Category: Literary Criticism

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

Review: The Man She Married by Cathy Lamb

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: The Man She Married by Cathy Lamb

I always love meeting new to me authors in roundabout ways. Earlier this year I happened to be invited to book blogger week over at Tall Poppy Writers and found an outstanding community of authors who are dedicated to interacting with their audiences.

I have read and reviewed a number of authors from this group, but at the time I didn’t know they were part of this amazing community…..in fact I only just discovered the group a few weeks ago as I mentioned, and I had been reading a number of Poppy Writers for years!

Anyway, so I participated in their book blogger week met a number of new to me authors, one of which was Cathy Lamb, who also happens to live in the Portland, OR area which is about 45 min north of where I live. Small world!

She asked if I would be interested in reading her latest book, The Man She Married, and I was happy to do so. I didn’t really know much about the book or the author, but I was at least willing to support a fellow Oregonian by reading the book…..but was I in store for something that was not only interesting, but also different that I hadn’t been expecting. Continue reading “Review: The Man She Married by Cathy Lamb” →

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

Review: The Splendor Before the Dark: A Novel of the Emperor Nero (Nero #2) by Margaret George

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Splendor Before the Dark: A Novel of the Emperor Nero (Nero #2) by Margaret George

When I was a kid, I was fascinated by all things Rome. I watched every episode about Rome and the emperors on History channel and my favorites were always on the crazy ones.

The ancient world is a fascinating place. People are trying to form a civilized people and state while others are trying to conquer new territories and at the height of it’s power, Rome was the republic that everyone modeled their empires on.

One of the emperors that always seemed to capture my interest was Nero and like any memorable Roman emperor, he had his own share of crazy.  When this book came up for review, I was interested in it for this very reason.

With the beautiful and cunning Poppaea at his side, Nero Augustus commands the Roman empire, ushering in an unprecedented era of artistic and cultural splendor. Although he has yet to produce an heir, his power is unquestioned.

But in the tenth year of his reign, a terrifying prophecy comes to pass and a fire engulfs Rome, reducing entire swaths of the city to rubble. Rumors of Nero’s complicity in the blaze start to sow unrest among the populace–and the politicians. Continue reading “Review: The Splendor Before the Dark: A Novel of the Emperor Nero (Nero #2) by Margaret George” →

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

Review: SEAL’S Honor (Alaska Force #1) by Megan Crane

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: SEAL’S Honor (Alaska Force #1) by Megan Crane

Many women love a good romance story, and I am one such women. All of us women have our favorite troupes or settings—-some like cowboy romances while others prefer a rogue of the peerage, others like military romances.

For me, I just like a good story but if I’m being honest, I like the rogue of the peerage best but I don’t mind the occasional cross over into other troupes. The book was one that I just happened to see one day while I was scrolling through Netgalley looking at new releases. I had just seen a special on SEAL training on the History Channel so I was immediately drawn to this book.

The last thing Blue Hendricks needs six months into his uneasy reentry into civilian life is trouble in the form of his old friend’s kid sister, all grown up and smack in the middle of a dangerous murder investigation. But he didn’t become a SEAL to turn his back on the hard stuff, and he can’t bring himself to ignore Everly’s call for help–no matter how much he knows he’s not fit to be around the soft, vibrant woman she’s become. Not after the things he’s done. Continue reading “Review: SEAL’S Honor (Alaska Force #1) by Megan Crane” →

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

Review: The Winters by Lisa Gabriele

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: The Winters by Lisa Gabriele

I read Rebecca a few years ago and I thought it was an excellent read with lots of atmosphere and mood. I haven’t really read a book since that comes close to it, so when this book came up for review, I was intrigued as the story sounded like a modern retelling of the gothic classic.

In my opinion, Rebecca is a tough novel to follow. It’s unique—especially considering the time it was written—and has a huge cult following. It told an original story that was haunting and yet creepy without being a ghost story. There were many things that set Rebecca apart for me, so when I read this summary I was eager to see how Gabriele would take a timeless classic and create something with a new twist.

After a whirlwind romance, a young woman returns to the opulent, secluded Long Island mansion of her new fiancé Max Winter—a wealthy politician and recent widower—and a life of luxury she’s never known. But all is not as it appears at the Asherley estate. Continue reading “Review: The Winters by Lisa Gabriele” →

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

Review: Murder on Millionaires’ Row by Erin Lindsey

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: Murder on Millionaires’ Row by Erin Lindsey

As soon as this book arrived at my house, I had to fight off people who wanted to borrow it with a stick. I am not even kidding. It arrived in the afternoon and by the night time, it was MIA.

My mom was watching my kid and she was looking for something to read and found this one  in my sea of books and refused to give it up when I got home. She was hooked on the character and story so I knew I wasn’t getting it back for at least a week.

I finally got it back last week and was able to start reading it. My mom loved it and I was excited to see if it inspired similar feelings for me. When it arrived the first thing that caught my eye was the cover. I absolutely love the purple dress and design of this cover.

It stands out and instantly makes me think of a Maisie Dobbs mystery or other similar historical mysteries…..but theres a paranormal twist in this one and I was eager to see how that played out in this book. Continue reading “Review: Murder on Millionaires’ Row by Erin Lindsey” →