BELLE'S CHRISTMAS CAROL by Michelle Griep, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #CelebrateLit

About the Book

Book: Belle’s Christmas Carol

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Inspirational Historical Romance

Release Date: September 1, 2026

While all of London waits for snow, an orphanage in need holds holiday cheer, sparks of love, and secrets waiting to be discovered.

When Ebeneezer Scrooge’s former fiancée, Belle Beaumont, unexpectedly inherits a struggling London orphanage, she dreams of giving the children of Haven House the most splendid Christmas they’ve ever known. But her vision of snowflakes and merriment quickly collides with reality: Fire damage has rendered part of the building unsafe, and the paperwork is years behind.

Barrister Rafe Munro is fighting to clear an innocent man and searching for a child, who may be his relative. His pursuit leads him to Haven House, where Rafe offers to help Belle sort through the chaotic records that might lead to the missing child. Amid the mayhem of running an orphanage full of mischievous children and eccentric staff, will Belle and Rafe find love and the answers they seek this holiday season?

With characters from Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, this festive historical romance Christmas novella of family and second chances from Michelle Griep is set in Victorian England and perfect for fans of Julie Klassen and Mimi Matthews.

Click here to get your copy!

PAULA'S REVIEW

Lovely story that imagines what happened to Belle after she sent Ebenezer Scrooge packing. Told in a period perfect voice of Victorian England, Ms. Griep crafts a cozy Christmas tale that is full of boisterous orphans, unmanageable caretakers, and the unexpected inheritance of Haven House by Belle Beaumont. At first overwhelmed by the daunting task of taking charge of the orphanage, Belle forges ahead, wanting to give a memorable Christmas to her wards, hopefully a White Christmas.

Barrister Rafe Munro comes to Haven House in search of a relative but records cannot be found. Together Belle and Rafe try to make order out of the chaos left by the last administrator. In the process, Rafe loses his heart to not only Belle but to the children, especially a certain little boy. 

There is much to love in this winsome tale. I was fond of seeing quotes at the head of each chapter from the original Christmas Carol. And the internal to do list that Belle kept adding to was fun. The characters’ faith shone through: “ I am coming to believe that maybe the Almighty didn’t place us here solely to set the world aright. Rather to love amidst the ruin. Even when it grieves us- or perhaps most when it does. For love may accomplish what justice, in all its forms, cannot.”
 

Fear not, Scrooge is not left out of the story; he has a part to play. Why not read the story and find out?

*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House via NetGalley through Celebrate Lit tours.I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

About the Author

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Michelle Griep is an award-winning author known for her captivating historical romances. With a keen eye for detail, she pens tales that transport readers to the past where they’ll experience romance, adventure, and unforgettable characters. When she’s not writing, you can find her in her garden scaring away armadillos. 

More from Michelle

Why I Gave Scrooge’s Belle Her Own Christmas Carol

Guest post by Michelle Griep

I’ve always been suspicious of characters who appear just long enough to break your heart and then vanish without so much as a forwarding address. Belle from A Christmas Carol is one of those.

Scrooge, of course, gets the full treatment. Ghosts. Doom. Moral terror. A dramatic overnight transformation. Turkey delivery. The works. And yes, yes, it’s all very moving. But Belle? Come on. All she gets is one aching goodbye and then is shoved neatly into Scrooge’s past. So, excuse me, Mr. Dickens, but I have questions.

What became of the woman who loved Ebenezer before greed got to him? Did she regret walking away? Did Christmas ever sting? Did she build a fine, sensible life or did some little corner of her heart still ache for him or not? That wondering became Belle’s Christmas Carol.

In my story, Belle Beaumont unexpectedly inherits Haven House, a struggling London orphanage with fire damage, muddled ledgers, eccentric staff, and children who are more than rambunctious. Naturally, Belle decides she will set everything to rights and give the children the most splendid Christmas imaginable because—like me—apparently the woman has never heard of pacing herself.

Then along comes Rafe Munro, a handsome barrister searching for a missing child, and Belle’s tidy plans start to change. Oh, did I mention he’s single? That’s because I wanted Belle to be more than Scrooge’s lost love. I wanted her to have grit, flaws, hope, purpose, and a future all her own.

Because sometimes the story doesn’t end with goodbye. Sometimes that’s where the real story begins.

Blog Stops

Where Faith and Books Meet, October 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , October 7

The Avid Reader, October 7

She Lives To Read, October 7

Texas Book-aholic, October 8

Devoted To Hope, October 8

Betti Mace, October 9

Inkwell Inspirations , October 9

The Lofty Pages, October 9

For Him and My Family, October 10

Romances of the Cross, October 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 11

Jeanette’s Thoughts , October 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 12

The Vine and The Branch, October 12

Maureen’s Musings, October 13

Fruitfully Planted, October 13

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 13

Books You Can Feel Good About, October 14

Mornings at Character Cafe, October 14

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 15

Simple Harvest Reads, October 15 (Guest Review from Donna)

Cover Lover Book Review, October 16

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, October 16

Vicky Sluiter, October 16

Devoted Steps, October 17

Lily’s Corner, October 17

Holly’s Book Corner, October 18

Mary Hake, October 18

Blossoms and Blessings, October 19

Pause for Tales, October 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! 

Click the link here to enter

SECRETS OF THE DESERT ROSE by Marilyn Turk, reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

PAULA'S REVIEW:

Exceptional story of adventure during WWII in a setting that I have not read a lot about, Algiers, French Africa.

Based the journals of real women who experienced a war-torn era, this story opened my eyes to a time long past. 

Monique and Audrey were friends as teens when their families met in Algiers. This story chronicles how they stayed in touch even though each helped the Allies in very different ways. Written in an engaging way, this story schooled me on history as I rapidly turned pages. It is interspersed with a great-granddaughter going to Algiers as part of an archeological dig and trying to discover what the desert rose means to her 100 year-old Mimi. 

Fascinating facts about the culture and history were riveting. Woven throughout is the solid faith of the Claremont family and themes of bravery in trying situations were shown. 

Recommended for fans of WWII stories in unusual settings.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*4.5 stars and a solid faith thread

 

BackCover Blurb:
A Dual Time Novel

Three Women. Two generations. Their friendship survived the war. Their secret survived even longer.

Monique and Audrey, one French and one British, grow up in French Algiers on the coast of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Best friends, they keep each other’s secrets into adulthood when World War II changes their world and Algiers sides with the Hitler-based Vichy government. Audrey joins Charles DeGaulle’s resistance army, the French Foreign Legion, while Monique stays to work in the underground resistance aiding the Allied invasion of North Africa.

In present day, American born great-granddaughter Nicole, a graduate student in archaeology, goes to North Africa for an internship. The now centenarian Monique (Mimi), debilitated by a stroke, urges her to find the Desert Rose. Nicole finds different types of desert roses, but none are the right one until she stumbles onto information that hints the desert rose might not be a flower after all. While Sami, her instructor in Algiers, helps her find the desert rose, he also has to protect her from people who want the heirloom ring Nicole wears which has its own secret.

Will Nicole find the secret before it’s too late? 

Winged Publications, February, 2026 

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook 

Buy SECRETS OF THE DESERT ROSE at Amazon 

TWELVE DAYS, TWELFTH NIGHT by Sarah Sundin, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

A World War II Novella

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"The script for my new life is missing only one thing - my leading lady."

World War II USO director Maggie Oliver needs a Hollywood star to make her debut as a director into a rousing success. It just so happens that former film star Prescott Duke needs a new purpose in life after a career ending accident. Agreeing to Maggie's terms, the two scramble to prepare an entire cast and crew for a an imaginative production inspired by Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" and the popular holiday carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas".

Somewhere in the midst of hectic schedules and endless rehearsals Maggie and Prescott form an unexpected bond, but when Prescott learns that Maggie has taken her exuberant Christmas spirit a bit too far, things take a dramatic turn . . . and not for the better.

Admittedly, my recollection of Shakespeare is a bit rusty, and there were a menagerie of moving parts as this novella prepared to launch. Nevertheless, the story eventually pulled itself together, (much like the production itself, I might add) heralding a grand finale that I absolutely adored! 
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars. 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
She needs a star for her wartime Christmas show. He needs a second chance. Together they stage a production neither expected.

World War II USO director Maggie Oliver faces an impossible task: orchestrate a Christmas show in San Diego for thousands of sailors, with dwindling resources and a quickly approaching deadline. To star in the show, she enlists Prescott Duke, a former Hollywood heartthrob whose career ended in flames after an accident left him scarred and adrift. He eagerly accepts Maggie's invitation and seizes the chance to reclaim what war has stolen from him.

Inspired by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and "The Twelve Days of Christmas," Maggie and Prescott craft a show at a Shakespearean theater that promises to lift spirits. But as rehearsals progress, Maggie discovers a secret that could transform her production into something unforgettable. With opening night approaching and unexpected feelings complicating everything, Maggie must decide how far she'll go to rewrite not just her show but the outcome for everyone involved.

A romantic World War II Christmas novella of Hollywood stars and a holiday production. Perfect for fans of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, the opposites-attract trope, redemption, and second chances. 

 

Revell Publishing, September, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook

Buy TWELVE DAYS AND TWELFTH NIGHT at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

 

THE SISTERHOOD OF UNLIKELY FRIENDS by Sara Brunsvold, Reviewed by Paula #ReleaseDay

Contemporary Women’s Fiction for Book Clubs Set in a Small Town about Multi-Generational Female Friendship and Community

PAULA'S REVIEW:
“Small, everyday acts created the strongest stitches between one life and another.”

Sparked by a study on the “one another” verses in the New Testament, this was a glimpse into the life of middle-aged Jess who is moving to a new city for a fresh start. Through a church Sunday School class, she encounters three women in different stages of life and different chapters of their Christian faith.

 
Emotionally wrenching at times, the theme is to be able to be a help to others and also to be able to accept help from others. But through it all, no matter where we are in our walk with Jesus, God guides and directs us by using fellow believers. “God takes His one-anothers seriously. Because through them, He grows our maturity and lets us know that He hasn’t forgotten us in our trials. He sends His people as an assurance that He doesn’t look away.” 

I have enjoyed many books by Ms Brunsvold and have learned different lessons from each one. She is quite the accomplished storyteller. She brings her characters to life and you just might recognize someone you know- or yourself!
*A complimentary copy of the book was provided by Revell through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

 

BackCover Blurb:
She's spent a lifetime keeping her heart under lock and key. Now others are reaching out. But is she ready to receive them?

At forty-two, fiercely independent Jess Becker is starting over in Kansas City with minimal furniture, two houseplants, and a newfound faith. After a lifetime of poor choices, she's determined to finally get it right.

When she befriends her fourteen-year-old neighbor and agrees to drive her to church, she's swept into a caring community where she meets Reva, a wise mentor figure, and Austie, a troubled young woman. Jess reluctantly opens her home to pizza nights with her new friends, unwittingly opening her heart to a sisterhood of faith.

Just as these relationships begin reshaping her carefully controlled life, Jess receives news that changes everything. Now she must decide whether to accept the very help she's been trying to give others or risk losing everything she's worked so hard to build. 

Revell Publishing, October, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook

Buy at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House