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 Book Dragon’s Lair.
Here’s what I received:
The Secrets of the Notebook: A Woman’s Quest to Uncover her Royal Family Secret by Eve Haas — from Arcade Publishing for review
The true story of a girl who learned she was a princess, The Secrets of the Notebook is also much more. With suspense reminiscent of a Cold War thriller, it recounts one woman’s unrelenting search for the truth of her past in the darkest recesses of European history — and in the face of a greater mystery, that of her grandmother’s disappearance during the Holocaust.
Eve Haas was the daughter of a German Jewish family who took refuge in London after Hitler came to power. Following a terrifying air raid in the Blitz, her father revealed the family secret, that her great-great-grandmother Emilie was married to a Prussian prince. He then showed her the treasured gilt-edged notebook inscribed to Emilie by the prince with the words: “The beautiful owner of this book is dearer to me than my life — August your protector.”
Her father discouraged her from delving further, but later in life, when Eve inherited the diary, she became obsessed with finding Emilie and proving this birthright. The Secrets of the Notebook tells how she follows the clues, going from experts in London to archives in West Berlin, and then, under threat of being arrested as a spy by the Communist regime, to an archive in East Germany that had never before opened its doors to the West. What she unearths is a love story set against the upheaval of the Napoleonic Wars and the anti-Semitism of the Prussian court, and a ruse that both protected Emilie’s daughter and condemned her granddaughter — Eve’s beloved grandmother, Anna — to death in the Nazi camps.
Solving a real-life mystery involving some of the greatest and most infamous figures in European history, from Frederick the Great to Napoleon and Hitler, The Secrets of the Notebook is a book unlike any other and the record of an unforgettable odyssey. (publisher’s summary)
Fugitive Colors by Lisa Barr — from Arcade Publishing for review
Julian Klein, a young American artist, rebels against his religious upbringing and embraces the artistic freedom of 1930s Paris. He flees Chicago and his family to paint freely — only to discover the price for following his passion. He finds himself consumed by a world in which a paintbrush is as lethal as a gun.
Julian’s journey takes him and his friends from Paris to Berlin, where the Nazis are embarking on a relentless mission to destroy the avant-garde, particularly German Expressionism — an abstract movement of artists that is taking the world by storm. Julian — an artist turned unlikely spy — is suddenly faced with the ultimate challenge: How far would he go to protect art?
Love, friendship, betrayal, and passion, as Julian learns, are never black and white. Like an abstract painting, Julian’s turbulent coming-of-age tale is emotionally charged as he tries to save his friends and salvage some of the most beloved pieces of modern art — including his own.
Lisa Barr’s unrelenting prose brings to life those artists whose lives and careers were crushed under the brutal Nazi regime. This is a novel of twists and turns and historic truths signifying the incredible impact art had on Hitler’s war. (publisher’s summary)
No Surrender Solider by Christine Kohler — from Merit Press for review
Growing up in a very conservative community on Guam in 1972, fifteen-year-old Kiko has way too many problems on his mind. His brother is missing in action in Vietnam, and he’s just learned that his mother was raped by a Japanese soldier during World War II. It might help if he were popular, had ever kissed a girl or had any hope of ever kissing one, but that’s not happening except to the popular guys. Then, he discovers an old Japanese soldier hiding in the jungle behind his house. He’s a useless crazy old guy. At first glance, the old man seems like the perfect solution to all of Kiko’s problems, but how far is he willing to go to prove his own manhood and avenge his mother’s rape? (publisher’s summary)
The Queen of Bad Decisions by Janel Gradowski — from the author for review
Daisy’s life is sliding downhill at breakneck speed. Leaving her worthless boyfriend leaves her back at her parents’ home, sleeping on the couch. After only a few days she is tired and annoyed. Her parents give new meaning to the term “early riser” and she can’t avoid unpleasant encounters with her obnoxious brother. The only escape from the familial torture is her job at a book store. Her boss finds a solution to the housing dilemma, but Daisy will need to change more than her address labels to make the arrangement work.
This book is a novelette that contains approximately 11,500 words. Two, short bonus stories along with recipes are also included. This is a prequel to Volume 1 of the Bartonville series, “Must Love Sandwiches.” Even though this is part of a series it can also be read as a standalone book. (publisher’s summary)
The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley — a surprise from Bantam Books
Eve Lattimore’s family is like every other on their suburban street, with one exception. Her son Tyler has a rare medical condition that makes him fatally sensitive to light, which means heavy curtains and deadlocked doors protect him during the day and he can never leave the house except at night. For Eve, only constant vigilance stands between an increasingly restless teenage son and the dangers of the outside world.
Until the night the unthinkable happens. When tragedy strikes, it becomes clear that this family is not the only one on the quiet cul-de-sac that is more complicated than it appears. And as Eve is forced to shield her family from harm, there are some crises she cannot control — and some secrets that not even love can conceal. (publisher’s summary)
A Grosvenor Square Christmas: Four Holiday Short Stories by Anna Campbell, Shana Galen, Vanessa Kelly, and Kate Noble — free ebook
Four breathtakingly romantic tales of a Regency Christmas from four bestselling romance authors.
Down through the years, enchantment touches a tall gray house in Grosvenor Square. The legend of Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball promises true love and happiness to one lucky couple. Who will feel the magic this winter?
1803 – The Seduction of a Duchess by Shana Galen
Rowena Harcourt, the Duchess of Valère, never forgot the handsome footman who helped her escape the French Revolution. For fourteen years, Gabriel Lamarque has loved Rowena—now at Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball, has fate finally delivered a chance to win her hand?
1818 – One Kiss for Christmas by Vanessa Kelly
Nigel Dash is London’s most reliable gentleman, a reputation he never minded until he fell in love with beautiful Amelia Easton. Unfortunately, Amelia sees Nigel as a dependable friend, not a dashing suitor. At Lady Winterson’s famous Christmas ball, Nigel vows to change Amelia’s mind—by sweeping her off her feet.
1825 – His Christmas Cinderella by Anna Campbell
At the season’s most glittering ball, a girl who has never dared to dream of forever after discovers a Christmas miracle.
1830 – The Last First Kiss by Kate Noble
Susannah Westforth has always loved Sebastian Beckett – but he’s only ever seen her as a friend. When Sebastian takes his Grand Tour, Susannah transforms herself into a woman he’ll notice. Now Sebastian is back, just in time for Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball – but the last thing he expects to see is his little Susie, all grown up…
You’re invited to join the whirling dance at Lady Winterson’s sparkling Christmas ball, where miracles happen and true love shines forever. How can you resist? (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.
Your stash looks really good, especially the first one. You have two books with the word secret in it… Have a great reading week!
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Gorgeous mix of reads. Love the sound of the first one.
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I really like the look of The Deepest Secret. Enjoy your books!
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What a great selection of books. The two about secrets look really interesting, The Secrets of the Notebook and The Deepest Secret may well make my TBR. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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looks like you have some great books
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How can it be time for Christmas books already? The year has flown by!
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Nice books, Anna. I’m really curious about The Secrets of the Notebook. Happy reading!
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Secrets of the Notebook and No Surrender Soldier just went on mylist!
Thanks Anna, intriguing titles as always!
All the best,
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Anna, A Grosvenor Square Christmas: Four Holiday Short Stories sounds like the perfect read for the upcoming season. Enjoy all of your new goodies! 🙂
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I like the sound of the first one
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They all look good, especially The Secrets of the Notebook and A Grosvenor Square Christmas. Happy reading!
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The Secrets of the Notebook looks really good.
ENJOY all your books.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
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Growing up The Little Princess was one of my favorites, and while she isn’t actually one she does dream of finding out she’s one. So I can’t help but think The Secrets of the Notebook is one I’d love! I’ll definitely have to look out for it.
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There are lots of great books there, enjoy!
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The Secrets of the Notebook looks pretty interesting! Enjoy your reads.
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[…] Secrets of the Notebook by Eve Haas The review by Diary of an Eccentric for The Secrets of the Notebook by Eve Haas also caught my […]
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Thank you all for stopping by to check out my new books. Happy reading!
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