Locus The March issue of Locus Magazine says: "The Collegia Magica series gets off to a strong start with this intriguingly convoluted fantasy mystery featuring a failed magician-turned-librarian as detective in a case of attempted assassination."

And they ran a very nice review in the February issue: "The magic system is intriguingly mysterious, as well, and Portier's conviction that he ought to be doing great magic communicates itself to the reader, making it seem there must be a deeper mystery to why magic has been so neutered in this age, and in Portier in particular. That mystery remains to be solved at the end of this first volume; even the assassination attempt is only partially dealt with, but it's a surprisingly satisfying lack of solution that left me eager for the next volume in this interestingly twisted new series."

Interestingly twisted. I like that.

Three Adventures Tour Thanks to all who braved the spate of nasty weather to help Shannon Baker, Janet Fogg, and me launch our new books. Thanks to our friendly booksellers at Old Firehouse Books in Fort Collins, Boulder Bookstore, Who Else Books in Denver, and Black Cat Books in Manitou Springs, and our hostesses with the mostesses Karen and Julie for the Denver and Boulder champagne receptions! What a great four-day party. I've got to stick with these ladies who know how to make things happen.

Now to settle down and write. Only one appearance in March. Author and grammarian par excellence Susan Mackay Smith and I will present our workshop Words, Words, Words, for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers monthly program on Saturday, March 20. Words are the building blocks of prose. Choosing not the most elegant, but the right words will lift your prose out of the ordinary, revealing your characters, your settings, and your action efficiently and precisely. Non-RMFW members are welcome. Details are on the RMFW website.

On the air! Now up, a short reading for the new Broad Universe monthly podcast. I joined four other Broad Universe writers to explore the February theme of romance in speculative fiction...and you can imagine what a hard time I had finding a suitable snippet to read! Check it out at The Broad Pod. A new podcast will be coming online mid-March so hustle on over.

I also did an online radio interview for "The Author Hour." You can hear it at The Author Hour .

Book Club Editions The Flesh and Spirit/Breath and Bone omnibus edition, called Cartamandua Legacy, the Lighthouse Duet is a Featured Selection from the Science Fiction Book Club. My first English Language hardback. The Spirit Lens will be an SFBC selection in February.

Spirit Lens Reviews roll in From Library Journal: Set in a world in which the implacable laws of science war with the resonances of magical power for supremacy, Berg's novel is rich with vivid characters and unforgettable places. VERDICT The author of the "Lighthouse" series (Flesh and Spirit; Breath and Bone) and the Rai-Kirah series (Transformation; Restoration; Revelation) spins an infectiously enjoyable series opener that fans of thought-provoking fantasy and intriguing mystery should appreciate. "Infectiously enjoyable" - I like that!

Starred review! So delighted that The Spirit Lens received a starred review at Publishers Weekly. They say, In this superbly realized leadoff to Berg's quasi-Renaissance fantasy trilogy ... Berg shapes the well-worn elements of epic fantasy into a lush, absorbing narrative. A nice boost out of the gate.

And Romantic Times Book Reviews gives it 4.5 stars and says, Berg is a master world builder that novice fantasy authors would do well to study. Her characters are well rounded and her created environment becomes as familiar as one's own backyard. The fantastic elements of the story are normal - not ordinary, just a natural part of the world. Plus, the plot is nuanced and detailed. This first installment in a new trilogy, Collegia Magica, is a winner.

A winner! The winner of The Spirit Lens ARC is San, from Bellingham Washington. When I asked him to describe himself, he said, "I like pirates, glam, and taking my dog to new places to sniff things she's never sniffed before. I draw comics when I'm not writing. And if I could have a superpower, it would be breathing underwater."

OK, I also happen to know he is funny, smart, very well read, and great fun to hang out with at a con, as I met him at this year's World Fantasy Convention. Congratulations, San! The book is in the mail.