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.
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