Mailbox Monday — April 27

Welcome to Mailbox Monday, the weekly meme where book lovers share the titles they received for review, purchased, or otherwise obtained over the past week. It is now being hosted at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Here’s what I added to the shelves recently:

For review:

A Twist of Hate by VR Barkowski — from the author

When the Cézanne his parents lend a local museum is replaced in situ with a forgery, former homicide inspector turned security consultant, Del Miller, refuses to investigate, insisting the museum’s director call in the FBI.  The painting, smuggled out of Nazi occupied France along with Del’s then-infant father, is not only priceless, it holds great sentimental value.

Soon, the museum director is dead, and a handwritten note in which he admits complicity in the theft arrives at a local news station.  But the theft and subsequent death are quickly overshadowed by allegations that Del’s grandfather — a French Resistance hero who died at the hands of the Nazis — stole the missing masterpiece from a Paris gallery during the war.

After the grandson of the long-deceased gallery owner comes forward to claim the Cézanne, he is found shot to death, and Del’s father is implicated in both a conspiracy to hide the painting and murder.  Del, now at a crossroads, sets out to uncover the truth.

From present-day San Francisco to war-torn France, to Nazi death camps and betrayal, A Twist of Hate is a story of family honor.  One man’s quest for answers about the grandfather he never knew, the father he idolizes, and the secrets behind a missing painting that lay buried deep within his family’s past.  (publisher’s summary)

I Truly Lament: Working Through the Holocaust by Mathias B. Freese — from the author

The twenty-seven stories in this collection include inmates in death camps, survivors of these camps, disenchanted Golems complaining about their designated rounds, modern Holocaust deniers and their ravings, collectors of Hitler curiosa (only recently, a few linens from Hitler’s bedroom suite went up for sale!), an imagined interview with Eva Braun during her last days in the Berlin bunker, a Nazi camp doctor who subtly denies his complicity, the love story of a Hungarian cantor, and many more.

Applying differing points of view, in styles ranging from gothic to romantic to phantasmagoric, Freese leads readers to what might be called his own final conclusion — that we will never be done with the Holocaust; we will never work it through.  (from the press release)

Purchased:

Elizabeth Bennet’s Deception by Regina Jeffers

What if Fitzwilliam Darcy refused to approach Elizabeth Bennet when he observes her upon the grounds of Pemberley?  What if Elizabeth permits Mr. Darcy to think her the one ruined by Mr. Wickham?  What if love is not enough to bring two souls together?

Fitzwilliam Darcy’s pride makes the natural leap to Elizabeth Bennet’s ruination when the lady appears, without notice, upon Pemberley’s threshold to plead for Darcy’s assistance in locating his long-time enemy, George Wickham.  Initially, Darcy cannot look beyond the pain of lost hopes, but when Charles Bingley demands that Darcy act with honor, Darcy assumes the task.  Even so, the idea of delivering Miss Elizabeth into the hand of Mr. Wickham leaves Darcy raw with anguish.  Yet, Darcy loves Elizabeth Bennet too much to see her brought low.  He sets his heartbreak aside to save the woman he loves, but it is not long before Darcy realizes Elizabeth practices a deception, one Darcy permits so he might remain at her side long enough to convince the lady only in each other can they find happiness.

Their adventure takes more twists and turns than does the original Pride and Prejudice, but the reader will enjoy the devotion displayed by Darcy and Elizabeth as they bring Wickham to the line in Lydia Bennnet’s defense, as well as their working their way through multiple misconstructions and vulnerabilities.  Darcy’s final wooing of Elizabeth brings two very private individuals to a very public declaration of their love.  (publisher’s summary)

Mr. Darcy’s Fault by Regina Jeffers

What if an accident prevents Elizabeth Bennet from reading Mr. Darcy’s letter of apology?  What if said letter goes missing and ends up in the hands of George Wickham?  What if Mr. Wickham plans to use the evidence of both Georgiana Darcy’s ruination and Darcy’s disdain for the Bennets to his benefit?  How will Darcy counter Wickham’s plans and claim happiness with Elizabeth Bennet?

When he notices his long-time enemy in the vicinity of Hunsford Cottage, Fitzwilliam Darcy means to put an end to an assignation between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Wickham, but Darcy is not prepared for the scene which greets him in Rosings Woods.  Elizabeth lies injured and crumpled beneath one of trees, and in order to save her, by Society’s standards, Darcy must compromise Elizabeth.  Needless to say, Darcy does not mind claiming Elizabeth to wife, but what of the lady’s affections?  Can Darcy tolerate Elizabeth’s emotions being engaged elsewhere?

Compelled into an engagement she least desires, Elizabeth Bennet thinks it impossible she could ever care for the arrogant Mr. Darcy, but the man proves more irresistible than Elizabeth first assumes.  Yet, just when Elizabeth begins to believe happiness is within their grasps, Mr. Wickham reappears in her life with a “proposal” Elizabeth cannot refuse, and it is all Mr. Darcy’s fault.  (publisher’s summary)

Darcy and Elizabeth — Lost in Love by Mary Lydon Simonsen

After Elizabeth Bennet’s rejection of his offer of marriage, Fitzwilliam Darcy returns to Pemberley in the hope of finding a path that will lead him to Elizabeth.  Little does he know that Elizabeth is already at Pemberley, walking the gravel paths of the maze in Pemberley’s expansive gardens.  When Darcy and Elizabeth meet in the middle of the labyrinth, the unexpected happens.  This short story is a lighthearted retelling of the famous couple’s reunion in Derbyshire.  (publisher’s summary)

Holidays With Jane: Spring Fever by Jennifer Becton, Melissa Buell, Rebecca M. Flemming, Cecilia Gray, Kimberly Truesdale, and Jessica Grey

Winter’s almost over and Jane Austen’s got a case of spring fever!  The authors who brought you Holidays With Jane: Christmas Cheer return to bring you six modern adaptations of Austen’s classics.  So put up your parasols and prepare for sunshine, smiles, and, of course, happily ever afters.

“Extra Innings” by Jessica Grey
Annie Elliot still regrets breaking off her engagement to minor league baseball player Rick Wentworth ten years ago. Now he’s back in town coaching the team she works for and stirring up feelings she’d rather forget. Will Rick and Annie get a chance to hit a walk-off home run or will they strike out in Extra Innings?

“Miracle at the Abbey” by Cecilia Gray
Kathia, paranormal investigator extraordinaire, is out to prove her hometown Abbey is a bona fide miracle site—even if its sexy owner-slash-handyman Henry is dead set against it. Kathia and Henry square off and settle the score that’s been brewing since high school in this contemporary Easter retelling that ends with a Miracle at the Abbey.

“Whine and Wineries” by Melissa Buell
After their father dies, the Dashwood girls must make room for their half-brother John and his wife Franny in their Hollywood Hills home. When Franny’s brother Edward shows up unexpectedly, Elinor finds a new friend.But any dreams of something more are crushed when the girls have to move far away to Barton Winery. There Elinor begins her new life as a wedding coordinator. Her first challenge? Bridezilla Anne Steele’s spring wedding. When Anne’s sister Lucy reveals a secret that changes everything, Elinor must sort through the lies to find the truth of her feelings and hope for her future.

“Emma’s Inbox” by Rebecca M. Fleming
Emma Woodhouse keeps her finger on the pulse of Hartfield, Georgia through a series of texts and emails full of hometown gossip and romantic intrigue. In Hartfield, nothing ever changes: people fall in love (sometimeswith a little help from her), get married, and life goes on in the same comfortable way. But when hometown favorite Frank Churchill returns unexpectedly, the whole town develops a case of spring fever. Though a master at maneuvering the love lives of those around her, Emma finds she needs some advice of her own—and her family and friends are happy to fill her inbox with all the help she needs.

“No Vacancy at Mansfield Motel” by Kimberly Truesdale
Fanny Price runs Mansfield Motel, the family business in sunny South Florida, mostly on her own. But she dreams of following in her Uncle Thomas’s footsteps and becoming a marine biologist. She plans to talk to her cousin Eddie about her dreams when he comes home for Spring Break. But when he brings along Henry and Mary Crawford, trouble starts to brew. Fanny watches her precious future begin to slip away. With everything on the line, will Fanny finally speak up for herself? Or will she be stuck running Mansfield Motel for the rest of her life?

“Lydia Reimagined” by Jennifer Becton
When reformed party girl Lydia Bennet receives an invitation to her ex George Wickham’s destination wedding, she accepts with the intention of showing him exactly what he gave up when he dumped her. But no amount determination can change Wickham’s view of Lydia, especially not when circumstances conspire to make her look even more like a party girl than ever. And then there’s her sudden attraction to old college friend Kyle “Denny” Dennison…. Now that Lydia has reimagined her whole life, will she be able to forget the past and open her heart to the future? (publisher’s summary)

Sincerely Yours (Yours by Design, Book 2) by Robin M. Helm

Living with time turned upside down…
Accepting the consequences of rash decisions…
Learning to view adversities as opportunities…
Striving to make the most of second chances…
Recognizing obstacles as the gifts of God…
Seeking to undo the damage done to relationships…

Sincerely Yours (Yours by Design, Book 2) begins immediately after Accidentally Yours (Yours by Design, Book 1). In this Christian fantasy fiction series, after prayers uttered by both Fitzwilliam Darcy (1793) and Will Darcy (21st century) result in accidents for both men and a time switch, each Darcy must adjust to his new era and try to win the heart of the woman he loves. (publisher’s summary)

Forever Yours (Yours by Design, Book 3) by Robin M. Helm

In Forever Yours, the third and final volume of the Christian Regency/Modern Yours by Design series, both Will Darcy and Fitzwilliam Darcy seek to overcome the obstacles threatening to separate them from their respective Elizabeths.

Could it be possible for people who grew up in time periods over two hundred years apart to be happy together? Can a Regency man love a modern woman? Can a modern man adjust to a Regency woman? (publisher’s summary)

What books did you add to your shelves recently?

© 2015 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.