Hi everyone, Mod R here.
I have a Klaus snippet for you today, the long-awaited reveal of what he needed to tell Maud when he came to her at end of Sweep of the Blade.
It’s also an incentive for us. Remember that bit about the Barsas in Sweep of the Heart?
“The Barsas stopped in front of us. Their leader, an old white-haired male, stepped forward and raised his arms.
Andrews, Ilona. Sweep of the Heart, The Innkeeper Chronicles 5. NYLA 2022. Kindle edition, page 401
Here we go.
“Barsa! Barsa, barsa, barsa. Barsa.” Each word was accompanied by arm-waving and finger-pointing.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Sean said. “Is that all they say?” “Yep. Hush, I’m trying to concentrate.”
“Barsa. Barsa, barsa.”
The leader nodded sagely.”
There’s a certain Barsa-esque (Barsumial?) tendency sometimes with the Book Devouring Horde, where we can get a bit fixated on “when’s the next book, next book, next book, next book”. Klaus is here to placate us away from that, as only an Arbitrator can.
Let’s be fluffy, not Barsumials!
We’ve had an Innkeeper book just a year ago. The next one is not yet on the schedule, so there are no official dates or updates, but there will be a continuation to the series, we will find out what happened to their parents, see Helen, witness Ripper Cushions—the whole Orro banquet.
House Andrews are hard at work on projects; we’re currently getting Roman chapters every Friday; the Sweep of the Heart release from Graphic Audio is coming to us this week and I’ll have an exclusive sample just for the Horde tomorrow. We are beloved. We just have to be a bit p*tient and chill our bosoms.
“I will explain everything,” Klaus said. “But right now we have more pressing matters to discuss.”
Oh no, you don’t. “What could be more pressing than you becoming an Arbitrator?” Maud crossed her arms on her chest. “Have you told Dina? She thinks you might be dead.”
“I have perfectly valid reasons for how I’ve handled things.”
“Valid?”
Arland gently touched her shoulder. “Perhaps we can hear the reason behind this unexpected visit?”
Argh. She waved her hand. “Go ahead.”
Klaus leaned against the table, half-perching on it. The memory punched Maud, knocking her mentally off balance. He used to sit just like this, when they were both teenagers, in their parents’ inn. It was at once nostalgic because here he was, alive and well; sad because Mom and dad were still missing; and infuriating because right now, on Earth, Dina was worried sick about him.
“Thank you,” Arland said.
“Have you set a date?”
“Three months from now,” she told him. “It will be a small, family affair.”
“I suggest you postpone it,” Klaus said.
“Why? For how long?” she asked.
“A few years?” Klaus said. “A decade would be best.”
“And why would we do that?”
“You’ve made enemies,” he said.
“Be more specific,” she snapped.
“Do you remember a monster, a long time ago, at the inn? He chased you when you were a toddler?”
“Mukama.” Arland bared his fangs.
“You told him? Good. This will make things simpler. I can’t explain the details right now, but things are connected. You, Dina, the corrupted ad-hal, and the mukama. All of it is part of one complicated whole. Should you have your wedding now, it will be invaded. There are forces out there that wish to prevent your union. The safest, most prudent thing, is to wait until all of the preparations are complete. If you give me a decade…”
“Let me understand this,” Arland said, his face dark. “You are saying that if we were to have our wedding, the remnants of the mukama may invade the planet to stop it?”
“In essence, yes,” Klaus said.
A predatory light sparked in Arland’s eyes.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” she asked.
Arland nodded. “We do have to postpone.”
“I’m glad you see the wisdom—” Klaus started.
“We need to go bigger,” she said.
“Oh yes.” Arland grinned, displaying his fangs. “Much bigger. We’ll need to invite everyone. We should be ready in 10 months or so.”
Klaus stared at them.
“We should tell your mother about the invasion,” Maud said. “Lady Ilemina would love this.”
“Oh, she will be overjoyed.” Arland clapped his massive hand on Klaus’ shoulder. “Thank you for this delightful news, my future in-law. You bring the best tidings. We shall have the grandest wedding in Krahr’s history. We will invite everyone.”
Maud grinned and swiped a quick kiss on Arland’s lips. “I can’t wait.”
Hehe, Arland has come a long way from “When I get married, I fully intend to pass all preparations on to someone else.“ I think we just discovered how to get vampire men interested in wedding preparations: promise them a monster invasion!
This is great! Thanks for the snippet.
YES! The most fantabulous of snippets! Thank you!
Ohhh boy…with an eye roll for fun…
Been a brutally hard start to the new year for me, so I can’t thank you enough for posting this snippet for Maud & Arland are my faves. I LOVE how totally in sync they are here. It’s going to be an epic wedding indeed.
Did George recruit Klaus? I can’t remember.
The other way around 🙂 . Klaus signed on George, and we see the scene at the beginning of Sweep in Peace, Innkeeper 2.
*rubs hands together* I think this is exactly the reaction Klaus wanted.
Oh I LOVE this – made even easier now that Gertrude Hunt has opened a door to Daesyn! Hahaha chaos and intergalactic wedding related hijinks ensue….
And thank you House Andrews for indulging the BDH!
LOVE their response to threat. Go team! How could Klaus even think he could ask them to wait years to get married?
Or is he thinking slyly, to make them take these invaders on? House Andrews you are the best!
„Valid reasons“ muahaha, valid reasons will not save Klaus.
Loved the snippet, thank you very much! 2024 will be a great year!
just laughed out loud, this is so Arland & Maud. lol
Uuuuuu
I love the care we get.
And Uuuuuuuuuu
💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃
I’m laughing so much I’m nearly throwing up!🤣🤣🤣🤣
And now that Dinas inn has opened a door on this planet, can Dina host their wedding?
Thank you House Andrews for this delightful snippet. I look forward to the book when you get around to writing it.
Since you’ve mentioned upcoming books … is there another Hidden Legacy novel on the plan at this point, or is that still a long way off?
Hi Debbie,
The Hidden Legacy series has come to an end. There are no spinoff series in the works at the moment. House Andrews talked about the possibility of writing one, but decided against it.
That doesn’t mean there will never be one- they may eventually change their mind, like they did with more Kate POV books. But nothing was promised and nothing is guaranteed at the moment.
The series has just ended, as series are bound to do sometime. The story is complete.
That was AWESOME.
WE know that we of the BDH are not the most patient when we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all that comes from House Andrews. I am hopeful that it is not any of your devoted BDH that make it difficult and send hurtful or pushy messages.
However, I can wait as long as the Great and Powerful House Andrews needs me to wait after that tidbit. And since I am in Northwest Ohio, it will be easy to Freeze my t*$ts until it arrives.
I suppose the Skirmish at the at the last wedding was warm up! Practice makes perfect. We must wait to see how this all plays out, so exciting, I can’t wait to see how this all comes together…..Yipee!
I share the opinion that Klaus likely predicted and desired the response to his suggestion of postponing the wedding for a decade.
I wonder if he swore an oath as an Arbitrator to facilitate diplomatic resolution over armed conflict so he had to be very careful about not directly inciting or advocating a vampire/makama war.
While I have no idea what the Arbitrator oath would be, I would imagine that they might not be so feared if they always tried to avoid conflict? But, who (besides IA) knows? 🤷♀️
such a great snippet 😂 Klaus must have known that would be the reaction. bahahhaha tell a space vampire warrior to avoid something because of a battle, they’d definitely run over to see if they can battle the best.
Not to mention the enemy of the entire Vampire race is the Mukama… remember they ate the children of the Vampires… and that is something that did NOT go unpunished.
Oh my god!!!! I too cannot wait. But I will wait like a good member of the horde should.
Thank you for this glorious snippet!!
Okay I haven’t even read the snippet because I need to say that Barsumial is the best word ever. Say it out loud, my friends! It just sounds so cool and rolls off the tongue so beautifully.
Barsa!
When I heard Barsumial I got a mind picture of Meerkats popping heads up from their ground burrows and merping like they do. Its very very cute.
Yeah, seriously, a decade? Klaus had to know how that would fly with almost any engaged couple, let alone one that lives for swordplay. It’s like people who put up a sign saying “SPEED LIMIT 5MPH”. Nobody can comply with that, and most won’t even make the effort.
Love it! The Bigger the better!
Look, I’m going to be p*tient and w*it p*tiently for any and all House Andrews releases to happen at their appointed times…
…but just know, inside I’m all “Barsa! Barsa, barsa-barsa-barsa, barsa, barsa-barsa, baaaaarsaaaah!” But I’ll keep it inside. I just wanted you to know that.
👍👍 yes! me too
You said it beautifully, thanks
(snicker) Obviously Klaus has been away too long and has forgotten who his sisters are.
Also, every time I read “Barsa!” I heard, “Groot!” or sometimes “(unwritable wookie words)!
That is hysterical and will require a lot of work on the part of the Andrews. I will wait patiently knowing there is a real treat ahead. In the mean time Iceill enjoy the other offerings
OMG I loved this snippet. It has me so excited. I love how happy they are that an invasion will happen. ^_^ Klaus is probably thinking my sister is crazy.
Oh I love it! Thank you, thank you! I’m with Arland and Maud, go big!!!
I will be patient! I will!
Have to admit, Klaus is a bit of a dick. Oh, I am sure he is out there saving galaxies. But he is also selfish. Not that we aren’t all selfish in different ways – we totally are – but I dislike this particular type where they disappear and reappear and where the only things of import are their things. Yes, of course he doesn’t want his sister to die, has probably come out of some weird hiding to share this warning, it might just save their lives blah blah blah. But dude, wake up your emotions a bit and remember that life is something actively lived, you cannot only live in fear and worry and have that dictate everything.
How odd to feel this strongly towards him :p
Ilona always says we bring our own 50% to whatever we read 🙂
Based on the Arbitrator’s we’ve seen so far, they definitely are sought out for a particular personality type. The “no one knows why I’m doing what I’m doing, because I’m 15 moves ahead and way too smart for my own good”. They are forbidden by the Arbitrator contract to contact their home planet for the first 20 years, so that might go some ways towards explaining why Dina didn’t hear from him.
We’ll have to see if more of Klaus’ motives are revealed.
Announcer voice: “Will Klaus’s motives be revealed? Will Arland, Maud, and House Krahr get their video of the invasion? Will Dina and Sean be notified of all of this? Tune in next time for the Innkeeper news on this station.”
***Cue the dramatic music***
OOOh! what all this portends is simply yummy! Maybe as good as Orro’s feast ❤❤
He-he-he-he-he!
Serves Klaus right for not thinking his sisters would change and grow up without him there.
Going to be very, very interesting!
Ohh, so good to see Maud and Arland again. I can just picture the look on Klaus’ face. A sort of disbelief, followed by, “What have I unleashed?”
Love all the books… will devour them all in any order they come out in… so grateful for the snippets!!
This snippet was *EVERYTHING.*
We truly are beloved. 😂
Oooooh! I just reread this. Is Dina going to loan Orro to Arland and Maud for the wedding banquet? Will it be described in mouth watering detail?
Presents from HA!!! 😍 Thank you!
Yeah, Klaus needs to learn to adapt. I’m looking forward to him figuring out the connection between Daesyn and Dina’s parents’ inn. Also, the growth in Dina’s skills should blow him away – figuratively.
And I wonder about Helen and the Inn on Daesyn.. can she manipulate it in a dire situation? To protect children from Mukama like beings such as hunted her, can she hold open the portal to Gertrude Hunt?? In a pinch? will we see the insect folk Maud honored at the banquet, will we see our beloved fox like merchants? The werewolf mercenaries? The Suncats who have not appeared for the most part but we know some survived their planetary disaster just like the Auul did? Oh, The Horde!!! oooh, will we see the space chickens and yes, yes the juvenile sphinx?!!! So many great characters to pop in and visit and lend aid to the fighting!! Maud and Arland, Sean and Dina…please go big, bigger, biggest!!!
Thank you, thank you for Klaus’s snippet. Another question answered and I liked Maud and Arland’s response.
Also love the yarn and sweater pattern, if only I could knit.
THIS IS EPIC!
Thank you so very much for this snippet. I can’t tell you how much I needed this smile.
I’m so stoked about this development. The imagineering of House Andrews is stellar. The Innkeeper series is best series I’ve read bar none. Believe me I am a voracious reader.
Y’all just provide the best entertainment in the middle of a day full of not fun tasks. Thank you!!!
Bwahahaha this is glorious!! Can‘t wait!
This snippet is the thing I didn’t know I needed today. Thank you for making my day just a bit brighter.
Hee hee hee…only Maud and Arland. I can’t wait!
You have no idea how much of an Arland/Maud shipper I am. I just hope we’ll get to attend this wedding, whenever it may be, cause damn 😀 I’ll prepare popcorn for the entire Horde.
fabUlous!
looking forward to the epic battle. it’s going to be a reunion with the vampires & Dina’s many connections – horde, Adira, the Dominion, the crafty merchants…..
at least we got Roman to tide as over 😉
Thanks Mod R & HA
💃💃😍OMG!! Epic Ripper Cushions on the way!
Thanks HA for this.
Have to w*t!! Have to!!
I feel like when this comes out that we’ll get to see Maud’s old house’s comeuppance! I’ve been waiting to see how she totally cuts them down! I’m guessing that Ilemina (Sorry if I misspelled it!) will delight/assist in it too. 🥳
+1!
What did Klaus say to make Arland say Thank you?
Be more specific! We got enemies on enemies. lol
He brought news of the Mukama 🙂 . There are no enemies like them, not for the vampires, and especially the esteemed House Krahr:
“[The Mukama] were a predatory species,” Maud said.
“They didn’t want the planet. They wanted the vampires themselves, particularly the children. The adults were used as the workforce and the children as a food source. The Mukama found children to be tender and delicious.”
Nuan Cee grimaced.
“The vampires retreated to their castles. Reducing castles to rubble would have destroyed all of the lovely meat inside, so the Mukama had to commit to ground assault. It was discovered that the Mukama didn’t do well in narrow enclosed spaces. They were an aerial species. They hunted from above. It was also found that the Mukama’s mass stun weapons didn’t work against a vampire in armor. It was a long war.”
[…]
Maud swirled her wine in her glass and smiled. “Nobody has ever met a Mukama.”
“No,” Nuan Cee admitted.
“But here we are, enjoying the fresh air of their home world.”
Nuan Cee startled.
“House Krahr was one of the original greater houses,” Maud told him. “They were entrusted with the planet of Daesyn to make sure no Mukama ever breathed its air again.”
Andrews, Ilona. Sweep of the Blade, The Innkeeper Chronicles volume 4. NYLA 2019. Kindle edition, page 102.
that’s Amazing!
love it huge wedding because of an invasion.
10 years that’s like a guaranteed challenge gauntlet thrown down
ROFL… loooove Maud and Arland 😂😂 and Klaus has obviously not been working with vampires much (hehe)
OMG! I LOVE it!!! “We need to go bigger.” I am laughing out loud. Thank you so much for the snippet, a day made brighter.
Saw that response coming as Klaus kept talking. Thanks Team Andrews and Mod R. Appreciate all you do.
I FINALLY got Mom to read some House Andrews (started with Kate and she’s most of the way through Innkeeper now). I CANNOT WAIT to show this to her once she finishes the last book. MUHAHAHAHA!
Next up I’ll start her on Hidden Legacy (which I’m re-reading now) or if she wants Sci Fi those – but I also need to get her to read the Edge Series so she knows the back story for George and team….
So glad your mum is loving the books!
Ha Ha, which I could see Klaus’s face.
I am part of the BDH, so I devoured this in about a millisecond!
Whee! I just love Maud and Arland’s enthusiasm for destruction. Although, waiting is such sweet sorrow! I shall wait and not try to be Barsumial in my anticipation.
howling 🤣
Yes! this was delightful! Today is conspiring to be unpleasant but this post and knowing there will be more delightful updates Friday is pushing the balance back into good times. Thank you!
Oh Hell yes! It will be epic.
Sooooo happy!!!!
I will change my monotone.
Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou!
Externally, I’m sitting calmly and professionally at the reference desk.
Internally, I’m running around the room flailing my arms in full Kermit the Frog mode.
OMG! You post this and then say “be p*tient”?
for the chance at taking on a mukama or three, this is going to be THE invitation for the entire vampire world. just excluding her old house would destroy them. house krahr is going to have to figure out how to deal with an invasion of vampires, trying to get their swords into a dragon.
oooh, wa*ting is HARD. my precious…
THANK YOU.
Oh, THANK YOU! Just got home from a freezing shift at the barn. This was a wonderful surprise. You guys rock! *blows kisses*
After that declaration I really can see Klaus face drop. Thank for that humours titbit 🙂
Thanks so much! A great read to look forward to.
You got it, boss….bosoms currently chilling! ( It’s very hard for bosoms not to be chilling in this weather but we will also try to be extra chilly just because we should!) 😂
And also many much thanks to HA for being so generous to the BDH even when we are not being fluffy and chilled. We promise to do better! ☺️
SO excited for more of this!
Thanks for the Klaus snippet. Wow, didn’t see that mukama angle coming—genius! Agree that Klaus should have expected Arlan and Maud’s reaction to a potential epic battle. Maybe he’s been working in other areas of the multiverse. Can’t wait for GA Sweep of the Heart. Just listened to the whole Innkeeper series again recently—it’s my favorite series of all the HA books.
“Lady Ilemina would love this.”
Cue mwah-ha-ha laugh…
Poor Klaus.
Just wanted to say how much I appreciate and look forward to HA stories – WHENEVER they can deliver them. I am grateful.
As I get older, several close family members are having serious illnesses (incl my husband of 42 years having advanced cancer,) but being grateful for small gifts, small blessings is a bit of wisdom I have learned. The entertainment I get from the folks responsible for HA tales fits the gifts category. Thank you Ilona, Gordon, & Mod R.
Thanks for the laugh, ha ha! So exciting to hear about all the projects that House Andrews is working on. Pre-recorded the latest Graphic Audio release as soon as I heard about it, they really are the best.
Amazing 😍😍💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽 did a happy dance after finishing reading
Well, I don’t know how the cheerleaders got from Romans world to the Inn Keepers, but anyway, off to the sidelines, waving pom poms….
“Orro, Orro, cook so fine!
Wedding cake will be divine!”
I wonder if Droplet will make an appearance. With such a huge guest list, Orro will need kitchen help.
And the presents! Piles and piles!
Hahaha, Mod R, did you just basically tell us to calm our tits? Haha, understood!
Also, thanks Mod R for the info and thanks HA for the snippet!
😀 Our collective heaving bos’mage! I’m just as bad.
Excitement is sooooo high !!!!
Love, love, love the Klaus snippet. I know House Andrews are very busy creating lots of lovelies for us. It is going to be so very hard to wait.
This was just the best way to start Thursday.
#CoupleGoals lol. I love it!
Excellent tease.
Aaaaaaah! The excitement that courses through me the second we get new content is next level.
You know Mod R, we are IA Addicts – always looking for the next hit/book/whatever.
Thx to Klaus for explaining everything f and bringing good tidings 😀
btw, is this Klaus being surprised or a master manipulator? 😀
hehehe
Klaus really doesn’t know his sister anymore huh..
so funny
might be a little bit late for work this morning but so worth it
thanks heaps
I see everyone commenting about Klaus setting up Maud and Arland, but he’s been alone in the universe for a long time.
Holy heck, I love it. I’m so looking forward to whatever comes out this year! The new Innkeeper Graphic Audio will be great. I’ve been dragging the spouse into the BDH using those, and he loves them too.
Mod R, You are the best !!
I don’t know how you charmed/inveigled/ winkled/ extracted ( please pick your own verb) this snippet out of our beloved House Andrews but thank you thank you thank you.
I love Innkeeper and have been waiting as patiently as a member of the BDH can manage for some news of the next instalment and Lo and Behold you bring us a snippet! And not just any snippet but one that connects the various threads of the story: why Klaus was there to see Maud, the Mukama, the corrupted adhal,………
This wedding is going to go down in Vampire history as unforgettable. If Maud ( helped by Klaus, Dina and Sean ) can help House Krahr and the other Vampire Houses defeat the ancient enemy the Mukama , her position within House Krahr in particular and Vampire Society in general will be unassailable.
Thankyou House Andrews and Mod R.
Ps I am loving our Friday story about our favourite hunky Volhv.
I still don’t think he will care about the color of the ribbons. Unless they’re planning on using them as carrots. His wife is the Maven, she’s got this. His job is to tell her she’s brilliant as she nails this wedding perfectly and he and his mother will take the tactical planning side and both with double check each others work.
But seriously, Klaus is a freaking arbitrator. He should have seen this response coming from a mile away! George definitely would have. Makes me think he must have done it on purpose. Bc otherwise, really??
OMG, Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this. As soon as the “predatory light” sparked in Arland’s eyes I knew the mukama were totally going to be set up. A sense of peace and joy has just washed over me.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!
FIST PUMP HIGH IN THE SKY
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
A million thank yous i have yearned for this.
I am SO SO excited for the next Innkeeper book! Those books mean so much to me. They have gotten me through some of the toughest times in my life, and are 💯 my favorite series of all time.
I can’t wait to have the budget to buy physical copies!😍
If my Kindle copies were paperbacks they would be falling apart from re-reads, without a doubt.
Thanks so much for the snippet-I’m so excited for more of Maud, Arland, and Helen—and now I have to do another read of Sweep of the Blade 🙂
Barsa! I love it!! That was just perfect.
But I will admit for a few seconds to thinking “No! Must have wedding! Must have wedding!!” This is soooo much better.
I am patient. I am so full up with gratitude for HA and all the goodness they (and Mod R) give us every week, that I can be really patient. Is it Friday yet? Really, I’m patient. 🙂
Go GA!! Can’t wait! Oh right, but I am patient.
BTW, while I’m being patient 🙂 I’m also sending good thoughts for the editing/making process of Maggie. Really hope that is going well for HA. And not driving you crazy.
This was such a fun snippet! Thanks HA! You guys really deliver the goods.
no wonder maud loves arland so much.
🙂
j
I hope they invite at least a few of Dina’s friends from the Hope Crushing Horde. They would be hurt not to be invited 🙂
Arland certainly perked up with that news. I think Klaus isn’t quite as up to on vampires as he thought or is he??? da da duuuum
Thank you House Andrews! And Also Thank you Mod R for reminding us to chill the bosoms (laughing at that rewording).
KLAUS! Don’t you know vampires? You promised the biggest adventure of their lives. Lololol
I have to believe that Klaus knew what he was doing. The prospect of having the ancient enemy of the Holy Anocracy as wedding party favors? It’s vampire catnip.
Ooh I love it. Klaus is either using reverse psychology or doesn’t know a Vampire Marshal’s reaction to the thought of a good battle! And Maud is “almost a vampire!” *evil grin*
And please please please invite House Ervan to the wedding. And please don’t let them know it’s Maud he’s marrying until the day! I so want to see their faces when Arland absolutely destroys any standing they think they might have by humiliating them (and particularly Maud’s ex-mother-in-law) in front of all the other invited houses! 😂
I think that’s first on my list of things I’ve been looking forward to the most in the IK series.
I should have added my eternal thanks to House Andrews for all its wonders. This was a much appreciated snippet.
Not to mention, having Helen accepted by Arland’s house and Ilemina… LOL. Best revenge…and, let me please have the pleasure of seeing Maud putting her fighting skills on display with the ‘best of the fighters’ taking down Mukama others cannot (because she has those skills of hers…)
Lmao! Poor Klaus, he just realized many things he should’ve already known.
Mod R, please start writing too! You are so funny, especially for someone who isn’t a native speaker. Chill your bosoms!
Between you and Kid 2 we would have enough to keep us fed until the next Ilona Andrews release.
Love. Thank you so much for the laugh. I really needed it.
Hahaha- I LOVE THIS!!! Awesome!
We will be good now.