Tag: War Romance

Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

The Winged Tiara by J’nell Ciesielski

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on The Winged Tiara by J’nell Ciesielski

I have been a HUGE fan of J’nell Ciesielski ever since I read her first book and I have since read just about everything she has put out! She always tells a great romance and provides excellent historical detail. When I saw this book was coming out, it was a no brainer read for me. I have been so busy with just life in general that I have had a hard time balancing book reviews, work, and family life however this is one author that I would clear my schedule for because her writing is THAT GOOD.

For me personally, the 1920s isn’t really my era—-I know unpopular opinion! Anytime I see a book set during this time period I am always skeptical if I will like it or not, however I do know Ciesielski’s quality of writing and I knew it would be a book I would enjoy for the characters and romance even if it’s not my favorite historical time period.

If you are a fan of historical romances and want something more romantic versus sexy, then I think you will find a lot to love with Ciesielski’s books and this one in particular. She has a wonderful way of developing and writing interesting characters and romance and using the historical setting to highlight and compliment the romance and characters making it exciting and the history come alive.

Continue reading “The Winged Tiara by J’nell Ciesielski” →
Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Tuscan Daughter by Tessa Harris

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: The Tuscan Daughter by Tessa Harris

I have been a long time Tessa Harris fan! I read a few of her standalone books over the years and always feel like it was time well spent! I have also enjoyed her mystery series! It’s rare when an author can seamlessly cross over between different genres! She writes with knowledge on several topics and I have been looking forward to this one since I was first approached about it! I couldn’t wait to check it out!

This book takes us to Italy during WWII and gives us interesting insight into the resistance movement in Italy during that time. I don’t really have much background knowledge about the politics of Italy at the time or where they fit into WWII. Most of my own interest and research has been limited to England, France and Germany during this time. However when I saw this book was going to be set in Italy with this kind of new to me history, I was totally on board to review it!

Lately I have been kind of in this reading funk. The books I have been reading have been mostly by authors that I know I will love, but even then I have been so bogged down with work that reading has been difficult. But this book was one that I was anticipating for so long that I made sure I had time and room for it on my calendar and I am so glad that I did because it offered the escape that I desperately needed!

Continue reading “Review: The Tuscan Daughter by Tessa Harris” →
Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Foxhole Victory Tour by Amy Lynn Green

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Foxhole Victory Tour by Amy Lynn Green

Whenever I am looking at books for potential review, one of the first things I check out is the author. Is it someone I have read before? Seen around the bogging world? Maybe it’s someone I had on my TBR or it could be a new author that sounds interesting. In this case, Amy Lynn Green is a new to me author. I didn’t recognize any of her books nor had I heard any buzz for her, but sometimes that in of itself is a draw! Sometimes I want the authors that fly under the radar since buzz doesn’t always mean ‘must read’. That’s how I felt about this one, I wanted a new to my author so I could enjoy the book without pretense.

Besides being a new to me author, the other draw for this book was the setting. So many WWII books are set in England or France but this book is set in North Africa and instantly I felt compelled to read it! The WWII historical fiction market can be so saturated and it’s hard to distinguish a story and make it stand out, but changing the location is one such way and in this case I was all about it. The description and setting sold me on this book and since it was one of my first historical fiction novels of the year, I had high expectations.

Early reviewers raved about this book, and many reviewers read other books by Green. I agree with many of the reviews, this was a stunning book in many regards and while I haven’t read anything by this author before, I can see why other reviews loved her books so much! She has a great storytelling style and she pays attention to historical details. I would certainly be open to reading other books by her in the future!

Continue reading “Review: The Foxhole Victory Tour by Amy Lynn Green” →
Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Officer and the Spy by Jenny Ashcroft

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: The Officer and the Spy by Jenny Ashcroft

I have read and adored two of Jenny Ashcroft’s books! She has this great flair for exotic feeling books with romance, history, and intrigue. I have really really really loved the books she has put out and I am so excited for this one as well! Set on the island of Crete during WWII, I cannot wait to dive into this book and be fully transported! I was so sad that my spring reading schedule filled up so fast so I had to opt for a feature for this one but you better believe I have it on my TBR for the summer!

I am most excited by how compelling this book sounds—-a romance between two young kids gets turned on its head with war and the occupation of the small island of Crete. The two main characters are now enemies and yet they have this romance that is undeniable. I cannot wait to see how that plays out and how the characters work through those issues. It sounds like a wonderful book and romance!

One of the things that I have always felt with Ashcroft’s books is she does a fabulous amount of research. I wasn’t even aware that the Nazi’s occupied Crete so knowing that she has written a book about it makes me so excited since she always illustrates history so well. If you haven’t read anything by Ashcroft yet, you need to remedy that situation! She is a great writer and the attention to detail is top shelf! I know I am going to get a beautiful love story full of history and an exotic location, if that doesn’t sound like a winning combo then I don’t know what is!

Continue reading “Special Feature: The Officer and the Spy by Jenny Ashcroft” →
Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Castle Keepers by Aimee Runyan, J’nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Castle Keepers by Aimee Runyan, J’nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan

Over the years I have enjoyed each of these authors on an independent basis. I love all of their respective books individually and I was so thrilled to see that these three powerhouse writers were teaming up to write a collaborative novel! Obviously no one had to twist my arm to get me to review this one, it was an absolute no brainer!

Sometimes collaborative novels can be difficult. I have only really seen a couple of writing teams successful with it. It can be hard blending different writing styles let alone character visions. I believe this is the first collaboration for these three authors as well which can sometimes bring its own set of challenges but I had so much confidence in these three authors that I knew I was going to read something special!

All three authors are so strong and have written such great novels prior to this do if you read this book and enjoy it, then you should certainly check out their own individual books as they are all so wonderful. But if you are looking for a book that feels a little more ‘saga ish’ and sweeping, this is a multigenerational novel with lots to enjoy, devour and unpack! I really really loved my time with the characters and plots!

Continue reading “Review: The Castle Keepers by Aimee Runyan, J’nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan” →