Thank you much, st0ven! I don't know that I would call this my first attempt at a digi paint - though, it's certainly my first at this size/detail/realisticness.
Just FYI, there will be a little change to her dress I have to make, then I suppose I should also post here the final version, cropped to the book cover dims, complete with stylized book title above her, so stay tuned for that. Might even do a creative wrap-around back-cover, too. Anyway, will post relatively soon, then we can put this thread to much-deserved rest.
Can't thank everyone enough, that lent suggestions and observations, and especially edits. You guys rock.