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Saturday, January 14, 2012

Midnight in Austenland Preview and Giveaway (US)


In 2009 I read Shannon Hale's Austenland.  This was mere weeks before I began The Calico Critic, before I became aware of the plethora of Austen-themed novels and websites that so permeate my reading life now.  I was enthralled with Hale's work, reading the book at home and also listening to the audiobook while playing taxi driver in my minivan. It was a great introduction to the world of Austenesque fiction.

Now Shannon Hale has written a follow-up to her delightful novel, Midnight in Austenland.  From what I understand, it's set in the same locale as the first title, but new characters are introduced.  There's a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and assuredly plenty of material for us Janeites to enjoy.  Here's some information about Midnight in Austenland, including over three dozen of the first pages of the book so you can start reading now!


Bestselling author Shannon Hale returns to Austenland, where bonnets are in vogue and gentlemen can waltz, and one player is planning something a little more sinister …


When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests’ Austen fantasies.

Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn’t sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside’s mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And—perhaps of the most lasting importance—could the stirrings in Charlotte’s heart be a sign of real-life love?


The follow-up to reader favorite
Austenland provides the same perfectly plotted pleasures, with a feisty new heroine, plenty of fresh and frightening twists, and the possibility of a romance that might just go beyond the proper bounds of Austen’s world. How could it not turn out right in the end?





Click to read the first 37 pages of Austenland!
(If you can't see this widget, try clicking on "Read More" near the base of the post)









CymLowell



Midnight in Austenland Giveaway!

I'll be reading Midnight in Austenland very soon for a review on The Calico Critic, but until I share my thoughts with you, I'm pleased to offer a copy of Midnight in Austenland to one lucky reader!  The contest period ends at 12:01am EST on January 30th, 2012.

  • Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  This is my first giveaway using Rafflecopter, so please bear with me on this one.
  • Make sure you leave your email address in the one required portion of the Rafflecopter form. Should you win, I will contact you on Monday the 30th.  Please take measures to ensure that my email will make it past your spam filters, lest you miss my message. (CalicoCritic@gmail.com) You'll have 72 hours to respond before I pick another winner.
  • All entries will be verified.  If any of your entries are invalid, each will be deleted from the Rafflecopter and I will make another drawing.
  • The winner must supply a U.S. mailing address for prize shipment.

If you can't see the Rafflecopter form, try clicking on "Read More" below:



a Rafflecopter giveaway










Looking for another chance to win Midnight in Austenland?  
Be sure to check out this review and giveaway:





Mundie Moms: Deadline to enter is Feb 13, 2012

















Thanks to Bloomsbury USA for providing the review
copy and giveaway copy of Midnight in Austenland.



32 comments:

  1. I haven't read this yet but it sounds like a book I would enjoy.

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  2. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy! I'd love to read Midnight in Austenland.

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  3. I am so excited to hear there is a follow-up to Austenland!! I loved Austenland! Thank you for the entry!

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  4. I have not as yet read Austenland but it sounds like a good read!

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  5. I would love to read this book. It sounds like a great story to read.

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  6. I have not read Austenland yet, but I am dying to! If I win a copy of this book then I will be forced to get a copy of Austenland so I can read them both! It would definitely be justified, wouldn't it?! LOL Thanks for the giveaway:)

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  7. Julie:

    Yes, I agree! Winning this book is definitely justification for buying a copy of Austenland, especially if you use one of the Amazon links above! ;)

    Laura

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  8. I have read Austenland. I think I own every book that Shannon has written, including the Graphic novels. Thanks for having this book on your blog.

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  9. I've read Austenland and I loooove it! I read the excerpt of Midnight in Austenland that was offered on Shannon Hale's facebook page and I CANNOT wait for it to come out! :)

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  10. I've read Austenland and thought it was so cute!

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  11. I haven't read this yet but I think I'm going to love this one:)

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  12. I have read Austenland and loved it! In fact, I just borrowed it to re-read it before reading Midnight in Austenland. :)

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  13. I adore everything by Shannon Hale; this should be a good one!

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  14. I loved Austenland (as well as the other Shannon Hale books I've read), and am definitely looking forward to this one! Can't wait to see your thoughts on it.

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  15. I read Austenland as an ARC and reviewed it on my blog years ago. I have ALWAYS loved Shannon, and adore all of her books.

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  16. I haven't read the earlier book, but I'm really interested.

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  17. Can't wait for this one - I love Shannon Hale!

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  18. I have read Austenland--and I think someone should make a real-life vacation destination like it.

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  19. read Austenland &loved it

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  20. I am so excited to read Midnight in Austenland! And to see the Austenland movie!

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    1. Movie?!? Movie?!? There's going to be a movie?! I had no idea! Thanks for the heads up. Here's a link to more info:

      http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1985019/

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  21. Awesome giveaway! I adored Austenland! When I first read it, I had just finished reading all of Jane Austen's novels. So, really, it was perfect timing. Shannon Hale is one of my all-time favorite authors... seriously, the woman can do no wrong! I am so excited for Midnight in Austenland!

    Thanks!!

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  22. Great giveaway! I loved Austenland!

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  23. I can hardly wait to read Midnight in Austenland! I LOVE all of Shannon Hale's books and Austenland was no exception. I'm so glad that the wait is almost over!

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  24. I loved Austenland and can't wait to read Midnight in Austenland!

    I'm also looking forward to the Austenland movie. I'm not sure when it's coming out, though. Gotta go check out that link you posted.

    Thank you for the giveaway!

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  25. I haven't read Austenland yet, but would like to and would also like to read Midnight in Austenland. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  26. thanks for giveaway and yes read Austenland and so would love to read Midnight in Austenland, though must admit that Austenland was not my favorite Hale book!! so i'm hoping that Midnight in Austenland would be better and i would love Hale non-YA books as well

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  27. have not, would LOVE to wiN!

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  28. I loved Austenland and this is super high on my to be read list! thanks for the chance!

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  29. I would love to read this one. Sounds like a really good book.

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  30. honestly, I've never heard about this books before but just by looking at their covers i am excited :)

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  31. Great, honest review! Thank you so much for linking of my review/giveaway! I really appreciate it.

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