Today, I discovered that I don’t like Pumpkin Spice lattes. I tried one because I’ve heard so many great things about them, and I love all other things pumpkin — pumpkin pie ice cream, pumpkin cheesecake, those pumpkin candy corns, pumpkin cream cheese muffins (when they are fully baked) — but the latte made me want to hurl. So I’m going back to my salted caramel mochas, thank you very much.

The Iron Duke comes out tomorrow. I’ve gone through a bottle of TUMS in about a week. Coincidence? I’m not sure.

Twimom227 has an interview up at her blog as part of The Iron Duke Week. Yesterday’s post included a snippet of Mina and Rhys in a lift.

On Saturday, I was up in the Seattle area for the Emerald City Writer’s Conference book signing. I met up with so many fantastic authors, it’s ridiculous. To my surprise, they had copies of The Iron Duke available. To my extra-surprise, they almost sold out. My sister was with me, and took pictures — hopefully I’ll have some of those soon, and more on the authors there. If you were there and took any pics, please feel free to post the link in the comments.

Proof that there is life after Demon Angel* — this review from Carole came up on Amazon yesterday (not that I check Amazon every hour day or anything):

She has a talent for keeping you on your toes and on the edge of your seat, where you couldn’t help but keep on turning the pages. Not only that, but she drew her characters with a bold pen, making them stand out, especially Irena. Her writing style has also improved a lot since Demon Angel and Demon Moon. I was one of those who couldn’t follow the jumps in her thoughts and I hated reading a story that didn’t flow, that required me to reread passages just so I could understand what the hell was going on. I was tempted to give all of her other books a miss, but at several bloggers’ and friends’ urging, I decided to give her another chance. I’m glad I picked this up.

See! These promo posts aren’t all about The Iron Duke! I can pimp my other stuff, too — and thank you to all of the bloggers and readers who keep on urging others to try the series. And now maybe my sister won’t narrow her eyes at me whenever I tell a reader to skip to Demon Night if they can’t get into Demon Angel.

Okay, back to pimping The Iron Duke:

Janine from Dear Author posted her review. (This is especially awesome, because she DNF’d Demon Angel — and her comments regarding that ended up being some of the most helpful feedback I’ve gotten.)

Kate from Babbling About Books, and More posted her review (and unrelated, but more importantly, check out Kate’s anti-bullying pledge and donation page … all you have to do is comment.)

Shiloh Walker writes the same type of book reviews that I do. But she says,

Folks… if you like science fiction type romance? You’ll probably dig this. If you like paranormal romance? You’ll probably dig this. If you like historical romance? You’ll probably dig this.

Listen to her, please. And Carolyn Jewel made me tear up a little with this:

It’s one of the best books I’ve read this year. Actually, I haven’t read a book this good in a really long time. The very best authors sweep you away into the story. It’s a rare talent. There are a lot of good authors out there but only a few great ones. I can’t think of any reason Meljean Brook shouldn’t be called one of the great ones.

I hope the book is this awesome. I can never tell when I’m writing it or reading it — I can only see the problems I’d like to fix. I do love it, though, and I hope I can keep writing in this world forever.

Terri from Night Owl Reviews gave The Iron Duke 5 Stars, and a Reviewer Top Pick.

…and with that, I’ll stop for today. Oh, wait! I forgot about this:

The bottom entry is a search that brought someone to my site: why is meljean brook’s book iron duke so

… what? So WHAT? Bad? Good? BIG? (Hehe, I’ve got an answer for that.) You realize, of course, that this search string is going to haunt me for days. But if you want to finish that search in the comments, I’ll be happy to answer it for you

Demon Forged received a Reviewers’ Choice nomination in Paranormal Fiction. Too awesome.

Congrats to my fellow Odd Shots authors, Ilona and Nalini, for their nominations. (Luckily, we aren’t in the same categories, or it’d be ALL OUT WAR! Tee hee.)

…at AAR. Ms. Bishop, the reviewer, hadn’t read any of the Guardian series before Demon Forged, so the DIK surprised me (I know there is a LOT of backstory in this series) but I’ll take it

And it strikes me again how much freaking work reviews are. On Twitter, Robin (Janet of Dear Author) had called her fantastic review “epic,” and I have to laugh and hang my head a little, because I know these books are a lot of work to get through, let alone try to sum up. So, because I probably don’t say it enough, THANK YOU to every reader who hangs in there.

Also, for hanging in here with my sporadic blogging. The Cold Of The Century has knocked me sideways, and combined with just a lot of writing trying to get Demon Blood out, and then finish up my other work that is quickly coming due, I know this hasn’t been the most exciting blog in the world. In fact, it might be the least exciting thing (aside from the proverbial drying paint.)

What color would you say this shade is? Eggshell white? (Actually, it’s #FFFFFF)

Whatever you do … don’t read the ending first.

“A dark, gripping read…the characters are brilliant, and the breathtaking romance, vivid setting and darkly delicious adventure will immerse readers in this spellbinding world until the satisfying conclusion. ½” —RT Book Reviews

ISBN 0425230414 | October 6, 2009

Amazon.com ~ Borders.com ~ BN.com ~ Powells.com

First up, I’m guesting over at True Romance, where I’m also giving away 20 copies of Demon Forged to random commenters.

The Book Binge has a review and a Demon Forged giveaway.

Rosario has her review up. (And I didn’t make this in time for the acknowledgements, but she also helped me with my Spanish in the novel — a huge, huge thanks.)

VampFanGirl continues her Guardian extravaganza today with … Demon Forged, and another giveaway.

I’m over at Odd Shots today, filling in for Nalini, and geeking out about comic character trading cards (and the DF cover).

I saw a tweet that mentioned a review for Demon Forged would be up at Dear Author today. I don’t have a link yet, but here is their main site. ETA: The link!

I have to run, but I’ll keep this post updated as I receive more links.

First up — VampFanGirl is having a week-long (actually, nine days) Guardian review and giveaway extravaganza! First up is Hot Spell and “Falling for Anthony,” tomorrow will be a review and giveaway for Demon Angel, and on Wednesday … well, you get it.

Did she love love love “Falling for Anthony”? Well…not exactly. See who she hated by clicking the link (hint: Lilith hated her, too).

Second — Ana at the Book Smugglers just wrote a review of Demon Forged that might be better than the book, and they are giving away one copy. The review does have minor spoilers for the series (at this point, that just can’t be helped) but skim through quickly if you don’t want to know.

Oh, wow. I can’t believe Demon Forged releases in only a few weeks. So here is a little bit (from a few chapters in, to avoid spoilers).

***

Their argument hadn’t gone unnoticed. Beyond the mouth of the hallway, Becca sat curled on one of the common room sofas, pretending to read. Though the novice’s nose was buried in the book, her eyes were too wide and her body too still. Listening, then. And if she’d understood their French—which was likely—perhaps she was wondering if Irena intended to kill Lilith.

But Irena doubted Becca would ask. Although the novice possessed a bold mouth with anyone aged less than one or two centuries, she became a mouse around the older Guardians.

At the end of the hall, Alejandro paused in front of one of the closed doors, turning his head as if he’d caught a scent. Irena caught up to him just as the door opened.

I know I said I’d give 24 hours notice that I’m closing the contests, but I just realized that WordPress automatically closes the comments after a certain length of time, so some people haven’t been able to enter. So I’m going to be closing both on Monday night at midnight, which gives everyone a little extra time.

Here’s the FIRST BLOOD giveaway.

Here’s the DEMON ANGEL/DEMON NIGHT giveaway.

And here’s an excerpt for DEMON FORGED. To avoid DEMON BOUND spoilers, it starts after chapter one.

I’ve got just a bit left to fix, then I’ll be back Tuesday-ish with the winners (“ish,” because I might crash).

I am having massive internet issues lately, so checking my e-mail has been iffy … and so has going online. So I forgot to mention that I’m guest blogging today over at Urban Fantasy Land (and as soon as I hit a better wireless service that I’m not stealing from my neighbor, I’ll be responding there.)

And I found this in my inbox (I hope it uploads without timing out, or I’ll be back in a little while to fix it):

I have no words to express my love.

Since the hair pulling came up on twitter, this is an example of what I’m talking about:

“If you win your fight to understand me, perhaps you will tell me why, after all of these years, it is you. You, with your way of looking down upon me, and with your raw pride.” Her hand slid into his hair and fisted. She yanked him closer, until his eyes were level with hers. Her face hardened, and he knew the pain she caused was deliberate. “A part of me would like to destroy you. Would like to rip you apart, so that I never imagine how you see me from your great height.” (Irena to Alejandro, circa 1590 AD)

Also, this is one of my new favorite reference books: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF WEAPONRY. It’s not very detailed beyond era, location, and materials, but it has great pictures, which I always appreciate. After I find a few weapons that interest me, it’s an easy thing to do further research on them, and decide whether a specific weapon is appropriate for the story/character.