This is pretty cool. It’s a discussion of Bitter Night on Shelfari. I thought some of you might want to go join in. Caveat: I haven’t read it nor do I intend to. That would be weird for me. But if you’d like a chance to discuss, it’s a great opportunity.

I’m liveblogging over at Bitten By Books today. Come over and hang out, ask questions, win stuff, and find out what you shouldn’t do if you happen to end up in a fantasy world.

Also, I think my husband has shingles in a patch on his side, though without a lot of other symptoms. It’s very odd.

And I am having something like bursitis in my shoulder. About killed myself turning off the alarm clock this a.m.

And my students and I talked about some of the most strange and eccentric people this morning and I think I can now populate an Elmore Leonard novel. Like the local guy who saved all his toenail clippings for five years and is selling them on ebay, but is wondering if he should save for 5 more and sell them then. Or the old woman who got hearing aids and finally realized her birds are as loud an obnoxious as everyone has been telling her, and so she wants to get rid of them. She says she has a pellet gun.

I’m going to be at Bitten By Books tomorrow. There’s a great giveaway, so RSVP today to start ratcheting up your chances. And, check out the rest of the guests this week, who include Carol Berg, Lucienne Diver, and Faith Hunter.

I’m going to be at the B&N coffee area at the Creekside B&N in Roseville at 1:00 today. That’s the one by the Galleria. Come on in and visit if you get the chance and are in the area!

Wow. What a lovely Christmas we had. Did you? First we had my in-laws over for a brunch (post stocking opening). It was lovely. They never really have done Christmas, and all their kids have moved out of state. Add into that that my Mother In Law has dementia and is really forgetting a lot. She’s also got diabetes and some other issues. So it was really good for us to all be together and they got to participate in the present opening with the kids, which they really enjoyed. Plus the dogs cuddled up a bunch with my MIL and she was really happy. I think they are going to get another dog soon. They lost theirs awhile ago, but I think T’s dad is thinking it will be good for both of the. I made her a shawl out of very soft yarn and she loved it. She’s cold a lot.

After that, the horde that is my family descended and we had a great time. My chocolate bourbon pecan pie was a hit. Yum.

Now the bad news was that in the last couple of days the very very ancient bed we’d been sleeping on broke. The box spring. NOw when I say old, I mean that it was at least 45 years old, possibly older. I am not lying. It is also not comfortable. Wish we’d thought to break it long ago. Anyhow, mom and I went out and shopped for a new spare room bed for us to sleep on and while we were out, went to Barnes and Noble and they had copies of Shadow City already out!!!! So I signed them and my other books (at the Galleria Barnes and NOble in Roseville, folks). Tomorrow I might get to the Birdcage B&N. And any other bookstores I can find.

So now the bed is on order and will arrive about when we leave. Ah well. At least there will be one next year. I’ve been walking a lot. It’s green and warm here. I’m loving it. And so are the dogs and the man and the kids.

Is there any interest in any Roseville/Sacramento local types who might want to come hang out at at Starbucks at B&N or something one day? If there is, I’ll set it up.

Also, tomorrow (Tuesday) I’ve an interview up at the Quillery. It’s a fun one. Questions I haven’t had.

And, once again. please please please spread the word about Shadow City! Tell your friends, write on your blog, post reviews on Amazon or wherever (good or bad, I’ll still love you). And also, I want to hear what you think of the book. Seriously!

Yep, we’ve arrived in CA. Yay! It’s green. There are flowers. I walked the dogs in shirtsleeves and went through this place with a bunch of oaks. It was fabulous.

The trip was long and luckily not a ton of ice, but it was -11 in Idaho the other morning.

We’re having fun. Trying to relax. But the kids of course are bouncing off the walls. Go figure.

Shadow City comes out in just four days. Four days!!! I’m both excited and panicking.

Oh! And here are 10 things Max is getting for Christmas. It’s fun!

The puppies are wildly happy not to be in the truck. One of them chose to sleep in the bed with me and my son in the hotel the other night. He went down to the bottom under the covers, then back up and put his head on my pillow and snuggled up to my back, and then moved around the bed all night. But the boy . . . twitchy kid. Drove me nuts.

So how do you feel about mentioning my books to at least three people in the next day or so? Up for it? Tell the bookstores, tell your blogs and tweet it. I would so appreciate it. Seriously.

The first reviews are coming in on Shadow City. They are really great. (see author to happy dance!!!) But be warned, there are some spoilers. But if you want to read them anyhow, here you go:

http://www.smexybooks.com/2011/12/review-shadow-city-by-diana-pharaoh-francis.html

http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com/2011/12/early-review-shadow-city-by-diana.html

http://addicted2heroines.blogspot.com/2011/12/early-review-shadow-city-horngate.html

http://ziarias.blogspot.com/2011/12/shadow-city-blog-tour-december-19-2011.html

http://www.seducedbyabook.com/2011/12/early-review-of-shadow-city-horngate.html

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/248868766

There’s an interview with me up on the awesome Tynga’s Reviews. AND she worked with my publisher and is giving away 10 copies of Shadow City. So go enter!

Win a copy of Shadow City!

Literary Escapism asked me to do a blog to celebrate the upcoming release of Shadow City as part of their month long Black Friday for readers program. I wrote a story about Max and Alexander and I hope you like it. Go forth and read.