Hey Everybody,
We wanted to thank you all for supporting us through this journey from April Fool’s joke to actual book coming out today. We are both so grateful to everyone who encouraged us, waited patiently and even ordered or per-ordered the book. We couldn’t have done it without you.
A huge shoot out to the folks at the Nancy Yost Literary Agency: Nancy, Sarah, Natanya, Amy, Sandra, our editor. I’ve said it before but it bears repeating, you all are the best, thank you so much.
On the excellent advice of Jeaniene Frost, Ilona is hiding from the interwebs today but Brandi is on the job and we are checking to make sure there are no problems with orders or links or whatever. Like tv operators, she is standing by.
Congratulations!
Love the photo! We’re actually binge watching the Powrr Rangers today!
I’m looking forward to my hard copy from Amazon … soon… it will be here soon…
Huzzah!!! Got the book and will be reading it as soon as I get out of work!
So far so good! I had to stop reading and go to work, but so far I love Elara and the story is so entertaining 🙂 I hope it exceeds your expectations for performance, because it deserves it. Hopefully you can take a quick break to decompress. Thank you.
Congratulations on your book publication!! Have been waiting with bated breath and now that it’s safely on my Nook, am torturing myself by waiting 2 more days so I can read it on my birthday. We’ll see if I make it. I hope you both can relax with feet up tonight!
How on earth can you wait? You must have super powers or something. I stayed up until 3:45 am to read it last night. (Not that I can coherently recall the entire book) That is what rereading is for!!!! Yayy!!!!!!
Just change your time zone to Eastern. That is the first time zone Nook USA will release. For me in CA, this means I can access it around 9:00pm.
me too
lol
Well done! & great advice Jeanine! Rest well all of you as you can!
rest, relax and refresh – you done good.
+1
Congrats! 🙂 I went to sleep at 4am and feel like my eyes are currently banging a drum on my head, but 1000/10 worth it
Also thank you!!! I feel like I traitor but I liked this more than KD…. Hahahaha
Is the plan to keep this a trilogy?
Happy Book Birthday!
Freaking AWESOME. Just finished. You slam dunked that puppy. I want to give y’all high fives. 😉
YAY! I’ve been looking forward to this book since it dawned on me it was no longer an April Fool’s joke.
Hugh is an awesome villain. If anyone can redeem him? You guys can. Can’t wait.
Rest well!
MB
Congratulations. I checked my Kindle this morning and made sure it was downloaded. Now I can’t wait for work to be over so I can curl up on the couch with the dogs and read.
Fastest read evah! Soo delish. And questions Soo many. Don’t go further if you don’t want hints because you’ve not finished book yet…………….
1 when is book 2 due? 2. Why does Bucky love that forest so much? 3. Why does Roland want that castle? 4. Any connections between castle and hugh’s sword abilities? 5. Do we get to find out about the morgs and the elder in next book? And tons more but those are my first impressions…
SPOILER THINGIE
DEIDRA !!! Does Deidra come back?
It’s funny but lately when one of your books comes out the vehicle I am driving starts doing weird things a few days before and I get delayed in my book hunting trips. Sigh. Congratulations I am sure when I finally read it it will be hard to put down till the end. And then of course the waiting game will Begin Again.
Book was great – I almost like Hugh and I didn’t think that would happen. Elara’s other side is great, and I am very curious about what she does for Kate. Thanks for a great read and short sleep cycle!
It’s a great book, thank you for taking up the April Fools joke and giving us an amazing novel ?
+1. Cannot say better than this. Loved the book. Have re-read it already. Thank you. I have done a suitably glowing UK Amazon review.
From what I have gleaned from the blog, you guys are now working on Diamond Fire, and – then presumably – have the upcoming KD novel to promote. As well as the Inkeeper chapters Eeeek! So much fantastic reading for us (for which I have much, greedy gratitude) but…. I sincerely hope that there is some Authorlords vacation scheduled: it is much-deserved. Thank you.
Hello,
I am glad you’re well.
Nevertheless my main reason for posting is that l’ll like to know if I may able to read Inkeeper “soon or far far away” in the future. I don’t like the refresh routine and the lack of news is distracting. Please let us know when you can (it’s less cruel, for me at least, to write “we won’t post more chapters anymore” than to keep expectations up day after day for nothing)
Thank you in advance. Best wishes ?
Are you kidding? This is the sort of response that will lose us Innkeeper FREE chapters altogether. Geesh. Entitled much?
Sorry, Ilona and Gordon. I just can’t believe someone would post such a thing on a celebration release thread.
I haven’t read Iron and Magic, so I can’t say anything about the book (but I have got no doubt it’s awesome) I’ve posted a question here to try to get an answer. That’s it. Of course I am grateful for the chapters (free or not, I am reading and buying)… I am not going to start a discussion with you because the AL’s asked for us not to engage in such behaviour… So here’s just an opinion, if you take it or not it’s up to you: Don’t act as representative of anybody’s opinions but YOUR own. If you didn’t like what I wrote or how I expressed myself, YOU say it to ME. What’s really “entitled” it’s to consider your opinion an universal truth/rule/whatever. This blogs belongs to Ilona and Gordon, not to you nor to me. They or Brandi are more than capable to speak for themselves.
Are you happy now?
Loved this book. Was blown away by High and Elara like every other couple of the AL’s but this book definitely had its own vibe. Hugh is an arrogant ass but so likable. Was laughing at his comments and impressed by his abilities and avtions. He definitely feels remorse and tries to make atonement for some of actions. Elara is the perfect match. She’s smart, strong and takes no bs. Loved their banter and chemistry. Getting ready to reread. Sleep is overrated!
How do you do that?! I did not expect to like Hugh’s book but I’ll give anything you write a try, so I tried it- grudgingly. By the end I was in tears and cheering madly for Hugh. You win the “can redeem the nastiest villain” award. Congrats!
Got it, love it! Ilona, please stop stressing so much, it’s wonderful and we love it!! As I’ve been reading, I can’t get over how beautifully you craft every little detail. My spouse has Kindal Unlimited and you may not realize or appreciate great writing till you start reading writing that is not. There is a reason that some of these guys have to self publish, and that you have a loyal BDH. It’s just a thrill to see this particular story come to fruition after such funny beginnings, and lovely to see though another window into the KD universe. As always, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
Happy release day!! Just finished reading the book! Thank you for the wonderful experience! ?
Earlier I got the email from Amazon that they billed me for the pre-order! I’m going to try and read slowly and savor every moment!
Also, can you guys explain a little bit on who comes up with the pricing for books? I’m always surprised by how inexpensive your books are on kindle. Not that I’m wanting to see you guys raise your prices but based on quality alone, it seems like you’re selling yourself short….
Great book. It hit my Kindle app last night and I finished it this morning.
I’m very glad the April Fool’s joke turned into something real. 🙂
Pre ordered it, got it and read it. Brilliant as always, thank you.
Wow just Wow!
Brilliant book, loved it!
I particularly liked the shifting between the two Points of View – seamless, and yet at no point was I ever confused about whose eyes I was looking out of! (Also loved how you smoothly introduced the meaning of PDAs just before I would’ve gone to google to look up the acronym!)
Thank you for another fabulous read!
Completely awesome. LOVED the banter (and ditto on the comment about redeeming the nastiest villain). Now I can’t wait for the other books to come out. THANKS 🙂
I love this book. I love Hugh. I love Elara. I love Hugh and Elara. I love the Iron Dogs, the castle, the moat, Bucky…. basically everything. Thank you Ilona and Gordon. Thank you LOTS!
Please tell Ilona she not only “done good”, she “done great”!
She can hide as long as she wants to, but she doesn’t have to do it because folks don’t like your book. We love it!
Thank you for keeping us up on the news, Gordon.
Not everyone gets a birthday gift like I did. My favorite authorlords released a new book on my birthday. Happy Birthday to me! I can’t wait to get off work to read it. Thank you for all the hours of reading pleasure.
Happy happy birthday. And good reading.
So many things to talk about! Stop if you haven’t finished the book.
So, apparently Hugh forfeited his conscience when he was given his “Roland’s Blood” powers. Much like Kate and Julie. So now he’s got the guilt feels. Can his contrition really make up for Aunt B? And Christopher? Or Omaha? Or George’s arm? (Insert long list of really bad stuff.) I Adore Elara. What is she? Can Hugh ever really love such a creature? But wow are they hot together. What is down in the tunnels? Why does Roland want the castle? Landon is so disappointing. He’s a pale copy of Christopher. Ghastek is better in every way. What is Hugh’s horse? Will the elephant stick around and help Hugh? Love the dog. Love the druids. Love seeing Ascanio grown up and rockin his bad butt half-form. And Roland “testing” Hugh my ass. Hugh is home to stay. The fact that Hugh loved Rene and Roland/Landon played that card is testament enough that Roland bears no love for Hugh and is a convincing basis for Hugh’s redemption. The brother/sister angle is a lovely concept to explore. Awesome that Uncle Hugh will protect baby Conlan with his life. Can’t wait for that meeting. “Hi Lennart, sorry about your legs. Roland isn’t my dad anymore so we can be friends now.” And “Sorry Kate, I loved our Roland-surrogate Voron too. But Roland made me do it. I’m feeling pretty bad. Can we all just get along? And here’s my wife, The Abomination. Roland’s scared of her but she’s perfectly nice.”
There’s so much more upon which to ruminate (pun intended). Going back in for the first re-read. Thank you Authorlords! All of your sacrifices have not been in vain. You are loved and appreciated!
Now where is that snippet about the Druid and the farting cows?
What you said!!!
and don’t forget Julie, Is Hugh going to give her advice? Compare incantations??
And the horse is totally an unicorn, the magic ability “can’t lock him” is a dead giveaway. How I loved the dog, the elphant, the berseker, the tattoos of the female Dogs. Omg felix is dead. So much feelsss packed in 1 book. Elara and Hugh are lovely togheter towards the end of the book.
Loved it, loved it, loved it. I can’t wait for the next one.
Keep up the good work you guys.
Both my husband and I are big fans (I got him hooked) and as I got to read the book first he would ask me how it was. My response: It’s Ilona Andrews-everything they write is good. Thank you for taking the time to put out this l latest book. You are both so incredibly generous to us fans.
Thank you for another lovely book, one that i am already looking forward to rereading. It feels like you are becoming better writers for every book you publice. I am looking forward to what every you chose to write next.
Well, let the Authorlords know that it is #1 on Amazon. They are listed as #3 in the Paranormal books author side.
Job well done.
Both in the US & the UK Amazon stores;
https://ibb.co/eVCV4o – US Amazon Store 1 min before this post
https://ibb.co/dCGZVT – UK Amazon Store 1 min before this post
Great work BDH!
So happy, downloaded.
Thank you ?
Thanks for making the best april’s fools ever – it’s a book!
Read it, loved it, recommending it to all my friends. Great start to a new branch off the MAGIC tree.
On my Nook. Am savoring.
Bask in the congrats.
Bought and read.
OMG I loved it now i cannot wait for the next book and the other two in this serious … absolutely awesome you guys rock.
As I said in a previous post it’s here, it’s here! Gordon and Ilona, you are welcome! When I saw where this book is in Kate and Curran realm, I thought “oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!” Also, the fact the other two books are after Magic Triumphs makes me smile. ?
Now, I need to start reading Chapter 1. Haven’t done a lot of reading because 1) not feeling well, and 2) been watching the World Cup. I don’t have a particular team I’m exclusively rooting for, since a lot of the Premier League players are on different teams. ?
I just finished reading. Oh my goodness! Jim is going to have kittens once he hears about the business pact between Raphael and Hugh. Now we fi d out more about the feud between Landon Nez and Hugh. Just wait until Christopher sees Hugh again. Yikes!
What a book! Congratulations! ???
Find…too little sleep.
Saving it like a treat to read through the night!
Got the book on my reader late last night. Still about 3 hours left to read.
Thumbs up!
Thank you so much for turning a joke into an amazing book! It was wonderful. I can’t wait to see how this plays into KD #10 and after. My brain is fried from reading late last night but it was worth it.
P.S. The sex scene was HOT!
I only have one thing to say:
NOOOOOOOOO! DON’T BE OVER!!!!!!
I was going to wait until my 7 hour flight on Saturday to read it, but I am weak and now it’s read. I’ll just reread it on the plane…
Loved it! Thank you!
The book is enthralling, enticing, exciting. Yes, EXCELLENT. Now go back to resting and relaxing.
Congratulations!!! Hopefully you both can take a breather to celebrate your continued success before delving back into writing Diamond Fire!!
Congratulations!
Glad Ilona is taking a well deserved respite.
I made myself wait until after physical therapy and grocery shopping to buy and am now trying to pace myself!
*breathese deeply before diving into next chapter*
Loved the book which I just finished. Originally the thought of reading a book where Hugh was one of the main characters was not going tp happen. The I read the book blurb last month and thought “Interesting”. I am so glad I changed my mind.
woo hoo!! I’ve pre-ordered all the books I could possibly pre-order! Sadly I’m at work, but pretty sure I may duck out early so I can get my reading on! So thankful to y’alls hard work – from snippets and AMAs to Innkeeper, to actually writing the books. THANK YOU!!!!!
Oh, and thank you Brandi for supporting everyone in this too!
I love the book, it is great! My dog, however, is not a fan, since I couldn’t put the book down long enough to take him for a walk.
So sad that I am already finished with the book. I love it so much, I think this a close tie with Hidden Legacy for being my favorite book/series of yours. One of my favorite scenes was Elara riling Nez. And for all his arrogance and assholey tendencies Hugh has many redeeming qualities. An anti-hero after my own heart.
Hah, I have been so busy at work that I haven’t even cracked it open yet. And sadly that may continue on till tomorrow.
Loved it! Didn’t expect to enjoy it so much. I had a hard time imagining Hugh as main character. You made it work in a way that seemed real.
I decided that the book didn’t “redeem” Hugh so much as it showed a more complete version of him. He’s still everything he was before, but in the Kate books, we only see him filtered through Kate’s perspective, when he’s focused on her as his main objective. We don’t see loyalty or (very much) kindness. Not that he’s overflowing with human kindness in this book, but you definitely see different sides of him here. I liked the part where the book compared him to Nez…compared their leadership styles, especially with respect to their subordinates.
I’m also glad that he’s well-matched in Elara.
+1
+1
I like how you described the book. It made me look at Nez in a new light too.
Yass! Everything you said, lol.
Swoon.
I’m reading it now and really enjoying the story. I disliked Hugh so much in the other books that I wasn’t sure I could make myself like him as the main character. It speaks to how wonderful your writing talents are that you managed to make me start liking him within the first few chapters. Thank you both for sharing your talents with all of us!
Totally awesomesauce!!
Only gripe is one related to the publishing industry in general: WHYYYYY all the releases on a Tuesday?!! Bathroom breaks are my lifeline today.
Yes! If they were on Friday I could sleep in after the first read through!
Great book! Loved how you kept Hugh, but explained many of his actions in the context of the Roland link/addiction. Thank you both!
You know could literally give her a ‘happy pub day’ and whisk her off down the local pub (do they have those in the USA?) for a pub lunch. I do love a pub lunch. Plate covering schnitzels with various wonderful gravies to choose from … plus:
*alcohol; and
*no washing up!
I already said my thanks and gave a small piece of feedback in yesterday’s blog post, but I’ll offer my congrats again for the wonderful book.
Well done guys.
Had on my kindle this morning. I started it but had to stop because you really cannot read and drive at the same time.
Looking forward to reading more and finding out more about Hugh.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Lol!!!!!!!
Do I spend the extra money on the paperback even though I own it in ebook? Psh…as if that was a question! Of course.
I think the surprise dead tree release is annoying. I’d rather have the book than the kindle, and wish the paper book release had been announced in advance.
This book is self-published, I believe, so they incur all the costs. Same as with the Innkeepers. I’m guessing they were waiting to see if there was enough interest to justify the cost and/or it took them time to find a printing company. This book is longer than the innkeepers, so more cost, or the other printers weren’t available.
No, they had been planning on a paper book. When the reader noticed the character name glitch, Gordon said they fixed the e-book but maybe not the paper book to have it ready on June 26. So it was ready to go.
And if they didn’t think they could turn a profit, they would not have made it available. This is their business, after all.
Love it!!! Happy pub day ? Had to leave the end to let my iPad charge and cook dinner lol ?
Annoyingly, Real Life has gotten between me and starting the book, because I have to work (so I can afford to buy more books and may the mortgage…). Happy Pub Day to you two!
Likewise, although it wasn’t work, just appointments. I actually had to go to bed at a reasonable time. Well, 3am, which for a book release day is early.
+1 ? can’t wait to read, had pre-ordered
This Has been the best April Fools joke ever! I have started – busy day AND I want to savor – and am loving it! I can’t say it enough…you guys are awesome!!!! Thank you for putting up with our pushy behaviors; you are just so approachable. Enjoy your reviews. As soon as I finish, I will Amazon review. Congratulations!
So disappointed this morning when I checked my paperwhite for the book, not there! Turned my fire on to check email and there it was, had to reboot the paperwhite to get it to show up but all is well now. Been a PIA day for me and electronics and no time to read the book until Sunday. Great reviews everywhere, so Thanks for another great book!
Wow…just wow! Amazing story! Thank you both!
Not sure if it could be distilled into a blog post or two, but I’d be very interested in hearing the story of how April-1st-joke Hugh eventually became the reality of Iron-and-Magic Hugh.
She made a joke with a whole cover about Hugh getting a book, it had a whole blurb and everything. We the fans then thought itwas a real book and even after she explained it was a joke we still pushed for it to be a whole book and whalah! If you search for hugh in the posts section it should come right up do u can see the original April fools joke
Yep, I do know that much about how Iron and Magic came to be. It’s more the behind-the-scenes how. When did the Authorlords first think it might be possible and not just a joke? How did Hugh morph in their minds from horrible person and antagonist to antihero? I suppose it’s the mental process of character creation and development I’m curious about. Which I imagine is horribly hard to explain.
Thank you thank you thank you. Thoroughly enjoyed every word.
Usually when an audiobook doesn’t come out for a while after the text book is released? No problem! If I’m intending to buy it in audio, I wait. My life doesn’t allow for a lot of actual reading with my eyes, so most of that goes for online social interactions. I’ll make the occasional exception, but mostly, no big.
This is driving me nuts. So much to get done right now. Also, today is a work from home, mostly on low level data analysis stuff, which is pretty audiobook friendly…. and I’m sooo tired and sore,* which makes the thought that maybe I’d be just as well served by a hot bath and curling up with, say, a good book…
* I regret nothing. Well, I don’t regret ramping up too quickly on the TRX stuff. I regret following that up with too little sleep…
Downloaded it at midnight and stayed up much too late reading. Now I must wait (im)patiently for the next.
Anxiously awaiting my paper copy. Thank you both for all your efforts and your creative talents.
Great job. Can’t wait for the next book.
Bought the book this morning and have started reading. Didn’t want to stop at lunch, but the boss wouldn’t have been happy. Hmmm, how late will I be up tonight?????
For some reason, my copy has not yet shown up in my kindle….?
Reboot your kindle. I had to do that.
Maybe recheck your library?
PS that gif at bottom of your post is hilarious ?
Got it this morning, saving it for a vacation trip next week. Thank you. Hugh’s been my favorite “love to hate this guy”for quite a while now. Great pub day, guys, have a terrific rest of the week.?
I checked to make sure it downloaded, but I won’t start reading until I know I can finish it in one sitting.
That’s my situation also. Living on a river means lots of summer company which I usually love….. luck would have it that I have a house full of company starting tomorrow so I refuse to start reading until after they all leave Sunday.
I will have time to savor it (meaning read it twice) before the next group arrives
Congratulations
Love it! Just finished it and lef a glowing review.
Really great job as usual with you guys! Thank you, you rock!
Mine’s in with no problem; I’m about halfway through, and loving it.
I can’t start it yet! I have classes! And I have a car trip coming up! I was going to save it for those glorious 10 hours.
That’s a lie. I can’t wait. I’ll start it tomorrow when my paper is finished!
Husband (who I got to read this whole series after he cried about the Dresdan Files ending) doesn’t want to read it. He’s not sure he wants Hugh redeemed. I think he wants to punch him in the testicles. Repeatedly. So, I’m going to read it first then convince him it’s totally worth it.
The Dresden Files still has close to 8 books to go, including the BAT, doesn’t it?
Yep and according to JB he’s trying to get the next book, Peace Talks, into the publisher before Sept.1. Real life had delayed writing it for 3 years.
Jim Butchers real life has been spent doing other fun things besides writing. So fun for him, tough luck for us if we are not into the games he writes and publishes. I did enjoy his Cinder Spires quite a bit and I am generally not a steam-punk fan.
Happy Publishing Day! When there is time a picture of the latest yarn purchase would be great!
I knew he was writing Peace Talks, thanks for a possible timeline!
1st, love the gif. 2nd, haven’t finished the book yet, but am loving it so far. Elara & Hugh in public remind me of Henry & Eleanor in ‘The Lion in Winter’ (smile, smile, snark, smile)
Loved it! Planned on waiting till this weekend but couldn’t resist taking a quick look…. and now I’ll be up tonight catching up on my work. So worth it! Thanks for another awesome read
Love love love the book! Please more Bale in the next one, that goofy berserker is EVERYTHING!
I’ve read the book. I can’t believe how good it was! I honestly expected to be a bit disappointed, but no, you exceeded all expectations. It nearly killed me to reach the end. Now the wait for the next one. Sigh.
Thank you for being so awesome, authorlords! You rock!!
I already have book cravings since I couldn’t control myself and read it so fast. I’ll be honest I had some doubts about how you would make it work but as always The Authorlords were good to us. So good I have no idea how I’ll return to the mediocre series I was reading. Now on to wait for the audiobook.
Really want to read it now but probably not going to be able to read it till next week. We just got in from Japan after being away for 6 years. So everyone wants to see us before we leave for NC on Saturday. Everyday this week is booked with family/friend visits. Then I get to make the drive down there with kids and dog to meet up with the husband.
It would be bad manners to ignore everyone, so I have to be good and wait.
Welcome home!
Brilliant. Was bound and determined that nothing would make me even think of forgiving Hugh for his many sins, but ended up (reluctantly) almost loving him. Look forward to when he and Kate come face to face.
Happy Book Birthday! I just got home and am going to download now. Can’t wait. Thank you in advance for all your hard work. I appreciate all you do for the BDH and the wonderful novels you write.
It was all so good! His new horse is a hilarious choice and Elara is amazing 😀
Bucky is the nickname. His horse is named for Alexander the great’s ? There’s something funky about how he likes to escape his stall and go for midnight romps in the enchanted arcane forest. Humm. And prancing. Def a horse w ego!!
PS. I actually am thinking of Bucky in my head as a Lippanzer horse, doing airs above the ground, ROFL.
Yesterday 3:06pm local time: Google tells me the time in USA is 11:06pm EST, assume that the Kindle edition will be released at midnight EST (I’m patient, I can handle the wait and I can’t start reading it at work. It’s all good).
4:00pm check if it’s downloaded, it’s not. Slight panic, was Google wrong about the time? (Deep breath, it’s all good. The book will be there soon, still can’t start reading at work anyway).
4:15pm after continually refreshing email page finally get notification it’s been released. Download so it’s ready and waiting.
5:00pm Drive home, cook dinner, start book, eat dinner while reading. Move to couch and continue reading while husband does dishes and stuff (don’t know what the stuff was, busy reading).
1:00am finally go to bed blown away by how Ilona and Andrew produced a story in which one of the nasty character they’ve created has now became someone I’m rooting for.
Thanks for taking an April fools joke and turning it into a wonderful story, can’t wait to see where it goes next.
+1
I loved it. I loved how Hugh was waking up and Elara was the one who pulled him out of himself. It was great.
I’m holding out for the audio book.
After Mauro, the idea of Hugh being redeemed, or at least the antihero of his own book, didn’t initially sit well with me. And then, after thinking about it- though not for long, I was like “what’s wrong with you? These are the Author Lords we’re talking about here! If anyone can do it, they can!” to myself and bought it as soon as it was available. So glad I did.
I had wondered what kind of woman would be able to take on Hugh and Elara exceeded my expectations. Thank you two for yet another great entry in KD’s world.
Not to pressure you, but with each new book and serial release, my love and appreciation for your work grows. Thank you both so very much for all that you do.
Loved it. It shows nature vs nurture. I did not like Hugh in Kate’s series but I felt he had to have something redeemable about him,at least I hoped. You guys delivered from beginning to end.
It took me all day to finish but I am so sick. Yucky. The book was wonderful. Oh wow she scared him. Had to delete names because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. You always surprise me. Thank you.
SIMPLY AMAZING! I loved every minute of it! I plan to read it again over the weekend
Still reading and am enraptured. Fabulous story!!! Loved the scene of the live lopping of the mercenary.
Just one negative: the version I received has the sword blade on the sections offset a little so it is actually superimposed over the first two lines of text. A tad bit annoying.
Reading in two page format and on my IPad so it might be the Kindle version I have (don’t think it’s been updated in awhile so it may not be most recent one). I’ll try to read it from my Fire and see if that issue is still present.
NO SPOILERS Please ??
What a great story! Thrilling, funny romantic and smart! Loved it so much! Thank you for following through on the April fool romance! A little award from the internet for an epic character redemption! ? The clever detailed character interaction was delightful. Absolutely delicious! Thank you for your awesomeness ❤️
Okay,
I know this will sound insane but I was offered 2 different dates for a dental implant surgery.
I picked today because I knew I would have a lot of sitting and waiting and I would have a totally wonderful book to distract me from fear and pain.
Thank you so very much. You two have a gift the helps others in very many ways.
Thank you
Thank you Ilona and Gordon. I’ve purchased and read everything you’ve written and with Iron and Magic, you continue to bat 1000! It’s a great story – adventure, magic, snappy repartee. And something that I never would have thought could happen – I’ve become a Hugh fan girl. I can’t wait for the next book in the series and how this coordinates with Kate’s finale.
thanks for sharing
I’m about half way through and love it!!!
I should have trusted you guys more. I was so afraid since I really strongly disliked Hugh, but I do like how you guys wrote him.
Can’t wait for my coffee break so I can read more!
I have just started and am going to ration myself to 10 pages per day…if I can^-^
I’m currently reading…I really hope that feeling in my chest is the anticipation of a Kate/Hugh collabo & not heartburn…
Glad it didn’t stop as an April fools joke because we would have missed out on an amazing book! I loved it and hope it’s not the last one in the spin off series, it will be fun to see what other gems Elara has hidden from Hugh!
Don’t know if you read it or not but I think you will change your mind about Hugh in that aspect no he is still a bad guy but it will give you a better perspective.
Woohoo! I loved it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I just finished! And oh my god that was amazing!!! Gah! I have no words.
+1
Just started it and am loving it! Thanks so much. You guys are the best.
Shut off my computer, bought pizza for dinner for the grandkids, let them run wild in the house…
Just finished it. It was amazing, epically amazing. You guys keep getting better. Roland is toast. Thank you for a thoroughly satisfying story for Hugh.
+1!
Just finished it l am so glad you had fun writing it. I had fun reading it. ??thank you !!
Took me longer than I wanted to finish it – darn kids and all that parenting stuff. SUPER AWESOME!!!!!! I knew I was gonna like it but man I LOVED IT!!! Can’t wait to see the team up in Kate 10 and definitely excited for next Hugh book!!! Y’all did amazing and I wish you Many happy sales to reflect our gratitude!
LOVED Iron and Magic! I read it as soon as it was available on my Kindle and stayed up all night to do it (fortunately, I’m on summer vacation and didn’t have to worry about work). I will still have to buy the audio version because I love to have Kate and company keep me company while I have to do other things but would rather be reading.
Thanks so much for making this into a trilogy! I have really been upset that the last Kate book is on the horizon. This means that we get more stories in the Kate universe and hopefully some of our old friends will visit! One of my favorite things in Iron and Magic was the appearance of some of these friends (I won’t mention names for those who haven’t read the book yet).
Very excited to read anything you two write—- LOVE every series!
I liked the many references and tie ins!
Argh! It’s the end of the month so I’m stuck doing all the billing before Friday!
I am going to wait until Saturday so I can devour this luscious literary offering all in one day! It will be rough. But I can do it. (I think?)
Amazing, I loved this book! Months ago I was certain I would never read a book about Hugh and detested him. I can’t believe how much I enjoyed this and it is going to be a very difficult two months to wait for the next KD book. I love everything you’ve written and please never, never stop!
I love it, I love it, I LOVE IT.
I was a doubting Thomas, I admit. After what he did to Aunt B, I hated Hugh with the power of a dozen suns. I didn’t think it was remotely possible to make Hugh likeable, much less root for him. And here I am, hoping he wins the day, beats the snot out of Roland, and wins the woman of his heart’s desire.
I just had a “terrible” thought. I was wondering what kind of explosion we’ll get when Hugh is confronted by Nick? It ain’t going to be pretty…..
I just finished it and I can only say that I’m fascinated! I’m eager to start doing and read comments. As always I shed tears of laughter and sadness, I will rest a day and I will see all the passages that i highlighted.
Thank you for your wonderful talent and for sharing it.
Just finished it. Thank you so much!!! I loved it! ❤️
Just finished it! It was fabulous! Never expected to ever enjoy a book about Hugh. The BDH will go insane for this one. I loved the cameo appearances. Such fun.
Nothing but a huge sigh of happiness from me. Beautifully done. Once again, a fantastic story well written. I was always in the small group who actually liked Hugh. I’m excited for the next story! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! You two freaking rock!
Love love love. Awesome book, I can’t believe I like Hugh, but I do. Elara is fascinating, and I can’t wait for more. Thank you!
CONGRATULATIONS. You have done it again, another awesome book
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#1 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Paranormal & Urban
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#1 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Romantic
Just finished it …. really enjoyed it!!
Just finished my first read. Thank you so much. So many questions. So much goodness. So amazing. It was wonderful. Can’t wait to read it again, ptobBly in the next few days.
Loved the GIF 😛
Got my copy of the book. Now waiting for the weekend so I can savour it uninterrupted.
It is soooo good. Going back to reading the last few chapters. Thank-you, for this one, I actually liked Hugh (just a wee bit) in Kate’s books.
I have just finished the book! It was very brilliant!!
Finished it about 3 am last night, downloading almost exactly at midnight. It was awesome, much better than say my performance at work today.
Well, Iron and Magic is amazing. I really enjoy how complicated Hugh is. I ADORE Bucky. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
As always, thanks so much for your hard work and all you do for us.
Got it this morning. Finished it tonight. Awesome. Thank you for a great day.
Great book, loved it! Thank-you for writing the way you write, you guys rock!
Nooooo ! It ended ! It can’t end !!
Wow, you two, what a story. You made us love Hugh.
You are Word Mages.?
Bought it, read it, loved it!
Just finished I & M ….. ‘ Mighty fine, Yes, a mighty fine job well done!
You have taken the skills which you have honed over the last decade, channelled it, creating a worthy character out of Hugh for I & M book. Where as Hugh was a complete a-hole monster in the K D series, he’s now (thanks to your brilliant writing) a half decent likable human being.
Your style of characters and story building around them is why I enjoy your writing so much.
Keep up the good work!
P.S. Will be looking forward to your next segment of SotB
So good! Devoured it in one sitting! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
You made me like Hugh. Really enjoyed the story and look forward to more I & M.
*contented sigh* its so good to be back in Kates world. Loving this so far.
Feeling dumb. Thought pub day meant day at the pub that serves beer. Just realized you meant publication day. Doh.
I loved it. My other favourite author just released a book and it was not what I hoped. Iron magic rocked. Strong storytelling and lots to take in. Love it. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and hard work.
That book was awesome! Thank you so much for indulging your BDH and writing it. Can’t wait to buy the audio and experience it again. 🙂
Thank you so much! Just finished it and I loved it! Can’t wait for the rest!
GREAT STORY!!!! I am awestruck, hooked, more than curious. Need more. Best authors in the universe. Thank you ?
I loved the book!!! I was actually rooting for Hugh..and Elara is perfect for him…got to go back and re-read!!!
I liked Hugh as a villain and wasn’t sure if I wanted to ir even could see him as a hero but the way you handled it was both deft and believable. I also loved Elara as a character in her own right. Kudos on an excellent addition to Kate’s universe.
Argh..I am waiting for the audio ( i read so much for work and study I like to give my eyes a break)……from all the comments I am in for gripping adventure.
Could you please notify us when that version comes out for all the audiophiles?
Love this book so far. Hugh and the everything but the horn horse. . . I am feeling a Grendel-like surprise coming.
My kindle formatting is a little off, or maybe it’s the new look? The spear graphic that divides subchapters drops down into the first two lines of text. Maybe I need a new kindle? (Twist my arm.)
Congratulations and thanks for new wonderful characters and scenery. They have a castle in Connecticut that a man built for his wife, the Gillette Castle, maybe the stones were imported the way this castle was? Not at this scale! Now Hugh has a keep, too. . . 🙂
It was soooooo good! I always like Hugh even though he was the villain!
It was awesome from start to finish!! I LOVE the banter btwn Hugh and Elana. He was a great hero. Anyone else have their kindle version out the paragraph blocks in a weird spot making it hard to read?
Have to admit when I first read the title of the blog I thought you were celebrating national pub day or something! 🙂 goes to show how tired I am! Thanks for the book.
For those of the BDH who have not read the book, you may get a spoiler in my post. For those of the BDH who have read the book, Ilona and Gordon mentioned “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” by Depeche Mode. So, in honor of music being mention in the book, I would like to share three songs I just listened to this morning. Please feel free to add more! 🙂
Here are my three songs:
For Hugh and the Iron Dogs: We Don’t Run by Bon Jovi (I really love this song)
For Elara to Hugh: Come on To Me by Paul McCartney (this is a brand new song from Paul McCartney; the album this song is from doesn’t come out until September)
For Hugh to Elara: Next To Me by Imagine Dragons (when I heard this, I thought “yep, this is a good description of Hugh’s thoughts about Elara” especially towards the end of the book.)
I have read your Iron & Music. I love the way you wrote it. I always enjoy your books and every Friday I refresh over and over waiting for the new Innkeeper. I enjoy the wonderful cast of characters you write. Thank you for all your excellent books!
Y’all did amazing. Knocked it clear outta the park. I loved it so hard. I hope y’all had a nice relaxing pub day!
So fantastic! I finished it and immediately started it again for my 2nd read through. LOOOOOOOOOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay let’s start with this… The download came through like a dream, the formatting was great. It looked right and nothing weird happened with the technical part of the book.
I always knew that I would read the damned thing because I always read what you all put out. I also trust in the fact that if you are writing the characters then they won’t be one dimensional cookie cutter characters.
High had it in him to be a waste of space and time, he also had it in him not to be. I knew that you guys would work it out.
I love the new characters, in deference to those who have not started or finished it yet, I loved the call back to other characters. Thank you for this.
Now… I have a question that popped up in my head and I can’t shake it off, is there anywhere set up for spoilery guesswork?
By the way, let’s drive you bananas whilst I am at it, so Roman… Is he getting any love?
Thank you again.
I second the request for a spoilery guesswork discussion/comment page!
Great book, I could not put it down so now I will re-read to get subtleties I may have missed. I always had a soft spot for Hugh and I am not a bad boys kind of Girl. Loved how two perceived monsters were able to see the value in each other, such great courage and determination in both characters to save their people. Can’t wait for the next one, so many things to find out. And yes I loved Bucky.
Yay! Huge is having to “Carve his whole life out of this world”. Guess he’ll have a better frame of reference when he speaks with Kate the next time 🙂
Finished it, loved it, now need to re-read it. Really looking forward to the items in this book that will flow into Magic Triumphs!
Wow. Finished last night. Not much else I can say, but one of your most powerful books yet. Very moved. Thank you
Wonderful job explaining the psych mess that is Hugh. And working through the Aunt B death with Andrea and Raphael!!! Masterful.
Thanks so much for giving us this book….I even installed the Kobo app on my smartphone so I could surreptitiously read it while walking to work, at the restaurant for dinner, in the bathroom… LOL
I love that Hugh has found someone more scary than he is!
Can’t wait for Magic Triumphs and the second installment of Iron and Magic, and the Diamond Fire novella.
So sorry to hear about your typing woes…I’ve tried the dictation thing and it doesn’t work for me either!
Finished Iron & Magic. Wow.
Great start to this spin-off trilogy.
To take a major villain and work him into someone that the reader can root for without ignoring or changing what made him a villain in the first place – BRAVO!
This is skill combined with compassion and an understanding of how complicated humans are. This is the difference between the shallow cartoon characters that are often written, especially in genre books.
The scenes between the Boudas and Hugh are beautifully terrible and intense.
Juxtaposed with the scenes where Hugh begins to understand the effective sibling relationship between himself and Kate, along with his growing comprehension of the true nature of his relationship with Roland.
Sooo looking forward to the Kate book and further Iron and Magic books.
Thank you.
+1
Pam! You said it all so beautifully – Thank you.
+1 – I agree with CharisN, Pam summed it up beautifully.
Ilona and Gordon’s grasp of human nature, and their ability to communicate it, is ultimately the best part of all their books.
I loved Hugh’s blunt analysis of the current Beast Lord. So fitting that Hugh’s the one to sum him up so concisely and accurately.
It was also great getting more insight into Roland’s character.
I can’t wait to see where Ilona and Gordon take these books!
Thank you for taking this book past the April Fools Day joke! It is a wonderful read. I loved both conflicts, Hugh’s inner reckoning, the evolution of his relationship with Elara, the lush world you crafted around Baile and all the characters, Bucky, and the crepes. I look forward to experiencing how all of this moves forward and fits into Kate’s story.
“Bucky and the crepes” – sounds like a kickin’ blue grass band, just saying.
+1
+1
Bucky’s “prancing” whenever he wants combined w his fierceness in battle — even Hugh’s horse has depth ? Hugh makes a comment re Kate’s kid that i thought was interesting too! Not going to spoiler it, but i thought that was such a powerful scene
I have read it twice so far. Now I am just trying to decide whether to start anothe book or to go for 3 today
Same here. Twice already. Now I’m listening to Kate 6, which is the first book where we get mega-doses of Hugh.
Just finished as unfortunately I couldn’t devote my whole life to reading (gave it my best shot though)!
Great book I really enjoyed it and I love the way you’ve made the bad guy a little good with the explanation of how Roland would manipulate him.
I do hope Hugh and Kate team up to whip Roland’s ass as everyone always says everyone of his children try to kill him and I think Hugh is pretty much his son.
Again great book I loved it!
I’m wondering if you isn’t Roland’s son or grandson bye one of the many women rolling enjoyed before he met Kate’s mother.
And that would be by, not bye, and Roland, not rolling.
I just finished the first read, but hadn’t made it to this thought yet! That would be an awesome twist!!
A by product of erra.
Erras? She made beautiful boys per conversation w Kate.
Me too! I feel like there’s more to discover here…
I kinda think that the removal of blood magic is just a bullshit block put in by Roland… basically Roland making people think they have lost it, because he didn’t remove his blood from Hugh, did he? I think Hugh’s healing ability is helping fix the mental blocks (like the ones Roland used to make him forget he argued about going back on his word). Looking forward to what it turns out to be though.
I’m so excited for everyone who’s gotten to read it already!!! I‘m reading through the comments and I’m so super stoked!!! I can’t wait until the audio version comes out!! I swear I really might take off work!!!
Ilona & Gordon…even though I haven’t read it yet, I know it will be amazing!! You guys are some beasts! !!!
Received dead tree copy yesterday just as promised. Can’t really read till weekend, so I am just skimming and loving it as usual.
And I know it will be wonderful , and that is due to the power of your writing.
So thank you. Again.
I have never been disappointed in anything you have written.
Great book, quick read, and a solid premise and story.
I just finished Iron and Magic, and I can’t describe to you how good it was, you made me laugh out loud, frightened me, startled me, and made my heart soar and gave me a feelgood moment all in one book. I five star’ed it and will write a review right this minute. I loved it so much. So many feelings.
I need that shirt! I have three poodles
Loved the book, wasn’t sure if I would, but you did an amazing job of turning Hugh from villain to making us see another side of him. I love all your books. Thank you so much ? Elara is another great female lead.
Best wedding scene in any book hands down. The academy award would go to the moat – I didn’t know an inanimate object was capable of stealing every scene it appeared in.
I’d love to know what the lifecycle is on that undead eating bacteria. Does it have a dormant phase? How frequently do they need to chuck a vampire in the moat to keep the culture happy? (It’s kind of like maintaining a levain, perhaps?)
Yeah it does sound a bit like sourdough doesn’t it!
Oh Rachel, that’s hilarious, and so true!
Right there with you with the admiration for the scene-stealing moat.
Great Read!!!
I absolutely love this book! I got home from work yesterday evening and read through the wee morning hours. Looking forward to the continuation of Hugh’s and Elena’s adventures. Thank you Author Lords!
I detest autocorrect… I meant to write “Elara” not “Elana”
How? How does your mind..well, your minds..come up with this stuff. I actually liked Hugh to start with..I always understood his relationship with Roland but when you get me laughing so hard my husband turns to stare at me…that is a special and rare thing.
Loved it. Thank you. Also just finished re reading magic binds….omg Sienna mentions Elara at the end!!!!! Can’t wait can’t wait till magic triumphs!!!!
Whoa.
Damn, I love this so much. I even teared up a little at a point in there, which I almost never do.
(Did I succeed at rearranging my schedule or fail a will role? Hmmm…)
Wow. I really loved this book both on its own and within the realm of the Kate Daniels series, it really added even more depth and perspective to the series. I reeaaaly hope that Kate and Hugh team up slightly dysfunctional sibling style to beat Roland. Ooooo, and what if he and Elara have a daughter? Then they’d both be in roughly the same boat and would need each other, and Conlan and she could play together, though he’s be okay enough that he could cutely bug but ultimately take care of her. Sure could have a real personality even very little.
Autocorrect was on the that like cold on a snowman. I can’t fix it now so I’ll just apologize : !
Amazing. Re-read starting immediately.
+1
LOVED it! Am going to re-read it this weekend, slowly this time. It’s amazing how differently I feel about Hugh, now that I found out about his childhood and Roland’s manipulation of their bond. Elara is a fabulously powerful and interesting character — perfect for Hugh! — and I can’t wait to find out more about her background.
Love, love, love — so happy this is the first book of a series!!
It was Soooooooooooooo Good! Hugh and Elara are such a good match. Thank you so much. Looking forward to books 2 & 3 🙂
Thank you so much for this wonderful book! I loved learning Hugh’s thought processes, his thoughts on Kate especially enlightening. It was so much fun watching him interact with everyone, especially with Elara. Even with Bucky. You let him be his obnoxious self while making us understand his history and motivations. You didn’t suddenly turn him into this warm, lovable person to get us to like him – case in point, what I call the “Honey, I’m home!” scene with the senator. His sarcasm and smartassiness rivals Kate’s. You couldn’t have handled the interaction with the boudas better. Actually, I don’t think the entire book could have been written better. Well, it could have been longer… 🙂
So amazingly awesome!!! I really loved how carefully you were able to transform Hugh from a true villain into an anti-hero without sacrificing the parts of him that made him such a great villain in the first place. I loved the comment about Roland “cooking his brain”. Plus, I have been re-reading the entire Kate Daniels series, and the timing of this book release occurred right as I finished Kate #5, thus now I get to read about Kate’s face off with Hugh in #6 from a fresh perspective. Bonus!!
Thank you Authourlords for this! All of it… crazy long wait and endless anticipation included. It was so much more than I could have hoped for! And the final showdown, oh my holy crap! I may have been roaring my support and approval of Hugh throughout, *blushes*. What a stand and what a setup for Kate 10!
Thank you so much!
A crazy devoted fan
Also, I’ve never gotten the “warm fuzzles” in the middle of a battle scene before… wow.
Finished the book last night. I was one of those that loved the April Fool’s joke, but was more than a bit anxious about it being turned into a real book. Mauro and Aunt B’s deaths were so very hard to take and I didn’t think I could ever root for Hugh. But the Authorlords did a wonderful job and made me care about Hugh and the Iron Dogs without glossing over all the terrible things they did in the past. Interesting was a difference a change in view point makes. Now I can’t wait for the the next book.
Good thing I’m retired as I spent reading the e-book starting about 1:00 a.m. the night it came out. Just finished my second reading. I love the evolution of the characters, the plot, etc. Others commenters have said it better than I can.
I’m thinking that the Picts are wearing dragon scale armor. Of course this doesn’t make them actual dragons. But it’s interesting the warriors were “modified” to breathe fire. I’m curious to find out what the autopsy reveals in further study. So is this Deity that controls them planning a large scale takeover similar to the domination planned by Roland? Also, it is been many years since I read H.P. Lovecraft. It’s been driving me crazy trying to figure if Elara is one of his or a nod to his writing. In either case or not, love the Remaining and the Departed. Elara’s description of her other aspect is chilling. Thank you so much for your writing.
For my money (not that its worth anything!) Elara represents or is an avatar of a version of the Greek Furies, which were said to be primarily concerned with vengance for parents wronged by children (Roland and Semiranis?), elder siblings wronged by younger siblings, (roland and Erra?), those murdered (Roland has alot of that to answer for), offences against the gods and behavior violating the natural order. Megara, Tisiphone and Alecto personified them. I would also note: in Greek mythos when in Hades the shades of the dead craved blood and Elara fed on the cows as sacrifices. Roland’s face went white when he saw as if from shock or fear of her, I’m sure he recognized her – why? Also is it Elara responsible for Hugh’s ability to manipulate the blood when Roland has broken his bond?- that would indicate Elara has a connection to Roland’s type of magic. Or it could be the power of the area/castle. Perhaps this is what is responsible for Hugh’s talent. of course there is also the possibility that Hugh is very distantly related himself to Roland’s family.
Oh, furies, interesting idea. I’m not sure if they woudn’t be portrayed as a group of three? I was planning to read up on the mythology of the Titans, as my knowledge is rusty when I came across Skadi. This time our dear authors didn’t drop as many hints regarding the origins (that Kate had a lot to do with Slavic deities was clearer much sooner).
My husband specualtes she might have something to do with the origins of magic.
Addendum! I read up on Hekate. She’s associated with both healing and poisonous plants, dogs, protection, magic and witches.
Elaras power is described as cold celestial other worldly….apt for the ? . But the furies if you read on we’re created when cronus was murdered by his son Uranus….they exist as spirit in heaven hell and on earth and do not require human form. I tried to find a match for the Furies in the babalonyion mythos that relates to Roland but failed. ? Also vengance is a powerful motive as is a death curse which furies deal in – It might feed a ghost like Erra. One final point Erra told Kate it was best to avoid worship as it could give one urges. Elaras felt the boy they rescued from dragon men praying to her…as the white lady and it made her uncomfortable. Deity level Power.
Elara says that her white hair is a mark of her curse, and ‘that night’ was when she was 10. I’m wondering if she and Christopher are in the same boat, having had a deity bound into them. If so, it speaks to Elara’s strength of character and will, that she could contain a deity-level power from childhood. Also, with there being no mention of her original family. . . were they involved in what happened to her?
SUCH A GOOD BOOK!
Interesting idea, and in the scene at the end where Elara rescues Hugh, he looks at her and sees many mouths and eyes…
I’ve now read it 3 times and loved it. My feelings about the Hugh book were ambiguous at the beginning because I really didn’t want him to go through the typical
“romance” redemption arc. But I just thought I’d have to trust that you wouldn’t do that to the BDH and I was right. I’m thrilled that he is still a jackass but that he’s now owning his actions, both past and current. I really want a discussion thread so that I can get into analyzing the book with like minded souls.
Lovely, just lovely. And so much fun. Очень большое спасибо.
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43 Paid in Kindle Store
#1 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Romantic
#1 in Books > Romance > Paranormal
#1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance > Paranormal > Witches & Wizards
246 reviews – 4.9 out of 5. Congrats!
Both you and Gordon are amazing storytellers and I am so grateful for the time, effort and care you put into your books and novellas. Thank you for sharing the characters and worlds you have created.
0h. My. Thank you.
Love it, love it, love it?
I just finished the book, read it every chance I got. Now I’m going to start over. Thank you so much, I loved the book. Elara is a fascinating character and Hugh…Well, who knew? I always loved to hate him and now I feel quite different. Plus, Johanna, Stoyon and the rest. Wow, thank you! I can’t wait to read the other two books whenever they come out.
I expected to hate this book.
I bought it anyway because I believe one votes with one’s dollars and I want you to keep writing.
I read it because I bought it.
I loved it.
I am sorry for my lack of faith. The Kate Daniels world is not my favorite. The first Ilona Andrews book I read was the first Innkeeper and that’s where my loyalties still lay, but I loved this book. I actually loved it enough that it kind of reinvents the KD world for me.
When I think about the sheer amount of writing the two of you do and the quality of what you consistently produce, I’m amazed and also impressed. You’ve got three books coming out this year, plus the ongoing Innkeeper project, and the sheer number of words that is is astounding.
I know that there are people who whine and complain and act like they are entitled to your work, your time, your attention. There are idiots who post one star reviews without having read the book. There are people who demand free fiction as though your minds and your creativity are their slave labor. Some people are just sh***y people.
Since I know you read the blog comments (at least sometimes) I wanted to be sure to say the following:
1) Thank you for the extremely hard creative work you do to produce a consistently professional product.
2) You are extremely generous with your time and energy with your fans and anyone who says otherwise was probably weaned too early and emotionally arrested at whatever age that happened.
3) For a little bit now, Ilona’s blog posts have had an undertone of ‘I’m done, stick a fork in me’ and Gordon’s have had an undertone of ‘Things are not perfect in paradise’ and I just want you to know that it’s okay to walk away for a little bit. When you have Diamond Fire done (since you are contractually obligated to finish it walking away before that is not an option) take as long a break as you need to regain equilibrium. We’ll miss you, but we’ll live and we’ll be here when you get back from break. I’d rather not have you decide that you don’t want to write anymore and that you’re going to start selling insurance instead and I feel like that’s where we’re headed if you don’t get some time away to just be and enjoy living instead of having the constant pressure of deadlines and fan demands. So, celebrate this book, finish Diamond Fire, and then take the rest of the year and regain the joy that creative effort once brought you. God Bless
Second’d this 3rd comment. I’m worried about Ilona’s hands / comfort / health. Please take the break. You cannot be too cautious or too conservative, and I would gladly support as long as a break as it takes – and even buy a “On vacation” tshirt every month to fund a trip to someplace relaxing and restorative. Your work brings great joy, but it shouldn’t be the cause of (any) pain.
I third this. Take some real time off. We’ll live. You do plenty for us. The final Kate is coming out in the fall. That is sort of a HUGE deal. Take a vacation. Forget Innkeeper for a while.
I ageee with this!
I third or fifth or whatever this I love your books so much It would break my heart if you quit writing. You do need to take a break till writing becomes the joy it has been. We all love you both and we will wait! Creator bless and watch over you both.
I agree. I so appreciate the way you have with words, you are my automatic buy, because I know I’m going to appreciate each word. I’m one of those annoying people that reads chapter one, then reads chapter one and two, then chapter one, two and three, etc. because I want to slow down the reading experience and enjoy how you write. I am so grateful that I found you. There are not that many authors I like in this way (Dick Francis and Lois McMaster Bujold)
Although I was fascinated with the idea of a Hugh book from the start I totally agree with the rest and therefore would like to emphasize Kathryns comments.
Count me in too. I could NOT believe the ungrateful email by a reader you all posted. And then when I read you get emails like that every day? Unfathomable.
Please take care of you, first. And if you are burned out (and you sound burned out) please take a break. A long one. We’ll be here.
There are people out there who are never happy. You could post free chapters every day and they’d find something to complain about.
Just wanted to say thank you. I have read and enjoyed everything you have published since I found your first paperback in an airport bookstore. Thank you for Hugh’s story and I hope one day we also get Klaus’ story.
After sitting on it a few days, yup, still loved it. Elara and Hugh’s back and forth were a solid mix of funny and frustrating. There was a line during the crepes that made me tear up for Elara a bit. They both have the same care for their people, appreciation of loyalty, and smarts, I look forward to when they’re able to work through it all and see each other as people and partners and not just a means to an end (Definitely some progress on that through the book). And the End.. I will just say I kinda love that there are forces in the world that make even Roland blink twice.
Can’t wait for what’s next, but please take care of yourself and take some time to recover. Rest up and take breaks.
While I wasn’t sure that I would be an actual fan of Hugh’s I must say that I am now. You folks have done a great job redeeming him and keeping him true to his arrogant a** personality. Elara is his perfect match.
I want you both to know that I appreciate your efforts and toil. You have a real life outside of “authoring” and I sincerely hope that you take time to enjoy your actual life too.
I hope that Ilona’s hand condition isn’t serious. I’m sending you prayers and good vibes for healing.
Once again, Thank You!!
First, thank you so much. I was wondering how you were going to turn Hugh, so glad that you are so brilliant as to not really turn him, but open his psyche up to us.
I also wasn’t figuring on the differences in how Kate and Roland wield their powers. It figures that Kate would be so careful not to issue orders, knowing that they cannot be ignored, while Roland would issue so many orders that it cooks the underlings brain. It was a real “duh” moment for me.
Second, don’t let the whiny babies get you down. With the quantity and quality of work that you do, you deserve to do as others here have said and take a break. Enjoy your creations as they come alive for your readers. We will be here when you are ready.
Third, I’ve already read and given you a five star review for this one. Wish I could make it six! Pay day is coming up and then I will get the paperback edition.
Finally, I’m going to give you a piece of unsolicited advice. I gave this advice to a young woman who has joined the unenviable club of being a caretaker to her mother as she goes through cancer (I joined two and a half years ago). Make sure that you spend time taking care of your needs. Force yourself, if necessary. Burning yourself out due to a sense of duty or love does no one any good.
Please take care of yourself! Get those hands taken care of. Everyone needs a break and if you decide to do that, we, your truly faithful fans will be here when you get back.
The one thing I will always marvel at, is how people can be so incredibly rude, obnoxious or just plain nasty online. It’s almost as if this format gives them permission to do it, when in a face to face confrontation those words would not be spoken.
Everything you guys do is greatly appreciated, thank you for doing Hugh’s story. Ignore the whiny idiots, and thank you again for all that you do!
Sorry to hear about your hands. Back in high school, when I used to practice the piano daily, I had extreme pain on the sides of my thumbs which kept forcing me to take time off. (Also they ached and felt overstretched sometimes, but the thumbs were the most debilitating injury). I’d play for a few days, my thumbs would ache constantly, I’d take a few days off, they’d feel better… lather, rinse, repeat. I am back to playing again semi-regularly now in my 40s, but am constantly monitoring my fingers and hands for overstrain.
I hope your hands feel better soon, and that you don’t experience the same reinjury problem I had. Take care of yourself.
An addendum:
I’m not sure which ergo keyboard you’re using. I’ve used them at work for many years. My latest one died recently (it decided that my typing could use extra Es, semicolons, and parentheses). They gave me a surplus Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 keyboard; it’s pretty well eliminated my tendency to bang at the keyboard when I type (I’m using the optional lifter in front). If you haven’t tried this one, maybe something to look at.
I didn’t preorder this book. I wasn’t looking forward to it – because really, I was supposed to care about the jackass who tortured Kate and got Aunt B killed?
But I read it. And now, as it turns out, I care about that torturing, murdering jackass. I care a lot. Still not sure how this happened . . . but I wanted to say good job. 🙂
I am re-reading Magic Binds so everything is fresh for Magic Triumphs. I find it interesting that both Kate and Julie sympathize with Hugh (which makes me feel a little less twinkie–ish cause I have always had a soft spot for Hugh) Can’t wait for the IA book in any series!
In response to last blog post, I say poo on whiners, (well there may have been more consonants involved) you are adored by the Hoard!
I love your books! Thank you for Iron and Magic! ?
I cannot believe the entitlement that went into writing that email you posted about today. Every snippet, every free story is a gift and not something that people have earned and should therefore expect.
I have watched in absolute horror the last few years as more and more ‘fans’ try to bully their ‘favourite’ authors into writing faster, writing more, and writing what they want to read and not to branch out in ways that fulfil that part of the soul that becomes deadened when you have written the 29th book in a series that should have died years ago.
If you do decide to cease Inn Keeper as a free series and also cease anything other than purely promotional newsletters like many other very successful authors, not only will I accept that I will support that.
You are people with lives and writing is your job. You should not be forced to do your job 24/7 just to please same remarkably callous and disrespectful people who feel entitled to something that they have done nothing to earn and yet feel that they have the right to complain and belittle you when they don’t get it.
I am making this a public post rather than emailing it as I feel that this is something that should be hammered into every persons head who came here to b*tch about the fact that after getting a major book to published form almost entirely by yourselves, while still getting to final edit stage a large manuscript, that you are people with lives and not slaves to their wants.
Once you have done the obligatory publicity for Iron and Magic, take a month off, get the kid a house, take the summer for the love of the gods. Go sit in the sun and have a break and let Brandi deal with things. Play with your dogs, look after your hands and try to finish the unpacking. Stare at paint colours and decide if you need to change curtains. Decide what you want to do next. Don’t even think about writing anything other than perhaps more final edits and enjoy the summer in a new place and find a nice cheap restaurant.
Vague rant over.
1) Iron and Magic: You did it again. I lack the words to adequately describe your authorly skills.
2) +1 what Deb said.
I just want to add that you are incredibly civil about these entitled whiners even when you are rightfully angry. You do not publish their identity – you probably know the BDH would hunt them down and do things to them that would make Hugh puke… 😉
Get well!
I agree 100%.
+1
+1 Re: Deb’s comments… ridiculous…
+1
Thank you for ‘Iron and Magic’. Loved it!
I’m constantly amazed at how well you manage family, multiple projects and still take time to update your blog and provide freebies. Thank you for your amazing books. We support you in whatever you decide to do and will be here when you are back.
The book is as awesome as I expected.. maybe more so. Read bits of the dialogue to my hubby after laughing out loud and now he is reading it! I look forward to being called an ice harpy whenever I remind him budgets do exist!
Thank you for the magic you make writing every day!
I love that they are both damaged monsters. And that, like Kate, the heroine is the scarier of the two. I ADORED Roland’s reaction to Elara!!! OMG. He’s been the big bad for so many books and when push comes to shove, he takes one look at her and runs away!
I also loved Hugh and Raphael’s fight. It was right. It didn’t excuse what happened. Didn’t make it better. But it at least showed remorse.
As for Roland frying Hugh. That was good, too. It explained things better. It explained why Hugh would want to stop Roland from getting his hands on Conlan. He doesn’t want another child going through what Kate and Hugh have. Gives him more than guilt as a motivation for allying with Kate.
I can’t wait for Kate and Elara to meet! Both abominations teaming up. I bet Curran ans Hugh will run away, especially when Erra pops into things.
Thank you for Elara and Hugh, truly enjoying your storytelling . . .
Loved loved loved the book, thank you. I knew you’d be able to make me root for Hugh, because of your amazingness, but didn’t know how you’d possibly get there, let alone make it one of my favourite IA/KD books. Incredibly awesome book, as always.
Plus I need to say it makes me really sad and angry to see your post about innkeeper comments. I wish I could reach through the internets and go all Elara-manifested on a-holes like that. Not only is it TOTALLY uncalled for, it ruins things for the silent majority of us who love and truly appreciate the work (and free fiction) that you do. I’m so sorry you have to deal with those f*ckwads 🙁
I’m one of those who didn’t like Hugh, at all. I hesitated in pre-ordering Iron & Magic because I didn’t want to like him. Because I love KD books, I ordered it.
I started reading it last night and was shocked it was 2am. I needed to get up for work at 6am. I was so into the book, I didn’t want to sleep. I laid awake trying to force myself to sleep. Your books are addictive, in a great way.
Congratulations on this book!! I’m taking my time reading it. I’m so torn about liking Hugh and not liking him. That’s how it’s been from the beginning and to the current page in Chapter 15. I’ve reread paragraphs just so I can decide how I feel about him.
You both did a great job. I can’t wait for the audio book to come out!! Then I listen to it while driving or doing chores.
On another note, please take care of yourself. It sounds like you both need to take a break. A vacation.
I really wanted to keep hating Hugh! After what he did to Aunt B!!! But nope I understand him more…. I think I even like him now ??? the book was excellent and I’m about to have a re-read!! Thank you so much for an awesome April Fools!!! Xxx
Dear Authorlords, thank you for this magnificent book! I had the luck due to Time zone to receive it while the Countdown was still ticking and I spent two faboulos sleepless nights caught up in Elara and Hughs lives and battles.
I can’t even begin to describe the awesomeness of this world and all the things glimpsed and hinted at which we will surely see more of in Kate 10 and the following books of the Iron Covenant. I will definetively re-read the book this weekend to enjoy it instead of devouring it. And then probably again and again- as has become my habit it seems ever since I discovered your wonderful books.
Loved the book, love your blog, and I am always in awe of how dedicated you both are. Thank you.
Thank You guys!!!!! I am on vacation in Cozumel and the hotel WiFi is spotty, so this is tge first I have been able to check you blog in a week… Saw tgis and opened my Kindle app and got my book downlaoded!!!!! Will probably read during lay over tomorrow…. Very excited.
I also saw the blog entry about e-mails and messages lambasting you about innkeeper.. ugh! Pft you are great and as disappointing as not having something to read is… Really? I cannot believe people behave so badly and are so nastily demanding. I will be very sad if you decide to break off on that writing project, but understand how some people can turn a project of love into one of dread.
Great job on THIS book thread, and all from an April Fool joke. You guys ROCK!!!
+1. Its free fiction people! Chill out!
+ 1
Anybody else think that Elara’s powers might be similar to Retribution Clause short story?
Loved the book. So glad that Hugh wasn’t redeemed by love–he’s redeeming himself. Great plotting and character development.
Yep. Sidling.
Siroun (not Sidling, stupid auto-crumpet)
I’m sorry, I see Pub Day and think we’re going for beers! Loved the book. Posted 5 star review on Amazon. Ready for my re-read now…and a beer!
LMAO me too!!! I’m like why are we going to the pub and what are we celebrating? Oh the new book … sure I can have a beer on that, ABSOFRICKELUTELY!! Thank you so much for an awesome book. I know that Hugh has done alot of not nice things over the entirety of the Kate books. However I always though he was a case of nurture not nature and if he had a chance he could be awesome. There was always just something about him for me that screamed … he’s an ass but a hero on the inside. Thank you so much for this and for the effort you make to bring us joy in our lives.
regarding innkeeper – I would buy it if it wasnt a free to us in parts book, I love the space scene too. I love how you develop character relationships in these books and all your books. Its like we are really living with the characters. I know that some people might be complaining nin’s and Im sorry you have to go through that. Please know that there are some of us that will support you no matter what you do or how you do it. Loyality is important to me and you guys have brought me alot of joy in times when there was little to be had. So THANK YOU and congratulations on another brilliant story. (hope your hands get better quickly)
THANKS.
I loved it! Absolutely loved it! I can’t wait to see the link between the oracle’s mention of the white warlock and this book.
Wonderful book!
Wondering also who Hugh’s parents (and their parents) might have been related to…..
😉
Saw the book has moved up to Amazon’s Best Seller list. Congratulations.
Thank you for the book. I enjoyed every moment of it.
The book is hot! Can’t wait to read more! Good work! 😀
Dear ‘authorlords’ thanks a lot for all the goodies u provide and for those of us who irritate or test ur patience u can give Lt. EveDallas’ (by JDRobb)comment “thanks for your interest now f*** off”
On another note I loved your new book ..Hugh and Elena both are remarkable..also I loved how Roland was thwarted by Hugh and scared off by Elena..
Thanks a bunch for the beautiful word bouquet ❤
*elara.. sorry spellcheck
I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to see what happens next. You guys never disappoint with either characters or stories. Thanks for the read!
I had preordered the book. It was there when I woke up. I devoured it. I loved it. I was never a huge Hugh fan, but you have convinced me.
Also, My birthday was last week. You gave me a belated present. One of the characters, a were wolf named Karen. We share the same name. Thank you!!!
Sorry I’m late to the party, had to wait until I got paid to buy the book. 12 hours later, and I’ve read it twice already. Excellent work, I loved it. Hope your doctor’s visit went well and you start feeling better soon.
I loved this book so much. Once I finished, I went back and read the latest Kate Daniels, then did a reread of Hidden Legacy, and now back to read Hugh again. Just wanted to say thank you. It has been a difficult week and you have helped me to avoid the news. I am off Facebook for now, so signing up for email updates so that I don’t miss anything. Thank you. Oh, and I got a friend addicted to your novels :). She also appreciates the distraction.
Hellooooooo you wonderful people. I have a two week vacation and bravely kept iron and magic for my holiday . In the past two days I have… been in a taxi to the train station. Train to airport. An hour delay on the plane. Bus from airport to station.train to overnight destination. Car ride for
Four hours. Ferry for four hours. Then we got lost. Eeek. Unpacked the car and sat and looked at the view. My sisters with whom I am on holiday went to bed. I opened up iron and magic. Its 12.53 am. I can’t put it down. I’m going to be soo tired tomorrow. I don’t care. Its wonderful. You are wonderful… . Thank you thank you thank you
You never disappoint. Dealing with my own arm weirdness, totally relate. Will be keeping fingers crossed for you.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book, esp. the crossover scenes.
I took 2 days to read because otherwise I would have wrecked my sleep staying up all night to finish. Starting to reread sections and can’t wait to get the audio book.
Thank you Author Lords for your very hard work, I am one of the silent many that don’t want to bother you much. But I want you to know I appreciate all your books, snippets, free fiction and while do want more you guys have lives and many thanks for letting us know what is going on. For all those “fans” who have gone overboard I will just be thinking very rude thoughts about them.
Dear Authorlords,
I’m sure I am not alone when I say, I own every single book you’ve published, (at least in the English language.). I could not choose one world as superior to another.
I can say, I found Hugh and Elara’s book fabulous. It stands both apart, and as a part of, Kate’s books. I’m thrilled there are additional Hugh books coming which share this world you created, and the characters who populate it.
I also love the Innkeeper books. I am so very sorry some smucks can’t get their heads out of dark places. I’m sorry there are those who are so disrespectful of your time, your talent, and your big-heartedness, and lately, your health, that they feel it’s okay to throw the gift of your words, back at you, as if they have the right to voice complaints, or exclaim, “I want it now!” Would any of your complainer(s) be named Veruca Salt by chance?
I’m sorry I can’t make them go away as fast as any other bad nut/bad egg, would be discarded, but please accept my personal thanks for sharing your words, your time, your world-building, your professionalism, and yourselves in all your various creations.
Your works are an automatic buy for me, regardless of getting, or not, a precious pre-publication peek.
If you have the time, and inclination to let us see into your minds as you work, or create free fiction for a passion project, I’ll be darned if I’m going to try to dictate the when and where that occurs.
I’m simply going to say, Thank you, Ilona and Gordon. I love it!
Thank you really enjoyed it looking forward to reading more! Excited about the next installments of your other books.
Sending good vibes and healing your way.
Hi Ilona & Gordon, I am writing to let you know that I love all of your books & stories, and I am so grateful for everything you write and share with the world. You guys rock my socks! I hope that things go well with your doctor visits, Ilona, and that you find relief for your hands. I know how stressful it is to have medical issues that impact your ability to work (it sucks.), and I am so sorry that the comments of selfish, thoughtless jerks have added to your pain. Best wishes and hugs, Kate Y.
Love the book
I was so very sorry to turn the last page and see that there was not more
thank you
Mary