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

Review: The Case of the Fickle Mermaid (A Brothers Grimm Mystery #3) by P.J. Brackston

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Case of the Fickle Mermaid (A Brothers Grimm Mystery #3) by P.J. Brackston

This is a very quirky mystery series. I read the second book in the series last year and while it was quirky it was also pretty enjoyable. PJ Brackston is short for Paula Brackston who most famously writes what I call ‘the witch books‘.

I’m a huge fan of her witch books and her writing style, so when this series came across my nightstand for review  I agreed even though I started with the second book. I enjoyed the whole ‘Gretel as a sleuth’ idea and when I read the book I found lots of things to love about the series.

I love the whole fairy tale and murder mystery idea that the series is based on. Even though I started with the second book in the series I was able to connect to the characters for the most part and follow along with the back story without any real struggle. So when this third book came out I gladly decided to read it!

Gretel is now all grown up and working as a private investigator in 18th century Bavaria. Her professional interest is piqued when she begins to hear whispers of of mysterious goings-on off the coast of Schleswig-Holstein: sailors are disappearing, and there are rumors of mermaids and sea creatures and all manner of slippery, sea-based happenings.

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Book Blast: BANISHED (Forbidden #2) by Kimberley Griffiths Little

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Book Blast: BANISHED (Forbidden #2) by Kimberley Griffiths Little

02_BanishedBanished (Forbidden #2)
by Kimberley Griffiths Little

Publication Date: February 2, 2016
HarperCollins
Hardcover & Ebook; 416 Pages

Series: Forbidden, Book #2
Genre: YA/Historical/Romance

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She thought she�d lost everything . . .

After spending months traveling the harsh, unforgiving Mesopotamian desert, Jayden reunites with a broken, injured Kadesh. Although everyone was convinced the violent and unpredictable Horeb, Jayden�s betrothed, killed the handsome prince, Jayden knew in her heart that her love was alive and safe. But their reunion is short-lived, as they learn Horeb is on their trail and determined to take back the girl he has claimed. Soon, the two star-crossed lovers are on the run toward Sariba, Kadesh�s homeland, where, as heir to the Kingdom, he plans to make Jayden his princess.

But the trek to Sariba is fraught with heartache and danger. After narrowly escaping being stoned to death for a crime she didn�t commit, and learning that her sister has disappeared, Jayden�s only solace is her love for Kadesh. But even he is keeping secrets from her . . . secrets that will change everything.

This gorgeous and enchanting sequel to Forbidden, is full of love, danger, and heated passion that will leave readers breathless.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

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

Review: Messenger of Truth (Maisie Dobbs #4) by Jacqueline Winspear

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: Messenger of Truth (Maisie Dobbs #4) by Jacqueline Winspear

So after reading the third Maisie book, I was kind of on a ‘Great War’ mysteries kick so I decided to continue on with the next book in the series, Messenger of Truth.

I was impressed with how the third book developed and the next book sounded equally as intriguing that I just couldn’t help myself.

This time Maisie is called to assist on what appears to be an accident. Up and coming controversial artist Nicholas Bassington-Hope is set to open an exhibit that has been receiving a lot of hype. The night before the big event, he takes a fall from the scaffolding, breaking his neck.

It appears to be a clear cut accident however, his twin sister Georgina, just knows it’s not an accident and enlists Maisie to help solve the case.

Maisie jumps head first into the mysterious underworld of fine art. She again uncovers the dark legacy of the Great War in a society struggling to recollect itself in difficult times. But to solve the mystery of the artist’s death, she will have to remain steady as the forces behind his death come out of the shadows to silence her.

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

Review: The Violinist of Venice: A Story of Vivaldi by Alyssa Palombo

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: The Violinist of Venice: A Story of Vivaldi by Alyssa Palombo

Oh how I love a great historical romance novel……add in some classical music and you have a wonderfully delightful read!

Adriana d’Amato adores music, except there is one big problem….her father has forbidden her to cultivate her gift for the violin. But do you think that’s going to stop her? Of course not!

She begins sneaking out of her family’s palazzo under the cover of night to take violin lessons from violinist and composer Antonio Vivaldi. However, what begins as secret lessons swiftly evolves into a passionate, consuming love affair.

Adriana’s father is set on her marrying a wealthy man….and though this suitor has things to love, Adriana’s heart belongs to Vivaldi. Besides the whole marrying another man thing there is a larger problem keeping the two apart…..Vivaldi is a priest which basically makes the relationship forbidden in the church and in society.

Vivaldi and Adriana know that their affair must end when she marries but there will be events that change the path of their lives forever.

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Review: Pardonable Lies (Maisie Dobbs #3) by Jacqueline Winspear

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: Pardonable Lies (Maisie Dobbs #3) by Jacqueline Winspear

I have had a love hate relationship with the Maisie Dobbs books over the years. I read the first one and just wasn’t overly impressed but I pressed on and read the second and again felt like I wasn’t connecting with the series in the way that I had hoped.

But I keep pushing myself to read them because not only do I love the covers but I love the time period! I love books set either during the Great War or in the years immediately following in England.

This should be a series that I fell in love with based on the setting but I struggled to really connect with Maisie as a character so I just haven’t loved this series in the way that I hoped. But I am all for foraging through….not indefinitely mind you but I decided that if I read the third book and still didn’t enjoy it then I was going to give up.

I recently binge watched the Miss Fisher Mysteries on Netflix and I was feeling like I wanted to read a mystery with a female detective, maybe a little romance, and set after the Great War…..so rather than read an actual Miss Fisher novel, I settled on the third Maisie Dobbs book….mostly because I was so in love with the Miss Fisher TV series that I didn’t want to change anything by reading one of the books so…..here we are!

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