Category: Books

Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Vanishing Museum on the Rue Mistral (Verlaque and Bonnet #9) by M.L. Longworth

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: The Vanishing Museum on the Rue Mistral (Verlaque and Bonnet #9) by M.L. Longworth

I read a few of the earlier Verlaque and Bonnet mysteries and one of the things that stands out about the series as a whole is how sophisticated they feel. Both of the characters feel mature and smart with a distinct air of sophistication that I think other cozy style mysteries don’t always have. I don’t know if it’s because the mysteries are set in the South of France, but something about this series always says ‘classy’ to me!

This is one series that I really need to go back and read from the beginning. I have jumped around in the series but never really felt lost within the larger narrative and characters but I will say that I think I might appreciate the nuances of Verlaque and Bonnet’s relationship had I started the series from the beginning. So this is a series that I am planning on going back and reading from the beginning but I think readers will feel right at home without having to go back and start from the beginning.

Today I am so excited to share a bit about this book and series with you all, the 9th book is out now. This book promises all the same charm, smarts, and mystery long time fans will expect from this series. Plus if you are looking for a little escape (ie; a trip to the South of France!) then look no further than this fun series right here!

Continue reading “Special Feature: The Vanishing Museum on the Rue Mistral (Verlaque and Bonnet #9) by M.L. Longworth” →
Books, Reading

Special Feature and Excerpt: The Last Book Shop in London by Madeline Martin

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature and Excerpt: The Last Book Shop in London by Madeline Martin

This book shot up to the top of the TBR list after I saw a number of my friends reading this one over on Instagram! It looks so good and I love the cover! Then I started reading this little excerpt below and I couldn’t wait to download a copy of this book! This book has it all—emotion, history, love, loss, and of course a bookstore! I am really looking forward to it!

It has also been met with really high praise from a number of early reviews. If you are a reader and book lover, there is no way you cannot not love this book. I mean the characters bond over The Count of Monte Cristo for crying out loud! I love books where other books and classics are a large part of the story, so basically this one has my name on it!

The author has written some other steamy historical romances and while this book might have a romance, it sounds like it’s been more on the sweet side rather than the steamy side. As soon as I read this one I will be sure to post a review for you guys, but for now check out the excerpt below and get this one on your TBR list!

Continue reading “Special Feature and Excerpt: The Last Book Shop in London by Madeline Martin” →
Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Smuggler’s Daughter by Kerry Barrett

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Smuggler’s Daughter by Kerry Barrett

This book’s cover is positively stunning and that’s how it ended up on my TBR list! I love the tempestuous looking sky, rocky coastline, and the pale peach of the girl’s dress on the cover. It suggests innocents and yet something stormy brewing in the sea. Not to mention the title suggests adventure! I love books set on the coast, it’s something so instantly atmospheric about it.

Author Kerry Barrett, has written a couple of other books and while they sound good, this is the one that would naturally stand out to me. I love the description of the book and the setting, and as I noted before, the cover is eye catching. I liked that it’s a duel timeline story with a historical narrative and a modern day one that culminate in the end. This is a storytelling style that I rarely get tired of.

But then there was part of me that was hesitant about this one…..there are a lot of books with ‘daughter’ in the title—The Witches Daughter, The Timekeepers Daughter, The Painters Daughter, The Hangman’s Daughter….the list goes on. Everyone has a daughter and it’s a title that doesn’t really distinguish itself. But nevertheless, I liked the Smuggler portion of the title and I think in a way it did stand out for that.

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: Courage, My Love by Kristin Beck

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: Courage, My Love by Kristin Beck

If there is one historical fiction trend I am loving this year, it’s more WWII books set in Italy! So many WWII books are set in England or France and while I love WWII historical fiction books, the setting never feels original or different. But this year I have seen a number of WWII historical fiction books set in Italy and I am 100% here for that!

I think there are so many untold stories from that area during that time, and I am so excited to read more about that time and location in history! This book right here has caught my eye on a number of levels too! I love that this book focuses on the Italian resistance during the war years. It feels like it’s going to be fresh and new, something I haven’t read before!

This one sounds like it’s going to have a lot of emotional tension as the Nazis occupy the area and are closing in on the resistance fighters. I think that’s going to add not only suspense but emotion in the larger narrative. I am really excited to share a little about this book below and if you love historical fiction this is going to be one book that you want on your radar this spring! I for one have it high up on my historical fiction TBR list! And the best part is, that it’s out today! So snag yourself a copy now!

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

Review: A Wicked Conceit (Lady Darby Mysteries #9) by Anna Lee Huber

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: A Wicked Conceit (Lady Darby Mysteries #9) by Anna Lee Huber

I have been a long time fan of all Anna Lee Huber’s books, but the Lady Darby series stands out as a favorite of all her books. I will gladly clear my calendar for any upcoming Anna Lee Huber book because they are just that good! This book is the ninth in the series and I will say that I encourage readers to start this series from the beginning.

Some of the books could be read out of order but there are relationships and back stories that spread across multiple books, thus making it difficult for readers to fully appreciate the nuances of the characters and the mysteries. This book in particular harkens back to earlier books in the series and previous relationships that readers will want to be aware of.

As a side note, I loved that this book was so timely. In the book, there is a cholera pandemic and the author has commented on the fact that when she was writing this book she had no idea that we would be in an actual pandemic. It’s a fun aspect of the book and also rather ironic and timely.

Continue reading “Review: A Wicked Conceit (Lady Darby Mysteries #9) by Anna Lee Huber” →