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 over the past few weeks:
For review:
A Will of Iron by Linda Beutler — from Meryton Press
The untimely death of Anne de Bourgh, only days after his disastrous proposal at the Hunsford parsonage, draws Fitzwilliam Darcy and his cousin Colonel Alexander Fitzwilliam back to Rosings Park before Elizabeth Bennet has left the neighborhood. In death, Anne is revealed as having lived a rich life of the mind, plotting rather constantly to escape her loathsome mother, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Anne’s journal, spirited into the hands of Charlotte Collins and Elizabeth, holds Anne’s candid observations on life and her family. It also explains her final quirky means of outwitting her mother. Anne’s Last Will and Testament, with its peculiar bequests, upheaves every relationship amongst the Bennets, Darcys, Fitzwilliams, Collinses, and even the Bingleys! Was Anne de Bourgh a shrewder judge of character than Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy combined? (publisher’s summary)
Jars of Hope by Jennifer Roy, illustrated by Meg Owenson — from IWPR Group
During the horrors of World War II, there were many unsung heroes. Irena Sendler was one of them.
While many people lived in fear of the Nazis, Irena defied them, even though it could have meant her life. This harrowing true story of a woman who took it upon herself to help save 2,500 children during the Holocaust is not only inspirational — it’s unforgettable. (publisher’s summary)
Becoming Darkness by Lindsay Francis Brambles — from IWPR Group
Like everyone else living in Haven, seventeen-year-old Sophie Harkness is an Immune — a carrier of the genetic mutation that protects her from the virus Hitler unleashed upon the world more than half a century ago. The virus that wiped out most of humanity and turned two hundred million people into vampires. But after her best friend is brutally murdered, Sophie becomes determined to find answers to a conspiracy that runs generations deep. And when she questions the peace treaty that keeps her small community protected, Sophie begins to discover terrible truths about herself and what it means to be human in a world ruled by darkness. (publisher’s summary)
The Book of Lost and Found by Lucy Foley — from Back Bay Books
Kate Darling’s enigmatic mother — a once famous ballerina — has passed away, leaving Kate bereft. When her grandmother falls ill and bequeaths to Kate a small portrait of a woman who bears a striking resemblance to Kate’s mother, Kate uncovers a mystery that may upend everything she thought she knew.
Kate’s journey to find the true identity of the woman in the portrait takes her to some of the world’s most iconic and indulgent locales, revealing a love story that began in the wild 1920s and was disrupted by war, and could now spark new love for Kate. Alternating between Kate’s present-day hunt and voices from the past, The Book of Lost and Found casts light on family secrets and love — both lost and found. (publisher’s summary)
Won:
Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews — from Savvy Verse & Wit
Greer Hennessy needs palm trees.
As a movie location scout, picture-perfect is the name of the game. But her last project literally went up in flames, and her career is on the verge of flaming out. Greer has been given one more chance, if she can find the perfect undiscovered beach hideaway for a big-budget movie. She zeroes in on a sleepy Florida town called Cypress Key. There’s one motel, a marina, a long stretch of pristine beach, and an old fishing pier with a community casino — which will be perfect for the film’s explosive climax.
There’s just one problem: Eben Thibadeaux, the town’s mayor, completely objects to Greer’s plan. A lifelong resident of Cypress Key, Eben wants the town to be revitalized, not commercialized. After a toxic paper plant closed, the bay has only recently been reborn, and Eb has no intention of letting anybody screw with his town again. But Greer has a way of making things happen, regardless of obstacles. And Greer and Eb are way too attracted to each other for either of them to see reason.
Between an ambitious director and his entourage — including a spoiled “It Boy” lead actor — who parachute into town, a conniving local ex-socialite, and a cast of local fangirls and opportunists who catch the movie bug, nothing is going to be the same in Cypress Key. Now Greer is forced to make some hard choices: about the people and the town she’s come to care about, and about her own life. True love is only for the movies, right? Can Greer find a way to be the heroine in her own life story? Told with inimitable heart and humor, Mary Kay Andrews’s Beach Town is the perfect summer destination. (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.
Wow, some lovely covers there. Have a great week!
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Thanks, Sam!
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A bit of variety there. Enjoy!
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Thanks, Mary!
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It’s not summer without a Mary Kay Andrews book! I hope you love your new books!
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Thanks, Kathy!
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Beach Town is on my list…and I am also hearing wonderful things about The Book of Lost and Found. Enjoy all of your books! Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
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Thanks! Off to check out your new books…
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Quite a variety. The only one of those that I have read is A Will of Iron, which was very enjoyable.
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I’m starting that one today. Glad you enjoyed it!
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I haven’t read any of these, but I do like the sound of The Book of Lost and Found. I hope you enjoy your new books 🙂
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Thanks, Jessica!
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What an awesome selection; I’m interested in Jars of Hope and The Book of Lost and Found.
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Thanks! My Jars of Hope review will be up Wednesday.
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The Book of Lost and Found sounds good. Happy reading!
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Thanks!
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That book, well I did like it before the incident
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I feel so bad for that!
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Beach Town and The Book of Lost and Found are on my list to read.
Have a great week!
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Thanks, Vicki
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I am a big fan of people like you who blog about books and do so much to help authors get the word out about their work. I see you as an indispensable asset to today’s publishing world and as an author I’m very grateful. I’m also particularly stoked that BECOMING DARKNESS was part of your recent haul! I hope you enjoy it and I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts regarding the novel. There were some bumps on the road to getting it published, but I have a wonderful agent who worked with me to craft the book and an excellent editor at Switch Press who offered great insight and guidance.
Whatever your opinion of the book may ultimately be, I’d just like to thank you in advance for including my novel in your latest showcase of novels.
You’ll find a lot of additional information about the book and the journey to publication on my website, but if you have any questions, I would be more than happy to answer them. Feel free to ask.
Happy reading!
Lindsay Brambles
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Thanks, Lindsay! Looking forward to reading it.
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Beach Town was a fun read. I just finished that one.
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Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
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A WILL OF IRON should be good.
I received THE BOOK OF LOST AND FOUND last week. It sounds pretty good.
ENJOY your reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
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Thanks, Elizabeth! I’m reading A Will of Iron right now and am enjoying it so far.
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Beach Town is the only book I’m familiar with here. Enjoy your reading, Anna!
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Thanks, Suko!
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