Category: Books

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

Review: Les Miserables: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) by Victor Hugo

by The Lit Bitch5 Comments on Review: Les Miserables: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) by Victor Hugo

This book is a literally massive. For years I have thought about reading it, and though I am not intimidated by the length or the wordy writing style….I kept putting it off.

Even after seeing the film, I thought…..this is the time I am going to read it…..and then I didn’t. I knew it would take me a while to read and considering that the French translation of ‘Les Miserables’ is ‘the miserable ones’ or the ‘poor ones’….I knew it would be an emotional roller-coaster that I just wasn’t ready for in my reading.

Well no more excuses. When the new Penguin Deluxe edition came out, I was in some serious cover lust so I agreed to review it….no more excuses!

I’ve read The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Hugo and was frankly a little lost and found the writing bland, so I worried that this would be the same. TOTALLY NOT THE CASE!

I will say that it is helpful if you have seen the film or the musical, as it gives the reader an orientation within the story, but it’s not a requirement.

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

Review: Longbourn by Jo Baker

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Longbourn by Jo Baker

Reader beware…..if you love Jane Austen and are looking for something that will give you a new ‘perspective’ about the Bennet sisters, keep on looking.

Sure this novel includes the Bennet sisters and follows the traditional Pride and Prejudice story but that’s about it.

Jo Baker remakes the classic story of Pride and Prejudice from the perspective of the below stairs staff but yet it’s a story all its own and noting close to the Austen classic.

Sarah has been a maid at Longbourn since she was a child. She cleans the chamber pots, scrubs the laundry, polishes the floor and of course waits on the Bennet sisters.

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

Review: The Patriot Threat (Cotton Malone #10) by Steve Berry

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: The Patriot Threat (Cotton Malone #10) by Steve Berry

I’ve read a couple of the books in the Cotton Malone series and really really enjoyed them. Steve Berry has a special talent for merging politics, history, and conspiracy all together so well.

This time, our favorite ‘retired’ agent is recruited by his former boss to find a North Korean who has some top secret Treasury files.

Basically his novel begs the question “what if federal taxes were actually illegal”.

This case is anything but straight forward for Cotton and he finds himself globe trotting, trying to chase down leads and to recover the documents, not to mention wading through convoluted history.

The reader is treated to an array of historic facts (and some speculations), exotic locations, a new love interest for Cotton, and enough red herrings that keep the reader guessing until the end.

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Books, Reading

Spotlight Feature/Guest Post: MISTRESS FIREBRAND by Donna Thorland

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Spotlight Feature/Guest Post: MISTRESS FIREBRAND by Donna Thorland

02_Mistress Firebrand CoverI recently read this book and really liked it, be sure to check out my review here! I really want to read the others in her series!

Publication Date: March 3, 2015
NAL Trade
Formats: eBook, Paperback
416 Pages

Series: Renegades of the American Revolution (Book 3)
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

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British Occupied Manhattan, 1777. American actress Jenny Leighton has been packing the John Street Theater with her witty comedies, but she longs to escape the provincial circuit for the glamour of the London stage.

When the playwright General John Burgoyne visits the city, fresh from a recent success in the capitol, she seizes the opportunity to court his patronage. But her plan is foiled by British intelligence officer Severin Devere.

Severin’s mission is to keep the pleasure-loving general focused on the war effort…and away from pretty young actresses. But the tables are turned when Severin himself can’t resist Jenny Leighton…

Months later, Jenny has abandoned her dreams of stage glory and begun writing seditious plays for the Rebels under the pen name “Cornelia,” ridiculing “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne and his army—and undermining the crown’s campaign to take Albany. With Jenny’s name now on the hanging list, Severin is ordered to find her—and deliver her to certain death. Soon, the two are launched on a desperate journey through the wilderness, toward an uncertain future shaped by the revolution—and their passion for each other…

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Books, Giveaway, Reading

Giveaway: THE SILVER WITCH by Paula Brackston

by The Lit Bitch6 Comments on Giveaway: THE SILVER WITCH by Paula Brackston

Are you looking for something a little mystical romance set in dueling time periods complete with Celtic history? THE SILVER WITCH is for you then!

Witch lit lovers, I have a special treat for you! Thanks to the publisher, this week’s bitchin’ giveaway is for: THE SILVER WITCH by Paula Brackston!

Giveaway runs 4/21/15 to 4/28/15

Winners will be announced 4/29/15.

(how to enter)

On this blog you must leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway.  Your comment MUST include your email so I can contact you….if you do not enter an email in the comments your entry will be void. Winners will be notified by email the day after the giveaway closes and have five days to respond, it not another winner will be chosen. 

(GIVEAWAY OPEN TO US ONLY AND NO PO BOX)

Make sure you note if you have done the following for more chances to win: Tweet about the giveaway (+1), share on Facebook (+1), like The Lit Bitch on Facebook (+1), follow The Lit Bitch on Twitter (+1), subscribe to The Lit Bitch’s blog (+1). Tweet/RT about the giveaway (+1). Share about the giveaway (+1).