Review: Cherokee America by Margaret Verble

This book intrigued me for one reason—it sounded different. This is an ‘Own Voices’ book so I loved that it would be more about people on the fringes and as a historian this book held a lot of appeal to me.

It weaves Native American culture with a more traditional family narrative all set in a post Civil War world to create something unique and new. Based on that promise, I was eager to read this and see how it all worked together.

I haven’t read a lot of books set on the frontier or with Native American culture mixed in, so something like this book appealed to my curious side. Not to mention this cover is beautiful and eye catching so I didn’t want to miss out on it!

It also helps that the author was a finalist for the Pulizter Prize which says to me that it would be a well written book. Continue reading “Review: Cherokee America by Margaret Verble”

Special Feature and Giveaway: Why Kill the Innocent (Sebastian St. Cyr #13) by C.S. Harris

I only discovered Sebastian St Cyr two years ago and the entire time I was reading the first book in this series, I kept thinking to myself—why am I only now finding this series!?

I absolutely adore this series because it’s different and yet familiar at the same time. Lord Devlin is a lord but he isn’t the typical squeaky clean arm chair detective that you find in a number of other detective novels of the same period. I think it makes him stand out.

While this is an established series, I found that jumping around within the series was generally fine. Sure there were things I missed but overall, the books are mystery focused so popping in and out of books wasn’t difficult.

I read WHY KILL THE INNOCENT, which is #13 in the series just after I read WHAT ANGELS FEAR, which is #1 and found plenty to love in #13.

I am thrilled to be able to offer a copy of WHY KILL THE INNOCENT for giveaway this week! To enter please keep reading to the bottom of this post to find out how!

Summary

WHY KILL THE INNOCENT transports readers to 1814, during the height of a frigid London winter. Lady Devlin literally stumbles upon trouble when she trips over a cadaver on a snowy city street. She soon discovers that the body belongs to beautiful young musician Jane Ambrose, the piano instructor of the royal Princess Charlotte. Ambrose’s death stirs fear within the palace, and any investigation into the matter is quickly dismissed.

But Sebastian and Hero, determined to fight for justice, search all of London for Ambrose’s murderer. As the winter air turns bitterly cold, the brooding and contemplative Sebastian finds a chilling number of potential suspects, all with ample reason to kill the brilliant musician. Which of them forced Ambrose to take her final bow?

Giveaway runs 2/26/19-3/8/19

A winner will be announced 3/9/19

(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 ONLY AND NO PO BOX)

Make sure you note if you have done the following for more chances to win: Tweet about the giveaway (+1), share on Facebook (+1), like The Lit Bitch on Facebook (+1), follow The Lit Bitch on Twitter (+1), subscribe to The Lit Bitch’s blog (+1), follow The Lit Bitch on Instagram (+1). Tweet/RT about the giveaway (+1). Share about the giveaway (+1).

Review: The Chef’s Secret by Crystal King

When I first saw this title, it made me hungry.

The cover art did nothing to help that situation either. The trey of wine and fruit looks so appealing and I couldn’t help but think that I needed to crack open a bottle of wine to commemorate the beginning of this book!

Now if truth be told—I am neither a foodie or a wine drinker, but for this book I felt like I totally could be! I thought it sounded like a fun and interesting story told in a unique setting–so I said yes to reading it.

My sister got me a book on famous recipes from different Pope’s for Christmas and I thought this book would pair nicely with the book she got me!  Continue reading “Review: The Chef’s Secret by Crystal King”

Special Feature: We Shall See the Sky Sparkling by Susana Aikin

We Shall See the Sky Sparkling
by Susana Aikin

Publication Date: January 29, 2019
Kensington Publishing Corporation
Paperback & eBook; 416 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

 

Set in London and Russia at the turn of the century, Susana Aikin’s debut introduces a vibrant young woman determined to defy convention and shape an extraordinary future.

Like other well-bred young women in Edwardian England, Lily Throop is expected to think of little beyond marriage and motherhood. Passionate about the stage, Lily has very different ambitions. To her father’s dismay, she secures an apprenticeship at London’s famous Imperial Theatre. Soon, her talent and beauty bring coveted roles and devoted admirers. Yet to most of society, the line between actress and harlot is whisper-thin. With her reputation threatened by her mentor’s vicious betrayal, Lily flees to St. Petersburg with an acting troupe–leaving her first love behind.

Life in Russia is as exhilarating as it is difficult. The streets rumble with talk of revolution, and Lily is drawn into an affair with Sergei, a Count with fervent revolutionary ideals. Following Sergei when he is banished to Vladivostok, Lily struggles to find her role in an increasingly dangerous world. And as Russian tensions with Japan erupt into war, only fortitude and single-mindedness can steer her to freedom and safety at last.

With its sweeping backdrop and evocative details, We Shall See the Sky Sparkling explores a fascinating period in history through the eyes of a strong-willed, singular heroine, in a moving story of love and resilience.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Continue reading “Special Feature: We Shall See the Sky Sparkling by Susana Aikin”

Winner: WINTER SISTERS (Mary Sutter #2) by Robin Oliveira

And the winner of the paperback copy of Winter Sisters by Robin Oliveira is…..

Anne

The winner will be notified via email.

Thank you to everyone who entered and a huge thank you to the author for making this giveaway possible!