Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Mad Girls of New York (Nellie Bly #1) by Maya Rodale

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: The Mad Girls of New York (Nellie Bly #1) by Maya Rodale

Nellie Bly gained so much fan as a reporter in New York during the Guilded Age when she published her article about insane asylums for women. I know when I first read about her all I could think of was ‘what a badass!’. I have since read some historical fiction books that reference her life and works but I have yet to actually read a book about Nellie Bly—fictionalized or otherwise.

When I saw this one come across my desk I thought to myself ‘Yes finally!’. This tantalizing new book brings Nellie Bly to life as an investigastive reporter and trailblazer in a fictionalized recounting of her adventures. Plus it promises to add in some mystery, intriuge and romance and I am so here for this book! I cannot wait to see how this series evolves as this is just the first book in what looks to be a promising series!

Author Maya Rodale is mostly a romance writer so this will be her first foray into historical fiction/mystery but I am absolutely thrilled about this crossover. I haven’t read any of Rodale’s roamnces but I have seen many of them and they all look so juicy. This book about Bly also hints at a romantic piece so I am looking forward to seeing how that translates in the story itself. The book has been getting a ton of positive early reviews all around 4-5 stars! I cannot wait for this one and it’s out now so if you are looking for a new intriguing read I think this is going to be an excellent option!

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Special Feature: Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins Valdez

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins Valdez

No doubt this book will be on many of your radars already! I know I have seen it on a number of ‘most anticipated’ lists all over the internet and I cannot wait to check it out! Author Dolen Perkins Valdez is a New York Times bestselling author of the book Wench, as well as her follow up novel Balm. Many are eagerly waiting for the release of this book since her last novel was published in 2015!

This promises to be a stunning piece of historical fiction, but when I say historical fiction, many will think post Civil War or Post WWII, but this book is set in the 1970s. Technically historical fiction but also more recent historical fiction which for many will hit different. It’s one thing to read a novel set in the ‘past’ and quite another to read a book that is set during your life time if that makes sense. I am so eager to read this one and am so thrilled to be sharing about this one with you guys today!

I think this book is going to talk about a lot of big issues like family planning, race in a post segregated Alabama, and most importantly it is inspired by true events. I am really looking forward to this poignant read that will give readers pause and make them think and ponder the experience of a young black nurse in a very recent history in our country. This one is not to be missed this spring friends! Keep reading to get all the details of this one and pick up a copy today!

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

Review: A Perilous Perspective (Lady Darby Mysteries #10) by Anna Lee Huber

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: A Perilous Perspective (Lady Darby Mysteries #10) by Anna Lee Huber

Ten books?! How in the world are we are ten books already in this series?! I cannot believe it! It seems like just yesterday that I found this series and devoured all the books (at that time five) in like one sitting! This series overall has been completely solid. There were books I liked better than others and for different reasons but I would rate this entire series as five stars. SOLID!

I love Anna Lee Huber’s writing style and other books she has written but the Lady Darby books stand out above the others and I cannot say enough good things. Some of the books you can jump around in the series but honestly I think this is a series better read beginning to end. Not only area the characters great and the mysteries engaging, but you really gain a full appreciation for the character relationships and larger narrative.

Yes I know this cover is stunning and maybe you haven’t read the other books and just want to start here, by all means go for it but if you want to fully appreciate Kiera and Gage as well as the nuances of this book (and there are plenty of them and references from other books), then you definitely want to go back and read the other books—-pretty cover or not! For one this book features Kiera’s cousin, Rye, and if you miss the other books you will miss out on fully appreciating their relationship so basically read the other books first!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature and Excerpt: Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne Thayne

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature and Excerpt: Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne Thayne

RaeAnne Thayne has been a long time favorite author of mine. Admittedly I do like her holiday books the best but I have also read and enjoyed her non-Christmas books and found them heartwarming and always what I need to get me through those long rainy April days that we have here in Oregon. Thayne has written a number of books and also has a large fan base, whenever I see one of her books I instantly know I am getting a quality feel good read. I haven’t read a Thayne book I didn’t like so I feel fully confident saying I am sure this one is going to be another solid HEA book for spring!

I am taking this book with me to read on the plane when I leave for Salt Lake City a little later this month so I will have to report back on how I liked it but for now I have an excerpt for all of you guys to check out today! In this latest book, is a story about sisters and tragedy and over coming some of those strained sibling relationship and learning to start new. Plus there might be a little romance in this one as a little bonus—though most of Thayne’s books have a romantic element, this book promises a lot of big drama topics with a splash of romance.

If you are looking for a lovely beach read set in California with some depth to it (grief and loss) that will warm your heart and leave you feeling content and charmed then this might be the book for you. Keep reading to check out this fun excerpt. It’s out now and definitely not to be missed so get your order in and don’t miss another great RaeAnne Thayne book!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature and Excerpt: Mrs. England by Stacey Halls

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature and Excerpt: Mrs. England by Stacey Halls

You all know how much I love a great Edwardian era historical fiction book right?! There aren’t many out there that purely focus on the Edwardian era, most start with late Victorian or Great War and just skip right on over the Edwardian era all together. That was one of the reasons this book stood out to me since it is actually set in my favorite era plus it has some Gothic elements—absolutely sold. This book focuses on specifically the Edwardian era marriage and I am so looking forward to reading this one! It’s been getting lots of rave review and I have it added to my TBR for later this spring.

This book has mystery, romance, gothic goodness and history all promised in its description and I am absolutely here for it. I have a lovely excerpt to share with you guys today and I loved reading it so I hope you all do as well. Author Stacey Halls has written The Familiars and The Lost Orphan which I read a couple of years ago and really enjoyed!

I think Halls has a wonderful gift for telling atmospheric historical fiction with lots of attention to detail! I am really looking forward to this latest book and after reading some of the early reviews I am even more excited to check it out. If like me, you are a fan of the Gothic with history mixed in then you will want to grab this one for you spring reading. Set in the Yorkshire moors, this is going to be an eerie read with lots to devour no doubt! Be sure to keep reading for an excerpt of this sunning new historical fiction read! I love how it’s described as a slow burn menace—I am already hooked and I haven’t even started reading it yet!

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