Books, Reading

Special Feature: China: The Novel by Edward Rutherfurd

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Special Feature: China: The Novel by Edward Rutherfurd

When I think of truly epic reads, Edward Rutherfurd is at the top of my list. I picked up London more times than I care to admit and before I can even cracked it open, I found myself wondering if I am ready for something this epic? I finally did read it and it was so wonderful but the thing tat stood out above everything was the intense research!

Rutherfurd’s books cover hundreds and in some cases thousands of years of history! It’s a lot to wrap the mind around! The amount of research that he must do for just one novel is INSANE! Not to mention that he does a great job incorporating the character stories, lives and families in such a mind-blowing way, I mean his books should be required reading before on vacation!

When I saw that his latest novel China, is hitting shelves this month, I couldn’t wait to feature it on my blog! While this book focuses on a smaller portion of China’s rich history (it begins in 1839), it promises all the trademarks of Rutherfurd’s epic tales. I am so excited to read this one, I don’t know much about China’s history and I am eager to read more about it’s history and also follow Rutherfurd’s characters throughout the tale. If you love epic historical fiction you need to get this one on your radar now! It sounds incredible!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature and Excerpt: The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Special Feature and Excerpt: The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff

Pam Jenoff has written a number of historical fiction novels—-all of which I have absolutely adored! They are always so well researched and moving, not to mention I adore the WWII time period of many of her novels. I am so excited to check out her latest book, The Woman with the Blue Star! Not only is the cover to die for but the summary of the book sounds wonderfully moving!

This book is based on a true story which I think will make it all the more compelling. If you love WWII books as much as I do then you are going to want to get this one on your radar for the summer! Jenoff’s books have such vivid characters and history that you can’t help but be sucked in by the story and characters!

Today I have an excerpt from this book. It is currently out now and being met with a ton of positive reviews! The excerpt is wonderful and I am sure you are going to want to read more from this book the second you are done with the excerpt. This book is all about overcoming adversity and I am super excited to read it later on this summer but for now check out a little sneak peak!

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Books, Reading

Excerpt: The Stepsisters by Susan Mallery

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Excerpt: The Stepsisters by Susan Mallery

Susan Mallery is an excellent writer with numerous novels under her belt, I have only read a couple of her books but every time I read one I am left feeling satisfied and happy. Let’s be honest, I think we could all use a little happy right now right?! Mallery is known for her romances and stories about women and their friendships as well as their romantic entanglements. But this book promises to be a little on the different side.

Today I am thrilled to be part of a progressive excerpt tour for her latest novel out now, The Step Sisters. I think this is a super fun way to hype this book! When I downloaded my excerpt to read I was like wait, I need them all now because I am hooked on this one right now! If you love stories about sisters and the complexity of sister and sister like relationships then this is going to be one you want on your radar!

This one sounds like it’s going to be a bit of an emotional read but it sounds like it’s going to be emotional in a good sort of way and I cannot wait to continue reading it! And I do hope that you follow along on the excerpt train to check out all the wonderful goodness this book has to offer!

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

Review: The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

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I have been a big fan of Chanel Cleeton for a while now. I have loved all her books and whenever I see that she has a new book coming out, I fan-girl pretty hard! But this book in particular made me really fan-girl. Most of Cleeton’s have a strong historical fiction component but it’s mostly 1930s or 1950s/60s time period, which is fine but its truthfully not my favorite time in history.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Cleeton’s books but historically, the modern era isn’t my fav, but when I saw this book was coming out and it was set at the end of the 19th century, I couldn’t contain my excitement because that is my favorite time period! Since reading her books, I have come to really appreciate Cuban history. It’s history that I know nothing about but Cleeton makes me want to know all the Cuban things!

If you love historical fiction but haven’t read Cleeton’s books, you need to just stop reading this review and go grab one! Her books are so unique in their setting and history that you can’t help but be transported. There is a romance element but for me the real interest is in the history part, I mean I love the romance but the history is just so different and I truly feel like I am reading something fresh and new every time I read one of her books!

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

Review: The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews

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Can it even be summer without a new Mary Kay Andrews book? The answer is no—no it cannot! I started reading some of MKA’s books a couple of years ago and they are always good as a beach read or a quick read on a plane on the way to your latest vacation destination! I picked this one up and read it in a matter of days which is what I expect when I pick up any of her books.

This book featured both a romance and a little bit of a murder mystery and I just loved that combo. If you love beach reads you no doubt have read MKA and know how great of a writer she is. She is the Queen of Beach Reads and I cannot dispute that. She is a prolific and seasoned writer who knows exactly how to craft a well written novel.

If you haven’t read MKA before, you really can’t go wrong with any of her books so just grab one and dive in and if you have managed to read this far I would encourage you to just grab this one because it’s another classic MKA book and if you haven’t read anything by her then this one is just as good as any so why not grab it!

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