We have made it back and forth from my appointment. I was pronounced healthy enough for surgery and the traffic was not awful. In celebration of this, I bring you this tiny snippet.
Also, just so you know this conversation took place:
Me: Do not laugh.
Jeaniene Frost: I am not laughing.
Me: We were going to just publish HL blog extras but we felt like it needed at least something new.
Jeaniene: I’m listening.
Me: Don’t laugh.
Jeaniene: Okay.
Me: We are working on a short story.
Jeaneine: suspicious choking noise.
Me: We are only working on this on the weekend. It will be short.
Jeaniene Frost: … I have a headache now.
Me: Why?
Jeaniene: Because I’m a good friend. I tried to hold the laughter in so hard, my head now hurts.
::sigh::
In other news, I have seen the cover of Jeaniene’s upcoming book, about which she is not permitted to talk about, except to say that it is called of A CURSE OF BEASTS AND MAGIC and it will be out May 26, 2026, and the cover is gorgeous. Mmm, sprayed edges.
A Fluffy Pancake
Are you sure you wish to participate?”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t his habit to involve the clients in the investigation. He tried his best to discourage that. However, it wouldn’t be the first time a Head of a House chose to attend to their problem personally. He would just have to work her presence into his plans.
“Very well.” Augustine pulled the keyboard to him, tapped the keys, routing the call through a series of scramblers, and typed in the number.
A dial tone sounded from the speaker. One, two…
“Yes?” The voice on the other end had a deep rasp to it.
He dialed up his magic and spoke in a bright soprano. “I have a client who wishes to meet. Two women, standard split, double rate.”
“When?”
“In an hour.”
“Fine.”
Augustine hung up.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“To visit the underbelly of Houston.” He pushed the chair back and got to his feet.
“Oh. How exciting.”
Diana stood up, her lips curved in a soft smile. Next to her, the Doberman rose, her mouth opened in an identical excited grin.
Oh, my!
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!! A “short” story and a new book from Ms. Frost?! Life is soooo good.
❤️
*squeal* so excited! Thank you! Looking forward to the not short story 😜
Ha! I love Jeaniene Frost and her fantastic characters!
I love your shooort stories! Thank you HA.
Just some random thoughts about the size of the BDH
– I always look at how many comments are on each post. The most I’ve ever seen was 5,000 and something.
– When I read something recently, Tor comment? Blurb on back of This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me? Or someplace else? it mentioned IA’s fan base (didn’t say BDH) but that’s what was inferred, was over 10,000! I am happy and amazed to be part of the BDH
– and finally, I was at a seminar yesterday and someone noticed my BDH sticker on the back of my phone and said “me too!)
Yeah BDH
Thank you for the snippet! I am looking forward to the HL shorts compilation book when it comes out. I hope your surgery goes smoothly.
I love both (all three?) of these authors! I absorb anything written by them. Keep it up!!!
has he met her panthers? 😳
I thought the panthers, Himalayan kitty,Zeus, Sgt. Teddy and others were part of the menagerie behind the Harrison and Augustine table at Bern and Runa’s wedding?
Whoot!! HA is ever generous! Thank you for the fluffy short story!
Smile Bunny!
So glad about things on the health front. As for the snippet, *gush*, *gush*!!!!!
What a lovely surprise. Thank you for the smile!
Love it! Thank you!
Thank you for the snippet. You will enjoy seeing clearly again.
OMG, yes, I ship Augustine and Diana so much! And I love that she got a practical doberman too, I remember what she said about her brother and his dog.
Thank you for a Hidden Legacy snippet! I check your blog specifically to see if there is any news on this series. Love your work.
PANCAKES!I love it can’t wait to see where this goes 🙂
Oh goodness, I was just thinking about re-reading Hidden Legacy! I guess this is my sign to go forward. 😀
I need tickets fir this ship!
Augustine and Diana, this is very exciting.
I laughed for Jeaniene!
😊
Yay, a Hidden Legacy snippet!! Thanks for the wonderful surprise 🙂
Super excited for moree!!
Also good to hear you are doing well!
Excellent snippet, I am waiting ever so chalantly. There is not a shred of nonchalance in sight lol. Also reading the comments really made me laugh because it does sound just like some of the blog posts you’ve made about the BDH, and the different members/perdonalities. 🤣. At least you know the BDH is behind you (hopefully that’s inspiring and not ominous because I realize it could go either way). Also glad your appointment went well!
mmmmh interesting
“Panthercakes” just works for some reason, maybe because it implies they are both deadly, with a nod to her abilities as very tough ones, while we know that he can be absolutely lethal as well, but he was once a kid who made himself sick trying to join a fraternity in college.
We lethality with a touch of humanity in one uniquely combined word.
OHHHHH AUGUSTIN & DIANE?!?!?!?!?!
(sorry for yelling) That’s soooo freaking awesome!
Dear God of readers… Thank you got IA. Who always start with a “Short novel”, and then we have wonderful LONG wonderful stories.
I am hoping the bdh or mod R can help me. I recall a scene where Arabella and Catalina visit a house and the young adults there read then without permission. Arabella tells Catalina to do something or she will. I just listened to the Catalina trilogy and didn’t recall hearing it. where did this happen or did I make it up?
Sure, you can find that on the Free Fiction page, where all the snippets get recorded 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/free-fiction/
It’s called Pay Me.
Maybe check the free fiction page? I read that scene recently; iirc it was deleted from the final copy? Or maybe was an alternate beginning that got swapped out for something else? I’ve been gobbling down all the comfort reading in sight so it’s all mixed up in my head now.
oops, ModR to the rescue! You can delete my comment if advisable.
Yes, it was a deleted scene 🙂
Ooh… Are Diana and Augustine going to be a couple??
Ooh-wee, Augustine and Diana, woohoo!
Also, glad you’re healthy enough for surgery, but sorry you have to have surgery.
Yay!! A “short” short story!!
So, so short.
I think the Princess Bride has a line about “you keep saying that word. I don’t think it means what you think it means…”
Awesome! Thank you. I miss this series and the wonderful characters within. Sending strength and bravery for your surgery it sounds difficult.
HUGS
Looking forward to the new stuff!
I am really hoping Arabella ends up a Princess and we see more of the wider world during her trilogy 🙂
This should be fun. I thought Diana had big cats ?
I hope your surgery goes well.
Hi Ilona. I had cataract surgery 4 years ago in preparation for retina surgery. While I was sort of awake, there was no pain. I saw blobs of color (the different colored caps worn by the medical staff) and recovery was pretty fast without discomfort. All in all, the cataract surgery was fine. Recovery from retina surgery took longer and I used a pirate patch. 🏴☠️ Amy, happy member of the BDH
yay for friday snippets.
Ooooh – tantalizing! Can’t wait for more!
By the way, the cataract surgery is EASY. You will be so glad, no matter how much it costs! That’s what you work for – in this case better vision.
Oh, I love the snippet! Thank you. I will think good thoughts with regard to your cataract surgery!
What is it about Augustine???? OMG, just reading that gave me spine tingles! There is so much potential for appallingly glorious mischief in the man! And Diana, talk about a cold fish, and, while Augustine always has his long lines out, trawling, he may land more than he’s prepared for in Diana … what a terrifying pair they’d make! Oh, mercy, bring it on !!!
It’s Panthercakes! Score!
Ilona Andrews short stories are the best short stories because they’re so, uh…short. We want ALL the “short” stories!
I think my chalant just snapped its chain- It’s bouncing off the walls with glee.
I’m so excited! I’m reading the hidden legacy Serie
s right now and wishing there was more.
It’s a shiny and we wants it! *happychalantjig*