Tag: Historic Fiction

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

Review: The Next Ship Home: A Novel of Ellis Island by Heather Webb

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Next Ship Home: A Novel of Ellis Island by Heather Webb

Heather Webb is such an incredibly gifted writer. I have read and loved many of her novels, she has written independent novels and cowritten novels with Hazel Gaynor. All of them have been wonderful reads and I always look forward to her upcoming novels. This book was obviously no different. I had this one on my radar for months!

When I was a little girl I was fascinated by Ellis Island. I recall learning about is in 5th grade and really romanticizing the idea of coming to a completely new country and having to navigate a new culture, in many cases a new language, and to try and make a home. I think I watched the film Fievel Goes West a million times as a kid and as I got older, other films like Far and Away, Titanic and The Godfather II because I was so interested in this time period and immigration. Even as an adult, I focused a large part of my masters degree to western migration and the Oregon Trail during the mid to late 1800s with Ellis Island being a key part of my research.

Obviously this book is HIGH up on my TBR list and I couldn’t wait to dive in and start reading but I held off so that I could savor it and enjoy it rather than burn through it too quick. I easily could have read this one in one sitting but I did draw it out so that I could savor it because it was just a great read and I love Webb’s prose!

Continue reading “Review: The Next Ship Home: A Novel of Ellis Island by Heather Webb” →
Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Night Train to Berlin by Melanie Hudson

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Night Train to Berlin by Melanie Hudson

Ya’ll know how much of a sucker I am for WWII romances and historical fiction (which generally includes some kind of romantic element). I just can’t say no and that lovely cover just drew me in. Lately I’ve been reading some easy romances and a couple of solid thrillers so I haven’t really been in the mood to snag a more emotional war time novel but this one just stood out and I knew it was something that I would most likely love.

I also love the Cornish coast so any book set there is a win-win for me. Author Melanie Hudson’s debut novel, The Last Letter from Juliet, was a bestseller and secured many new fans for her work. I haven’t read her debut novel but it sounded like a bit hit! So when this one came up for review, I didn’t hesitate to review it knowing how popular her first book was even if I hadn’t read it.

This book is certainly for fans of Kate Quinn as well as Pam Jenoff, this book has so many great things, history, war, emotion, love, loss, and all the feels. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to more books from Hudson! As a relatively new voice in historical fiction, it is exciting to see how strong this novel was!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature and Excerpt: A Lullaby for Witches by Hester Fox

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature and Excerpt: A Lullaby for Witches by Hester Fox

I first discovered Hester Fox a couple of years ago and absolutely fell in love with her gothic/supernatural romances. I have read almost all of them and naturally I have this one on my radar to read a little later this year. If you love witchy books then this one needs to be on your TBR list! Fox has such a wonderful way of incorporating history into her books and making it come alive in the story.

I have every hope and expectation that this book will follow Fox’s pattern of interesting gothic feeling history mixed in to a supernatural romance. This book sounds like it’s going to follow two time periods with one plot taking place in the modern era and the other in the past. Fox lives on the east coast and her love of the east coast shines in many of her novels and I cannot wait to discover that in this book.

Typically I read her books in the fall when it’s cold and heading into the long nights of fall, but as this one is coming out now, I think it could be a fun wintery read. I will have this on up for review soon so be watching for that but for now take a sneak peak at this fun excerpt to see if it’s going to be something to peak your interest! I love her story telling style and atmosphere so I already know I am going to love it!

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

Review: The Siren of Sussex (Belles of London #1) by Mimi Matthews

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Siren of Sussex (Belles of London #1) by Mimi Matthews

Mimi Matthews has been a long time auto-buy author for me. I’ve read all her books and have loved each and every one of them. Watching her author journey from early on has been so exciting and rewarding but in some ways sad. For me she was my best kept secret in the historical fiction genre and now the secret is out about how amazing she is with this big publishing house release!

Matthews is a master at creating realistic female characters with charming heroes that come together with electric chemistry. I have raved about her books to friends, family, and all over my social media! She’s amazing and I cannot wait for the masses to read this book. No secret, I adored it and read it in one sitting (which is often the case for all her books!).

If you are looking for a book to fill the Bridgerton sized hole in your life, then you need to pick this one up. I am also thrilled to see this one is the first in a new series for Matthews so I can come back and revisit this charming world and characters she has created. If you love historical romances and well drawn characters you need to read this book! Plus THAT COVER!!! I am in love with the cover, it adds such pizzaz and would make me snatch it right off the shelf!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Bookseller of Paris by Kerri Maher

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: The Bookseller of Paris by Kerri Maher

There is something about bookstores and war time historical fiction that makes for such a great pairing! When I read the description of this book I knew I had to get it on everyones radar! It sounds so charming and well researched that I couldn’t pass up at least bringing a feature to you guys! May calendar for reviews has been so full and I have been scaling back on some of my reviews just to keep up with life, work, and blogging. This one was so hard for me to decide on because it sounds so wonderful! I wanted to review it of course but could only fit in a feature. Now that doesn’t mean that I won’t review it in the future because hot damn it sound wonderful!

Like so many readers the Shakespeare and Company book store in Paris is practically legend! I was there years ago and absolutely loved it, but that was before I knew much about its history and significance in the reading world. Since then I have read other books and heard other fellow readers raving about the shop—-clearly it has a magical draw for readers and authors alike. When I saw this book tells a bit of the story of Shakespeare and Company, I jumped at the chance to feature it on my blog today!

If you are a reader and love visiting used bookstores—-this is the book for you! Author Kerri Maher has written other historical fiction novels, all of which have received rave reviews and are hailed as being well researched. I am sure this one will measure up. It is out now and I am sure you will all want to get this one on your reading radar for the spring! Check it out now!

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