White Rose came the 31st; I make it about 10 days from your door to mine -- not bad. It's wonderful, by the way (my only complaint is I read it too fast!). The emotional warmth and sensual heat of the central relationship would make it riveting even without the setting (palpable), historical plot (rich) and secondary characters (vibrant). Fortunes of War and Nocturne did the same, and it's terrific that MK sustains those qualities from novel to novel. I'm reading (and enjoying) Aquamarine and Storm Tide right now, which I got via Amazon Marketplace. As soon as I get my tax refund (*grin*) I'll place a new order (thanks much for the offer of the discount - I'll keep that in mind and order three at a time!). I must say, DC's customer service and communications (e-mails from you, web site) are fantastic; y'all do a great job! Cheers, Gaelan

I loved the book! It was great! Kind of funny to wind up rooting for the "other side" when Richard the Lionheart was involved, but I didn't like him and I did like Imrahan - and he and Saladin were at least aiming for a truce. Given what I know of the relative cultures at the time (not much!) it was probably a much more accurate portrayal of the two sides than the traditional one. Not that the Muslim side didn't (and doesn't) have it's horrors, but at least they believed in cleanliness. More than you could say for Christianity, where being too clean was courting being burned for a witch or a heretic. And they wondered why they got plague... I've wondered from time to time if Richard coming to an early death wasn't one of God's greater kindnesses to western civilization. It stuck us with John, which got us the Magna Carta. If Richard had gone home and tended to business, who knows? No Magna Carta, I'm sure.

That's enough of politics. I loved the book. Paulo and Edward are wonderful people, and seeing everything from Paulo's viewpoint (much more practical and intelligent than the "noble" mindset of the era) was a neat twist. The fact that most of the book was in the East, and a lot of it in the Muslim culture, gave it the feel of a fantasy. There were explanations for the magic - but it was part of the culture and fitted. And nothing got in the way of the romance. It wasn't the sexiest of Mel's that I've read, but it was one of the most sensual. Thanks again for reprinting it!

I'll let you go - from what you've said and the updates on the website I know you're all frantically busy. I can't wait for the anthology you promised - I never managed to get hold of a copy of Breakheart. And Cry Liberty. And Lords of Harbindane. And.... And... And....