Category: Books

Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Mitford Trial (Mitford Murders #4) by Jessica Fellowes

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If you are thinking the name Jessica Fellowes sounds familiar, then you are correct especially if you are a fan of Downton Abbey. Jessica Fellowes is the niece to Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey! While a writer in her own right, I can infer that Jessica Fellowes no doubt has a flair for writing elegant, witty, and endearing novels featuring the upper curst of society.

Her Mitford Murders mystery series, while new, has captured a dedicated fan base. Full of opulence, glamour, the Golden Age, and of course murder, these books follow each of the Mitford sisters and here we are on book 4. While this is part of a new series, I think that new readers could start with any of the books, but they would probably get a little more out of the series if they began with the first book. But again, it’s not a requirement.

While I haven’t read the books yet, I plan on picking this one up soon and diving into a series that sounds incredibly promising. One of the things that caught my eye about this book (besides the cover) is that each book follows a Mitford sister and since I don’t know much about the sisters, I felt excited at the possibility of learning more about them while enjoying a spot of murder!

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

Review: It’s In His Kiss (Bridgertons #7) by Julia Quinn

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After coming off of When He Was Wicked, which was my favorite Bridgerton book so far by the way, I was worried that Hyacinth’s story would fall flat. Hyacinth was probably my least favorite sibling in the books as a fringe character. She always came across as young and silly but with a shrewd eye for details. I wouldn’t say that I didn’t like her going into this one, but rather I just didn’t feel like I knew her as well as the other Bridgerton siblings thus far.

However, it was clear from the beginning that Hyacinth’s story would most certainly contain much to love. It was at this book that I decided to buy more of Julia Quinn’s other books for future reading. I love a solid romance with witty dialogue and chemistry between characters that is sexy without being raunchy. A tall order for sure but Quinn consistently delivers charming romances. I describe it as Jane Austen with sex.

I cannot wait to read more of Quinn’s novels when I am done with the Bridgerton series. She has earned a place in my top favorite writers for her charm, wit, and consistent romances. It’s hard to write characters, troupes, heros and heroines that inspire believability and swooning all at the same time but Quinn does it consistently!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Architect’s Apprentice by Elif Shafak

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Like many of you, I am always on the look out for new books that come highly recommended by others. Not only do I check in with my favorite book bloggers and reviews for recommendations, but I also consult some of the big celebrity names that are tried and true readers like Reece Witherspoon, Opera, Barak Obama, and now The Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duchess of Cornwall recently released her Reading Room that will explore some of her favorite reads and feature conversations with the authors. She recently released the first four books last week and one in particular caught my eye, The Architect’s Apprentice by Erika Shafak. Some of the other books featured on her list were no brainers like Where the Crawdads Sing and The Mirror and The Light, but The Architect’s Apprentice had more of an exotic and unexpected feel for me which is why I zeroed in on it!

This novel has received tons of praise and has been nominated for some awards. It is a love story with a mystery set in an exotic location in the 1500s. If that doesn’t catch your eye then maybe a description of the characters will entice you…..an animal tamer falls in love with the sultans daughter set within the court and palace walls of the Ottoman empire. It sounds fantastic and I hope you check this one out. I know I plan on reading this one soon!

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

Review: When He Was Wicked (Bridgertons #6) by Julia Quinn

by The Lit Bitch3 Comments on Review: When He Was Wicked (Bridgertons #6) by Julia Quinn

The sixth book in the Bridgerton series was probably the one I was least looking forward to. There is next to any info about Francesca’s character in all the other books. To be honest, I practically forgot about her on a regular basis. I was constantly reminding myself that ‘oh ya there is another Bridgerton sibling before Gregory and Hyacinth’.

The minimal references to Francesca’s story left me with a lot more questions than answers. For example, there were references about her being a widow really young and that the love of her life died etc. Which made me constantly think ‘wow that sounds depressing’. So when I finally got to Francesca’s story I was fully expecting it to be the book that I had to ‘get through’ before moving on to the rest of the charming Bridgerton siblings.

However, Julia Quinn is a stunning writer and I fully trust her ability to write believable romances that will win me over in spite of myself even if I don’t LOVE the story, I know that I will at least enjoy it. When I started this one, it was very clear this was going to be different than some of the other ones in the series, but by the end it emerged as my favorite in the entire series.

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: If I Disappear by Eliza Jane Brazier

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Who here loves true crime podcasts? I for one do! My love of true crime started early. My grandma loved the TV show Unsolved Mysteries so I grew up on a steady diet of Unsolved Mysteries and 20/20. I was sure I was going to get abducted and murdered at every turn only to make national news…..all from the tender age of nine. I had a very active imagination.

Needless to say my love of true crime hasn’t diminished in the least! I still watch way way way too much ID Discovery and listen to too many true crime podcasts! And don’t get me started on the books and fictional true crime style novels that are on my TBR! One of my favorite shows on ID Discovery is Disappeared. I am absolutely fascinated by that show, to me disappearances are more chilling than an actual murder or dead body. It’s the unknown.

When I saw this book was coming out I actually squealed! A disappearance, true crime, AND a podcast host? Yes yes and yes! Today I am sharing a little about this book because it sounds absolutely delectable. I love the cover and the sound of it, so much that I am taking it to my book club (a murder mystery book club) to see if they want to read this one for our February pick! But until then, if you love true crime podcasts and thrillers, you might want to take a look at this one!

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