With less than a week to go until Orchid Affair, I bring you the entries in the Orchid Affair Book-in-a-Bag Contest. Here’s how it works: just vote for your three favorites, in descending order (i.e. your first choice first), and the three winners will receive a copy of The Orchid Affair in the bag they designed.
One judge, chosen at random, will also receive a book in whichever bag she desires. Voting closes on Sunday.
Let the voting begin!
1.
(Front: “Spies… don’t scare me./ I teach kids.”)
2.
(“Rule #10 of the Guide to Better Governessing: Don’t Let Them See You Suffer.”)
3.
(Front: “What’s an Orchid Affair?” Back: “It’s like The Sound of Music… meets Mata Hari.”)
4.
(Front: “The Silver Orchid Governess Agency/ Currently recruiting capable governesses./ Must provide instruction in composition,/ literature, history, geography, arithmetic,/ foreign language, music and drawing./ Previous teaching experience preferred./ Ability to thwart evil French agents a plus./ Contact Laura Grey for more information.”)
5.
(Front: “Patience is only a virtue when there is something worth waiting for.” Back: “Patiently Waiting… January 2011.”)
6.
(Front: “Deep in their root, all flowers keep the light. — Theodore Roethke.” Back: “Every man is surrounded by a neighborhood of voluntary spies. — Jane Austen.”)
7.
(Front: “Pride and Prejudice Lives On.” Back: “A governess trades the quiet life for adventure and danger– and romance.”)
8.
(Front: “What can be better than chocolate?/ The Orchid Affair! Duh!” Back: “The Orchid Affair arrives January 20, 2011. A Lauren Willig Fan.”)
9.
(Back: “Placing the book on the counter, the shopkeeper spread it open to reveal a delicately tinted engraving of a flower./ It was an orchid.”)
10.
(“Savages Do Not Get Books. –Mlle Laure Griscogne. The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig.”)
11.
(“(Laura) Grey is the new black./ Selwick Spy School Class of 1803.”)
12.
(Back: “Patience is only a virtue when there is something worth waiting for.”)
13.
14.
15.
16.
(Front: “From England to France…” Back: “…From Governess to Secret Agent…/ …Mission? Espionage in Paris…/… With a romance and adventure of a lifetime!”)
17.
(“Guide to Better Governessing/ Rule #10: Never Let Them See You Suffer.”)
-
10
11
4
Very cool idea, Lauren!
by Jessica
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
-
I like 1, 7 and 9 best. They are all pretty cool, though. Book bags are awesome 
by Martina
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
-
1. #1 (I teach 2nd grade…so true)
2. #17 (also applies to classroom teaching)
3. #12 cuz it’s pretty
by Lora
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
-
#12 is my favorite.
#16 is my second choice.
#9 is third.
by Laura
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:18 pm
-
1.
2.
13.
by Amanda Ragan
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:19 pm
-
1
4
12
Some really amazing entries! It was hard to pick just 3!
by Samantha
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
-
12, 4, 2
by Julia Fullman
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
-
12 is my first
9 is my second
7 is my third
.. they were difficult to choose from!
by Jessica
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:27 pm
-
#5, 7, 9
Wow, those were great entries!
by melanie
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
-
12
1
14
Here are my choices. Very impressive entries!
by Kristy
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:30 pm
-
12 (<–Love it!)
14
15
by Robin
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
-
12 for first choice.
1 for second.
4 for third.
Such fun entries!
by J
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
-
12
6
11
All very creative!
by Susan
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
-
I like 12 for first
4 for second
And 9 for third
So hard to choose!
by elizabeth
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
-
# 6
# 5
#16
Thanks so much ~ great, good fun!
by Jean
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
-
In descending order,
9
3
6
. . . with several others close behind!
by Mary Ellen
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:43 pm
-
1
12
11
by Erin G.
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
-
1. bag #1 (because i am a teacher)
2. bag #6
3. bag #17
they are all awesome but these are my faves!!
by Shenandoah Strojek
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
-
12
1
11
But they’re all great. Fun contest!
by Elizabeth
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
-
12
11
7
Liked all of them, but these were my
favorites
by Linda
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
-
1st is #9
2nd is #12
3rd is #1 [It might have been my favorite if I was a teacher]
***Great choices! I love book totes!
by Christy
on January 13th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
-
12
1
4
by Lynda O'Con
on January 13th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
-
1, 11, 12
by Riley
on January 13th, 2011 at 9:13 pm
-
4
12
6
are my picks. Great job everyone!
by Kira
on January 13th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
-
10
12
5
Hard to choose but these are the ones I liked best
by Miranda
on January 13th, 2011 at 9:18 pm
-
7, 11, 1
by Christine
on January 13th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
-
2
7
15
by Pauline Costantino
on January 13th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
-
6
14
5
Purple Orchids are my favorite, after Purple Gentians of course 
by Amy Sansone
on January 13th, 2011 at 9:30 pm
-
12
1
by Jenny
on January 13th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
-
#1
#4
#12
by Jessica C
on January 13th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
-
1 (How could a teacher not pick it!?!)
12
10
by Kate
on January 13th, 2011 at 9:49 pm
-
1, 11, 12
by Amy
on January 13th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
-
12
7
3
by LeeB.
on January 13th, 2011 at 10:10 pm
-
11, then 12, then 1. Love them! What a fun contest
by Amanda :)
on January 13th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
-
4, 11, 17
by Lindsey
on January 13th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
-
12
11
1
by Ashley
on January 13th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
-
9
12
14
by Heather
on January 13th, 2011 at 10:20 pm
-
11
10
3
by Lesley
on January 13th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
-
12 – Love this one!
1 – Very true!
15 – Simple & timeless!
by Katie
on January 13th, 2011 at 10:32 pm
-
9
6
12
by Kristen S.
on January 13th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
-
12
11
4
I love them all! But those 3 are my favorites.
by Lindsey
on January 13th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
-
11>>love!!
10
12
Good luck to all the contestants!
by Sam
on January 13th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
-
These are my choices!!
1. I love love LOVE #1
2. #12 is also gorgeous
3. And lastly, #11
So to sum up: 1, 12, 11
by Danielle
on January 13th, 2011 at 11:16 pm
-
7
1
9
by Elizabeth P
on January 13th, 2011 at 11:20 pm
-
Definitely #12!
by Samantha
on January 13th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
-
I love them all but
1, 12, 11
by Joy
on January 13th, 2011 at 11:48 pm
-
1. #1
2. #12
3. #11
by Carolyn
on January 13th, 2011 at 11:51 pm
-
#11
#3
#12
by Virginia
on January 13th, 2011 at 11:54 pm
-
#6
#17
#15
by Diana
on January 13th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
-
6
10
15
by Tina
on January 13th, 2011 at 11:57 pm
-
They’re all great, but since I have to choose…
1st choice – #12
2nd choice – #10
3rd choice – #1
by Janette
on January 13th, 2011 at 11:58 pm
-
6
3
5
by Dave
on January 14th, 2011 at 12:02 am
-
12
14
4
-
#11
#4
#1
by Sierra
on January 14th, 2011 at 12:08 am
-
7
9
12
by Vera E
on January 14th, 2011 at 12:10 am
-
7 i like it best because it’s simple and elegant
9
12
by Vera E
on January 14th, 2011 at 12:12 am
-
6
2
12
by Krystal
on January 14th, 2011 at 12:25 am
-
12, 14, 4!
by Theresa
on January 14th, 2011 at 12:38 am
-
12
3
15
I think elegant and understated is the way to go. Obviously never forgoing the dash of satire that is so pink and so embedded in the P.C empire.
by Riora
on January 14th, 2011 at 12:54 am
-
#12, #1, #9
by A S
on January 14th, 2011 at 12:57 am
-
12 !!
7
1
I absolutely adore #12, and I love the art for #1. The caption for #7 is super adorable.
by Diandra R
on January 14th, 2011 at 1:02 am
-
I like them all but my favorite are 11, 12, and 8!
by Katherine
on January 14th, 2011 at 1:34 am
-
#1, #12 & #11
by Becky
on January 14th, 2011 at 1:47 am
-
3, 15, 12.
I love this!
by Breenah
on January 14th, 2011 at 1:58 am
-
12, 9, 15.
by Crystal Rose
on January 14th, 2011 at 2:37 am
-
4.
12.
1.
I love the patience quote! I heard “Patience is a virtue” my whole childhood.
Can’t wait for the Orchid!!!!
by Erin
on January 14th, 2011 at 3:01 am
-
12
1
4
Beautiful work!
by Rachel
on January 14th, 2011 at 4:13 am
-
11
8
17
=]
by Emily
on January 14th, 2011 at 4:14 am
-
4, 7, 12
All of them were very creative! What fun! Loved 1 as well, having been a teacher, but not quite as much as these three mentioned. Great job, Ladies! Now, we all need secret flower names :~)
by Kate
on January 14th, 2011 at 5:38 am
-
12, 9, 4. I would have never guessed that these would be so cool! I could never be that creative!
by Madeline
on January 14th, 2011 at 7:45 am
-
12
6
1
by HJ
on January 14th, 2011 at 8:47 am
-
1
4
8
by Alexandra J
on January 14th, 2011 at 9:31 am
-
#12
#2
#11
Looking forward to the book launch!
by Joey
on January 14th, 2011 at 9:41 am
-
1
7
12
by Fran
on January 14th, 2011 at 9:41 am
-
12
16
4
by Holly
on January 14th, 2011 at 9:51 am
-
10
11
1
I have a soft spot in my heart for #1 because I, too, used to teach kids. My dissertation committee pales in comparison to the horror that is a room full of eighth graders.
by Pam
on January 14th, 2011 at 10:00 am
-
11
9
5
All great, but love #11!
by Barb
on January 14th, 2011 at 10:09 am
-
9
11
12
These were so hard to choose from!
by Bridget
on January 14th, 2011 at 10:16 am
-
Hi, I’m not trying to double post (and apologies for clogging up the comments here), but I was wondering when voting will close?
Fun contest idea!
by Pam
on January 14th, 2011 at 10:18 am
-
1 and 10
I really really like number 1 and would vote for it twice if I could.
by Emily
on January 14th, 2011 at 10:34 am
-
9
1
17
by Bekah
on January 14th, 2011 at 10:43 am
-
I’ll give my votes to….
#12
#17
#8
by Carole
on January 14th, 2011 at 10:48 am
-
They are all so pretty! But my choices are:
First #12
Second #9
Third #7
by Jennifer
on January 14th, 2011 at 10:54 am
-
#12
#6
#17
by Sherri
on January 14th, 2011 at 11:26 am
-
#11, #1, #4
by Amanda
on January 14th, 2011 at 11:32 am
-
I really love them all but since I have to choose . . .
first choice: #4
second choice: #7
third choice: #12
-
1
11
12
…. and I totally need to order # 1 for my mom. She loves the books and has been teaching for 35 years!
by Rachel
on January 14th, 2011 at 11:46 am
-
12
1
9
great job, everyone
by Rachel Adrianna
on January 14th, 2011 at 11:47 am
-
12, 11 and 14
by Edna Bayon
on January 14th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
-
#1) 12
#2) 10
#3) 4
It was hard to pick just three, I have to say.
by Eve
on January 14th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
-
1) #16
2) # 7
3) # 3
And I do believe Pam has a point, when does the voting end?
by Dayana
on January 14th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
-
1.) 1
2.) 2
3.) 12
by charis
on January 14th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
-
These are all so great! My picks are:
4
3
12
by Antonia
on January 14th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
-
#12
#4
#6
by Lauren Ashley
on January 14th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
-
1
3
8
by Nancy
on January 14th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
-
I vote for 9, 10, and 12. Fabulous entries!
by Kirstin
on January 14th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
-
All great! But my favorites:
1. 1
2. 12
3. 10
by Rachel
on January 14th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
-
1. 11
2. 4
3. 8
by Tracey
on January 14th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
-
1. 10
2. 4
3. 12
Great job everyone!
by MelissaW
on January 14th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
-
Great jobs!
My ordeR:
1
4
9
Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!
by Amanda Isabel
on January 14th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
-
#1, #11, #12
by Cho
on January 14th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
-
1
12
2
by Chartreuse
on January 14th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
-
9
6
1
Wow, that was difficult. I really like them all.
by Stephanie W
on January 14th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
-
9
12
6
by Jen G
on January 14th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
-
Great work everyone! They are wonderful. I couldn’t narrow it down to 3.
It’s a tie b/w 12 & 13,
and then a tie b/w 10 & 11
by Susan
on January 14th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
-
Wonderful job!
1.
11.
and 4.
by PM
on January 14th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
-
4 and 9 and 12 are tied in my mind.
Wonderful ideas from everyone!
by AnneK
on January 14th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
-
11
10
4
Thanks so much! Can’t wait to read the new book!!
by HCW
on January 14th, 2011 at 7:28 pm
-
4
7
9
Great job everyone!!!
by Sara G.
on January 14th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
-
12
10
6
by Shannon C
on January 14th, 2011 at 9:02 pm
-
12
11
6
by Laura
on January 14th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
-
12
9
7
Can’t wait for the new book!
by Christina Seiler
on January 14th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
-
9
4
12
So excited for The Orchid Affair!
by Deidra
on January 14th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
-
12
11
10
Thanks for sharing!
by Michelle from Texas
on January 14th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
-
1,12 & 17
by ana
on January 14th, 2011 at 10:09 pm
-
12
4
9
by Anna Kozlowski
on January 14th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
-
16
12
11
by AngelB
on January 14th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
-
My favorites are #1, #4 and #17. i would have put #6 but since it wasn’t on a certain bag I couldn’t decide. I loved the saying and different color.
by Suzan
on January 14th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
-
4
15
11
by Stacey
on January 14th, 2011 at 11:44 pm
-
12
1
10
by Andrea C
on January 14th, 2011 at 11:50 pm
-
12
1
9
by Veronika
on January 15th, 2011 at 1:21 am
-
4
9
12
by Gina
on January 15th, 2011 at 2:07 am
-
I like #1, #10, and #12 the best,in that order, but #3 and #11 are very nice, too.
by Natalie
on January 15th, 2011 at 2:18 am
-
I liked 1, 11, 12.
by Mona
on January 15th, 2011 at 2:24 am
-
12, 1, 7
by chelsea
on January 15th, 2011 at 3:00 am
-
11 is my favorite
I also like 9, 17.
What a great contest!
by Sarah
on January 15th, 2011 at 8:52 am
-
11 is my favorite
6 and 14.
by Ben
on January 15th, 2011 at 8:55 am
-
I would say #17 #12 and #1 were my favorites.
by Ann F
on January 15th, 2011 at 9:45 am
-
14, 11, and 10.
What a great contest!
by Amanda
on January 15th, 2011 at 10:01 am
-
12 – so beautiful and professional looking! A bag I would definitely wear out!!
1
14
by Michelle
on January 15th, 2011 at 10:16 am
-
12, 14, 11.
12 is such a wonderful design!! Absolutely love it!!
by Charlotte
on January 15th, 2011 at 10:32 am
-
1. #12 (It’s so pretty!)
2. #1 (I’m a teacher so I completely understand)
3. #17
Great job to everyone who designed a bag!
by Josie
on January 15th, 2011 at 11:48 am
-
12
11
16
by h
on January 15th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
-
6
1
4
They were all so creative. I can’t wait to read the book!
by Doreen
on January 15th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
-
10: I love the sentiment!
1
11
These were very fun!
by Mary Beth
on January 15th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
-
They are all very creative bags. Everyone did a wonderful job! My picks are
#9
#12
#4
by Claudine
on January 15th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
-
12
4
15
by Katie Schultz
on January 15th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
-
1. #9
2. #6
3. #12
It was difficult to pick three! They are all wonderfully creative.
by Mary Murphy
on January 15th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
-
1. 12
2. 10
3. 1
Everyone did such a wonderful job!
by Patsy
on January 15th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
-
1. 4
2. 11
3. 12
Love them all!
by Melissa Ringle
on January 15th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
-
#12, #1, #4
Love the creativity!
by rebecca yoder
on January 15th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
-
12, 9, 4
by Jessica M
on January 15th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
-
1
11
10
Lovely, all of them!
by Chelsey O'Shea
on January 15th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
-
First Choice #11
Second Choice #1
Third Choice #15
by Amy Reynolds
on January 15th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
-
#1
#5
#10
by Joan Lewis-Osborne
on January 15th, 2011 at 6:32 pm
-
Choice #1 – 12
Choice #2 – 6
Choice #3 – 3
I love quotes and totes! What a neat way to be environmentally friendly and share the love of reading.
Where else can you find a reference to The Sound of Music and Mata Hari?
by Dawn Sweeney
on January 15th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
-
12
16
14
by Lolli
on January 15th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
-
Choice #1—12. This bag is just so beautiful! I would love to carry around my books in it!
Choice #2—9. I like the quote on the back!
Choice #3—1. I would pick this one and give it to my best friend, because she is a teacher and we read every one of your books together!
by Amy B.
on January 15th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
-
I vote for
#1,#12 and #11.
by Katelin
on January 15th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
-
12
9
4
The impending arrival of The Orchid Affair is what is getting me through what has so far been a dreadful 2011: I broke my right wrist, had to have surgery on it, got into a car accident and lost my job. Bring on espionage, romance and history!
by Katherine
on January 15th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
-
My favorites are:
4
12
2
I can not wait for the book!
by Katie S.
on January 15th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
-
1
12
9
…and because I really can’t resist, I’m saying number 6 would be my fourth choice…if I could have a fourth….
by Jess G
on January 16th, 2011 at 1:51 am
-
1. #11
2. #12
3. #6
I love them all!I particularly like what number one says.
The Pink Carnation series…..
why I love women in Black masks! (and the men who love them!!!)
by Am7
on January 16th, 2011 at 3:08 am
-
11
13
8
good luck to all the contestants!
by Ken
on January 16th, 2011 at 3:48 am
-
1- number 12
2- number 11
3- number 4
So excited for a new book!
by Catherine
on January 16th, 2011 at 6:53 am
-
1st – #12
2nd – #1
3rd – #9
by Emily
on January 16th, 2011 at 10:07 am
-
#10
#11
#4
by Cait
on January 16th, 2011 at 10:32 am
-
#11
#12
#1
by kathleen
on January 16th, 2011 at 11:33 am
-
#1
#12
#15
I like the ones that are the simplest. White space is always good, even on a bag.
by Jennifer
on January 16th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
-
#1
#12
#16
Love your books It’s my Valentine present every year since we started dating and now we’re married!!
by Lisa Crawford
on January 16th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
-
#1
#12
#11
Loved number 1, i teach and it’s def. true! lol
by Cristina F
on January 16th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
-
[...] Book-in-a-Bag Contestants | Home [...]
-
11
12
5
11 is AWESOME, by the way! LOVE it!!! Can’t wait for this book’s release!!!
by KM
on January 16th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
-
4
11
12
These bags were awesome, i wish i was that creative!
by Elissa
on January 16th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
-
12
11
10
great job everyone!
by Jery
on January 16th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
-
#12
by Sara
on January 16th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
-
1
12
11
Amazing selection! This was tough!
by Sarah
on January 16th, 2011 at 7:28 pm
-
1. #6
2. #10
3. #1
by Suzanne
on January 16th, 2011 at 8:20 pm
-
1) #12
2) #1
3) #14
by Erika Jones
on January 17th, 2011 at 12:26 am
-
12
1
11
by Amber L.
on January 17th, 2011 at 11:33 am
-
1. 11
2. 1
3. 3
by Ellen Measday
on January 17th, 2011 at 11:47 am
-
11
by Marianna
on January 18th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
-
#12 is classic
#7, I really liked the caption but I could not see the picture
Thanks
by Susan Blakeley
on January 18th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
-
12- can be used for years!
by Ginger
on January 22nd, 2011 at 7:29 am
