Putting final touches on Diamond Fire novella. Yay! We will be done today. The draft is finished, we are just cleaning it before sending it off.
Here is some Leon for you.
#
Valentina’s House Catering was in New Braunfels, a very German town in the middle of Texas. We had interviewed larger catering firms from Austin and San Antonio, but Mrs. Rogan trusted Valentina’s and so that’s who we went with.
I parked in front of an old brick building. Leon got out of the passenger seat. Arabella was still in school, and today she was crash-writing a two-thousand-word essay, which was assigned to her a month ago and which she had started this morning. Leon was my battle-buddy for this mission and he was thrilled.
“Cake shop,” he said.
“Yes.”
Leon let out a long-suffering sigh. “Are you sure that I’ll be enough? These places can get pretty rough. You walk into a cake shop and then some gunslinger tells you, ‘You ain’t from around here, partner,’ and the next thing you know, you’re in the middle of the street, your horse is dead, the bad guy’s got your girl by her hair, and you’re down to one bullet.”
“What is going on in your head?”
“It’s a dark, lawless place, Catalina. So dark.”
Va says
Congrats! You dictate like the wind.
Annaribbit says
I cannot wait. It sounds so exciting. Love everything you write.
JO says
Congratulations! Hilarious snippet.
Alecia Register says
Wow, Leon’s head is a beautiful place.
Grats on finishing, and (hopefully) a long vacation awaits.
Darla says
So, so excited!!!!!
anainasia says
yes – waiting for all your wonderful books to come out this year 🙂 – hope your hands are getting better.
Cécilia says
With the music of « For a few dollars more » in the background…
HopeT. says
Oooh, this sounds good.
Amanda P says
Ha ha, made me chuckle. Thanks for finishing the draft and sharing?
MissB2U says
OMG Leon?. Thank you for the hard work and the snippet! Hope rest and rejuvenation are just around the corner for you both❤️???
Sheryl says
Alright! Getting the mermaid thang?
Lynn-Marie says
I wondered that too, Sheryl. 🙂
Violet says
Holy Crap!! My boyfriend is from that town!!! Can’t wait to tell him that his town is in your book!!!????
ginkgo-girl says
Congratulations on getting the draft done even with the typing ban!
I really enjoy Leon—he’s hilarious!
Nancy says
Jeez Louise, I’m in love with Leon!
Tink says
Isn’t New Braunfels one of the places you asked for an opinion on when you were looking for a new house? Does that mean you can expense the time spent househunting as time spent doing research? Nice.
reeder says
Perhaps Leon will write suspense novels for his cover career? Who would suspect the author wearing fake glasses of being a dark horse?
Tina in NJ says
+1
Rossana22 says
Leon is hilarious! But so is Arabella, it’s hard to pick a fun favourite!
Rizel says
Love the snippet! Love Leon’s character. He’s funny! Can’t wait for Diamond Fire.?❤️
Ms. Kim says
That’s right, he is funny. He had that running script for the dying villians and it was very funny, in a dark way. But I still think officer in the military. Stand up comic when his humor is so dark is still a possibility I suppose.
Tylikcat says
How much could he keep a low profile in the military?
Cheryl M says
Sweet!!! Thank you!!! Now, take a break and keep healing those hands.
Julia says
Woohoo your done! So happy for you guys! Really do worry about you. Hope you can relax a little. Also glad for us! Love the snippet. Already preordered. Can’t wait!!!
Torin says
WOOOOOOOOO!
You get to chill now!
Kimmelane says
Sneaking in a quick blog-check during my lunch break paid off in spades today! I have always loved Leon and this was hilarious! I can’t wait to see the mayhem that we know ensues.
Congratulations on everything! Hitting the top ten lists, getting Diamond Fire out the door, fingers feeling better . . . life is good.
Ms. Kim says
+1
Yvonne A. says
Congratulations! Enjoy your Vacation.
Can´t wait. I love the snippet
Eegoolina says
Thank you! Hope you are going to take a break, relax, and have cabana boys bringing you drinks!
Regina says
Yay! You’re done and get your mermaid tail!!
Thank you both for the funny snippet!
And Congratulations… for so many good things!
Rowena says
Thank you. Do something fun, completely unconnected to all of this. If you would like to take a action in upstate NY, you can use my house while I am gone. Best I can think of that isn’t annoying for you.
Rowena says
That was supposed to be VACATION. Stupid auto correct on phone!
Nicole Babyak says
Whoa! Some of my in-laws live in New Braunfels and I never see it mentioned anywhere! Can’t wait for this novella to come out!!!
Maria says
I love your sense of humour and your creativity and your talent with words. This books comes out on my birthday and it’s the best present I could get. Thank you!
maren says
cool….so cool… i am looking sooo forward to the novella…i hope,your fingers get better soon! happy weekend!
Zann says
that. was. AWESOME!!!
Thank you!!!! ❤️
yashika bansal says
Congratulations!
So maybe I missed something. But is Diamond Fire from Catalina’s POV and not Nevada?
Ms. Kim says
Yes.
Tina in NJ says
The earlier snippet just before Nevada went off to meet Rogan’s mother was from Nevada’s POV. I think all the others have been Catalina. I think this novella is supposed to be a bridge between the two.
Njb says
Ok that looks like it will be a lot of fun! And talk about leaving us wanting more. Congrats on finishing up and thanks for the snippet!
Angela Malicoate says
Congrats on finishing! Hope your hands are feeling better! Don’t use them too soon and undo all the good you’ve done! Impatient for the book, sure, but we don’t want you doing irreparable harm and not getting any more books out of you guys. Hope you had an awesome 4th of July!
Ms. Kim says
+1!
E. Smith says
Fun. Thank you so much for sharing snippets, they always make me smile.
Hope your hands are feeling better.
Rowena says
I have never been disappointed in anything you have written. This was a great snippet of humor.
I have Iron & Magic in the paperback version, and the Kindle, and will happily await the audio version. Will order this as soon as it gets released to do so.
Just ordered Magic Triumphs cd, and noticed that my pre-order is for a hardcover book.
Is I&M paperback because you have gone to self-publishing?
Yuli Kim says
Yay! Can’t wait to get our grubby paws on it!
Demi says
Ah this 🙂 made me smile, thank you so much!
Demi says
And congratulations!!
Susan says
Laughed outloud!
Lee Weatherbee says
Yayyyy!!!
Courtenay says
I had never heard of New Braunfels, so I googled it. Fascinating. Even more fascinating was what I found when I went down a couple of links, and found the neutral ground (Louisiana), a substantial part of western Louisiana that was under control of neither the US or Spain for over a decade. Needless to say, outlaws loved the place. This reminds me strongly of the flooded area in Burn For Me. One doesn’t think of such places really existing, but this one did.
Joy Williams says
Loved, loved the view on cake shops!
And….here comes the mermaid outfit!
Kris says
Thank you for the lovely snippet! Have already preordered but would have preordered again now!
You are spoiling us – first Iron & Magic, then Magic Triumphs and Diamond Fire! Plus lovely Innkeeper! Absolutely adored Hugh’s book, and I am sure the other books will also be superb.
Patricia Schlorke says
Thank you for the snippet. Also, woo-hoo! Glad to hear you’re done with Diamond Fire. 😀
After I read the snippet, I thought Leon was channeling either John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. All Leon needs now are the Stetson and cowboy boots to along with his gun Nevada let him use.
Ms. Kim says
I’m thinking he was channeling Audie Murphy as Billy the Kid.
Tink says
Thought it was a bit Blazing Saddles myself.
Michelle says
Definitely Blazing Saddles, one of the best, most twisted, funniest westerns ever!
Patricia Schlorke says
????
Susie Q. says
As this is set in Texas, he could rock the boots and Stetson and still be low key. It would be out of place in Dallas but when I moved to Ft. Worth it’s pretty much the norm.
Ms. Kim says
A million thanks (I wasn’t sure how to spell that in Italian). I am so grateful for a Leon snippet. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you AuthorLords.
jewelwing says
Thanks! I needed that. Enjoy your vacation! That’s what vacations are *for*.
Teresa says
Dangerous places are bakeries. Leon got it right. Thank you.
EarlineM says
+1
MerryB says
Congratulations!
I hope you and Gordon and Dragon are getting along better and better.
Olivera says
I’m soooo looking forward to it!
Nean says
That was great. what a nice Sunday surprise. Now to get through the editing phase and closer to the I can read the whole book phase
Richard says
I can’t tell whether he is being humorous or serious. Guess I’ll have to wait and read the book 🙂
Joylyn says
OMG, so perfect! Thank you, thank you, thank you for this snippet!
Hope the hands are continuing to heal and you are felling better.
Arianna says
Thank you! Snippets are reeeally appreciated! Leon is hilarious ?
And congrats on finishing Diamond Fire!
Helen says
Add +1 to the above. Thank you for sharing your wonderful characters with us. I admit to rereading your books many, many times. (And l’m always disappointed when I get to the end-lol).
For all the gripes and complaints you get please remember that there are more fans that love your work than the ones who wouldn’t be happy if you tucked them in and told them a new story every night. Please, keep up the good work, and feel better soon.
Judy B says
another +1
Bibliovore says
+1 again
Patricia says
Me, too!
Lauren says
+1
Susan Linch Ravan says
Thank you, now no more typing. Go somewhere with Gordon and relax! Let your fingers alone. Iron and Magic blew me away!
Fera says
Omg Leon! Hahaha.. I love your finishing sentence!
Can’t wait for more Catalina *squeeeee* and a certain someone who looked like a roman general’s son about to enter the gladiator(or something) for the first time *double squeeeee*
Laura says
Oh my gosh, so, so hilarious! I can’t wait! Thank you, thank you!
Duffi says
A snippet on Sunday?
Wow!!
Let your hands heal!
❤️
Mike says
😀 all that needs to be said!
DianaInCa says
Thank you! Love Leon.
Jeanette says
I love me some Leon!! Thanks!!
Dafni says
Leon is awesome. Thanks!
Kathryn says
How fun! I’m looking forward to Diamond Fire more than Kate 10! Thank you for the Sunday snippet. I hope Ilona enjoys the mermaid suit.
Diane L says
This one is going to be so much fun, watching the trouble Catalina et all are going to get into. Thanks for the snippet! Enjoy your “downtime”. 🙂
Shannon from Florida says
Thank you so much!
barbie doll says
I was surprised there is no Nevada input. Will she not appear which would be weird as it is her wedding isn’t it? Or have I missed something? I was looking forward to Nevada as the main character as there are a whole lot of questions I have. Catalina is fun too but too young for anything definitive in the way of relationships. I do like that Leon is coming into his own and no longer feels like such a loser. His sense of humor is dreadful and it matches mine. Good snippet.
Roverman says
They’ve mentioned in the past that it wasn’t going to be a Nevada novel but more a transition for Catalina.
Cowgirl says
Thanks you so much! Please rest and heal. WE NEED YOU!!!
Keera says
Ha! I laughed out loud reading this! Thanks for that!
Monica says
Thank you for the snippet, they are always a pleasure 🙂
And congratulations on finishing Diamond Fire!
Fan in California says
What a hoot!! Thanks!!
BTW How did the mermaid suit turn out?
Rena says
Congratulations! Thanks for the snippet.
Jenn says
??
Stephaney says
I love Leon!
Liz says
Thanks and I hope the fingertips continue to heal. Maybe the dictation will become comfortable soon? I sure hope so cause this is hilarious and awesome and omg fabulous painting. The watercolor is beautiful. Keep healing and hopefully have time for a spa day?
Sue says
He he he!!! So dark… Lol! Thanks for the snippet and congrats!! I hope your poor hands and fingers continue to heal, Ilona. I enjoy your and Gordon’s blog so much. Thank you for taking the time to share with us.
rosalita says
Creator bless and keep you both. How was the mermaid tail? I hope your hands are continuing to do well. Thank you for the snippet. Leon’s point of view is always one of a kind. He’s not just marching to a different drum he has a whole band out there in left field.
Pam says
A snippet set in New Braunfels! Huzzah! Hoping the hands are healing well.
Jenn says
Woo hoo to being about done at this stage!! Yay ? Leon might be my favorite… lol.. when he grows up… fun character to imagine …like George and Jack
Margaret says
Thanks for the snippet. I have a Hugh question, if Julie can’t refuse a direct order from Kate and Voron couldn’t refuse Roland than I would think that Hugh can’t actually disobey Roland either but he turned him down when Roland asked him back. Elara is so going to kill Roland…..,? or is she…
Judy B says
Roland purged him,,,, broke the connection,,, etc etc
Sharon says
Exactamundo. That’s why Roland just about fainted when Hugh made the blood needle while hanging from one arm in Nez’s Hold.
Margaret says
Is it that simple? Would Kate be so anxious about her command over Julie if it were that straight forward? Can’t wait to find out. I love these stories.
Patricia Schlorke says
I just read Magic Slays where Kate cleaned and bonded Julie’s blood with hers to save Julie from going loup. Kate didn’t want to break Julie down to have her as a weapon to point to someone. This is what Roland did to Arez (the first Preceptor of the Iron Dogs). That’s why Kate went ballistic when she found out that Roland was talking with Julie and told her what Kate did to her.
Bill G says
Love it. The news that ‘Diamond Fire’ is finished, and the snippet. Now I’ve got to wait for the book to see if my suspicions are correct, about the hazards that will be found in or near the bakery.
Bill G says
Oh, yeah – love the shot of that pair of percussion revolvers. Will someone be using such things? Perhaps magically enhanced ones?
trailing wife says
With all the shooting that lot does? Bill G, a six-gun simply doesn’t carry enough bullets! 😉
Ann M. says
Love it. I can hardly wait until I can read it. Thanks for the snippet. I hope the hands are behaving.
Helen says
You are the snippet Queen, I’m tellin ya.
Lynn Fitzgerald says
?????well done
d LM a says
Totally Leon
he has that 360° surround sense, no matter where he breaks out, he brings it back on point
YOU
have that survivor glee. Congrats on Fire! , gotta nag, was snippet dictated? I hear, ‘you can handle this’ you are enjoying knowing how you are going to move forward.
Go enjoy yourself, fly, float, stomp . . . U grown > •¿•
Monina says
Congratulations!
AND thank you for a really happy way to start my Monday despite the rain soaked streets outside!
Carol says
Leon is a riot. I could hear the background whistle and see the tumbleweed roll across the street. I love it.
Congratulations that Diamond Fire is done.
How are your fingers feeling?
Gale D says
Congratulations! Loved it, thank you.
Liv W says
HEE! (Thanks!) ?
Eli says
Love getting some Leon – thanks!
I am really curious about Rogan’s mother, especially since she has been stealth so far.
Hope the healing continues!
Ami says
??? I ❤️ Leon so hard! Congratulations on finishing the book!! I know how hard y’all’ve worked and I hope you can get some R&R. Thank you for the snippet. It was delicious.
GailK says
Leon sort of sneaks up on you . He reminds me of Ascanio , except Ascanio was raised to be the golden boy and Leon never though he was going to be a Prime. But both have that same sense of humor.
Glad you finished Diamond fire and your hands are improved . And snippet on Sunday
And looking forward to meeting Connor’s mom .
Will Matilda be a flower girl?
Who will walk Nevada down the aisle? Her mom?
Will Nevada carry a bouquet of Carnations?
Loved how you snuck in that her Grandmother also loves carnations.
Take care of your hands and family
Thank you.
Tylikcat says
Leon is flipping adorable. And something about what you said got him mashed up in my head with the snarkiest and most worldly of our UTAs (and bestower of the best nickname ever of my partner in crime.) This is probably unfair to everyone involved, but I’m tired enough to think it’s hilarious.
Vanessa says
In your books the side characters become as interesting and beloved as the main characters. I find myself wondering about them. David Latimer being one. Leon has always been a favorite. I relisten to him narrating the attack scene in Wild Fire quite often.
” Oh No! My brains are leaking!”…snicker..
Carolyn says
I hope your hands are much better. Catalina should just throw him in an innertube and tell him to lighten up. I think my favorite part of the Hidden Legacy is the Nevada’s family interaction.
Lissa says
So excited to hear it’s done – and thank you so much for the snippet!
Hat says
Thanks so much!!! Hope you can take a break and rest your hands enough for a full recovery.
KarinL says
Congratulations on finally getting it done.
I hope you can both get some rest now – you deserve a break!
Sandra says
Love, love, love it! I was really laughing out loud!! Love all Nevada’s family, the interaction is wonderful and hilarious.
Hope the hands are behaving & congrats on finishing Diamond Fire 🙂
Jujubee Delestowicz says
Awesome snippet! #Leonlove
Speedy & lasting healing wishes right to your fingertips. I feel your dictation pain with Dragon Naturally Speaking 😉 you’d think it’d gotten better at interpretations after all these years LOL
Anne says
Perfect timing! I just finished a re-read of the Hidden Legacy books.
So very delightful.
Thank you!
Nancy Carde says
Thanks so much, this is very appreciated.
Can’t wait to hear about the cakes! ?
Artstuff2 says
OMG can’t wait!!!! But I patiently will……. 😉
Jules says
Yay! Thanks for the snippet! You guys are the bestest authors EVER.
Brenda says
So incredibly excited for this!!! Thanks for the update!!!!
Amy says
Yasssss!!!!! I am soo here for this. I’m not usually a fan of YA, but the Bayer kids are hilarious and their powers are pretty damn awesome.
Thanks for the snippet! And thank you ilona, for all your hard work. It couldn’t have been easy going from typing to dictating, but you pulled through. I hope your fingers are feeling better. Can’t imagine what you’re dealing with, what with all those sensitive nerves and all.
Do they make like foam caps for fingers? Would that help you in any way or hinder your work? Because it sounds pretty easy to diy. Just an (impractical) idea.
Sorah says
Hey that’s a great idea! But might be too bulky for the keys…
Either way, loved being in Leon’s presence! Can’t wait!
Sharon says
Hooray. Thanks for the afternoon giggle. Cannot wait.
Hope those hands are still getting a rest and you haven’t killed Dragon Speaking Naturally ?
Shanan Morris says
Thank you very much for your wonderful books..I hope you feel better soon and I was sorry to hear that anyone was rude or impatient about the Innkeepers…one of our favorite songs is Baz Luhrmenm song everyone’s free to wear sunscreen and there’s a line in the song that says Ignore the insults and remember the complements and if you succeed in doing this let me know… so lots of love!!! (Ignore the mean people lol)
Sharon says
+1 and amen to that!
Essie Tong says
But…did you get the mermaid suit?? ?
Dy says
+1
Dave says
+1
KAren says
+1
Mary says
I am so excited for this novella and hope you can do more. Please take care of yourself and those fingers!
Sarah Hutchins says
Awesome! I love Leon so much.
Jen says
+1
DebB says
Excellent it’s done. Take a break, let those finger joints recover, ignore the selfish so’n’so’s who seem to think you owe them something. We can all just read, or re-read Iron and Magic, or maybe restart Kate from the beginning, or Innkeeper, or the Kinsmen novellas, or The Edge…
SherL says
+1, ignore and just remember the complements. Some people are just plain selfish. Hang in there!
Chris says
Are you sure this is a contemporary novella and not a hysterical one? Ha ha.??
Love the cover, especially that we get to choose her face in our minds.
Perrrfect! ? It’s so much more of an interactive reading experience that way.
Thanks so much for the snippet. Can’t wait to buy the book.?
Now head for the pool and relax and take care of yourselves. ??♀️??♂️⛱?
Downtime needs to be put on the schedule and and rigorously adhered to.?
Alison says
Your brains are amazing places.
I’m very glad your hands are better Ilona, please except my thanks for taking care of yourself. Your talent colors my world in beautiful (and terrifying) ways and I hope it continues but not at t the cost of your health or sanity.
Leon is one of my favorite characters. I look forward to reading everything you’re willing to write.
As always thank you both for your gift.
Robin says
Thanks so much for the snippet. Leon is hilarious. Take care of yourself please.
Stephanie says
Love, love the snippits…i’m so going to reread the books this evening!!! 🙂
Gwen says
Cool!
צלם אירועים says
Thanks for the tip
Vala says
I just love Leon, you must have so much fun writing him! Congrats on getting done and hope you got your mermaid outfit: -) thanks as always!
Christina says
That was hilarious! Looking forward to the rest of the book. Thank you for the snippet.
Tina Black says
Leon’s head runs the most skewed scenarios! Maybe it’s how he deals with his magic, or maybe he’s just a teenager.
Thanks for the bridge in Baylor family doings. Read Hugh, waiting for Kate and more Hugh, but do take enough time to be good to yourselves.
Simone says
Thanks so much for the great snippet 🙂 You two spoil us. Hugh was released on June 26th. Kate is coming on Aug 28th and Diamond Fire on Nov 6th. Basically only 2 months between books. Hope you take some R&R time soon.
Jim says
wow thank you for the snippet. Am looking forward to the novella. let your fingers heal for awhile, and go horseback riding :).
Alisa Arthur says
I LOVE Leon!
Tara says
+1
VeronicaK says
Yay, thank you! Leon is shaping up to be absolutely awesome. Looking forward to Diamond Fire.
Cindy says
HaHa! Love it! Thank you.
I just doubled-checked that I have pre-ordered this and I am anxiously awaiting it’s arrival.
Take care!
mary grove says
You two get so much in so small a space…it’s wonderful. Thank you!
Unfortunately, you aren’t the only authors with outrageously demanding readers. Michelle Sagara West got attacked by a reader who sais she would no longer read anything Ms. West wrote because her book delays were just a symptom of her utter disregard for her readers. . . Okay, so sometimes we can be real self-centered jerks, but please don’t listen when anyone tries to badger or guilt trip you into feeling bad about your work or how you write. Chronic pain and the worry around it are hard enough to handle without the meanies piling on, and in the end, it’s your work, your life and both are ca source of much delight to so many people. Delight in yourselves and know that you are delighted! Hurrah for the new book!!
Teej says
Hehe, love Leon and his Rogan-worshipping evil teenage heart! However as an engineer, I have to say that Bern is probably the character I identify more with (tho yes, gridding your food on your plate is probably going a bit far….maybe). Got any Bern-love? Bern ever been frustrated by the amount of eye-glazing that happens even when he tries to simplify his tech explanations?
Cheyanne says
Tired. 3 more hrs of work to go. 102 degrees. Cruised by ever hopeful and jackpot! Leon has my twin mind. Thnx!
Joan says
Many thanks Ilona.
I love this world and these characters – already pre-ordered ❤
Libby says
I love your characters. Some authors have cookie cutter characters – they may have different names, but the heroine is always a heart, the male protagonist is always a star, and each side character has its own version of a triangle – slightly different in description, but if you were to only read their dialogue it would sound like the same character talking. Your characters on the other hand are unique – each is an individual, and even across different story arc’s we don’t see them repeated. They stay true to themselves, and each has their own sense of humour, their own quirks, and their own defining morality, character and personality. I love being able to read a story where I can understand why a character has done something because I feel like I know them well enough to rationalize their decisions. To me, that is one of my favourite qualities in your writing and it is one that takes immense talent and imagination. I know this is really sappy, but thank you (as always) for sharing your gift.
Things says
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!