Pssssst. You there, BDH.
::a hand mysteriously appears and motions you into Unicorn Lane::
Come see what I’ve smuggled out for you!
I know we’ve all been enjoying Sweep of the Heart and I just had to share what the amazing Doris has created as a cover illustration. Her space backgrounds are always so amazing, such vibrant colours, such nebulæity! (it’s so totally a word)
Interesting to note, wouldn’t you say, that we’re getting a space setting for a Sean and Dina story, and that they’re not the ones featured in the image, as it’s been the tradition for Innkeeper covers…What could that mean? And what do we think the 3 figures are? Discuss. Speculate. Bring me your theories!
For those of you asking, Sweep of the Heart will follow the tradition of previous Innkeeper blog serials, and will be released in its entirety in weekly installments. It will then go through edits and become a self published book. I do not have a release date or pre-order link yet, House Andrews are still hard at work writing it. I’m dancing around even calling it a novella, because you know how they spoil us sometimes when it comes to book length. I can tell you that there will be a POD paperback (similar to Sweep with Me) and also an audio version and that there are several other surprises in store.
But I’ve shared enough for one day hehehe.
::Mod R melts into the darkness, leaving an evil grin behind::
Ooo the corrupt innkeepers
That was my guess as well…
Ditto
Corrupted ad-hal in the center, Tony and Maud flanking. Only the center figure has disfigured hands, Bad Guy brand robes (tattered sleeves, contrasting trim to highlight the Evil Light, etc.) and icky lighting effects. The other two have normal hands, not evil robes, and no weird lighting. Of the characters we’ve met, Tony is a confirmed ad-hal and Maud has latent ad-hal powers. Middle guy has no weapon, which tracks from our encounter with corrupted-Michael, while the other two have staves. While Maud prefers a sword, a staff doesn’t do piercing damage, so it would be better suited to fighting something that secretes corruption when cut open. Tony has also been fully briefed on the corrupted-Michael experience and would probably want a similar weapon. Additionally, brooms and staves are very much in keeping with Innkeepers (see what I did there?) and since Tony and Maud grew up as Innkeeper children, it’s probably a weapon they’re both extremely familiar with. While kinda gnarly and giving Bad Guy vibes, the staves look very purpose made what with the spiffy mid-length grips. Those aren’t very practical in a fight unless they convey special abilities, buuuut I’m willing to bet artistic license was taken. Lastly, the cover art places this off-world and not in Baha-Char, so an ad-hal who lived off-world would be handy.
Or the center baddie is the Big Bad Evil Guy and the other two are newly corrupted ad-hal. Not so far gone that they’re visibly misshapen, but definitely on that path. Same issue with the staves, and not sure why corrupted ad-hal would use them, but we’ve only seen one and that doesn’t give us a large enough sample size to make accurate determinations of their full abilities and certainly no idea of the progression of corruption.
It’s *technically* possible that the three siblings become corrupted together, but Dina, Maud, and Klaus together would beat the snot out of anything that came at them… and if Dina and Maud are in trouble, then Arland and Sean would jump in with their respective forces, Caldenia would probably weigh in at that point, and it would end in a spectacular series-ending fight. Which would make me sad…
Okay, bear with me… We know that the DeMille Inn literally disappeared years ago, along with Dina’s parents. We don’t know why, we don’t know how, and we don’t know where. All we know is that Dina’s new cat *may* be the Sebastian North she was told to find. The cat was adopted as a rescue, so it’s possible that the cat had been at the DeMille Inn right before it disappeared. What if the corruption started in the DeMille Inn, and Dina’s parents figured out how to shunt it into a different world/dimension, leaving only the cat who may have heard their plans? So the parents have been living without their children, and it’s not unreasonable to assume that they could have another kid. A kid BORN INTO an Inn stewing with corruption. Dina is an uber-powerful Innkeeper, Maid has ad-hal abilities, Klaus is – Klaus… any additional children would probably be gifted as well. And after all those years stewing in corruption themselves, the parents probably are a tad unhinged and willing to back up their newest (and creepiest) kid.
It’s a stretch, but I think I’ll put Parents & New Kid on the betting table.
Remeber Klaus is an arbetrater, so yes all the DeMille Children are strong.
sO WHY NOT parents of Dina (George and …?) flanking the bad guy, trying to corral him. They obviously can’t destroy what’s taking over/sucking in ad hals (so they are worried about Maud’s vulnerability) and so w/ their Inn, they are chasing it across the galaxies, trying to keep targets safe and/or figure out a way to finish it off once and for all
When you zoom in the others also have tattered robes- just not lit like the central one….interesting theories can’t wait to see how it pans out
I read this first as “when you’re on zoom others have tattered robes” …which isn’t really that unlike my experience of zoom?
(I have three robes. One I haven’t worn since I moved away from Ohio, because it just doesn’t get that cold here. One I wear almost like a smoking jacket, and one is long and lightweight and I absolutely adore the print. All have pockets. I mostly don’t wear robes on zoom? Though I’ve worn a lot of things that I also wear as PJ tops.)
I guess they could be gloves, but the other two on the outside have green hands. So I’m thinking probably not Maude and Tony.
Agreed – corrupted ad-hals and/or innkeepers
3 fates.
2 Ad-Hal and 1 corrupted Ad-Hal perhaps?
+1
That was my guess as well. That is a powerful cover! Well done.
Also, could Maud be one of the Ad-Hal?? Ooooh….
+1
This. I completely agree that the two back characters are probably Ad-Hal.
Now we just need to figure out how the Mukama are tied to all of this…
+1
This is incredible! Love it!
Thanks and WANT!
Gorgeous!
Life goals for this week, work the word nebulæity into a sentence somehow.
Which part of the picture was your favourite? (I’m helping 👀)
Definitely the nebulæity! 🤣
The staffs and the brass hand holds.
One of my 2022 goals is learning watercolor, and getting a basic grasp of nebulæty is definitely one of my aspirations
👏
+1 – Also planning to just chant it to myself for the sheer joy of it. ModR is so great and brings us such treats !
I may be wrong but thought of Dina, Msud and Klaus as soon as I saw the pic.
It is beautiful, Doris has amazing talent
Seconded! I thought it might be our 3 OG Innkeeper siblings – Dina, Maud and Klaus.
I thought maybe a corrupted one in front and maybe the parents behind.
That’s what I thought too.
+1
I forgot about the parents!!! Time to rethink…
You know Sean has an Innkeeper Cloak now too. And, Maud is busy elsewhere. So…I’m guessing that’s Dina & Sean backing up Klaus.
Wow! What a cover!
Woohoo! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
That cover is amazing – I can’t wait for the finished product. I just know it will be a brilliant book.
It’s got to be the corrupt innkeepers.
Ooooh!! I love that cover!! I love this series so much. So much fun speculating where the new door is going to. I’m hoping it’s going to Krahr, so that the sisters can visit each other frequently 🤞🤞🤞🤞. Looking forward to the full book. 😊
Maria, what a great thought! I never even considered where Gertrude Hunt was going to open a door. A door to Daesyn would be great!
+ 1
They look like corrupted Ad-Hals to me. The fingernail/claws are my clue. So I’m more interested in what the planets (?) orbits (?) signify.
Yeah, I’m with you on the claws, although only the one in front appears to have them, but I’m going with them being BAd-Hals. (See what I did there? 😉
Bwahaha!
I’m speculating the one in the middle is BAd-Hal, and perhaps the evil creators on the sides.
Yes to this theory – bAd-Hal in the middle with the claws and then innkeepers on either side. I initially thought it was Sean and Dina but a) they wear different coloured robes to each other and b) Mod R implied they weren’t on it, so now I think it’s Gerard and Helen, too.
Unless it’s Klaus and Maude or Sebastien North and Nuan Cookie.
Given the vast nebulaeity (thank you Mod R) I wonder if the new door is going to be some super special portal that can …. My imagination gives out. This is why I need House Andrews in my life
That just replaced nebulæity as my word of the week! You rock!
BAd-Hals!
Love the cover. Maybe these people will be on the other side of the door when the new branch is finished.
My guess is the corrupted Ad-Hal in front has Dina’s parents. The way the ones on the side are standing leads me to speculate on this idea. Somehow it may be the missing parents held hostage.
Evil grin and eerie, haunting laughter….
oh SIGH. House Andrews and Mod R are TOO GOOD TO US. Such a beautiful cover. Amazing that they can work on this while doing Ruby Fever edits and writing Hugh 2. Simply amazing.
I’m thinking back to the penultimate zoom discussion (which I realize is just a discussion and is subject to change) and trying to understand how Sweep of the Heart fits in to the general plans for the Innkeeper Series. I’m not trying to pry or be annoying, it just helps my anxiety if I know what to expect.
Is Sweep of the Heart :
(a) a novella like the last Innkeeper release;
(b) a possible novel but not the final in the series;
(c) the last novel in which the story arc of Dina’s missing parents will be resolved;
(d) a surprise; or
(e) undetermined at this time as to placement in story arc.
I’m okay with (D) or (E), it’s just about managing expectations.
Thanks!
f) We’ll have to wait and see.
The BDH will just have to learn the art of Zen lol.
DEEEP Breaths….. DEEEEEEP Breaths…. TOTALLY ZEN OVER HERE
How’s that workin’ out for you?
Why? 😀
Breathing deeply…inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale.
Horde-wide exercises in the yard! 🏃🏻♀️🏃🏾
To quote Sean to Dina “you sound like my drill sergeant.”
Mod R…chief messenger, bridge to House Andrews, head BDH wrangler, and now drill sergeant to the BDH. 🙂
Unfortunately for the BDH my attitude towards exercise can best be summarised by:
😂😂😂😂😂😎
I get most of my exercise jumping to conclusions.
Don’t we all?
Don’t forget Cheshire Cat of sneak peeks 😉
+1
nebulæity is totally a word 😉
I’m voting Ad Hals!
ModR, you are spoiling us! what a beautiful piece of artwork from Doris.
To keep with tradition, to me, it looks like Sean in his inkeeper robe looking at us (look at his were hands!), as for the other 2 inkeepers: Dina and ??? and where are they??
I guess we will have to wait :-0 …
I am so looking forward to know
1) to where the new door from Gertrude Hunt is going (my bet is Khrar for Maud and Helen 🙂 and maybe even for Arland, after all he did save the Inn)
2) who took Wilmos, to where and why.
How about Dina’s parents and Klaus? Although that doesn’t explain the claws…
Or maybe Dina’s parents and Wilmos? Would explain the claws…
Although they kind of generally look nasty, which wouldn’t be any of the above – I hope!
I think ad-hal center, flanked by Dina and Sean. I would have said Dina’s parents but I think there’s one more after this.
My first thought when I saw the cover was concern that the corruption took Sean and Dina! Then I noticed those two red robes were the same height and breathed a sigh of relief. I speculate that they will be confronting more corrupt innkeepers though.
Just to throw a different theory out there….maybe it is her parents standing behind the person/being responsible for their disappearance.
+1
I agree with Jami. I think it may be Dina’s parents in the back with the evil being responsible for their disappearance in the forefront. It may have attacked them and they used their combined magic power to take the 3 of them ( and their inn) into another dimension to stop it overcoming them and having access to their power. Dina’s father is obviously very powerful and knowledgeable and probably realised they couldn’t kill the evil being outright but worked out they could use their power to contain it and stop it spreading unchecked through Earth’s inns.
Maybe Gertrude Hunt realised when the evil from Michael’s corpse was escaping that it will need the combined power from GH, Dina, Sean, Maud, Helen,Klaus, Tony ( adhal) , Dina’s parents and their inn to defeat the evil being and is building a connection to Arland’s home world(or nearby) so Dina and Maud can more easily commute back and forth from GH to near where Maud lives.
It occurs to me that when the Krahr build the space station there will need to be an inn on it to accomodate travellers so there may be opportunity for a new inn to grow there or Dina’s parents inn to relocate there.
We will have to wait patiently to see what unfolds.
I thought Inns were only on the earth
You call it an evil grin, but I call it a choir of heavenly voices and a fading rainbow glitter of ineffable joy. Who else but an angel could bring us such delights?!
Thank you, Mod R!
I see 2 brown robes and some weird looking staffs…Innkeepers gone bad?
((Oh no, not her parents!))
The Fates, the Norns, however you desire to address those beings which have a say in the lives of the heroes.
Woohoo!
I’m so excited to see what comes next!
Many thanks to the authors and their teams for the joy and wonder they gift us on such a wonderfullly regular basis.
Way to go, Doris!
3 corrupted Adhal who combined have massive powers ? Its what their parents stumbled upon. Could this be what Klaus has come to Maud with? And some how Wilmos caught scent of it too???!!!!???
Cannot wait to find out!
Thank you for sharing with us!
It’s the Ad-Hal. I am hoping for Klaus’s book. But any Innkeeper story is a definite plus. As a member of the BDH any Andrew’s work is a definite plus. 😀
I’ll let the rest of my fellow BDH do the conspiracy theories. Me? I’ll just sit back and read the comments. 🙂
Thanks, Mod R for the cover reveal. Now…is it Friday?
Almost :D.
My husband received a work email today at noon which started with “I know this has been a very difficult week” snort. So in that sprit…
lol, already? Well, yeah.
I suggested he answer back with
This is my favorite reply. I’m totally stealing this. As I’m working my 9th straight day in a row….
For the steal
You are glorious, ModR!
I think the center is the corrupted one. For some reason (and I’m not really sure why), I think the back right is a man and I’m not sure about the back left, but I’m going to guess that the right one is Klaus. Perhaps Klaus and Sean will go fight the corrupted one and save Wilmos in space? I’m probably wrong. 🤷♀️😊
Oooo, fun! Thank you so much.
The cover is lovely.
I am not making predictions, because I know House Andrews is much more original than I could ever manage.
Some of my fellow BDH members are also talented, so I will just read the speculation and enjoy…
(Everyone needs an audience occasionally.)
Woo Hoo! The cover is spectacular! The figures represent the Ad Hol? Wilmos is missing and it involves Michaels creeping crud that he had/has. I cannot wait! Oh, maybe they find better/more clues as to where Dina and Maude’s parents are! Maybe their brother, isn’t he an Ad Hol? Pardon any spelling errors, darn auto correct!
Klaus is an Arbitrator 🙂
I agree! Stupid auto correct. Why, oh why did the programmers have to take s perfectly workable function like Spell Check, and introduce such a STUPID system? You know, underline a questionable word, and let ME decide what I’m trying to say? Having to continually go back and correct auto correct just plain sucks. 👎👎
Klaus and their parents!!!
Thank you! I Did not listen to my Saturday Night Twitch program, just participated in Chat because I was listening to the Graphic Audio of Clean Sweep. Someone familiar with the series was thrilled to hear of a new book being blogged.
At least one other person has added the series to their reading list because on the squees and discussion.
Oooh! Expanding the innkeeper series? Or – Maybe a possible spin off series with Klaus? Or other cool character? And that series crosses into Maud’s? ::puppy dog eyes:: 🤪 I’m a terrible guesser sometimes.
If that isn’t it – No pressure! Whatever HA provides shall be most gratefully received by me.
Hi Carrie,
It relates to the current blog serial, Sweep of the Heart https://ilona-andrews.com/sweep-of-the-heart/. You already have 3 chapters to catch up on 😍
I love your fade-out; was The Cheshire Cat your Mentor? A lovely picture, and a marvelous mystery. Three figures in robes, but no brooms; Ad-hals? Apparently in a Mystic Moment, but facing outward, not in. Hmm. And the golden seeming objects two hold, something akin to athames?
But I shall wait contented, knowing that more will be revealed.
(And greedily hoping that the Author Lords do get carried away to novel length.)
Maybe her parents are two of them. So excited
LOVE!!! Thank you for leading us astray!!!
So much!!! My question is: Is the beconning hand very large and have a blue-silver tint and ropey muscles…?
Ad-hal and trails between stars – oh, the places HA takes us!
Gorgeous cover! Excited to see them head into space territory.
I love my copy of Innkeeper Chronicles Part I from Subterranean Press partly for Doris’ illustrations in full cover. Am hopeful we get Maud’s story and Sweep of the Heart in a SP Innkeeper Part II at a later date to preserve that artwork. And the story of course!
Either 3 corrupted ad-hal or the beings behind what is beginning to look like a conspiracy using the corruption as a weapon. And space because they’ve got to go find Wilmos.
I’m thinking a corrupted one (innkeeper) in front and Dina’s parents behind – they’ve been seeking and working to find/defeat the source of corruption.
I will grant that the first one might be a corrupted ad hal. But I look at the other two and I’m reminded of Seraphina.
Beautiful – and a great desktop background!
It’s amazing how atmospheric it makes the room with the lights off!
I love this universe. Another was being written when I was on chemo. I would have ch! emo, come home and get my reward! This time I just get checked and come home. Thanks for this gift.
💪🏻 You’ve got this! Health wishes your way!
The BDH chanting, “Book length! Book length!” is my guess.
Well, good morning to you Mod R and thanks for all the delightful tidbits!
I say we have Ad Hal but maybe not ALL of them are evil — just the one in the front with the creepy, fingernails!
Thank You Mod R!! We luuuuuubs uuuuuu 🥰🥰🥰
🥰
My eye keeps honing in on the connectors between the planets. Very organic looking and intriguing. What a great way to depict the way inns connect to other worlds. And, perhaps the more rings around a planet, the more inns connected there? Unless – as usual – I’m totally missing the point 😉
My understanding is that Inns only exist on Earth 🙂
I was thinking more of the connections/doors from the Inns on Earth to other planets… (the things that look like arteries between the planets). Again, probably totally reading more into it than was intended. 🙂
Anyway, a beautiful cover – and thanks for the sneak peek!
This cover is gorgeous! I’m so excited!!!
Will Dina finally find other members of her family?
Cool cover!
The claws signify a corrupt adhal like Michael. Could it be Wilmos? If Sean can channel Innkeeper powers, then perhaps Wilmos can too.
But the other 2 look like normal Innkeepers. Either Dina’s parents or ??
Sean is an Innkeeper now, and has been since Sweep with Me, because the Inn has accepted him. He isn’t just channeling the powers 🙂.
Wilmos doesn’t have the same connection, however.
Hope this helps 🙂
I missed the episode that had evil Michael in it. Please advise so I can go back and read in my kindle copies. Thanks
Michael, the corrupted Ad Hal, is not in a Sweep of the Heart episode, he can be found in One Fell Sweep.
I hope this helps 🙂.
Hmmm. Helen and Gerard in the brown robes maybe? Beautiful cover!
Omgoodness… I’m overjoyed at this new 📖!! I’ve read and re-read this series more times than I have fingers… just finishing up SWEEP OF THE BLADE, moving on and such great surprises..new Graphic Audio for CLEAN SWEEP is out and SWEEP OF THE HEART is rolling…:swoon:
So, the cover art for these books are ALWAYS Amazing… this is Gorgeous!
I can’t guess as to the “why” of the 🌌 theme but my guess of the 3 figures is: Sean, Dina and Tony…all dressed as ad-hal…!?
Thank You so much for activating this amazing series again!! It’s the series that made me fall in book-love with Ilona Andrews!!
Have a wonderful day 💗
Dear Mod R:
Thank you for the sneaking of said gift.
Love:
Me.
Also, did anyone notice the nails on that one character? Who is their manicurist because we need a word (or 10)
Beautiful cover. The claws do look nasty, but not sure who it is. Waiting patiently for the next installment. Also, Friday the e-book of Honor Raconteur’s “Death Over the Garden Wall” which is Case Files of Henri Davenforth #7 comes out , so a double treat day.
Thank you Nancy, I was just thinking about checking on that earlier today and then I got side tracked by smuggling activities 😅
And we truly appreciate the smuggling activities too. Thank you.
Pre-ordered, like all Shinagami Detective and Henri books.
Gerard and Helen Demille and Michael, the corrupted ad Hal in front. Or it could be an arbitrator with them. The suspense will not be abated until the book gets here. I’m so excited. Thanks Moderator R for amping up my Monday 😊🙏🏽
*faints*
Very cool! Come on, Friday!
Ad-hal, at first glance, but what’s with the weird hands??
Space setting – Sean and Dina finally visit the Assembly?
Intriguing!
OMG this is so cool! Love the COVER
Theory – that’s totally Adhal! Maybe Tony?? Going to space to save the day through the new door!!?!? omg i can’t wait!
OOH after reading comments its totally a corrupt Adhal in front and either two more adhal’s or Dina’s parents behind!!
I love BDH!
The nails and overall figure/shape on the character in front look similar to the figure of “Turan Adin” which is why I guessed Sean in his alternate shape… anyone else agree?
Her brother and her missing parents, perhaps?
Ooooh, spooky….
*puts on tinfoil hat*
Well, there is space, Evil innkeepers are hunted by the Ad-Hal, Maud is in space manifesting Ad-Hal powers, Klaus was visiting Maud, …
Sibling reunion confirmed!
Thank you Mod R ❤
The cover art is spectacular, nebulæity and all.
Theory-wise I thought ad-hals and a corrupted innkeeper but I’m not sure the description of the staff fits.
So instead I’ll wager that this is going to be one of those moments where I would never have guessed but then the explanation seems obvious in hindsight.
Until then I’ll enjoy the art, re-read and practise my Zen.
Thanks Mod-R for a nice start into the week.
It’s a corrupt ad-Hal, the two figures in the back are probably her parents, I think the assembly knows something is hunting down the Adhuls and have long gamed this, they have given Dina the guests to build an army. Klaus in an arbiter, he probably sent George to Dina. Super lucky Maud went to marry Arlin because now she’s out of his “world” aka earth and he can go visit her. He set it all up so Dina could ask the all knowing this about her parents. This is all a long game for Dina to fight the corruption.
Propose Mod R name change to “Cheshire Mod.” So sly and mysterious, with a touch of cruelty around the corners of her smile.
I think it’s Sean, Dina and an ad-Hal- or could the third be Maud?
Great cover. The corrupted Ad Hal, complete with claws, and two Innkeepers in robes? Dina’s parents behind the fouled Ad Hal? Enjoyed the chapter and loved the illustration of the market world. The idea and descriptions of it are fascinating and the picture really captured the spirit of how I “see” it. Such fun.
Thank you Mod R!
Mod R’s Grin =Cheshire Cat’s
Ad Hals, perchance?
When the evil Ad-Hal first appeared I was worried that it (now they) were involved in the disappearance of Dina’s parents.
If so, hopefully they just pulled their whole inn through a door to escape (or their inn ran away through a door and took them with it.) No idea how that would even work, but the inns abilities are pretty impressive.
As always, another stunning Innkeeper cover!!! Can’t wait to have it in print in my hands!
It had previously been implied that there might only be one more Sean and Dina book. It was also stated that the series would continue until Dina’s parents had been found.
Is this the last book? Will the parents be rescued?
I’m still looking forward to Maud and Arland’s red wedding!
Nothing is set in stone until it’s not officially announced.
As of now, there are no official announcements about Sweep of the Heart, other than it’s a blog serial and will be published when it’s done.
Woohoo!
Question that may eventually be a spoiler. Why did Mr. Rodriguez not get the letter Dina sent when her parents disappeared?
Oh! Good question!
I do so love you all!
Hi there Mod R
I haven’t read SotH yet.
I try my darnedest to wait to start till week 5.
Then only read the first 3, trying to save 2 …
Hangs head, then wails, I try … Blade is the only one who defeated my plans. But I caught up with her insidious influence & stopped wit the serial somewhere between Maud’s meet with the Queen & Nuan Cee & the attack on Helen
() & punished myself severely.
Which would not have been so bad But by then, the temptation was NOT to be overcome … so I wasn’t allowed to read Blade till it was published ( cause I kept peeking)
But it’s not all bad … once published, I got to go back and read the serial AND THEN I Got to read the book AND THEN I Got to read the differences between them
(cause picking up Maud got me all huh but didn’t…) ANYHOO
ADHAL( the robed ones) BUT is the black robe a corrupted. Are the brown robes Assembly. Is the background a map … do I care
No, no I do not
I’ve got a new serial … O M G SNIPPETS, will there be snippets!
Snippets are an attack on my willpower, hangs head & moans but then recovers
I, am bdh, I shall persevere 🙃
MULTIVERSE CROSSOVER!! If we say it, they will come.
Just kidding, I know that House Andrews has adamantly dispelled the multiverse.
I’m totally loving the new story. 🙂 Such fun!
Ok y’all, can we just say how much we love Mod R?! The post today was spectacular! Thank you!!
🥰
Nice find!
Hmm and my reply to that comment about the title now looks odd!
They certainly look like Innkeepers – Maybe Dina and Maude’s Mother, Father and and brother??
Love the cover! I’m thinking a corrupted Ad-Hal and Dina’s parents that have been trapped by the Ad-Hal and fed off for their energy in some sort of corrupt Inn in an old forgotten universe 🤔 maybe it stole from Wilmos and attacked him and at the last minute he slipped through the portal it created and followed it back. Now he is stuck there too, hiding and watching…
I love surprises! What fun! And those are some pretty impressive claws on that front figure…… A corrupt ad hal in front, given they made a big deal of Michael’s clawed hands. Otherwise, I’ve got zip. I love other people’s imagination because I have so little.
Already looking forward to this coming Fri and it’s only half way through an unpleasant Mon, phooey.
Sooooo incredible! I wish the german cover would be so nice. <3
Ad Hal, or corrupt ones.
This picture somehow reminded me of the time-keepers from the Marvel Multiverse. There is a parallel theme of corruption there too.
EEK! Mod R leaving evil grin-what can it PORTEND?
Thank you, Mod R and Doris!
What a lovely cover! So mysterious. Maybe they’re part of the Innkeeper Assembly, ready to judge or take action against whatever the Innkeeper corruption thing is?
The artwork reminds me a bit of the Turan Adin (Sean) drawing from Sweep in Peace. It’s different enough that it’s probably a different creature (ad-hal) but the similarities made me think of Sean.
I really really hope that Maud, Arland, and Helen are in this book.
👍
Mod R you do a great job stirring up the BDH and keeping the speculation flowing. Did you design your data base of minutiae regarding the books or just have search access to each of them? Happy Monday and roll on Friday!
Unicorn Lane? Does the Innkeeper series have a Unicorn Lane like Atlanta in Kate Daniels?
No 🙂, the Innkeeper has Baha Char.
But that’s just where I took my smuggled goods to.
hahaha
If you run into Julie (aka Aurelia) and Derek, tell them the BDH says hi. 🙋🐎
Love how you are encouraging our inner telenovella viewer to arise! And, the nebula is stunning.
After maximizing and studying the fingertips of the hooded robe with embellishments, I don’t feel like the hands have undead claws. The nails look too well tended and fancy.
So…I am going to baselessly speculate that this could be another order or set of aliens that we have not yet met. The lead in black is then supported by the two brown robes. We have learned ad Hal wear black, but this robe has red trim, so maybe their leaders? I don’t feel undead creatures would be fashion forward. I am going to guess the browns are Dina and her wolfkeeper.
Alternatively, this is actually cover art for the first LP released by Wilmos and Ortho in an unexpected partnership formed over late night wine and snacks.
This is closest to my guess. Chapter 3’s feline Aaul giant creature made me think we’re going to meet the Raoo of Mraar finally!!!
That being said, I still think the lead being is a bAd Hal, but I can accept that maybe the claws are much better kept than corruption…..
Speculation abounds! It looks to me as though maybe Dina’s parents trapped the corrupted innkeeper and dragged him into space somewhere! They had to sacrifice their inn to hold him/her! 🙁
Oh wow! Just wow! That cover is amazing! I am so enjoying the new Innkeeper – it is wonderful! Thank you so much House Andrews!
Omg 😱
SPOOKY IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE. Thanks 😊 thanks 😊
This is just exciting and I’m totally here for it. 🙂
~~~
However, I have an off topic Mod R & House Andrews question. A few authors are writing Paranormal Woman’s Fiction lately, or books with characters in their mid-life (40’s – 60’s), have already been through a lot of life’s First’s and are more comfortable in their own skin. Have you seen these books? Any specific thoughts? You’ve talked previously about how to determine the category to market a book within, but I don’t think this one was mentioned.
Thanks either way for the info and beautiful Cover. Have a great Week!!
😉 “Tony stayed where he was. He looked around him, his nice face oddly serious, and pulled his hood over his head. His broom darkened to black, flowing into a staff, its tip glowing with red. His robe turned the color of blood, spreading like the mantle of some king, moving seemingly on its own, and beneath that robe and inside of his hood was darkness, cold and empty darkness, the kind that lived between the stars. I reeled back, shocked. Of all the people, I would’ve never guessed Tony. The ad-hal reached out and touched Mrak’s shoulder. An unearthly voice emanated from inside his hood. It was the kind of voice that stopped your heart. “Be still.” – quote from One Fell Sweep: 🤔Did I miss a change in the ad-hal attire!?🧐
Thanks for sneaking us the treat Mod R! Beautiful artwork as usual Doris!
Hmmm… 🤔 BAd-hal (someone else used this term and I’m totally stealing it) and Dina’s parents being held by him/her/them?
Ad-hals
The art work is beautifully done – thank you.
It brings up some real possibilities re the emerging story line.
Please be George, Jack, and Gaston… But it’s probably a pipe dream.
Could the one in the middle be the mysterious Sebastian North?
OOOOO!!!! Good idea!
Wow! I love nebulas! My phone backgrounds and tablet covers always.
New characters! Shall we see Dina’s brother and other Ad-Hals? But perhaps he has had to change to become stronger, hence the creepy (but not rotting) clawish hands.
I love the weekly serials, and so grateful just to get them. What other author duo shares free fiction on a fantastic, NY Times and USA bestseller- quality story??
Can’t wait to see what Orro had to say about “that cake” hehehe
They are corrupted Ad Hal!
Side, but related, question. Any ideas on how someone would commemorate Treaty Stay? It’s nearly here and could be a fun way to pass the time while staying Covid-free indoors.
Any recipes from Dina or Otto?
+1!!
OK, this was my first thought: Dina on the right. Sean on the left (it looked a bit to me like his staff had a spear projection. Or is it just me bc I wear serioulsy thinned thick lenses???). And another corrupted Ad Hal in the middle.
Waiting with bated breath for more instalments……
Gorgeous ❣️ and so Intriguing 😳🧐👍👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I love the cover!! The one in black looks like a corrupt innkeeper and maybe the others are Ad-Hal? Fridays are even more amazing now.
One thing I’m wondering is if we’ll get Renee Raudman back as a narrator for the audiobook. I love getting a physical book and an audiobook but I couldn’t get into the audiobook of Sweep With Me.
Love Renee Raudman
Hey Simone,
The audiobook will be recorded with the lovely Natalie Naudus.
There are no plans for further collaboration with Rene Raudman, but there are all sorts of exciting projects involving Innkeeper audio adaptations at the moment 🙂, see my previous post https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/graphic-audio-of-clean-sweep/
Super excited for all of this. I hadn’t jumped yet on the innkeeper audio bandwagon. I loved the Graphic Audio adaptation, went back & purchased the prior audio readings, invited a friend who is a not-yet BDH member, & so enthusiastically for all of this!
i think this is somehow gonna involve her brother. he’s some kind of galactic guardian isent he. i feel, since shes been re connected with her sister, her brother may be next….
The Three Keepers of Time and Space, guardians of the gates. Evil has escaped and now is infesting the keepers on Earth.
Love this!
Love it!
Oh that’s super cool. Also I could not stop listening to the Graphic Audio CLEAN SWEEP. It’s so good! Fingers crossed we get the whole series in this format!
Love it!!!! I really love Arro. He’s so dramatic and hilarious. The description of A Christmas Story in the last Inn Keeper novella that Arro gives was SO FUNNY.
I’m thinking one corrupted Innkeeper vs. two uncorrupted Innkeepers – Sean & Dina vs. ?
Oooo! Dina’s parents!?
Spectacular cover. Will it be available to purchase as an art print for framing once the book comes out?
Anne in Virginia
Hi Anne,
If you follow the links I embedded for Doris you’ll find her artist profile on a few of the shops.
I would keep my eye on this after publication, she has Innkeeper prints for sale already so it’s probably where the new art will go 🙂 https://www.redbubble.com/people/disanthus/shop.
Hope this helps 🙂
Thank you so much. It does help. I will be following up as soon as the book is published and also look at what’s available now. I bought the Luisa J. Preissler art work for FATED BLADES and the Warrior calendar and am delighted with the opportunity.
Anne in Virginia
Cover looks amazing
Thank you for all your audio versions. I love listening. Y’all pic great narrators.
At least 1 corrupted ad hal
Dina’s parents should be in the book…..can they be the other 2 figures?
Could the lines be the path between an inn and a planet?
The cover is amazing. All the art work is brilliant. I look forward to seeing the art work as I reading the outstanding exciting stories
!!!
So Saiman hangs out with the Cheshire Cat?? (Weirder things have happened….)
Beautiful cover! Doris is phenomenal!
Too many possibilities, even for this Gemini, so not even trying to guess! Yay, Friday serial chapters!! 📚💖
My heart skipped a beat with the cover art. Your books bring me such joy. Each series brings out a different mood, creativity, & dance moves (yes, your books make me want to dance, the dance of joy!). Thank you!
As long as you guys write it and there is a audio version, I will buy it, read it and enjoy it. That cover is great.
I thought the 3 figures were George, his brother & Klaus.
Oh & I love the illustration: the colors, the dimensions ….the DRAMA! Spectacular!
Love the cover art. I’m beyond excited for the new book, and the audio version to go with it. I like having both versions, especially when I travel: listen on the plane, read in the hotel.
I just bought the Graphic Audio recording of Clean Sweep for an upcoming trip and it’s killing me to wait 4 more days to listen to it!
Woah! Cool!
I’m glad y’all are doing this as a serial. My mom, who is blind, is currently in hospital 200 miles away. She loves Innkeeper, so I’ve started reading these aloud to her over the phone. It gives her something to enjoy when she’s bored, and look forward to.
Thanks so much for all the great reads!
<3 So happy you're both enjoying it!
We know Tony is an ad hal. Could it be Tony backed up by Sean and Dina?
Audio version with Graphic Audio crew? Spectacular! Stupendous!
Cool. Awaiting for more…. thanks
The Guardians of the Galaxy. Corrupt innkeeper’s seems too simple
I haven’t read all the comments yet as I’m 1min late for work- I do find it interesting that most of the ones I’ve read think that the figures are ominous and bad mostly to do with the claws on the hands.
I’m wondering if they are actually good? I mean the number of species in the stories that can be good or bad which have claws are fairly high (like the space chickens would have talons) so I wonder if these are like supreme beings that don’t value material items hence tattered cloaks like some space hermits etc.
But I’m probably wrong and they are the BAd-hals as folk are speculating 🙂
Oh gees, wouldn’t it be really sad if Dina’s parent/parents removed their inn to somewhere else to stop or trap the corruption? All this time fighting it. That would be a noble sacrifice but how sad for them. The artwork is amazing. So detailed. Random thought: could Dina’s parents inn disappearing have anything to do with how the previous Innkeeper died? I’m so curious to see what they come up with for this story’s ending!
Also, fingers crossed that the “bad hal” middle figure isn’t one of her parents 😬 It would crush Dina.
This is soooooo good!
I’m speechless 😮
I’m hoping this means we get more Klaus.
I’m thinking Dina’s parents and her brother.
My guess would be:
The picture is connected to the new portal, which is being made in Dina’s hotel. Those three figures are some kind of guardian’s.
Thanks Mod R! Hours of pondering is not a small gift right now.
The central figure sure does look ominous, but it is hard to tell what’s going on with the other two-although they seem oddly passive to me. But I think they are holding brooms(in staff-configuration). Dina does mention that her parents wore tattered robes, so that could be them, maybe? Although the 3 figures also make me think of the 3 fates…
And are they opening a portal behind them? Is this to imply that the BAd-hals will try to enter the inn thru the new branching? Yikes, makes me worry about both Dina and Sean being away, even briefly.
Do the lines represent to connections between an inn and a far away planet or dimension, perhaps? Can two inns connect to the same exact spot, or to each other? Do they connect thru time as well as space (timey-wimey, for the Dr. Who fans)?
I want the new branching to lead to Maud, Helen and Arland, but worry that instead it might lead to or be hijacked by the BAd-hals. If the inn is invaded in Dina and Sean’s absence, will we get to see how the various other inhabitants defend it? Thinking about all those spines on their chef(plus he knows how to use a knife!). Plus does anyone think the retired dictator wouldn’t have some serious self-defense, just in case? Plus the cat! Not to mention how the inn itself will reconfigure if invaded. I’m afraid to imagine what self-defense by a bunch of annoyed space sponges will look like…
Thanks again, Mod R and HA! Can’t wait to see where this goes next.😺
Oh, right! Parents! I think this story is supposed to tie up the arc, right? That would hopefully mean the mystery of Dina’s parents would be solved… That does seem like a good guess for the figures in brown robes!
No announcements have been made as to SotH tying up the parents arc 🙂
It’s so pretty! I really like the ominous feel of this cover art. Who doesn’t love art that is both beautiful and also slightly foreboding at the same time?!
And here I thought the figures in brown robes without claws might be Dina and Sean… But maybe we get Klaus and Maud instead?
The cover art is amazing! Really stunning.
I’m having a great time reading all the theories! At first I was thinking the 2 figures in the brown robes were Sean and Dina but now I am thinking it is her parents. Some connection with the “corruption” and Dina’s family specifically being targeted. No idea but this is great fun speculating!
I got a guess but I don’t like it:
Dina’s parents and Michael?
oOooh creepy hands
You are the most! I so enjoy all your books, but it took so long to find you, but I want to say Ibwil be a fan forevermore.
The one in the middle is obviously contaminated evil inkeeper. But he is in the company of normaly looking inkeepers. Did they infiltrated inkeeper leedership? Or is it an evil conspiraci?
And my theory for the new inn portal is: The inn misses Helen and konects to Arland castle.
I very much hope so! Though an unknown place adds another level of drama!
The Inn is opening to a new place. Perhaps this is where it leads. Maud has Ad-Hal tendencies, could it be possible that Klaus does too. After all he was best friends with Michael growing up, birds of a feather. So the two in the background could be them. Although, I just don’t get the feeling good combating evil from this picture.
Beautiful artwork. I love the artwork!! But I can hardly wait for the next Innkeeper novel, love the series.
Corrupted innkeepers!!! And maybe, since Sean and Dina aren’t on the cover, the story will include another point of view or two, like from Maud and Arland… or the brother whose name I can’t recall… and 3 figures could be foreshadowing of 3 villains, or the 3 innkeeper children who will deal with the corrupted innkeepers… or as one is in black and the other two in brown, perhaps one really far corrupted innkeeper (the Big Bad per se) and two who are not fully corrupted… perhaps 2 specific parents in need of saving…
I adore that Mod R beckons us to unicorn lane. Seems fitting.
The art is absolutely stunning! And really dreamy!
And I wonder why the orbits cross over. Seems like that would make for some less common situations. Looks like there are seven planets visible which makes me wonder if Earth being one of them indicates anything about the Earth crossroads/warp stuff (It’s been a hot second since I’ve reread all of Innkeeper and cannot recall the word choice).
What if they are part of the innkeeper council? That could be fascinating. Though the red and black does speak a bit to the ad-hal (like everyone else is thinking). It does look like specific people are being referenced for the background and unclear for the non-spear holder. Hmmmmm, not sure who though.
I love the cover! Its so pretty!
I agree with the bAd-hal group with Dina’s parents in the background. They have been used in some way and have not been able to communicate or break free from the corruption.
This is going to be great!
I can hear the Bwah ha ha from here in Nebraska! Love getting free fiction, and love buying it again in final form!! Ad-hal justice!
Could everyone hear the joyful screaming in my head? I’m loving everyone’s speculation. The gateway may take Dina and Sean after the new corrupted Innkeeper though hopefully there will be action at the inn besides the first two chapters. Orro had only had one sentence so far.
Hmm…I ponder the imagery of the cover…
I would like to espouse that the 3 figures are galactic adhal members.
Can’t figure out their mission yet🤔
Love the cover for the new story. Perhaps the arbritrators have decided to make an appearance to help solve the mystery of the parents house dissapearance! I do so enjoy reading them and I am a very happy person that there is a new story coming out.
Cannot wait to read more. As always, thank you for sharing your talent for story telling with us. I am a fan of the Andrews Multiverse. Please do not stop.
I have bought the whole series of the Inn Keepers. I can not hardly wait to buy this new one Sweep on the Heart. I really like these books and read them over often.
When will this one be on sale?
Jessie.
Hi Jessie,
As I’ve said in the blog post, it’s still being written, so I don’t have a date to share for when it will be released.
Probably springtime, if I had to venture a very wide nett guess 🙂
Yea! Novella please:)
It’s a good story I’ve read all 5 books but this is the first novella I couldn’t pull up on my kindle.
Are there other books I’m missing?
What book does Michael appear in?
I thought the best book would be about the brother. When will you be publishing.
Sweep of the Heart is not yet published. It is being released on the blog in weekly instalments, which is why it isn’t on your Kindle.
As it’s still being written, there is no confirmed publication date yet 🙂. There are also no plans announced about a Klaus book.
Michael appears in book 3, Clean Sweep.
My opinion, corrupted Ad Hal seeking free passage to the control the universe via the inns. Two flanking are Dinas Parents acting as gate guardians holding the line but losing as the entity managed to gain control of Michael. Dina, Maud and Klaus acting as a trinity will save their parents. The new branch is for Maud and Helen to access the inn.
Hi,
Been loving your books for years!! Have you ever considered doing another Andrea Nash book? The one you did was fantastic and I feel Andrea’s character and her life has plenty to make for her own story to continue, we really like her.
Hope all is well and thank you for continuing to keep our favorite characters in our lives!!!!
I love the illustration. Mainly the bottom where the Ad-Hals (at least I think they are) are. I also like the theory of being the Mukama. Interestingly, none of the five planets looks like Earth to me. All planets are interconnected. Very interesting indeed.
Mod R is a Cheshire Cat confirmed.
Corrupted Ad Hal in the middle, two Ad Hal members of the assembly to either side. One is Klaus and the other Sebastian North.
Shouldn’t post tired, Klaus is an Arbitrator. Mystery person unknown.
I love this series Thank you
It looks like 3 infected inkeepers. A triumvirate, maybe the corruption has individuated and these three are in charge?
Awesome cover
No Dina? Eh.
🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩😍😍😍😍
I am salivating for more! Please don’t keep us waiting!
Thank you, mod R for the post.
Lovely picture.
Titan and I are enjoying the Innkeeper Friday series. Okay he really likes the TLC and the being read to. A spoiled dog. 🙀🤣
I think it is not an ad hal at all in the back ground. I believe the front person is a corrupted ad hal but the two in the back ground are new comers and they are the creators of the corruption. Maybe they are zealots and believe the universe needs to be cleansed of the Inn keepers. Maybe Mum and Dad Demille were the first to encounter the zealots and were removed to another dimension whilst the creator of the dimension is Sebastion North who is hiding out pretending to be a cat.
My first guess was that these might be the three siblings (Dina, Maud and Klaus), finally united and ready to fight against the corruption and find their parents and the missing inn? (And if that’s the case, does this mean that the series is coming to an end?) I look forward to discover if our guesses are right or not!
Maybe her missing parents and a arbitrator? I soooo want them to find the missing parents..they did dissappear from their world, maybe this is where they disappeared too 🤔