330 bookplates signed and sent.
250 additional bookplates received and signed.
Email with Pam (the publicist).
Email with Pam.
Email with Pam.
Additional 200 bookplates with our own logo signed.
Just how many print books did you order, people?
Newsletter to publishing list sent.
Potential editor for BLOOD HEIR contacted, fingers crossed.
Map artist found – still looking.
Plot discussed with Gordon.
Plot discussed with Jeanine Frost. Things like “do you think killing him is too disturbing?” and “But we have to have it connect to something” were said.
Promotional plans discussed and confirmed with agent.
Merits of cover quotes discussed with agent.
Person named Heather emailed politely and asked if we could link to her ice cream from scratch site. We don’t do this typically, but it’s very hot in Texas, and I want ice cream in the worst way, and I can’t have any, because sugar is not my friend, and her website seems well thought out so here is a link to her homemade ice cream recipes. May you have ice cream. I am so tired of counting calories and points. You know it’s bad when cottage cheese is a treat Oy.
Talked to neighbor. Three people at his house had COVID. We were 150 feet away and had no idea. Responsible social interaction achieved.
Writing done – NOPE
Extensive conversation with Kid 2 about book tour scheduling and various technical support. Apparently you can show your screen on zoom. That’s great. That also means I need to do a power point…
Yarn is still not here.
Here’s a virtual ???? ???????????????????????????????? for all of you guys! Thank you for helping me get through the day. I’m an ICU RN and I take care of covid-19 patients. Your books have kept me as sane as possible! Thank you! ????????????????????
Thank you for what you do Ms. Cheseda!!!
I second that thank you! Nurses are awesome!
Your ice cream recipe is better….just sayin????
Brittany (one of our dogs) is with you. She can no longer have even a taste of ice cream so cottage cheese has become a special treat. Her vet gave me recipes for us to try so that we like it as much as Brittany. It seems the vet cannot have ice cream either.
I am glad you are concerned about killing off characters. So many favorite characters were killed off in the last Harry Potter books that I cannot read them again. I usually read my favorite books several times. I have read all of yours 4-5 times. Thank you so much. Pat
Icecream alternative which is a cream of ice:
– Frozen fruits (my favourites are raspberries)
– Couple of almonds
– Couple of dates
– Fill up with liquids of choice like or mix of mandarin juice/coconut water/coconut milk/rice or oat milk which is sweet by itself/cream (just examples I like)
All together in a blender. Et voila… Ice cream without inverted sugar. It isn’t an alternative to chocolate icecream but to fruit icecream. Maybe this is something for you. I love it.
I ordered 2 print books. One for me and one for my sister’s birthday. From the bookstore in Houston. ???????????? great idea! I got her the whole Hidden Legacy series last summer for her birthday. Thank you for the referral!
When I lived in Darwin, there was a food stall at the Mindal Beach Markets which sold frozen fruit which was blended to the same consistency as ice cream. So good. Their version of a milk shake was the frozen fruit cut with orange juice. My pet lorikeet Jester used to jump from my shoulder to people standing in front of us to get her fix of the mango and banana. Supposedly if you coat the banana in lemon juice before freezing it stops it going brown, this never worked for me. I did my version by cutting up mangos and freezing them. Unfortunately i didn’t have the right processor, but oh boy spoon in hand did those frozen mangos go down well. So no need for recipes, slice up your mango or bananas, freeze them and wrap your laughing gear around those frozen delights. Mmm after the earlier mention of peaches I wonder if they would work. I know strawberries did
Frozen grapes are also good, but dry after washing so they do not have ice on them. It is like eating a Popsicle. Red ones are my favorite and a couple in my family prefer green.
I got my link to the Arabella short story from Bank Square Books today! That worked great. (meaning technology worked, I got it, set to read after reading EB)
Can’t wait. Just a little while longer for new reads!!
I pre-ordered through Barnes and Noble. When can I read Arabella’s story?
Ugh!
I can’t do sugar either. I make my own ice cream.
I can full fat coconut milk
1/3 bag frozen sweet cherries
1/4-1/3 cup BochaSweet sweetener (this stuff is amazing. No aftertaste. 1:1 ratio)
1 tsp almond extract
2-3 ripe bananas (I don’t do over ripe as it messes with my sugar too much)
Blend together.
Toast 1/3 cup chopped pecans in a dry pan for a few minutes. They burn quick so keep stirring and watch closely.
Melt 1/4 cup dark chocolate with 1-2 tsp coconut oil (refined is best and make sure it gets hard when cool).
Put blender contents in ice cream maker. Let it get about 3/4 of the way done and then gradually add pecans.
When the ice cream has stiffened start drizzling the melted chocolate mixture. It will harden on contact making chocolate chunks. Yum.
Spoon into container and enjoy!
I ordered a book to go along with my kindle order. The way things are going when they shut down the grid at least I’ll still have something to read. My grandson will be 9 and he’s really into insects. I sent him a dinosaur encyclopedia and a bug book and a 90 minute DVD of a jungle insect hunting program. He was thrilled and they had to watch two of the programs that night. Always feel good when a gift is appreciated!
Just so you know, paperbackswap.com has all book editions and audio books listed but not one is posted as available to be swapped, not one!
Hang in there. We’re praying for you!
Ice cream sounds divine. Fresh peaches or peach pie with just a little vanilla bean ice cream – yum.
Sorry to hear about the delay in receiving your yarn. Time to build up your stash so this won’t happen in the future.
May the Yarn be with you …. soon! ❤️
List is super interesting other than the icecream which is super infuriating.
How to make ice cream – buy an icecream making machine…
I’m sorry about the yarn ???? delay :(, but don’t worry too much about the to-do list not being done ✅. If you have a to-do list you’re alive 🙂
Just keep in mind- this too shall pass.I usually buy ebook and audible but this time I ordered print because I wanted to support the bookstore. Today they sent me a link. I have to tell you it so frikin hard not to read the story. Good luck with book and corona
Yum ice cream. You reminded me that I have snow cream in the freezer! Need it bad. Long week at work. I’m in retail and covid has bought out the worst in people. Both sides of the mask debate. Cursed out for offering masks. Cursed out for not offering masks. Those of us who try to get people to wear masks are spat on, slapped, punched and in some cases shot. Think I’ll make it a root beer float.
*Just how many print books did you order, people?*
The electronic version of a book is nice and it certainly is easier to store or take with you on a trip but they don’t become Real. Only the print books become Real.
It begins slowly with the first time you run your fingers over the cover and then you open it and the smell of ink and paper hits you. You read the story and you like enough that you keep it.
The book goes on the shelf where you will pull it off and read it again. Some times you will read the whole thing. Some times you will only read a bit here and there.
When you read it you will remember the first time you read it. You will smile when you run across the receipt you used as a book mark. I spend how much on makeup? What was I thinking? You will note the small splotch of sauce on page fifty two and you will remember how you were so eager to read it you left it open on the counter so you could read while you cooked. The book becomes heavier and more solid as it gets ready to become Real.
Then the day will come when you are sad and hurt and maybe a bit lonely. You will look on the shelf and the book will be waiting for you. Not just an escape from your current trials but a reminder of a time when things were better. You will pick it up and it will sit in your hand, a bit battered with a couple of pages that are getting a little loose so you have to be careful at that point. You will run your fingers over the cover and realize that the book has now become Real. And as you carry it over to your chair where your cup of tea is waiting you will feel just a bit better even though nothing has actually changed because things that are Real are comforting.
You are so right.
Today is my husband’s birthday. We got a coupon for a free meal from BD’s Mongolian Grill, which we REALLY love, but are too afraid to go yet. So I’m going to make him a mug cake, and sprinkle some of our blackberries from our front yard on top.
For map / cartography artist specializing in SF/Fantasy – try Ellisa Mitchell maybe. She’s done maps and interior artwork for Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time, Dragons of Pern, and Jacqueline Carey.
https://www.tor.com/2017/07/12/everything-you-need-to-know-about-kushiels-dart/
Contact info: https://arthive.com/artists/8900~Ellisa_Mitchell/works
Used to source artist vendors for Amazon Kindle. Good luck!!
I know less than nothing about how you would normally find a map artist, so many apologies if this is out of line. My family has become very fond of the show Critical Role during the last few months, and they have their gorgeous maps made by @DevenRue. Might be someone to check out? Good luck to you!
I hope you got your yarn. I had a similar situation, but it was frozen tamales, from Texas. Needless to say, they didn’t survive the trip. The company replaced them. And now we know that the mail slowdown is deliberate. Sad times we live in.
Hi, my name is Cathy and I have all your books, so far. (Ontario, Canada.) Each book gives me a new goal, so I hope you can hang in there. I’ve been fighting alongside you. My breast cancer mestasized to my lung. Now it’s in my brain. I had 10 days of radiation therapy. Still waiting the results of that. Year and a half is my countdown so far. I’m stubborn and I don’t do easy. I’m winning the Sapphire Flames countdown. But having to wait for the extra Free story? I keep telling myself , I can do it. So don’t quit on me please. Ryder’s is next, I believe. Then whatever else you would like to pull out. Please don’t forget about Hugh. Fighting for him will keep me going.
I am also trying to make afghans for my grandchildren.(5)ha ha. My granddaughter’s is almost finished.
Thank you for the love you share willingly through your writing skills, kid 1 & 2, family snippets, whatever. Thank you thank you.
Hi Cathy,
I saved your email and will send you the link when the story is posted. If you don;t receive it, please remind me.
I think that radiation therapy is worse than chemo. You have the right mindset cancer is a sneaky coward and needs to be battled back. You know that you have to hang around through Arabella’s series, then Hugh’s, and, of course, Julie’s. I am sending positive thoughts and virtual hugs to you.
Cathy, I fought the battle your going thru. Continue with the things that bring you joy. But fight! I’ve seen some amazing things happen.
I hope your yarn gets here soon.
And yes, I bought a print book too, because you’re signing the bookplates, and I’ve never been able to make it to one of your events. I bought the kindle version when the link went up, but then you said signed if you order a print book from here… so I was so very excited and bought a print book from one of the linked bookstores. And I like print books anyway – they’re just harder on my hands than ebooks are.
While I wait for Emerald Blaze, what book of Janiene Frost’s do you recommend I read to start her work? Anyone?
Start with “Halfway to the Grave” – that is the first Cat and Bones book, which is the beginning of their series. There is a reading order list on Jeaniene’s website that lists all of the books by main characters. It’s a crazy, wild ride and I am looking forward to the next Ian and Veritas book (their 3rd)!
Jean… I am about two thirds done with Wicked Bite and also eager for the third book! Yes, starting with the first book in a series is usually the best. Going through them a second time, I am using the reading order of all the Cat and Bones books along with the other side characters with their own books… the bottom list on her website. This is after listening to all the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. Jeanine Frost also has a partial story on her site of the first book in Bones POV.
Great ice cream site. I have an electric ice cream maker that I haven’t used yet and we are headed to triple digit temperatures. So perfect timing.
Very bad to wait for Emerald Blaze.
About your yarn I totally understand and tracking numbers don’t seem to help. I hope your yarn gets to you soon.
Maps: Have you tried contacting Patricia Briggs, Anne Bishop, or Robin Hobb about finding a map artist? All three frequently include maps in their books.
General: I really appreciate your shares about your family. You said something more or less like …’one of your kids stealing meat during a visit …because that is what you do when you go home.’ Sadly, my home life was vastly different. Just knowing there are such wonderful families out there has made me smile on and off for days. Go you!
“…I’ve got my country’s 500th anniversary to plan, my wedding to arrange, my wife to murder and Guilder to frame for it; I’m swamped.” ????
as you wish!! and how!! love d quotes in that book!!!!
Sugar free popsicles are 15 calories and taste just like regular popsicles. You can also shove them off the stick and whirl them around in a blender and call it American ice. (Italians we could kill me for calling it Italian ice.). Sugar free fudgsicles are 45 calories and taste like reasonable facsimiles of store brand ice cream. Hope this helps.
Also, fresh peaches and cantaloupe are good. And crushed pineapple is tasty in cottage cheese.
Maybe try frozen bananas and coco with a wee bit of vanilla. I think that it is called “nice cream” because it is actually healthy. It doesn’t taste healthy at all, it is delicious. You take bananas that a just a bit overripe and put them in a container, or ziplock, freeze for at least a day. If you do a nice cream search you will find tons of recipes.
I am eagerly awaiting your book. Sorry about the yarn. You know, if you order new yarn the first order will appear the next day. Try it. Not that we need an excuse to buy yarn.
wow! I think u guys totally deserve a vacation really really!!! I feel soo stressed just reading ur list!! but u guys just rock!!!! love d books soooOooo much.. is it any wonder so many people want a print book hehe
“Just how many print books did you order people?”
That got a real laugh.
Book Devouring Horde
Hang in there…
oh my..yarn is THE STRAW
may the gods send you yarn
Counting the days till Emerald Blaze is released. Getting dead tree copies paperback to read and hardcover to hold. .From bookstore you recommended
Blue Willow.
But now I am worrying that the delivery will get stuck somewhere between Texas and New York and I won’t see book till late September.
So I am slowly reading Hidden legacy again. going to do the 3 Nevada and Rogan books.
I have read Diamond fire and Sapphire flames at least 3 times.
Today read some free fiction. Catalina and Arabella with the Piney family. Totally forgot about this.
We get fashion advice, etiquette lessons, and badass knockdown “I am a Prime”and you are not!! Snap!!
And this was a deleted scene.
Sooo good.
Emerald Blaze ????????????
I can do a map! Are you looking for something for Hidden Legacy before its publish date of ….eek.. next week? Or post shift Atlanta for Ryder? How can I contact you?
For some reason the last few weeks, I have been a cranky, cranky person and So is everyone else … I hope that your yarn appears soon. 🙂
I love you guys. Your blog can be so funny. Always puts a smile on my face.
My husband describes his job as “making maps for places which don’t exist”. It’s mostly for RPGs though. I hope you find a map artist 🙂
For the yarn problem. I have found that if you have email updates sent to with package updates, the packages tend not to get stuck somewhere. (does not apply currently to USPS). So if you haven’t signed up for the email updates you should try this.
I hope “The Cool Aunt” is included in the audio book version of Emerald Blaze.
Your posts are always a highlight of my day. Rooting for a publisher big time!! Stay safe and I hear you on the points. I partially freeze my Light &Fit Greek yogurt for a treat. Pretty tasty.
I can’t believe that you don’t have that yarn yet! Bizarre!!
7 Days!!!! Can hardly wait!
Ilona & Andrew, might I suggest a thread with the recommendations of humorous stories from what your House Andrews fans read? While we’re waiting on your latest (you guys sneak in the humor well; I always enjoy the joking and snark).
I was just realizing that, ahem, reading all this dystopian stuff that I do (currently Bzerk) does in fact need to be broken up with lighter fare to clean my palate in these times.
I actually lol’d reading Unhoneymoon by Christine Lauren (a basic romantic comedy by also an author partnership). I realize that I don’t lol very often these days because I don’t actually see people in person. It felt odd.
I too am awaiting my yarn, ans even though I have 2 projects going and a ton of yarn in my stash, I want THAT yarn.