Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The Last Camellia - Book Review & Give-away


Addison's secret past is about to catch up with her so she jumps at the chance to "hide" at her in-law's recently purchased English Manor--Livingston Manor. A garden designer by trade, Addison falls in love with the manor's beautiful gardens and especially the orchard of camellia trees. There is something strange and mysterious about the manor and in her research Addison will discover it's secrets.

In the early days of World War II, Flora, the daughter of a New York baker and an amateur botanist, takes a job that makes her uncomfortable. A thief has threatened and bribed her to pose as a nanny for the Livingston family so that she might be able to determine if a very valuable camellia--the Middlebury Pink--is located on the estate. She is to find it and steal it. While shady, the job seems simple enough but Flora doesn't count on falling in love or the dangerous mysteries surrounding the manor.

Atmospheric and mysterious, Sarah Jio delivers a compelling read once again with The Last Camellia. I always enjoy Jio's books. There is an easiness and comfort to them that makes them feel immediately like old friends. Not to mention, the covers are always so inviting.

The Last Camellia captures the essence of an English manor with the quirky characters and spooky mysteries. The main characters are likable and while they each have their own complex lives and occasionally make unwise choices, there are easy to root for. The mysteries surrounding Livingston Manor are not as predictable as I originally assumed. The Last Camellia is definitely worth reading this summer. Slip it in your bag when you head to the beach.

Five lucky readers can win a copy of 
The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio.
To enter just leave a comment on this post. The contest will be open to entries until Sunday, June 30th at 11:59 pm MST. The winners will be chosen randomly and announced on this blog on Monday, July 1st.

The contest is open to residents of US/Canada only.

**I received a copy of The Last Camellia in exchange for my honest review.**

20 comments:

  1. This sounds interesting!!! I love discovering new books!

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  2. I can't wait to read this one. I'd love to win a copy and take it to the beach. We keep a reading tent and a talking tent on the beach. And I know where I want to be!!

    Thank you for the chance!

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  3. Huge fan of Sarah's would love her new book

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  4. I REALLY want to read this book! I enjoy Sarah Jio's novels tremendously!

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  5. I would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks for hosting!

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  6. I'd love to read this...I've actually never read any of Sarah Jio's books, but have them all on my tbr list!

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    ~Kristin @ Always With a Book

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  7. Looks great. Thanks for the giveaway. jtretin at aol dot come

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  8. Looks like an interesting read!!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
    aseeley60@yahoo.com

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  9. Would love to win this!! I am always looking for a good author! :)

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  11. I'm putting this on the 'to read' shelf!

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  12. Sarah Jio is a big favorite at our house. Thanks for hosting a giveaway for The Last Camellia, I'd love to win a copy.

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  13. I'm glad this one surprised you in a good way!

    Thanks for being on the tour.

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  14. I would love to read this! Reentering the world of reading after years of looking after everything else! Yes PLEASE

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  15. It's always nice to hear a book isn't predictable!

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  16. This book sounds great! I'd love to read it!

    webberwonderland.blogspot.com

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