Tag: Historic Fiction

Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Northern Reach by W.S. Winslow

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: The Northern Reach by W.S. Winslow

There is something about the rugged wildness of the coastline that adds so much atmosphere to a book. While I love the calming languid waters of the tropical islands, there is something so much more dramatic about a rocky untamed coast. This book is set on the Maine coast and that is one of the reasons this book caught my eye.

The other reason this one sounds so captivating is that it sounds like a pensive book that will give readers pause and reflect on their lives and the complexity of family and location. I think it’s going to offer a unique perspective for readers and give them something to think about and discuss.

This book spans a number of years and I am curious to see how that plays out. It starts in 1907 and continues through 2017 in a town where everyone is related on one way or another. I think that’s going to be an interesting angle and I am really excited to check this one out and see how it comes together, plus it’s been receiving solid positive reviews. It is out now and I can’t wait to read it later this spring!

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

Review: Spellmaker (Spellbreaker Duology #2) by Charlie N. Holmberg

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Spellmaker (Spellbreaker Duology #2) by Charlie N. Holmberg

I haven’t had very good luck with duologies. I typically find them to feel unfinished. There is something about the trilogy of three books that rounds out a story in a way that two books just doesn’t. So often I tend to pass on them, but then I was pitched Charlie N Holmberg’s Spellbreaker duology.

The covers for Holmberg’s books are whimsical and really stand out to me. They are easy to identify and the suggest something historical mixed with fantasy and I couldn’t pass on the first book. It just sounded so good and I did enjoy it so reading the second book in the duology was a no brainer for me! These books are quick reads and I really enjoyed diving back into Holmberg’s rich world!

I still feel the a trilogy would have worked better in this particular series but as duologies go, this one wasn’t bad at all. I enjoyed many aspects of this one and am excited to read more books by Holmberg!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: Windhall by Ava Barry

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Special Feature: Windhall by Ava Barry

Like many devoted Netflix fans, I binge watched the new true crime documentary, Crime Scene the story of Elisa Lam. There is something about mysteries set in Lala Land that just add so much intrigue and a twisted sort of glamour. After watching the documentary, I was interested in finding not only some true crime books but also some thrillers that were also set in Hollywood.

That was one of the reasons that this book is so timely for me—it’s a murder mystery set in old Hollywood. I am so excited to share about this book with you guys today! If you love Hollywood’s golden age, starlets, investigative journalists, and of course murder then this is one you want to get on your radar! I am so excited to read it this spring but it’s out now and if you have been looking for a new murder mystery to read, this one might be your book!

Not to mention this amazing cover! This cover is so reminiscent of a Hollywood movie poster and I am in love with it! This is author Ava Barry’s debut and I think it’s going to be a hit for her and I will be sure to share my review here with you guys once I do read it but for now check out all the details below!

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

Re-Share Review: Who Speaks for the Damned (Sebastian St. Cyr #15) by C.S. Harris

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Re-Share Review: Who Speaks for the Damned (Sebastian St. Cyr #15) by C.S. Harris

Sebastian St Cyr is one of my all time favorite detectives. I love all of the books and I am actually currently reading the next book which is great by the way! I loved the series so much that I went back and read the entire series beginning to end last year so that I could get a more complete picture of Sebastian and the secondary characters.

I had jumped around in the series when I started the books and while I wasn’t exactly lost, there were times when I could tell that I was missing out one some nuances between the characters and the larger narrative. So I went back and started at the beginning and it was so great for me to do that because I fell in love withe the story and characters even more.

That said you don’t have to read all the books in order necessarily. Some you do but for the most part they can stand alone. This one was one of the books that could stand alone. I am so excited to re-share my review with you guys today because I just love this series so much and the characters and mysteries are fantastic! If you love historical mysteries you need Sebastian St Cyr on your radar!

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

Review: The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

When I saw this book, the cover made it hard to pass on. The cover is so eye catching and colorful that I couldn’t look away! I loved it and was immediately curious what this book was all about! Then I read the back…..ummmm sold after the two rules! I couldn’t wait to check this one out!

In the summary the first line is this: Rule #1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman. Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register. I mean poison and murder in the late 1700s?! YES! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one!

I also saw that this book was announced as a Book of the Month pick for March and while I have a copy of this one on my iPad, I also ordered the hard copy as my BOTM too! It’s a gorgeous book and the story was so so so good! I am so excited to share this one with you guys today! If you love historical fiction and thrillers this one is wonderful!

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