Tag: Downton Abbey

Books, Giveaway, Reading

Giveaway: BLACK DIAMONDS by Catherine Bailey

by The Lit Bitch8 Comments on Giveaway: BLACK DIAMONDS by Catherine Bailey

Are you going through Downton Abbey withdrawals?

I don’t know about you  but I know I am! If you are longing for more history and mystery from this exciting era in English history this book is going to be exactly what you are looking for!

Thanks to the publisher, I am ecstatic to be able to offer a copy of Black Diamonds by Catherine Bailey for your enjoyment!

Giveaway runs 2/19/15 to 2/26/15

Winners will be announced 2/27/15.

(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/CANADA ONLY AND NO PO BOX)

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

Review: Black Diamonds: The Downfall of an Aristocratic Dynasty and the Fifty Years That Changed England by Catherine Bailey

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Black Diamonds: The Downfall of an Aristocratic Dynasty and the Fifty Years That Changed England by Catherine Bailey

Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. Catherine Bailey chronicles the rise and fall of the Fitzwilliam coal mining dynasty in Yorkshire England.

The Fitzwilliam family was at one time, one of the wealthiest families in all of England.

So how does this extensive fortune and massive house end up on the real estate market in 2014 in need of mass repairs?

Well that’s what Bailey decides to find out. What follows is this outstanding narrative about the rise and fall of this aristocratic family, a fortune worth 3 billion pounds by today’s standards, and a family full of salacious scandal, family feuds, and dark secrets.

This book was scandalous and I loved it! I am a huge fan of Bailey’s first biography, The Secret Rooms which I read last year. I love reading about the British aristocracy and royals, because again, sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.

Continue reading “Review: Black Diamonds: The Downfall of an Aristocratic Dynasty and the Fifty Years That Changed England by Catherine Bailey” →

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

Review: Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman (Lady Montfort Mystery #1) by Tessa Arlen

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman (Lady Montfort Mystery #1) by Tessa Arlen

A Downton Abbey-esque murder mystery? Yes please!

Lady Montfort is eagerly anticipating and planning her annual costume ball. Every year she tries to out do herself and plan an over the top event.

Well what would be more memorable than discovering a body?

Teddy is not the most endearing victim. Teddy was the nephew of Lord Montford who was constantly involved in scandal. Most recently he was involved in a gambling ring at Oxford that caused him the be expelled.

Having him home for the costume ball is not exactly the most desirable scenarios but he is after all family. Well while taking a stroll around her property before the ball, Lady Montford overhears a heated argument between Teddy and her own son.

Her son tells Teddy that he will break his neck, Lady Montford realizes she is afraid of her son’s rage in that moment but doesn’t interrupt to argument.

Well when Teddy’s body is discovered later, he has a broken neck–he was hanged.

Continue reading “Review: Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman (Lady Montfort Mystery #1) by Tessa Arlen” →

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

Review: An Affair Downstairs (Thornbrook Park #2) by Sherri Browning

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: An Affair Downstairs (Thornbrook Park #2) by Sherri Browning

Though not a baron himself, Logan Winthrop, is from a wealthy family. But he has a colored past. It’s rumored that he killed a man and now lives in shame as an estate manager at Thornbrook Park.

Things are more or less tolerable for Logan…that is until the feisty Lady Alice Emerson sets her sights on him.

Lady Alice has zero interest in marriage but her sister, The Countess of Aberford, intends to make an advantageous match for Alice one way or another.

Alice has a bucket list of sorts….travel and most importantly, have a lover. Nothing major or long term, she just wants to make love once so she can say she did it, and then move on.

Continue reading “Review: An Affair Downstairs (Thornbrook Park #2) by Sherri Browning” →

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

Review: Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn

by The Lit Bitch5 Comments on Review: Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn

Deanna Raybourn has been an author long on my radar. I hear wonderful things about her Lady Jane series from a number of people.

So when the opportunity to review her latest standalone book, I was eager to try her books out!

Poppy Hammond, is all set to marry into an aristocratic family but she has other plans which include making a run for it.

She is assisted by the dashing curate Sebastian Cantrip who helps her escape to her family’s house where she can have some time to think and sort out her life.

Before she can thank Sebastian for his assistance, he disappears and she sets her mind to finding him. She soon realizes Sebastian has lied to her about who he is. She discovers that he has fled to Damascus. What in the world took him there?! She is determined to figure out what exactly is going on here.

Continue reading “Review: Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn” →