I am sitting on a treasure trove of art, news, cool writing, and I can share none of it. I have a large Augustine snippet for you today instead. Some of you have read the first version of this scene. It has been edited and expanded.
In return, please drop some blog topics and questions into the comments. The sequel to This Kingdom is eating my brain and I need help, heh.
“As you know, Maria, the current state of the economy requires our company to develop agility in an effort to meet the rapidly changing realities of the marketplace.”
The HR manager smiled, her hand resting on a black folder with FINERGY etched in gold on it. She was in her forties. Her makeup was applied with technical precision. Her acrylic nails, translucent pink and of professionally acceptable length, bore small white snowflakes, a nod to the holiday season. A rose quartz necklace dripped from her neck, each bead polished, matching the nails and the nearly transparent pink frames of her eyeglasses.
She seemed plastic, poured into a corporate mold, allowed to harden, extracted, polished, and then placed in the conference room, with her rigid smile and by-the-book hair. A kind of generic mass-produced manager.
The two men sitting on either side of her had come from the same factory and wore identical expressions of dutiful concern for the office drone they were about to cut loose. A united front, in case there were issues.
“In light of these developments, we’ve had to make some difficult decisions.”
The corporate we. Fun thing about polished plastic – it tended to be slick. Nothing stuck to it, responsibility included.
“We’ve decided to go in a different direction, Maria.”
First name basis, designed to provide an illusion of a personal relationship. We are all family here. Surely you understand. Nothing personal, Maria.
“You’ve been an asset to our team; however, we must reduce our overhead obligations.”
You are not a person, Maria. This was ridiculously badly handled. Painfully drawn out, full of empty platitudes. Just abysmal.
“We’ve chosen to let you go.”
Finally.
“Try not to see this as a setback, but rather a new opportunity to learn lessons and apply them in your future endeavors.”
No, not just badly handled. Gloriously badly handled, as if they had made it a point to hit every checkmark of what not to do when firing an employee. Now tell me you will walk me to the door…
“Cory will walk you to the door.”
And we have a home run.
“Good luck, Maria. We are rooting for you.”
The temptation to offer a golf clap was almost too much, but it would’ve been irresponsible under the circumstances. Arrangements like these came with certain expectations, and they had to be honored.
The box they offered was too large for the meager possessions living on the desk. Sweeping them into the box under Cory’s watchful gaze took mere seconds. An elevator ride followed, the mirror inside offering a reflection of Cory, stone-faced in a Brooks Brothers suit, looming over a woman in her thirties, olive-skinned, dark hair cut in a bob, Harper blouse from Torrid a size too large. Quite the contrast.
The trek across a wide lobby was next, complete with pitying glances from former co-workers, at once sympathetic and wary, as if instead of a defeated woman in business attire they had spied a leper in filthy rags and worried the disease might spread.
The glass doors of the Callas Tower swung open, offering freedom and daylight. Cory walked out and planted himself in front of the door, ready to put his life on the line for the protection of the firm’s secrets in case the ex-employee decided to assault the building.
Too little, too late.
It was time for a dejected walk down the street and out of sight.
The city was going about its business, oblivious to the small tragedies of firings in the name of corporate agility. Thick grey clouds clogged the sky. It would start drizzling soon.
A gunmetal-grey BMW iX slid closer to the curb, and the rear passenger window slid down, revealing a woman’s face. She was quite beautiful in a quiet way. Light brown eyes, flecked with gold and framed by naturally long eyelashes. A lovely face. Chestnut hair, braided in a kind of updo that would have been too soft and romantic for the HR trio in the conference room.
Diana Harrison, Prime and the Head of House Harrison. She changed her hair color. It suited her better. Her usual blonde always felt soulless somehow. Too cold.
Diana tilted her head. “May I offer you a ride?”
“Do we know each other?”
She smiled without parting her lips. “Not closely, but it’s about to rain and your office is at least twenty minutes away.”
Oh. She knew. How?
There was no point in playing coy. “In that case, thank you. I’ll join you.”
A driver emerged, took the box, and opened the passenger door on the other side. Getting in took only a moment. A large red Doberman sat on the front passenger seat, strapped in by some strange seatbelt contraption, its gaze alert and watchful.
The dog could’ve picked up the scent and alerted, but not through a closed window. How did she know?
The car slid back into traffic.
Letting go was like a light, imaginary stretch. A brief effort, followed by a slight lightening of the load.
Gone was the olive skin, the short dark bob, the blouse, and the utilitarian black slacks. He was tall again, his regular persona firmly in place, familiar like an old glove. His true self still remained hidden, yet the new illusion was a tweak rather than an entirely new disguise. Like taking off a sweater but keeping the T-shirt on.
He stretched for real this time, working a kink out of his shoulders. The hunched posture had taken a bit of a toll.
He didn’t need to hunch, strictly speaking, but he always found that his illusions flowed better when he allowed himself to fully submerge into his assumed identity. After that barrage, most people in Maria’s place would either storm out defiantly or brace themselves, as if expecting to be punched. Storming out wouldn’t have achieved his goals.
Diana watched him with genuine fascination. He’d seen that reaction so many times, he should’ve been used to it by now, but coming from her it felt refreshing.
“A moment?”
Diana nodded.
He pulled his cell phone out of his Zegna suit and selected his second-in-command from the contact list. Zachary answered instantly.
“Here.”
“Dump FINERGY.”
“Understood.”
He ended the call, tossed one long leg over the other, and smiled.
“I believe I will dump FINERGY as well,” Diana said.
“I highly recommend it. They are engaged in cybersecurity fraud. The latest crop of drones they brought to the market and sold to multiple law enforcement agencies has severe software issues.”
“How severe?”
“A child with a LeapFrog tablet could hack one. They just fired the specialist who brought the problem to their attention two months ago.”
“You assumed her identity?”
He nodded. The scale of the fraud was massive enough that the real Maria’s safety was a concern. He’d spent the last week dutifully going to the office in her place. Normally, he would’ve sent one of his subordinates, but his House’s investment in FINERGY was considerable, and he wanted to assess the state of things for himself.
Diana tapped her phone.
Tomorrow one of the biggest law firms in Houston would file the qui tam lawsuit against FINERGY, alleging violations of the False Claims Act, and Maria would become one of the most famous whistleblowers on record. If the government chose to join the suit, she would be entitled to about twenty percent of recovered damages. Considering the extent of FINERGY’s transgressions, she wouldn’t have to worry about finding a new job for some time.
Diana finished and put her phone down. “Now I’m in your debt, Prime Montgomery.”
“Not at all.” He slid his glasses a little higher on his nose. “Please, call me Augustine. Now then, what can MII do for House Harrison?”
Diana hesitated. It was very brief, but he’d been trained to observe people carefully, noting minute changes in expression.
“I want to hire you.”
“Me specifically or MII in general?”
“Both.”
Intriguing. “In what capacity?”
Another slight hesitation. There was something deceptively delicate about Diana. She was a small woman, short and petite. The contours of her face were soft, her features classically attractive: large, light brown eyes flecked with gold and green, a small, slightly upturned nose, a full mouth with a bare hint of pink lipstick. She looked as if she was teetering on the edge, torn between wanting to keep her secret and asking for help. She could’ve played a princess in a medieval drama, the kind of princess who had suffered an injustice and needed a strong ally and who would inspire the audience to root for her.
It was a front. Augustine was absolutely sure of it. If he became an enemy, Diana Harrison would kill him without a moment’s hesitation. She was trying to entice him to help her and make her request a priority, and she was very subtle about it.
Common wisdom held that animal mages didn’t understand human emotions. Interacting with Cornelius, Diana’s brother, had convinced Augustine that there were exceptions to that rule. Apparently Diana was cut from the same cloth.
He knew a great deal about her, and at the same time very little. They’d met on three occasions prior to today, and his longest interaction with Diana happened when they signed the pact of friendship between their two Houses. The alliance was initiated by Cornelius, who had become convinced that having powerful connections was the best way to keep his daughter safe. As the Head of her House, Diana was the only one with the authority to sign off on it, so they had met to negotiate.
Entering a pact of friendship was a no-brainer. While most Houses viewed animal mages as having limited power with few practical applications, to an illusion House there was no greater threat. He’d been delighted to neutralize it. His people had done a deep dive into House Harrison and found nothing of concern. On all three occasions he’d interacted with Diana, her demeanor was neutral, pleasant, and opaque. She had negotiated in good faith. This manipulation was delightfully new.
“Whether or not we come to an agreement, anything you tell me is confidential,” he said.
“Something has been stolen from us,” she said.
“And you need me to find the culprit and recover it?”
Diana nodded.
“Why MII? Pardon me for stating the obvious, but you have access to House Baylor through your brother.”
“The Baylors can’t be involved in this matter,” she said.
Curiouser and curiouser.
His own relationship with House Baylor was complicated. At one point, before the Baylors became a House and were just a small PI agency, he owned the mortgage on their business. Back then their relationship was almost purely adversarial. Later they came to regard each other as allies, especially once Connor Rogan, the closest thing he had to a friend, married Nevada Baylor. The Baylors kept their word, and as long as he kept his, their loyalty and support were assured.
Either way, he had to draw the line now. As much as he valued the Harrisons, his House’s relationship with the Rogans mattered more. It wasn’t an alliance he was willing to endanger.
“Are the Baylors suspects?”
“No. They had nothing to do with this theft.”
“And they don’t know anything about it?”
Diana shook her head.
He saw it now. She baited the hook, offering him just enough information to ignite his curiosity, and waited for him to bite. Diana Harrison, a patient and careful fisherwoman.
In strict terms, their friendship pact was a non-aggression alliance, meaning that both Houses agreed to refrain from acting against each other. Mutual favors were not included but were customary in such arrangements. The disparity in their wealth, connections, and resources was significant, and yet House Harrison appealed to his help only once, when they needed him to pick up Matilda, Cornelius’ daughter, and secure her safety until Diana came to retrieve her.
Very well. Why not? He could play a knight in shining armor, if the compensation was significant enough, and Diana had offered payment in the right kind of currency. Most investigative work was profitable and boring. This promised to be interesting. He liked knowing secrets, and any secret hidden from the Baylors was worth knowing.
“Shall we speak in my office?” he asked.
She offered him a beautiful smile.
awesome more please ☺
Please give Augustine a love interest – his life is so lacking in that! Diana would be perfect – he would have to come down off his high horse, get rid of the “smarter than you” attitude and we could finally learn what he really looks like!
+1
Well, yummy surprise on what has been a frustrating day. Thanks
Love this. More Pancakes, and I love learning more about Diana- always thought her backstory was going to be a good one. Let’s dance!
I just can’t wait for Arabella’s book
I have a love/hate relationship with snippets. I love learning a little more about the characters but hate that they are so short.
*squeals heard round the world*
HA, your yummy snippets are like Lay$ potato chips- no one can’t eat just one!😃
Thanks so much for the stories and care you have for the BDH. Sending good vibes for Ilona’s surgery and to HA and ModR to survive the grueling work pace.
Loved the reworked Maria snippet, as it captures the tone of the current insecure job market and it’s good to know the bad guys have it coming.
Possible snippet topics:
— How do you get a job with a House either in hidden legacy (magic family business) or innkeeper (vampire house) worlds if you don’t have a specific talent/skill? Aside from the ex-military guys that Rogan hires or Nevada hiring Cornelius, this is a mystery.
— Rogan’s and Pancakes’ relationship in high school, around when they fought on the video.
— Matilda’s most unusual animal friends and how she finds them
— Orro giving cooking classes, or entering the galactic equivalent to one of those chef competition shows
If you were to design a yarn colorway for your HL series – or any of the series/worlds – what would you do?
This thought/question popped into my head while I was searching through The Stash for The Right Yarn for a project.
I am looking forward to a return to Hugh’s continuing adventures.
Oh yes, colorway please. I have been looking for yarn to make Catalina’s wings…
ok, if you are talking colorways i recommend you look at Dreaming Robot. there, I think that avoid product placement.
Thank you for the original and updated Panthercakes!
I would love more FrINNterviews but would take posts of your every day family/pet/hobby adventures!
Mod R’s quizzes are fun also – she’s very clever with them!
Thank you for this blog! Would you be willing to share more about life in Texas? I can’t travel and will never see all the states in my country.
I’m sure this has been asked in some way, but I’ve never seen a response. I fell like you are PROLIFIC writers. while finishing Maggie, we got that marvelous short story with earth & other dimensions etc. now, in the midst of God only knows what enormous project, we’re getting Augustine snippets.
do you just get this sort of “itch”, of a story needing to be told? did Augustine start haunting you, demanding to be told? did Ada? did you need a Maggie break & so just start writing something new?
I’m dumbfounded at your talent & ability.
Building on Sara‘s questions for the blog:
How do you see the different worlds you build contrasting or echoing each other? Or are they cleanly compartmentalized in your minds?
For example:
The contrasting manifestations of vampires in Kate Daniels and Innkeeper worlds
Houses/ Families in Innkeeper, HL, Kinsmen and stories in Small Magics
Embodied corruption in Innkeeper and Inheritance
The medieval vibe of Puffles and Maggie feels similar to me from the little bits we‘ve seen
Another possible blog question:
What role do genres and tropes play in your creative process? How much do you consciously decide to riff on something?
Thanks again for taking the time for this blog and sharing so much of yourselves.
Okay, when is the wedding? LOL, I want to read more of them together
I am soooo intrigued. I loved the snippet.
Thank you!
Jello parfaits with a mayo/pineapple layer:
only for those over the age of 80
or
suitable for all ages?
I became a doctor instead of a writer for many reasons, but you all continue to remind me how lifesaving art is. I am beyond excited. I have left excitement in the dust. For my question- you once wrote a post about how quickly you introduce characters and why- any chance of a recap?
*giggles*. my brain misread “The sequel to This Kingdom is eating my brain” as “the sequel is titled ‘this kingdom is eating my brain'”. oops.
Not only Augustine intrigued…..tell us more , pleeease 😁
And emerging from a BMW we have a svelt, rich, single, sexy woman whose whims are enforced by jaguars, leopards, and any other lethal animal in her vicinity … can’t wait to see Augustine navigating this relationship.
+1
Thanks so much! I’d love if y’all could repost the video of the little black grandkitten slithering under the door, when called. Watching it just makes everything feel better.
Love the snippet. Think I can infer but Harper blouse from Torrid means nothing to me. Is this a US thing?
Oh my gosh I love it!!
These are the things that you have posted about that I have enjoyed.
You wrote a post awhile ago about how when you feel a bit defeated by the constant bad news that you knit a beanie. This really made me think and I have taken up knitting. Could you post more about that?
Any Kdramas you would recommend?
Any new anime? I have been reading ‘My farm by the Palace’ and I love it. I can attribute this one to you.
Love it! Left me wanting more!! Thank you for brightening my day.
Ok, this snippet was long enough that your hook has been baited, and I am caught. I would love to read the book or serial that comes from this very promising start.
Thank You for the snippet!!
For the question:
Is it difficult for you to switch between your books – I.e. from editing Maggie to writing a “short story” for HL, then going back to innkeeper etc. Do you have rituals when you switch between these or do you have to re-read some of your book? Do you in general like to read your books when finished?
And maybe for the blog we could have a poll where everybody is from? I’d love to see how international the blog is 😃
Dear House Andrews,
Please more of these story.
When you get the time.
NO pressure.
Thank -You for all your hard work.
Sincerely,
Tammy
Oh, fun fun fun fun fun! I would absolutely love to see a bit inside Pancakes, and this case sounds so intriguing. Please, House Andrews, may we have another?
No help on blogs from this front, only heartfelt thanks for the snippet! Now I will wonder about the theft and a potential Montgomery/Diana liaison.
So…both will know something the Baylors (and right now the BDH) don’t know. However, House Rogan might know if Augustine talks to Connor. Interesting. 🤔
This is a slow burn coming between Diana and Augustine. Can’t wait to read what was stolen from House Harrison.
When I saw the blog post title, I just had a song from “West Side Story” go through my head: “Maria. I just met a girl named Maria.” 😂
The joys of being part of the wonderful BDH!
My completely wild theory is that a Pied Piper was stolen. “Why?” You may ask. Well Cornelio let implied their family magic was older and before the serum and they might be descendents of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. We already have one mystic magical obeject show up in the series. that means other ojects of power might also exist. It make sense in my head and would be great if it was true.
I freaking love this world! This makes me so happy!
Not me squeeing in the work bathroom…
And away we go! Thank you both for this very special gift . I have been waiting and anticipating this new story line. Will I have a wonderful Christmas 2025 or an exciting New Year 2026?
Ooooh. Can’t wait to read the book!
I love Pancakes.
Love it!
And now I have a serious HL jones going on… *proceeds to reread series to-date*
YES! I love the intrigue and the building interest between these two.
Blog questions: When should we chalantly expect merchandise? Rogan said he cooked his own food for safety reasons. Does he have a favorite recipe?
As you wish! Two comments from me: 1) The termination scene is so perfect that it made me laugh out loud. It is almost word for word the last interaction that I had with my former employer. 2) I’m excited beyond belief that the Baylor’s are back in action!
As you wish! Two comments from me: 1) The termination scene is so perfect that it made me laugh out loud. It is almost word for word the last interaction that I had with my former employer. 2) I’m excited beyond belief that the Baylor’s are back in action!
This was a wonderful way to start the day! More Augustine, please
Loved this!
Ohh now we are waiting with bated breath, story sounds intriguing as ever you draw us in. Thanks x Glad all going well for surgery 💖💖💖
I loved the snippet. It makes me want to reread all of the books again.
Blog post suggestions: I’d love more of your keyboard quest, Halloween decorations(it you do Halloween), thanksgiving recipes, update on all the pets with photos off course, how is your yarn? And your yarn projects? And how you store it?, latest favorite tea flavor
A mystery! Love it!
Now I need to go back to read the books because in my mind Diana was a tall winter viking princess, I’m surprised to learn she’s petite: it shows my internalised sense of inferiority with being short.
Love it!!! Always love the Asian drama and manga/webtoon-type recs. Another suggestion would be a mini-dive into the weirdest stuff you’ve researched as part of writing. Especially the stuff where you ended up with a wealth of knowledge that in the book shows as just one detail added, etc.
awesome!!!
as far as ideas, it might be funny to do an ‘antique roadshow’ or ‘pawn shop’ kind of one with different boys and baubbles from the various world builds.
no ficțional human trafficking please 😅
Maybe (hopefully!!!) the “boys” were intended as show hosts?
ha!
maybe meant toys
apparently my autocorrect phone swiping keyboard is trying to get me arrested!! should be bits and baubbles.
although I wouldn’t say no to (above legal aged) boys and bubbles
*insert saucy wink here*
Wow!
I think we have all been wondering about a possible new line in the Hidden Legacy series. This looks very, very good!
Snippet is simultaneously a treat and a frustration (because I want to read the book now). Trying to remember if Diana Harrison is married with children or not because in this snippet Augustine’s gaze is a little personal.
Diana is single 🙂
Snipppppppettttt!
I really enjoyed the Frinnterviews. they were a good character study and just plain fun.
I also like the BDH free-for-all posts where we can post theories and conspiracies. I understand that could be problematic but where else to post why Arabella should be with Henry Jiang and not any of the Michaels?
Lower maintenance (maybe) blog posts could be:
*Orro’s summary of popular movies
*Reader posts regarding recipes they tried
*reader highs (positive moments) for the week
*reader shares favorite folklore
+1 to Orro movie reviews
Oh, I’m SO invested now! I’m as interested as Augustine!
Thank you for the snippet. Your weekly blog is something I look forward to in my inbox.
I love it!! Take my money!!
Always so fricking good! Can’t wait for more!!
A secret the Baylors don’t know 😀 Augustine is probably still a bit sore about missing out on a truthseeker on staff with Nevada
Question: Do you bake your own Christmas cookies? If so can you share your favourite recipe when winter nears 🙂 (either American or Russian)
what cookies would Orro bake? I think a reread of the Holiday novella is in order
What about a blog post about your pets? I think it’s been a while since we’ve heard about all of them at once. Do you still have a cat?
I was also wondering about the likelihood of getting special editions of the Kate Daniels series? or Wilmington? I love both my Subterranean Press editions and my Arcane Society books (Eagerly awaiting delivery of the new Hidden Legacy hardcovers!)
So lately I’ve been devouring spooky books. It started with the Fever House duology by Keith Rosson. Currently I’m loving Starling House by Alix Harrow. I have mysterious staircases and plane crashes in my list too. Have you ever thought about writing a spooky novel?
Just finished a re read of Ruby Fever and would love to read some more scenes between Penelope and Benjiro. Seconding the “tired of YA” post above, one thing I love about your characters is that they are grown-ups, and when they act childish they recognize and acknowledge it!
Love this! I’ve been so curious about Augustine and whether or how he would grow since the first book. (Part of me thinks the scales of justice have never fully straightened from some of his actions but I’m also weirdly invested. 🙂 ) Thank you!
What a wonderful snippet! I love the whole idea of the animal mages. One of my favorite wishes is that this series gets a spin off that features them! As far as topics, reading this I wondered, you do such a wonderful job describing people so that we can almost visually see them, the little details that just make a person come alive in our imaginations. How do you keep from everyone blending together? Do you search for images? Do you just imagine that person? Do you people watch and think, that person looks like a __? You are more subtle than white hat good guy, black hat bad guy, but you are still able to get that across or not as the case may be, when it’s a character we go back and forth on, is he/she a good guy, a bad guy, a neutral guy etc.
Thank you! Intriguing snippet!
Very nice. Would their kids be able to do animal illustions?
Thank you for the snippet. Blog topic (maybe):
My suggestion is very similar to those above. What about a WAG comment section? WAG=Wild A** Guess. Or, how about “Whatever happened to ???”
This would be a 1 to a customer comment about a secondary character who dropped off of the radar after the book or series ended.
My WAG concerns an issue in the Innkeeper Series where Dina is notified that there is a Scottish Innkeeper who wants to “adopt” her because he is estranged from his family and wants to pass the Inn to someone he admires. The PTB quickly put the kibosh on that, but…What if a certain police officer and his family who are “in the know” decide to relocate to Scotland and take over the Inn there?
My conspiracy theory is about why that bit (the Scottish inn) was left in the GA adaptation yet the Zoom call with the other Innkeepers was left out. I think it was left in because it will become important down the road when they find Dina’s parents. There. Team Facts Be Damned represents.
That Scott was too randomly irritating to be a one off. He is going to show up at the door and be pushy, and then gertrude hunt is going to lawn plant him for trying to steal her innkeeper.
Or throw apples at him from the orchard. Rotten, stinky apples. 🤣🤣
In support of your theory, I think that Dina’s parents are going to need an inn and somehow they will end up with the Scottish one.
I love the Baylors and reading about all the houses. Thanks for the snippet
We have no info on Blake Harrison, either. But I’m really pining for a Hugh story.
Squeed!!!!
Thank you for that nice long snippet. A lovely way to start the morning!
Augustine characterization is so perfect — “This manipulation was delightfully new.” Clearly the right fit 🙂
I always love seeing glimpses into your everyday life. Recipes, animal stories, house woes, etc. I loved the crazy house posts – like the “Boulder in the Bathroom” house. 😆
I enjoy hearing about your working relationship. I also work with my husband in a creative field and it can be challenging and rewarding. You guys seem to have found a great balance. What is the breakdown in labor? How does a story evolve? Who has the initial ideas or is it fully shared?
Maybe share the origin story of how you guys met and when you started writing together – was it hard getting published, did you always know you wanted to write, etc.
I think I have been following your blog as a proud BDH member for at least 5 years or so. It is one of the few “must read” emails I get. ❤️
The Road To Publication Story is in the “About Us” menu on the IA website 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/about/#roadtopublication
I can hardly wait until the book comes out in paperback!!
Also, do you think that the second book to iron and magic will be coming out soon?
I enjoy your books so very much!!
Please write faster.
It is always comforting and exciting in equal measure to be back in the Hidden Legacy world. This was very enjoyable. Somehow Augustine can be both threatening and tightass at the same time. I really enjoy reading his stories. Hopefully more will be forthcoming soon. Thank you.
You mean because he charges her to work on the case? When have we seen Augustine be cheap and worried about money? 🤔
Here I thought I picked up on all of Pancake’s faults hahaha.
I think his compensation is getting to play top manipulation games with someone new. they are exposing characteristics that everyone knows animal mages don’t have. Secrets are the favored coinage of our pancakes.
“Tight ass” doesn’t mean cheap. If you say someone is tight, that means cheap. Tight ass usually means someone very conservative or very conventional.
It definitely means cheap in the U.K. 🙂 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Tightarse-Christmas-time-Parodies/dp/B09K1WVG4C
US friends changing things up again hehe
I cannot wait to find out what was stolen. I love house Baylor and wonder how they are involved.
This looks like a great story!!!
We love our Pancakes!
This is a snippet plus. Thank you, I just finishing up with Ruby Fever (for the umpteenth time) and am ready for Arabella.
Oh, an excellent and intriguing new start. Thank you!
My best friends are grandparents to a four-year-old boy. They have these funny stories of their interactions with him. I would love a snippet of Mahon and Conlon, especially a snippet with Conlon shifting back and forth.
I’ve always found Augustine an intriguing character. Delightful. Maybe in a future blog post you can put your favorite pancake recipe? 😉
Love this, more please!
The revised snippet is truly a treat. Thank you!
I love the suggestions in the comments for blog posts and doubt I could improve on them. All your posts are fun to read, and usually educational (in a really good way) as well. Even the ones that are outside my wheelhouse have beautiful pics to admire. You write, I read. That is all. If I ever do have a question, I can always ask then.
I just learned about qui tam lawsuits. I am surprised that I did not learn about them long ago. Thank you.
Oh, now I am hungry for more pancakes and very curious as to why the Baylor’s were not asked for help. Hmmmm
blog idea: what video game(s) are you enjoying now? do you play multiplayer games together?
I’m not saying Augustine and Diana have to fall in love in the course of this investigation. But I’m not *not* saying that either.
Looking forward to the eventual release of this.
I’d like to see a snippet of Arland and Maud telling Ilemina about the wedding postponement and why. I really miss the Innkeepers, but “The Inheritance” did help. Thanks!
A snippet about the child that Hugh and Elara saved from the mrogs and had to turn over to the very strict/religous Aunt and Uncle. I worry about her at odd times.
I love this series! I am always hopeful there would be a trilogy with the Monster of Cologne! (Sorry if misspelled) I loved her character and Augustine!
Am I the only one whose senses went on alert with the opening sentence (“I am sitting on a treasure trove of art, news, cool writing, and I can share none of it”), or just the only one rude enough to still be thinking about the treasure trove after that feast of a nice long Panthercakes snippet plus the opportunity to contribute blog topics? 😁
Thankyou This was wonderful!
Hidden Legacy is my favorite series. I have read all 6 books, the novella of Connor and Nevada’s wedding, and of course anything that gets onto this website.
Thank you!!!
Intriguing! Love it.
Are you holding off knitting until your eye surgery?
An apparently different direction but still in the House Baylor universe and involving one of the more intriguing characters.
Leaves hope for books involving other House Baylor siblings.
Intriguing….
I would love to read a post or posts about your writing process! I am not aware of any other authors who write as a team of two on all works and not just certain projects so there seems like a lot of material to work with. Do you mind sharing the history with how this dual billing got started? Do you take turns with most tasks or do you have preferred specialties? What are some strengths and some weaknesses of working as a team compared to more typical solo authorship? Would you consider your process to be further towards the pantser side of the spectrum or towards the planner side and is that positioning affected by the need to work together?
cruel tease. write more
Hi, hi! Sitting on all the cool stuff you can’t share is very dragon like. A hoard of your own with some sharing to your other hoard, BDH. Life is good.
I am unable to visualize anything in my mind. I do try to envision something but there is nothing. I’d like to know if you’d be up to creating a size chart that I could look at to help me create my own understandings of your stories. My thoughts start with KD and being able to see how tall Kate is next to Curan as a lion. Or a seven foot tall shifter warrior form vs animal vs man form, or a giant donkey. All relative to Kate, obs because most things are from her perspective.
I’ve seen these types of charts for RPGs and think it would be cool here.
Thank you for the snippet.
Why don’t you let us know what you do for Halloween? Or your fav costume your kids had?
Curiouser and Curiouser. What’s next?
Do you go all out for Halloween or just Christmas?
Any new decorations this year?
Have you tried Tiny Bookshop game yet?
Is Roman dating anyone?
Catalina and Alessandro’s wedding date?
Well, blog topic eh? Not involving House Baylor at all, but I’ve been talking with some others and we agree. We, almost desperately, hope that someday you’ll give us at least a novella about Helen’s life when she hits her tweens.
The rippercushions from her antics at that age should be monumentally fascinating.
This was such a treat! I probably reread the hidden legacy books at least every few months. In what is quite possibly the hardest year of my life so far, having now HL material made things feel a bit more bearable. Thank you!
As for blog topics, it was said that Catalina has the third rarest type of magic. Since then I have been dying to know what types are rarer. Perhaps an interview with the keeper or records or Michael could shed some light.