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

Review: It Takes Heart (Heart Resort #1) by Tif Marcelo

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: It Takes Heart (Heart Resort #1) by Tif Marcelo

This author has grown on me over the years. When I picked up one of her books I wasn’t sure what to expect but then I was completely lost in her stories and couldn’t wait to read more from her! One thing I noticed though was Marcelo writes a variety of stories. Not just women’s fiction but romance too. I was super excited to read this latest novel that was more contempo romance than women’s fiction.

Second chance romance isn’t really my favorite troupe but I was excited to see what Marcelo did with it in this book. One of the things that I also love about Marcelo’s writing is she incorporates her culture into the lives of the characters. Marcelo is Pilipino and many of her characters are also Pilipino and I just love how much interest that adds to the stories.

I am also excited to see this is part of a new series. I loved the setting and I am excited to see that we will get to return here and get to know more about the family perhaps in future books. If you are looking for a more contempo romance that has heart and culture then I think this will be a great read for you this summer! I know I enjoyed it!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature and Excerpt: The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gable

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature and Excerpt: The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gable

I have read and enjoyed a few of Michelle Gable’s books so when I saw that she was coming out with another book but set in England, I was eager to check it out. Gable generally writes great books and her historical detail is top shelf. This book sounds like it would be perfect for fans of Kate Quinn, so if you have read and enjoyed Quinn’s books then I think you would like this latest novel by Gable.

Today I also have an excerpt so if you are on the fence about this book or maybe just want to try it on for size and see if it sounds interesting then keep reading to check out the first chapter and of course get all the other details in this post. I read the excerpt and thought it sounded wonderful and I have added it to my TBR list for the fall/winter.

Sadly my review calendar for the summer was totally full but this one will be up on my blog a little later this year for review so be sure to watch for it. I love WWII book and even if the genre is full of great WWII historical fiction, I can never pass up just one more! I know that a lot of other fans of the genre would agree—there is no such thing as too much war time fiction!

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

Review: At Summer’s End by Courtney Ellis

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: At Summer’s End by Courtney Ellis

This book was my most anticipated book of the summer! The cover, the premise, swoon! Everything sounded so incredible! I couldn’t wait to dive into this one and I can tell you right now that I read it in a matter of days. I could have finished it in one siting but I breezed through it in just 2 days. It was so addicting and if you are a fan of historical fiction then you need to read this one. It boasts a unique romance, complex characters with a rich backdrop full of history and human rawness.

I am a huge fan of WWI historical romances and this should have been right up my alley for that reason alone, but I especially loved the ‘Beauty and the Beast meets Phantom of the Opera ‘ element to the story. But all of the amazing praise I have for this book was slightly tarnished by some of the issues between the characters. While I loved this one, I also felt a little conflicted about how the story unfolded and what kind of message it was sending to readers (more on that soon).

I want to say that I think readers should absolutely read this book without question. It’s well written, interesting, and romantic. But it isn’t without some issues.

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

Review: The Show Girl by Nicola Harrison

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Show Girl by Nicola Harrison

I had high expectations for this one. I loved the cover and I thought the premise of the story sounded promising not to mention I love historical fiction with romance so I thought this one would be one of my favorite reads of the summer. While I liked it, I don’t know that it lived up to me high expectations but I did like it and was glad I read it.

The 1920s are not necessarily my favorite time period in historical fiction but I liked the glamour that the time period brought to the story plus I liked how the author used that in this story. I will get into some more of that in my actual review but as for what attracted me to this one, I think the glamour of the cover and glamour of the description was what drew me in and made me say yes to this on.

I know that the 1920s are a big fan favorite in the historical fiction world so I think if you love the 1920s then no doubt you will love this book and not be able to get enough, but for me I had a hard time with some of the characters which is typically how I feel in general about books set in the 1920s. Now don’t get me wrong I love the fashion and glamour but it’s something about the party life style that I just can’t get behind.

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Steal by M. J. Rose and C. W. Gortner

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: The Steal by M. J. Rose and C. W. Gortner

Two of my favorite authors created a book baby and it’s The Steal! Both M.J. Rose and C. W. Gortner are outstanding writers in their own right and I am so excited to read this one and see how their unique voices and styles mesh in this historical fiction novel! Part mystery and part romance, this book sounds like it’s going to hit all the high notes for me!

Plus the cover reminds me of an old James Bond film or some other heist film from the 1950s and I am so here for it! I think the cover alone would be a reason to read this book but the story sounds fun too! Forbidden romance and jewels sounds like a wonderful escape from some of the heavier reading I have been doing lately!

This book is out now and receiving great reviews. As I said both Rose and Gortner have written some wonderful historical fiction and mixed in some great romance. Whenever I pick up one of their books, I never feel disappointed and I am looking forward to reading this one. I know that the classic heist style story here will be a hit with readers and fans of historical fiction. I know I have my eye on it for that reason! Be sure to check out all the details below and snag yourself a copy!

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