Summer in Tintagel

by Amanda James

We all have secrets...... Ambitious journalist Rosa Fernley has been asked to fulfil her grandmother Jocelyn's dying wish. Jocelyn has also passed on a secret - in the summer of 1968, fleeing from the terror of a bullying husband, she visited the mysterious Tintagel Castle. Jocelyn wasn't seeking love, but she found it on the rugged clifftops in the shape of Jory, a local man as enigmatic and alluring as the region itself. But she was already married, and knew her husband would never let her find happiness and peace in Jory's arms. Now as her days are nearing their end, she begs Rosa to go back to Tintagel, but is unwilling, or unable, to tell her why. Rosa is reluctant - she has a job in London, a deadline that won't wait and flights of fancy are just not in her nature. Nevertheless, she realises it might be the last thing she will do for her beloved grandmother and agrees to go. Once in Tintagel, Rosa is challenged to confront secrets of her own, as shocking events threaten to change everything she has ever believed about herself and her family. She also meets a guide to the castle, Talan, a man who bears a striking resemblance to Jory. Will the past remain cloaked in tragedy, sadness and the pain of unrequited love? Or can Rosa find the courage and strength to embrace the secrets of the past, and give hope to the future?

• ISBN10: 1911129783
• ISBN13: 9781911129783
• Publish Date: 14 July 2016
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 7 April 2021
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Urbane Publications
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 288
• Language: English

Reviews

[zooloo1983]

Oh, I adored this book! I loved the dark beginning where something is happening but you aren’t sure what is! Once Rosa has woken up she is then flown on a journey that she did not see coming! It is a nice story of coming with terms to with who you are and accepting everything.

Set in the breathtaking town of Tintagel we see the castle ruins and a beautiful church that means so much to Rosa’s Grandmother. I am gutted that when I went to Cornwall last year I never got to see this part of Cornwall but it was shut so I couldn’t venture over there. However, with Mandy’s descriptions, I could imagine it so vividly as if I had been there. I want to go back one day and actually visit the places that Rosa went to. The scenery is a huge part of the book as it is a setting of serenity, hope, love and acceptance here. The church grounds are just mesmerising and when we see Jory there it just makes my heart burst. It’s just beautiful.

Personally, I want to go to a medium as I am fascinated by the spiritual world. The fact Rosa went and met Morganna set off the wheels to her future. I want to go and would love to have the adventure she had!

I was choked up at some points when reading this. Rosa meeting Jory was beautiful, her first meeting with him was something she couldn’t quite understand and then when she begins to understand what is going on it takes something to get her head around.

However, when she meets Talan, well that was a meeting, and what a man. A man with his biceps needs to be in my life and those eyes! Wowee……ok anyway ahem. Talan a local guy, working the ruins part-time knows the local history and tells Rosa this over dinner one night. However, she’s upset some locals with being dismissive over psychics and spiritualism. Not always a good first impression.

There actually wasn’t one character I didn’t like, even Aunt Clare and Kate have likeable qualities. The only gripe I had is Rosa’s treatment of Willa. Ok maybe she is in the wrong with her behaviour but Rosa is not forgiving and I felt that she was too harsh and should have been a lot nicer. We can see why Willa acted the way she does and it’s sad that Rosa behaves the way she does. I did love Morganna she is my fav, with her crazy ass ways and flamboyant outfits are just brilliant but I suppose if you are a white witch you have to be seen doing the part.

Cue misunderstandings and a lot of misdirection. It always upsets me when things don’t go the way I want it but I didn’t panic because I knew Mandy would find a way to make it all better. The one thing that did shock me was the ending. I was already emotional but I was loving how it was going and then the next thing I was reading was Mandy’s biography. Wait what?! I mean. I know that it will end happily, but I wanted more confirmation! I wanted to see the ending instead I will just use my imagination. It didn’t ruin Summer in Tintagel for me I just wanted more lol.

This is one of my favourite books by Mandy that isn’t a dark and twisty one. It is a gorgeously romantic story of love and loss. It’s just a shame there has to be a loss. The writing is pure escapism, I loved the destination, the characters and most of the church and castle. I can’t wait to go back.