About the Book

Name of book: 12 Days at Bleakly Manor

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Historical Christmas

Release Date: September 1, 2017

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.

LORI'S REVIEW

It was an ok book but I tend to think that this story sounds like Charlie and the chocolate factory.
I did get enjoy getting to know each of the characters and it's also putting me slowly in the Christmas mood just like Christmas at Carnton.
There were several people in the story that gave me the creeps.
I do however like Clara. She has a heart of gold and never failed to serve where she was needed.
Ben is a likeable fellow too. I think that I want to give him a hug and tell him that everything will be ok.
In some ways I didn't like all of the complaing that went on. I feel like that life is short enough as it is for all of that (I guess I'm the adventurous sort.)
My favorite part of the story were the intriguing mysteries that went on in the story.
I enjoyed the setting in the Victorian home and could just picture the room Clara was in. (Wishing I was in it myself)
I do like how the author mentioned that friends come in all different types.
I like that life can offer second chances and if it comes your way you'd better snap it up.
Michelle, please keep your stories coming. You are on my list of favorite authors!!

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

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.

Guest Post from Michelle Griep

Go Green With Victorian Christmas Décor

Guest post by Michelle Griep

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.

Blog Stops By The Book, December 14 Bukwurmzzz, December 14 Faery Tales Are Real, December 14 A Baker’s Perspective, December 15 A Reader’s Brain, December 15 Have A Wonderful Day, December 15 Texas Book-aholic, December 16 Carpe Diem, December 16 Cafinated Reads, December 16 Just the Write Escape, December 17 A Greater Yes, December 17 Remembrancy, December 17 Allofakindmom, December 18 History, Mystery & Faith, December 18 Simple Harvest Reads, December 18 amandainpa, December 19 Kat’s Corner Books, December 19 Mommynificent, December 19 Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, December 20 Bookworm Mama, December 20 Vicky Sluiter, December 20 D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, December 21 Christian Author, J.E.Grace, December 21 To Everything A Season, December 21 Reader’s Cozy Corner, December 22 The Fizzy Pop Collection, December 22 Reading Is My SuperPower, December 22 (Interview) My Writer’s Life, December 23 Janices book reviews, December 23 For The Love of Books, December 23 Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 24 Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 24 Red Headed Book Lady, December 25 Raining Butterfly Kisses, December 25 Bibliophile Reviews, December 26 Blogging With Carol,December 26 Mary Hake, December 26 Reflections From my Bookshelves, December 2 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! https://promosimple.com/ps/c5b8