A lot of hard work by a lot of smart people whose job is to find ways to get you to pay attention to the book in question.

LA LA LA hmmmm I wonder what’s in this box?

Pens? Pencils? A tiny bow and arrow? A flaming red wig?

Or how about…

Chocolates! Specifically, FLAMING chocolates. From left to right: chili-champagne praline; chili-raspberry praline; chili-truffle praline; bittersweet chili praline.

“Chili pralines: dangerously beautiful!” HA HA HA HA

This little box of promotional Fire-related candies is just one of the things my German publisher, Carlsen, did to help draw attention to Fire in Germany. I’m not sure who they were sent to, but I’m guessing bookstores and sales reps (?). And I got one, too! So far, I can’t bring myself to eat them, mostly because they’re so beautiful, but also because *ahem* they smell a little funny :o). Carlsen, you are too kind to me and my books.

Okay, that’s it for now. I hope to have time to write a little more about my actual trip soon.