Category: Book Review

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: A Holiday By Gaslight: A Victorian Christmas Novella by Mimi Matthews

by The Lit Bitch7 Comments on Review: A Holiday By Gaslight: A Victorian Christmas Novella by Mimi Matthews

I am absolutely in love with this cover. The more I saw this book, the more I wanted to read it—even if it was just a novella. I was thrilled that I was able to get it in over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend so that I could start getting in the mood for more holiday reading.

This book was super shot (just over 100 pages) and I could easily have read it in one sitting, though it did take me two sittings, but only because I started it late at night. This was a quick, fun read full of Christmas cheer and love.

A Dutiful Daughter

Sophie Appersett is quite willing to marry outside of her class to ensure the survival of her family. But the darkly handsome Mr. Edward Sharpe is no run of the mill London merchant. He’s grim and silent. A man of little emotion–or perhaps no emotion at all. After two months of courtship, she’s ready to put an end to things. After all, even a dutiful daughter has her limits. Continue reading “Review: A Holiday By Gaslight: A Victorian Christmas Novella by Mimi Matthews” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

by The Lit Bitch3 Comments on Review: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

I had one experience with Diane Setterfield’s novels and that was Bellman & Black way back in 2013. I wasn’t terribly impressed with the book and I was so sad because I wanted to love it so very badly. I mean it sounded right up my alley and I was reading it as my ‘scary read’ for October so I was even more disappointed in it.

At the time I wanted to read her other novel, The Thirteenth Tale, but I was just so let down that I didn’t want to risk being disappointed again. So flash forward five years…..since reading this Bellman & Black,  I have thought of her other book off and on but just haven’t gotten around to reading it.

Then I was approached to read Once Upon a River and I was actually super excited. By all accounts and descriptions, all of her books should be something that I would love. I was eager to try out another one of her books, especially because I had already heard quite the buzz happening around this book which made me excited. And let’s just say the only regret I have with this book is that I didn’t start it sooner! Continue reading “Review: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Spectral City (Spectral City #1) by Leanna Renee Hieber

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: The Spectral City (Spectral City #1) by Leanna Renee Hieber

I discovered Leanna Renee Hieber way back in 2011 when I read one of her early books. I saw it in a local used book store and randomly picked it up. When I got home I started reading and couldn’t put it down.

I loved the romance and the paranormal and her overall storytelling and because of that first book in the Strangely Beautiful series, I fell in love with this author. She writes a spicy romance with great brooding heroes so I was thrilled to read this new book.

Her name is Eve Whitby, gifted medium and spearhead of The Ghost Precinct. When most women are traveling in a gilded society that promises only well-appointed marriage, the confident nineteen-year-old Eve navigates a social circle that carries a different kind of chill.

Working with the diligent but skeptical Lieutenant Horowitz, as well as a group of fellow psychics and wayward ghosts, Eve holds her own against detractors and threats to solve New York’s most disturbing crimes as only a medium of her ability can. Continue reading “Review: The Spectral City (Spectral City #1) by Leanna Renee Hieber” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: On Magnolia Lane (Blue Ridge #3) by Denise Hunter

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: On Magnolia Lane (Blue Ridge #3) by Denise Hunter

Lately I have had good luck with reading new to me authors so when this book came up for review, I thought, why not? Plus I really liked the cover

I briefly read the summary and felt like it would be some nice light reading going into the holidays. I had a good chunk of time to read over the Thanksgiving break so I was eager to jump in and read this contemporary romance.

After two years of counseling sessions with Daisy Pendleton, Pastor Jack McReady has earned a permanent spot in her life as a spiritual leader—and nothing more. Jack would never risk losing her trust by exposing the depths of his heart, but he’s hopelessly in love with her.

Daisy loves her southern small-town life and her job at her family-run flower shop, but she doesn’t have the thing she longs for most: someone to share it with. Her recent foray into online dating has been a disaster—until she meets TJ. Continue reading “Review: On Magnolia Lane (Blue Ridge #3) by Denise Hunter” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Little Shop of Found Things (The Little Shop of Found Things #1) by Paula Brackston

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: The Little Shop of Found Things (The Little Shop of Found Things #1) by Paula Brackston

Paula Brackston has been a favorite writer of mine for a while now. I have read almost all of her ‘witch’ novels and I love them! She has such a nice voice in her stories and I love the mixture of magic and realism.

When this book came up for review, I was so excited to read it. I loved the cover and the title so much. It looked like something that I was going to be an instant favorite in my magical realism category.

Xanthe and her mother Flora leave London behind for a fresh start, taking over an antique shop in the historic town of Marlborough. Xanthe has always had an affinity with some of the antiques she finds. When she touches them, she can sense something of the past they come from and the stories they hold. So when she has an intense connection to a beautiful silver chatelaine she has to know more.

It’s while she’s examining the chatelaine that she’s transported back to the seventeenth century. And shortly after, she’s confronted by a ghost who reveals that this is where the antique has its origins. The ghost tasks Xanthe with putting right the injustice in its story to save an innocent girl’s life, or else it’ll cost her Flora’s. Continue reading “Review: The Little Shop of Found Things (The Little Shop of Found Things #1) by Paula Brackston” →