Tag: Historic Fiction

Books, Reading

Cover Reveal: The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Cover Reveal: The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau

The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau

Publication: Fall 2018
Endeavour Quill

Genre: Historical Fiction

What would you do to possess the most coveted color in the world? The year is 1758, and a headstrong woman artist, 24-year-old Genevieve Planche, is caught up in a high-stakes race to discover the ultimate color, one that threatens to become as deadly as it is lucrative. When Genevieve’s mission is complicated by her falling in love with the chemist behind the formula, she discovers the world of blue is filled with ruthless men and women and how high the stakes really are. The story sweeps readers from the worlds of the silk-weaving refugees of London’s Spitalfields and the luxury-obsessed drawing rooms of Grosvenor Square to the porcelain factory of Derby and, finally, magnificent Sevres Porcelain in the shadow of Versailles. And running through it all: the dangerous allure of the color blue.

“Bilyeau’s sumptuous tale of mystery and intrigue transports the reader into the heart of the 18th century porcelain trade—where the price of beauty was death”’ E.M. Powell, author of the Stanton & Barling medieval mystery series.

Add to your Goodreads here! 

Continue reading “Cover Reveal: The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau” →

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

Review: The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

This book was everywhere last year. It was first published in June of 2017 and it’s been every where ever since. All over my social media, on all my friends ‘to read’ or ‘favorite’ shelfs, and at my local library as a librarian favorite.

It sounded like something that would be right up my alley, but for some reason it just didn’t scream ‘read me’ even though I had it sitting in my Kindle library for months. Part of me was worried about the hype and another part of me just wasn’t into reading a war time friendship story as I prefer war time romances generally.

However, this last month on the #historicalfix chat on Twitter, this was the featured book and there was a Q & A with Kate Quinn and after following along with the chat I was curious and eager to check this book out after all this time.

In an enthralling new historical novel from national bestselling author Kate Quinn, two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption. Continue reading “Review: The Alice Network by Kate Quinn” →

Books, Reading

Special Feature: Madam of My Heart by Gini Grossenbacher

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: Madam of My Heart by Gini Grossenbacher

Madam of My Heart
by Gini Grossenbacher

Publication Date: February 6, 2017
eBook & Paperback; 476 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-0998380605

Series: American Madams, #1
Genre: Historical Fiction/Victorian

 

 

Baltimore, 1849. During a scandalous crisis, the young Irish Brianna Baird flees her home at Fells Point. With little cash and only a seamstress’s trade, she braves the hypnotic streets of New Orleans. The tantalizing Madam DeSalle lures her to her brothel, then sells her to the dashing but questionable gambler, Edward Spina, who falls in love with her. In a tawdry alliance with these two profiteers, Brianna embarks on a journey through the French Quarter’s debauched and glittering Voodoo world. Facing the horrors of slavery, she triumphs by gaining freedom papers for her maid Emma’s enslaved husband and son. Brianna and Edward escape with them to San Francisco. There she becomes one of the most sought after madams in the gold rush parlor house trade. But will her fame and pluck be enough to save Edward from the Vigilante noose? This is the first book in the American Madams series.

“A debut historical novel that chronicles the struggles, loves, and joys of an exceptional madam in 19th-century America. Grossenbacher’s book, the first in a planned series, dramatizes the early life and busy career of a woman named Brianna Baird. Grossenbacher’s prose is both graceful and inventive. She absorbingly limns the various cities Brianna inhabits, from New Orleans and its ‘web of Creole cottages, chaotic marketplaces, and secretive balconies, simmering outside her window, ‘ to the rowdy atmosphere of frontier-era San Francisco. The occasional marvelous metaphor will surprise readers, as when ‘the truth hit Brianna like a badly aimed bowling pin.’ This isn’t just a novel for lovers of history’s more prurient corners; it’s for everyone who likes well-deployed language and intense stories. A seamier side of American history, engagingly told through one woman’s unexpected adventures.” -Kirkus Reviews, A Recommended Review

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Continue reading “Special Feature: Madam of My Heart by Gini Grossenbacher” →

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

Review: Come From Away by Genevieve Graham

by The Lit Bitch8 Comments on Review: Come From Away by Genevieve Graham

I love when new authors find me and think that I will like their books. I am always intrigued because with the internet it’s hard to get a feel for people sometimes so when an author asks me if I would like to review their book or they think it’s something I will like—it always makes me pause.

I can honestly say that I give every single book that comes across my desk for review, my full and complete consideration for this reason. Authors, publishers, friends on social media…..I read all the pitches. Now that doesn’t mean that I review them all, but if it truly is something I’m interested in reading and I have time then I’m usually in.

That’s how I stumbled on to Genevieve Graham. She found me and asked it I would review her book, TIDES OF HONOUR, back in 2015.  I was blown away by the subject matter, characters, and the historical period as well as the added Canadian perspective in WWI.

I was thrilled when she asked if I would be interested in reading her latest novel, COME FROM AWAY, and I didn’t even hesitate….absolutely! Continue reading “Review: Come From Away by Genevieve Graham” →

Books, Reading

Special Feature: THE PARIS SPY (Maggie Hope Mystery #7) by Susan Elia MacNeal

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: THE PARIS SPY (Maggie Hope Mystery #7) by Susan Elia MacNeal

Earlier this year I read the latest Maggie Hope mystery, THE PARIS SPY and was once again hooked on our favorite secretary turned spy!

I happened to find this series via the cover. I saw the cover on one of my social media platforms back in 2012 and just knew that I had to read this book…..I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an ARC when it came up and was hooked!

I have since read all of the Maggie books and was thrilled to learn that more are planned—I am not ready to say goodbye to my favorite red head just yet.

This series has always been solid….each book rates around a 4 or a 5 for me. Sometimes I don’t always like the direction that Maggie goes but I love that she is consistent and a different kind of heroine. Today the wonderful creator of Maggie, Susan Elia MacNeal, celebrates the release of her latest novel in paperback!

If you have yet to discover this series, start with the first book, MR CHURCHILL’S SECRETARY, but if you are a long time fan of this series like me, then be on the look out for the paperback version of this book available 4/17!  Continue reading “Special Feature: THE PARIS SPY (Maggie Hope Mystery #7) by Susan Elia MacNeal” →