Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Seaside Library by Brenda Novak

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: The Seaside Library by Brenda Novak

There are a few ‘beach read’ authors that I love featuring and reading as the sunshine starts peaking out in the spring and one of them is Brenda Novak! I have enjoyed her books and while she also write holiday themed books, I have a special place in my heart for her summer beach reads. Novak is a prolific writer and has many many many novels under her belt most of which are women’s fiction/romance but some have elements of mystery as well. I am super excited to share this one with you guys today, as it sounds like it’s going to have her trademark women’s fiction/romance blend but also a mystery element.

Plus doesn’t the title, The Seaside Library, sound so fun?! I would read the book just based on the title. Even though the title suggests something light and maybe a bit fluffy, it sounds like this book has a bit more substance than the title suggests. This book also features an old murder so I think there are going to be things that appeal to lots of readers not just fans women’s fiction or beach read fans. There is going to be all that but also romance and a murder mystery angle.

If you are looking for a tried and true author then Brenda Novak is it. She has written so many novels and has a huge fan base, including myself. Whenever I read one of her books, I always find that the books are well written, interesting and page turners. While some I have liked more than others (as have had some of her fans noted) overall I find that her books are always diverting and enjoyable even if I like some more than others. If you are looking for a book for your breach bag this summer, then this book and author might be it! Take a look at this upcoming new release and see what you think!

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

Review: A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J Maas (Audible Edition)

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J Maas (Audible Edition)

After devouring the first book, naturally I moved onto the second one. I basically finished the first book and immediately went on to this one with out any really break in between. I will try to keep this review mostly spoiler free but this series must absolutely be read in order and since the second book is a continuation of the first, there will be some spoilers going forward. So if you don’t want my review to spoil anything, then I would suggest to stop reading after the next few paragraphs. Reader be warned.

If you haven’t read this series yet, I will say I thought it was a worthwhile read. I have enjoyed the series thus far (I am currently through book 3) and I am eager to read more books by Sarah J Maas. Her Throne of Glass series appeals to me quite a bit so I am excited to read more from this author. I would say this book is more of a new adult book rather than a young adult novel. The difference are subtle but basically this book has more sex than a traditional young adult novel would.

Of all the books in the series though, this one is probably my favorite and probably the longest. It comes in at over 600 pages which is about 200 pages more than the other books in the series. While it’s the longer book in the series, for me it went really quick. If you have read this series already, then I am curious which book was your favorite! Drop it in the comments below and let me know! Now let’s take a look at what I loved about this book and what I didn’t!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature/Excerpt: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature/Excerpt: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright

If I was just looking at this book cover I would have thought two things—-it was set in France and it was a historical romance novel. Well I am semi right, it is a historical romance BUT it also has some Gothic elements with a bit of mystery. Though it is not set in France as I suspected but rather a Wisconsin castle. Random.

I haven’t really been to the Midwest and it’s decidedly not the setting I was expecting or can even wrap my mind around but here we are. Even if the setting sounded a bit random for me, I was excited about this one all the same. If for nothing else—-the Gothic elements. This book sounds like it has that in spades and I thought it sounded compelling to have two story lines, one from the past and one from present day. Plus I am open to exploring new settings and I love old dilapidated castles so how could I pass on this one?!

I couldn’t fit it into my review schedule but I definitely have it on my TBR for this fall! This book is right up my alley in terms of content just my calendar was full for the spring. So instead I opted to do an except and I am already loving the tone and mood of this book! If you are a fan of Gothic romances I think you are going to enjoy this book! I am a big Victoria Holt fan so this book is giving my all the Victoria Holt vibes and I am here for it! This author is a new to me author but she has written a number of other Gothic historical mysteries/romances which all have rave reviews, I cannot wait to check this one out! Keep reading to see the excerpt and try before you buy!

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Books

Special Feature/Excerpt: When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature/Excerpt: When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder

Authors like Hannah Linder and Julia Klassen have a corner stone on historical Christian fiction for a reason. They are both tried and proven authors and I personally have enjoyed many of their books. I love historical Christian fiction as they often feature a love interest and some kind of mystery a little reminiscent of Victoria Holt. Often the books feature a governess or woman who is down on her luck and happens to find work at a manor house with a checkered past and a dashing but brooding hero that the heroine can’t resist falling for.

It’s a troupe that never gets old for me and one that for whatever reason seems to be the dominant troupe in many historical Christian fiction books. When I saw this book was coming out, I was really excited to share with you guys, I have an excerpt as well as a bunch of other info about the book so be sure to keep reading! Sadly I couldn’t fit this one into my review schedule but know that I have enjoyed many of Linder’s books and found them to be well written with interesting female characters and a great romance, I have no reason to suspect this one would be any different. There are others on this tour who reviews the book so I encourage you to make a stop on their blogs to see what they though! All the details and links can be found below!

In some of the reviews I am seeing online for this book, many have been very favorable with four and five star ratings from many, many reviewers! Many are praising the romance and historical setting saying it has a Great Expectations feel to it and I cannot wait to check it out! Anything that hints at a bit of the Gothic always gets me and this one sounds like it might have a bit of that within the story. But see for yourself by reading this little excerpt below!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman

This is author, Ella Burman’s, second novel and at first glance it looked like it was going to be more women’s fiction. The cover implied a carefree summer with friends. But then upon reading the summary I was like—-oh—-not that. This book promises some fun carefree summer of innocence but it also promises to have that illusion dispelled with a mystery! This book will follow three friends who have a life changing experience on a Greek island in their teens.

The tragedy will follow them into adulthood and readers will get to explore what kind of impact that tragedy has on them. I loved the sound of this one. It has a lot of things that appealed to me as a reader, a complex cast of female friends, a glamorous privileged setting, and lots of promised suspense and secrets. I am super excited to check this one out this spring/summer. It ticks a lot of boxes for me when it comes to my choice of thrillers and suspense novels.

Early reviews have been raving about this one, calling it new, unique, and emotional. Lots of reviewers have commented on the tantalizing story that gives readers something new to sink their teeth into and I am simply so excited to share about this book today! While I couldn’t fit it into my review schedule for this month, I do plan on checking this one out and adding to my TBR list. If you are looking for a solid thriller with a glamorous cast of characters then I think you are going to really enjoy this one! Keep reading to get all the details and to snag yourself a copy as it’s out now!

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