I’m delighted to come back from hiatus with a generous giveaway from Avon, who have just released the UK edition of Gillian Bagwell’s The Darling Strumpet, a novel of Nell Gwyn, mistress to Charles II. I reviewed and enjoyed The Darling Strumpet when the US edition was released in January, and I’m now very pleased to be able to give away three copies of the UK edition. Thanks to Gillian and to Charlotte Allen at Avon for making this possible.
From her beginnings as a humble oyster seller, Nell Gwynn’s dazzling rise to fame has gone down in history. Step into the tumultuous world of Restoration England, and join Nell on her journey from courtesan, to famed actress to King’s mistress in a novel that is as captivating as Nelly herself.
This is the UK cover and I love it. Avon have kept the orange theme evoking Nell’s job as an orange girl, but combined it with an ecru damask background in an ice-creamy way appropriate to its August release. I really appreciate the trouble they have taken to get Nell’s costume right – so often historical fiction is published with lovely gowns on the cover which unfortunately bear no relation to anything the characters might have been wearing. Here Nell’s dress has the low neckline and puffed, slashed sleeves of the 1660s. Her hairstyle is a bit later but it’s a good approximation of the hurluberlu style fashionable in the early 1670s. I do like the way she’s sprawled on the floor – it suggests the carefree attitude to riches and luxury which is highly typical of Gillian Bagwell’s Nell!
Giveaway Guidelines
1. Avon have kindly provided three copies of the UK edition of The Darling Strumpet. One copy per winner.
2. Open worldwide excluding the US (apologies to my many US readers and followers – I will try to bring you a giveaway later in the year).
3. To enter, simply fill out the form below.
4. One extra entry if you tweet the giveaway or mention it online!
5. You have until midnight (British Summer Time) on Friday 19th August 2011 to enter. Winners will be contacted and asked for a mailing/postal address over the following weekend. If any of the winners have not responded by Wednesday 24 August (British Summer Time) I will draw a new winner.
Good luck!
The giveaway is now closed to new entries. Winners will be drawn over the weekend of 20th/21st August.
Tags: avon, charles ii, gillian bagwell, giveaway, nell gwyn, restoration london, the darling strumpet
“No, the wedding cake theme isn’t particularly appropriate” – Give it to Oscar, then! I’m sure that once he saw it, he’d have eaten it anyway.
Also, welcome back! Our hearts rejoice at your return. Although, I daresay if you continue with these giveaways every time you return, some may wish you to take more breaks!
Thanks Meneldur! I am very glad to be back. Yes, Oscar loves to eat wedding cake. But first, he likes to pull the figures of the bride and groom off the top, split them up and throw the pieces as far apart as possible. Lady Moppet isn’t sure why.
Welcome back and thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
You’re very welcome, Cat!
Hope this is the entry form, found this on facebook and will post on my status. I’m an avid reader of historical romances and now reading non-fiction history Regency, Georgian. Lovely cover art. Will be following your blog now I’ve found it.
I’ve entered you for the giveaway, Freda – thanks for the FB mention and the follow! So glad you found us.
I like your UK cover much better than our US one. Good luck everyone!
Hmm, Oscar separating and then dismantling a couple from on top of a wedding cake is certainly saying something!
Again, welcome back!
Dawn, from GR
Thank you, Dawn! Nice to see you over here. I like both covers but I think the UK version has the edge. Usually I prefer US covers.
Oscar seems not to like people to be married, perhaps because his parents aren’t.
Sounds like commitment issues in Oscar’s future, although that term, never mind psychology, doesn’t exist back in his father’s time. That behavior, if it continues into adulthood, will go down in history as coming (mostly) from his father.
It’s funny, I normally find myself liking the UK covers more. In this case I just thought the US cover looked a bit too romancey.
Well, Oscar will go on to marry five times. So definitely some commitment issues.
