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

Review: How We Disappeared by Jing-Jing Lee

by The Lit Bitch4 Comments on Review: How We Disappeared by Jing-Jing Lee

I haven’t read a ton of Asian literature but I was eager to read this one because of one thing—the time period. My venture into Asian literature has come down to two books, Memoirs of a Geisha and Snowflower and the Secret Fan…..that is it. So when I agreed to read this book, I had no idea what I was going to get.

I remember reading Memoirs of a Geisha and Snowflower and the Secret Fan and loving both of those. Especially Memoirs of a Geisha, mostly because it was set during WWII and the occupation of allied troops post war was very interesting to me.

When this book came up for review, I was hoping it would be something similar to Memoirs of a Geisha, as it is set in the same time period, but this book promised to be a lot more interesting, as it talks about the Japanese occupying Singapore during the war instead of a pots war world.

Plus that cover is to die for and I couldn’t pass on such a visually stunning cover! Continue reading “Review: How We Disappeared by Jing-Jing Lee” →

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

REVIEW: Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors (The Rajes #1) by Sonali Dev

by The Lit Bitch5 Comments on REVIEW: Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors (The Rajes #1) by Sonali Dev

This is an author that I have been really really looking forward to reading. She’s written a number of ‘Bollywood’ books and while I am not Indian, I think their culture is exotic, colorful, and interesting.

This book is the first installment in a new series about the Rajes family and I was thrilled that I got to read this one, especially since there is a Pride and Prejudice element to the story. I would definitely put this book in the retelling category, but it was so much more than just another P & P retelling.

With it’s cultural aspect, this book adds a lot of uniqueness and color to a timeless tale while continuing to maintain the integrity of the classic romance. Also this book has a food element so foodies everywhere rejoice and be prepared to crave curry or unique dishes after this book! Continue reading “REVIEW: Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors (The Rajes #1) by Sonali Dev” →

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

REVIEW: The Royal Secret by Lucinda Riley

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on REVIEW: The Royal Secret by Lucinda Riley

I have been a long time fan of Lucinda Riley and am making my way through the Seven Sister’s books again, this time on audiobook.

I absolutely love her writing and count her as one of my favorite authors. When I saw that she had a new book coming out in the US (it was already published in the UK I believe), I was thrilled and eager to read it.

Her books tend to be on the longish side, but I was happy to adjust my schedule and work this book in because I know the kind of books she writes and I was sure to not be disappointed.

Though I did have to aggressively read some of the other books that I have on my schedule, I was happy to do so, so that I could fit this one in! Continue reading “REVIEW: The Royal Secret by Lucinda Riley” →

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

Review: Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin

I recently read one of Melanie Benjamin’s books and was really taken by her research and writing abilities. When I saw that she had another book coming out so soon, I was eager to jump on board and see how this one compared.

To be honest, I was way more excited about this book than the original book I read, The Girls in the Picture. This one sounded a little more like something I would be into. While I loved the ‘old Hollywood’ vibe in The Girls in the Picture, WWII is more my time period.

As with the first book I read by this author, I love the cover art and found my eye being drawn to the cover again and again. It promised the elegance and romantic vibe of the city of Paris, but also indicated something a little more tragic on the horizon. Continue reading “Review: Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin” →

Books, Reading

SPECIAL FEATURE: The Strongman and the Mermaidby Kathleen Shoop

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on SPECIAL FEATURE: The Strongman and the Mermaidby Kathleen Shoop

The Strongman and the Mermaid
by Kathleen Shoop

Publication Date: February 28, 2019
eBook & Paperback; 573 Pages

Series: The Donora Story Collection (Book 2)
Genre: Historical Fiction/Saga

 

 

Myscowa, Poland—1910
Once upon a time in tiny, rural Myscowa, Lukasz Musial competes in feats of strength against his lifelong nemesis to win passage to America. He leaves behind grinding poverty and despair, to seek the clear blue skies, and better life he sees on a postcard. Settled in Donora’s Polish community, Lukasz secures a coveted job in the wire mill, and is matched to marry Donora’s very own Polish princess. Life is set on course. The American Dream is nearly his.

Donora, Pennsylvania—1910
Mary Lancos is no princess. A tall, athletic girl who loves the water, she spends her days keeping house for families in town, digging coal out of a backyard seam and rowing her father across the Monongahela River for work. Mary is dependable, tenacious, and always ready to help when someone needs her. She dreams of a gas-heated home, a bedroom for each of her future children, and good meals on the table each night. To help make that happen Mary attends local dances, waiting for the few men who are taller than her to ask her to dance, hoping one of them is right for her.

An unexpected Christmas Eve visitor brings bad luck, and Lukasz’s world crumbles. Meanwhile, tension grows at the Lancos home when money is short and Mary’s dreams clash with her parents’ old world expectations. Just when Mary and Lukasz are at their lowest, they find themselves under an odd pink moonlit sky and Lukasz rescues Mary from a fall into frigid river water. The attraction between them is sudden and consuming, turning the pair onto an unexpected path. With mounting disapproval from Mary’s parents, and increased pressure on Lukasz, they must decide if love is enough to risk losing everything else that matters.

Available on Amazon

Continue reading “SPECIAL FEATURE: The Strongman and the Mermaidby Kathleen Shoop” →