Tag: Historic Fiction

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

Review: In Royal Service to the Queen: A Novel of the Queen’s Governess by Tessa Arlen

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: In Royal Service to the Queen: A Novel of the Queen’s Governess by Tessa Arlen

Tessa Arlen is an author that I don’t think get’s enough credit or recognition. She’s a wonderful author who I always feel like is on the fringes of the historical fiction genre. She’s written a few mysteries series that I have enjoyed over the years and whenever I see that she has a new book coming out, I am always excited. Yet I don’t see her books getting the same hype as other historical and historical mystery writers.

Which means—-she is a diamond in the rough! She writes smart mysteries with wonderful historical details. I especially love her Poppy Redfern series for historical details. When I saw that she has a book coming out about the Queen’s governess, I simply knew she would pour all the same historical details into this historical fiction piece.

With the death of Prince Philip earlier this year as well the the success of The Crown, the time is ripe for novels about the Queen and her life with Philip. I have read a couple of books about the early life of Queen Elizabeth but when I saw that Arlen was going to be writing one, I knew I had to immediately get it on my TBR!

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Special Feature and Excerpt: A McKenzie Sisters Mystery Series

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Special Feature and Excerpt: A McKenzie Sisters Mystery Series

I have really enjoyed  MK McClintock’s books that I have read in the past and seeing her new McKenzie Sisters mystery series is coming out soon, I just knew I had to participate in the book tour! Sadly I couldn’t fit in the books to read but I was able to secure a post about each of the books as well as an excerpt from them to share with you guys!

If you enjoy historical fiction but are wanting to try an author that’s off the beaten path, then McClintock is it! This series features strong heroines and is set in the American West! McClintock has written other novels set in England but this setting really appealed to me! I think the setting will give readers a new setting to really explore and appreciate.

Plus reading a mystery set in the American West feels different and new to me while still having McClintock’s historical knowledge and practiced hand at the forefront of the story! Check out the excerpts below and read a little about each book and see if this is something that you might enjoy! I know I am looking forward to checking them out!

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Special Feature: A Rogue’s Company (Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery #3) by Allison Montclair

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: A Rogue’s Company (Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery #3) by Allison Montclair

The Sparks and Bainbridge series is relatively young in its inception. I read the first two books but couldn’t get this one in this month—though I do plan on reading it later on this year. The series, overall, has been solid with loads of four and five star reviews flooding Amazon and Goodreads (mine among them!). Montclair is a talented writer when it comes to murder mysteries but one of the things I enjoy most about her books is the way that the mystery unfolds.

It’s always thought out and polished. Since this series is still new, the author does a great job catching new readers up to speed with characters and other side plots while still maintaining the focus on the mystery itself. Since this is only the third book, it’s easy for readers to go back and catch up on other books in the series if they are so inclined.

I feel confident recommending this new installment, as the other two have been solid and wonderful to read! If you are unsure if you should pick this one up mid series, I feel confident that readers will quickly find their bearings and become invested in the series. If you love historical mysteries with smart lady detectives, you don’t want to miss this one! It’s a wonderful new series and this installment promises to give readers something to enjoy over the summer!

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

Review: A Peculiar Combination (Electra McDonnell #1) by Ashley Weaver

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: A Peculiar Combination (Electra McDonnell #1) by Ashley Weaver

I have really enjoyed Ashley Weaver’s Amory Ames books so when I saw she was coming out with a new lady detective series and with a heroine by the name of Electra (Ellie for short), I knew this was going to be a great, great read! Clearing my schedule, I added this one to my early summer reading list and I am so glad that I did!

The Amory Ames series has been fun and I have liked the books I have read, but this book felt so much more complete for some reason (I will get to my thoughts on that in a minute!). Historical mysteries are my favorites, especially when it includes a little romance between the murder and investigating. But as many historical fiction/mystery readers know, WWII and the Victorian era are saturated with books.

So the question becomes how does an author distinguish their new lady detective series? It’s a tough question, for me the thing that caught my eye about this one was the name of the heroine. I loved her flashy and memorable name, it conjured images of a brazen, bold heroine that I just couldn’t get out of my head. That was what made me pick this one up in the sea of WWII historical mysteries!

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Special Feature: Ruined by The Bachelor Marquess (The Bachelor #2) by Cecilia Rene

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Special Feature: Ruined by The Bachelor Marquess (The Bachelor #2) by Cecilia Rene

Publication Date: May 21, 2021

Series: The Bachelor Series, Book 2
Genre: Historical Romance

Will a second chance at love be enough to heal old wounds?

He failed everyone…especially her.

Henry Livingstone, the Marquess of Heartford, was destroyed by the fire that claimed his sister’s life. Haunted by her death, he fled his home and the woman he loved. When he finally returns to restore his family’s wealth, he’s met with his demons, both old and new, including Lady Julia St. John, his former fiancée and the woman he scandalously abandoned at the altar.

Once a diamond of the first water, Lady Julia St. John is a victim of cruel gossip and shunned from society. To salvage her pride, she focuses on family and rediscovers a passion for painting. Never did she imagine that she would ever see the Marquess of Heartford again…or face her utterly unresolved feelings for him. She should hate him…but hate is the last thing she feels.

When sparks fly under the same roof and attraction eclipses heartbreak, Henry and Julia are left with a choice—take the risk and fight their way to a second chance at love, or walk away forever.

Available on Amazon

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