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

Review: A Jewel Bright Sea (Mage and Empire #1) by Claire O’Dell

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: A Jewel Bright Sea (Mage and Empire #1) by Claire O’Dell

This book had a lot to recommend itself….pirates, adventure, magic, romance, fantasy. So many things that made it sound like a fun book to escape into.

I also thought the cover was pretty, though a little on the busy side. But ultimately I thought the promise of adventure and pirates sounded like a winning combo so picking up this one up when the time came, was full of promise for me.

I haven’t read anything by O’dell before but I know she has written a couple of other books that are part of a series, so I was curious to see what her writing style was and how the magic and pirates situation came together in this one! Continue reading “Review: A Jewel Bright Sea (Mage and Empire #1) by Claire O’Dell” →

Books, Reading

Excerpt and Feature: Entertaining Mr. Pepys by Deborah Swift

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Excerpt and Feature: Entertaining Mr. Pepys by Deborah Swift

Entertaining Mr. Pepys
by Deborah Swift

Publication Date: September 12, 2019
Hachette Book Group
eBook. Paperback, Audiobook; 400 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

 

London 1666

Elizabeth ‘Bird’ Carpenter has a wonderful singing voice, and music is her chief passion. When her father persuades her to marry horse-dealer Christopher Knepp, she suspects she is marrying beneath her station, but nothing prepares her for the reality of life with Knepp. Her father has betrayed her trust, for Knepp cares only for his horses; he is a tyrant and a bully, and will allow Bird no life of her own.

When Knepp goes away, she grasps her chance and, encouraged by her maidservant Livvy, makes a secret visit to the theatre. Entranced by the music, the glitter and glamour of the surroundings, and the free and outspoken manner of the women on the stage, she falls in love with the theatre and is determined to forge a path of her own as an actress.

But life in the theatre was never going to be straightforward – for a jealous rival wants to spoil her plans, and worse, Knepp forbids it, and Bird must use all her wit and intelligence to change his mind.

Based on events depicted in the famous Diary of Samuel Pepys, Entertaining Mr Pepys brings London in the 17th Century to life. It includes the vibrant characters of the day such as the diarist himself and actress Nell Gwynne, and features a dazzling and gripping finale during the Great Fire Of London.

The third in Deborah Swift’s atmospheric trilogy, bringing to life the women in Pepys’ Diary. Each novel features a different character and can be read as a stand-alone book.

‘A remarkably beguiling read. It transported me to the glitter and filth of seventeenth century London’ – Martine Bailey, author of The Almanack

‘The fusion of historical facts and fiction is so flawless that it is hard to know where reality ends and fiction begins’ – Readers Favourite Review

Amazon | Book Depository

Continue reading “Excerpt and Feature: Entertaining Mr. Pepys by Deborah Swift” →

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

Review: A Noël Killing (Verlaque and Bonnet #8) by M.L. Longworth

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: A Noël Killing (Verlaque and Bonnet #8) by M.L. Longworth

The Verlaque and Bonnet series is one that I came into a little late, but have always enjoyed the mysteries. They have a sophisticated feel to them but they still manage to maintain their charm.

I think one of the things that always keeps this series in the forefront of my mind is the covers. The covers are incredible and eye catching. Every time I see one I instantly think, ‘oh yes another Verlaque and Bonnet mystery!‘. The covers are so recognizable and admittedly why I picked up the series in the first place. This book features the new redesigned covers and while I think it’s a pretty design, it doesn’t stand out to me.

Maybe that’s because I am so used to the old covers. But at any rate don’t let the aesthetics fool you, this is a great series that I’ve been looking forward to picking back up! Continue reading “Review: A Noël Killing (Verlaque and Bonnet #8) by M.L. Longworth” →

Books, Reading

Excerpt: A Completing of the Watsons by Rose Servitova

by The Lit Bitch3 Comments on Excerpt: A Completing of the Watsons by Rose Servitova

One of my favorite authors in all of English Literature is of course, Jane Austen. She is the definition of classic if you ask me. She always writes timeless love stories and memorable but also relatable heroines.

Because she is such a popular author, many contemporaries have admired her so much that they put their own modern spin and style to their Austen retellings.

In this book, Servitova brings her own wit and humor to this lovely retelling and I am thrilled to be able to share an excerpt with you guys here! Continue reading “Excerpt: A Completing of the Watsons by Rose Servitova” →

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

Review: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber

I picked this book up because of the delicious looking pie on the front cover. I mean seriously, that pie looks so delicious and I hoped that the story inside would be equally satisfying.

I don’t think I even stopped to read what it was about, I simply saw pie and said YES. So when I picked it up, I basically went in blind and without any real expectations other than I hoped to read it while eating pie of my own (which did happen by the way!)

This book surprised me in a number of ways, both with the author’s practiced hand and with the little hints of magic sprinkled in each page. Continue reading “Review: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber” →