Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Giveaway - First Impressions - Charlie Lovett

I've got a wonderful giveaway for Jane Austen fans today! Charlie Lovett's new novel First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen releases October 20/14..

What's it about? From the publisher, Viking Books:

"Charlie Lovett’s best-selling debut novel The Bookman’s Tale introduced scores of readers to the true meaning of the word bibliophile. In his delightful second novel, FIRST IMPRESSIONS: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen, Lovett once again immerses readers in a world where books hold closely guarded secrets that threaten to turn the literary world upside down. For Lovett, a former antiquarian bookseller and collector, old books hold a power like none other; in his thrilling, suspenseful mysteries, their contents become matters of life and death.

In 1796, Jane Austen is living in Hampshire and working on her first book, an epistolary novel tentatively titled Elinor and Marianne, when she strikes up an unlikely friendship with an aging cleric named Richard Mansfield. An author himself—albeit of a less-than-artful book of allegories—Mansfield soon becomes Jane’s closest literary companion. On long walks through the countryside and engaging chats by the fire, they offer each other not only friendship, but also professional advice. Neither can foresee the impact their collaborations will have on future generations.

In present day London, Sophie Collingwood is a lifelong book lover bereft at the loss of her beloved Uncle Bertram. After his books are sold off to pay debts, Sophie takes a job at an antiquarian bookshop hoping to earn enough to slowly buy back the books and restore his collection. When, on the same day, two customers request a copy of the same obscure book—the second edition of Little Book of Allegories by Richard Mansfield—Sophie is drawn into a mystery that will cast doubt on the true authorship of Pride and Prejudice.

Sophie, a dogged a dogged researcher and devoted Jane Austen fan, is quickly drawn into a frantic search for a book that threatens not just Jane Austen’s reputation, but Sophie’s own life. Combining a very Austen-like love triangle; a portrait of one of our greatest literary legends; and a tribute to the typesetters and printing presses of the eighteenth century, First Impressions> will charm bibliophiles and Jane Austen lovers everywhere. Lovett skillfully pulls readers into his world where true joy comes from a life lived in books."


"Charlie Lovett is a former antiquarian bookseller, an avid book collector, and a member of The Grolier Club, the preeminent club for bibliophiles in North America. He and his wife split their time between Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Kingham, Oxfordshire, in England."

PS - Did I mention that a hardcover copy of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, courtesy of Penguin Booksis part of this prize pack? For a chance to win both books, simply leave a comment with the title of your favourite Jane Austen book. Open to US and Canada, no PO boxes please. Ends Oct 25/14.

12 comments:

holdenj said...

How fun, both storylines sound good! Although I certainly like P&P, I think Persuasion ends up being my favorite. Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

KAS said...

I am desperate to read this book; thanks for the feature and giveaway, Luanne! My favorite Austen novel these days is Northanger Abbey, but I admit this may shift to other titles over time. I read Austen pretty often. Cheers, Kara

bermudaonion said...

I hate to admit this but I haven't read many Jane Austen novels - I'm going to go with Pride & Prejudice. Thanks for the giveaway!

kathy(at)bermudaonion.net

traveler said...

I have read Persuasion which is my favorite. Thanks for this giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

P & P without a doubt is my favorite. What a great giveaway. many thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Carl Scott said...

Hi Luanne, I don't have a favorite J. A. book myself but my wife's favorite is indeed Pride and Prejudice. There's a total win/win. She gets a new copy of P&P for her shelf and I get the new Charlie Lovett. Sweet! carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

lag123 said...

P&P is the best!

lag110 at mchsi dot com

bn100 said...

pride and prejudice

bn100candg at hotmail dot com

Vesper said...

Difficult to pick would I would have to go with Pride and Prejudice, just because I read it more often than the others

meikleblog at gmail dot com

schilds said...

Of course Pride and Prejudice is a favorite but I have always had a soft spot for Mansfield Park too. These books sound great hope to win!

Grandma Cootie said...

What a great giveaway. Persuasion is my favorite, can read it over and over.

rubynreba said...

I will have to pick Pride and Prejudice.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net