There is no giveaway today, as Mod R should have this week off. I say should because sometimes she will sneakily work anyway. So this is just a life and everything post.
It’s a warm, damp morning in Texas. We are sitting at 60 degrees, and moisture saturates the air, so dense that you half expect the diffuse morning light to start dripping condensation. The house is quiet. I have a pot of Tim Horton’s coffee for Gordon when he gets up. I’m drinking Fortnum and Maison Christmas tea, a seasonal blend with cocoa nibs, cloves, and safflower. It’s delicate and light spiced. I opened Mod R’s Christmas gift early. Who can blame me?
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Most of the gifts are wrapped. Kid 2 and I braved the outlets on Friday and then Gordon and I returned on Saturday. It was chaotic and crowded. We raided the new toy store. It was Toys R Us, of all things. I thought they were out of business, but this store just opened and they packed so much into their retail space. It was like the kids’ childhood in a box. Afterward, Gordon took me to Outback for an early dinner. I got a ridiculous drink with a stuffed Koala on my straw. Then we went to Sams to get cowboy steak for Christmas dinner.
Normally I am not a fan of crowds, but there was something about the churn of people this time that made me feel alive and happy. I might have spent too much time in front of the computer this holiday season. I am not sure how to describe it. I sat at the Outback, watched people and felt oddly connected. It was reassuring.
The groceries for the Christmas dinner are bought. The tree is finally up.
Most of the presents are wrapped. I only have a few stragglers left. Oh and this anonymous gift came.
My money is on my sister (cousin)-in-law. Heh. I should know, but in my defense, so much stuff came to the house.
Jessie Mihalik sent delicious tea. I’m still melting over her new fae romantasy. She read Maggie, and she says that it’s not terrible and that she “white-knuckled it through the last 10%”, so hopefully you will enjoy it when it comes out. Jeaniene, true to her super-villainess form, sent Godiva chocolate, and I got her back by reciprocating with toffee cake. Jean Kwok sent stunning flowers. She has a romantasy coming out with a wuxia flavor and I’m so excited for it. Patrick and Grace Draven stopped by and brought us an enormous cowboy steak. I used it as a practice run for Christmas dinner and it was to die for. Since I’m back on meds, I have very little appetite, but I’ve been circling that steak like a shark. Grace and I chatted for awhile, and I’m super excited for her new romantic fantasy. It’s going to be awesome.
It felt so nice to be wrapped in friendships this holiday season. I felt so comforted. I kind of had a rough time after finishing Maggie – I am not even going to tell you about the recurring nightmares – and all of the conversations I had with friends put me back together somehow.
I am excited for Christmas now. We are mostly prepped. I still have a small project to finish. This year I wanted to do a small handmade gift, but I didn’t get anything knitted. I had a bit of a carpal tunnel flare up, and crocheting and knitting have been slow. So I made custom wax melts.
I think they turned out. I don’t know if they will be fragrant, but my hands smell amazing after all that wax handling. I still have two other fragrances to go. I’m thinking may be red and yellow? I could mix them together into one bottle. Or maybe I will keep them separate. I kept the packaging so, I will just pop them right back into the boxes and wrap them up that way. I was very careful with the temperature, so I hope it works.
I still need to finish some chores and clean the house. But it seems manageable.
I am at once ready and not ready for the new year. On one hand, I had a nice break, but we need to hit the ground running at the beginning of the year if we are going to get Hugh out. And for some odd reason, you guys really loved Puffles. Even Mod R was like, “They are obsessed with Puffles.” We will need to think on that some more. But contractual work takes priority.
And Maggie 1 is massive. We are trying to come out with a title for it, because Maggie the Undying would be an awesome series name. I’m leaning heavily toward This World Will Not Kill Me. I know it’s odd but I like it. And it tells you right away what it is. Maggie 2 will need to be equally massive. ::exhales:: Nope, not going to think about it.
On the game-front, I finally gave Enshrouded a chance. I set it to super wimpy difficulty and built a village on top of the northern Pillar of Creation. I will do a separate post on it. Because of the hand issues, I couldn’t really mine as much as I wanted, so I downloaded a storage world and I periodically raid it for stone and building blocks. I made a crypt for my necromancer and it is hella creepy, so I’m thinking of moving it so it’s not the first thing I see when I port to my base.
Well, my tea is gone, and I need to pour the new batch of wax. Onward!
So glad you are feeling better, the stress of Maggie 1 is over (I cannot wait, the more massive, the happier I am), and that you had friends to help. Thank you for everything you two do for us. We are really lucky.
And Puffles is sooo adorable. Who wouldn’t be obsessed?
+1! Exactly! 🤗
To be honest, haven’t we always been obsessed with Puffles? Or am I projecting? 🥰
No, no, you’re absolutely right, that’s what I was saying. Chapter 1 was posted years ago and Puffles still got mentioned regularly!
Mod R, we caught you! You are not supposed to be working!!
Yeah, Mod R. Why are you on the post? The Horde loves you. However, you’re suppose to be on break. 😝
Mod R is a member of the Horde! She’s like the BDH President or Queen or something. Maybe she’s just horde-ing here with us and isn’t sneakily working? 😉🤗
Have a wonderful holiday season, House Andrews and Mod R. All the tea and treats sound restoring!
I hope you all have a great chistmas and have some nice time off. Happy Holidays!
So glad that you are feeling less stressed. The cowboy steak sounds very interesting and yummy. Friends and family are the best. We had all the grandkids here Saturday for the family Christmas and it was awesome.
Puffles is easy to obsess over!
Have a wonderful Christmas Eve, Day and Yule season!
Happy Holidays House Andrews! Enjoy the break.
The tree is beautiful – hope you continue to relax and enjoy the season!
And yes, Puffles!!! 😄
Happy Holidays to HA, Mod R and the BDH! 🤗
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and restful Christmas. And yes….more Puffles…..pleeaase!😊
I’m currently sipping the Haney’s Nutcracker tea with the Christmas lights on while curled up under a blanket. This is my (very) happy place.
May we all have a fluffy Christmas.
We finally got some snow so it will be a white xmas. Im finishing up work stuff and what is hopefully my final academic research paper. My friends and I hoard all of our gift giving through out the year for xmas so we are doing it today before I head out for the holidays. I cannot wrap to save my life so they will get a chuckle of that
Happy Holidays! and ….Puffles for President!
Happy Holidays to all! Can’t wait to see (read) what comes next from you!
Well one of the best books I read last year was entitled Just Stab Me Now so I think This World Will Not Kill Me sounds perfectly fine.
Have a delightful Holiday and GREAT new year!!
Merry Christmas from chilly central PA. Take care of your wrists.
I’m knitting a last minute hat, since I can’t find the one I made last month.
Sigh.
Dear Ilona,
I wish you, your family, ModR (she is a real treasure, so glad you found her!), and the rest of the Horde the best of holidays.
Yay for friends who support you!
Have an amazing Holiday season! Reading Innkeeper series right now, such fun books! And yes, I love Puffles too!
Just leaving a note here that yes, we are obsessed with Puffles, please and thank you 🙂
I’m glad you got the Christmas Spirit! Merry Christmas to you and the fam.
Now I’m off to google cowboy steak. I have no idea what it is and now I want one.
I had to Google a Cowboy Steak and I think I know them by a different not okay name. It looks delicious.
Also, thank you for for introducing me to Fortnam and Mason Christmas Tea. I ordered some after you posted about it previously.
Friends are magical. I hope your holidays are peaceful and restorative.
I not only had to Google Cowboy Steak (I used to buy them at a farm, and they came with bacon around the steak – I thought that it was the bacon that made it a Cowboy Steak, whoops), but I also had to Google wax melts as well. I learned something today! Happy holiday!
Of course I love Puffles. Puffles is me. Raina is youth and enthusiasm starting out. Puffles is old and creaky but still has something to give and is willing to do it.
Hope you and yours have a Happy Christmas and much delicious meat.
Thanks for sharing a life update— I think your wax melts look lovely.
Best wishes for fabulous, relaxing holidays and a productive new year!
PS. I really love Puffles. I don’t know why but I’m very drawn to the story and characters.
Thank you for just being you. As I age it seems when I meet someone close again after an absence, they are different. I think the change may be me.
This comment was interrupted by an appointment with my PC Physician. He confirmed most of my problems are age related.
Heart murmur, kidneys, eyes and maybe wear and tear in my joints.
My recurring and only nightmares happen after I take arthritis pain killers which are Naproxen derivatives. They are the only thing that kills the pain for me.
I hope you release something soon. I just finished The Edge and Innkeeper worlds. Just started again with the Baylor women. Next is KD.
Merry Christmas to you and the whole BDH.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to House Andrews!
So glad you have had time to enjoy your friends. Happy they helped you recuperate from hard work.
I am such a Christmas person but this year 3/4 of our household is down with illness so we are going to just rest and try to get better.
And all I now wish for Xmas is for this round of Covid not take 4 weeks like my first time in 2023… Anyhow I got the food shopping done before I fell to sick bed so all is good.
Wishing House Andrews in full numbers and Mod R an amazing Holiday season and the same to my fellow members of the Horde also of course! 😁
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Of course we love puffles! And are very excited for Maggie!!!!
Puffles is great but she has to sent him back:(
Maybe the wyvern needs a new home;)
I have some Harney and Sons tea wrapped up for mom and can’t wait to share some with her on Christmas.
Wishing a safe, peaceful and relaxing holiday to HA, ModR and the whole BDH.
I have zero publishing experience, but I honestly really like MAGGIE THE UNDYING as both Book 1’s title and series name. I know of other authors where the first book’s title is also the series name (see Throne of Glass or ACOTAR). But I understand wanting different names as well.
Have a peaceful and joyous holiday!
Merry Christmas, happy holiday, enjoy Saturnalia, Mid Winter blessings.
Thank you for another great year.
🩷❤️🎄
You sound so relaxed and happy!! I wanna say I love this for you, but I was recently told that annoys some people. Instead, I’ll say reading this post made me smile.
Happy holidays to House Andrews and anyone else who sees this and celebrates.
Merry Christmas to you and yours from Springtown, TX!
We had an entirely unplanned Christmas puppy. A fellow tenant at work office was going around last Wednesday with a 3 month old Dobie puppy said they had to get rid of it that night or it was going to the pound. Husband and son turned out to be severly allergic and broke out in hives. We never let a dog go to the pound. She has joined our crew of two boxers, Aussie and Pyrnees mix. She fits right in. We just got the Pyrnees out of chewing phase. She is a rescue too.
Merry Christmas to all.
Your new puppy will have the blessing of guidance from her older siblings!! 💖
“For some odd reason.” We seem to like Puffles “for some odd reason.” It pushes the Mulan button but she doesn’t have to cut her hair off and she already learned to kick ass from her mother. Also, your dog getting old and decrepit is heart breaking. Except Puffles might be old, but he sure ain’t feeble and the automatic smirk that engenders is just…. Lovely. And that’s the first two tidbits. Of course, we are salivating.
I desperately want Hugh or I would be making big Puffles Puppy Dog Eyes at you. This is me attempting to be a good little Hoardite…… What do we call ourselves individually?? BDHers? Hoardian sounds like a musical instrument or someone the Grinch would sneer at. Devourer… oooh, I kinda like that one. This is my Patient Devourer face *flutters lashes*
That said, I wouldn’t say no to the occasional tidbit….
But I am incredibly grateful for the healing powers of friends. I’ve had mine piece me back together more than once. They’re a blessing.
Clearly go the full isekai anime route with super long title. “Weakest to the Very Best; This World Will Not Kill Me” or even add a few more words. lolololol
Merry Christmas. I hope is is a wonderful one for you and your family. I always love your posts.
This post made me happy on every count. Happy winter holidays of every kind, to all who celebrate. Happy reading goes without saying.
So glad you’re finding your groove christmas shopping and people watching.
Onward to a great holiday season and the coming year.
Best of love to house Andrews and Mod R
I also like going out in the crowds before X’mas but only when I don’t have to find anything. I can people watch, hand out mini candy canes to over-tired/stimulated kids and give sympathetic smiles and a “you got this” to the adults. it is a say to enjoy the lights, sounds, and smells without the underlying dread that I still need to get something for the in-laws.
Enjoy your holiday and family. We appreciate you!
Just to cheer the Horde up, I had an email from Graphic Audio – Hidden Legacy should be on sale in April, and the pre-order(s) should be on the site in January 🎉🎉🎉
Yeah!
Thank you for the heads up!
Of course we’re obsessed with Puffles. We’ve waited ages to see more and absolutely love the story we’ve been given ❤️❤️
Puffles is awesome!!!
Merry Christmas 🎄🎁
Great that you’re starting to unwind! Merry Christmas!
Happy holidays!
I hope you have a very soothing Christmas. Sounds like you’re well on the way to it.
It sounds like 2025 is going to be very busy for you. Please remember to breathe, and have fun with your writing.
I will pre-order anything from you as soon as the notice goes up. And I am nowhere near the only member of the BDH who does this.
Thank you so much for your posts. Happy Holidays to everyone.
yay for feeling more relaxed! Happy Holidays to the Andrews family.
I’m not sure why we like Puffles so much, but I really enjoyed the first chapter when it was posted years ago. When I saw the second chapter I squeeed and thought it might be the first of a weekly serial (<— not me asking for a weekly holiday serial, nope, not at all!). Love you guys and whatever snippets you give us! Cheers to the new year.
I am sitting here with a glass of very nice malbec, reflecting on how this year has been made immeasurably better by the presence of House Andrews in the world. onward to next year, new worlds and old. Wishing everyone a wonderful festive season!
Just finished sipping my Sloane “Heavenly Cream” tea (2nd cup of the day) now. Extended family to arrive from out of province sometime tonight and the house is receiving final touches from DH. Groceries bought, presents wrapped, baking baked… fingers crossed I didn’t forget anything!
I’m so happy you had a chance to enjoy some of the season – it sounds like a wonderful last few days complete with one of the most important things – time with friends and family!
Love Maggie the Undying for a series name! And all the squees for length (don’t think about that now)! I loved the first chapters of Puffles. You know us BDH members, we’ll devour everything you guys write for us, even if we have to w@!t for it!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Years to everyone!
You shouldn’t have given Puffles such a catchy name. Now it’s stuck in everyone’s head!
I love reading about your happiness. All the best during the holidays for you.
Glad you are recovering from Maggie 1. My good friends keep me going.
Your tree is gorgeous!
Thanks for all the writing and blog posts and special gifts! House Andrews books are a treasure.
Special thanks to ModR for all she does.
Have a great Christmas with family, friends, and your sweet pets.
Happy Holidays o the Andrews family and the Book Devouring Horde!
And Mod R too!
Merry Christmas & a happy holiday season to you & your household:)
I think the reason folks are ‘obsessed’ with Puffles is because of the name – how cool a name is Puffles? It is like an instant return to magical childhood possibilities.
And I’m going to have to look up ‘cowboy steak’, as I’ve absolutely no idea of what that actually is. Steak with a cowboy? Steak shaped like a cowboy?
Looked up ‘cowboy’ steak. In our end of the world it is called a ‘tomahawk’ & yes, tres yummy on the BBQ.
Have a wonderful and restful holiday season. I just finished my food shopping and we are eating junk for dinner before the holiday.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah (to those of the Horde who celebrate it), and happy whatever the day it is to everyone.
Enjoy the cowboy steak. Me? Beef tenderloin this year. I trimmed it, cut it into two roasts, salted it, wrapped them up, and into the refrigerator until tomorrow. I will put pepper on them before roasting. Yum!
Glad to read that Grace Draven is writing again. Can’t wait to read her new book. 😁
Happy Holidays to my favorite authors, their family, Mod R and fellow BDH!
So glad to hear things are improving — I was worried about you! This odd relationship between you and the BDH is an odd combination of reciprocal personal and respectful boundaries but we do care.
Christmas still has that ability to be a magical time when life’s bustle holds its breath and you can enjoy the bask in life’s goodness.
Hope all have a great holiday!
Happy Holidays to you and your family and thanks for all the fun this year.
Joyeux Noël 🎄and happy holidays to the Andrews household, ModR, and fellow BDH. 🤠
And yes your friends/chosen family are the best to pick you up and carry you for part of the journey to recovery 😍.
Glad to read things are slightly less fraught, and I hope you, I and the collective BDH can hold onto to that fleeting sense of zen over the coming week and a half.
Happy Holidays folks!
Happy holidays to everyone!
I’m just sort of white knuckling though Christmas this year. Presents wrapped for kids and grandkids, lunch out with a friend, and no decorations to deal with when I get back from traveling to kid 1 with kid 2 to see all the grandkids. It’s been a sort of hard year for me, but for my kids it’s been brutal. They’re all adults, but age doesn’t keep you from wanting to stand in front of them and protect them any less. We’ll manage. That’s why we chose to all be together this Christmas, but I’m really hoping and praying that 2025 dials back the trauma and drama.
Here’s to a new and better year for us all…raises glass in salute! Thanks BDH. You’ve truly provided much needed joy in 2024.
Thank you for thinking of us (BDH) during the busy holiday season and taking time out from your preparations to post an update. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Happy Holidays to all and hopes for peace and comfort for all of us, even if it’s only for a few days.
Happy holidays to House Andres, ModR and the BDH!! Definitely the only happy I’ve had the past 3-4months has been the blog. I’m in deep depression land and Nov and Dec has been a shkog to get through. I can barely get any holly cheer for kids for Pete’s sake. I’m ready for sunshine and warmer temps again. Thanks for the happy retreat that is your blog and your published works. Hopefully 2025 is a good one.
I hope 2025 will bring all the sunny joy you need!
Sending you virtual hugs Niki.It will get better for you, I just know it. I know how hard it can be, but here’s the truth: you’ve already successfully made it through all of the prior hard days you sound like you’ve had….you’ve got this!!! 💕💕
Your post struck a chord with me. I am also mostly ready for Christmas except for some straggling but it’s all a bit blurry. It’s hard to get things done in holiday mode if you’ve had a lot of work stuff going on. Glad to hear that you and yours will be able to celebrate (and eat steak! That sounds marvelous!)
Enjoy friends, family, tea, and food…. Peace and blessings to you and yours!
Yeah, it kind of surprises me you are still surprised we are obsessed with your work. We kind of always are. As for Puffles, there is a ton of reasons we are extra obsessed:
1) He is a dragon!
2) Puffles is such an adorable name.
3) Dragonriding!
4) Super interesting world setup.
5) Dragon!!!
6) The protagonist has d‘Artagnan-vibes.
7) DRAGON!!!
Also, we were told there is only the first chapter, and suddenly the story is continued… if you keep giving us chapters now and then when we least expect it, our obsession will increase exponentially.
Have a merry Christmas!
Dragon friends unite!
Happy Holidays, wishing everyone a jolly holiday and a healthy happy new year.
A very merry Christmas to you ,many thanks for all your blogs , snippets and insights through the year, you’re the best.from a warm sunny Australian Christmas Eve
So happy you’re feeling Christmasy! I sure hope you have a calm and refreshing rest of 2024.
Your tree is beautiful! you’re much brave than me going to an outlet mall the Sat b4 Christmas! hubby tried to go to HEB this afternoon and couldn’t find a parking place!
Merry Christmas and here’s to a much less stressfil 2025!
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to House Andrews, Mod R, and the BDH!
So grateful you are here and doing well!
I love the connection I feel
To all of you ! I relate so well
To the characters in your books! They bring me joy!
Looking forward to less trauma/drama and more joy in 2025
Merry Christmas!
I ended turning on the air conditioner when I was on the treadmill. But I’m now done with my Christmas baking with the second batch of cinnamon rols.
That all sounds delightful! Go you!! Merry Christmas to all. ❤️
To be clear for the BDH, I LOOOOVED Maggie! Then I proceeded to rave about its awesomeness to Ilona for many minutes while I tried (unsuccessfully) to do more than squee in wordless joy, lol. 💕
Merry Christmas, House Andrews!
Thanks for the clarification!! It’s so exciting!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Glad you loved Maggie. Once the Horde gets our hands on it, let the squeeing begin. Of course we are the group that squee over a grocery list posted on the blog. 😉
Her earlier description of your new book has me really excited for it! 🥳
Have a wonderful holiday, Ilona! Thank you for sharing.
Also, +1 for considering Puffles! <3
I love that Gordon is into Tim Horton’s!!!
Have a safe holiday season – thank you for all you do, and we do love Puffles!!
I’m happy you are recovering from all the issues that came down this year, hopefully 2025 will be a little smoother both personally and professionally. Hope you have a happy and healthy holiday season. (Right now I’m celebrating Ursus–where you curl up in a warm spot with a good book, your warm beverage of choice, and den up like a bear in winter). 😉
I’m one of the crazy for Puffles fanboys. Contractual obligations do have priority, but if you felt all dragony after Hugh is done, I feel certain that more Puffles will be a big hit. My only question about Puffles is if it’s only referred to as Puffles for simplicity’s sake? So when Raina is in the dragon force will she be getting a new non-near sighted dragon? I fear for her survival if she doesn’t get one. Although to be fair to Puffles, an experienced veteran dragon can go a mighty long way towards survival
Thanks for sharing! I love the grim determination of your possible Maggie 1 title.
Merry Christmas!
Wishing House Andrews a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year.
Puffles forever!! Congrats on Maggie, and Yay Hugh!
Happiest of holidays to House Andrews and the BDH. I am massively grateful for having found you all. I love the update and knowing that health and comfort are back in the picture. Enjoy the days ahead.
Happy Christmas and a great New Year!
Hope you enjoy all your gifts and kids.
I do like the title This World Will Not Kill Me. Vote for it.
I like sneaker titles myself.
My thought when I first read the prospective title was the other half of the quote:
“That Which Makes Us Stronger”
That could be for Maggie’s second book. Hmmm…🤔
Thanks so much for all the wonderful stories and snippets you all shared this year — HA, MOD-R, and the whole BDH. I just want to echo everyone with a best wishes for this holiday season and a joyful New Year.
Happy Holidays to everyone however you celebrate!
Got the shopping, wrapping, and delivery done and now it’s food prep time for Wednesday. We’re doing prime rib and ham. But I’m making a few vegan side dishes as well.
I’m having problems with my wrists as well. Once Christmas celebration is over, the most strenuous thing I’ll be doing is playing cards, reading, and drinking “hot apple pies” (Tuaca, hot apple cider, ground cinnamon, with whipped cream). Very yummy
Happy Holidays! I am so glad you are enjoying seasonal fun stuffs!
Wishing House Andrews, family, friends, ModR, and the BDH a wonderful holiday season! Thank you for all you share with us, Ilona!
Merry Christmas to you, Gordon and your whole family.
May it be relaxing, joyous & filled with warmth & laughter.
Thank you for all you do for us in the BDH.
💖
OMG, that banner, 😂🤣😂, this is why we surround ourselves with good peeps! They keep us from being too chalant.
The Christmas tree looks wonderful!
I am so happy that you are feeling better and better prepared for Christmas.
Once I surrendered to the “overwhelmingness” of the upcoming holiday madness, things are surprisingly coming together😊
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year! May we be Fluffy and Chillin’ in 2025🎉
Finally decorated for Christmas this weekend so all day yesterday I was both cleaning and decorating. I spend the last two weeks cooking and making food gifts and finally had a chance to go shopping on Saturday. Wow, the crowds were at the mall. It’s was nice to be around the mall for a couple of hours but after the long lines at check out and dodging through the crowd it’s nice to be done.
Have a Happy Christmas and bask in the glow of the fireplace and the warmth of family and friends. Relax and enjoy the holidays and all the wonderful feasts.
I am glad you got some r&r in there. This seems to be the season for it.
Happy holidays and I hope that Christmas with your family is lovely and satisfying.
Mod R, I hope you have a snazzy down time over the yuletide. With delicious muffins, chocolate, and second breakfasts!
Happy Holidays! Thank you both for being generous and always interesting authors. I look forward to Maggie and future Hugh.
my kid 2 was visiting her boy friend and meeting his family in Houston. She got home and was freezing (we’re in TN) it was like 20 degrees different. I saw some I don’t know whatbits called but they were like braces for hands for people who did alot of yarn art but had hand problems. Have yall ever read C Gockels we bring the fire books? I was listening to burn for me and the descriptions of Shiva.
Merry CHristmas!!
I am late to the blog as usual so this will get lost in the wilderness but I am too curious to not ask this.
I’ve been getting reels of cats on christmas trees on my Insta, they are hilarious and it made me wonder. Do your pets leave the tree alone??
I see cats sitting in front of, under, within, on top of the tree. and it makes me giggle / smile so much.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!!
Ilona has said before that none of the cats are interested in the tree or decorations 🙂
Look who’s “off this week”.
I was like that at my office – I can work if I want to…
ps. Kobo Canada has Diamond Fire (a Hidden Legacy novella) 72% off, so $2. I think US also.
tim hortons!!!!
Ok, so at first glance, I thought those were marshmallows….cute blue marshmallows. Oops!!
(It was the jar….) 🤣
Have a few things to finish tomorrow and Thursday, big family event is Saturday – Boxing Day aka Cousins Christmas! 🎄
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be low key events with food, family, and friends. All local, no travel. ⛄
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Good Yule, and to all a good night!! ❄️
Beautiful tree! A very Merry Christmas to you & your family!
The soufflés story is wonderful! Thanks for the second chapter!
Merry Christmas. from the summer other half of the world im about to mow the lawn and I have plants to go in for colour along the footpath. my strawberrys Ard yummy and I will dig up new potatoes for tomorrow for my husband 😀
happy holidays. I love Puffles but I’m obsessed with dragons and your stories, so that’s a given. And also Dragons.
First, Happy Holidays to HA and Mod R (family and friends included!) and the very fine and fluffy BDH! Here’s wishing us all a very happy and healthy 2025!
I am so happy to hear things are looking up for you: I know Maggie will be truly amazing, but I also know the editing really took a lot out of you. Time for deep breaths, holiday cheer, family, friends, and more of that absolutely delicious sounding tea! 😁
Your tree is gorgeous! We can’t do too much holiday decorating in our house this year: the twin cats we adopted in January just turned 2 and they still have too much kitten in them to keep their little pink kitty noses and paws out of the tree (and everything else!) We decorated a little bit so it does look festive (though kitty ‘proof’)(yeah, I know, nothing is kitty proof!) but we will try again next year, but I wouldn’t trade these two silly and very sweet kitties for all of the decorations in the world! 🥰
One last note re: hitting the ground running. Early this year, I was diagnosed and started treatment for severe sleep apnea. Once treatment kicked in, I had so much more energy and felt sooooo much better that I decided to spend most of this year getting as healthy as I could (joined a gym, tweaked my already mostly vegetarian diet, lost weight etc.)
I participated in the first 5k that I’ve done in over 10 years the week before Thanksgiving (mostly at app. 3.6 mph, a fast walk/very slow jog) but I finished in app.51 minutes! No records set(!) but not bad for a 65-year-old that a few months ago was a couch potato who couldn’t manage a slow one mile walk! 😁
My second 5k is coming up on 1/1 (great way to set the tone for the year!) and I’m hoping to better my time a bit. I also hope to enter several more races this year, and by next summer run the entire race…so I better hit the ground running too!
I love the thought for the title of Maggie 1! I like the play on thoughts of how this book almost”killed” you and Gordan as authors. I can only imagine how much your brains had to stretch to build this new world!!
: insert Canadian double take: Tim’s??
Unrelated: I think of Sean and Dinah almost every time that I see my nephew. He is 5 years old and enamored with farts. Farts are his favorite thing. To the extent that he came up with a concept of a fart gun entirely on his own. I don’t want to know where to buy one. Even I, the fun auntie, am tired of all of the fart talk.
I haven’t been feeling any of the holiday spirit but this post brought it for me. Thanks for sharing, thanks for the blog which is its own category of comfort reading and connection, and thanks for all the wonderful books you have written and will write (at whatever pace is healthiest for y’all). It means a lot. Happy and peaceful holidays to your whole family.
Please have mercy on us! I need more Puffles!
+1
Happy holidays! Thank you for sharing a bit of your holiday preparations with us. Some of us have families that aren’t so into the holiday spirit, so it’s nice to see what other people do to celebrate. I wish you relaxation, good food, and great conversations with friends and family to close out the year.
Merry Christmas to you and all your loved ones. While I am addicted to all the writing you do, I do hope you take a nice holiday to recharge your batteries, have some fun, sit contented. Wishing you a wonderful 2025
Merry Christmas! And it’s not all odd that we are obsessed with Puffles. We are the BDH. We are obsessed with everything you write.
I think Puffles speaks to a childhood longing for companionship. The scene cuddling up to sleep made me melt in awe. Who among us wouldn’t have wanted our very own Puffles? The adventure, the cuddles, the love… The stuffed Puffles market would be quite lucrative, even though dragons are not furry. 😉
Happy Christmas love the bath towel
Merry Christmas, and thank you so much for everything. I am usually one of the silent readers of the blog but you guys made so much good for my mental health this year, that I needed to say something. Shout out to Katarina that answered me in the store customer support and wrestled the chaos that is the Portuguese mail system to make my itens arrive.
Merry Christmas! I’m looking forward to meeting Maggie! Thanks for all of your excellent books!
~Kate from central Pennsylvania
You had a koala drink.
I live in Australia.
Dina had a Chihuly theme to her bedroom.
Chihuly has an exhibition in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens (in Australia)
Just coincidence or is Puffles involved?
Merry Christmas to all!
Merry Christmas! This year I am so happy as my son is here and we are together for Christmas for the first time in 5 years. He complained that he is going to miss the box of goodies I used to send when he was in TX. So, I packed a box of goodies and put it under the tree. I completely understand on the crochet/knit front. My wrists are just not letting me get much done. So instead of that, I have officially made 15 batches of Christmas cookies. There are 60-70 cookies in a batch. I did this from Friday to yesterday. My son brought them to work a month ago when I was testing a new recipe and he asked if I would take orders. I keep telling myself, I should have said no! I did like the pocket change that came with it so a plus there. Next year I will give myself a longer window. Today is Pie and Italian cookies. I promise this is it..lol
Dear Ilona, Gordon, Mod R and beloved Horde,
This year has been horrible for me. My country is in civil war, I’ve lost friends to it, sent my kids away and for the first time in 17 years spent a whole year and 2 Holidays without them, was displaced as armed gangs slowly but surely choked my city…. I could go on.
But y’all know what? I am still here, I survived. Through no good deed of mine, or superpower but I am here, thanks to God. Survived the tears, the stress, the anxiety and everything else.
I am amazed that I can still laugh, joke, meet with friends when possible and that when my internet connection is good, I can still rush to this blog, lookout for Graphic Audio release of KD, cheer on for Maggie and hope for Hugh (I re read Iron and Magic this fall so here’s to hoping 🙂);
Thanks to House Andrews and the BDH for being one of the small kernels of joy that have made their ways in my heart.
I am even afraid of typing these words but I am looking at 2025 with hope, when by all accounts each year has been worse than the other. I will reprise the word’s of Ilona’s anonymous gift:
This year, we will have peace, love and harmony… for f-ck’s sake!!!
Happy holidays to you all
sending prayers of peace and protection for you Régie!
Thank you Rachel 🥰💖
Sorry for your troubles. Maybe hoping for Hugh to fix things will help? Best wishes for a better year.
Wishing for peace, safety and love for you Regie!
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah all! What a beautiful Christmas tree. In my family growing up we celebrated multiple traditions as our Dad was 1 of 13 in a large Jewish family. He enjoyed the Christmas traditions too. We topped our tree with a Star of David and called it our Hanukkah Bush ❤️.
I too feel this year is more hopeful. Have a blessed year all!!!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Thank you, House Andrews, ModR and the Horde as a whole for holding this safe space on the web!
The blog posts are always appreciated and the comments continually restore my faith in humanity!
Sending safety, health and peace to you!
Merry Christmas from the Hill Country–where the Christmas Spirit churns along Main Street like ants swarming a sugar cube.
Yes, please, more Puffles. With sugar sprinkles–
Have a wonderful holiday!
Everyone, please have a Happy Christmas.
I am so happy House Andrews is having a good week.
Puffles. My 2003 Honda was in the shop this past week when your Puffles story came out. I’ve not named my car. But this week, I was seeing my car’s greatness, memories, and mortality. So I named her Puffles.
Count me obsessed too. Merry Christmas!
Happy Christmas! Merry New Year!! Your tree is beautiful! Enjoy your time and your tea.
I am loving all the mentions of the tea you have or are having. YUM! Merry Christmas!
Hve a wonderful Christmas!
Merry Christmas to the entire family! We are all blessed to have you in our world.
Happy Holidays to you and your family and friends! May your home be filled with warmth and love always, and wishing for a wonderful, less-stressful year that brings you so many more happy memories for the future. I love you guys and your books, and feel blessed that I found them in my life
Merry Christmas! Beautiful tree! But I don’t see any anti-scaffolding to keep it from coming down during the cat Christmas slolem. I used to have a large collection of delicate, hand blown magnesium glass ornaments….
But life happens and things break. Don’t let your wrists break. I’ve managed to keep my wrists functional through 40 years of heavy work. Here is my 4 part plan on avoiding carpel tunnel.
1) Stretch your hands and wrists a lot, and massage the stressed areas daily.
2) Take anti-inflammatories before you start working.
3) Find a good linament. Over the counter the best one is absorbine veterinary linament. Get the less liquidy kind.
I make my own, but don’t get started on that unless you have a dozen people to share with,because economy of scale in buying ingredients usually ends up with quarts of product.
I include camphor, menthol, eucalyptol, cajeput , clove, capsaicin, rosemary, and allantoin in a carrier oil and butter mix, so its solid at room temperature.
4) Watch a carpal tunnel surgery. You will become highly motivated to never let it happen.
Now I need to finish the last sleeve on my husband’s Christmas Sweater. Let there be peace and sufficiency for all!
Merry Christmas to the House of Andrew and Mod R!
Merry Christmas – wishing you and your loved ones joyful, restful holidays and a very happy and healthy new year. Grateful for the work you do – we all enjoy it so very much.
this newsy post is a Lovely Christmas Eve gift – thank you – I feel well set up for the holidays and really really looking for to Maggie in 2025!
Best wishes for peace, joy, good health & prosperity to one and all!
Massive doesn’t scare me!
Happy holidays to all!!!
Happy holidays now and always.
I do not have the words for how the books you and Gordon write impact me in every good way. Thank you.
I am glad to hear that alot of people enjoyed Puffles, as I really did too! Obviously other things take priority but I would happily read any more of it that comes out. Looking forward to Maggie and Hugh. And I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!! Tree looks beautiful 😍🎄
thanks for sharing
Have a very merry Christmas, House Andrews. Thank you for the wonderful books past, present, and future.
I was really hoping the Horde would demand a Puffles story. I really liked it.
I freaking love Puffles and I think “This World Will Not Koll Me” is a great title. I would have picked it up at the bookstore to look at the back to see the plotline were you a completely unknown author. I say this not as a member of the Horde, but as a reader on a tight budget.
And Merry Freaking Christmas!
It’s not terrible probably means she gushed and the wait for Maggie really is getting longer 😜. I kinda like the tentative name! And somehow Jean Kwok’s work has not been on my radar. Thanks for the new author to check out, looks very good.
Puffles!!! That’s all. That little blurb of story really does grab hold, you know.
Have a wonderful Christmas, HA and ModR! Happy holidays to all the BDH!
Thank you for making the world a more lovely, cheerful, tolerable place. Take care of your health, and may your writing flow well and easily in the coming year.
Blessings on all your households!
Have a very Merry Christmas and safe, blessed New Year from Wharton, TX. Get some rest and recharge.
Can’t wait for a new book. ❤️ any series is great with me.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. People watching is a wonderful activity, I find it relaxing and soothing. It also reminds of times spent with my Grandfather. Thank you for the ferret heist! I just read that last night and keep replaying it in my mind.
Happy Holidays!
The wax melts are beautiful! I love the color of the butterflies.
I’m glad spending time chatting with friends has given you what you need. I find that as well – on days where I am down and don’t want to people, really connecting with people who get me can help lift me out of that funk.
This year has been busy and weird. We are physically ready for Christmas – gifts wrapped, treats made – but mentally, I am still not quite there. Maybe the time with family tonight and tomorrow will help me be in that space 🙂
Wishing House Andrews, Mod R, and the BDH a wonderful Holiday and may 2025 be filled with peace and joy.
We been in the high 70’s and dry dry dry. I love AZ, no humidity. Glad to hear you are doing better! And yes, Puffles is fun, but Hugh, I love Hugh. Happy holidays to you and your family.
Merry Christmas y’all
Y’all, I’m crying reading these comments. Holidays are not a great time for me, but I try for my family. The comments are inspiring and hopeful, and I truly appreciate the safe place for them. Thank you again HA, for all the joy that you have given us. Wishing everyone happy and safe holidays, and hope for a better year in 2025.
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year. Your tree is beautiful. I’m so happy you were able to enjoy some hustle & bustle. Wish you a wonderful start to 2025.
Merry Christmas! As I read your post I thought about how much my brother, Bill Page, would have loved it. He was one of your biggest fans and introduced me to House Andrews. So, on behalf of Bill (and myself), we pray you have a wonderful and relaxing Christmas.
Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas!!! All the best wishes, and I cannot wait for your next book… whatever that may be!
Merry Christmas to both my fellow BDH members and to House Andrews. This community is always good for a ray of metaphorical sunshine when I need it.
Happy Holidays to All. I appreciate the sentiment on the banner. Doing a very laid back Holiday. Looking forward to my traditional Christmas Eve Pizza with my hubby. We have been doing this for several decades now and have been blessed with excellent pizza places.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year may you enjoy family and friendship and are well rested for the oncoming adventures of 2025
Merry Christmas. Thank you for everything this year. Have a wonderful, safe season!!
Love from this Canadian fan.
Merry Christmas!
I rarely comment, but I wanted you to know how much I enjoy reading these (and all of your wonderful books).
Thank you!
Merry Christmas to you all! Thanks for all your writing and I hope you have a relaxing break for the rest of the year. As always, I look forward to whatever you work on next.
Thank you.
You remind me that there are some really neat people are out there and I get to support them.
I’m absolutely thrilled to get Maggie I on day 1 and plan to take the day off. Plans for a happy future, and to all a good night.
Many thanks to Ilona & Gordon for writing such amazing books!! Looking forward to reading whatever comes out next – from snippets to extra large books, I will devour them all. Bwahaha.
Also, I really appreciate the Blog. Reading it always brightens my day no matter the subject. It’s not just the posts, but also the comments. Thank goodness Mod R keeps us in line. 🙂
Much love & Happy Holidays to IA, Mod R & the BDH!!
PS. Puffles rules! 😉
Puffles, puffles, puffles. Can she keep him with her? Does she have to send him back?
A merriest Christmas to you and yours! What a present this post is, with the possibilities of Maggie and Maggie 2 and Hugh and PUFFLES. Enjoy your break, we will read whatever you write whenever you write it.
Merry Christmas House Andrews and BDH! Looking forward to Puffles and Maggie. 😁
Merry Christmas. Its raining here and it’s not really supposed to be. it should be hot with blue skies.
may the new year be a bright one for you. xx
All the best to you and yours this season.
A Very Merry Christmas to my Absolutely Amazing Authors and the BDH’s Fabulous Mod R. Blessings to us All!
Thank You For Sharing Your Genius With Us!
Merry Christmas!! I hope you have a wonderful time with family and friends!! 🎄🥰🤗
Your tree is absolutely gorgeous. So happy to hear that you have been enjoying all the hustle and bustle of the build up to Christmas! Sometimes it’s exhausting and sometimes it’s recharging.
Happy Holidays! Everyone I know—including me—has been planning on having a quiet Christmas, “chocolate and sleep” said my sib. I have books, knitting, tea, chocolate…and the makings for a veggie-heavy Karelian Stew. Yum! (Yes, I know the veggies are supposed to just be for seasoning, but I love the stewed veggies! I even got a mixed bag of different-colored carrots to make it festive.)
I plan on weaving in ends on some FOs (1.5 down, 2.5 to go…yes, FO #2 is a pair of socks), maybe finish some other WIPs hanging heavily on my conscience, or cast on something new. It’s my Christmas and I’ll do what I want to! Yay!
Ps. Why are we obsessed with Puffles? Because dragons rock!
Hurray for Maggie, Hugh and Puffles!! Thanks for the joy you bring into our lives!
so i have been a bit out of it with the blog, van someone enlighten me about puffles, but then without spoiling the details. What snippet post did I miss? Where can i found out/read about puffles?
It’s the tavern of mud, two posts away;-) for the second part
Here’s Puffles 🐉 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/man-on-the-road/ – we only have chapters 1 and 2 (hopefully “for now”!)
Have a wonderful Christmastime. Enjoy and relax. Your stories and books are wonderful, every little snippet is just fantastic. Thank you for that
Merry Christmas, Ilona and Gordon!
Thank you for all of your delightful books that I keep re-reading. Your teasers about the new ones to come have me rushing to read your posts. I like how to describe books by other authors, giving your BDH ever more authors to gush over!
My cats keep throwing their not-so-little furry bods at our sliding glass doors in vain attempts to catch the birds outside at the feeders. May your and yours have an equally happy Christmas and New Year! Though perhaps without the loud “Thonks!”
It’s Christmas day so you’re already done with the wax, but when you mentioned the other two batches, I wondered if there’s a way to do a gradient of the red to yellow…like a sunset?
I hope the nightmares stop {{{HUGS}}}, and I haven’t started playing Enshrouded yet (although I grabbed it back in June when you mentioned it – ack) but knowing that we can download different worlds just moved it up in my “I’m finally back into gaming” queue. 🙂
Merry Christmas to all of House Andrews!
A merry Christmas to everyone:-)
And I love dragons, I would also like to take a nap with Puffles…
Thanks again HA and Mod R
Merry Christmas House Andrews and The Horde.
Puffles could be an AMAZING series on one of the pay channels. The idea that it has not been a book yet could be a selling point because no one (except y’all) know what is going to happen.
Your work on film is the next logical step..seriously. Or maybe your agent is already working on this?? Fingers and toes crossed.
I’m glad your friends were there for you. I hope you’re enjoying the holidays. Also, ooh, candles!
A belated happy Christmas to all of the family, and I hope you all have a wonderful new year with less stresses and more good will.
I do love that phrase you came up with. must remember to send that to the family.
I saw a sign the other day which read Merry Holidays. I really liked it. So Merry Holidays house Andrews.
Who wouldn’t love a dragon called Puffles?
The name itself is genius
Though I suppose there is a mr piffles..
This World Will Not Kill Me is a great title, I do not often buy paper books these days due to electronic convenience but I would have to buy the paper version of a book with that title just because it would make me smile every time I saw it on my bookshelf. I am waiting with bated breath to get my grubby little hands on that book either way though. I hope that everyone who reads this has a wonderful rest of their holidays and good luck going into the new year.
Happy holidays all!
Merriest of Christmas, everyone!
Whole bunch of short stories that are new to me! Merry Christmas to me! Thx!
Happy Holidays to all indeed! It’s the tail end of Boxing Day in Europe (a.k.a the 26th Dec.), a perfect evening for sitting on the couch with a charged Kindle, full of delicious food, with the cat sprawled out, snoring gently, nearby. May you all enjoy peace, love and several more days off 🙂
Happy Christmas (and all other seasonal celebrations) to those that dwell in the extended House Andrew’s enchanted workshop. it is Boxing Day, not a US custom really, but I love it … a ME day after all the stress and obligations of Christmas Eve and Day. Good wishes to the Horde and our fearless leaders for the new year. Yay for Maggie, Hugh, Elara and Puffles.
PS … reread Sanctuary for Christmas Eve …. 🤣🤣🤣
These deleted scenes are all gems and belong in an anthology or two. I bet other likeminded authors could contribute deleted scenes and find new readers. Thx so much. I am enjoying them very much. You sure can write, lol.
I shared with my husband your “I want good tidings and holiday cheer, for fuck’s sake” comment. He was right on bard with the sentiment. Then he went out and bought me a mug that I think you’d love.
https://www.amazon.com/Mostly-Peace-Little-Yourself-Coffee/dp/B07STXS89R
Thought this might be your new coffee mug;)
It’s coming next week…
so I’m wishing Ilona a Happy Birthday filled with love, great stories, your family, and all the things that make you happy.
Merry Christmas! It was a delight to read your post
Happy Holidays!
I was wondering if the Aurelia Ryder series will continue with more books?
Thank you!
I’m rereading the Kate Daniel books right now. I love them.
BTW, I love the audio book of Blood Heir.
Hi Mandi,
Yes! The Aurelia Ryder series will continue 🙂 .
House Andrews don’t announce the books until they are definitely in the writing schedule in the near future, but if you look at the Release Schedule page, any series that doesn’t say “Finished” or “Finished for now” is intended to have sequels https://ilona-andrews.com/release-schedule/
Of COURSE we loved Puffles. We love ALL your writing.
Reconnecting with the physical world is, indeed, a process. I’m a data analyst, but I work regular hours (unlike you creative types), so I spend 30-45 minutes every workday “ungluing” my consciousness from databases and modeling tools. 😀
I can only imagine how deeply YOU dive, while in a writing jag.
Take care, be good to yourselves, and remember the Tale of the Golden Goose (hint: YOU are the Golden Goose, in this scenario).
Happy Holidays!!
I just had a rough-ish Xmas… Out of work, broke brother, parents fading, mother in law having her first Xmas without her husband, and my husband not coping…
I just finished rereading Silver Shark, then Sanctuary to get through.
Thank you for writing these House Andrews. Please never doubt your stories are a gift to us all in these winter days.
We use warm wax as therapy for hand problems sometimes. Maybe the wax will help!
Thank you for your hard work and humour this year, for all the little glimpses we have been given and also the fabulous fiction.
We had Christmas the weekend of the 15th December, which was hubby’s 70th birthday; our children, who live in three different states, took time off work etc., to be with us and so Christmas happened 10 days early.
The birthday/Christmas party weekend which was bigger than Ben Hur, is leaving us to do our first Christmas and New Year holiday period, sans family…”and the times they are a changing”. Bring it on!
Happy holidays!
Just finished a reread of KD, including Blood Heir… cannot wait for more! It has been a nice period for me as I’ve been able to hide away with your books and revisit characters I loved years ago (and now once again). I hope you’ve been able to enjoy this season in a nice way as well 🙂
Happy holidays (belatedly) and wishes for a happy new year. Thank you for sharing your stories, snippets and life updates with us.
Happy Holidays to everyone!
The wax melts look like candy, reminds me of some types I had as a kid. Mod R is right about Puffles, it’s intriguing and I would love to read it if you ever get the time to complete it.
This World Will Not Kill Me sounds exactly like a light novel Isekai title should. Or combine the two for maximum traditional ridiculousness.
What a lovely, newsy, positive and uplifting post. I enjoyed this very much. Thank you.
Ofc we love Puffles! Both the story and the dragon. First, who doesn’t love dragons? But also, because Puffles is every beloved pet that we know is getting older. And it feels like a visit to the ones we’ve lost and miss dearly. And I’m pretty sure sleeping with your dragon is excellent nightmare repellent! At least, if your dragon is Puffles…
Wishing y’all a sleep as full of peace as a nap with Puffles!