Books, Reading

Excerpt: Naughty on Ice (Discreet Retrieval Agency #4) by Maia Chance

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Excerpt: Naughty on Ice (Discreet Retrieval Agency #4) by Maia Chance

Earlier this year I had a chance to start reading this series. Though I started with the third book in the series, I still loved the cozy feel of this mystery series. But before moving on in the series, I did want to go back and read the first two books. So instead of a review for the fourth book in the series, I have an excerpt for you instead!

And the best part of this latest book—-it’s a holiday mystery! If you are looking to gift a holiday mystery or if you are just looking for a holiday mystery to put you in the mood, than be sure to check this one out if it’s not already on your radar!

This excerpt kicks off a blog tour full of reviews and giveaways so don’t miss you chance to get this one for your holiday reads! I posted a link at the end go the excerpt for you to see what else is happening on this tour!

The Discreet Retrieval Agency is doing a brisk holiday business of retrieving lost parcels, grandmas, and stolen wreaths. But with their main squeezes Ralph and Jimmy once more on the back burner, both Lola and Berta pine for a holiday out of New York City. So when they receive a mysterious Christmas card requesting that they retrieve an antique ring at a family gathering in Maple Hill, Vermont, they jump at the chance. Sure, the card is signed Anonymous and it’s vaguely threatening, but it’s Vermont.

In Maple Hill, several estranged members of the wealthy Goddard family gather. And no sooner do Lola and Berta recover the ring–from Great-Aunt Cressida Goddard’s arthritic finger–than Mrs. Goddard goes toes-up, poisoned by her Negroni cocktail on ice. When the police arrive, Lola and Berta are caught-red-handed with the ring, and it becomes clear that they were in fact hired not for their cracker-jack retrieving abilities, but to be scapegoats for murder.
With no choice but to unmask the killer or be thrown in the slammer, Lola and Berta’s investigations lead them deep into the secrets of Maple Hill. In a breathless pursuit along a snowy ridge, with a lovelorn Norwegian ski instructor and country bumpkin hooch smugglers hot on their heels, Lola and Berta must find out once and for all who’s nice…and who’s naughty (summary from Goodreads).

Excerpt

Continue reading “Excerpt: Naughty on Ice (Discreet Retrieval Agency #4) by Maia Chance” →

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

Review: The Splendor Before the Dark: A Novel of the Emperor Nero (Nero #2) by Margaret George

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Splendor Before the Dark: A Novel of the Emperor Nero (Nero #2) by Margaret George

When I was a kid, I was fascinated by all things Rome. I watched every episode about Rome and the emperors on History channel and my favorites were always on the crazy ones.

The ancient world is a fascinating place. People are trying to form a civilized people and state while others are trying to conquer new territories and at the height of it’s power, Rome was the republic that everyone modeled their empires on.

One of the emperors that always seemed to capture my interest was Nero and like any memorable Roman emperor, he had his own share of crazy.  When this book came up for review, I was interested in it for this very reason.

With the beautiful and cunning Poppaea at his side, Nero Augustus commands the Roman empire, ushering in an unprecedented era of artistic and cultural splendor. Although he has yet to produce an heir, his power is unquestioned.

But in the tenth year of his reign, a terrifying prophecy comes to pass and a fire engulfs Rome, reducing entire swaths of the city to rubble. Rumors of Nero’s complicity in the blaze start to sow unrest among the populace–and the politicians. Continue reading “Review: The Splendor Before the Dark: A Novel of the Emperor Nero (Nero #2) by Margaret George” →

Books, Giveaway, Reading

Giveaway: SEAL’S HONOR (Alaska Force #1) by Megan Crane

by The Lit Bitch5 Comments on Giveaway: SEAL’S HONOR (Alaska Force #1) by Megan Crane

If you love military romance or just contempo romances in general, then you don’t want to miss the first in a new series by acclaimed romance novelist, Megan Crane!

I have partnered with Berkley to be able to offer a copy of this steamy romance for your reading pleasure.

The last thing Blue Hendricks needs six months into his uneasy reentry into civilian life is trouble in the form of his old friend’s kid sister, all grown up and smack in the middle of a dangerous murder investigation. But he didn’t become a SEAL to turn his back on the hard stuff, and he can’t bring himself to ignore Everly’s call for help–no matter how much he knows he’s not fit to be around the soft, vibrant woman she’s become. Not after the things he’s done.

Everly Campbell is desperate. When her roommate is murdered and the body vanishes, Everly fears she might be next. With no one to believe her, Everly runs to a remote Alaskan town to find a man she only vaguely remembers and his crew of ex-military brothers who could be her only hope. Blue wants to keep things all business but Everly isn’t a little girl anymore and the commanding former SEAL is more temptation than she can resist.

As the men on Everly’s trail draw closer, Blue will do anything to protect the woman he’s starting to think of as his (summary from Goodreads).

Giveaway runs 11/13/18-11/23/18

A winner will be announced 11/24/18

(how to enter)

On this blog you must leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway.  Your comment MUST include your email so I can contact you….if you do not enter an email in the comments your entry will be void. Winners will be notified by email the day after the giveaway closes and have five days to respond, it not another winner will be chosen. 

(GIVEAWAY OPEN TO US ONLY AND NO PO BOX)

Make sure you note if you have done the following for more chances to win: Tweet about the giveaway (+1), share on Facebook (+1), like The Lit Bitch on Facebook (+1), follow The Lit Bitch on Twitter (+1), subscribe to The Lit Bitch’s blog (+1), follow The Lit Bitch on Instagram (+1). Tweet/RT about the giveaway (+1). Share about the giveaway (+1).

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

Review: SEAL’S Honor (Alaska Force #1) by Megan Crane

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: SEAL’S Honor (Alaska Force #1) by Megan Crane

Many women love a good romance story, and I am one such women. All of us women have our favorite troupes or settings—-some like cowboy romances while others prefer a rogue of the peerage, others like military romances.

For me, I just like a good story but if I’m being honest, I like the rogue of the peerage best but I don’t mind the occasional cross over into other troupes. The book was one that I just happened to see one day while I was scrolling through Netgalley looking at new releases. I had just seen a special on SEAL training on the History Channel so I was immediately drawn to this book.

The last thing Blue Hendricks needs six months into his uneasy reentry into civilian life is trouble in the form of his old friend’s kid sister, all grown up and smack in the middle of a dangerous murder investigation. But he didn’t become a SEAL to turn his back on the hard stuff, and he can’t bring himself to ignore Everly’s call for help–no matter how much he knows he’s not fit to be around the soft, vibrant woman she’s become. Not after the things he’s done. Continue reading “Review: SEAL’S Honor (Alaska Force #1) by Megan Crane” →

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

Review: The Winters by Lisa Gabriele

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: The Winters by Lisa Gabriele

I read Rebecca a few years ago and I thought it was an excellent read with lots of atmosphere and mood. I haven’t really read a book since that comes close to it, so when this book came up for review, I was intrigued as the story sounded like a modern retelling of the gothic classic.

In my opinion, Rebecca is a tough novel to follow. It’s unique—especially considering the time it was written—and has a huge cult following. It told an original story that was haunting and yet creepy without being a ghost story. There were many things that set Rebecca apart for me, so when I read this summary I was eager to see how Gabriele would take a timeless classic and create something with a new twist.

After a whirlwind romance, a young woman returns to the opulent, secluded Long Island mansion of her new fiancé Max Winter—a wealthy politician and recent widower—and a life of luxury she’s never known. But all is not as it appears at the Asherley estate. Continue reading “Review: The Winters by Lisa Gabriele” →