Smart Bitches Trashy Books | All of the romance, none of the bullshit.

Smug Bull: Win Original Limited Edition Art from Laura Kinsale

You know what would look good on your wall? A smug bull, that’s what.

To celebrate the release of Lessons in French, Laura Kinsale is giving away a very limited edition print of an original artwork by Charles Rutledge. Inspired by the illustrated editions of classic Jane Austen novels, this sketch features the scene of Callie and Hubert in the kitchen, on the lam from the constable. To quote Kinsale, “It’s very much in the spirit of an illustration from a 19th century book.  As well-known comic book curator and art critic Cliff of Dr. No’s commented; “That is one smug bull.”

Have a look:

There were only 5 prints made, with 2 artist’s proofs, and Laura gave away one on her site in January. This is one smack of a collector’s item to someone who is a Kinsale fan, especially if you enjoyed Lessons in French - and if you didn’t win that one, here’s another chance. I have one limited edition copy on archival paper, signed by the artist and by Laura Kinsale, and an autographed copy of Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale to one random commenter.  (Note: All copyright in the artwork remains with the artist, and his permission is required for any copy or digital display.) The print will be unframed print number 5/5 and an autographed copy of Lessons in French.

What do you have to do to win? Simple: leave a comment and tell me which scene or line in a romance novel you’d love to see in an illustrated drawing such as this one. Comments close in 24 hours, so start pondering and making your artistic wishes! (Me? A tie between Merlin flying, and that scene in the beginning of The Duke and I where Daphne punches out that annoying guy, Nigel.)

Standard disclaimer: I’m not being compensated for this giveaway. Use only in a well-ventilated area. For a limited time only. No postage necessary if mailed in the United States. Parental advisory: explicit lyrics. Falling rock.

DABWAHA 2010: VOTING BEGINS!

The time for filling out the brackets is closed and the time for voting, trash talking, vicious vote gathering, and the ruining of other brackets is ON.

The voting commences on March 18, 2010 EST.  The voting link is here. The voting schedule is in 12 hour blocks to accommodate people in all timezones. For Round 1, please observe the following times:

• Round 1, Set 1 of 4: March 18, 2010, 00:00 am to March 18, 2010, 12:00 pm
• Round 1, Set 2 of 4: March 18, 2010, 12:00 pm to March 19, 2010, 00:00 am
• Round 1, Set 3 of 4: March 19, 2010, 00:00 am to March 19, 2010, 12:00 pm
• Round 1, Set 4 of 4: March 19, 2010, 12:00 pm to March 20, 2010, 00:00 am

 

 

What’s Better Than 666?

What could be better or worse than 666? 999 - the total number of entries allowed by the tournament software. And we’re getting close to that number, much to our surprise and delight!

So heads up: bracket pick time ends tonight at 8pm EST - OR when we hit 999 entries, whichever comes first! As of 12:30 pm EST we had over 780 entries, so, in the words of philosopher and sage Larry the Cable Guy,  “Arrange the completion of your tasks post haste!”

Voting will begin tonight - YES TONIGHT - at midnight EST at the DABWAHA Blog, and there will be sets of multiple polls running for twelve hours so as to make all the time zones happy. We’re sluts for your time zones like that. You can test the polls here and check that your bracket has been uploaded, too.

Any questions - let’s hear ‘em. It’s almost time for Round 1!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy

Where Do You Buy Books: Survey Results

In mid-February, I asked for your responses in a very low-key, utterly not-scientific survey about Where you like to buy your books, and in what format.

Behold, the results! First, this is hands down my favorite comment in response to “Tell me what store or buying option I forgot:”

Mostly, I buy at the drugstore/grocery store these days. But I’ve bought everywhere I checked above. Yes, I’ve even swiped books from the library, but never on purpose. More in the “oh, dear, so that’s where that book went” sort of way. But the most interesting place I’ve ever acquired a book was at a yardsale where I’d run out of money. I successfully negotiated a swap for the white fringed blouse I was wearing over a tank top, for an out of print Jo Beverley hardcover. Never liked that blouse, anyway.

Will strip for out-of-print hardcovers? That ROCKS. (Why have I never thought of that?!!)

So, without further ado, here are the results, in graphic form. If you’d like to see the complete data, you can view my report—it’s available to the public for viewing and download. You can also view the complete list of book buying options with the response totals. Please keep in mind, this is utterly NOT scientific and rests solely on my own penchant for being nebby. If you’re looking for those camera-shy dudes from PriceWaterhouse Cooper with some briefcases, they’re not here.

Let’s look at some data, shall we? View my report!