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

Review: In Royal Service to the Queen: A Novel of the Queen’s Governess by Tessa Arlen

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: In Royal Service to the Queen: A Novel of the Queen’s Governess by Tessa Arlen

Tessa Arlen is an author that I don’t think get’s enough credit or recognition. She’s a wonderful author who I always feel like is on the fringes of the historical fiction genre. She’s written a few mysteries series that I have enjoyed over the years and whenever I see that she has a new book coming out, I am always excited. Yet I don’t see her books getting the same hype as other historical and historical mystery writers.

Which means—-she is a diamond in the rough! She writes smart mysteries with wonderful historical details. I especially love her Poppy Redfern series for historical details. When I saw that she has a book coming out about the Queen’s governess, I simply knew she would pour all the same historical details into this historical fiction piece.

With the death of Prince Philip earlier this year as well the the success of The Crown, the time is ripe for novels about the Queen and her life with Philip. I have read a couple of books about the early life of Queen Elizabeth but when I saw that Arlen was going to be writing one, I knew I had to immediately get it on my TBR!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: Mocha, She Wrote (A Bakeshop Mystery #13) by Ellie Alexander

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: Mocha, She Wrote (A Bakeshop Mystery #13) by Ellie Alexander

If you are looking for a cozy mystery series, you really don’t need to look any further than Ellie Alexander! In my mind there are few better than Alexander when it comes to small town mysteries featuring food. She has such a talent for writing interesting characters and readers will surly get a feel for life in Ashland Oregon!

As an Oregonian myself it’s so great to see cities and towns in books that I am familiar with! I love supporting local authors and Alexander is no exception. I have read a few of the books in this series as well as her other series featuring Sloan Krause. Alexander live in the PacNW and clearly has a lot of love for our area and I simply adore how this series is set in Ashland as I have visited there a few times and find that it’s uniqueness shines under Alexander’s pen!

I have jumped around in this series and have not felt too lost or disconnected from the characters or larger storyline so if you are worried about jumping around, I think you will find yourself right at home after a few pages. Naturally there are established relationships and history within the larger narrative, but I think Alexander does a good job orientating readers in the story and I see no reason for that to stop at this point in the series. If you are a cozy fan you will no doubt know who Ellie Alexander is and if you haven’t tried one of her books, the Bake Shop Mysteries are a wonderful place to start!

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

Review: Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella

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I have only read Sophia Kinsella’s Shopaholic books and even then, I have only read like the first two. I read the first book when it was released back in 2000 and I recall LOVING IT. I laughed so hard many many times and I remember thinking how much I had in common with the main character, especially at that time being a young college student.

I love seeing that the series has continued with nine more books, but as I said I only read like the first two but it wasn’t for want of trying—I just got on to another book and/or series and forgot about the Shopaholic books. But those early books really engrained Sophia Kinsella as an author that I enjoy so when I saw that she had a new book (not Shopaholic related) coming out, I knew I had to read it!

The book sounded fluffy, easy, and I recalled that Kinsella wrote really snappy dialogue so with all that in mind, I picked this one up expecting to breeze right through it and be left satisfied and happy about romance!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature and Excerpt: A McKenzie Sisters Mystery Series

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Special Feature and Excerpt: A McKenzie Sisters Mystery Series

I have really enjoyed  MK McClintock’s books that I have read in the past and seeing her new McKenzie Sisters mystery series is coming out soon, I just knew I had to participate in the book tour! Sadly I couldn’t fit in the books to read but I was able to secure a post about each of the books as well as an excerpt from them to share with you guys!

If you enjoy historical fiction but are wanting to try an author that’s off the beaten path, then McClintock is it! This series features strong heroines and is set in the American West! McClintock has written other novels set in England but this setting really appealed to me! I think the setting will give readers a new setting to really explore and appreciate.

Plus reading a mystery set in the American West feels different and new to me while still having McClintock’s historical knowledge and practiced hand at the forefront of the story! Check out the excerpts below and read a little about each book and see if this is something that you might enjoy! I know I am looking forward to checking them out!

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

Re-Share Review: We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Re-Share Review: We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin

Last year my book club picked up this unique book. I had seen a lot of praise for it and it was often called ‘THE thriller to read if you only read one this year’. What I loved about it was that each character was so impossibly flawed and damaged. Not just emotionally but physically too and I loved watching how that unfolded and impacted the story.

It wasn’t a perfect read for me and it earned a three star review from me which puts it firmly in the ‘good’ category when people ask me if I liked it. But what I think is so important about this book and why you would want to read it is because there is so much to discuss! Of all the books I read this last year, this one has consistently stood out to me. I recall the story and characters so well and I think we had one of our best book club discussions about the characters and their flaws.

It’s memorable and unique and now that it’s out in paperback, I thought I would re-share my original review with you guys so you could see what we thought of this one! Even if it’s not perfect, I think that’s the whole point and spirit of the book itself. If you are a fan of thrillers this is one you should have on your list!

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