Saturday, January 31, 2009

Giveaway: The Italian Lover



Through the generosity of Hachette books, I am able to giveaway 5 copies of The Italian Lover by Robert Hellenga.
An exhilarating novel of romance, art, and food in Florence, featuring the beloved Margot Harrington, who graced Robert Hellenga's The Sixteen Pleasures. Margot Harrington's memoir about her discovery in Florence of a priceless masterwork of Renaissance erotica - and the misguided love affair it inspired - is now, 25 years later, being made into a movie.Margot, with the help of her lover, Woody, writes a script that she thinks will validate her life. Of course their script is not used, but never mind - happy endings are the best endings for movies, as Margot eventually comes to see.At the former convent in Florence where "The Sixteen Pleasures" - now called "The Italian Lover," - is being filmed, Margot enters into a drama she never imagined, where her ideas of home, love, art, and aging collide with the imperatives of commerce and the unknowability of other cultures and other people.



Contest rules are simple:
1. for one entry tell me what you think of the cover art
2. blog about this contest with a link
3. become a follower

4. For that "beat the odds" entry, try coming up with a caption for Huddle penguins (top left) One winner will be from these entries!

Eligible only in the US and Canada, no p.o. boxes. Please leave an e- mail address as winners will be notified by e- mail. Contest ends Feb 10th at 6:00P.M. Good Luck!
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58 comments:

  1. KRJanuary 31, 2009 at 4:47 PM

    I love the cover art!

    ReplyDelete
  2. KRJanuary 31, 2009 at 4:47 PM

    I follow

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mary (Bookfan)January 31, 2009 at 6:59 PM

    Love the cover. Looks like it's from an old painting but has a bit of freshness to it.

    I'm adding this to my "Give aways" post in my sidebar.

    meah56ATgmail.COM

    ReplyDelete
  4. darbysclosetJanuary 31, 2009 at 8:16 PM

    The cover? Uh hum, "Nice Lips".
    Thanks so much,
    Darby
    darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. darbysclosetJanuary 31, 2009 at 8:19 PM

    For the huddle caption...
    "Come clean, one of you smells like a dog"
    Thanks so much,
    Darby
    darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. bermudaonionJanuary 31, 2009 at 9:25 PM

    The cover makes me want to see the rest of him. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2009 at 10:57 AM

    The cover art makes me think of wanting to travel to Florence!

    nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gwendolyn B.February 1, 2009 at 1:47 PM

    The cover? I sense potential cruelty - he's almost sneering!
    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gwendolyn B.February 1, 2009 at 1:47 PM

    I'm a follower!
    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  10. BeccaFebruary 1, 2009 at 11:49 PM

    I love Florence and this sounds like it could be a good read. :)
    I think the cover art is interesting. I can't decide what the face is saying. Is that a grin or a smirk? Hmm...

    I'm a follower, too.

    Is there a way I can give you my e-mail without sharing it on the comments?

    ReplyDelete
  11. BeccaFebruary 1, 2009 at 11:51 PM

    My caption for the picture, dull as it may be, :) is:

    "Okay, guys, here's our plan."

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2009 at 8:21 AM

    It's an interesting cover, sexy mouth! The nose might be a bit up there. I love it though. I hope I win.

    unsealmylips at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. JulieFebruary 2, 2009 at 11:15 AM

    I'm not sure if I love the cover art...the man is handsome for sure but does it best represent the book? I will have to read to find out!

    Cheers,
    Julie
    julie.sherritt[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  14. JulieFebruary 2, 2009 at 11:18 AM

    Ok here's my caption for the picture...


    "Go Pittsburgh Penguins!.....I mean Steelers!:

    ReplyDelete
  15. Michelle Olsen SasakFebruary 2, 2009 at 3:08 PM

    The man looks sexy, but a little smug too. It would be nice to see his eyes and hair as well :)

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  16. DonnaFebruary 2, 2009 at 3:15 PM

    Love the cover art. That alone can get someone to read it! hehe

    ReplyDelete
  17. DonnaFebruary 2, 2009 at 3:15 PM

    I follow

    ReplyDelete
  18. DonnaFebruary 2, 2009 at 3:17 PM

    As for the huddle: "look guys I know the whales are up to something."

    although my youngest son thought it looked like they were planning the next play for a football game.

    ReplyDelete
  19. BridgetFebruary 2, 2009 at 4:49 PM

    I've posted on Win A Book. Don't enter me in the contest.

    ReplyDelete
  20. mindyFebruary 2, 2009 at 4:54 PM

    its different and leaves a lot to the imagination thanks for the giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2009 at 5:41 PM

    Pudgy, I think the cover is a guy who is stuck on himself and you know they say "the eyes have it" well, I am an "eye woman" so without them, I have to go by the title and imagine what MY Italian guy would look like.

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2009 at 5:42 PM

    I already follow.

    I am blogging about your 5 books to win along with my 5 THE GIANT OF ABERDEEN COUNTY giveaway on my blog at http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2009 at 5:46 PM

    I love those little penguins....here is what I think the caption should say..."You can't lean on me all your life, kids! Now stand up and waddle for yourselves!"

    ReplyDelete
  24. Becke DavisFebruary 2, 2009 at 7:53 PM

    The cover kind of reminds me of the portrait of Richard III on the cover of Josephine Tey's A Daughter of Time. I like it!

    ReplyDelete
  25. K GiardinaFebruary 2, 2009 at 7:54 PM

    My hubby is an Italian guy, and that picture just does it for me! lol
    Thanks for the contest!
    kimdotgiardina(at)gmail(dot)

    ReplyDelete
  26. UnknownFebruary 2, 2009 at 9:00 PM

    The cover art? For some reason I can't help but think the guy looks like he's being stubborn about something, but I'm sure that's just me!

    jgbeads AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownFebruary 2, 2009 at 9:00 PM

    I am already a follower.

    jgbeads AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  28. UnknownFebruary 2, 2009 at 9:01 PM

    As for the caption:

    Group hugs are nice, guys, but did somebody say "Fish!"

    ReplyDelete
  29. scottsgalFebruary 2, 2009 at 11:12 PM

    Not crazy about the cover - reminds me of the Da Vinci Code but I want to read this book

    msboatgal at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. ToniFebruary 3, 2009 at 12:53 AM

    LOL at Bermudiaonion.
    No need to enter me... Just wanted to pop into this fun fun giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  31. RachelleFebruary 3, 2009 at 1:05 AM

    I'm a follower and I think the cover art is saying ther'e more to the man than we can see. My e-mail is raltme@gmail.com .
    Caption for the penguins. It's a rugby huddle but I'm more interested in what's above!

    ReplyDelete
  32. A ReaderFebruary 3, 2009 at 8:48 AM

    To be honest the cover art doesn't do alot for me.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. DonnaFebruary 3, 2009 at 12:17 PM

    Just wanted to let you know I tagged you on Picture Tag meme. Hope over to my blog to check out what you need to do.

    http://writebyfaith.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2009 at 12:18 PM

    Lol! here I am again! Do enter me for this book as well!:) Would love to read it sometime..

    and here's my attempt for the caption:

    "Huddling to strategise before the next play in Penguin-bowl!"

    As you can see, I am yet to get out of the superbowl mood:)

    ramyasbookshelf(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. TarasviewFebruary 3, 2009 at 8:23 PM

    the cover is ok... I think I prefer eyes though!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Erika PowellFebruary 3, 2009 at 8:57 PM

    honestly, it isn't my favorite cover. but i still want to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Erika PowellFebruary 3, 2009 at 8:57 PM

    i am a follower

    ReplyDelete
  38. CricketFebruary 3, 2009 at 9:30 PM

    I would love an entry into this giveaway! I am a follower of your blog! Thank you!

    JodiMof3 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. CricketFebruary 3, 2009 at 9:31 PM

    I really like the cover art. It reminds me of those old Greek and Roman statues you see in art books! I love the colors and graphics also!

    JodiMof3 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Jo-JoFebruary 4, 2009 at 10:59 AM

    Please enter me in this contest...I like the cover art, I think it leaves a lot to the imagination.
    joannelong74@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. AmandaFebruary 5, 2009 at 3:10 PM

    Ok. I think the cover art is creepy. I mean...the Italian lover...look at those creepy lips! Oh. And I'm adding you to my Reader. And for the penguin caption..."I'm the king of the hill!!!"

    ReplyDelete
  42. travelerFebruary 5, 2009 at 5:08 PM

    The cover art is unique and reflects the era and the subject. It is amazing.
    saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. anneFebruary 5, 2009 at 5:53 PM

    Interesting and artistic cover which appeals to me greatly.

    ReplyDelete
  44. WrightyFebruary 6, 2009 at 1:59 AM

    No need to enter me but I had to take a crack at the caption.

    "For he's a jolly good fellow!..."

    Fun contest!

    ReplyDelete
  45. WrightyFebruary 6, 2009 at 2:01 AM

    I have to do another one!

    "He ain't heavy, he's my brother"

    ReplyDelete
  46. The Giveaway DivaFebruary 6, 2009 at 3:18 AM

    mmm the cover art is interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Lady RoxiFebruary 7, 2009 at 3:27 PM

    Love to have this.
    His lips look so kissable!
    Thanks,

    darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  48. YvonneFebruary 7, 2009 at 4:06 PM

    No need to enter me in the contest, but I wanted to let you know I tagged you for a photo meme. Hope you don't mind.

    ReplyDelete
  49. AmyFebruary 7, 2009 at 6:05 PM

    I admittedly find the cover art a little strange. :) but I'd like to read the book!

    ReplyDelete
  50. KarenFebruary 8, 2009 at 10:39 AM

    Caption: "Did someone say it's time for fish?"

    ReplyDelete
  51. KarenFebruary 8, 2009 at 4:24 PM

    eeek....I didn't see Janel's caption.....sorry! How about this:
    "I just can't take another verse of 'Kumbaya'."

    ReplyDelete
  52. kalea_kaneFebruary 8, 2009 at 5:21 PM

    I like the cover art. That is a face (well part of a face) I can picture on a Roman coin. :) Great giveaway!

    Kelly

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. bettycdFebruary 9, 2009 at 3:53 PM

    I like the cover, makes you do a doubletake on whether its a painting you know.

    ReplyDelete
  54. bettycdFebruary 9, 2009 at 3:58 PM

    caption: For he's a jolly good fellow

    ReplyDelete
  55. KristenFebruary 9, 2009 at 8:24 PM

    This one looks fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  56. avisannschildFebruary 10, 2009 at 1:12 AM

    The cover seems very appropriate to the book (from what I know of it). Please enter me!

    shereadsandreads(at)gmail(dot)com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  57. SaraFebruary 10, 2009 at 12:51 PM

    I like the cover art. I do wonder how they go my husband on the cover however. I'm also a follower. And I love the Valentine Theme on your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  58. KristenFebruary 10, 2009 at 1:52 PM

    Sorry about the no contact info in my previous comment! You can e-mail me at whitreidsmama at yahoo dot com.

    Thanks,

    Kristen

    ReplyDelete

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