This will be a longish post.
First the coolest thing:
Hi Ilona & Gordon,
I hope you are both doing well and enjoying the summer! I’m so pleased to share that TIME Magazine has recently launched a major romance project, including a list of The 50 Best Romance Novels to Read Right Now that features WILDFIRE by Ilona Andrews! 🎉 A version of this project will appear on TIME’s print issue on August 16th.
All best,
Madelyn
Oh yes. We are the coolest. I would do a dance, but I hurt all over.
COVID
PSA: a new fun COVID variant is out and about. You know how the COVID test warns you that the sample line, the one that tells you if you are infected, might be faint? And it might take 15 minutes… My line showed in 3 seconds and it was so thick, it was purple. If that test had a voice, it would’ve screamed at the top of its lungs.
The picture on the left is me during the release party when I was feeling sick but still functional. The picture on the right was also me, after an evening of burning up with a fever, shivering under two blankets, and not being able to get warm. It hit that hard and that quick.
My fever finally broke around 1:00 am and I thought I was going to be better. Then someone shoved some broken glass into my throat.
It hurts. This is not a typical sore throat. It hurts so bad that I cannot sleep. Coughing is excruciating. Drinking lukewarm water hurts. I have slept about 8 hours total since Saturday. I’m writing this on Tuesday, so we will see how it will go tonight. I made a mistake of tasting a small piece of steak I made for Gordon. We are both exhausted, but we had ordered out 3 days in a row, and I felt this weird, slightly delirious need to make something. So I made steak because it’s easy. Except I marinated it in my patented marinade, and after I broiled it, I tasted a small bite.
It burned like fire. I made this little hoarse scream, ran for the medicine cabinet, and drank some Mylanta, because it felt like someone poured acid down my throat and I needed to neutralize it. I must have ulcers all over. I almost cried.
Nothing helps. Not Theraflu, not throat spray, not cough drops, throat coat tea, lozenges, ibuprofen, not salt water gargle, not honey, not whatever remedy you want. Nothing helps. It feels like someone is stabbing your throat with a knife from inside out. I can’t breathe through my nose either, so it is extra fun. The only thing that numbs it for about 15 minutes is this hard core Mucinex throat spray, but it numbs your whole mouth too and it burns like hell on contact.
If you haven’t boosted, I strongly urge you to boost now. I was vaccinated and boosted, but it had been several month since my last shot. I was planning to get my booster shot before Dragoncon, but the birthday dinner ended up hitting me first.
Whatever this fucking variant is, you don’t want it.
Just in case you are worried, we have an oxymeter, and our readings are normal. It’s just torturing us right now. Hopefully it won’t get worse.
Store refunds
We are happy to announce that despite being sick, we have processed all V-neck refunds. Some of them may take longer to reach your accounts, depending on your method of payment. We can only issue refunds, we can’t speed up the processing via Paypal, etc.
Why did it take so long?
Here is the process for issuing a refund:
- Open the affected order in Shopify (our storefront.)
- Edit Order and remove V-neck or V-necks.
- Click refund. This gives me the amount of the refund without shipping.
- Manually add $5.19 per T-shirt on the calculator.
- Refund the sum of the order and shipping.
- Send apologies through the email.
- Go to Printify (our supplier.)
- Find the order
- Edit the order to remove the T-shirt.
- Recalculate shipping.
- Send order into production.
We have refunded 240 orders. Some of you will get an additional refund for 1 dollar due to a slight accounting error with shipping taxes.
You will get a statement with your refund that will show the original shipping. That’s because we rolled your shipping into the refund itself. So if you shirt was originally $20, your refund will show $25.19. It was easier to do it that way than to refund your order and shipping separately.
Some bad news: the volume of BDH orders was really high. 1,349 orders were placed, most for multiple items. Over 1,200 are either in production or shipped.
We have 95 orders right now with items out of stock, which is our only hold up. We are going to do our best to work through this issue, and if we can’t resolve it, we may have to issue more refunds. We would much prefer to resolve it because we know you are excited for the cute merch.
If your item arrives and it’s misprinted or broken, please let us know. We will get a replacement to you at no extra charge. This doesn’t come out of our pocket. That falls onto the producer of the item.
The store will be open this Friday for last minute shopping.
We have done months of preparation this time. We commissioned good designs, we had a variety of items, we were excited to offer you new options, and we had finished everything a couple of weeks before the store was to go live. We even had a practice shopping session. Smooth sailing. And then the store opened, and we started getting hit with the items being out of stock.
We are so sorry for the stock issues. It’s out of our control but we recognize that this is not the shopping experience you were looking forward to.
I don’t know when or if we are going to do this again. They have assigned us a special team now, and they are promising up and down that this will not happen again. The future of the store will require some thinking and adjustments.
So the bottom line is: BDH totally broke the store. The castle of Printify was overrun.
Horde Level: epic.
Mod R’s Vacation
Mod R will be on a much deserved vacation by the end of this week. You are going to get my COVID-tainted ramblings instead. You can still send her questions, but the replies will be delayed.
Panic
I am low-key panicking, because since both Gordon and I have COVID, the editing ground to a halt and the long book is due at the end of this month. So I need to get my rest in tonight, and tomorrow, the store will be handed over to our awesome store staff and I will need to try to claw my way out of this fever, etc. to get back to work.
It has to start getting better by tomorrow, right? Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, I mean, we have got to turn the corner here.
Emotional Support
We got flowers today. From Kid 2 and her boyfriend. The card said:
Congratulations on making Time Magazine.
You are good at stuff! All the stuff!
Get well soon.
We are good at stuff. We can get better.
Gordon is coughing badly. Got to go.
Update: It’s Wednesday morning and the combo of Theraflu and exhaustion worked. I got six hours of sleep. Vacation responder is down and I am back at work. Throat still hurts. Damn it.
I just got over Covid myself and “hard and fast” was exactly how it hit me and my husband.
Sending all the positive,healing energy to you and Gordon.
Sending prayers and positive vibes for both of your healing!!!
feel better soon!! so many congrats on the time feature! you guys deserve all the recognition for your body of work.
So sorry! Get well soon. Big congratulations on the Time list. HA is my absolute favorite.
we had this nasty variant and the whole family was down for 2 weeks. I strongly suggest yogi immunity herbal tea. It not only feels good going down but helped me not catch it when everyone else in the family caught it. I also suggest apple cider vinegar with honey shots or firecider.
Aw no, so sorry to hear. Get well soon!
Oh no… I am so sorry. I hope you guys start feeling better soon. My (slightly weird) trick for a sore throat was to use a gummy bear like a cough drop. Gelatin kind of coats everything and soothes it longer. The real trick is not chewing it up when you get distracted. I heard marshmallows work too but they are way too sweet for me.
I tried that and the acid in the gummy bear was unBEARable. Hehehehehe.
Lol! Marshmallows may be the better option then. I can handle about 1 before my taste buds start screaming “too sweet!”
Congratulations on the magazine recognition! I’m sorry you are miserable. On the sore throat topic – there is a concoction that the pharmacist can provide that can help. It may need a prescription. It has a throat numbing medication mixed with something like mutants or milk of magnesia that stays in the tissues of your throat and lasts longer. Call the pharmacy!
The one that has worked spectacularly well for me, for a vicious strep throat ulcer, is a Stanford mouthwash. The pharmacy has to compound it. Back in the day I think it was Stanford Mouthwash #4. Current formula seems to be tetracycline, nystatin, hydrocortisone, and chlorpheniramine. Some of the ingredients are substitutions for older ones but it’s always a tetracycline, another antibiotic, a steroid, and an antihistamine. Other common names apparently are Magic Mouthwash and Stomatitis Cocktail, but those describe a multitude of formulas. I’ve only had experience with the Stanford one. It was super effective.
I used magic mouthwash once. It was, well, magical.
Yes, magic mouthwash is indeed magical. We used it for Covid, and hand foot and mouth, both of which were demonic sore throats.
Wishing you the best as you recover.
I don’t think anyone will get that upset if something is out of stock for a while. I think we all know that the Horde will order all at once and that it might happen.
The whole family here got some kind of flu or maybe Covid in the middle of July. It was terrible. Five days of fever and coughing in the summer heat. Still coughing now but it doesn’t bother us anymore. I hope you get well soon!
So sorry to hear about the covid. my daughter brought it home to me last year (she’s vaccinated, I’m not, she caught it…rest is history!)…dry paroxysmal cough and excruciating sore throat for 4-6 days. I absolutely stick with alternative therapies and supplements, but for that throat, the only thing that helped get me through the worst was alternating 1 Tylenol with 1 ibuprofen every 4 hours. Get better soon! Sending much love and hugs!
Take care, your health is more important than the books – even for us BDHs!
+10000 Please take time out for self care.
Have you asked your doctor for Paxlovid? It works really well to reduce the time you are sick, as well as help with symptoms.
I went to the doctor bc I thought I had strep throat it hurt so bad. Instead I had Covid. He prescribed Paxlovid. The cure almost killed me. For 7 days I had a bile like taste in my mouth. 24/7. Certain symptoms lasted for 10 days. The doctor said the medicine might have a metallic aftertaste. I should have been so lucky. I wish now I had just powered through. This said, don’t not take it on my word. It might work for you.
Sorry ya’ll got struck fown by covid. This varient is poopy.
I just got over Covid myself. I had all the symptoms and felt like picked over roadkill baking in the southern August heat. I am a teacher (online) and needed to recover asap. The paxlovid was 1000% worth the bitter grapefruit taste for 5 days ( and i hate grapefruit like vampires hate sun). I actually started on day 6 or 7 because my pharmacy was out and man it made me feel alive again.
The only thing that worked for my throat was a conveyor belt of mucinex throat soother cough drops that have the numbing medicine in them. Those things are amazing and got me through.
I also took mucinex D until i felt all the way better.
Isn’t it amazing how that aftertaste affects different people? Metallic taste, bitter grapefruit, stomach bile!
Metallic blah taste + nausea here when taking Paxlovid. Though the doctor ended up giving something else to stop the queasy feeling I would not wish that feeling on anyone. Slept on the couch for days and nothing tasted right.
I think it works differently for everyone. My brother got paxlovid and had thrown off Covid by the next day but I’m sorry it didn’t help
Not mutants! Stupid spell check. Will I ever learn to proofread? Mylanta is what I meant.
Hehe, as in “oh my’lanta?”
Awww, I was excited to hear about a medication containing mutants!
You all take care of you. The Horde can mill around by itself for a bit.
Unsupervised?! Hehehehe
We broke the store. {evil chuckle} Achievement unlocked!
I usually get the COVID booster in September and do the flu shot at the same time. I might need to move that up to this month if that variant is kicking around that much. I’ve got to be due to get it, because I’ve gone this far without ever getting it, or if I did I was asymptomatic.
Same, the pharmacy called about my flu shot, but I live in Michigan and our flu season doesn’t really get kicking until October usually.
I always plan to get my shots at least two weeks before traveling to see the fam for Thanksgiving, but I might need to get a booster before then.
Several coworkers have stayed home because they or a family member had tested positive for covid in the last 6 weeks.
Also in Michigan; I got groceries on Friday, had covid on Sunday. Doctor discussed Paxlovid with me but was against it bc I’d have to stop taking 2 of my regular meds. Contraindications/side effects can be a deterrent, but it’s wonderful that it can work so well. I was newly educated. My case is relatively mild, thank heavens, but I live at a senior facility so I’m confined to my apartment for 5 days at the least. Staff members bring me food but they knock on my door and run away.
Congrats on the Time article – so well deserved! And I pray you don’t have strep as well – that’s a vicious pain. I hope you can recover in time to finish the edits without too much pressure. Wishing you all the best…
Hope you both are on the upswing soon! When my husband and I had covid a while ago, we found that for some reason, really cold watermelon helped. It still hurt to swallow but the slight sweetness and cold was a game changer.
Sending you guys all the goodness!
If your throat doesn’t improve, you may want to get tested for strep since you might have that infection as well. I really hope that’s not the case, but if it is, at least that one infection can be treated with antibiotics. I’m mentioning this because your sore throat symptoms sound identical to a nasty strep infection I had a few months back. I really hope you both continue to improve and are well soon!
Yes, secondary infections can be worse than the primary. You should be able to call and get the test ordered by phone. Results same day.
Congratulations on the top 100! Get well soon.
Top 50 even! 😀 The Horde is mighty!
This. The worst sore throat I had was a strep infection. It took me a good 20 min to get the courage to swallow Tylenol for the pain. Please get checked.
And conga-rats on making the list!
Did you get paxlovid? That really helped us when we had covid
So sorry to hear you guys are feeling, as my retired police captain husband so eloquently put it, “Somebody shot at you and missed, but shit at you and hit.”. He always has such delightful insights to share! 😏
Congratulations on your selection for TIME’s prestigious list! You have certainly earned it with your dedication to giving your readers an amazing escape into another reality in your books. I know to clear my schedule on days your books are released, because I’m going to read that sucker cover to cover in one go!😉
Hope you are both feeling better soon! If you’re ever in the “toe” of SE Iowa, drinks are on me! 😁
“Somebody shot at you and missed, but shit at you and hit.”
I’m going to have to remember that one. Sounds like something my dad would have said.
Yeah, that’s a new (to me, anyway) classic.
Sending healing thoughts your way – and congrats at being “good at stuff!”
I have no advice to offer. I generally think things that hurt before they make you feel better is just old fashioned torture! Does it really have to taste bad? Scour your throat? Or cause undesirable side effects?
Here’s to more sleep! (And getting the editing done.)
I am praying 🙏 for your rapid relief and recovery. You are good at stuff! Hang in there.
I just hate when you’re suffering. I hope the Time Magazine thing was a bit of comfort. Fingers crossed that you and Gordon have a quick return to a civil existence. Hugs. 💕
When it rains, it pours; what a week of highs and lows. My friends in California say the new strain of Covid is wicked. Prayers for you both feeling better. I got my refund and was so polite. Please don’t worry about the Horde. Getting better and fulfilling your commitments is more important. Healing vibes your way!
Hoping you are both feeling better soon, Covid sucks
So very sorry for your sickness! I had the sore throat COVID, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I didn’t eat or drink for three days, because it hurt. I started googling how long it would take me to die of dehydration. It does finally go away, but I totally feel you right now.
I’m sorry you’ve been so sick. I don’t have any cool sore throat remedies; however, we’ve always gargled with warm salt water, but I think that might be a bit harsh for you (it does work if you can stand it). Sending you both positive get well vibes.
Oooo! Congrats on the Wild Fire choice!
I had that Covid variant a couple of months ago. *So* not fun. Just swallowing spit was excruciating. It will get better, but it *seems* to last forever because it hurts so much.
I was vaccinated and boosted, too. It didn’t care.
I have had every booster as it was available and this was my second Covid bout. (I lost both of them – Covid always wins.)
Get better soon and don’t worry about the BDH. We are feral enough to care for ourselves. We’ll be here when you have time to deal with us.
Ha! Feral enough to care for ourselves- love it.
My plan is to reread Wildfire, but first…To arms!
A mass binge watch of The Princess Bride is called for- best get well soon treatment I can think of when the regular stuff doesn’t work. It’s entertaining and soothing all at the same time. Plus, if you doze off and on, no biggie- it’s pretty much ingrained in the brain. Have fun storming the castle, and feel better soon!
Just in case it helps, and only if a doctor says yes, sounds like a good idea, I used the following to battle my last covid attack: Mucinex-DM [liquid version with guifenesin to thin mucus, and dextromethorphan to suppress coughing), Nasocort spray, kid liquid version of ibuprofen for aches, and kid liquid version of acetaminophen two hours after ibuprofen if my throat was really bugging me (pills hurt). Mucinex cough drops were great, too. Also, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Sleep helped more than anything.
I had Covid bad enough last fall that the doctor gave me an inhaler to use, and told me to use afrin spray since my congestion was so bad(afrin is scary weird, though- can only use for three days in a row at the max, or wicked bad things happen. Repeat on the scary weird comment). Again, doctor consult advised- not sure what contraindications there are with other medicines- can only speak as to what my specific experience/situation was like.
Best wishes, sympathy and good juju to you, Gordon, and any other celebrants Covid decided to have its way with. Romance in Wildfire is much preferred.
Dehydration can be a real issue with Covid. My husband was hospitalized with this complication last November. We were told by the medical staff that Covid was the reason for the dehydration. So, please be careful since your throat is not allowing you to drink fluids at your normal rate. Everything else can wait while you recover. The horde may be pushy, but we all understand the need for our bodies to recover from serious illness.
Congratulations on Time magazine, that’s a nice bit of kudos.
Apparently this new COVID variant is going about London, UK as well. We know a few people who’ve had it, but there’s also whooping cough around right now and that’s freaking me out. I had it as a child, supposedly mildly, and it left me with a heart murmur and asthma. My one and only bout of COVID wrecked my asthma so I’d rather not catch that either.
I’m up to date with vaccinations but it seems like maybe it’s not so effective for this strain. Fingers crossed I can skip it all.
For a bad sore throat I recommend chloraseptic spray, it doesn’t heal it but it numbs you. I also rub vicks on my throat and up behind my ears, it makes it feel cool but somehow helps.
Just a dab of Vicks under your nose will help with sleep. That was my aunt’s trick when we were little kids and my mom was up to her eyebrows in sick kids (4 of us). Helps with the breathing and has a slight anesthesia effect. Kids asleep, my mom got a power nap. My aunt was the “cool aunt”….
That was my trick too until the vaporub made me nauseous. I had to stop using it. ☹️
Just one warning about that dab of Vicks under your nose… don’t do it if your nose is red, you will instantly regret it(at least I did!). Hugs to all the Helpful Horde. Adding my wishes for a speedy and happy recovery for House Andrews.
Oh nooooooo! Sending you both all the good healing vibes. Just had the Brisbane version, and although I tested several times, our variant was negative for Covid – had all the same symptoms as yours though, and took 2 weeks to start to feel normal. Not fun.
Congratulations on the Time project – so deserved! You guys are awesome! And yay the power of the BDH!!
Hope you feel better soon ❤️🩹
I’ve always said Karma may not hate me, but she definitely has an axe to grind and knows how to hold a grudge. I have a feeling she’s got her eye on you. Hang in there, she’s bound to focus on someone else soon!!
congrats and commissary – Time is fabulous news – Covid sucks.
Feel better and as others said check if you have a secondary illness – my momma had covid then a reg flu then a UTI….
Obviously Printify needs a moat.
I believe I just got over that variant. The sore throat is no joke! Could it possibly also be strep? When the sore throat doesn’t get better with care, time, meds, I always go get a test done.
I had that strain of COVID about three years ago. I used to get strep throat all the time as a kid, and thought I knew what a sore throat felt like until I had the throat searing COVID variant. Sennding you all the healing vibes.
Long live the Horde! We will overrun and grab all the goodies!!
Seriously though, take care of you!
Thank you for being so awesome!
You are ALL the stuff!!
Can you get your hands on Vit E lozenges? Might help.
So sorry you’re going through this. Sending healing and comforting energy your way. Kill that covid!
Congrats for making it on Times list!! ^^
Also, I hope that you and Gordon will get well soon.
I hope you get well soon and feel better even sooner!
God bless!
Congratulations, thoughts, prayers, and get well vibes.
get well soon!
I’m sure you love getting suggestions since you’ve tried everything, but… Try eating marshmallows. May help with the cough.
I am still a Novid. Been vaxxed 5 times (3x in 2021, then 1x in 2022 and 2023) and I’ll boost again in September/October. I had stopped wearing my mask and being super-careful about exposure back in April, but lately I’m hearing more about folks getting covid (in real-life and online), so I’m back in my masks. And unfortunately I drew the short straw and have to go back to work in the office starting the week of September 9, which will greatly increase my risks of infection. I’m planning to mask there, too, AND take one of my small air purifiers for my desk. My fingers are crossed and I can continue to evade it.
Congrats on Wildfire! I recently re-read and enjoyed it immensely. Love Connor & Nevada. <3
I had a similar variance at the beginning of the year. My throat healed only after I was on steroids for 3 days. It’s ulcers in your throat. I hope you feel better soon. It’s awful.
Congrats on your launch and on being in Time Magazine. I am constantly grateful for everything you both do. All of your books are my emotional support reads and I’ve been reading them a lot lately and listening to them. Thank you feel better
I am so sorry you are under the weather and suffering, especially because you all go the extra mile for the loving, demanding Horde. if there was a store item for HA Health Power Up, we’d be hitting that extra hard.
Hope your health and sleep continue to improve. I am also sorry for the store headaches on top of everything else. I know that’s beyond your control and will engage p*tient mode, as I sip coffee from my Gertrude Hunt mug. I gave it to my mother last year to cheer her up in her last months battling cancer. while she never made it to reading the Innkeeper series, she loved hearing about the inn with rearranging rooms and interplanetary visitors. and she loved this mug. so thank you for that!
You poor people! Feel better soon!!
Hope you be well soon! Take care ❤️
Yay, congratulations! and so sorry about the illness, yes you must be turning a corner soon. That’s the rule.
Congratulations on the Time article!
I feel for you!!! I can also sympathize because I got the dark purple test line variant with the sore throat of doom as well. So awful! Hope you both get all better quickly.
I’m so sorry House Andrews! I remember that throat pain from covid in Feb. I have never had a sore throat like that–knives all the way down. I got a numbing medication from the clinic/pharmacy which would sort of help, but the thing that finally did it was Paxlovid. Six hours after the first dose, the swelling and pain started to go down. The cough lingered for a month. If you can get on it, it may help.
hope you feel better! congratulations on the Time Magazine cover and article! i ordered from the store and am okay with waiting for restocks to get my order. thank you very much!
Im so sorry about Covid. My daughters cheer team picked up a strain in February when the travelled from Nj to Fl and back for competition. The whole team including coaches and their families were sick. But she did get strep and pink eye as well WITH the Covid. It was so bad my girl was out for State finals because her body just didnt recover fast enough. But maybe call your provider for a rapid strep test. The only thing that helped her throat was that Mucinex spray.
Hope you guys feel better soon!
Congrats on the Time magazine article. That’s exciting and hope it means more views (future BDH members) your way. Feel better soon.
I hope your recovery happens soonest. I’m sorry you have Covid and are in so much pain.
Congratulations! All the bells and whistles.
Get well soon, both of you!
Congrats to the Time list, also the release, in a way even to the broken store, as it shows a bit how much love your stories get (if only a way for it to be a lot less stressful would be possible….)
Fingers crossed the edit will go speedy for you
I hope you both feel better soon!
I had strep a few months ago, and I found that the only thing I could eat or drink without much pain was applesauce. If it still feels like there are knives in your throat, it might be worth trying!
the new variant is real!! I am also down with covid after traveling. feel better!!
I’ve had that throat problem with Covid every time I’ve had it. It’s hell and all you can do is wait it out. Wishing you feel better vibes
Try gargling with cough syrup. That helps get the syrup to the back of the throat where it’s needed. A pharmacist told me this when I had Covid in January and it saved my sleep. Best wishes!
Interesting technique…very original idea!
Oh wow, I’m sorry you’re so sick! I’m reading this from bed while also down with Covid. I slept for 24 hours yesterday. Hope you get some rest!
I came to your blog to make sure you knew about Time Magazine’s list and found you huddled in a blanket with Covid.
So many congratulations on getting on the list! Carrying the flag for urban fantasy romance!!!
And of course I hope you both feel better soon.
Hey get well soon both of you. I would like to say that your work and your approach to your fans is just nice to have around. That it actually exists. The BDH appreciates your efforts on our behalf. Ya’ll (from TX) go above and beyond ALL THE TIME. Even when sick. So, your contribution to the world makes it a better place.
Thank you Gordon and Ilona
So, so sorry. And sending good, healing wishes.
I have not been sick at all since 2018 barring allergies. I know I will catch Covid eventually and am dreading it. I am planning on getting boosted as soon as the booster for this new variant is available.
FWIW, since it wasn’t on your list – my mom’s go-to for any bad throat issues was liquid jello, the flavored kind with sugar. Make the jello and drink it while it is warm. I still do this. It feels like the jello coats my throat on the way down.
I am absolutely not going to tell you how to prioritize your life…but I am. 🙂 ‘Cause you are so important to us! Please take care of yourself first and foremost. If I get my amazing cups and stickers in time for Christmas, I will be over the moon!!! And I’m sure the rest of the horde feels the same way. Second in line would be anything that stresses/panics you – like the edits. Blog is a low third along with the store.
We are so blessed to have you! And yes, Horde Level: epic. What’s higher than epic? ‘Cause that’s where HA is!
Sending cooling angels!
This is exactly what I was going to say, but said much better than I would have.
The Horde wants you to take care of yourselves and then the edits. We will just talk among ourselves and be fluffy.
Get well soon. Hopefully you and Gordon can sleep more soon so your body can fight off this new strain of COVID.
I hope Mod R’s vacation goes smoothly even if she and her husband are just a home ignoring everyone to get some much needed rest and relaxation.
So, the store level for the Horde is epic. I laughed. We stormed the store and left every vendor shell shocked in our wake. The frenzy and storming are real. Very real. 😀
We are staying in the UK, but not at home. Woohoo! We’ll have a hot tub, a camp fire and a bbq all to ourselves for 4 days. I plan to prune up and eat my weight in steak 😀
Enjoy it. 😁😎🥩🏝
That sounds like heaven! Have a great time.
Sounds awesome! Enjoy. I just got back from lakeside cabin vacation, complete with baby bears visting and I want to go right back!! Savor every minute.
Sounds lovely! Don’t forget to put your phone on Do Not Disturb, or whatever yours can do for you – mine lets me specify my favorite contacts, whose calls/texts can get through, and sternly blocks everything else. You deserve all the downtime, Mod R!
Congratulations on making Time’s list with Wildfire! I forgot to add that in above. 🤦♀️🤪
Wishing you both best wishes for a speedy recovery. I hope you both feel better and can get the “good sleep” that leads to healing.
Happy break Mod R.
Am so happy for the announcement of Wildfire. It is one of my favourite stories. You deserve all the stuff.
Hope you feel much better very soon. What a hellish sounding infection. Ugh covid! You two (and mod-r) made your launch party fun and interesting in spite of this illness.
And congrats on making Time Magazine! You are excellent at all the stuff! Lovely card from your daughter. 💖
This will not fix the throat but may provide some relief as well as give you some badly needed nutrients. Spoken from one with an autoimmune and had Covid so was double hit hard.
Try some warm bone broth with a bit of salt and olive oil.
Otherwise chew on ice. (I know that’s a laboring woman thing but it works well for sore throats too). I also just ate popsicles when I had strep throat about 10 times as a kid
Get well soon! I feel your pain, I was all vaccinated and boostered up and three years after Covid I finally got Covid and it sucked.
Positive thoughts to you both. I do hope you are now feeling a little better. It would help if you could hydrate without feeling that you were swallowing knives all the time.
On a positive note I started a reread of the Baylor family , all of them, last week( just before Roman landed) . That carried on into the Dahlia books( you really should have written more). Now I’m back to the Innkeeper books. Poor Roman . I will get there soon.
Ooh! The Dali books! That’s how I found IA and our girl Kate!! They were in anthologies, my reading addiction at the time, and OMG, a girl with serious myopia driving race cars!! My Jr. high self felt very seen!! 👓🚗
Me too! Thanks Dali (and Jim too, I guess 😉 ).
Congratulations on making the Time list!!! <3
Hope you feel better soon!
Very much like that Times was together enough to recognize you, Congratulations.
May you feel better soon.
As I have weird reactions to medication, antibiotics, vitamins, herbal supplements, etc., I have a few suggestions to avoid the secondary infections after a cold, covid, and/or the flu. If you have a recliner that you can sleep in, this can really help with minimizing coughing and the sore throat from the nasal discharge going down your throat while sleeping. I’m usually in it long enough to get a sore sit zone, but then I’m done being sick. Living through 72 hours of a fever ( below 103 F), before knocking down the fever can shorten the illness, but it isn’t comfortable. And a runny nose helps minimize the sore throat and cough. It might be nice to be able to take any cold or cough medication and sleep, but I’ve compared timelines for being sick in my family, and taking the OTCs doesn’t shorten the illness. Obviously, your doctor’s treatment overrides the above statements.
Covid always seems to find a different unpleasant way to suck large. The positive is during my 4 times around with this crud, I lose weight.
You can use this new mantra… the Times loves me too!
I’m so sorry you are both feeling so horrible. Get well soon-the Horde remains devoted. We could have told Time-congratulations!🥳
May your Covid go away quickly. I will get the booster next week. Thank you for the warning. We are supposed to get hit with hurricane Debbie rains starting tonight. We are far enough inland and on a mountain, so hopefully no problems. We need the rain, but does it have to come all at once?
So glad that Time is recognizing what the BDH has known all along! And that ModR is heading off for an awesome vacation.
I would check into the possibility of a Stanford mouthwash Rx. That gave me huge and prompt relief from a throat ulcer many years ago. Looks like grasshoppers from a blender, but it tastes much better than it looks and works fast.
I should clarify: You don’t actually consume it; you just gargle with it. That’s why the physician let me keep using it after the culture came up positive the following day, and they put me on an oral antibiotic that would normally be contraindicated with the tetracycline. I was getting so much relief from the mouthwash that I was reluctant to stop using it right away, so I asked, and they said using both at once was safe because the mouthwash was limited to the mouth and throat. Normally I steer clear of oral steroids if at all possible, precisely because they tend to be followed by strep in my case. The pain was really interfering with function though, and at a very inconvenient time, so an exception was necessary.
Ilona, there’s an herbal tea named Ban Lan Gen that helped me a lot. Perhaps it can help you.
My sister had this and it lasted 8 days before I hauled her to urgent care where they gave her steroids for her throat. That was when it finally started getting better. Nothing touched it before the steroids.
Aw, I am so sorry to hear you guys caught Covid! I had it for the first time in January and it was so unpleasant – many of the same symptoms you described. I think my toddler brought it home to us from daycare (she brings all sorts of gifts! lol). Luckily we were all recovering after about 7-10 days with no complications. But man, the stuffy nose, sore throat, aches and pains, and fever were not fun! I know you have deadlines, but I hope you’re really able to take time to rest and get better!
Happy vacationing to Mod R!
Ooooo, also congrats on the Times recognition for WildFire!
Congratulations on your coolness of making the top 50 and to the BDH for breaking the store!
I’m so sorry that C***d (it’s a bad word just like w**t) is kicking your butts and hope you both continue to improve.
I can’t speak for the Horde, but if you were to cross-post: “We got COVID. It’s giving us a really, really hard time. We will have to R&R before we are able to solve the store issues, please understand.”
I would TOTALLY understand and be able to hold my base urges in check. You guys deserve to take care of just you. Just sayin’…
100% on that. Get better first, deal with author issues if you must, but leave the store issues last. The Horde may be scary and rambunctious and the terror of online storekeepers, but we have soft hearts for HA. We can be fluffy and w**t until you feel better.
I’m going to tell you what they recommend for chemo patients. It worked wonders for me during my bout of Covid. Make jello according to package directions. Let it set, then dissolve 1-4 Tbsp per 8 oz hot water. Sip when needed. The gelatine coats your throat, can help with sore throat and coughing.
As part of the overwhelmingly fluffy horde that I’m a berserker frenzy stormed the Printify store, I apologize! And I wish you all health, all the Delsym (cough) and Mucinex (breathe) and all other medicinals and tea you need, to vanquish the Fever Most Vile and hopefully feel better very soon! Take the time you need and know we love you all very much! Hugs and kindness—💜💜💜
Are you sure you don’t have strep throat? I’ve never had it but a friend who did kept a washcloth in her mouth to absorb her saliva it hurt her so bad to swallow. That sounds like the level of pain you’re dealing with.
Congratulations on making the TIME list! That’s an awesome achievement and so well deserved.
On Covid: I commiserate but have no helpful tips except please put us last in your priorities. Rest as much as you can so you will be able to recover and devote your energies to the edits.
And such a thoughtful gift from your daughter and her boyfriend! They are good people.
The new variant is, ironically enough, named Flirt? One of the main symptoms is sore throat. Hope you feel better soon.
“No thanks, I’ve got a boyfriend!” – us in unison
That’s a good one, Mod R! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👏👏👏
Have you tried ice cream yet? I lived on mini ice cream bars for a couple days when I had Covid. Though it sounds like my throat wasn’t as bad as yours.
There used to be a product called aspergum that was the bomb for very sore throats. The closest I can get is to chew orange flavored baby aspirin. But it works when nothing else touches it.
So sorry for the Covid attack. Please feel better soon.
Many thanks for the store efforts. We appreciate it and sympathize for the complications.
This COVID variant is awful and with super weird symptoms. My stomach was a mess, then my mouth felt burned, then I got a fever. I didn’t test positive for several days and then the test lit up like a Christmas tree. The mouth sensitivity is wild. I still feel like I burned my tongue really badly and everything seems spicy. Its been a month! Paxlovid for the win though but it makes your mouth taste like you’ve been drinking battery acid.
I really hope House Andrews starts feeling better soon.
Healing thoughts headed your way! covid just sucks!
Aww, I’m glad you finally got some sleep. I hope you all get better soon. Also, congrats on the Wildfire feature in Time magazine! You ARE good at all the stuff!
Yes I believe I have the Covid that you hit. I was well one day and the next I was sick with fever. I cough so much I felt like I pulled muscles around my ribs and head was pounding. I took the paxlovid that helped but it left a nasty after taste in my mouth. Dr told me no vaccines for six months. I feeling better but my throat is sore I’m guessing from drainage. Hope you feel better soon. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
That really sounds awful, I hope you feel better soon!
I had that wicked sore throat in late winter – the Cloraseptic helped a lot, not much sleep, so did the rinse every time I woke up. But didn’t have the rest of the symptoms. The sore throat did go up into my nose and sinuses, and into my ear tubes. Good times. A lot of Tylenol for the pain. Sometimes, even with all the vax – and I had flu, COVID, and RSV – those dang mutations get by anyway.
Congratulations on the Times listing!! Those new covers are so pretty – carnations are my go-to flowers when I need a pick-me-up. Spicy scent and many colors. Floral therapy!
Hope all of HA are feeling better soonest!! Be kind to yourselves: sleep when you can, cool fluids and maybe some Jello, popsicles, or Italian ice.
Happy Vacation to ModR and Mr. ModR!!
I’ve known a few others who caught this strain. You sound about normal for it from what they said. It will get better, honest. For your sakes, I sincerely hope soon.
I think I’m the only one of my family who hasn’t had COVID at least once. There are some benefits to living alone and mostly staying home. The one time I got sick since February of 2020, it was one of my snot-nosed colds.
I am one of the 240 V-necker refunders. TAKE YOUR TIME. I appreciate your care and attention and all the work to give us so many options to choose from and the opportunity to show off our allegiance to the Hoarde with licensed merchandise! I’ll try on Friday for a replacement but no worries either way – I have my BDH shirt and mug from last time to wave in people’s faces (along with a copy of Time magazine!). Of course I wonder — why Wild Fire? I mean, it certainly deserves to be in the top 50 on anyone’s list — but don’t we want the Uninitiated to start with Burn for Me? Shouldn’t Burn for Me be like 10 and Wild Fire like 12 (and guess who would be #11).
Congratulations!! So cool, and I hope the coverage brings even more readers to the BDH.
I hope you feel better soon!!!
Get well soon thanks for inspiring us to get our boosters!Take care
I am getting my booster tomorrow. I am so sorry that both of you have been suffering. Know that the BDH treasure you both and are sending love and healing vibes your way.
Your are in my thoughts and prayers. My copy of Sanctuary finally arrive so it’s reading time- Yeah!
Congrats on Time magazine and commiserations on the Covid. Hope you feel better soon, and don’t worry about the Horde, we can wait as long as we need to.
Wishing Mod R a lovely holiday.
I wish you both a healthy and speedy recovery and congratulations on Time magazine. You’re my favorite author duo and Kate is THE GREATEST! Can’t wait for Wilmington 3.
Xoxo,
A very devoted BDH member.
Congratulations on the Time Romance Book List. Hope you are back to 100% or close soon.
Hug, the new variant is brutal and Im so sorry yall got hit with it. I mask with kn95 indoors everywhere and only eat outdoors because of it. If novavax is ever out, I will get it because at this point mrna vaccine is going to be out of date. I hope you can rest between edits and while I dont know anything about stores, I know data and can do computers so if there is anything that I can help with store let me know. Lots of hugs and yall are the best and I hope you feel better and can rest
PS Congrats on the Time Mag list! WOOT!
I was visiting my son when I got covid with a horrible sore throat and he didn’t have anything available. I took shots of whiskey, boy did it burn, but it numbed the pain for awhile. Covid sore throats are awful!! I feel for you. I hope it passes soon.
Not trying to scare anyone but just wanted to make people aware in case they aren’t already, the CDC has asked providers to report instances of brain abscess in patients with COVID infections. My understanding is they have occurred in young patients. So, be especially vigilant with your kids and young adults.
We have friends with COVID and their doctors said the only thing they could suggest was drink a lot of orange juice, which I thought – that’s it???? Checked with my doctor who said he would prescribe paxlovid if we had COVID. Maybe you can check with your doctor, see if it would help you. Because I know being sick normally is not fun but this COVID stuff is awful. And I want to thank House Andrews for the Merch Store, for their rapid response to the V-neck shirt problem and for taking care of this all while so sick! You guys are the best. Thank you for your great books and for your caring! Just get well – we need you!
I doubt you’ll ever make it down to read this, but I so hear you on the sore throat. I got Covid last October and the sore throat was sooo bad. I was able to consume cold pudding, but that was about it. (The only semi-bright side, the sore throat meant I couldn’t taste the horrid aftertaste of Paxlovid–it’s how I knew I was getting “better” when I could).
Best wishes for improved health ASAP from this small corner of the BDH.
Every single comment gets read 🙂
❤️
For some reason, that reply just really touched me…
hope you both feel better soon.
I’m scared to even write this but… I have never had COVID. No one in my immediate family has had it. So every time a new variant pops up, I get worried because I don’t know how my immune system will react or my parents. Ilona’s description of the variant sounds awful. I guess I should sign up to get a booster.
Hang in there! Eat a ton of popsicle sticks 🙂
Congratulations on Wildfire. Hope you feel better.
The photo of Ilona on the right lots like “Don’t piss off Baba Yaga right now you won’t like it”.
I’m so sorry. I got hit with this variant too, and I just crawled out of it last week. I had it for three weeks before I tested negative again! Worst symptoms did ease up after the first week, but the cough lingered. My throat hurt so much. I stopped eating and drank minimally. I lost weight, but ended up getting some back because, no surprise, I was dehydrated. Luckily, I didn’t have anything pressing and canceled my life for the duration. My husband got it too, but he recovered in about five days. That jerk. At least we had someone to do the shopping. I regretted not going for the Paxlovid. Take care of yourselves.
Oh no!! I’m so sorry you all have covid. It ran through my family a week or so ago and every except me was miserable af (idk why I was the exception but I’m very grateful as I’m recovering from bile duct surgery!). My poor toddler is still fighting a secondary ear infection. Covid is just the worst. I really hope the sore throat eases soon and you can get some actual rest.
Also wildfire is amazing. So glad you’re getting recognized!
I also saw you guys listed on an Oprah top romance list, for Burn for Me: https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/books/g26090153/best-romance-novels-of-all-time/?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=likeshopme&utm_content=www.instagram.com/p/C6Br5ZOguug
Not Time Magazine, but still not bad!
Oh, I don’t think I saw that before! Thank you so much for sharing!
Congratulations! Top 50! Whoot!
Sorry to hear the family is suffering so much. My family has had bouts with Covid and also lost. My hubby was the most recent, his cough lasted three weeks.
I have yet to get Covid, not bragging just bewildered. Ive felt crappy for a day but got tested multiple times, multiple ways. Negative, nada, then it was gone. I gargle with Rumple Mintz🤷🏽♀️ Im not a fan of liquor but it has even kept the strep away. My kids used to get strep every fall. I think its bcse my job requires me to be outside every day. No matter the weather. IDK, its crazy.
Hoping everything gets better soon and wishing you all a speedy recovery.
Feel better! You are so totally good at stuff!
PS, Mod R have a great vacay! Enjoy, sleep and celebrate.
Oh my gosh, I feel so badly for you and so hope you are feeling much better soon! There aren’t even words…just congrats on the Times list ( and yes, you ARE good at ALL the stuff!) and try to get some rest if possible. More virtual hugs sent your way…😢
Chloraseptic spray. It numbs the mouth and throat. I’ve used it for strep. I’m sorry you’re so sick. Keeping you both in my prayers. Feel better soon.
It sounds like strep throat too.
I literally feel your pain. Got the Covid a week ago and still having non stop coughing and throat soreness. It’s not at that level of soreness you’re describing any longer but still sore. And now my intercostal muscles between my ribs are getting pulled. So coughing is a new type of torture I keep hoping that each night will be THE night that it goes away. Fingers crossed for all of us. And is anyone else’s resting hear rate really elevated? Like sitting still my heart thinks I am doing things. Then when I really do try and do things it goes even higher.
So sorry you and Gordon are under the weather.
Paxlovid, IV infusions of antibodies and other antivirals, antibiotics to ward off secondary bacterial infections, steroids, inhalers, all the things that it took the medical folks time to figure out during the pandemic–they do actually help! But you have to ask your doctor…please don’t wait, just lost my auntie to a nasty strain. Viscous lidocaine rx is cheap, you can mix it with otc benadyl and maalox per dr’s directions to numb up all those icky mouth ulcers. Hang in there, your loyal Hordemembers are pulling for you!
My husband had it too while we were on vacation across the country. His was not as bad. Feel better soon.
Your books are my lifeline. Thanks.
Really feel for you , I’ve just got rid of the damn covid that merrily turned into pneumonia , so was out of commission for 7 blasted weeks , I’m in my late 70’s so that didn’t help.sending you and Gordon all the very best for a fast recovery.
Congratulations for being recognized for your awesomeness by Time for Wildfire – Whoot! Whoot!
Sending huge restful and healing thoughts to you and Gordon!
Please take care of you – The BDH loves you and can focus on being fluffy for as long as it takes.
PS. Mod R – hope your vacations in the supremely magnificent!
So my BFF and her husband came down with COVID too. we sent them chicken noodle soup and they called and thanked us politely.
then we sent them warm chocolate chip cookies from Tish’s Treats. The cookies really do arrive still warm and gooey.
My BFF called and gushed about how good they were!
Today I got a text that they both had tested negative. It’s was the cookies.
See. you were taking medicine. you should have tried the warm cookies!
7Up Ice cubes – they numb the throat & help keep you hydrated.
So sorry you’all aren’t well.
Congratulations on Wild Fire!
Oh, man, you do look exhausted and more than a trifle under the weather in that photo. I’m sorry it hit y’all so hard, but it’s good to hear you at least got a little sleep last night. Wishing you a fast(er) recovery!
PS. Forgot! Many congrats on the Time article. That’s so much fun and it’s still one of my favorite re-reads, too.
Sending warmest wishes your way! Hope you rest, relax, and recover soon!
I recently had COVID with a sore throat, too. My doctor prescribed me gargling with viscous lidocaine – it took the edge off the pain enough that I could fall asleep. I didn’t see it in the list of remedies, so perhaps it could be an option? Whatever magic solution (or a panacea) works for you, I hope it works soon!
Get Paxlovid! Although it is most effective when taken as soon as symptoms start. Sending e-hugs and heading to the pharmacy for a booster.
Congrats on the Time article. Sending you well wishes and get betters.
have gone through 3 covids. highly recommend aqua maris or us equivalent sea water based spray for the stuffy nose, when it comes. salvia/soda bicarbonate gargling are both disgusting but help. get well soon, hugs
I’m sorry to hear you’re so sick. hugs.
Hope you feel better soon. Congrats on Wildfire, I hope it’s clearly marked as third of a trilogy so everyone reads all 3 then 6 books. I have an irrational fear of sore throats and avoid them as much as I can.
Hope you both get better immediately.
Paxlovid is the new standard treatment. I just had this so I feel for you. Anyway the Paxlovid kicks the crap out of the covid. You just have to deal with a very nasty bitter taste in the back of your mouth that never goes away during the 5 day standard treatment.
If you can get some “magic mouthwash” (usually a prescribed mixture made for chemo patients), get it. I can’t remember if it was Covid, but something my husband had was bad enough that the urgent care doc got him a prescription for that. I used some after having a horrible sore throat after a surgery where I was intubated, and it helped so much.
Paxlovid is the new standard treatment. I just had this so I feel for you. Anyway the Paxlovid kicks the crap out of the covid. You just have to deal with a very nasty bitter taste in the back of your mouth that never goes away during the 5 day standard treatment.
Hope you both feel better soon!
I had what I called throat covid. Holy cow! It was so painful all I did was cry. Can’t remember how many days it stuck around – maybe five. Hang in there!
Take care of your health, first and foremost. Also, did anyone else forward that research paper on Neosporin in the nose twice a day to prevent flu and covid to be verified by a friendly research scientist? She said it made sense.
have you tried the Afrin nose spray? it’s OTC and a miracle worker. they say only use three days in a row or you can get “blowback”(extra stuffy instead of ability to breathe) but I’ve avoided that by spraying one nostril at a time or only using it at night before bed (so once every 24 hours instead of once every 12 hours for as many days as needed). It is Amazing to be able to sleep and breathe at the same time when sick. I really recommend it in serious situations. I first got it prescribed for a bad sinus infection+allergies inflammation it was a miracle.
Also I’m wondering if your sore throat is partly due to sinus drip which afrin would also help. I’m not a Dr, this is just my experience, but I didn’t see it on your list of *things I tried*.
Rest when you can. sending all the healing vibes your way and thank you for a blog update even though you’re swallowing glass!
Congratulations!
Feel better soon.
Congratulations on Time magazine recognising the amazingness of Ilona Andrews! No one does romance like you guys🌹
Also very sorry to hear of your COVID woes. Get well ASAP😷
Attempted a witty (to me anyway) post twice already but they didnt show so if this is multiples sorry bout that but wanted to say I got merch in the mail today so the store is going despite issues.
HA feel better, alls well.
Try a shot of Hot Damn Cinnamon Schnapps … burns like battery acid going down, but your throat immediately feels better
Try peppermint tea for the sore throat, is what worked best for me when I had covid.
cod liver oil also helps prevent chesty coughs too.
Never pleasant being sick, you have my sympathy
I was good. I took all the metal tasting meds. I felt human after a week…went back to work….and now have splitting headache and mucus all the mucus, and fever back. This sux. Commiserating with you guys in spirit.
I agree totally with Kid 2 💐Time Magazine and getting better soon.
Thank you for all your hard work on our behalf. Above and beyond doesn’t even cover it. (I REALLY wanted to say Horde work, but restrained myself. )
I’m so sad you have all gone through such a horrible time. I can only pray it heals faster and the pain goes away now.
Also, thank you for ModR, she is amazing.
Please take care!
PS Congratulations on the Time Magazine campaign!!!
Oh wow, that sounds really awful! I’m so glad to live in Finland where almost all houses and many apartments have saunas. It’s the best thing ever when sick to just heat it up and go lie there on the top bench and relax in the heat.
Hope you get better soon!
SALVIA TEA or Bonbons!!!
It kills the Virus. It does Not Taste good, but Scientists found out, that the Virus goes back.
Speedy recovery!
You totally have my sympathies. that strain hasn’t reached Oz, but I’m vaccinated to the eyeballs.
Are you able to get access to antivirals? It may bring the recovery time down.
Hope you’re better soon. rest up, the BDH can chalant when we must
Congrats on the TIME Magazine recognition! Sorry to hear that you’re sick and miserable. That sounds like a nasty Covid strain, and I hope you start feeling better soon! The broken glass sore throat was something that I experienced when I first got Covid, and yes even drinking water hurt. Thankfully it didn’t last that long so I hope yours goes away soon.
Hope you both feel better. For out of stock items…the BDH was so excited but we are also a patient bunch…
Squueeee!!! TIME magazine!! Your books are amazing and it is a well deserved recognition.
The BDH is happily awaiting on new readers to join us
Not sure if someone already mentioned this, but steroids. When I had strep and not even 800 mg of Motrin touched it, prednisone brought me relief. It was only a 3 day course and I felt human again. If you haven’t tried that yet and you don’t have any contraindications I would recommend that.
I hope you both feel better soon!
I don’t know if you have this but its the best, Vicks® VapoRub Easy Applicator
I had the broken glass sore throat where you couldn’t swallow and I wore ice packs as necks scarves (after trying most of the things you mentioned above) and then I used Vicks on my whole neck and I don’t know how/why but it worked
I could breathe and my throat wasn’t as sore, and in a couple of days all beter.
I now use it every time I even get a little tingle (I am not going through that again, I want to cry just thinking about it)
Do you have access to Paxlovid? Sounds like you would really benefit from it. It also reduces the chances of getting long COVID
I hope you both feel better soon. I will say a prayer to the higher powers.
Sorry to here about the covid. The fever with the chills is sadly part of its effsct and what is known as a psytokine storm where your immune system responds with everything it has to kill the virus. There is a similar response in some childrrn where they basjcally describe it as your body being on fire from the inside out and the response is so great that your muscles go into such a rapid spasm they refer to it as the rigors. I had a similar immune response when my body had a mild flu virus that settled in my lymphatic system. Lymphadenitis is not fun and it messed up my immune response to my last booster. Not good. A family friend is on the long covid research board here in BC. She says that rest is the biggest factor in dealing with recovering from this disease and that the odds get higher of having long covid the more times you are exposed. I have a nursing friend who has had it five times but she is young and has been fortunate. Gargling with warm salt wster may help with your throat. I hope you get better soon. Get plenty of rest. The BDH will just have to wait. Wishing you all a quick recovery
CONGRATS on the Time Mag, you are the best, obvs!!!
Merch:
Squee, merch order arrived in Germany today: 3 Shirts and a mug :-)))
The fabric is fine for “You’re evil enough” and BDH Shirt, slightly coarser for Dr. Loose Canon. I took an xl while being a German 40 to 42. L would have been enough and the shirts are quite long, end just upwards of my knees (I am 164 cm).
This said: SQUEE, I GOT MY SHIRTS!!! Thankyouthankyouthankyou
Get well soon
First, congratulations! You guys are so deserving of this honor. Hope you both feel better soon! Covid truly is horror come to life. There is prescription medication for it, but I think you have to take it within maybe the first 48 hours? Not much of a window to get help.
The Act Dry Mouth lozenges work best for me. I know you don’t have dry mouth, but if you are in that I’ll try anything stage, these are the ones I use when sore throat.
I just finished reading the first 2 Nevada/Connor books for like the fifth time. They are my go to stress relief. Congrats on the Time acknowledgment of your work. You guys are the best. Get well soon
That’s awful. I’ve had Covid 3 times. First time was bad. Second was worse and 3rd time wasn’t as awful. I definitely don’t want it again. Your stain sounds like a nightmare. I have asthma really bad when I get sick so I definitely don’t want it. I don’t go many places still because I don’t like to people lol. So…. maybe I’ll avoid it. Feel better soon!
I want to make soup for you SO badly right now, just based on your picture…. Bounce back well, we’re pulling for you and anyone else around who has it, too.
Congrats on making Time!! I’m so sorry you all are feeling so awful. Speedy healing wishes to you <3 <3
I love the new merch! Maybe future stores could model the BTS merch store -it's basically a pre-order format (although with delivery dates far into future-which isn't ideal). That way vendors can plan better?
If you cant get pavloxid, I have seen studies that metformin has been known to reduce long covid as well. Also the store is open and I just realized its because the date was written in european format or I just kept misreading it
I am an RN so I promise I’m not a random giving medical advice. Are you POSITIVE you don’t also have Strep? That happens sometimes because your immune system is under barrage.
I hope you feel better soon!!!
First off let me echo everyone above and say TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES ! Everything else can wait, I’d rather have HA healthy and then attacking the things to do pile (I refrain from using list since that implies an order and priority system beyond do it all right now).
Second Congratulations on the Times Best recognition. I am in the process of rereading the series and forgot how great it is.
Finally, Mod R, have a great vacation
Huge congrats on Time! I wonder why they picked book 3 instead of book 1? Regardless that’s huge and I hope HL finally gets alllll the love it deserves.
And you WILL get better! (Aggressive optimism is the new well wishes!)
I feel for you.
Get better soon.
Sending lots of hugs and love!!!
Have you tried Cepacol? It comes in lozenges and throat spray and is indelibly burned into my childhood memory as the vile tasting thing that you use when the pain in your throat is so bad you don’t care about flavor.
The active ingredients are Benzocaine and menthol.
I also suggest Golden Milk for immune boost and comfort. The wonderful thing to remember about many spices is that they are antiviral.
As a final note, you can fight covid with cinnamon buns. I make mine with an ordinary yeast dough, The cinnamon is applied in a paste of cinnamon, sugar, and either butter or oil.
Best of wishes on a speedy recovery.
Ask your provider for a viscous lidocaine gargle prescription. You can use it up to eight times a day and it will numb the back of your throat and will allow you to eat and get relief when needed.
Hope you are feeling much better. My sister got COVID again a couple weeks ago and she was sicker this time than the first time she had it couple years ago, but not to the degree you described having. Having your throat on fire is definitely not pleasant.
Yay for the book recognition! Read it and loved it (as I do all you’ve written). congratulations!
My husband and I are just getting over Covid For us it was sinuses. Like post nasal drip from hell. And the irritated cough that comes with that, and weariness but no cut glass sore throat thank God.
So sorry you are ill. Rest up and feel better
Get well soon! We can all wait a minute while you two recover!
Before antibiotics there was CHAMOMILE TEA. My husband and I have both dealt with throats so sore we couldn’t swallow and chamomile worked every time. My current fave is Twinings which I get with Walmart grocery delivery.
Sending you healing thoughts and energy. Thank you for sharing the warning.
So sorry you got Covid. Hoping quick recovery & congratulations on the Time list: well-deserved!
Congratulations on TIME! YAY!
Get better soon – BDH Hugs from southeast Louisiana
Maybe Whichever of Roman”s siblings is the healer person is jealous, possibly Roman should chat with them, mention his kind and generous deity then suggest they knock it off. Just a thought! healing thoughts your way, Candles Lit, and ZenHugs.
Nooooo, the broken-glass, dore throat. I had it 2 Covid infections ago. :-\
The ONLY thing that worked (and it DID work) was a fresh ginger/lemon slice infusion, with a cinnamon stick for sweetness and the MOST important component: 1 big tsp of cold-pressed coconut oil, stirred into the cup.
This freaking worked! Every swallow was AGONY, before this tea.
Best of luck.
I really hope you feel better soon. I thought, if you haven’t heard about it yet, that this might be up your alley. It turns out that Aug. 8th opens up the “Lion’s Gate Portal”. I’ve never heard about it before this morning and then I read your blog. Here’s hoping it can lend you some of it’s good energy for healing. Wishing you all the best! (Below is some of the results from a quick search I did for more information…)
“The Lion’s Gate Portal is a significant astrological event that occurs annually, peaking on August 8th. This phenomenon involves the alignment of the Sun in Leo, the star Sirius (the brightest star visible from Earth), Orion’s Belt, and the Earth12.
Here’s a bit more detail:
Astrological Significance: The portal opens when the Sun is in the sign of Leo, which is associated with strength, courage, and creativity. The alignment with Sirius is believed to bring a surge of spiritual energy and heightened consciousness1.
Numerology: The date 8/8 is considered powerful in numerology. The number 8 symbolizes infinity, balance, and cosmic order, making this day particularly potent for manifestation and spiritual growth2.
Historical Roots: The concept has roots in ancient Egyptian cosmology, where the heliacal rising of Sirius marked the flooding of the Nile and was a time of renewal and abundance1.
People often use this time for meditation, setting intentions, and focusing on personal growth and transformation.”
I hope you all feel better really soon and that you can avoid it for a while afterwards.
When I caught covid this time aro7nd it was really bad (in the UK) but they aren’t offering boosters to everyone here anymore. you might be eligible if medically vulnerable, but I can’t even pay for it as far as I’m aware.
I’m dreading getting it again (it’s doing the rounds and folk are either not testing, or just going on to work regardless and not masking up to reduce transmission of whatever they are ill with 😡).
just one question re the shop. can completely understand if you all decide that your don’t want to do it again, as its been a really big headache.
I was wondering if there might be a future middle ground that might be considered if suitable.
I’m guessing that others like me just love the artwork that you produce for the merch.
Would it be possible to produce a virtual product (being the artwork) which the BDH could buy for use in US printing it on t-shirts or other products in our home countries?
That way, it would only be the cost of the art work that hopefully could be covered by a fee that we could pay. no other returns, discontinued bits etc.
Then if we choose to go with a local T-Shirt place to get it printed and they mess up, we deal with them directly.
so it cuts all of those order admin bits out for you…
it’s possibly something that’s already been thought of and discounted for a particular reason. but just in case it hadn’t been, I thoght it might be worth suggesting if that could work.
First, I hope you both recover soon! Second, congratulations on making the list. As far as I’m concerned everything you wrote should be on it. Take care and edit away.
Haven’t read any of the comments, but just came to say that when I had Covid last year my throat was also on fire, but a 5 day course of Paxlovid had me back to normal quickly. I do think you have to start the drug pretty early in the illness in order to shut down viral replication, but wouldn’t hurt for next time, as unfortunately Covid is here to stay, forever.
Congratulations on Time! So sorry for you two!
Oh, my dears, COVID ick. Owie. If you are amenable to it I’ll send some Reiki “make it all stop hurting” energy your way. Not a Master at it, but I’ve found I can help things not hurt so bad no matter the cause. May you rest long and deep, rising fresh and whole from your sleep.
So sorry that you are experiencing this. Sending you healing thoughts!
I hope that you feel much better soon. This COVID is a bear( a grouchy brown one).
I hope you feel better soon. That version of COVID is an awful one. Congrats on making the Time magazine list, although they couldn’t get your names right in the description!
have you tried Cepacol ? is it something thst exist in the states ? I once had a really really bad stept, and that was the only thing that worked. It numbs the tongue as well, but it’s a realief. Hope it helos and hope you all get better soon.
https://cepacol.ca/?gclid=CjwKCAjw2dG1BhB4EiwA998cqMSzsUXKtPq-xhAaUSQNizsq2fFAYSpjYix_TtJMqDdiYRnZDBBAJxoCYEgQAvD_BwE
Sorry you’re feeling so crappy. My Russian teacher used to tell us how her grandmother used to make all her grandkids drink a glass of Russian Kijafa cherry wine whenever they got sick and they usually get better with a day. Cherry is a natural expectorant so it makes sense. (It’s no coincidence all cough syrups are cherry flavored.) Passing along the tip.
Praying for your swift and complete recovery. 💕🙏✝
Congratulations on The 50 best romance novel award. About your throat, my last COVID was same. My throat hurt and hurt and hurt. Nothing helped. I tried everything from farmaci. But then my aunt suggested ice cold water. Not just cold but more ice then water, and drink it with straw. It looked 3 big glasses, but in the evening I could finally swallow with out the pain. Hopefully you get well soon. I am sanding lot of energy (it may take a while, I live in the middle of Europe 🤗)
hope you are able to get enough sleep and rest!
when i had covid i was absolutely exhausted and wiped out. even simple things like lifting my arms to put my hair in a ponytail felt difficult.
i had swollen tonsils with covid. i went to the doctor to get tested for strep throat (because i’ve had strep SO many times) but negative for strep, and positive for covid. they gave me some prescription syrup i could gargle with that numbed my throat, but also numbed my mouth and tongue and anywhere else it touched.
ice cream helps sore throats. especially if you eat it lying down.
Toothache plant is extreme numbness – but only for a while. And my mom was big on whiskey – GOOD whiskey. Makes you sleep… just a couple of thoughts.
Hope you’re better soon
Congats on the TIME mention!
Feel better soon.
No paxlovid, huh? I hear it doesn’t always work. Maybe it’s good you both are riding it out.
Get well soon. The Time Magazine cover is AWESOME. Congratulations
Dear House Andrews,
One thing to consider is that you may have a bacterial throat infection as a secondary gift from the Covid virus. The virus sets up a favorable environment for infection and then bacteria invade. I would suggest seeing your doctor and getting it evaluated. A severe sore throat like this with a fever is suggestive of strep, especially when it hits “hard and fast”. Viral infections usually have more of a creeping onset and evolve over a day or two.
Cindy N.
(retired RN)
I had that covid variant. My throat hurt so much – I don’t remember anything like it. I went to urgent care – they did a strep test, negative. They did a covid test – positive. But, they prescribed Paxlovid since it was probably Day 1/2. That knocked it out of me in 3 days and by day 4 I tested negative. It has a horrible metallic taste but it was totally worth it!
Aw, I’m sorry you and Gordon are so sick! Hopefully, you both feel better soon 🤞
I am so sorry that you are hurting. Have you tried gargaling with vinegar and warm water? The vinegar is supposed to reset the PH in your throat to normal so it doesn’t hurt. You can add salt also. The salt is supposed to help theings heal.
Feel better soon
I’m so sorry you both are having to deal with COVID. My doctor told me at one point that for a sore throat – one like you are dealing with – to purchase children’s Benadryl, gargle with it and swallow it. It also helps numb your throat but not everything else. Also it will help you sleep.
If COVID is causing a post-nasal drip, this will help slow that down.
In addition, you need to take vitamin D and zinc. The vitamin D dose is weight dependent so for every 25 lbs, you need to take 100 UI of vitamin D. The zinc can be in any form (gluconate, picolinate etc.) I hope you both feel better.
Yay, the first half of my mug order arrived today in N. Ireland. That’s pretty quick, and more to look forward to 🥳
Call your Dr. and ask him for Lidocaine mouthwash. Yes, there is such a thing. You swish and swallow it and don’t drink anything for at least 10 min and it will numb your throat so you can hydrate and eat after for at least 30 min. (retired RN here). Home remedies that may help: honey and WHISKEY. the honey helps the whiskey down to numb the throat and help the pain. The honey also boosts immune system if you use locally produced honey. They whiskey, well, I don’t need to say more about the benefits of that helping you get *some* sleep? Bless you both and get well soon.
Have you doctor prescribe Paxlovid if you are still sick. It worked a miracle for me last time I got COVID (also vaccinated and boosted). The variant I got sounded similar to what you have minus the throat from hell. Mine was a headache so bad, I couldn’t tolerate any light.
I hope you feel better. It is probably too late now but the best thing for when you feel the slightest throat tickle is the original Listerine full strength. When you gargle try to get it as far back in the throat as possible. The alcohol in it will dry out the inflamed tissues and within hours your throat will feel better. A few seconds of OMG what did I do for fast relief.
I miss the days when doctors prescribed codeine cough syrup. Now, it’s only small slivers of crushed ice that seems to provide any relief. I hope you feel better. My wish for you is rest and healing.
I read the TIME list a few days ago and you are in some very august company, as you well deserve to be.
Every best wish for total recovery ASAP
so sorry about your throat. my colds have taken the pattern of starting with a severely sore throat and moving to my nose and head as congestion.
for the first part, I usually try hot orange juice or salabat (ginger tea). salabat comes in instant powdered form (usually full of sugar). or you can toss peeled ginger into boiling water and add lemon and sweetener to taste.
Hugs hugs hugs hugs hugs hugs!
Wish you and Gordon a fast recovery!
For the throat, I used ginger fresh ( high pain gradient) or caramelized with sugar or honey (less painful).
Love and healing. Sooo sorry about covid. Hoping to avoid but it is roaring. For future reference. Dissolve a bit of goldenseal powder in warm water and gargle. Frequently. It is like a miracle. Also an anti viral. Been doing this for 30 years. Because it works. Hugs
I am so sorry you both feel so bad. Glad the Theraflu helped. When you wrote warm salt water gargle didn’t help I was stumped. When you wrote lemon and honey didn’t work I was amazed! My deepest sympathy.
I have a friend who had a severe respiratory variant. Sick as could be with multiple negative Covid tests. Feeling better, risked a small short outing and her smell blinked out. Positive test for a couple of days then negative. Crazy 😩
Glad you’re feeling a little better.
I saw this days ago but didn’t know how to tell you. Congratulations!! Well deserved.
Hope you are feeling better!!
Agh, the Covid sore throat was AWFUL!! I also couldn’t get my fever below 101 even with Advil/tylenol combo for 48 hours. I wanted to sleep through it, but apparently the throat pain and shivers said-Nope! But three weeks after I recovered, my hair started falling out like I took chemo!! The Doctor said they’re calling it Covid Hair😡 But he said in 4-5 months it will start to grow back. I lost about 1/3 of my hair😒 Feel better soon!
Covid sucks. Hope you feel better.
But what is Time thinking with their Wildfire rec? Starting at Book 3? What a stupid thing to do. Nevada and Rogan are already a couple in it, not all that much romance just some twinges of jealousy. White Hot would be a better choice. It’s all about Nevada and Rogan becoming a couple.
I’m just getting over the exact same Covid. A humidifier running all night long as you sleep will help with the sore throat. It’s the only thing that helped me. Plus, of course, Tylenol flu meds – which I’m not allowed to take due to my BP meds, but the heck with that! My throat felt like razor blades were in it. Hope you feel better soon! And thank you for all your hard work, I love your books!
Congratulations on making the Time romance booklist! You are good at “stuff”!🎉
Covid sucks! Get better soon..and try not to overdo it while you’re fighting this virus off. 🤒❤️
I had something like this and here’s what helped my throat and my health: warm salt water gargles regularly- it gets the germs away from your throat and yes the spray you mentioned. Then take NyQuil but not the one with the fake Sudafed because you want real Sudafed. You need to dry up your sinuses so you’re not adding post nasal drip on top of other throat pain.
Warm wet washcloth compresses on your neck also help.
Also BUY AN ELECTRIC BLANKET!!!
It is amazing for the COVID fever chills and pain. One of my first rounds of COVID (I get vaccinated but I’m also just apparently extra prone to getting it), I turned my heat up to 80, and cuddled my dog under heavy blankets and still couldn’t get warm. The electric blanket really helps with the chills and the pain.
Do a Neti pot too if you can. As silly as it sounds, salt water gargles and nasal rinses help get the crap out of your body. Take Vitamin D and Zinc as well.
My COVID experiences have led to me getting reached out for studies and I’ve had this sadly often enough (despite vaccines, masking when appropriate, handwashing etc) that I have a whole routine.
Chamomile and other non-acidic teas can help once the initial pain dies down (the salt gargles and painful numbing throat sprays were the only things that helped). You want to avoid Rosehips or anything with too much vitamin C as it will hurt your throat.
Feel better soon!
Also Grether’s throat drops are sold for opera singers and the gelatin in them really helped my throat. They’re expensive for throat drops but totally helped my throat when I was in so much pain. Google Grether’s black current. Or red current. The currant flavors are my favorite but the elderflower worked too. I went through three boxes in a few days. I lost 7 lbs in one week with my throat being so bad. I could only manage bananas half the time.
Congratulations on the book status! One of my favourites! And sending healing energy to the Andrews household for quick recovery from covid.
dont know if you wille ver read this but for the sore throat : get a humidifyer (not sure i spell that right sorry english is my second language). Nowaday for some reason each time i catch a cold (covid or not) my throat get so sore i simply cannot sleep. Any citrus helps a tiny bit and chicken broth, also those cold syrup they coat your throat so it can alleviate a bit to help falls asleep.Hope you feel better soon!
I found the worst thing ahout (non-life-threatening) COVID is that it liiiingers. Get better soo, go rest, igjpre the Horde and our grumblimgs for a week. Anyone who does jo umderstand needs to get a life.
Sorry you are sick. It sounds like you have ulcerations in your throat. And serious congestion. As a nurse I recommend you see your md to look at your throat, and ask about getting prescriptions for tesslon pearls (cough suppressant), lidocaine/nystatin/benadryl throat wash (numbs, reduces inflammation, treats thrush, a fungal infection common to mouth ulcers. These are used for serious mouth and throat care.
Also, stay away from anything spicy, salty, or crunchy texture until your throat heals. No hot food. Eat soft, bland food until you feel better.
This won’t last forever, even though it may feel that way.
Thank you for using your illness to make a public service message about getting vaccinated. I wish everyone would keep up to date with their Covid shots, since it is on the rise now.
Hope you feel better!!!
For some reason your description of being stabbed in the throat from the inside reminded me of that scene in Nevada’s book where that ice mage killed that rich guy at the party. (All names are eluding me today) Don’t think I can go a week without thinking of that series.
Sounds exactly like the covid strain I got back in January. I live in Europe and we started early. And I’m sorry to say, but the cough will last about 5 months. At least mine did. Sucking lozenges non-stop did help a bit – I went through them like water. BUT I had to try many different brands until I found one that worked. It’s a French brand (Azeol), so probably not available in US, but it’s a herbal lozenge made of sage, elderberry, mint and zinc. Maybe you can find something similar. Good luck and best wishes!
So sorry to hear you are both suffering through COVID. Thanks for fighting through medicine and exhaustion to bring us your special brand of magic. We who are patiently waiting to read, salute you! 🙂
P.S. Your health comes before all else, but I truly hope you are well enough to attend Dragon Con in three weeks. Sending you virtual throat lozenges, extra-strength Tylenol, and vapor mist.
No Paxlovid from the doctor(s)?
Yikes! I’m inspired to schedule that booster right away!
Taking bets that an upcoming book will have some sort of throat ulcers as a torture