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

Take Two Review: Who Slays the Wicked (Sebastian St. Cyr #14) by C.S. Harris

by The Lit Bitch3 Comments on Take Two Review: Who Slays the Wicked (Sebastian St. Cyr #14) by C.S. Harris

Last year in April, I read this installment of the Sebastian St Cyr series and I while I thought it was good, it was only my fourth book of the series I had read so naturally I was missing a substantial amount of the character nuances.

This series as a whole, can be read as a stand alones for the most part, but there are a couple of books where the mysteries overlap and this being one of them. There are many characters from an earlier book, Where the Dead Lie, which was the first Sebastian book that I had read. The first time I read this installment, I felt as though I understood some of the back story.

But now that I have gone back and re-read the entire series beginning to end so that I can better understand the characters and such, I felt as though I enjoyed this one much better this time around given the scope of the character arcs and backstories. Continue reading “Take Two Review: Who Slays the Wicked (Sebastian St. Cyr #14) by C.S. Harris” →

Books, Reading

Special Feature: THAT HARLEQUIN FEELING

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Special Feature: THAT HARLEQUIN FEELING

When I was around eleven or twelve, I was reading well above my age level and was obsessed with Victoria Holt. After devouring almost all of her novels, I went in search of more reading material on my mother’s bookshelves, which were full of scantily clad women in the arms of a handsome (often shirtless) man.

I wasn’t entirely sure what the books were about, but I loved the gowns these women wore, so I picked one up. When my mother found me reading it a couple of hours later she was like no no no—and took it from me. I can remember asking her why and she said I was too young for a romance novel—-especially a Harlequin romance novel (emphasis on the Harlequin bit).

Being a curious pre-teen, I went to my grandmother’s bookshelf looking for something new to read that might be more fitting, I mean she was into her 80s at that time, and found her shelves full of the same mysterious Harlequin romances. So I grew up thinking that that’s just what women read or maybe more that that’s what women of a ‘certain age’ read. I came to realize that romances were for everyone. No matter what age. Continue reading “Special Feature: THAT HARLEQUIN FEELING” →

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

Review: Blame the Dead by Ed Ruggero

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Blame the Dead by Ed Ruggero

One of the main reasons that I decided to read this book was because the author was a former military officer. I am really into military history, especially Civil War and WWI/WWII. My dad was also in the military and I grew up with military history.

I thought this one sounded like it would bring a lot of history to life mixed into a historical mystery. I also like that this book was going to be sent it Italy during the war instead of the traditional France or England.

This book ended up being quite a different read than I was expecting. So many historical mysteries lean toward the fluffy side, but this one was decidedly more gritty. Continue reading “Review: Blame the Dead by Ed Ruggero” →

Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner

This book has been popping up all over my social media—and I can see why! That cover! It gives me all the heart eyes for sure and I am so excited to share some details about the book with all of you guys today as well!

Holocaust historical fiction novels have been really popular lately and my own personal theory is that this genre and time period is ripe with untold stories of families, sisters, friends, brothers, lovers, individuals and everyone in between.

This book in particular is going to focus on a mother and daughter fleeing the Nazi’s. Shira, the daughter, is a piano prodigy and she must stay quiet while they are in hiding so as not to attract the Nazis and what unfolds sounds like a profoundly moving story. If you don’t have this one on your radar yet, it needs to be! Continue reading “Special Feature: The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner” →

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

First Impression Review: Children of the Stars by Mario Escobar

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on First Impression Review: Children of the Stars by Mario Escobar

There are so many WWII books out that focus on female relationships and bonds during the war. Often it’s a sister or two best friends who grew close during the war. I haven’t seen any books featuring two boys, in this case brothers, during the war for quite some time which is why this book stood out to me.

I am only a couple of chapters in and have yet to finish it, but the novel touches on many heavy hitting themes, especially because the two boys are Jews during the Holocaust. This book shows promise in a number of areas. The writing is solid and emotional, packing am emotional punch. But for me, it’s the historical research that has endeared this book to me.

If you are in the mood for a heartbreaking story but one that is also full of love, hope and bravery. So far I have really enjoyed this one and am looking forward to finishing it because it truly is a great story–emotional–but wonderful and the writing is great! If you love WWII and memorable stories, this is one you want on your radar for the spring! As of right now, I would rate this book 4.5 stars, a great read! Continue reading “First Impression Review: Children of the Stars by Mario Escobar” →