Jeaniene Frost emailed today, because apparently the synopsis of TCWNRM caused some anxiety, and readers found a comment where I mentioned she was worried about developments in this book. Some of them went on her socials or tagged her, and she informed me she posted this message in response.
“Hi! Just to clarify, because this has popped up in other places, too, Ilona previously posted a VERY redacted version of my text to her right after I finished book 2, and people had fun guessing what/who the redacted sections could have been about. I never said what/who they were about, and neither did Ilona. I will say that I thought TCWNRM was even better than TKWNKM, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it!”
She also assured me that she did not reveal any spoilers. She is so nice.
The day you stop worrying about developments in our books, we will retire.
It is our job to take your stressed out selves, drag you through an emotional roller-coaster, until you are obsessing about imaginary people more than you are focusing on the stress in your lives, and then deposit you safely, happy and relieved, at the end of the story arc.
We believe in HEA. It may or may not be the exact happiness that you foresaw for any paricular story, but our books usually don’t end in tragedies.
Also, if we can’t troll our own readers, then what is even the point?
In fact, let us proceed with trolling right now. Because we care about you.
My mother’s face popped into my memory. I saw her as if she was standing next to me. Her kind eyes, her smile . . .
My eyes grew hot and wet. A sob broke out.
I put my hands over my face. Every muscle in my back and chest went tight.
It was fine. I missed my real family. I missed my mom. And I was very scared. It was okay to cry a little bit.
#
“They’re just legs. Everyone has them.”
“Not like yours.”
#
“I’m sick of always running out of time. As soon as we come together, something tears us apart. Promise me that you will survive until I can get to you.”
“I promise. Remember, I am Maggie the Undying.”
Now then, I have also received this communication regarding Jeaniene Frost’s new policy of gentle handling of the readers from her long time fan. For some reason, he decided that this blog is the proper place to address his fan mail. He occasionally writes, and I usually don’t post it, because he is so entitled.
From Dromichaetes of Dacia
Grand Vampire Lord,
Master of the Dark Coven
Eternal, Immortal, Without Equal, etcetera, etcetera
RE: Jeaniene Frost
Extremely Urgent
There is something wrong with the mortal.
The wait for the next proper chronicle has been truly trying. In my prior correspondence, I have mentioned the appalling lack of patience among the current crop of the Children of the Night, who are most vocal about their eagerness for the next adventure of their kin. Their lack of decorum can be excused, for they lack experience and do not yet comprehend the Eternity that is the essence of Vampiric Existence. However, even I, in my infinite wisdom, have felt a pang of impatience.
Finally, her new epos was published. It is, indeed, her work, for it is filled with violence and passion, and yet there is not a single vampire within it.
I have been alive long enough to recall the glory of Byzantium, and over many centuries, I have learned to temper my savagery with mercy and to stay my hand in punishment, for if I were to unleash the full power of my true nature, the young ones could not bear it. I have forgiven this transgression. It is the mortal’s fortune that the new saga is engrossing, or else I would have to pay her a visit, and it would not be pleasant. I do not like the warmer temperatures of the Western Continent’s Southern regions. They put me in a foul mood.
But today I have seen her soothe the gentle feelings of the readers, and I am most concerned. It is not, in fact, a “nothing burger” as one of my younglings put it. This is a travesty. It cannot be permitted. The humans must feel, for when they do not, their blood tastes stale and flat, like watered mead. The excitement, rage, anger, and desire, those are the spices that combine into a gloriously delicious bouquet of flavors within mortal veins. Eternity is too short to partake of flavorless sustenance.
Please speak to her, and do remind her that FAA has no power over me, for I do not require an iron tube to cross the sky above the oceans.
Okay, then.
We do agree on one thing: Jeaniene’s new epos is full of violence and passion, and you can find it here, at her website.
I read the second one. I will troll you about that later.
Also, Jeaniene has decided to name our new vivarium “The Garden of Soft Blossoms.”
I will go and relay this communication to her, and Gordon and I will see you today at 4:00 pm at Texas Book Festival. We are not flying either – we live close and I’ve scheduled the Uber already. If we don’t get to you during the signing, please remember there is an afterparty at Finney’s.
Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM CT
Finney’s Books
3823 Airport Blvd, Suite D
Austin, TX 78722
You can catch us there and it will be a lot less formal.
*Gasp*
No vampires within her work?!?! The horror!
The BDH will dissect each and every snippet because we’re imp***nt like that.
First!
*squeee*
Have fun at your event today!
Thank you for this very funny response. Please enjoy my anguish and incoherent squealing.
Indeed. 😀
From this apparently masochistic member of the BDH, regarding your trolling: Congratulations on a job well done. I enjoy your trolling and find it oddly satisfying, which both amuses and alarms me. Kudos and keep up the good work!
I admire your patience in regards to fans. I would not be able to. No handling that with poise for me…ever.
Ilona trolling us?
MOST EXCELLENT.
(Now if only it would snow!/newengland)
Please pass along my thanks to Finney’s for offering online purchases for those who are too far away to attend in person.