Category: Literary Criticism

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

Review: Gin and Panic (Discreet Retrieval Agency, #3) by Maia Chance

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: Gin and Panic (Discreet Retrieval Agency, #3) by Maia Chance

I have just come off of reading two very very dense books with heavy subject matter. I needed something to just enjoy rather than something I need to digest.

Enter Gin and Panic. I was happy to read a cozy mystery even though I was jumping in on the third book. I didn’t care. I just wanted something that looked entertaining without epic battles in every chapter.

Former socialite Lola Woodby, not-so-discreet private eye in Prohibtion-era New York City, along with her grim Swedish sidekick, Berta, take on a piece-of-cake job: retrieving a rhinoceros trophy from the Connecticut mansion of big game hunter Rudy Montgomery. Continue reading “Review: Gin and Panic (Discreet Retrieval Agency, #3) by Maia Chance” →

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

Review: A Column of Fire (Kingsbridge #3) by Ken Follett

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: A Column of Fire (Kingsbridge #3) by Ken Follett

I was first introduced to Ken Follett back in 2009 when I took my first trip to London. I needed something long enough that I would not read it all by the time the flight was over and long enough that I wouldn’t have to buy another book while I was there.

One of my friends recommended The Pillars of the Earth. I wasn’t going to read it but she brought it for me and I felt bad saying no.

Ironically, all I remember of that trip was how much I loved that book! That book was fantastic. I loved everything about it. I remember staying up way too late reading it. Taking it with us on every single tour bus and reading every chance I got. I loved that book so much.

I didn’t read the second book in the series World Without End, because I honestly felt like there was no need to make this into a series. It was so good as a stand alone and when the first book ended–it ended. I didn’t think a follow up was warranted. Continue reading “Review: A Column of Fire (Kingsbridge #3) by Ken Follett” →

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

Review: Christmas in London by Anita Hughes

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: Christmas in London by Anita Hughes

I feel like I gained 10 pounds just reading this novel. This is a great foodie lover novel if you are into that sort of thing.

Foodie lit is a new phenomenon for me but one that my tastebuds love and my waistline doesn’t. I love how charming novels like this are and I am surprised how much I loved the food element….needless to say, I devoured a roll of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls while reading this book….#sorrynotsorry.

It’s a week before Christmas and Louisa Graham is working twelve hour shifts at a bakery on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

When a young cooking show assistant comes in from the rain and begs to buy all the cinnamon rolls on her tray, she doesn’t know what to do. Louisa is just the baker, and they aren’t hers to sell. But the show burned the rolls they were supposed to film that day, so she agrees. Continue reading “Review: Christmas in London by Anita Hughes” →

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

Review: The Ghost of Christmas Past (Molly Murphy #17) by Rhys Bowen

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: The Ghost of Christmas Past (Molly Murphy #17) by Rhys Bowen

This is one series that I really need to go back and enjoy from beginning to end! While most of the Molly Murphy books can be read as stand alone books, why deprive yourself of such fun reading?

I’ve only read one of the books in this series but I was very impressed with the quality of writing and mystery of that book and I was eager to read more by her. I’ve read one of her stand alone books and while good, I think her mystery books are better personally.

My mom keeps giving me a copy of popular series, HER ROYAL SPYNESS, I have like 4 copies now. So her books are clearly popular! So when this Christmas book in the Molly Murphy series came up, I was happy to jump back in and review another one of her novels!

Continue reading “Review: The Ghost of Christmas Past (Molly Murphy #17) by Rhys Bowen” →

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

Review: The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla (Pink Carnation #11) by Lauren Willig

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla (Pink Carnation #11) by Lauren Willig

This was the book  I was least excited about reading in the series. It sounded completely out of Willig’s usual formula….like so far removed from her usual style that I just wasn’t thrilled about it.

Vampires? In this series. No, no, and just no.

Plus the heroine, Sally Fitzhugh, is not one that has even been on the fringes of the series up until like the last book and even then it was minimal.

However, as I have said before, I am continually impressed with her ability to hook me into a believable romance and prove all my misconceptions wrong. So I tried to keep an open mind when I started reading.

In October of 1806, the Little Season is in full swing, and Sally Fitzhugh has had enough of the endless parties and balls. With a rampant vampire craze sparked by the novel The Convent of Orsino, it seems no one can speak of anything else. But when Sally hears a rumor that the reclusive Duke of Belliston is an actual vampire, she cannot resist the challenge of proving such nonsense false. At a ball in Belliston Square, she ventures across the gardens and encounters the mysterious Duke.

Continue reading “Review: The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla (Pink Carnation #11) by Lauren Willig” →