Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page, but for the month of August MM is on tour and is hosted by Chick Loves Lit.
Had another super week and received a few books from the publishers for review.
I an very excited about reading my first Deanna Raybourn book, though I hate that I am starting the series with book #4. There's just no way I can fit in the other 3 before the review is due in October. I finally got the new Philippa Gregory and was equally excited to see the package with more Kate Furnivall books after LOVING The Jewel of St. Petersburg.
Dark Road to Darjeeling (Lady Julia #4)
by Deanna Raybourn
Release Date: October 1, 2010
SYNOPSIS: For Lady Julia Grey and Nicholas Brisbane, the honeymoon has ended…but the adventure is just beginning.
After eight idyllic months in the Mediterranean, Lady Julia Grey and her detective husband are ready to put their investigative talents to work once more. At the urging of Julia’s eccentric family, they hurry to India to aid an old friend, the newly widowed Jane Cavendish. Living on the Cavendish tea plantation with the remnants of her husband’s family, Jane is consumed with the impending birth of her child—and with discovering the truth about her husband’s death. Was he murdered for his estate? And if he was, could Jane and her unborn child be next?
Amid the lush foothills of the Himalayas, dark deeds are buried and malicious thoughts flourish. The Brisbanes uncover secrets and scandal, illicit affairs and twisted legacies. In this remote and exotic place, exploration is perilous and discovery, deadly. The danger is palpable and, if they are not careful, Julia and Nicholas will not live to celebrate their first anniversary.
After eight idyllic months in the Mediterranean, Lady Julia Grey and her detective husband are ready to put their investigative talents to work once more. At the urging of Julia’s eccentric family, they hurry to India to aid an old friend, the newly widowed Jane Cavendish. Living on the Cavendish tea plantation with the remnants of her husband’s family, Jane is consumed with the impending birth of her child—and with discovering the truth about her husband’s death. Was he murdered for his estate? And if he was, could Jane and her unborn child be next?
Amid the lush foothills of the Himalayas, dark deeds are buried and malicious thoughts flourish. The Brisbanes uncover secrets and scandal, illicit affairs and twisted legacies. In this remote and exotic place, exploration is perilous and discovery, deadly. The danger is palpable and, if they are not careful, Julia and Nicholas will not live to celebrate their first anniversary.
The Red Queen (Book Two, The Cousin's War)
by Philippa Gregory
SYNOPSIS: Heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her house is the true ruler of England and that she has a great destiny before her. Her ambitions are disappointed when her sainted cousin Henry VI fails to recognize her as a kindred spirit, and she is even more dismayed when he sinks into madness. Her mother mocks her plans, revealing that Margaret will always be burdened with the reputation of her father, one of the most famously incompetent English commanders in France. But worst of all for Margaret is when she discovers that her mother is sending her to a loveless marriage in remote Wales.
Married to a man twice her age, quickly widowed, and a mother at only fourteen, Margaret is determined to turn her lonely life into a triumph. She sets her heart on putting her son on the throne of England regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy. Disregarding rival heirs and the overwhelming power of the York dynasty, she names him Henry, like the king; sends him into exile; and pledges him in marriage to her enemy Elizabeth of York’s daughter. As the political tides constantly move and shift, Margaret charts her own way through another loveless marriage, treacherous alliances, and secret plots. She feigns loyalty to the usurper Richard III and even carries his wife’s train at her coronation.
Widowed a second time, Margaret marries the ruthless, deceitful Thomas, Lord Stanley, and her fate stands on the knife edge of his will. Gambling her life that he will support her, she then masterminds one of the greatest rebellions of the time—all the while knowing that her son has grown to manhood, recruited an army, and now waits for his opportunity to win the greatest prize.
In a novel of conspiracy, passion, and coldhearted ambition, number one bestselling author Philippa Gregory has brought to life the story of a proud and determined woman who believes that she alone is destined, by her piety and lineage, to shape the course of history.
by Kate Furnivall
SYNOPSIS: Davinsky Labor Camp, Siberia, 1933: Only two things in this wretched place keep Sofia from giving up hope: the prospect of freedom, and the stories told by her friend and fellow prisoner Anna, of a charmed childhood in Petrograd, and her fervent girlhood love for a passionate revolutionary named Vasily.
After a perilous escape, Sofia endures months of desolation and hardship. But, clinging to a promise she made to Anna, she subsists on the belief that someday she will track down Vasily. In a remote village, she’s nursed back to health by a Gypsy family, and there she finds more than refuge—she also finds Mikhail Pashin, who, her heart tells her, is Vasily in disguise. He’s everything she has ever wanted—but he belongs to Anna.
After coming this far, Sofia is tantalizingly close to freedom, family—even a future. All that stands in her way is the secret past that could endanger everything she has come to hold dear…
After a perilous escape, Sofia endures months of desolation and hardship. But, clinging to a promise she made to Anna, she subsists on the belief that someday she will track down Vasily. In a remote village, she’s nursed back to health by a Gypsy family, and there she finds more than refuge—she also finds Mikhail Pashin, who, her heart tells her, is Vasily in disguise. He’s everything she has ever wanted—but he belongs to Anna.
After coming this far, Sofia is tantalizingly close to freedom, family—even a future. All that stands in her way is the secret past that could endanger everything she has come to hold dear…
by Kate Furnivall
SYNOPSIS: In her third novel, Furnivall returns to the story of Lydia Ivanova from The Russian Concubine. China, 1929. For years Lydia Ivanova believed her father was killed by the Bolsheviks. But when she learns he is imprisoned in Stalin-controlled Russia, the fiery girl is willing to leave everything behind- even her Chinese lover, Chang An Lo.
Lydia begins a dangerous search, journeying to Moscow with her half-brother Alexei. But when Alexei abruptly disappears, Lydia is left alone, penniless in Soviet Russia.
All seems lost, but Chang An Lo has not forgotten Lydia. He knows things about her father that she does not. And while he races to protect her, she is prepared to risk treacherous consequences to discover the truth.
Lydia begins a dangerous search, journeying to Moscow with her half-brother Alexei. But when Alexei abruptly disappears, Lydia is left alone, penniless in Soviet Russia.
All seems lost, but Chang An Lo has not forgotten Lydia. He knows things about her father that she does not. And while he races to protect her, she is prepared to risk treacherous consequences to discover the truth.
What come in your mailbox?
Oh, more Kate Furnivall! Yay!
ReplyDeleteI just picked up the Raybourn from the post office too!
I can't wait to hear what you think of The Red Queen! I am torn as to whether or not I am going to read it, so your thoughts on it will be most helpful!
ReplyDeleteThis week I am definitely green with envy!!! The road to Darjeeling will be my top choice of your books but they all look and sound gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIs it me or have there been an increase of books set in Russia and China lately? I am so happy to see another one from Deanna Raybourn. Great selection of books.
ReplyDeleteThis week I got:
INNOCENT by Scott Turow in audio book form.
THE LAST WARRIOR by Karen Kay
BEFORE THE SCANDAL by Suzanne Enoch
I LOVE all your book covers! I hope you have a lovely week ahead :)
ReplyDeleteOh I just knew I'd swoon and covet your mailbox. The RED Queen..bet it is heaven... and that first one..the cover..oh the gloves...sigh!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!!!
I really like the cover to Dark Road to Darjeeling. I read the first three books in this series, and enjoyed the reads. I hope this is a good one.
ReplyDeleteI am greatly intrigued by Kate Furnivall's novels. They sound fascinating. I really need to get my hands on the series.
Looks like you have really good reads there Amy. I hope you enjoy each book.
I have the Road to Darjeeling too. The cover is lovely..
ReplyDeleteI am suffering major envy right now -- so many books I want! :)
ReplyDeleteWow! You received some great books...My skin is turning green with envy right now!
ReplyDeleteYou are really digging Kate Furnivall, aren't you! I plan to start the Raybourn series from the beginning. My library has them. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteOh, The Red Scarf sounds fantastic! I can't wait to read your thoughts.
ReplyDelete