the world will God be able to straighten out the tangled situation. The author brings the Victorian age alive with delightfully descriptive prose and as she tells of traditions, lifestyles and even some recipes that were found during that time period. If you are a reader who loves charming stories set in Victorian England you will not want to miss this delightful book. I received a complimentary copy of the book from Barbour Publishing and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.