Welcome to Mailbox Monday, the weekly meme created by Marcia of To Be Continued, where book lovers share the titles they received for review, purchased, or otherwise obtained over the past week. Mailbox Monday currently is on tour, and this month’s host is Notorious Spinks Talks. (Update: Apparently, this month’s host is MIA this week, so Beauty in Ruins is filling in as host.)
Here’s what I received:
The Aftermath by Rhidian Brook — from Knopf for review
Hamburg, 1946
While thousands wander the rubble, lost and homeless, Colonel Lewis Morgan, charged with overseeing the rebuilding of this devastated city and the denazification of its defeated people, is stationed in a grand house on the River Elbe. He is awaiting the arrival of his wife, Rachael — still grieving for their eldest son — and their only surviving son, Edmund. But rather than force the owners of the house, a German widower and his rebellious daughter, out onto the streets, Lewis insists that the two families live together. In this charged atmosphere, both parents and children will be forced to confront their true selves as enmity and grief give way to passion and betrayal, to their deepest desires, their fiercest loyalties, and the transforming power of forgiveness.
This courageous new novel from award-winning author Rhidian Brook tells an emotionally riveting story of two families, one house, and love grown from hate. (publisher’s summary)
The Pieces We Keep by Kristina McMorris — from the author for review
Two years have done little to ease veterinarian Audra Hughes’ grief over her husband’s untimely death. Eager for a fresh start, Audra plans to leave Portland for a new job in Philadelphia. Her seven-year-old son, Jack, seems apprehensive about flying — but it’s just the beginning of an anxiety that grows to consume him.
As Jack’s fears continue to surface in recurring and violent nightmares, Audra hardly recognizes the introverted boy he has become. Desperate, she traces snippets of information unearthed in Jack’s dreams, leading her to Sean Malloy, a struggling US Army veteran wounded in Afghanistan. Together they unravel a mystery dating back to World War II, and uncover old family secrets that still have the strength to wound — and perhaps, at last, to heal.
Intricate and beautifully written, The Pieces We Keep illuminates those moments when life asks us to reach beyond what we know and embrace what was once unthinkable. Deftly weaving together past and present, this is a story that is at once poignant and thought-provoking, and as unpredictable as the human heart. (publisher’s summary)
Happy Birthday, Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly — from the author for review
You are cordially invited to a wedding at Purley Hall…
It’s the 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice but it’s also a special year for Katherine Roberts and Warwick Lawton because they’re getting married.
But can Katherine put aside her fear about the future and can Warwick put his pen down long enough to actually make it up the aisle?
Happy Birthday, Mr. Darcy is the fifth book in the Austen Addicts series following A Weekend With Mr. Darcy, The Perfect Hero (US: Dreaming of Mr. Darcy), Mr. Darcy Forever and Christmas With Mr. Darcy. (publisher’s summary)
The Theory of Opposites by Allison Winn Scotch — from Get Red PR for review
Willa Chandler-Golden’s father changed the world: with his self-help bestseller Is It Really Your Choice? Why Your Entire Life May Be Out of Your Control, millions of devoted fans found solace in the notion that everything happens for a reason. Though Willa isn’t entirely convinced of his prophesies, she readily admits that the universe has delivered her a solid life: a reliable husband, a fast-based career. Sure there are hiccups — negative pregnancy tests, embattled siblings — but this is what the universe has brought, and life, if you don’t think too much about it, is wonderful.
Then her (evidently not-so-reliable) husband proposes this: A two month break. Two months to see if they couldn’t live their lives without each other. And before Willa can sort out destiny and fate and what it all means, she’s axed from her job, her 11 year old nephew Nicky moves in, her ex-boyfriend finds her on Facebook, and her best friend Vanessa lands a gig writing for Dare You!, the hottest new reality TV show. And then Vanessa lures Willa into dares of her own — dares that run counter to her father’s theories of fate, dares that might change everything…but only if Willa is brave enough to stop listening to the universe and instead, aim for the stars. (publisher’s summary)
Monsters (The Ashes Trilogy, Book Three) by Ilsa J. Bick — from Egmont for review
When her parents died, Alex thought things couldn’t get much worse — until the doctor found the monster in her head.
She headed into the wilderness as a good-bye, to leave everything behind. But then the end of the world happened, and Alex took the first step down a treacherous road of betrayal and terror and death. Now, with no hope of rescue — on the brink of starvation in a winter that just won’t quit — she discovers a new and horrifying truth.
The Change isn’t over.
The Changed are still evolving.
And…they’ve had help.
With this final volume of The Ashes Trilogy, Ilsa J. Bick delivers a riveting, blockbuster finish, returning readers to a brutal, post-apocalyptic world where no one is safe and hope is in short supply.
A world where, from these ashes, the monsters may rise. (publisher’s summary)
Pemberley to Waterloo: Georgiana Darcy’s Diary, Volume 2 by Anna Elliott — purchased
Can their love withstand the trials of war?
Georgiana Darcy and Edward Fitzwilliam want only to be together. But when the former Emperor Napoleon escapes from his exile on the Isle of Elba, Britain is plunged into renewed war with France … and Edward is once more called away to fight.
To be with the man she loves, Georgiana makes the perilous journey to Brussels, in time to witness the historic downfall of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. But when Edward is gravely injured in the battle, she will need more courage than she ever knew she had to fight for their future together.
Pemberley to Waterloo is the sequel to Georgiana Darcy’s Diary and is Book 2 of the Pride and Prejudice Chronicles. It is appropriate for all ages. (publisher’s summary)
The Princess of Egypt Must Die by Stephanie Dray — free ebook
Before she became one of Egypt’s greatest queens, she was a lonely princess who ached to belong…
Princess Arsinoe came of age in the glittering court of Ptolemaic Egypt. Abused by her ruthless sister, a pawn in the dynastic ambitions of her father, and dismissed by the king who claimed her for a bride, young Arsinoe finds herself falling in love with a young man forbidden to her. She dreams of a great destiny, but if she is ever to rule Egypt, she must first survive the nest of vipers otherwise known as her family. (publisher’s summary)
What books did you add to your shelves recently?
© 2013 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
They all sound good 😀
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Looks like you got some good ones…one’s I’ll want to borrow!
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What an eclectic mix of books you got this week! The Aftermath caught my eye. Enjoy your reading week.
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Nice assortment this week. The Pieces We Keep sounds good to me — enjoy all.
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So many good books! I didn’t know Allison Winn Scotch has a new book out so I’m excited to see The Theory of Opposites!
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I see several enticing books on your list: The Pieces We Keep and The Theory of Opposites will be going on my list. Thanks for sharing…and here’s MY WEEKLY SUNDAY/MONDAY UPDATES
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Wow … nice assortment of books you have. Happy reading, Anna!
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The Aftermath looks really interesting. Happy reading!
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I think The Aftermath looks awesome! Enjoy!
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Great titles this week! And attractive covers as well. Hope you enjoy them all!
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Wow, they all look good, especially The Aftermath. Happy reading!
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Love the mix of genres here. I’ve seen the Aftermath on a few blogs. Looking forward to your thoughts on this one.
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I really like the sound of The Aftermath. So many books take place during the war but it seems that after the war always gets skipped. Enjoy these!!
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I loved The Princess Must Die — made me wish for a full-length novel! V envious of The Aftermath!
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I’m glad to hear you loved it. I’m loving the her novels about Cleopatra Selene…can’t wait for the last book to come out!
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Thanks for stopping by to check out my mailbox everyone. Happy reading!
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