Review: The Queen’s Rivals by Brandy Purdy

What can I say about Lady Jane Grey that hasn’t already been said?  Everyone knows the story of Lady Jane Grey. If you don’t know her story, she is known in history as the Nine Days Queen.

If you aren’t familiar with this woman’s story then you should really read up on it. The Tudor era is filled with all kinds of fascinating women, Lady Jane Grey being one of them.

Jane did have two sisters, Katherine and Mary Grey who don’t live on in history as infamously as Jane does though which is why this book really appealed to me.

Told through the eyes of the youngest sister, Mary, we learn all about the early lives and difficulties of the Grey sisters. I felt bad for the Grey sisters, they were simply born into the wrong family so to speak.

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Guest Post: The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stephanie Thornton

In addition to reading and reviewing this exotic and intoxicating novel about Empress Theodora, the author Stephanie Thornton wrote an engrossing guest post about the Plague!

I will secretly admit to having an equally morbid obsession about the Plague as well! Without further ado please welcome Stephanie Thornton to The Lit Bitch:

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Review: The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stephanie Thornton

The exotic flavor of the east is resonating and glowing off every page of this novel!

In sixth century Constantinople there is a woman who will change history.

A woman who comes from nothing, rising above numerous struggles to become one of the most powerful women in the Roman Empire.

Theodora’s family isn’t exactly wealthy. Her father trains bears and her mother is an actress and dancer.

Though they aren’t completely destitute, money isn’t exactly in abundance but they are managing.

That is until Theodora’s father dies. Next thing she knows, they are penniless. Soon, she is faced with starving on the street. Theodora vows to not let this happen. She will do whatever it takes to survive by any means possible.

If that means prostitution or taking to the stage–she will do it. Whatever it takes.

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Special Feature: A Love By Any Measure Book Cover Redesign

Are you looking for something that will add a little splash of sexy to your summer reading? Well why not pick up this sizzling historic romance this summer?

Author Killian McRae’s novel A Love By Any Measure has it all. Love, lust, and history.

This is very much an adult Cinderella tale of love and romance….ALBAM is a fiery romance with an ending you don’t see coming and will surprise you. A beautiful story of love which is strong enough to bring light even to the darkest and unfortunate circumstances life has to offer.

The one thing that I struggled with when I reviewed the novel was the cover design. I wasn’t quite sure that if I saw the book on the shelf that it would grab my interest. but with this new cover design, how could you miss it?!

If you haven’t added A Love By Any Measure to your TBR list be sure to do so!

Review: Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann

New York City has always been known for its diversity and innovation. It’s a city in a perpetual state of movement and change.

In a little shop in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, vintage clothing store owner, Amanda, finds her life in utter chaos.

She is about to turn thirty nine, no children and no husband….in fact she is actually having a long standing affair with a married man.

Not to mention she is on the brink of financial ruin. But rather than do anything about her sorry state, she is more or less ignoring it all together.

Amanda gets a call from an older woman who is dying of cancer and would like to sell some clothes on consignment. When Amanda arrives at the she finds some great merchandise to take back to her store, tons of clothes from a variety of modern decades but what she doesn’t bargain for is an Edwardian era trunk full of delicate antique clothing.

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