Blog Tour Guest Post: From Across the Room by Gina L. Mulligan

Please join me in welcoming Gina Mulligan to Let Them Read Books! Gina is touring the blogosphere with her new historical novel, From Across the Room, and he is here today with a fun Jane Austen quiz. Read on and enter to win a copy of From Across the Room!

Self-indulgent young writer Thomas Gadwell has traveled from Boston to the new Hotel Del Coronado in California to at last finish his novel when he meets the clever and headstrong Miss Mary Harting. At once Thomas tosses aside his literary pursuits for a charmed summer of romance that ends with the happy couple making future plans. However, Mary Harting is the only unmarried daughter of notorious railroad tycoon Charles Harting, and he has no intention of letting a useless wordsmith derail his own critical plans for Mary. The couple must continue a clandestine courtship, but Thomas’ ingenuity has unexpected repercussions and he unwittingly uncovers a sinister plot of deception, greed, and blackmail. Guided by mentor Henry James, to win Mary, Thomas must step from the pages of the world he creates to explore his own insecurities, battle against worldly corruption, and expose family demons.

Told through a series of clever, heartfelt, and engaging letters, From Across the Room is a voyeuristic escapade that delights at every twist. Reflecting back to a time when letters were saved in the imagination of the reader, the lost art of letter writing brings to life the opulent Gilded Age and unfolds the universal passions of love, ambition, and the resilient bonds of family.

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Which Jane Austen Leading Man is Right for You?

by Gina L. Mulligan

While doing research for my novels set in the Gilded Age, I’ve run across lots of fun fodder about the era. Did you know the term “unfriending” started in the early 1800s and meant just what it does today, minus the scrolling cat videos and selfies? Sugar nippers are small silver tongs used to pinch off bits of sugar when sugar was served in large cone-shaped mounds. Gentlemen brought ladies a fresh chair when she entered a room so the seat was never warm from someone else’s backside. And all of Jane Austen’s beloved leading men were handsome, brave, intelligent, and romantic. Who’s the best of her storybook men is debatable, but you can find out which Jane Austen Leading Man is best for you. Just take the quiz.

1. The perfect apology gift is...
A. Flowers
B. A Poem
C. Chocolates
D. A Night on the Town
E. No gift needed. An apology is enough.

2. When I enter a room, I'd love a man to...
A. Give me his seat.
B. Bow and kiss my hand.
C. Introduce me to his friends.
D. Watch me from across the room.
E. Rush to my side.

3. A real man wears a...
A. Ascot
B. Morning Coat and Top Hat
C. Long White Dress Shirt
D. Nothing but a Smile
E. Anything I Tell Him To

4. Which best describes you in a relationship?
A. Playful. I love to joke around and have fun.
B. Gentle. A quite night at home is fine with me.
C. Serious. Deep conversation is my thing.
D. Independent. We’re not joined at the hip.
E. Honest. Trust is important to me.

5. My favorite ice cream flavor is...
A. Strawberry
B. Vanilla
C. Anything Chocolate
D. Pralines and Cream
E. None. I don't care for ice cream.

Score your quiz.
A = 1 point; B = 2 points; C = 3 points; D = 4 points; E = 5 points

So which man is right for you?

If you scored 5 – 8 points, your match is Henry Tilney (Northanger Abbey).
You like the playful type who makes you laugh and will rub your feet. Henry Tilney is one of the most caring and articulate men in Austen's novels. Although sometimes a bit cheeky, Tilney truly cares about his family and those he loves. Funny, good-natured, and forgiving, Tilney gives Catherine the benefit of the doubt when she assumes the worst of his family's past. All around, he’s a good guy and that’s perfect for you.

If you scored, 8-12 points, your match is Charles Bingley (Pride and Prejudice)
Though you enjoy having fun, you like a quiet man who smiles easily and brings you chamomile tea. Gentle and charming, Mr. Bingley is the one for you. Though he might be a bit suggestible, he never holds a grudge and has a heart of gold. He’s the kind of leading man that will do anything for love. How about a backrub with that tea?!

If you scored 13-18 points, your match is Fitzwilliam Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)
You might not want to admit it, but you’re drawn to men in charge. Look no further than Mr. Darcy. Though he won’t show his emotions readily, and he’s sometimes a bit misguided, he’s a romantic at heart and steadfast in his care for others. You may have to work a bit harder for this type of man, but he’s worth it. Just remember the size of Mr. Darcy’s estate!

If you scored 19-22 points, your match is Captain Frederick Wentworth (Persuasion)
You like a self-made man with raw good looks. Who doesn’t? Unlike most gentlemen of the era, Captain Wentworth is a modern man who instead of inheriting his money, earned every dollar. Flirting may be his pastime, but few know he’s a passionate letter writer. See if this passage from his letter to Louisa doesn’t make your heart miss a beat …

You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you.

If you scored 22-25 points, your match is Edmund Bertram (Mansfield Park)
You want someone who’s kind, honest, sensible, loyal, and above all — good. That sums up Edmund Bertram, the character some believe is the most romantic and perfect Austen man. He’s pure of heart and truly cares about Fanny’s wellbeing. Don’t settle for less. Find your Edmund, and you’ll find your happily ever after.

About the Author:

Gina L. Mulligan is a veteran freelance journalist for numerous national magazines and the author of the award-winning novel, REMEMBER THE LADIES and FROM ACROSS THE ROOM. After her own diagnosis, Gina founded Girls Love Mail, a charity that collects handwritten letters of encouragement for women with breast cancer. She was honored for her charitable work on the nationally syndicated television talk show The Steve Harvey Show, People.com, and TODAY.com

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GIVEAWAY!

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away 3 copies of From Across the Room & Stationary! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules:

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on December 21st. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. From Across the Room