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)

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.