| Innkeeper’s daughter Mina Scott will do anything to escape the drudgery of her life. She saves every penny to attend a finishing school, dreaming of the day she’ll become a real lady—and catch the eye of William Barlow, a frequent guest at the inn. William is a gentleman’s son, a charming rogue but penniless. However, his bachelor uncle will soon name an heir—either him or his puritanical 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 as she comes to love the old man. And when the truth is finally discovered, more than just money is lost. Can two hearts survive such a deception? |  |
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: September 1, 2018
Release date: September 1, 2018
Click here to purchase your copy!
My Review
Will love or lies win out at Christmastime...?
I'll be the first to admit that I've never been into reading Dickens. The Christmas Carol was more than enough for me, and A Tale Of Two Cities, yeah, I didn't get past the first few pages. What I am into is Michelle Griep's wonderful brand of historical romance. When I read book one of the Once Upon A Dickens Christmas series last year I knew I would be looking forward to the next book.
A Tale Of Two Hearts was a little different than its predecessor in that there was less adventure and more about the motivations of the hero and heroine themselves. Will and Mina are two of the most delightfully flawed characters. They make mistakes and their relationship is mostly based on deceit as they do all of the wrong things for the right reasons.
A Tale Of Two Hearts is a fairly quick Holiday read perfect for these crisp cool days. Whether you are a Dickens fan or not Michelle Griep's latest addition to her Once Upon A Dickens Christmas series is a fun story. A story of second chances and love during the Christmas season.
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives A Tale Of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep a 4 Bark rating.
I'll be the first to admit that I've never been into reading Dickens. The Christmas Carol was more than enough for me, and A Tale Of Two Cities, yeah, I didn't get past the first few pages. What I am into is Michelle Griep's wonderful brand of historical romance. When I read book one of the Once Upon A Dickens Christmas series last year I knew I would be looking forward to the next book.
A Tale Of Two Hearts was a little different than its predecessor in that there was less adventure and more about the motivations of the hero and heroine themselves. Will and Mina are two of the most delightfully flawed characters. They make mistakes and their relationship is mostly based on deceit as they do all of the wrong things for the right reasons.
A Tale Of Two Hearts is a fairly quick Holiday read perfect for these crisp cool days. Whether you are a Dickens fan or not Michelle Griep's latest addition to her Once Upon A Dickens Christmas series is a fun story. A story of second chances and love during the Christmas season.
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives A Tale Of Two Hearts 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
Victorian Christmas Foods
So, it’s September, and you know what that means? It’s back to school. Pumpkin spiced everything is just around the corner. And it’s nearly time for cardigans and colored leaves. But besides all these autumn staples, it’s also time to start thinking about Christmas, because it will be here before you know it. How about this year you plan ahead to serve some traditional Victorian food?
In my newest release, A Tale of Two Hearts, the heroine’s father is known for his annual oyster stew that he serves on Christmas Eve. Here’s a bit of the background on that tasty soup.
In my newest release, A Tale of Two Hearts, the heroine’s father is known for his annual oyster stew that he serves on Christmas Eve. Here’s a bit of the background on that tasty soup.
 | Victorian Oyster Stew Oysters have been savored in Britain since the days of the Romans. By Victorian times, industrialization cheapened oysters to the point of them becoming a staple of the poor man’s diet and were a frequent fare served in public houses. This, however, depleted their abundance, and by the mid 1800’s, the natural oyster beds became exhausted, making it harder to find good oysters. While other foods were served as well on Christmas Eve, oyster stew was as common as goose or turkey. |
Another Victorian favorite that goes great on a crisp evening is good ol’ hot chocolate, though in Dickens’ England, it would’ve been called something else.
Another Victorian favorite that goes great on a crisp evening is good ol’ hot chocolate, though in Dickens’ England, it would’ve been called something else.
| Drinking Chocolate What we now call cocoa or hot chocolate was called drinking chocolate in the mid 1800s. This beverage was a favorite among Victorian ladies. You can find recipes for it even from the Regency era (early 1800s) and here is one for you to make at home. |  |
And last, but not least, who hasn’t heard of Christmas pudding? To our American ears, that sounds like a tasty dish that you’d eat with a spoon and slap a little whipped cream on top. Actually, it’s more like a fruit cake.
 | Christmas Pudding Christmas pudding is quite a production, one that begins well before Christmas Day. In fact, it begins on Stir-Up Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent (which is five weeks before Christmas). This is why when Mina, the heroine in A Tale of Two Hearts, returns home from dinner at Uncle Barlow’s, and though it’s not yet Christmas, she sees the pudding moulds on the kitchen table. |
If these tastes and the accompanying smells still aren’t quite enough to get you in the Christmas spirit, then snatch yourself up a copy of the second book in the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series. A Tale of Two Hearts is sure to get you in the mood.
-Michelle Griep-
 Michelle Griep | About the Author Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the author of historical romances: The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a
grand prize of a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card!!
grand prize of a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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October 15
Henry Happens
All-of-a-kind Mom
Reader’s Cozy Corner
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses
Kat’s Corner Books
Creating Romance
Just the Write Escape
The Avid Reader
October 3
Genesis 5020
The Power of Words
Just Commonly
Baker Kella
October 4
Among the Reads
Fiction Aficionado
Godly Book Reviews
Inklings and Notions
October 5
Captive Dreams Window
Christian Author, J.E. Grace
Proud to Be an Autism Mom
October 6
Multifarious
Reading Is My SuperPower
The Christian Fiction Girl
Texas Book-aholic
October 7
Remembrancy
Splashes of Joy
Blossoms and Blessings
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
October 8
Back Porch Reads
A Reader’s Brain
Christian Chick’s Thoughts
Janice’s Book Reviews
October 9
Simple Harvest Reads (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)
Mary Hake
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
Carpe Diem
October 10
Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet
Britt Reads Fiction
Luv’N Lambert Life
A Baker’s Perspective
October 11
By The Book
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy
Book by Book
Bigreadersite
October 12
More Of Him
Pause for Tales
With a Joyful Noise
Have A Wonderful Day
October 13
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions
Bibliophile Reviews
Tell Tale Book Reviews
October 14
Vicky Sluiter
Daysong Reflections
To Everything A Season
October 15
Henry Happens
All-of-a-kind Mom
Reader’s Cozy Corner
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses
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