FROM ACROSS THE ROOM BY GINA L. MULLIGAN
Publication Date: September 15, 2016
Five Star Publications
Hardcover & eBook; 271 Pages
Five Star Publications
Hardcover & eBook; 271 Pages
Genre: Historical/Epistolary
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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Praise for From Across the Room
“A passionate love story set in a brilliantly recreated Gilded Age, this intimate epistolary novel takes the reader from a wide-open California to the salons of literary and industrial New York. Colorful and indelible characters stride across the pages of this exceptionally vivid historical novel that brings the past stirringly to life.” -Diana Birchall, Bestselling Author of Mr. Darcy’s Dilemma
“Gina Mulligan’s impeccable prose, engaging characters, and original style reminds us all why we love to read.” -Reza Kahlili, 2010 National Best Books winner for A Time to Betray
“The characters have richly defined voices and fascinating lives that sparkle against a transcontinental history of America at the beginning of the twentieth century.” -Jessica Klein, Award-winning Writer/Producer of Northern Exposure, Beverly Hills 90210, Gabriel’s Fire and other popular TV series.
What an interesting concept for a book! Writing a novel in the form of letters can't be easy and to be successful at that. From Across the Room is told completely in the form of letters. Mostly from the main character, Thomas Gadwell. He has met a young lady, Mary Harting and is smitten. The problem is, her father absolutely forbids them to see each other. He is currently writing his second novel and Mary's father feels that that is not a good way to make a living.
So in the form of the letters, he writes to Mary or darling Mary as he calls her, his editor Avery, Henry, his mentor, and his father. These letters are one-sided but as Thomas writes these letters we learn what the person who receives the letters writes back had to say in their own letters. His main purpose I think in writing these letters is to get advice on how he is to get in Mary's fathers good graces and what he should do to pursue his goal of having Mary for his own.
The reader learns about his visits to Mary and her family, his visits home when his father has a heart attack and his visits to his friends. The writing is very descriptive to the time, 1888-89, how Mary is restricted in how she can visit Thomas, although they do meet against her father's wishes.
I was totally impressed with this book, I am generally not a fan of this era and thought that I would have a hard time reading it. That did not happen, I got totally immersed in the story and have to say that the ending caught me off guard. I really enjoyed the book and highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed!
I received a copy of this book for a tour and for review purposes only.
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.
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– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
– 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.
I've read quite a few epistolary novels, and I enjoy them very much! In fact, one of my favorites is also a historical fiction novel - Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole. You can read my review of it here: https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2015/06/16/two-world-wars-two-women-thousands-of-letters/
ReplyDeleteI do believe that I have Letters from Skye in my Kindle, I will have to check because it sounds good. Thanks for sharing your review and stopping by!
ReplyDeleteIf you have it on your Kindle, DO read it. I adored it, so did my husband and his sister! (But get some extra tissues out for the end.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping Davida! I did really enjoy the book!
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