So we finished the “novella” project. It was supposed to be a 20K story. It is now 40K. I am not sure what reaction this will produce on the editorial end. Once we have more details, a cover, and a preorder link, I will let you know more.
We are pivoting back trying to take another stab at Ruby Fever. I still violently hate it, but we shook on it and the readers are waiting for it, so I need to stop being wishy washy on it and just make it happen.
Make it happen.
Hopefully I have more success than Osaka. If we make no reasonable progress in the next month or two, we will do something else.
I’m in this weird position where we have things happening, but none of them are at the stage where we can introduce them to you.
On the ordinary life side of things, we had hail the size of small apricots last night. It was so loud and scary, that our oldest cat, who hunts snakes for fun and is afraid of nothing, actually screamed in alarm.
Today is wet and grey and that’s how this whole spring has been. Bleah.
We’re both getting our second shots in early may hopefully. I have never been that excited about syringes, let me tell you. I’m slowly rebounding. I managed to work out sessions this week. We bought new appliances for the Kid 2’s house. We are in the process of trying to get it painted. I have a feeling that the people who owned it worked in construction and must’ve gotten remainder paint, because the entire house is painted light pastel pink. The walls, the baseboards, everything. We need to figure that out.
So tell me about your plans. Once the pandemic is controlled, where do you plan on going? What do you plan on doing?
We’re in tier 3 in Scotland now so are able to travel between local authority areas for non essential reasons so on Monday (a bank holiday here) we are all going going the beach!!!! Haven’t been to the beach since March last year and am so looking forward to it! We will have to wear 40 layers as it is baltic here but I don’t care! Sand! Sea air!! Seashells!!!!
We had put money down on a river cruise I. France for May 2020. So…. maybe 2023?
Of the three Baylor sisters, my favorite is far and away Arabella; but Catalina has developed into a wonderful Head of House. Her absolute determination to stay herself while learning everything she can from the nastiness that is her paternal grandmother has earned her a good deal of respect, as far as I’m concerned.
I’m even beginning to understand what she sees in Alessandro.
Please don’t give up on Ruby Fever. Rework the bits you personally don’t like, if you must – but it will be a truly fine book and I will pre-order as soon as you give us word that it will be available.
We are taking our RV to visit family and friends that we haven’t seen in over a year. We’re all vaccinated (the adults, I mean). It will be so good to see them! And to get out of the AZ heat!
I will be going to our local playhouses for Kinky Boots
and Evita, the movie theaters for Black Widow and anime Fathom events, anime club and RPG game night
I had always wanted to do international volunteer work. As an RN, I have been on several missions in the past and thought that was what I would get to do more often in retirement. Hadn’t planned on Covid. So far only been retired a few months and kept myself busy with this and that. I didn’t have a plan B, so am still holding on to that idea for awhile longer.
I also got my second shot recently and taking a chance to visit friend in Texas. I am excited to do something, everyone else thinks getting on an airplane and going some place should not be done.
I’m hoping to buy a house closer to my family. If COVID has taught me one thing, it’s how short time really is. I look forward to seeing family members I haven’t in years because ‘other things’ have been more important.
I agree with everyone who says they loved the world you built, and I can’t imagine the pressure you are under to produce not only a work that you love, but one that the masses will enjoy. So, in true Canadian style, I’m sending you all the good vibes I can. Because no matter what you put out there, it will be amazing simply because you put a piece of you in it.
Stay safe, and hug a dog. I hear they’re great at relieving stress. 🙂
Fighting for open science, no more editorials no more “oh we cannot produce this here cause the lab wants to sell it for thousand of dollars even tho the research was public funded and we make the prime matter for it”.
Angry argentinian scientific here.
I plan on taking short trips in the area. I’m in Pittsburgh, PA and have easy access to Ohio and West Virginia. I’m also about an hour and a half from Braddock’s Road a military rout during the Revolutionary War. That’s where Fort Necessity and Braddock’s grave are located. Pittsburgh is well known as the “Steel City” but we also have deep roots going back to the revolutionary period.
Thanks fir giving us this update! Good lyck with ruby fever. If you dont like it we will wait till you do ????
Besides re reading your books and a couple of other authors, I discovered HERD. It’s an elephant orphanage in South Africa. They rescued a badly injured babe, wrapped in a snare. Suddenly a large group is focused on Khanyisa an albino as they fight to save her. Thousands of texts worldwide bringing us together, hoping she survives and the HERD accepts her. It helped all of us to focus on her fight and it’s been since 1/20 and she flourishes. So I hope to go there. Not sure they allow visitors but, I hope.
Sorry to hear Ruby Fever is being unpleasant. Reading various authors blogs it sounds like you guys are not the only ones who have not been happy with what they were working on in the past year.
Best of luck with the painting. Years ago when my 70+ year old parents moved to Florida they spent the first week repainting the pink walls in their new house. My mother wrote to me that they kept having to remember that old people had lived there and so had to be charitable about their taste!
I’m looking forward to driving a whole hour to Quincy to get Dim Sum and go to a terrific Chinese grocery store there. Simple pleasures – but it will be a gentle way of easing myself back into civilization. I really want to go to a museum again. And maybe up to Maine.
I’m looking forward to getting a professional haircut for the first time in over a year! I am so sick of all the length, and I want to chop it off.
Florida!! Hopefully in June – to Sarasota, siesta key, turtle beach – for nine glorious days, in a condo that faces the beach, and in the back there is the bay for fishing – with my husband, 14 y/o son, 79 y/o mother in law and 76 y/o aunt in law- they have already bought new swimsuits!! I’ve already started packing…
I’m looking forward to being able to go to concerts again, charity trivia nights, having my friends over for dinner and game nights. I’m hoping for normalcy, although I do have to admit I wish I wouldn’t have to go back into the office. I really like working from home, I’m so much more productive without the constant interruptions at the office.
I’m really sorry that Ruby Fever is causing you so much stress. Your books have been my go-to comfort reads throughout this pandemic. In fact I just finished another reread of Hidden Legacy today. (Burn for Me was the first Ilona Andrews book I ever read, so this series holds a special place in my heart.) I’m willing to wait as long as necessary for you to be in the right headspace to continue working on it. Take care of you and yours, those are the most important things. I’ll be preordering anything you produce in the meantime, an Ilona Andrews book never disappoints.
I’m looking at experiencing Amtrak travel. I’ve been an Agatha Christie fan since jr high, so have been fascinated by idea of trains for a very long time. There is a train called Coastal Starlight between LA and Seattle which is supposed to be one of best scenic route in the west. Also, there is a route to experience the Grand Cayon.
Happy Trails ????????
PS
I am watching YouTube about the Amtrak travel before spending the money ???? Much gratitude for this part of today’s world.
Trains are the best. I want to take the trans Canada train someday.
Whatever you have to do to get the product you want is good with most of your readers, I’m sure! If you need more time away from Ruby Fever, please take it. This year has been so horrible in so many ways, but you gave me one of the few bright spots with the Blood Heir that came out of nowhere. Thank you SO much for that.
Excited to find out more about the novella!
As for my plans, I finally got my second shot two weeks ago Tuesday, so I can finally see my sister and nieces again! It’s been so hard not seeing family and friends, but I’m a singer and if I caught covid and wasn’t able to sing…I just can’t imagine. It’s literally my job, too, soooo that…would be bad.
Stay safe and put yourself before your readers! We’re behind you 100%.
Plans? I have discovered I enjoy staying home, so I’m not going anywhere except to my greenhouse in the backyard. What am I going to do? Retire, read your books, garden, paint kindness rocks, and learn how to use the pellet barbeque and the front end loader on the garden tractor. ????
I want to go shopping for new shoes. Not because I miss shoe shopping, but because I need new shoes and haven’t managed to buy a pair online that actually fits my weird feet.
What I do miss is visiting the local gardening center and just enjoy the plants and the flowers. As soon as the weather clears up, that’s where I want to go!
I want to go everywhere all at once. Seriously, I’m coming out of this thing with a bum knee, extra weight, and a little agoraphobia… I need to exercise more, but have done something to my knee which is taking forever to feel better… just when I really want to get out more. We put off a trip to Germany just before the pandemic, because I lost my job, so I’m hoping to travel as soon as we can safely. I hate to hear that you hate Ruby Fever. I love reading your books, not sure how everyone else feels, but I’ll read anything you decide to write. I can’t imagine there is much joy in writing a book you are just not ‘feeling’ so in my mind, I would rather you wrote something you took joy in, rather than slog through something because you felt you owed it to me and other fans… of course your publisher and your agreements there are another issue. Jut wanted to say that I am pretty sure I’d read anything you put out there because I like how you tell a tale!
Hubbie and I are fully vaccinated, and up to speed on immunity. I have commenced the release from durance vile and isolation. We have had a visit from our daughter and son in law after two long years. We hugged and kissed. Sons and furkids are coming in two days. More hugging and kissing,probably including the dogs. I’m making plans for public contact volunteer work.” Full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes.”
I’m taking a slow dipping my toes in the water approach. Am I the only person to come to the realization that interactions with groups of people are exhausting after a year of isolation with family?
I’d like to do take my family to a cabin on the lake to celebrate my sons graduating this year with limited guest(2). So proud of him graduating with with 2.5 years of college out of the way.
Here’s hoping team Andrews can find a clear headspace to finish Ruby Fever. Not going to lie, I’m really looking forward reading it after Ilona’s stamp of approval. I’m guessing the current Ruby Fever is kinda dark after a year of hellish isolation.
I need that novella. Instead of reading all your series yet again, I forced myself to read the series from my other favorite author. All of them.
You mentioned you violently hate RF. How does Gordon feel about it? You weren’t happy with Ryder, pulled it out of free read and then produce yet another great story. Check into a hotel, turn off your phones, utilize the spa, order room service – Escape for a couple days. Shut off ordinary, drink adult beverages and do whatever pops into your mind.
Relax and be thankful that you don’t live in an all pink house. Somehow the two of you do really good writing when you get away from reality and writing.
I’ll second and third comments on NM. Very high vat rate and lots of fun things. Our daughter is getting married in Washington State in early September! Should be great fun ????
Oooh. Can’t wait to see what new book you have completed!
We are vaccinated and have planned a trip to a Cancun all-inclusive resort for our 40th anniversary in July. Fingers crossed that it happens. This will be our first “just swim and relax”kind of vacation. We usually travel and walk 12-15 miles a day site-seeing!
I will visit sister in Oregon.
I love Kate Daniels books. And Hidden Legacy books!! Sorry you’re having trouble with the book. I have been waiting impatiently for Catalina’s last book since the second book came out. LOL. Then I will wait impatiently for Arabella’s trilogy. Love your books. Sorry the haters are giving you grief. I think you guys are great. Thanks for sharing your wonderful world’s with us.
I’m a Language Arts teacher, so my summer will be remodeling my living room while I don’t have work to grade. Taking it down to the studs and building it back in our 1871 home. Good luck with that pastel pink paint! I’ll be struggling with 100 year old wallpaper. I’m glad to hear you will be getting your shots. My 16-year-olds just get their first doses.
All the best, I really love the Hidden Legacy series, so hope it clicks into place for you, I’m currently focused on puppy training, she is 12 weeks old ???? I will try and post a pic
Hmm, almost afraid to think about pandemic days ending, until after they have. It’s strange to see the world so out of control, but I guess history tells us this is a periodic human experience. One thing, however, to read about ‘plagues’, another altogether to live through one.
Last year I had two little trips planned, a solo to Vancouver, with a play and a concert I was really looking forward to (and gosh, just the thought of sitting in the dark, so close to scads of strangers, is totally weird!), and a family week on the beach in Mexico. Both cancelled, but a friend and I did squeeze in a fall road trip to Banff & Jasper, so can’t complain. We came across a sweet deal on a little motorhome rental, and it seemed a reasonably safe way to travel. First time this recent senior had ever driven one and it was so fun!
I’ve also been having lots of fun dreaming of exotic trips and calling in travel books from the library to drool over. Portugal, Malta, Paris and a road trip to Alsace Lorraine to track down the great great great gparents.
(..been having some serious fun on Ancestry.com! Discovered two 3xg gfathers were on opposite sides of the Civil War, and one 2xg gpa appears to have been a serial bigamist. Every family’s got the loons!)
Oh, and Morocco is calling! Tangiers, of all places – why did I fix on that? I don’t know, but I reckon if I’m going to dream, I’ll dream big!
With any luck, the likeliest is the family Christmas in Houston we missed last year.
What a delightful & hopeful topic – thanks so much for suggesting it. I’ve really enjoyed reading all these replies: we’re all longing to see loved ones again.
Thank you for that 40k novella. Twice as fun. Hope we see the finished edited product this year.
Lots of home projects. New roof due to leaks. May have to pay extra for water damages. remodel for a 70’s master bathroom. New exterior paint for the house. Change colors in master bedroom. Remodel family room.
Instead of international travel to Bahamas for diving and week long service projects at National parks, spending on house and taking mini breaks closer to home.
The side effects from the 2nd Moderna shot were pretty rough! My whole rowing team finally can start getting back in the big boats we love that make rowing the ultimate team sport. Once the pandemic is controlled, we are going back to racing our regattas all around the country!
Thankfully I am fully vaccinated as of Friday – AstraZeneca, as expected the first shot was…not fun (rather like 36 h of a really really bad cold with fever and everything). The second shot was rather non-spectacular. Even my arm does not hurt (which it ALWAYS does). Maybe a third shot with Biontech will follow due to Corona-mutations. I dream of going to a steak house with my husband. I dream of garlic bread, cole slaw salad and Filet Mignon. And playdates for my twins. They are 2 years old in 2 weeks and they know other children mainly from TV…that can’t be healthy.
We are completely locked in Australia: no Covid, but no way out or in.
So as soon as our “covid curtain” is lifted, I am off to Europe for 3-4 months, or longer.
One thing I learned from this pandemic: never take your freedom for granted!
I’m getting my shot #2 next Sunday (yay!) and want to go to New Orleans for a few days this summer. And maybe a trip to Atlanta.
Travel to Salt Spring Island and hug my family!
We are looking to book 2022 holiday as decided this year to stay in England, but next year sun in Cayman fingers crossed.
On book news sitting here waiting to hear what next is to be released 🙂
Hi!
I hope this isn’t wildly out of place, but I was trying to figure out how to ask if you all do signed bookplates on request at all? I would love to be able to acquire a few for my books and wanted to ask.
Thank you
A month in Delaware in a VRBO so my 14 YO can finally get her 13th birthday present from last June, which was to spend a whole month with her cousins and family on my husband’s side. So excited! I’ll work every other week, take Vacations the off weeks and do something every weekend. My SIL isn’t working so will do fun things with the kids while I work. We live near my family so this is a great opportunity to spend time with his.
Funniest part of it is he doesn’t want to be away from home so long and is only joining us for two weeks. I’m letting him explain that to his mother, lol.
Replying to myself to add that I got my second vaccine 2 days ago, so excited to start life again soon!!! Not quite yet, but soon!
Headed down to Macon, Georgia for my niece’s wedding this summer. Wishing I could ride a ley line!
I usually travel internationally for work and I miss seeing the people we work with in person. It’s not the same on Zoom. My husband and I are both fully vaccinated and went out to dinner (as opposed to get carry out) for the first time in over a year and it felt DECADENT!!
Got my 2nd moderna last Friday now I’m looking forward to my nieces wedding in June! I’m excited to see whatever you put out there for us. I love it all!!
I really enjoy your blog. You always have interesting tidbits, funny life experiences and thought provoking ideas. For instance, I was completely blown away by the fact that amazon take money back from authors if people return their books!!! Gob smacked to say the least.
However, while I agree with the rest of your loyal fans in that your posts are funny, smart, entertaining and informative, it’s also the posts from your fans that also tickle my brain.
I love the responses almost as much as your posts, and I will be forever grateful to whoever posted about LettersLive. It’s in turn hilarious, beautiful, engaging, shocking and just fun.
Thank you for asking the question. Thank you for a forum to answer and explore. Thank you for listening (we know you do).
Interesting to read the most popular response was to hug our loved ones.
Virtual hugs for all the BDH and the lovely authors.
You know i had a busy weekend and rather than find something new i will reread your Hidden Legacy books or Inn Keeper wait I did that two months ago. Hidden Legacy it is. Ha.
Ok i was watching something unimpressive on tv and i keep thinking your books would make great tv shows. Seriously. Your take on a post apocalyptic world is unique and ive never considered a vamp they way you two have. your sci fi edge with the Inn keeper series is fantastic and your Hidden Legacy ‘s concept is very unique. All your characters are deep and very relatable. Sigh. Well hollywood would probably screw things up. Anyway Thank you for your art and dedication and giving us hours of enjoyable reading.
I can’t understand the Catalina haters – she’s one of my favorite characters! Well, maybe because I reread her books last:D
I love how you have shown her character development – first getting to know her as the little sister from Nevada’s perspective, then the first steps in Diamond Fire until she’s ready to take over!
So excited to see how her story continues – but obvs happy to wait for however long it takes, especially as I now have the mystery novella to look forward to!
I hate it when readers try to “drive” the story. If you want to write the story, go do it on fanfic.
It must just not be time for Ruby Fever. Personally, I can wait because the wait is worth it!
I work in child welfare so I’m fully vaccinated & it’s amazing.
I’m going to NYC (see my BFF), Denali Park Alaska (brother, his fam, & our parents), camping in Utah (Dad), & planning 2 cousin family reunion trips one in Door County, WI & the other in Colorado somewhere. I live near Denver.
In short, reconnecting with loved ones, lots of hugs, lots of laughter (I get help planning so it’s actually fun for me), and lots of time reveling in this beautiful world we live in.
We quarantined hard due my son’s asthma and mother-in-law’s health/age. It has been a hard year but made so much brighter by your books. There were so many days that I was transported to a more hopeful place by listening to your stories & was inspired to be more like Kate or Nevada.
Sending love & virtual hugs to you both and the family. It’ll all get done.
I know this is late, but since you posted the “Texas Castles” in a previous blog, I just had to share this listing with other readers. It popped up today in the San Antonio Real Estate Section. And NO, I am not a real estate agent and could only dream of ever owning a home like this. Made me laugh though, it seems so out of place in the Texas hill country. I thought your other readers might enjoy it.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/119-Private-Road-1820-Clifton-TX-76634/2072829497_zpid/
Oh wow. I love it so much! But which character, in any of the Ilona Andrews worlds, should live in it? It is so great!!! It needs a story.
Im gonna visit my sister in California in July..thats about it for my summer…on another note i love your kitty,he looks so regale!
I lost one of my sisters to pancreatic cancer in November after a two-year battle. Then one of my brothers-in-law was recently diagnosed with it. It brought home to me that time is not to be wasted, and that the most sensible decision is not necessarily the best decision. I turn 69 this year, and my hubby just turned 70. We’re both in reasonably good health and (finally!)have our COVID shots.
So I told my man we’re going to go ahead and buy that travel trailer we’ve been dithering about for the past three years. Used, but I found a late model TT that’s perfect for us. He can tour/hike national parks, and I can write in the wee hours without keeping him awake. What about it being more economical and more comfortable to use hotels? he asked. Sometimes it’s not about the money or being sensible. Sometimes it’s about the adventure.
I plan on waiting for the next Innkeeper lol