A while ago, rather quite a long time now, I began a new idea here on My Bookshelf. It was A Stranger's Choice. Today I am revisiting this in kind. Not quite the same but similar. Well, you'll see.
On Friday I was assisting a customer in the book store and she was purchasing Jeffrey Archer's Only Time Will Tell and we got to talking about the author. She simply adores his writing and mentioned a few of his works that she has enjoyed. I was happy to inform her that Only Time Will Tell is the first in a new series of Mr. Archer's, the Clifton Chronicles. As we discussed a bit further, she made a recommendation to me. She said I simply must read Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer.
Curiosity peaked, I did a little investigating and this is what I discovered:
Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less
First published in hardback in 1976
The conned: an Oxford don, a revered society physician, a chic French art dealer, and a charming English lord. They have one thing in common. Overnight, each novice investor lost his life's fortune to one man. The con: Harvey Metcalfe. A brilliant, self-made guru of deceit. A very dangerous individual. And now, a hunted man.
With nothing left to lose four strangers are about to come together -- each expert in their own field. Their plan: find Harvey, shadow him, trap him, and penny-for-penny, destroy him. From the luxurious casinos of Monte Carlo to the high-stakes windows at Ascot to the bustling streets of Wall Street to fashionable London galleries, their own ingenious game has begun. It's called revenge -- and they were taught by a master.
Interesting fact:
It took Jeffrey some time to find a publisher for this first novel. When it was published, it only sold 3,000 copies in hardback. The paperback did a bit better, selling about 20,000 in the first year. However, as word-of-mouth took over, demand increased. Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less has now been reprinted 57 times.
Marvellously plotted, with just the right amounts of romance, wit and savoir-faire...
The Sins of the Father, the second book in the Clifton Chronicles written by Jeffrey Archer is set to be released March 15, 2012! I can tell you I am incredibly pumped to continue the Clifton story!!
Catch my review of the first book in the Clifton Chronicles, Only Time Will Tell.
Only Time Will Tell
Author: Jeffrey Archer
Copyright: 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release date: September 2011
Pages: 386
ISBN 9780312539559
Source: A huge thank you to St. Martin's press for approaching me to review Only Time Will Tell and providing me with an Advance Reader's Edition. This has not influenced my opinion nor this review.
Only Time Will Tell is also available as an audio book from MacMillan Audio. (unfortunately, at the time of this writing, I have not yet received a copy of Only Time Will Tell on audio book.)
The epic tale of Harry Clifton’s life begins in 1920, with the chilling words, ‘I was told my father was killed in the war.’ But it will be another twenty years before Harry discovers how his father really died, which will only lead him to question who was his father?
Is he the son of Arthur Clifton, a stevedore who worked in Bristol docks, or the first born son of a scion of West Country society, whose family owns the Barrington Shipping Line?
Only Time Will Tell covers the years from 1920 to 1940, and includes a cast of memorable characters that The Times has compared to The Forsyte Saga. Volume one takes us from the ravages of the Great War to the outbreak of the Second World War, when Harry must decide whether to take up a place at Oxford, or join the navy and go to war with Hitler’s Germany.
You will be taken on a journey that you won’t want to end, but when you turn the last page of this unforgettable yarn, you will be faced with a dilemma that neither you, nor Harry Clifton, could have anticipated. (from the author's site: http://www.jeffreyarcher.co.uk/site/only-time_will_tell)
Only Time Will Tell is the first book in The Clifton Chronicles and was released in the US August 30, 2011. It is available as an ebook, audio book or hardcover at Amazon and your favourite bookstore near you.
Only Time Will Tell is the saga of the Cliftons and the Barringtons, two families whose lives are intertwined forever because of one night. It is the story of love, passion, greed and honour, murder and mystery, and is an epic page turner. Visit the town of Bristol as seen through young Harry's eyes, son of a deceased war hero and a mother who will do anything to ensure her son's happiness and the best chance for a fulfilling life. For years Harry knows one truth about his father but it will be on his wedding day that the real story of his father's death is revealed and who was responsible. That day will call into question his paternity. That day will change the course of his life.
This was my first Jeffrey Archer novel and certainly will not be the last. Jeffrey Archer has a knack for storytelling that pulls you in, with plot twists, which reveal only a little at a time, so at the very end the reader sits back with a gasp, realizing how magnificent a tale they have just had the pleasure of exploring. I wait in great anticipation for news of the release of the second of the chronicles.
Only Time Will Tell is one of my favourite new releases of 2011 and is sure to be on the bestseller lists!
Meet the author:
Jeffrey Archer was educated at Oxford University. He has served five years in Britain’s House of Commons and fourteen years in the House of Lords. All of his novels and short story collections--including And Thereby Hangs a Tale, Kane and Abel, Paths of Glory and False Impression--have been international bestselling books. Archer is married with two sons and lives in London and Cambridge. His website: http://www.jeffreyarcher.co.uk/site
Thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway for two copies of Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer. Using Random.org, the following two individuals were selected and will have 48 hours to contact me with their addresses. These will in turn be forwarded to the publisher for mail out of the prizes.
The two winners will be contacted by email today. Should a winner fail to contact me within 48 hours, I will select a new winner using Random.org.
Congratulations to you both!!
*Update: Unfortunately, one of the winners did not contact me within the allotted 48 hours so I have had to draw another winner. Using Random.org, the new winner is Paula at Community Bookstop. Paula, you have 48 hours, until 5:30 pm MST Saturday August 20 to contact me with your mailing address. Hope to hear from you soon!
The Jeffrey Archer book giveaway, Only Time Will Tell, closes August 15 at midnight. Time is short and entries few, so get in your comments with your email address for a chance to win one of two copies of his latest book. It's sure to be another bestseller!!
Enter now for a chance to win his recently released novel ONLY TIME WILL TELL. click here
Two lucky winners will receive a copy direct from the publisher! Enter now! Open to US and Canada. (my apologies to my international friends)
Enter by using the link in red above. Only entries posted on the original posting, as indicated by the link, will be entered. Entrants must include an email address so I may contact the winner.
I could not be more excited to offer you a copy of ONLY TIME WILL TELL, the newest novel by Jeffrey Archer, best selling author of KANE AND ABEL, SONS OF FORTUNE, PRISONER OF BIRTH, FALSE IMPRESSION, PATHS OF GLORY and more. Readers world-wide have long agreed that Jeffrey Archer is a master of storytelling and ONLY TIME WILL TELL (On-sale in August in US & Canada) is truly Jeffrey Archer at his absolute best.
The first in an ambitious new series THE CLIFTON CHRONICLES, this novel tells the story of one family across generations, across oceans, from heartbreak to triumph and, in particular, the epic tale of Harry Clifton’s life—a classic story of good boy from humble beginnings trying to make his fortune in the world in the face of class differences and World Wars in 20th century London & New York City.
St. Martin's Press has generously offered TWO copies of Only Time Will Tell. Open to US and Canada. Please respond to this post with your name and email address to enter for a chance to win a copy! You don't have to be a follower to enter, but it would be nice! ;)
Contest open until August 15th! Closed.
***Review to come in August.***
Only Time Will Tell is also available as an audiobook from Macmillan Audio. Narrated by Roger Allam, who has narrated Jeffrey Archer's previous audiobooks, returns to give voice to Only Time Will Tell, adding an enormous excitement to what is already a thrill of a ride!
