Audible Book Review: 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, Once Upon a Dickens Christmas, Book 1, by Michelle Griep

This is a sort of haunted house Christmas Mystery/Romance which I read and enjoyed for Ladies Book Club.
12 Days at Bleakly Manor
Once Upon a Dickens Christmas, Book 1
By: Michelle Griep
Narrated by: Nan McNamara


Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-11-18
Language: English
Publisher: Oasis Audio
Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Victorian
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's 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 12 day celebration, she is promised a sum of 1,000 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 pause-resisting Victorian-era holiday tale by Michelle Griep, a listener and critic favorite.
©2017 Shiloh Run Press (P)2017 Oasis Audio

Review:
Clara and Ben were separated on the morning they were to be wed. He was sent to the jail for theft and she was left jilted at the altar believing her fiancé’ had run off with the family fortune.
Clara is struggling out a meager living caring for her elderly aunt and wondering: “Why, God? Why?” She receives a strange invitation that promises her 500 pounds if she spends 12 days at Bleakly Manor. Although a strange request, and reluctant to leave her ailing aunt, Clara welcomes this one chance to restore her circumstance.

Ben believes Clara abandoned him during the rigged trial proceedings and wonders: “Why, God? Why?” When Ben is called to the warden’s office, he suspects that his time to be deported has come. Instead, he is given an invitation that promises his freedom if he stays at Bleakly Manor for 12 days without trying to escape.

As Clara and Ben arrive at the bleak manor house, they realize they are not the only guests invited. There are a handful of others and each person has been promised something unique to their circumstances but only one of the participants can gain the promise by staying the full time. At first, the manor seems warm, if dark, but as soon as everyone has arrived, most of the staff disappears leaving the group to fend for themselves without proper food or warmth.

Tensions are high between Clara and Ben who are shocked to see each other and even more startled when they finally agree to listen to what happened to each other. Soon tensions begin to rise among all of the guests as the conditions deteriorate starting the first morning with an alleged jewel theft. The police inspector guest claims he will investigate but his procedures leave a lot to be desired. Meanwhile, Ben is certain he feels “eye” watching from the halls.

This plot was great fun, reminding me of the Agatha Christie mystery “And Then There Were None” and making me think of the movies Clue or Murder by Death. It appears that I haven’t read enough Dickens recently enough to catch all of the connections to Dickens's characters and locations (Bleak House). Still, I had great fun following the mishaps that helped to eliminate the guests and the dilemmas that Clara and Ben had to face.

I have enjoyed several books by Michelle Griep and look forward to more! I recommend this to fans of Victorian and noir mystery, and clearly to any true Dickens fans.

Audio Notes: Nan McNamara’s narration drew me into the setting and kept me following the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source: December 2019 Audible Sale purchase $5.24. This qualifies for Ladies Book Club and 2019Audiobook goal.

First Book of the Year 2020: The Possibility of America by David Dark

Welcome to a new year, 2020!

A big thanks to Sheila at bookjourney for hosting again.

The Possibility of America
How the Gospel Can Mend Our God-Blessed,
God-Forsaken Land
by David Dark
As I watch the societal strife in America I pray for a calmer, kinder future.
I have chosen this as my First Book for 2020.
SOURCE: 2019 NetGalley.
Published in the years following 9/11, David Dark’s book The Gospel according to America warned American Christianity about the false worship that conflates love of country with love of God. It delved deeply into the political divide that had gripped the country and the cultural captivity into which so many American churches had fallen.

In our current political season, the problems Dark identified have blossomed. The assessment he brought to these problems and the creative resources for resisting them are now more important than ever. Into this new political landscape and expanding on the analysis of The Gospel according to America, Dark offers The Possibility of America: How the Gospel Can Mend Our God-Blessed, God-Forsaken Land. Dark expands his vision of a fractured yet redeemable American Christianity, bringing his signature mix of theological, cultural, and political analysis to white supremacy, evangelical surrender, and other problems of the Trump era.

I'm looking forward to this as we start another new year.

Sunday Post December 29, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 30, 2019

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Hubby and I are enjoying our visit with son and his family. Sadly I caught a cold so have been huddling in bed alot the last two days.

My son was generous with flowers and chocolates for my birthday.

Body lotion too which didn't arrive until today.

I am very thankful the temperatures have only been in the 30s at night and mild 50s during the days. Good except for rain.

I enjoyed my reading and listening this past week. I finished two NetGalley titles, one ebook and one longer audiobook.   I posted two reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to ALL MY BLOG FRIENDS: MAY YOU HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post December 22, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 23, 2019.

• Christmas Music to Enjoy.

• Merry Christmas December 25, 2019.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 27, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/2/2020.

• NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble; Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• A2019- Audio Book Review: Someone to Care by Mary Balogh; Genre: Historical Romance, Romance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #385 Comment Giveaway December 28, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/11/2020.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 29, 2019.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)
 

The Ultimate Guide to the 2020 Election: 101 Nonpartisan Solutions to All the Issues that Matter
by Ryan Clancy, Margaret White
I enjoyed reading the suggested practical solutions.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Pdf/Computer (eBook)

The Lady Lassoes an Outlaw: Western Historical
by Charlene Raddon
I liked the story premise but felt the writing needs polishing.
Source: Review request received from Babs Book Bistro.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Morning Star
By: Pierce Brown
Narrator: Tim Gerard Reynolds
Series: Red Rising, Book 3
Length: 21 hrs and 50 mins
I have now passed my son except that he is rereading while I am on the first read for the full series. 
Lots of trauma and excitement!
Source: March 2018 Audible Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

4. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Nothing to Fear
by Juno Rushdan
I liked the suspense and the unique characters in this romance.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
The clock is ticking.
Fearsome Gray Box operative Gideon Stone is devoted to his work and his team. He's never given reason to doubt his loyalty...until he's tasked with investigating Willow Harper, a beguiling cryptologist suspected of selling deadly bio-agents on the black market.
He knows she's innocent. He knows she's being framed. And he knows that without him, Willow will be dead before sunrise.
Thrust into the crossfire of an insidious international conspiracy, Gideon will do anything to keep Willow safe...even if that means waging war against his own. With time running out, an unlikely bond pushes limits—and forges loyalties. Every move they make counts. And the real traitor is always watching...

Currently Reading:

1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Disney Junior Storybook Collection
Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Mickey/Minnie, Henry Hugglemonster
By: Disney Book Group
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
Length: 1 hr and 54 mins
I am listening to this with my granddaughter for quiet time before napping.
Source: 8/2//2017 Audible Book Sale $1.95.
Publisher's Summary
Explore Enchancia with Sofia the First, and sail the Never Sea with Jake and his crew. Help Doc diagnose her toy patients; hang out at the Clubhouse with Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the gang; and have a roarsome time with Henry Hugglemonster! This fun-filled book features 18 stories starring your favorite Disney Junior pals!
©2016 Disney Book Group (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

2. eBook/Kindle (eB2019)

An Endless Christmas: A Novella
by Cynthia Ruchti
I am reading this for Ladies Book Club meeting 1/11/2020.
Source: Print books from Christianbooks.com; ebook from Amazon $3.95.
Award-winning novelist's heartwarming story about family and love lost, found, and finally truly revealed at Christmas.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

The Possibility of America
How the Gospel Can Mend Our God-Blessed,
God-Forsaken Land
by David Dark
As I watch the societal strife in America I pray for a calmer, kinder future.
I have chosen this as my First Book for 2020.
SOURCE: 2019 NetGalley.
Published in the years following 9/11, David Dark’s book The Gospel according to America warned American Christianity about the false worship that conflates love of country with love of God. It delved deeply into the political divide that had gripped the country and the cultural captivity into which so many American churches had fallen.

In our current political season, the problems Dark identified have blossomed. The assessment he brought to these problems and the creative resources for resisting them are now more important than ever. Into this new political landscape and expanding on the analysis of The Gospel according to America, Dark offers The Possibility of America: How the Gospel Can Mend Our God-Blessed, God-Forsaken Land. Dark expands his vision of a fractured yet redeemable American Christianity, bringing his signature mix of theological, cultural, and political analysis to white supremacy, evangelical surrender, and other problems of the Trump era.

4. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Green Ember
By: S. D. Smith
Narrated by: Joel Clarkson
Series: The Green Ember, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-04-15 
My son encouraged me to read this series.
Source: Sharing with Son's Audible.
Publisher's Summary
Heather and Picket are extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling them into a cauldron of misadventures. They discover that their own story is bound up in the tumult threatening to overwhelm the wider world.
Kings fall, and kingdoms totter. Tyrants ascend, and terrors threaten. Betrayal beckons, and loyalty is a broken road with peril around every bend.
Where will Heather and Picket land? How will they make their stand?
©2015 S. D. Smith (P)2015 Story Warren

5. Audio/Smartphone in Car (A2019)

The Oracle
The Jubilean Mysteries Unveiled
By: Jonathan Cahn
Narrated by: Michael Beck
Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins
Release date: 11-07-19
This is on hold till our return drive later this week since I am listening with hubby.
Source: 2019 November Audible Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

December 29, 2019 - I am nearing the end of another year of devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App.
I hope to pick out a good plan to start the New Year as I start reading the Bible again!

I completed four books and posted two reviews. I have 5 reviews to post for the year end.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 14, plus the four titles from 2012-13 which are now planned for 2020. That is a total of 19 (including the one I am reading for First Read) which will go toward NetGalley and TBR and 11 Alphabet letters.
I still have two author titles carried into January 2020.
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I selected five "read now" NetGalley review titles.
I picked four free audios and three purchased.
I added 0 free kindle titles this week. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.) Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NetGalley "to read" selections:
I am planning on picking out just a couple more before year-end.
Archangel Rising (releasing January 14, 2020)
by Evan Currie
"Archangel Squadron faces off against the forces of the brutal Protectorate to claim a prize, and save humanity, in a gripping novel of deep space jeopardy by the author of the Odyssey One series."


The Wolf at the End of the World
by Douglas Smith
"A shapeshifter hero battles ancient spirits, a covert government agency, and his own dark past in a race to solve a murder that could mean the end of the world."



I've Never Been This Old Before (Releasing February 4, 2020
by Stan Toler
"Older, Wiser, Funnier!"






Leo's Monster (Releasing May 5, 2020)
by Marcus Pfister




The Jumpgate
by Robert Stadnik

Won

NONE

Purchased

12/27/2019 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com.
The Train to Impossible Places: A Cursed Delivery
Written By: P. G. Bell
Narrated By: Fiona Hardingham
Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
Date: October 2018
Duration: 7 hours 40 minutes

Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls
Written By: Beth Mcmullen
Narrated By: Kelsey Navarro
Publisher: Tantor Media
Date: October 2019
Duration: 5 hours 58 minutes

12/27/2019 Audible Daily Deal $3.95
Edge of Valor
By: Josh Hayes
Narrated by: Marc Vietor
Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins
Release date: 07-02-19

Free

12/24/2019 Two Free December Audible Originals
House of Teeth
By: Dan Jolley
Narrated by: Josh Hurley
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 12-05-19


Peter Pan
An Audible Original Drama
By: J. M. Barrie
Narrated by: Adeel Akhtar, Rupert Everett, Gerran Howell, Eleanor Worthington-Cox
Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 12-05-19

12/24/19 Free Member download at ChristianAudio.com
Orthodoxy
Author G.K. Chesterton
Narrator Simon Vance
Runtime 6.5 Hrs. - Unabridged
Publisher christianaudio


12/27/2019 Audibooks.com VIP December Selection

Running with the Demon
Written By: Terry Brooks
Narrated By: George Wilson
Publisher: Recorded Books
Date: November 2013
Duration: 16 hours 37 minutes


I added 0 free Kindle titles to my Kindle library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 29, 2019

We have bee enjoying a visit with our son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Thankfully it has not been overly cold but still, I managed to get a cold for the first time this year. I slept late (and missed church) and I had a long nap this afternoon (longer than the kids) as I try to knock out the bug.
It is surprising that this is the last Sunday of 2019 as we prepare to enter 2020 on Wednesday!

I had picked this song to share today.

Verses for Today
Psalm 46:10-11 NIV
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Sharing Beyond Books #385 Comment Giveaway December 28, 2019

Hello again and Welcome back to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.
This event won't be back until after the new year so I wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year going into 2020!
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Three commenters have no local library, three haven't been to the library in a long time so don't know what is offered; two don't know anything special at their library and four have active libraries with events for children and sometimes adults.

The Winner from SBB #384 comments is: #1 MIKI who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post. -- [11/16/19 I plan to add some review books this week and maybe some new Christmas and Love titles as soon as I locate the box I put them in.  10/5/19 I have pulled some new books and will be adding them to the list in the next week or so.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #385

(One Question.)

Becky asks: Is there anything right now that you would change to make your day or week easier??

I thought this was a good question to ponder for the New Year. I have thought about ending this giveaway but I enjoy the sharing time with those who participate. I plan to continue to ponder the question.

 
Image found at Amazon.com - Daily Routine 2020.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month, I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.
December Questions were provided by Elizabeth and Becky who have each earned a full book choice.

Your turn to share. Becky asks: Is there anything right now that you would change to make your day or week easier??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday, January 11, 2020, at 5 PM central.