Book Reviews

‘The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.’ Alan Bennett

“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.” ― Franz Kafka

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Signed Copies to be won! The Last Summer by Judith Kinghorn

Win a signed copy of The Last Summer by Judith Kinghorn!


I am very pleased to be able to offer two lucky readers of my blog a signed paperback copy of The Last Summer by Judith Kinghorn.

Excerpt from my review of this book:


I didn't know this story would take such a strong hold on my heart.

I genuinely loved this book. It is an absolutely wonderful romantic novel. It gripped me completely from start to finish, it wrung my heart out. Clarissa is a wonderful first-person narrative voice, we are with her as she grows up and close by her side as she makes her way through life, making mistakes, gaining experience, learning about herself, and Tom is a marvellous romantic leading man, who finds, after the horrors of war, that a changing society offers new advantages to someone like him, but will he ever be good enough to be accepted by Clarissa's Mama? 

I thought about the characters. I became wrapped up in the love story of Clarissa and Tom. Theirs is an all-consuming love. Neither of them could ever love anyone else. For them, in their hearts and souls, there is only each other. They implore each other, 'don't let me go. Never let me go.'But they seem destined never to be together. The time and place is wrong, or the circumstances. I had to know how this would end. The passion and the pain of separation of these two people seemed to live beyond the words on the page, to have jumped from the page and become real to me; I cared deeply as to the outcome.  

I loved this novel. It is one of my favourite books of the year 2012 so far, and you can read my full review here. 

Synopsis from the publisher, Headline:


A sweeping debut, perfect for reading groups and fans of Kate Morton and Downton Abbey
A sweepingly epic and gloriously intimate commercial debut - a beautiful and haunting story of lost innocence and a powerful, enduring love.

Clarissa is almost seventeen when the spell of her childhood is broken. It is 1914, the beginning of a blissful, golden summer - and the end of an era. Deyning Park is in its heyday, the large country house filled with the laughter and excitement of privileged youth preparing for a weekend party. When Clarissa meets Tom Cuthbert, home from university and staying with his mother, the housekeeper, she is dazzled. Tom is handsome and enigmatic; he is also an outsider. Ambitious, clever, his sights set on a career in law, Tom is an acute observer, and a man who knows what he wants. For now, that is Clarissa.


As Tom and Clarissa's friendship deepens, the wider landscape of political life around them is changing, and another story unfolds: they are not the only people in love. Soon the world - and all that they know - is rocked by a war that changes their lives for ever.

Giveaway guidelines:

Please use the form below to enter.

UK entrants only please on this one.

The competition closes on 31st August 2012.

Two winners will be chosen at random. Each winner will receive one signed paperback copy of the book.

Winners will be contacted by email and need to reply within 48 hours, otherwise another winner or winners will be chosen.

A very special thank you to the author for providing these prizes, and good luck!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

21 comments:

  1. I loved Downton Abbey and I am sure I'll love this novel too! Thanks for organising such a great competition!

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  2. Thank you for the chance to win one of the two copies!
    Joan

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  3. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy! xx

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  4. Thanks for the fab giveaway (and great reviews), have started to read more historical fiction so would love to be in the mix to win a copy.

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  5. This sounds amazing! I love summer, perfect time for reading!

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  6. Sounds good, thanks for posting this comp
    x

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  7. Sounds good, thanks for posting this comp
    x

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  8. great comp hon, thanks

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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  9. Great review, to say it is one of your favourite reads of 2012 is high recommendation indeed.

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  10. I would love to read this although I live in Italy so I do not think you will let me enter, even if I can give you a UK mailing address. What a shame as it sounds great.

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    1. Thanks for saying it is ok to use my UK address. :)

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    2. Summer is my favourite time which is why I spend it in Italy!

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  11. Sounds a lovely read - thanks for doing the giveaway

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  12. A wonderfully written novel that unlocks the lives of a whole lost generation.

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  13. This book sounds absolutely amazine. I am happy to enter to win a chance to read this book. Good luck to everyone.

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  14. When someone says a book is their favourite book of the year, it makes you want to find out more. Sounds a lovely novel and one I'd love to read. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

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  15. Sounds like a really good book. Thanks for a great giveaway Lindsay x

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  16. I just added this to my wishlist the other day. Sounds like a great read!

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  17. This sounds a wonderful book, thanks for the great review and for running this giveaway!

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  18. Thank you for the giveaway!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave a comment. It's great reading your comments and I really appreciate them :)