Books, Reading

Special Feature: Life and Other Love Songs by Anissa Gray

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: Life and Other Love Songs by Anissa Gray

Are you looking for something that you can really sink your teeth into this summer? I know a lot of readers tend to steer toward lighter fluffy reads over the summer for vacation or for their beach bags. But there are some readers who really want something that has more substance and things to unpack and think about. That’s what this book offers readers, something to read, enjoy, and also think about. This book follows and African American family through the 1960s and 1990s as the trapeze through some difficult times in American history.

But this isn’t a history book. This book is about people and the choices that impact their lives. Larger themes in this book include addiction, failures, the desire to improve ones life, and generational shifts through history. I love that this book is going to really touch on some of those larger themes and not just following a family through history and talking about the historical events but rather really looking at how the historical element impacts and shapes the lives of the characters.

This author is a new to me author and while I haven’t been able to fit this one into my review schedule, but I am sure some readers will recognize Anissa Gray from her debut novel, The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls, which was widely acclaimed back in 2019. This book promises to be a strong and well written follow up to her debut standalone. Early reviews of this book have been favorable which makes me excited to check this one out. If you are looking for something to sink your teeth into this summer, then I think this book is worth checking out!

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Review: The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton

I had my eye on Chanel Cleeton’s novels for years. Some of the books I have read multiple times, her books are simply solid historical fiction and I love coming back to the unique stories and characters time and again! The books have followed the Perez family for the most part and while each book follows the family, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a series. Each book can be read independently, though some of the characters carry over into other books, for the most part they all stand alone.

My knowledge of Cuba is limited to put it mildly. The things I know about Cuba can be summed up on one hand: it’s in the Caribbean, Pitbull is Cubano, Fidel Castro, Cuban Missile Crisis, and they speak Spanish. After reading Cleeton’s books I have learned so much more about Cuba, the people, the politics, and the history! I love her books for this reason! I feel like I am reading something truly new! Her books aren’t historically heavy either. They have historical substance for sure, but it’s presented in a fun and easy to access kind of way.

Naturally when this book came up for review, I couldn’t pass it up. I knew I would enjoy it and it would contain fun new history, a romance, and a story that would hook me almost instantly. I was certainly not disappointed. If you are looking for a solid historical fiction novel this spring, do not pass this one up. If you haven’t read Cleeton’s books yet but are curious, pick any of them up they are all so good and this one has a special place in my heart as it was the first book I have read by her that didn’t directly follow the Perez sisters/family, which I thought might make me sad but it was thrilling all the same!

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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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