The slow editorial trudge continues.
Saturday:
Sunday:
Mod R is my witness, I keep cutting and cutting and somehow there are more words.
Thank you for all of the encouragement. You guys are too nice!
I received an interesting question the other day: if you could choose a comfort read among your books, what would you choose?
It’s probably Silver Shark for me. It grew out of my experiences more than any other. Don’t get me wrong, when I think about my childhood, it’s sun-filled and bright. The garden, the flowers, the River Street with the huge river flowing slowly past, the parks, the friends…
However, the older I grew, the more aware I became and the bleaker my life looked. It’s normal for teenagers to be nihilistic, but everything was truly falling apart by the time I was 14, and it only got worse from there. My adolescence is desaturated in my memories.
I had a chance to Google-drive past the house where I grew up, and it was in ruins. It really hammered home the point: that life is over. The place of my childhood exists only in my memories. It’s bittersweet, but the place where I live now is wonderful. It’s vivid, and bright, and I’m grateful for it. Yes, US has its problems, and I will complain about them as much as any American, but it’s a huge upgrade compared to the life I left behind.
Which brings me to another question:
Could we get a post sometime where folks share their favorite comfort read portions of House Andrews books?
This sounds like fun. Of everything we’ve written, what scenes or books do you go to when you need a little bit of comfort? One lucky commenter will get a signed book from our shelves.
Please don’t recommend other authors, as we will have a separate thread for that.
The entire Kate Daniels series and associated books from beginning to end.
Sweep of the blade, then Magic strikes.
Both for comfort and love.
I have 2 comfortable read series of yours Innkeeper I love when Dina comforts Orro with the mango or when Orro explains Christmas or let’s face it anything Orro really. I also loved when Gertrude Hunt took the sapling of Magnolia Greene. Well let’s face it I just love the Innkeeper series I also love the Hidden Legacy series Rogan Rogan Rogan 😁
I discovered Kate Daniels when I was recovering from a broken back/concussion after a bicycling accident. There were four books in the series then and I devoured them. I needed a massive distraction from 3 months flat on my back and Kate and Curran gave me that. As aging and Life happens, I find all of House Andrews’ works a great comfort. I have my favorites, of course, but I find I need the humor, the HEA’s more than ever as the world gets darker. Because each story, no matter what darkness is being confronted therein, has rays of happiness, humor, and hope. (And delicious food!) Thank you for sharing your gift, your stories. They’ve gotten me through some tough times when my brain needs to be distracted from whatever it’s hopelessly stuck on in that moment. Thank you.
If I am short on time, it’s Kinsman. Otherwise I’ll go to Catalina’s trilogy or Innkeeper.
Silver shark. Hands down.
The entire hidden legacy series is one of my comfort reads, but there are 2 IA scenes that I will specifically go read on their own:
1) Baylor Family Trials at the end of the 3rd book
and not HL, but I love the scene in Magic Claims where Kate is navigating the vampire from behind the white board.
I laugh every time I read about the vampire doing the shower pose!
My mother’s favorite scene is in Magic Bleeds, when Curran is in a coma and she reads to him and fights everyone waiting for him to wake up. She says the speech she gives them (« my aim won’t falter, my face will be the last thing you see before you die ») is her Comfort Read whenever she’s feeling sad 🤣
For me it’s whenever everyone is being silly during hard times. And Hugh The Beloved Violent Idiot. Love that guy.
Love love love everything
I read Magic Strikes, then Magic Bleeds, then skip a few and hit Magic Triumphs (I’ll probably add the Wilmington years next time, too). I want the humor and the romance and the happy endings–and Magic Strikes is my absolute favorite, but I love the addition of Grendel in Magic Bleeds.
Sweep of the Blade every time. I love Maud finding security and a family that values her and Helen and I love that love story (beautiful though it is) is secondary to the acceptance and recognition she gains from House Krahr.
I go to the Baylors. I love the family scenes. They are so funny, but also very wise.
Leon asking Catalina how stressed she is, and when she answers a lot and he says very good, because it means a lot of food. Grandma Frieda taking pictures for the Family album… LOL.
For me, they are also bittersweet, because we, too lost my dad to cancer.
But i think, he would have loved them, too, would he had have the chance to read them. He read a lot and liked that kind of stories.
So for me the Baylors are my comfy read. They never loose their humor and always stand together.
For me, Nevada and Connor. I love everything about their books. But like you, the kinsmen series Novella has a special place in my heart.
Thanks
I love your books and I read my first book from your. read the books of German I was German and in german it was good. i hope it’s come new books for art stories and news book. what book was the first book come back in German?
I agree with all the comments about Sweep of the Blade! It is such an amazing book. For me, though, the entire Innkeeper series is like a warm hug of Christmas! I love the parts about Sean and Dina as well as Dina and the inn. Some of my favorites are…..
*spoiler alert*
– when Dina finally realizes it has been Sean all along who saved her from poison.
– when Dina goes to get Maud and Helen home.
– the parts about the relationship between Dina and the inn.
– ending of the Sweep of the Heart – regarding the inn.
My comfort among all the books and all the writers is ‘Sweep of the blade’, i just love that book and i always go to it when i need comfort
My comfort read moments
– derek “I knew it was you by the way you rode your horse”
– rogan when he was under Nevada’s window (after having to “comfort” rynda and the kids) and he refused to leave and instead built a staircase
– Hugh and Kate’s conversation on her porch in the last book, talking about Dad!
– Curran lifting Kate’s arm to punch him when he made bad decisions about loreli and was expecting anger but got sadness
– every time I find “carebear” mentioned – hidden legacy and innkeeper
– arland “I am not a poet but…”
– all the emotions of the inn
**Magic Breaks**
It had all the things in one place for the first time! They were separated, Hugh showed up, then Curran showed up, she disappeared, Curran travels to *Mishmar* to rescue her, she meets Grandma, confronts Dad, and then claims Atlanta. I was exhausted just reading it, then I read it twice more just to make sure I got all the details. It. Was. Perfection!!
btw I didn’t just read it twice, I read this one when I need something to read, I don’t need something to read, I should be doing something besides reading, and reading when I should be doing something else. I love this book.
Chapter 2 of Sweep of the Blade. Ressurection, redemption and rescue all in the first hour. This is my go to listen at night when I can’t sleep and my mind won’t stop cataloging all my failures. I’ve loved this story best from the first listen and can’t count the number of times I’ve listened to it. Maud is my hero.
I read Burn for Me before any other Hidden Legacy books were in the works and chomped at the bit for months until White Hot came out. I devoured the book -and used that word before I knew the Innkeeper series existed- and felt so much better at the end of White Hot when Nevada and Rogan finally actually get together. I felt similar after the first Catalina book, but since there was a bit of history (the trial) with Alessandro and Catalina, it felt a little different. To this day, when I need comfort and have the time, I re-read the first two Hidden Legacy books… and then the rest of it just for good measure.
They’re all comfort reads! And that’s why I end up re reading them all over the course of a year. Probably the ones I most turn to for comfort though is Magic Strikes and Bayou Moon. Magic Strikes just has the best Kate x Curran scenes, she admits she likes him, and he likes her and there’s just delicious snark and tension and also lots of the secondary characters I love too. And Bayou Moon because for some reason I just really love William. And also Cerise. So I usually re read their scenes.is that bad?
where Alura manifests to go save Hugh because everyone else has abandoned him.
in White Hot, I love rereading the scene of the charity gala and ferret heist. When Rogan sees Nevada in the dress, I love that moment. For comfort read I’ll skip around to different scenes in that book and read all of the sweet ones and the kickbutt ones.
(what a great blog post topic btw!)
Not sure if you would call it a comfort read, but if I had to narrow it down to a single part of a single book there is one that that makes me feel happy. “Sweep of The Blade” the end of the book where Maud wakes in hospital bed and Hellen leaps across to her with her cry of “Mommy!”
Gunmetal Magic is usually my favorite, mostly because it’s Roman heavy. He’s such a soothing character. No matter how dark things are, he is always thoughtful, kind, and encouraging. He’s a bright spot.
All IA books are my comfort read, but if I had to choose 1 book it would be Iron and Magic – it is self contained, but is also connected to The KD series. It also has an uplifting theme (new beginnings/rehabilitation). Then KD for the family dynamics – eg when Hugh and Alana turn up or the Blood Heir the scene when everyone appears for the werewolf showdown. Pure gold. Then Hidden Legacy & Sweep of the Blade. (But I also really enjoyed re-reading the Edge series…)
I’m late to the party, apparently, but I just can’t NOT comment on this thread!
My comfort reads are all the “emotionally charged” scenes from whatever books. When there’s tension between main characters, be that they’re flirting, bickering, or flat out fighting. House Andrews just masters those. They are numerous, and they are the ones I go back to in my hardship. These scenes help me channel my inner turmoil. I can project whatever emotions are filling me up at the moment, play them out in fantasy, and it helps with letting them go (Frozen theme in the background ;] ). So, I occasionally revisit each and every book and story, admittingly skipping most of the plot in favor of the tension and katharsis. That’s why Curran’s POVs are such a gem! All the tension!
I can’t quantify the number of times I’ve read or listened to Iron and Magic. The comfort comes from the understanding that if Hugh can be redeemed, anyone can.
For me, it would be the scene in the Wildfire, where Nevada brings Rogan a tray of chocolate mousse, while he thinks she is upset with him. Then he eats it on his bed while reading his father’s files, and plays with the skin on her arm while she checks her email box.
This is what an intimity is for me. It was so bittersweet I cried a little.
Sweep of the Blade and the Wilmington years. They’re such good stories and they make me happy.
Innkeeper Chronicals- love the time the Vampire gets drunk on coffee, the irascible cook, the acerbic empress/permanent guest, as well as the heroine and the House!!!
The Kinsman books, and Iron and Magic for my standalone reads..
It’s basic but all the food/cooking scenes. The vivid descriptions of all the deliciousness make the imagination salivate and the care behind all the cooking/feeding of family/friends/etc. gives me warm fuzzies.
And the wonderful picture Mod R posted of her version of Orro’s “eggs three ways”. Thank you, Mod R, for all your hard work keeping us in line. Heehee
oops off topic, sorry.
The Innkeeper series if I am answering for a series, Fated Blades for a book (most of the kinsman universe would work for quick book reads), but for scenes Grace of Small Magics or Of Swine and Roses.
Love reading all your books.
For comfort, I reach for the Innkeeper’s series. Dina can make every guest feel better, even me.
First of all, if you asked me which of my favorite authors (whom I’m not mentioning) has the largest percentage of my comfort reads in their total output, it would definitely be y’all. I think I’ve reread all of your stuff at least twice and some up to 5 times. I think re-readability is my first criteria for a comfort read, because every time you read it feels just as good as the first time.
However, within your oeuvre, my favorite comfort series is the Innkeeper Chronicles (any book), favorite short work is Silver Shark, and favorite novel is Iron and Magic. My absolute favorite scene is the one in Magic Triumphs where Kate and Curran are trying to convince the magical practitioners in Atlanta to unite to defeat those extradimensional dragon dudes. Nick Feldman reveals hitherto unsuspected comedic talent, until Hugh d’Ambray sweeps in and dramatically empties a bag full evidence on the table in front of the gathering. I lurrrve Hugh as you probably can guess. All I can say is, you don’t want to go shopping with THAT guy.
I’ve read everything from HA multiple times. My favorite is everything Julie. I love that kid.
It sounds weird, but sometimes I need the comfort of crying and when I do, it’s the section in Magic Triumphs where Conlan gets away from his babysitters and Kate drops everything and goes running to save him. When she says “Conlan, it’s Mommy” and he jumps in her arms, I lose it every time.
And then, after I have the crying out of the way, I always go read the Magic “Clams” Little Teapot scene. When Barrett asks “What’s this?” And the response is: “I believe it’s a little teapot,” Claudia said, completely deadpan. “Short and stout. See, there is its handle and there is its spout.”
That helps get me back on track. Thank you House Andrews for providing so much wonderful material for us to enrich our lives with.
❤️
thanks
Oooh fun! My all-time favorite House Andrews comfort read is Bayou Moon because the relationship and eye-rolls between Cerise and William makes me cackle constantly. One of my favorite moments is when William kills the mud-eel and carries it’s head around on a spike then uses it as a conversation starter about getting it stuffed.
A quick comfort read is always Silent Blade, one other story in the kinsmen universe edition. I keep going back to Hidden Legacy to ride out the ups and downs of life. Love Sweep of the Blade, any I think it just edges past for the win.
for a real comfort read, I tend to grab a pile, read just my favorite parts, and then inevitably get sucked into rereading the whole series. That said, I usually go to Magic Breaks, when Kate and Curran reunite in Mishmar–love that dialogue– Wildfire, after Rogan gets his mousse, and the last chapter and epilogue of steel’s edge. It’s (occasionally temporary) peace and safety backed up with (not temporary) support and care.
My comfort read in House Andrews many comforting books is probably Sweep of the blade. Particularly the scene when Maude goes to the banquet and saves the day by serving appropriate food, then gets called away because her child broke another kids arm. As a mother, I LOVE how calm and understanding she handles that situation. Also Ripper cushions.
I have a child with pretty severe disabilities and she doesn’t understand many social rules, and I worry a lot about other children not accepting her, or being cruel. This book and scene specifically are very comforting. I feel understood and hopeful that other people really do understand how precious children are, even when they are seemingly causing problems.
I really can’t wait to read more about Maude and Helen.
Grace of Small Magics – I have read this so many times. I love the part where she takes him to task for punishing the decedents of a child who didn’t participate in the betrayal and says she will free her family by ending her line.
All of them. It depends on what kind of comfort is needed. Am I looking for close family relationships, humor to brighten my day, or something to give me time away from the real world. I have read so many comments and find myself thinking I agree with it all!! I’m not an indecisive person, but there you go.
when I need something relaxing I always seem to go to The Innkeeper series. Which is kind of addictive for me, so I usually don’t stop until I finish the whole thing.
I thank you I truly love all your books and have reread them all often.
It’s pretty much the whole Inkeeper series but probably Clean Sweep. I love Dina and her world. I wish it was my world! Anytime I wanted to escape the cold, I could just open a door to somewhere warm.
The Edge. I love the relationships and the love between the characters. The shear bravery of people who live under duress but but come together to defend their world makes me feel anything is possible.
I too love them all! You make such amazing worlds and fill them with people I want to hang out with. I especially love the family dynamics, whether found or by blood. What is most comforting depends on my mood though. My biggest favorites are all of Kate, tied with Nevada and Connors 3 books (Hidden Legacy). I love Magic Rises (controversial, I know), so many great scenes, and Kate just getting it done regardless, the redemption scene! But also Magic Shifts, when Kate has a stroke and then fighting the ifrit together! Oh and that other one… I could go on and on really. They’re all just so good. Thank you for giving us this gift. I know we’ve all said it before but your books have gotten me through some really awful things. Thanks again.
Short Story Comfort Read: Silver Shark
Book Comfort Read: Sweep of the Blade
Series Comfort Read: Hidden Legacy
I enjoy all the moments in your stories that indicate you understand how one’s soul might be forged into a twist, but
another vote for Hidden Legacy:
I enjoyed this scene from the moment Nevada noticed Rogan (who didn’tyet know it was Rogan), but:
He didn’t simply walk into the plaza. Those eyes told me that the moment he stepped foot into it, he owned it. I knew I should’ve looked away, but I couldn’t. I just sat there, shocked, and stared. The two women saw him and stopped talking. He cut right through the layers of civilization, politeness, and social snobbery to some preternatural female sense that said, “Dominant male. Danger. Power. Sex.” Why couldn’t I find someone like that? Why couldn’t he be my guy? If he ever talked to me, I probably wouldn’t be able to string words together into a sentence. The man was looking at me.
Wow, I need to remember to check the number of comments at the top of the post before I get lost reading them all.
I think I have three of your books that I would consider comfort reads, aside from all IA books in general.
Sweep with Me (GA) – I love Orro’s obsession with the TV chef and the Dryfan liege’s family problems and Sean’s learning the ropes.
Magic Triumphs – I love Kate trying to be the perfect mother to her monster baby. Perfectly illustrates why Roland was so hesitant to have children.
Magic Tidas & Clams (it counts as one audiobook) – I love how they’re all holding up their enemy’s heads, I love Conlan’s life lessons, and I’m getting really curious as to how their new Pleistocene park is shaping up.
Sweep of the blade (& the entire graphic audio series) of the “Innkeeper Chronicles”. The audio voices are magnificent particularly for the character Helen. Her voice is so darn cute!
The scene where Kate first “consults” for Saiman at the Midnight Games. Something about how her knowledge shocks/intrigues him just makes me smile every time.
The Curran POVs. By far, I always find myself coming back to these stories. Just seeing their relationship from first meeting and blossoming into more from his persective always gives me a smile. The two characters are beautiful yet fierce together and the different understandings of the scenarious from both sides never ceases to make me laugh.
Everything. All of it. But specifically Magic Strikes, because Kate starts to feel less alone, the kinship and connection feel real.
Also On the Edge for that sense of security she’s trying to forge.
Sweep of the Blade
My favorite comfort read!!!
Silver Shark is the one that probably would fit comfort read, though for a quick dip into that world I probably have read A Mere Formality more. Really any of the Kinsmen Universe. Something about science that feels magical.
Is it weird to say that you guys are my comfort author(s)? I’ve been reading your books since high school, along with my mom and little sister (eventually). When I was in the military and facing war on a daily basis, your books were a balm. Even in the darkest ones, there’s hope and love and evil doesn’t win. All three of us would have your newest book the day it was released, and we’d read it together. It was a way for us to stay connected despite the distance and my growing PTSD. Now I’m in grad school and your books are a different kind of escape; they help to heal, rather than distract.
Silver Shark really is cathartic. I think I’ve read it often enough to have it memorized now. There’s life after war, and it isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. I buy fresh flowers when I can afford it (grad student, lol) because they are reminders of life. Color heals. (…also the subtle Firefly reference makes me stupidly happy.)
Thanks for sharing your talents with the world. Your books have helped me on many a sleepless night, and have kept me connected with my family. <3
I love Charlotte and Sophie preparing to go to the ball and choosing dress designs. Although it’s a strange choice for a comfort scene, I love Kate in the (Baltic?) mountains with the Asmir and the god telling stories and Curan showing up and breaking boulders and having “important relationship talk.” I’m weird.
Caucasus mountains 🙂. They are in Georgia, old Colchis.
I know you want just one book, but all your books are comfort reads for me. I am reading the Kate Daniels series again right now.
Magic Triumphs! Which usually sucks me into reading all the others. Which then leads into the other series – so many good choices!
I love when Dina finds Orro and hires him. I love all of the innkeeper books, I just love that scene especially.
Innkeeper. The others are too rooted in reality for me. A comfort read takes new away from the drama of real life. I actually haven’t been able to finish the Edge series because a part was too relatable. But Innkeeper is just right for when I need to get away. I just bought them all in the Audible sale!
I love all the books including The Edge series, but when I need comfort, it’s Kate all the way! Particularly Magic Bleeds and everything after including Iron and Magic and Blood Heir.
Iron and Magic is my comfort read. Years ago, in a blog comment, Ilona said something to the effect that Hugh was too far gone to be redeemed. Not too long after, they accepted his redemption as a challenge and succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.
I hated Hugh. Now, he might be my favorite character of all time. I love his toughness, his protectiveness, and the kindness that he tries to hide. I love the interplay between him and Elora. I love watching them grow to know, appreciate, and then love one another. I have read and listened to Iron and Magic more times than I can count. It has already seen me through some dark days, and I rely on it to distract me, lift my spirits, engross, horrify, and amuse me. It is my most beloved comfort read ever.
All of your books have such wonderfully dynamic family scenes which are truly a joy to read, but recently I keep going back to Hugh and Elara as my comfort read.I get so many laughs out of their interactions. It’s sort of like a reverse Hallmark film, but with blood, guts, and monsters for me 😅
The scene of Curran in a coma with Kate, beat up, tired, annoyed, telling him about the problems with the council – and then he answers! It makes me feel so happy for Kate who has persevered against all odds to protect her love. Sometimes it makes me smile and sometimes it brings tears, depending on my mood.
For me, Maud’s story. Can’t really pinpoint why – something about her extreme competence, born equally of innate ballsiness as well as soaked-up learning of so many species from her parents’ inn? The fact that I adore her relationship with Helen? The fact that because of circumstances and culture, she and “The Fortress” don’t allow their relationship to be physical for a very long time but it is nonetheless committed and secure? Anyway I keep travelling back to that super awkward wedding in vampire space
I hadn’t considered specific parts. I just go for Hidden Legacyor Innkeeper or Julie’s story.
Oh, I just start with Clean Sweep and go live at Gertrude Hunt for the whole series. That is Texas as it should be, and my mom says that my eggs over easy are as good as Orro’s. 😉
My wife and I are huge fans of yours. It is easily the first meeting between Kate and Curran.
“Here Kitty, Kitty”
The tension was perfect, you felt it. I think you hooked all of us right there.
Chemistry from go.
The beginning of a great story always warms the heart.
Can’t choose just one of the Inkeepers
I love all the books, and I have reread everything many, many times (doing a complete Kate reread right now), but the Hidden Legacy scenes with the Baylors always really touches me.
I was super-close with my granny and I have been without her for about 20 years (I STILL think, “I need to call Granny and tell her about this,” all the time), so seeing Grandma Frida interact with everyone is perfection.
There are also hilarious scenes in all the books that I love to reread. When Jim is hiding in Dali’s apartment because her mother has shown up unexpectedly and he makes noise and Dali says its a cat— and her mother starts talking about how she needs to get it fixed so it won’t spray– I laughed out loud when I read that.
My comfort read from your books is also silver shark! It’s short and sweet, and the protagonist is lethal. Best combination.
Bayou Moon is my comfort read. When I’m in between series or can’t seem to get into anything, that’s my go to. Lark is so relatable to who I was as a child and teen. I did everything I could to be unlikable, pushing family away because of circumstances I took on guilt for that were beyond my control. I also find the story funny and exciting. Whenever I reread an old book, I get something different from it, usually based on my mood or where I am in life at that particular point.
I listen to audiobooks at night to help me fall asleep. I have Hidden Legacy, Innkeeper, Kinsmen & KD on rotation. I find revisiting all these worlds very comforting. (I always read them the first time through & then do the “re-reads” via audio.) I love them all & have listened to them I don’t know how many times.
I’m hard pressed to pick just one scene or book that is comforting to me. If I had to pick a book from each of these series for a comfort read I would say Emerald Blaze, Sweep of the Blade, Fated Blades, and a toss up between Iron & Magic and the Wilmington novellas for KD.
Thanks for all the joy & magic you’ve shared via your books! Looking forward to venturing into your new world of Maggie after the editing slog, etc, is finished. (It will end eventually, you got this! 🙂
of swine and roses. The scene where he basically oinks and asks her for a date at the end lights up my day every time!
My husband bought me a printed copy of small magics back from his most recent business trip to the USA. I am loved.
The innkeeper scene where Orro first serves breakfast. It is warm and sunny scene with people just talking and having coffee. I can just imagine the joy of waking up, walking out to the patio and finding that someone else has made breakfast. Eggs three ways, bacon baskets, what is not to love? Pull up a chair and have a cup of coffee.
Of Swine and Roses. Short and sweet, there’s just something about having a bad day but picking yourself back up / having something good happen as a result of it.
Hidden Legacy
Hidden Legacy- Burn For Me
I find myself reading sweep of the Blade & Silent Blade in turns as comfort reading. I love both worlds and the heroines. Thankyou for creating both worlds.
Sweep of the Blade is for my reread #1 beside I do not like the last fight in relation to the ‚she is an extreme good fighter’ impression in comparison to the description of said last fight, and neither like the conversation in the med-ward with her child
While I could pick up any IA books, I really enjoy the 2 POV’s of the tavern fight scene where Maud and Arland meet for the first time. They are in different books but I’ll pull them out, especially in GA so I can keep driving!
Maybe a snippet of Sean’s POV would be good too.
I go through waves of love for the different swries but right now it’s Wilmington, I love seeing Kate and Curran again.
Steel’s Edge.
I get migraines and it lays me out for days on end. My only comfort is listening to Steel’s edge . Richard soothes my aches and pains. 😉
Moin :-),
My favorite scene is currans POV at Fernando´s (Magic Bites). It´s published in Small Magics (got the beautiful Hardcover edition today)
Makes me smile everytime i read it.
Basically, I love all of HA’s works an i look forward to my next new favorite from you. Thank you very much for all of your hard work
Well, just recently I couldn’t find anything I wanted to read and was kind of feeling really low. I just started the Kate Daniels series all over again from the beginning and I found that I am noticing more details than before and I am really enjoying it more the second time around. Thank your for ALL the books, thank you for this blog. It remind me that everyday problems are not just mine but everyone deals with “things” everyday. Keeping things in perspective. Love and Merry Christmas to all.
SotB is a total comfort read. Maud’s comment, “So, just birds, then?” makes me laugh every time!
Clean Sweep
when I want comfort I usually look for badass justice with a bit of humor. Magic Strikes is always accommodating.
The Edge Series. On the Edge (where we first encounter Geroge) and Bayou Moon are the go-to ones.
Comfort reads where to start? All your books are re-read often since they touch my heart to the core. The Kinsman series and Swine & Roses are regulars, I think because I can re-read them quickly and each can stand alone.
Of the longer series, my favorite scene is the ferret heist. I mean who can resist a bunch of furry adorable thieves. I love when tough guy Rogan, asks his security to up protection on the dryer vents. Makes me laugh out loud every time.
Also even though I know the furballs make it out unharmed, I always breathe a sigh of relief that they are safe and looking for treats as a reward.
Cornelius is a favorite with his introverted, kind self hiding a backbone of steel. I love that Nevada and family draw him out into the world.
I read and listen to all the series over and over. My pick depends on my mood. But when I need a bit of a boost or a good over evil I will go with Iron and Magic. Hugh and Elara triumph over some really bad guys. But it is the emotional and mental journey that Hugh takes that gets me every time. To take that character and expose his journey to the reader was mind blowing. Did anyone ever think they would like Hugh? For me it’s a reminder about change, forgiveness and overcoming obstacles.
For me it is the Innkeeper books. Anytime we don’t know what to read or listen to together it just always goes back to start at Clean Sweep so we can go through them all again.
Bayou Moon came to mind first! Love that “spaghetti” scene / “hobo queen” lol!!! And the court scene with the family and the different characters arriving. That family is hilarious! In Steel’s Edge Richard’s — “…a long ballad about the bleakness of my life and the heaviness of the burden that was being me…” In another scene Kaldar telling him his first words were probably “woe is me”. I still crack up at these books! Ilona Andrews IS my comfort read! I reread Kate/The Edge/Innkeeper every year! You’re my fave!!!
Hidden Legacy is my favorite reread too. There is just something about the family dynamics and witty banter that always brings a smile to my face 🙂
I love everything and I can’t wait for new material!!! I’ve reread them all and love them all. What I go back to depends on my mood and what I need at the time. They give me courage to face my problems and a break from reality to recover mentally. I will forever be grateful for all the time and effort everyone puts into the final products. Thank you!
Clean Sweep and Magic Bites for me. I got my hubby hooked on both series and they made us laugh out loud and talk about them together. He had Cystic Fibrosis and had his third double lung transplant in February at age 42 and didn’t come home from it. I haven’t been able to read a book since then but thank you for those memories. I will get back into reading someday but grief is a strange animal.