Mailbox Monday — December 14

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.

For review:

Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War by Jessica Brockmole, Hazel Gaynor, Evangeline Holland, Marci Jefferson, Kate Kerrigan, Jennifer Robson, Heather Webb, Beatriz Williams, and Lauren Willig — from William Morrow

The  peace treaty signed on November 11, 1918, may herald the end of the Great War, but for its survivors, the smoke is only beginning to clear. Picking up the pieces of shattered lives will take courage, resilience, and trust.

Within crumbled city walls and scarred souls, war’s echoes linger. But when the fighting ceases, renewal begins…and hope takes root in a fall of poppies.

Birthday gifts from my mother and husband:

Two’s Company by Jill Mansell

Celebrity couple Jack and Cass Mandeville seem to have it all — good looks, successful careers and a great marriage. Their children are also incredibly talented: stunning Cleo is a top model; devilishly handsome Sean a hot young comedian; and although sixteen-year-old Sophie hides her looks under big glasses and baggy clothes, everyone can see there’s a beautiful swan just itching to get out. In the eyes of the nation’s press, the Mandevilles can do no wrong.

Until a gorgeous redhead named Imogen turns up to interview Jack and Cass on the morning Jack hits the big Four-O. And the fabulous family finds they’re not so perfect after all…

Sheer Mischief by Jill Mansell

It’s not that Janey Sinclair isn’t pleased to see her sister, she just wishes she could have arrived in less dramatic style. Being woken up at seven in the morning by Maxine, complete with borrowed wedding dress and police escort, isn’t quite how she’d planned to start her Sunday.

Still, life’s never dull when Maxine’s around, and Janey, who’s rebuilding her life after her husband disappeared eighteen months ago, is delighted that her sister’s back in town. But when Maxine sets her sights on Guy Cassidy, the impossibly glamorous fashion photographer, Janey knows there’s no limit to the mischief her sister will get up to in order to dispatch the competition. But little do they know that the competition is a lot closer to home than they think…

Kiss by Jill Mansell

Izzy is going to be famous one day. The music industry just hasn’t discovered her yet. Irrepressible Izzy has a dazzling talent, two perfect boyfriends and a daughter to organise her. Basically a brilliant life.

Gina’s life couldn’t be less brilliant. Her pig of a husband has just run off with his pregnant mistress. She feels guilty, of course, when she accidentally knocks Izzy off her motorbike. Still, it’s hardly the end of the world, is it? Only a broken leg.

But Gina’s world as she knows it is about to be turned upside down. Izzy and her daughter Kat have been catapulted into her previously ordered life. Worse still, Izzy has got her flirtatious eye on Gina’s oldest friend, heart-stoppingly handsome Sam. How will it all end — in a torrent of tears or with one, unforgettable kiss?

Solo by Jill Mansell

When Tess Duvall meets hotel owner Ross Monahan at a party, she has no illusions about what sort of man he is — his ‘bad boy’ reputation precedes him. She knows that he’s only after one thing, and, just for that night, she’s happy to go with the flow.

But weeks later, as Tess finds herself tucking into four banana sandwiches, she realises she may have got a little more from the one-night stand than she bargained for.

Spirited and independent, Tess is determined to go it alone, but Ross, unaccustomed to being rejected, has other plans…

Fast Friends by Jill Mansell

A reunion with old school friends can be a truly joyful occasion. Then again, as Camilla Stewart discovers, sometimes it can change your world forever.

Meeting up again with Roz Vallender has devastating consequences for Camilla. Thankfully the outrageous Loulou Marks comes to the rescue, persuading her that all is not lost. Loulou’s own life might be completely chaotic but she’s great at giving other people advice. And when Camilla starts taking it, she soon discovers that life in the fast lane is a lot more fun than being a cheated-on housewife…

Mixed Doubles by Jill Mansell

The New Year looms and Liza, Dulcie and Pru are ready with their resolutions. When you’ve hit your thirties, it’s definitely time to sort yourself out!

Liza wants to get married. She has no one in mind, but attracting men has never been a problem. Trouble is, she can never stay interested in a man once she’s got him.

Dulcie thinks marriage sucks. OK, so her husband, Patrick, is dishy, witty and charming. But Dulcie, who always acts before she thinks, is desperate for more excitement in her life. She wants a divorce.

Pru has about as much self-esteem as a squeegee mop. She loves her roving husband and can’t imagine a life without him. All Pru wants is to stay married.

Liza, Dulcie and Pru have no idea what the New Year has in store — but Fate has some sneaky plans up her sleeve…

Head Over Heels by Jill Mansell

Jessie has kept the identity of her son Oliver’s father a secret for years. She’s stunned when she discovers that the man in question, actor Toby Gillespie, has just moved in next door. The truth’s about to come out.

One glance at Oliver, and a little mental arithmetic, and Toby has the situation sussed. Meeting the son he never knew he had is the shock of a lifetime. It’s a shock, too, for Toby’s wife, the beautiful Deborah, though she seems to take it in her stride.

Would Deborah be so relaxed if she knew just how close Toby wants to get to the mother of his firstborn? As the attraction between them flares up again. Jessie just can’t see her way to a happy ending. But no one is quite what they seem, and there are more surprises to come…

Good at Games by Jill Mansell

Suzy Curtis falls in love with Harry Fitzallan the moment she shows him her husband’s sperm sample. Actually, it isn’t her husband’s sperm sample, because she isn’t married. It isn’t a sperm sample either, it’s a carton containing the dregs of her milkshake. (But when you’re desperate to escape a speeding ticket you have to improvise, don’t you?) Oh, and it isn’t really love at first site, it’s a healthy case of lust.

Suzy is the girl with everything — dream job, red Rolls-Royce and ravishing rock-star ex. Then she meets Harry — and his deeply skeptical brother Leo — and before long finds herself with a whole lot more…

The One You Really Want by Jill Mansell

Nancy can’t quite believe it when her Christmas present from her husband turns out to be a lawnmower. She knows for a fact that Jonathan’s been spending a lot on jewellery. So who’s got the diamonds?

Nancy’s best friend, Carmen, gave up on romance when she lost her adored husband. What Carmen really needs is a man to wake her up — but choosing the right one isn’t going to be easy.

Mia’s just arrived in London to live with her dad. Once she’s met the potential stepmother-from-hell he’s dating, she’s determined to play Cupid — but her wayward arrows are just as likely to cause chaos as to ease the path of true love…

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.