First things first, the answers to some questions.
Why was the snippet cut?
It was a tense beginning but it doesn’t really connect to anything in the way we originally envisioned. We wanted to get to the main storyline faster. You will still see chunks of this in the narrative. There is a midnight visitor, for example. There is also an epic piece of sister trolling.
There was an inconsistency in the snippet.
Yes, we know. 🙂 This is a deleted scene, so we haven’t extensively edited it.
Will Augustine and Arabella be a couple?
No. Augustine is acting more like a big brother nobody wanted. He will not be a love interest for any of the Baylors.
On the home front, my father and my husband have used a broom to pull a massive chandelier over to the second floor balcony and changed all the bulbs. Kid 1 and I were skeptical, but the chandelier didn’t fall to the floor.
My dad and I had a disagreement over the definition of Cognac and brandy, and I won with my superior google powers. Later on I heard him tell my step-mother that he now respects me because I knew something he didn’t. Ahem. Two kind, smart, hilarious children, a successful career, a twenty year old marriage, clean house, mad cooking skills, and this is what finally got me respect. Definition of brandy.
I have managed to injure myself at the gym on Monday. I was on my fourth and final set of the day, so I was properly warmed up. I was leaning on the bench and jumping back and forth, and then my left hamstring snapped like a really tight rubber band. It’s getting better, but I am limping around. Mostly it hurts when I’m going up the stairs.
The weather is still crappy, grey and rainy and cold.
Well, I am going back to work.
Hope your injury heals quickly. Congrats on the parental respect. Also, congrats on the chandelier work. Very impressive.
I love your description of Augustine as the big brother nobody wanted. I can so see him in that role! When is HL4 due out? My memory says late spring of next year, but I could be wrong.
Avon slipped and it looks like “Sapphire Flames” is due out at the end of August.
By the way, another Ilona, not author.
So, is Diamond Fire not considered HL 4 because it is only a novela? I am a little confused??
Novellas are indicated as halves. So Diamond Fire is 3.5. 🙂
Should we just call you doppleganger?
Thank you for the explanation on the snippet! I hope your leg gets better! I know the feeling…. it hurts.
Chandelier – I want pictures! I’m picturing the two of them in my head, but real live is probably better.
I understand why people install winches for these things. I’m afraid of heights, so I’d have to hire someone to change a light bulb. So sad.
Also, I think your finally realizing what I’ve know all along – exercise is very dangerous for your health. Hope you better soon.
+1 for sure
Definitely +1 ?
OMG I can’t believe you guys already had a chandelier (sounds like).
Jaw. Dropped.
This is me –> ??
Also, congrats on finding The Father some busy work. ??
Yes, it is usual to have a winch, or to build a scaffold frame on wheels to do the job as it’s usually cleaned at the same time.
If you have really snapped a hamstring, it is likely to be one of the heads. They don’t heal well and my need surgery – you can manage without but takes ages to heal a grade 4 tear, if ever and it heals by scaring so will always be very tight. An ultrasound is diagnostic.
As for father, ask him about Armagnac and Calvados!
It’s sunny here. Sorry you’ve got the blooms. Sorry for the clueless Dad thing. Been there, done that. But if you’re going to be working anyway, hopefully you can work on a section where a sunny day is appropriate. Can’t have it in real life, find it another way.
I bet he brags about you all the time back home when you’re not around.
See what you get for exercising? Silly author. Stick to the brandy! Amazing what strikes family as being a Good Thing. Smiling at you and the overheard remark. Grumble a little and cherish it.
So very true!
Second these thoughts.
You need to YouTube ‘Only Fools and Horses’ and the Chandolier scene!! An incredibly popular British comedy series and much loved, you may find the strong London accents a bit strange but that scene is a classic in a classic x
I just watched it. LOL That was hilarious!
I love that show! Did you see the scene where Del (who thinks he Gordon Gecko) falls through the bar in a trendy yuppie bar?
I’m British, it’s practically required viewing ? And Triggers old broom, he’s had it 30 years! It’s had 3 new heads and 2 new handles but he’s had it 30 years ! ?
i’m glad no one died – including the fixture – during the chandelier incident. it’s good that your dad and husband are bonding?
hmm. i had something similar but completely different to the brandy thing with my mom. and it wasn’t that she wasn’t proud of the things i’d accomplished, but that those things were kind of expected of her child. the thing was more of a trigger for her to have suddenly realize (when i was nearly 40. *eyeroll*) that i was accomplished outside of her expectations. there’s a comic who does a bit about suddenly realizing that they are your parents, and you love them, but if they were strangers you met at a party, there would be zero chance of you hanging out together or being friends. i love my mom. she’s been a fantastic mom. i do not particularly like her, particularly the person she became as she got older, and there’s zero chance i’d hang out at a party with her, if she were not my mom.
anyway. *hugs* i hope you heal quickly from the exercise and also the slings and arrows of dealing with family.
If my mother were not mom mother she would still be my best friend. There came a moment in my 20s that we both came to the realization that not all mothers and daughters were friends or even liked each other. We realized then what an amazing relationship we had….. my father now, I love him, sometimes even like him. But more often I just want to whack him upside the head.
It is always nice when men’s jury rigging triumphs over women’s skepticism 😉
Moving a chandelier with a broom is hard. It’s a lot of weight being moved by a flimsy pole. My parents were both afraid of heights and we had a split level foyer with a chandelier over the stairs. They waited until all the bulbs died, had me climb up on his weird plant box thing to hook the chandelier with a broom so I could drag it over and change the bulbs. Just me, because they couldn’t handle it and my sister was too young. I was 15 (there abouts) and it didn’t bother me at all since I was the official bulb changer (and still the only one in the family not afraid of heights). What sticks with my sister and I is the stressed out bickering and arm waving of my parents trying to direct the whole operation. They were so freaked out that I told them they’d have to leave the room if they couldn’t help.
The deleted scene was great, thank you.
May I ask if release date for Diamond Fire is still scheduled in a few weeks?
I pre-ordered the paperback on Bookdepository months ago – it said November 2018 then – but now they changed it to April 2019.
Amazon Italia too…
Hope the visiting parent will give you a bit of satisfaction before he leaves ?
Good luck with the muscles, try with a good massage maybe?
I have just cried to our awesome editor, and she is checking on it. It should be November.
Thank you ?
Just double checked Amazon and it’s still November 6, 2018. I hope your leg heals quickly. And parents don’t always admit to kids who impressed they are.
Ruth Rey, on Amazon Italia (and Bookdepository) it says April for the paperback. And it changed just in the last 10/15 days ?♀️.
Let’s wait for the awesome editor investigation ??
Amazon UK is telling me November for the ebook and April for the paperback, Book Depository is also telling me April for the paperback so I wonder if it’s just that version has been delayed?
I’m now looking forward to the novella shifting to Catalina. I never really got all that attached to her in the first three books so it came out of left field for me. The idea of dealing with her life in connection with her powers angle and the more depth I got to see in the snippet opened my eyes to how much you guys must have fleshed out the character behind the scenes even though we only got to see a couple glimpses of her.
I still don’t know why more people didn’t connect her and her power to the movie about the perfume maker. You guys did the story better though. That one was a lot more, this guy is psycho. Yours is a lot more, how does she cope?
Wait, what perfume maker?
Perfume the story of a murderer. The perfume he makes does the same thing as Catalina’s power. Although it was really twisted and the story wasn’t at all relate-able.
I keep thinking of Catalina as a pop superstar. It is very hard when your fans are so obsessed with you that they actually want parts of you. I can see why she is reluctant to use her powers, even for good, if the effect on her “fans” is psychosis.
Great explanation
When it comes to respect, it’s not how you get there, but that you got there that matters. At least it’s true when it comes to parents….
I still loved the snippet, if you say it not suitable, then I will love whatever new beginning you put it.
Hope you heal fast!
I knew I was trusted and respected when my Mom gave me her retirement money to manage. Unlike a few other comments, I liked my Mom more as I aged. At 16 to 20 she was stupid, by 40 I started actively trying to be as kind and open minded as she was.
Thank you for all the great stuff!
Loved the snippet! Thank you.
+1
Ah, dear old Dad. I never had a father I respected enough to desire his respect but it’s fun to hear about yours. And helping with light bulbs of all kinds is man love. My 6’2″ and growing grandson does that for me with an ” I love you, Granny.”
I’m wondering if your dad is actually a “secret admirer” of your work. My mom was always hard on us boys (3 of us) and complained all the time. But we found out later on that she would tell her neighbors and friends what great sons we were. We even took her to Hawaii for a re-visit and had a rough go of it. I thought it was a failure. She told her next door neighbor she had a great time. Yeah, methinks she bragged a bit too much, but we sort of got the picture.
So, maybe your dad may not express how great you are doing, but to others back home, he may be raving about you.
He has read nothing of ours. 🙂
Could you imagine if he had read something of yours and critiqued it…
…could you imagine him reading the sex scenes…and critiquing them?
I need to wash my brain out.
Hope the leg feels better soon, along with the weather improving. Sounds like things are going good with your Dad. Enjoy the rest of the visit.
>Mostly it hurts when I’m going up the stairs
So don’t go up the stairs!
Sorry, that was reflex. That’s what everyone in my family would say if someone made a comment like that. You know, the “it hurts when I laugh”… “so don’t laugh”.
Tell Gordon it’s time to play Rhett to your Scarlett and carry you up the stairs.
Side note…
To whomever first suggested reading Lindsay Buroker… Thanks! I’ve been reading the Emperor’s Edge series and I’m on book 8. They’re loooonnnggg books, but good.
I would have been skeptical too! Parental respect is where you (grudgingly) find it – sometimes in a bottle of brandy ?
Hope the hammy injury heals quickly and you feel better soon. Hugely enjoyed the snippet even if it didn’t make the final cut and looking forward to the epic sister trolling
On the subject of chandeliers.
Only Fools and Horses is one of the best loved British 70s/80s classic shows, with some moments voted the funniest of all time.
This is the chandelier scene:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFuYIi5-igc
It’s a slow burn gag but the payoff is worth it.
😀 Thanks for posting!
Thank you for the great scene!! Can’t wait to read the one you decided to keep. I hope you feel better soon. I snapped the muscles in my calf and it took about a month to heal. I hope yours heals faster.
The Visit of the Father is going well. Are you celebrating Wolfenoot at your home?
I like Catalina and the rest of the Baylors but I was hoping for more Nevada and Rogan. Is their story over then? Are they out of the picture (or in Spain) in this series? ?
This sunny-one-day, wet-on-the-next weather truly blows. I have a sinus infection from all the switcheroo. But a good day to snuggle and reread Burn for Me.
Sorry about the hamstring injury. I do have a solution that is perfect though for the stairs problem. All you need to do is move! No downside! If I remember rightly, you’ve moved a lot recently so you’re probably experts so it’ll take no time at all. If you would like to help me move, oh drat, my new place will cause you trouble so that’s out. Sorry if I got your hopes up about helping me.
Seriously, thanks for being such a wonderful writing pair. I look forward to everything you publish.
Hooray on the respect, it’s the little things. We once had a house with a dimilar light fixture situation. For nine years I held my breath every time we changed the bulbs. Rest the hamstring and feel better!
Ouch. Hamstring tears hurt a lot and heal at their own pace. PT helps, especially if the therapist is a nice person.
+1
Congratulations on respect; any respect. Care for yourself.
Ugh, I’ve had the hamstring thing happen to me, takes AGES to heal, rehab it carefully or it’ll nag! 🙁
Feel better quickly… Parental respect is an odd thing. You never know what’s going to trigger it…
Sorry about your leg. I’m injured right now and it’s no fun. 🙁
Feel better soon!
Your level of kindness and respect for your family is commendable. After too many years of scrambling for crumbs I fired them. And it was wonderful. No more relentless criticism judgements lack of appreciation never looked back. My gloomy Wednesday has giant swollen jaw from dental work raging sciatica with greetings from full moon and change of season issues too. Enjoying elara. Planning on running away with Lamar. Better days cheers!
Loved the snippet! I hope we get to see what Augustine really looks like one day. Sorry about the hamstring injury; they can take awhile to heal. If you’re me, quite awhile ?. Fathers are weird. I loved mine a lot but he was still weird. Hang in there.
Ahhhh parents….love em…..can’t strangle em. Ha, you get mad google respect anyway.
I have to say that I and your legions of fans respect the heck out of you. It may not equal parental approval but you got it. Not only for your & Gordon’s mad writing skills and the fact that you work so well together (I shudder when I think of trying to work with my darling Hubby) but all of the other items you mentioned. A solid marriage, great kids, your work ethic, humor and generosity – what’s not to respect?
Take care of the leg. (I like the Rhett Butler idea!)
I’m one of six kids. We were all home for a visit one summer and my mom told me that my dad, looking out at us all chatting in the back yard, said, “I think they are going to be OK.”
My mom’s response? “Six bachelors degrees, two masters, and one PhD; all employed; three married, five grandchildren; most own homes; all over 30 and you just realized NOW that they are going to be OK?”
Dads always worry.
I hope we learn more about Augustine, though. He’s not the most likable person ever, but he is Rogan’s best friend. …as these things go.
Get well soon!
I really thought about arabella and what’s his name. She thinks “he’s so pretty” and he is fascinated by her. I’m glad that I wasn’t the only one.
Dawn
I was racing my young nephew a couple years ago and heard (and felt) a pop. It was my hamstring. I had to limp about a half mile back to the car. Very sad because I was actually winning! He was an 11 year old soccer player and I’m in my fifties… Sigh. But it did heal. Slowly. Took a couple months and really wasn’t back to normal for a year or more. So take it easy and stretch gently when it feels like a good idea and not like torture. Love to you and your family. I’ve enjoyed everything you’ve written and appreciate all the work you put in to the innkeeper series. You guys are amazing!
Whaa get well soon:((
On another note, glad to have some things clear up! Yay for Augustine being the big brother nobody wanted, yay for mysterious midnight visitor(s), yay for writing and finishing book 4, and yay for google! Author, you rocks! Can’t wait for Catalina’s full story to come!<33
Hope your injury gets better soon. I’m sure a bunch of people are sighing in relieve thinking at least it isn’t your hands for typing. They say lots of cognac is good at healing those types of injuries or at least making you forget you have one. Please take care of yourself. I’m sure Gordon wants you to get better so you can dance under the chandelier 🙂
I can’t believe there are people who think Arabella and Augustine should get together. She’s 15! And he’s like twice her age!
That’s what I thought! Totally ew! Besides Augustine is a liar, he hides behind his illusions, who needs that kind of messed up. (Arabella has to be about 18 in the snippet though if Catalina is 21) (not that that changes my opinion of an Augustine/Arabella hook up, no it’s just wrong) I’m really looking forward to spending more time with the Baylors.
I can relate to the lack of parental respect thing. I worked for 10 years in non-profit doing community peacemaking and conflict resolution in Los Angeles after the riots. When I later got a job with the Los Angeles Unified School District Ethics Office, I had relatives calling to congratulate me on finally getting my first real job. Me: What are you talking about? I gave you my business cards. You saw I had titles. I was even Interim Executive Director for 8 months! Family: But you didn’t get paid. Me: What? I got paid. Family: But it was nonprofit. That’s the same as volunteering. After all — NO PROFIT!
My aunt was the most hilarious, telling me now that I finally had real job, I could concentrate on building a happy life by buying a condo and getting a husband. Maybe not in that order. But I was the golden child for 6 months, where the older generation was so happy with me that they didn’t nag me about anything. It was most surreal.
I’m glad you earned parental respect, however you came by it. My mother is now in severe dementia and never has respected me. :\
So I know I whined and cried and had a tantrum, but I’ve calmed down now, and I’m just asking to be sure: DOES Catalina become the Head of House Baylor, with all that entails? Nevada fully steps aside? Or was Catalina only in charge because Nevada was overseas? Or is that spoilery?
I hope your leg gets better! Hamstrings HURT. And it’s very hard to find good stretches for them that don’t put pressure on your knees. Google is your friend… well, most always, but here definitely.
I never really thought Augustine would be a potential partner, but I have always wondered (as the ALs intended) about what hides under that illusion-mask of his. Will he ever have a novella or a plot line that discusses his backstory, etc.?
I don’t get why people think about Augustine as any kind of romantic interest for anyone? In “Burn for me” He gave Nevada the choice between going bankrupt and throwing the whole family on the street, or committing suicide by going after Adam Pierce. That is not the kind of behavior that says that this could be a romantic hero, at least not to me. That kind of thinking about other people, to treat someone in that manner, is kind of hard to forgive, at least for me.
Nevada’s mom had the same view as you did. Remember how Nevada had to sneak around to make sure Penelope didn’t know Augustine was in the house, and how Penelope was going to assassinate Augustine when Victoria was coming?
Hugh. Just saying.
I am not saying that the AL would not be able to change him. But Huge had the advantage of being influence since his childhood. And you got the impression that he cared about his people. Augustin is more like the date that short change the waiters. That pettiness toward people that have to serve you, that is hard to change. Yes, now he plays nice with the Baylors, but that is only because they have powers. If they did not, he would be willing to throw them under the bus, if it would be to his advantage. We have never seen him looking out for anyone in a lower position.
“I don’t get why people think about Augustine as any kind of romantic interest for anyone?”
As opposed to Rogan who kidnapped, imprisoned and basically tortured (mentally if not physically), Nevada the first time he met her?
You are right, a lot of romantic hero’s have some unpleasant personality. But the one thing most of them seem to have is loyalty or respect for the people that are working for them.
Except for your injury, things seem to be going well. I’m glad. I hope you heal quickly and completely.
I totally don’t understand people! You give us something we want and they criticize it! They should be happy you posted it at all and didn’t just toss it!
I am waiting on “pins and needles” for Nov 6!
Your Dad sounds like my Mom critical of me to my face but tells everyone else how great I am!
Sorry your injured hang in there and keep doin what ya do, cause you do it so well!! 😉
Loved the Dad story. 🙂
The Only Fools and Horses clip was awesome. ha ha ha ha ha.
Love these old British comedy shows.
You kill me!!! I so want to meet you and your dad! 🙂 It sounds like your sense of humor is coming in handy during his visit.
Thank you for everything you and Gordon do for us/me… I always look forward to anything you have to share!
I hope it’s not spoilery, but I wondered if we will see more of Michael Latimer in Catalina’s stories? He intrigued me, and not in the icky Sloan Marcus proposition-your-date-in-front-of-you way.
The cut scene was incredible, so much emotion and backstory in such a short excerpt. Thank you very much for sharing it with us!
Lee, I asked Ilona 2 days ago what Michael Latimer’s power is and she said she’s not ready to tell us that yet, but to read Catalina’s trilogy if we want to know. So it’s a yes *dance of joy*! I was really intrigued by him too- admired him for being a true ally to abused women and how respectfully he approached a potential victim.
I’m thrilled to know we will see more of Michael Latimer. He was a huge and intriguing question mark. As was Linus Duncan. I know, I know, who he’s supposed to be, but he was so smooth. And confident. I just know he has a great story or two tucked away. Plus, for some reason, he “sounded” single. That’s reason enough to hopefully bring him back.
As for Augustine, such a sad character. He’s checked all his responsiblity-to-his-house boxes. Except marriage. Will we see development there?
I hope your hamstring pain eases up soon. That can be annoying.
Thank you for the snippet. I, too, love everything you share with us. You make us a part of the story, and you have so much imagination, and such a great sense of humor, that a snippet will stay with me for most of the day with a smile on my face. Does your father have no idea how successful you and Gordon are? I think sometimes, with parents, they have to make comments like that to show that they still have input and relevance in our lives. Have fun with your dad, and peace and blessings to all of you. And,Happy Holidays to come.
Brandy = Milwaukee, WI area drink: Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet. On theatre tour to New York City during college spring break, bartenders said “a what? how do you make that?”
Cognac = extremely elegant late- night drink served in a snifter, ordered by people who weren’t college students on spring break.
Fathers are interesting people, for sure. On Election Day in 2012, mine asked “You did remember to vote correctly?” I said “Yes, Dad, I did.” (My “correctly”, not his, but he didn’t need to know that…)
Could not stop laughing at what finally got you respect. Better late than never! Like Siobhan, I never got the slightest respect from my mom, and never will in this lifetime.
Sorry to hear about the hamstring. PT is the way to go. Lack of exercise can make you quite literally crazy, especially where the parental units are concerned.
brandy vs cognac is a rectangles vs squares argument, one is a subset of the other. (cognac is a type of brandy)
My daughter popped a hamstring and had issues for about 2 years including PT. Might still have issues, but now doesn’t actually run anywhere, so we don’t know.
Am off to google the difference now. You never know, might come in handy.
Parental respect is a weird thing. You want it then when you’ve got it you realise that their judgement ain’t always all that so you wonder why you wanted it so badly.
I agree, I found Michael Latimer fascinating and would like to know his story. In my mind he has very deep basso voice . And reminds me of a very large quiet cat, then he springs and the claws come out.
And I would also like for Augustine to meet someone to at least keep him off balance and ruffle his perfect feathers . And maybe make him laugh. I don’t think he laughs enough.
So glad you and your family are enjoying your visit with your dad .
And I love the chandelier story, it’s one to repeated at holidays.
Who knew that cognac vs brandy would be a bonding moment…
Thanks for all the sharing you do, it’s much appreciated.
YES! I’m imaging this too! Thinking of actors for this and picturing Idris Elba with a James Earl Jones voice…
Yes!!
Would LOVE to know more about Latimer. Can’t +enough this one. Especially because he was the other one I suspected of being Caesar. Just for starters, would love to know what his registered ® power is.
My money is on Linus Duncan for Caesar. He is just so smooth and has been around as long as Victoria. Just makes you go Hmmmm……
The one I’m interested in is Michael. The silent one. The protector of the House Registry. He’s such a Dark Horse and I wonder if he and Leon will have a scene together one day. I’m also interested in his powers as they have been alluded to, but not plainly described. O’kay- I’ll say it. He just makes me hot.
After reading this snippet, I’m so ready for another Hidden Legacy. I didn’t realize that Nevada would be giving up her role as the Head of House Baylor when she got married and that Catalina would have to step into those shoes. The previous books didn’t imply that she had feelings one way or the other about being a head of house, and Leon said plainly that Nevada would be the Head of House Baylor. However it works out, I’m sure I’ll love it.
I’d like to see a love match for Augustine that sets him on his ass, but not Arabella as someone else suggested- the age difference makes it really icky. I’d also like to see Nevada’s mom have a date or two- just to give her some colour. 🙂
I hope that you and yours get well soon, Ilona. I’m sorry that everything hits all at once.
Loved the snippet. Am intrigued as always. On the respect issue my mom chose the moment when 1 of 3 of my adult wonderful children had found out they had picked the wrong partner. I sat at her kitchen table trying to explain to him that this is a life lesson not a punishment. That he was wonderful father and he would get through this. After he left my mom said you are a good mother and walked away. I was thinking if I had spirited my now ex daughter in law away to another country before the wedding I would have been a better one but I wouldn’t have beautiful grandchildren. Life lessons.
The weekend should be warmer and sunny! ??
Remember, parents are weird. All parents. Just ask your kids. But, mad respect for a clean house AND besting him via Google.
LOL!!! As a parent I can only imagine what my boys think about me!
I think you and Gordon are making a beautiful thing within a difficult situation!
I was just starting to like the idea of Augustine and Arabella. For some reason I think a lot of Saiman when I read Augustine and I was interested in seeing him invested in his family in Nevadas books. Like imagaine Saiman actually caring about other people. I was looking forward to seeing him in love, lol.
Google Rocks! We think you’re awesome, but Daddy, the one person we all want to impress .
Owowowow! yikes! Wishes for fast healing!