Category: Books

Books, Gen Lit, Reading

Author Interview & Giveaway: The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Author Interview & Giveaway: The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry.

The Earthquake Machine is a moving coming of age story about a young girl who is struggling to find her place in the world and come to terms with her blossoming womanhood. It was an absolutely fantastic story and I am honored to be able to offer a free copy to my readers as a giveaway!

If you are interested in the giveaway it run through

4/13/12 to 4/20/12

Mary also agreed to do an interview with me as well, so without further ado please welcome Mary Pauline Lowry to The Lit Bitch!

Continue reading “Author Interview & Giveaway: The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry” →

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

Review: The Journal of Countess Francoise Krasinska by Klementyna Tanska Hoffman

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Journal of Countess Francoise Krasinska by Klementyna Tanska Hoffman

Charming towering spires, castles, and palaces litter Poland in the 18th century which makes it the perfect backdrop for a fairytale romance. In The Journal of Countess Francoise Krasinska by Klementyna Tanska Hoffman we explore the true life fairytale romance of Francoise Krasinska and the Prince Royal, Charles Duke of Courland (Poland/Lithuanian region).

Klementyna Tanska Hoffman pens this historic account of the Countess Francoise courtship and hasty marriage to the Duke. Though it is a second-hand account of the events, they are historically accurate and offer a unique insight into the royal court during the Georgian era.

I am not familiar with Eastern European history….at all, so I was a little weary about reading this book when my friends over at Onesuch Press suggested I read it. However I knew it was a short read (about 120 pages) and since I love courtly history, I felt that by reading this, I might have the perfect excuse to build my historic base, and I was right!

I love reading primary sources and first hand accounts, especially of courtly life. I was surprised to see not much has changed in the world since 1759 (which is where the Journal opens). Girls still write in their diaries about boys they like, and they still hope upon hope that, that boy is looking at them….then the wish comes true! He returns said maidens affections and marries her, living happily ever after…..or so the story goes. Though that is not the case for the Countess. Continue reading “Review: The Journal of Countess Francoise Krasinska by Klementyna Tanska Hoffman” →

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

Review: The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry

They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, in the case of Rhonda her single step leads here on a transcendental journey into Mexico.

Mary Pauline Lowry’s debut novel, The Earthquake Machine, tells the story of 14 year old Rhonda whose life has been turned upside down. Rhonda’s mother is the typical ‘desperate housewife’, in a loveless marriage more about convenience and comfort than love. Rhonda’s father (a pharmacist) supplies her unstable mother with prescription drugs to keep her in line while he is out having an affair.

They live in a ticky tacky house on the hillside where all the houses look just the same….but thanks to the family gardener Jesus, color and life continues to reside in the taupe colored, mundane suburban nightmare that Rhonda calls home. Continue reading “Review: The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry” →

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

Review: The Bride of Lammermoor by Sir Walter Scott

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: The Bride of Lammermoor by Sir Walter Scott

Beware the Ravenswood!

Sir Walter Scott’s, The Bride of Lammermoor is a must read for fans of the genre….a classic gothic romance! This is your ultimate indulgence gothic romance fans…honest and truly.

This ridiculously over the top tale has it all…witches, women going mad, a family fallen from grace, degenerative castles, ruined fortunes, Byronic heros, star crossed lovers, a dark prophecy, ominous symbology….everything!  It is MacBeth, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Wuthering Heights all rolled into one.

The novel is introduced as a tale based on a true story, set in Scotland at the time of Queen Anne (early 1700’s). Lord Ravenswood is dead and all that remains of the Ravenswood family is Master Ravenswood (Edgar) and the ruin known as Wolf’s Carg castle.

The Ravenswood family blames their demise on Sir William Ashton who profited at the Ravenswood’s expense….the Ravenswoods have been stripped of their titles after the rebellion and have subsequently lost their estates/fortunes as a result of a legal scheme gone awry. Continue reading “Review: The Bride of Lammermoor by Sir Walter Scott” →

Books, Gen Lit, Reading

Giveaway: Pierre and Luce by Romain Rolland

by The Lit Bitch8 Comments on Giveaway: Pierre and Luce by Romain Rolland

Enter to win a copy of the beautiful and tragic love story of Pierre and Luce  by the Nobel Prize-winning French author Romain Rolland. Thanks to my friends over at Onesuch Press for giving a beautiful copy to 2 lucky winners! I am a huge fan of this cover, Onesuch Press did a fantastic job with it!

An interesting but about this publishing company is that they publish the lesser known works of well known and respected authors. This is one of the reasons I LOVE this publisher, I love being exposed to new literary works that I might normally have overlooked.

This giveaway is open to US, UK, AU, and CA residents 

Giveaway is for: A paperback copy of Pierre and Luce by Romain Rolland (2 available)

Runs though: 3/26/12-4/2/12

How to sign up and details: Sign up using the Rafflecopter widget below. Winners will be chosen at random and announced on my blog, Twitter, and Facebook page. Winners will have three days to claim their prize.

What the book about: Read my review of Pierre and Luce here. 

Questions? Email me at thelitbitch@me.com

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