 | 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. Genre: Historical Christmas Release Date: September 1, 2017 |
Click here to purchase your copy.
My Review
What could possibly happen in just 12 days?
Michelle Griep has been on my list of want-check-out authors for quite awhile. I've heard a lot of great things about her historical fiction from a variety of people. Then I saw the blurb for this book and decided that this would be the perfect one to start with, after all it is the Christmas season and the book sounded so interesting.
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.
12 Days At Bleakly Manor is great story of redemption and second chances. Each of Michelle Griep's sometimes peculiar characters is searching for something, whether good or bad, and all of them will find it, and more, on a strange holiday in a rather odd English manor. What will You find this Christmas.....?
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives 12 Days At Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep a 4 Bark rating.
Michelle Griep has been on my list of want-check-out authors for quite awhile. I've heard a lot of great things about her historical fiction from a variety of people. Then I saw the blurb for this book and decided that this would be the perfect one to start with, after all it is the Christmas season and the book sounded so interesting.
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.
12 Days At Bleakly Manor is great story of redemption and second chances. Each of Michelle Griep's sometimes peculiar characters is searching for something, whether good or bad, and all of them will find it, and more, on a strange holiday in a rather odd English manor. What will You find this Christmas.....?
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives 12 Days At Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep a 4 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Guest Post from
Michelle Griep
Go Green With Victorian Christmas Décor
Walk in any store and you’ll be bombarded with displays of Christmas lights, gaudy ornaments, and inflatable life-size lawn characters. Commercialization at its worst. 150 years ago, that wasn’t the case. Yearning to decorate in a simpler fashion this year? Here are some ways you can bring a bit of the nineteenth century to your home this Christmas…
TREE DECORATIONS
Queen Elizabeth’s husband, the German Prince Albert, introduced the concept of a Christmas tree to Windsor castle. And you know, if it’s good enough for royalty its good enough for the common folk, right? So, the tradition spread. Generally trees were brought inside on Christmas Eve and taken down on January 6th. Trees were decorated with homemade ornaments from paper or fruits and nuts, strings of popcorn or cranberries, or hanging cookies such as gingerbread men from the branches. And remember, an authentic Victorian Christmas tree would’ve been small, like small enough to stand on a table.
GREENERY
Holly. Evergreens. Mistletoe. Most Victorians couldn’t afford store-bought decorations even were there a commercialized industry at the time (which there wasn’t). So the next best thing was to bring in some free/natural ornamentations. Greenery would’ve been perked up with berries, ribbons, dough ornaments or flowers. Pinecones were also scattered throughout the house.
WREATHS
“Writhen” is the root word where we get the word wreath from. It’s an old English word meaning “to writhe” or “to twist.” While the art of hanging wreaths goes back to Roman times, Victorians continued the tradition.
CANDLES
Candles were primarily placed in one of two spots during a Victorian Christmas. A single candle in a window was lit to show that the house was willing to provide food and shelter to travelers. Candles were also used on each and every branch of a Christmas tree, which meant a huge danger of fire. Usually a servant would stand nearby with a bucket of water just in case the thing started to burn.
DRESDENS
Dresdens are ornaments hung from the tree, from a window, or really hanging pretty much anywhere. These were handmade by cutting out shapes (usually animals or trains) and painted with metallic paint so that they looked like metal.
And that’s about it. No obnoxious Santas or reindeer inflated on the front lawn. No psycho Christmas lights strobing enough to give every passerby a seizure. Just plain and simple decor that made the home feel cozy.
And speaking of cozy, how about grabbing a blanket and a cup of hot tea and settling in for a holiday read that’s sure to put you in the Christmas spirit? My latest release is 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, a Victorian blend of Dickens and Agatha Christie.
TREE DECORATIONS
Queen Elizabeth’s husband, the German Prince Albert, introduced the concept of a Christmas tree to Windsor castle. And you know, if it’s good enough for royalty its good enough for the common folk, right? So, the tradition spread. Generally trees were brought inside on Christmas Eve and taken down on January 6th. Trees were decorated with homemade ornaments from paper or fruits and nuts, strings of popcorn or cranberries, or hanging cookies such as gingerbread men from the branches. And remember, an authentic Victorian Christmas tree would’ve been small, like small enough to stand on a table.
GREENERY
Holly. Evergreens. Mistletoe. Most Victorians couldn’t afford store-bought decorations even were there a commercialized industry at the time (which there wasn’t). So the next best thing was to bring in some free/natural ornamentations. Greenery would’ve been perked up with berries, ribbons, dough ornaments or flowers. Pinecones were also scattered throughout the house.
WREATHS
“Writhen” is the root word where we get the word wreath from. It’s an old English word meaning “to writhe” or “to twist.” While the art of hanging wreaths goes back to Roman times, Victorians continued the tradition.
CANDLES
Candles were primarily placed in one of two spots during a Victorian Christmas. A single candle in a window was lit to show that the house was willing to provide food and shelter to travelers. Candles were also used on each and every branch of a Christmas tree, which meant a huge danger of fire. Usually a servant would stand nearby with a bucket of water just in case the thing started to burn.
DRESDENS
Dresdens are ornaments hung from the tree, from a window, or really hanging pretty much anywhere. These were handmade by cutting out shapes (usually animals or trains) and painted with metallic paint so that they looked like metal.
And that’s about it. No obnoxious Santas or reindeer inflated on the front lawn. No psycho Christmas lights strobing enough to give every passerby a seizure. Just plain and simple decor that made the home feel cozy.
And speaking of cozy, how about grabbing a blanket and a cup of hot tea and settling in for a holiday read that’s sure to put you in the Christmas spirit? My latest release is 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, a Victorian blend of Dickens and Agatha Christie.
 Michelle Griep | Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the author of both Regency and Colonial historical romances but also leaped the writerly fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. Keep up with her escapades at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize of
a $25 Barnes & Noble Gift card and a signed copy of 12 Days of Bleakly Manor!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
a $25 Barnes & Noble Gift card and a signed copy of 12 Days of Bleakly Manor!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
December 14
By The Book
Bukwurmzzz
Faery Tales Are Real
December 15
A Baker’s Perspective
A Reader’s Brain
Have A Wonderful Day
December 16
Texas Book-aholic,
Carpe Diem
Cafinated Reads
December 17
Just the Write Escape
A Greater Yes
Remembrancy
December 18
Allofakindmom
History, Mystery & Faith
Simple Harvest Reads
December 19
amandainpa
Kat’s Corner Books
Mommynificent
December 20
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses
Bookworm Mama
Vicky Sluiter
December 21
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
Christian Author, J.E.Grace
To Everything A Season
December 22
Reader’s Cozy Corner
The Fizzy Pop Collection
Reading Is My SuperPower (Interview)
December 23
My Writer’s Life
Janices book reviews
For The Love of Books
December 24
Tell Tale Book Reviews
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
December 25
Red Headed Book Lady
Raining Butterfly Kisses
December 26
Bibliophile Reviews
Blogging With Carol
Mary Hake
December 27
Reflections From my Bookshelves
By The Book
Bukwurmzzz
Faery Tales Are Real
December 15
A Baker’s Perspective
A Reader’s Brain
Have A Wonderful Day
December 16
Texas Book-aholic,
Carpe Diem
Cafinated Reads
December 17
Just the Write Escape
A Greater Yes
Remembrancy
December 18
Allofakindmom
History, Mystery & Faith
Simple Harvest Reads
December 19
amandainpa
Kat’s Corner Books
Mommynificent
December 20
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses
Bookworm Mama
Vicky Sluiter
December 21
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
Christian Author, J.E.Grace
To Everything A Season
December 22
Reader’s Cozy Corner
The Fizzy Pop Collection
Reading Is My SuperPower (Interview)
December 23
My Writer’s Life
Janices book reviews
For The Love of Books
December 24
Tell Tale Book Reviews
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
December 25
Red Headed Book Lady
Raining Butterfly Kisses
December 26
Bibliophile Reviews
Blogging With Carol
Mary Hake
December 27
Reflections From my Bookshelves
 |
RSS Feed
