Category: Gen Lit

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

Review: Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton

I have been a HUGE fan of Chanel Cleeton over the years. I have loved all of her novels in different ways and for different reasons. Each. time I crack open one of her books I am guaranteed to be transported to an exotic location with a thrilling family. I have read some of her books twice just because I love them and also to refresh where we are at in the Perez family story. I have certainly read the books out of order so don’t feel like you need to go back and read the others first before this one, but it certainly helps gain a full understanding of the family history and politics.

I love the Perez girls, especially Beatriz so seeing that she would be part of this latest novel made me really excited to read it! While maybe not the central focus of the novel, she at the very least puts in an appearance so fans of previous books will enjoy that. Cleeton has earned a spot on my auto buy list and I am always eager for the spring to come to see what sort of exciting novel that Cleeton has come up with!

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read and Cleeton’s books always stand out head and shoulders above many of the books in the genre. They are fresh, full of rich history, and so well written and researched. If you have not read these books yet you are absolutely missing out and should stop what you’re doing and read any of the books in this series (including this one!) it’s so good and I can’t sing the praises of the books enough. They are all amazing and for different reasons.

Continue reading “Review: Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton” →
Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell

by The Lit Bitch3 Comments on Review: The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell

I had my eye on this book when it was released in the UK and I was eager to read it once it was published in the US. I am absolutely in love with the UK cover….the US cover not so much but the UK one is totally eye catching and screams READ ME.

When it came across my desk for review I was totally on board, especially since I was kind of on a ghost story kick. A Victorian ghost story….count me 100% in.

When Elsie married handsome young heir Rupert Bainbridge, she believed she was destined for a life of luxury. But with her husband dead just weeks after their marriage, her new servants resentful, and the local villagers actively hostile, Elsie has only her husband’s awkward cousin for company. Continue reading “Review: The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell” →

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

Review: Arrowood by Mick Finlay

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Arrowood by Mick Finlay

I absolutely love the tagline of this book: London Society takes their problems to Sherlock Holmes. Everyone else goes to Arrowood.

That totally caught my eye when I was scanning Netgalley in search of new books to read this summer. An anti-Sherlock Holmes sounded refreshing and new. I have been watching the TV show Sherlock (which if you haven’t watched it, go right now to Netflix and start!) and I love the modern take on it, so I thought that something like an anti-Sherlock read would be complimentary.

The Afghan War is over and a deal with the Irish appears to have brought an end to sectarian violence, but Britain’s position in the world is uncertain and the gap between rich and poor is widening. London is a place where the wealthy party while the underclass are tempted into lives of crime, drugs and prostitution. A serial killer stalks the streets. Politicians are embroiled in financial and sexual scandals. The year is 1895.

The police don’t have the resources to deal with everything that goes on in the capital. The rich turn to a celebrated private detective when they need help: Sherlock Holmes. But in densely populated south London, where the crimes are sleazier and Holmes rarely visits, people turn to Arrowood, a private investigator who despises Holmes, his wealthy clientele and his showy forensic approach to crime. Arrowood understands people, not clues (summary from Goodreads).

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Books, Gen Lit, Reading

Announcement: BookTrib Features Live Chat with Anne Rice

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Announcement: BookTrib Features Live Chat with Anne Rice

See Anne Rice as you have never seen her before!

In case you weren’t able to attend ThrillerFest this year, ThrilllerMaster and Queen of the Dead, Anne Rice was interviewed by her son and fellow author, Christopher Rice during an amazing spotlight session.

BookTrib is hosting an Exclusive Screening and Giveaway, “A Conversation with Anne Rice and Christopher Rice at ThrillerFestVIII” which will air on August 5 from 8 to 12 p.m. ET on BookTrib.com.

BookTrib members will also have the opportunity to win a signed copy of THE WOLF GIFT!

Continue reading “Announcement: BookTrib Features Live Chat with Anne Rice” →

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

Review: Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

by The Lit Bitch3 Comments on Review: Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

A single choice can transform you. One choice can destroy you. On Choosing Day, the people of five different factions make a choice that will change their lives. You can choose to leave your old faction behind in favor of a new one, but you will forever be bound to your new faction so it is not a choice one makes rashly. If you fail to meet the initiation for each faction, you become Factionless.

Tris Prior is different. She is Divergent and her choices destroy her.

Tris is in a dark place. Shas witnessed unspeakable horrors and is struggling to cope with the destruction and choices she has made. She needs to find forgiveness in others and learn to forgive herself. To find forgiveness, Tris must find the truth.

Tris is not used to sharing her secrets and her pain with others. She wears her secrets, choices, and experiences like armor. Her inner struggle is one of the things that makes this book great. She starts acting selfish and makes poor decisions in regards to her life simply to numb the pain she is feeling. Her boyfriend, Tobias (Four) desperately tries to reach her and help her, but he can’t save her from her own self destruction. Continue reading “Review: Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth” →