ILONA ANDREWS

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author

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Signs of Life

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Dina: Welcome, everyone. Please help yourself to the tea and cookies.

Curran: Question – why are these cookies shaped like little beer barrels?

Dina: Our chef watched a documentary on St. Bernard dogs who rescue people from avalanches. Apparently there is an urban legend of them carrying small kegs of brandy to warm up people they dig out of the snow.

Rogan: Explains the bone shaped cookies and the paw prints as well.

Sean: Yeah, he got a theme and just kind of ran with it.

Nevada: Well, it’s not off far off the mark. They are snowed in.

Kate: Look, I know that you are losing your cool here, but just because they are working on something else doesn’t mean you are abandoned.

Curran: Magic Triumphs came out in 2018 and they came back to the series in 2022. Look at the Kinsmen Universe. They had to wait 10 years for the next in the series.

Catalina: To be fair, it’s a very episodic series. Separate protagonists for each book.

Alessandro: Exactly. And they switched publisher for the last one.

Sean: Curran’s point stands: they’ve been only working on this one for about a year.

Arabella: Two years, technically, on and off. It’s not the duration of absence. It’s the intensity. Let’s review: they normally have a side project going along with their main one. There is no side project. There is nothing on the blog. When do they take time from the blog?

Catalina: Never.

Arabella: Exactly. It’s their main marketing tool. They’re so on the ball with it that when they don’t post for a few days, people start emailing and asking if they are divorcing or some horrible emergency occurred. They’ve blogged through the surgery recovery, for goodness sake.

Kate: You are catastrophizing. You do that a lot.

Arabella: Please provide me with detailed examples of when I catastrophized something?

Nevada: You are doing it right now.

Arabella: I don’t think you’re understanding the severity of the situation. You, Kate, of all people, should be upset. They promised your next novella. They haven’t written it. They promised Hugh and Elara’s next book. They are not writing it either. All they do is edit that… whatever it is. Mod R said she has 6 versions of this book. 6. And why is it twice as long as anything they’ve written before?

Sean: Where is Hugh and Elara, by the way?

Curran: Something came up. Some dark druid something or other. They’ve got about a chapter in and so they are waiting to see if anything else gets written. Right now everything is bad and the herbs are dying.

Catalina: Wait, does this mean your panacea supply is in danger?

Kate: We stockpiled both on our side and the Pack’s but yeah, basically. You know how they are. If there is a chance to ratchet the stakes up a notch, they always go for it.

Dina: Yes, it’s never like if you don’t do this, it’s a minor setback. If they were writing a story about baking a pie, the world would be in danger of blowing up if the crust burned.

Kate: To be fair, people expect that from them.

Dina: I’m not disagreeing. It’s just tiring, that’s all.

Catalina: Some of that is due to the editorial feedback. Maggie started out as a slice of life adventure. First, their agent told them to make it more intense and now the editor has asked for even more tension. I have seen the editorial notes. Every time someone has a lighthearted moment, there is a note asking if it’s worth to add one more beat of earnest tension to it.

Arabella: I don’t care. This is beside the point.

Dina: What is the point?

Arabella: Why are they working on that mess when they could be writing something more important? Do they not understand what the people want?

Sean: What do they want?

Arabella: Me! They want me! My trilogy is a pile of money waiting to be scooped up!

Alessandro: Figuriamoci.

Nevada: Oh, here we go.

Arabella: This person they’re writing about doesn’t even have any magic powers. She doesn’t transform, she doesn’t fight with a sword, she is not good at any of the hero things. Who would want to read about her?

Kate: Respect the creativity of people who made you. They have never written a weak protagonist.

Curran: Some dangers aren’t obvious.

Rogan: Good things come to those who wait.

Arabella: I have waited enough! I…

Dina: Welcome to Gertrude Hunt. This is a private meeting, but I will be glad to show to a room.

Maggie: Thank you. But that won’t be necessary. I’m just here for Orro’s cookies.

Alessandro: Awkward.

Dina: Of course. Please help yourself.

Maggie: Is it okay if I take a few? Some for the kids and one for Reynald?

Dina: Please.

Maggie: Thank you.

Arabella: I just want to know one thing.

Maggie: What is it?

Arabella: What’s so special about you? What is your power?

Maggie: Oh. I’m a fan.

Catalina: I’m sorry.

Maggie: I am a fan. I read books over and over. I obsess over the details, like which region the armor came from, how far can a magic horse run in a day, and what are the medieval bras made out of. I know everything about all of you. I have read your books over and over. I know your motivations, your secrets, and your hidden thoughts. Those private doubts you kept to yourself during your woe-is-me moments? The unkind things you sometimes thought about your loved ones? I can quote them from memory.

Arabella: …

Maggie: Thank you for the cookies.

Dina: You are welcome to visit any time. …. Okay, she’s gone.

Sean: Well, that was eerily disturbing.

Alessandro: How did she even know how to get here… Oh.

Kate: I told you.

Rogan: Next time, we need to invite her.

Dina: Oh, don’t you worry. I’ll be sending an invitation with a platter of cookies.

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Comments

  4. Love it!

    The only thing it was missing was someone about Mod R 😉

    I can’t wait for any new books but actually feel sorry regarding how many people are so impatient.

    Illona Andrews provides so many mote extras and tidbits and it is clear they are working hard. They need to enjoy life too!

    • Maybe Maggie is Mod R in disguise? Have you ever seen them in the same room at the same time? 😆 🤣

  6. “You know how they are. If there is a chance to ratchet the stakes up a notch, they always go for it.”

    This cracked me up 😂 thanks for the laugh, and for how in one paragraph you turned Maggie into a force to be reckoned with!

    I’m sorry it’s all been so… much. I hope the muchness will abate and all will be well soon!

    • +1000

      we thank y’all for the care and the humor! So many lovely folks in one place… and the comeuppance – teehee!

  9. Thank you! Can’t wait to meet Maggie. Oh, and please keep the lighthearted moments. They are needed to balance out the tension and let the reader catch a breath. Editors don’t know everything. Trust your own judgement.

    • I cannot be the only person on the planet who likes my high adventure mixed with low comedy! There wouldn’t be so many books out there trying for that blend if I was.

      And the editors think the masters of the mix should add more drama? Has it not occurred to them that they will get more comedy as well? And every word will advance the plot at this point.

      • This. Don’t let the editors bully you. We need the slice of life & light hearted moments. They’re our favorite parts. A book of tension doesn’t help us escape from the reality version.

      • Yes! Exactly! Keep the levity! You always do such a good job of balancing the tension with the guffaws.

    • All the light hearted moments are where you quotes come from. Where would we be without ripper cushions.

      • Yes! The fun is what makes the books so great! And I would love to have ripper cushions on a cross stitch! Remember fart guns? Space chickens? The best memories are the fun ones.

    • It’s called comic relief. It’s what keeps me reading when RL gets too tense. I can always go to HA’s worlds for refuge *because of* the comic relief.

      And by the way, much appreciated today. For some reason.

    • Yes!!! I agree with all of these comments! Burn for you is one of my favorites because it is so intense AND so hilarious! Even my husband loved it and it’s not his usual style! So please don’t let the editors squash all your lighthearted moments. Y’all do them SO WELL! And you know what your people want!

    • I agree. This is one of the main reasons that the Andrews are my favorite authors. I enjoy the suspense, the actions mixed with humor. Day to day life is strife with worries – how to pay all the bills, hope for no car problems, etc.. A little laughter in reading books help a lot (with lots of weird looks from onlookers.)

      • Has anyone ever seen the two of you together, in the same place at the same time? Inquiring minds want to know.

      • Horde wrangling? Keeper of the edits? Writer of funny posts on the site? Keeping Ilona and Gordon from going off the deep end?

  12. To quote Liesl from “The Sound of Music” – “Wheeeeee!!” 💖

    Thank you for the “tea” and cookies at Gertrude Hunt!! 🫖😉

  16. WHO on this green earth thought it was a good idea to let Arabella and Kate into the same room?!?! 😀

  21. This is where Steve went wrong. He should have known to go to the Inn.

    Thanks! This was awesome. Love the meetings at the Inn!

      • I’m not sure any of those ladies would have a lot of patience for Steve. He would be lucky to get away with a blessed heart.

      • Wait…is that Steve near the apple orchard? ****Looks out at the trees**** No, it’s Arland on coffee.

    • Well, Shadowfax made it across 2 (?) countries in one night carrying Gandalf and a fool of a Took.

    • Depends on whether or not they have 7 league horseshoes. Or if they run like lightning or like thunder. But a magical reindeer is capable of circling the globe in a single night.

  26. Wahoo!! I’m a HUGE fan of transmigration trope novels especially when the hero/heroine is smart! This means that i am SOOOOO excited for Maggie. Transmigration + House Andrews skill. I will be p*ti*nt.. and not complain about any kind of wait! Mostly because unlike any other House Andrews worlds a transmigration story is a world i could potentially survive in. Well at least it would be if it’s a book i have read! 🙂

    Thank you House Andrews!

  29. I think these slices different worlds and characters, all meeting at the Inn—and any ensuing squabbles—are perhaps the funniest things House Andrews has ever written! I adore these! Fluffy Horde thanks you, Ilona and Gordon! Long live the slices!!! 💜💜💜

  31. Yay, the Gang all together, and of course it would be at Dina’s Inn!

    I heart Maggie even more after this snippet. Way to zing someone with friendliness!

    Gleefully wa*ting.

  32. My favorite part of that was Kate and Arabella:

    Arabella: “Who would read that?”

    Kate: “Bitch, I will politely remind you not to @$%# with my people.”

  33. Thank you so much! I needed I’ve been dealing with a sick niece for the last week and very little sleep. You are a blessing.

  36. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 excited for Maggie! hmm….more tension…almost sounds like the editors are getting these books in a good place for film adaptation…

  38. Thank you. Though GA is currently feeding my addiction though when we run out of that. Adding tension will not be a problem 😜💜😊

  40. That was so cute! I love that the characters sound eerily like the BDH hehehe. I promise, some of us can w*it with considerable p**ience. Nevertheless, thanks for this!

  42. Hmmm. I wonder if Maggie is an acronym of the Horde in disguise? Something Ilona and Gordon use to refer to us when we’re being particularly obnoxious, er, enthusiastic?

    More Again Gimme Gimme I’m Eager?
    More Again Go Go IA Everywhere?

  47. I’m dying here ☠️

    Arabella is just too much. I love her.

    Have a good week House Andrews. We got some rain in Texas!

  48. Squeee!!! But of course it’s Orro to the rescue, with cookies even Maggie can’t resist. Let’s all hope that HA doesn’t lose any essential editors during the editorial training gauntlet. The editors are lucky there is a buffer zone between them and the BDH… ok-ok, we’ll kind of behave ourselves. Thank you all HA!

  49. Love the tension between Kate and Arabella! “They have never written a weak protagonist”, indeed!

    In Kate’s world, knowledge is strength. She’s spent many years studying, and she goes to knowledgeable people for crucial information. We see her friends do this too. Christopher saves the day… by teaching them how to make panacea. And it’s Saiman’s business model.
    Maggie’s strength is right in line with this. Except maxed out!

  53. Team metal rose is worried about the fact that there was no mention of Julie/Aurelia, Derek or Atlanta.

    • Ten days late, BUT also very worried about Julie/Aurelia and Derek not getting a mention. I have always wanted something for Derek!

      Team Metal Rose!

      • Oh my god, Is today the 16th? Where have I been, I’m not ten days late, I’m 12 days…where does the time go?

  54. I love your sense of humor. And also. I got really excited at this, “And why is it twice as long as anything they’ve written before?”

    I love a good book I can enjoy for a while. Yay!

  56. Thank you for this post today. I really needed a good laugh after slogging through stuff at work.

    Meetings at the Inn are so funny and wonderful. 😀

    Mod R, I thought you would be the referee in this roundtable discussion instead of Dina. 😉

  58. Now I want cookies!

    Thanks for the snippet in the Inn! My fave! And with the whole cast of characters!

    Go Maggie!

  60. What a great surprise and welcome break from everything! Many thanks 🙂

    I hope this means that you’re feeling a bit less stressed. I have faith in you both and, even though I am a card-carrying member of the BDH, I am capable of waiting, and I fully realize and support that the priority is your well being 🫂

  62. This!!! You two rock!!!
    😂😂😂😂
    Poor baby Arabella. I feel for her – but looking forward to Ms. Maggie 😁😁

  63. How fun. So Maggie seems to fit right in with the BDH, although she does seem rather p*tient. Perhaps we could learn from her example. Lol. Looking forward to her book and now I need to find some cookies.

  64. “I have read your books over and over. I know your motivations, your secrets, and your hidden thoughts…I can quote them from memory.”

    Awesome, Maggie is an amalgam of the Book Devouring Horde. I’ve always wanted to help inspire a lead character in a novel.

    And kudos to her for keeping that crowd on their toes.

  65. Yes yes! We wants the precious Arabella!! Maggie too…and Kate! All of the books! lol!
    I love Arabella and can’t wait for her story! Please have her and Mihail be end game!!

  66. Thank you for the tea party! It was a success since no one had to be restrained by the Inn. I guess the Kinsman and the Edgers couldn’t get away 😉 (and Her Grace probably thought it was too plebeian).

  67. I love them all, but I would probably give an extra hug to Arabella if she were real. It’s hard being the one that’s feeling all the feelings. And it doesn’t matter what comes next, I know I will enjoy it.

  70. Thank you all – it was great to meet you all in the Inn! Maggie, if you read this – we should have a chat about the speed of magic horses. I know from some trustworthy sources that the not-horse Cuddles will manage 22 miles in roughly 3 hours. I do not have it from a book but some slightly less reliable source that horses will walk between 3 and 5 miles an hour – so Cuddles is way faster. I was wondering about canter but was told that most horses would do max 20 min of canter while mules might be a bit stronger. So we have some room for imagination here.

    • IIRC Cuddles is gaited, due to some Tennessee Walker in there somewhere. I don’t know the normal speeds of the different TW gaits, but a horse with the normal three gaits of walk/trot/canter trots anywhere from 6-12mph. Non-gaited endurance horses spend a lot of time trotting. My guess is that Cuddles has a gait available that’s faster than a walk, and fits somewhere in the trot speed range.

      • I’m pretty sure Cuddles is not a mule. She is a mammoth donkey. Those are a real thing. The record largest is 17 hands tall I think. I don’t know if any donkeys are gaited. I can just imagine Cuddles doing a rack or a running walk like a Tennessee walker though.I once knew a pony that could rack. Cute little thing.Ht was half the size of my 14 and a half hand racking horse. They looked funny racking together as the little guy tried to keep up.

        • You’re right; not sure why I thought she was part TW. In any case, for the distance she’s traveling, some gait between walk and canter is indicated.

          My 12.1h lesson pony is a Welsh/Standardbred cross, and she will pace rather than trotting if the kids don’t push her enough. They like the pace though because it’s smoother than her trot, which is big for her size, so it’s all good. She has taught many, many kids to ride; they work their way up to trot eventually.

  75. LMAO! Maggie just gave some of the scariest people in ANY world pause– I think she’s ready to kick butt!

  76. I love reading your words so much! Thanks for the fun today. With all this election stress, I totally needed the laughter!!

  79. that was good fun, thank you. i loved the bantering between all my favorite characters.

    and especially enjoyed the light-hearted and fun read, when all this election stuff is so depressing and frustrating.

  82. I have missed the posts but know you guys are in the middle of being overwhelmed. And Mod R has been filling in. I hope you are over the mountain or out of the hole or done with whatever analogy works. Peace and love.

  84. A much needed laugh, thank you for a lovely surprise visit to the Inn. Somehow I imagine you sitting at the table and acting out the conversation like a fight scene 🙂
    Good luck digging out of the editing snow and aI hope you find the balance between your ideas and the Editors comments.
    I need to speak to Maggie though, see if I can get her to share the location of Gertrude Hunt……

  85. Thank you for the levity, I love Maggie, stay strong. Put in as much tension as you feel necessary.

  91. All of this gave was one though………

    Curran vs Arabella transformed.

    I will hibernate until I’m summoned with a new thing

  92. As someone who is currently re-reading Kate rn because I had a thought of “I miss my friends” (weird? Here? I think not); I appreciate this blog post.

    Creativity is hard, and y’all are the Olympic champions of creativity. Thank you for sharing your gift in whatever manner you deem fit!

  96. Thank you for the visit with family.
    Too much tension makes for an exhausting read. It also prevents getting to know different aspects of the characters. HA is fabulous at making real actors. Listen to your editors, but follow your heart.

  98. Plus 2 on ModR/Maggie. ModR is hanging upside down, maybe in a closet? Maggie is naked in a jail cell.

  107. Omgosh, was that…MAGGIE!! **Squeeee** I absofantastically love the cast of characters HA creates. But, alas, the wa*ting is killing me…

  109. This was hilarious and I loved every second! Maggie establishing her power as a fan was epic.

  110. Thank you for taking time out from the editing to give us such a wonderful gift…this was so much fun! HA always gives us so many wonderful worlds and stories, and now Maggie…I can’t wa*t to read her adventures (but I will, and I’ll even try to be pat*ent!) I already feel like I know Maggie, and she is one of us!!! 🥰💕💕

    Also, side note to Mod R: I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had time to comment much, but I especially wanted to thank you for your posts while editing has been going on. So much fun to read! I enjoyed all of them, and they only show once more that you are very talented and so good to the BDH! 🥰💕💕

    The BDH is indeed a fluffy and very blessed horde! 🥰💕💕💕

  116. Thanks so much for this. Thanks to the BDH for the comments too. Great fun! Time to reread some of my favorite IA books while I w*#t for Maggie stc.

  119. omg love that so much, all those characters are in my heart <3 ❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 ❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 ❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 ❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 ❤️ 🧡 💛

  122. Thank you 😊 but now I’m kinda worried about the edits they are asking of you. Heartwarming or light-hearted moments are sometime needed to breath in a book🤔
    I hope you stay in good health, and that the change to concierge medecine is still efficient. I’ve looked up things on the American Health insurance system, and for me it’s the mafia. They take protection money from you, but don’t give anything back when you need it 🥲 and they are taking medical decisions for you without having a medical license..

  123. Do not stress, House Andrews. I am sure the BDH can survive on cookie crumbs a bit longer 🙂 thanks for this sign of life <3

  125. Yes, the people absolutely DO want the Arabella trilogy. Big pile of money. Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I have faith it will happen one day. Perhaps not soon. But one day.

  126. If anyone is getting stressed about why all the Maggie work, I was a beta reader for it and I am 100% convinced that it will be the book that takes ia to an super big audience.

    All the comments about how they are changing it are awesome, I struggled to understand what changes were needed and with every time it’s ohhhh yeszzz that’s it. I can only think it must be a pretty damn big masterpiece by now as it was damn good before.

    • That means more potential Horde members! New members are always welcome. 🙂

      Keep up the great work of being a beta reader. Speaking as a member of the Horde, all your work is greatly appreciated.

  127. Absolutely hilarious!! But, I really want Arabella’s trilogy and the next Innkeeper badly. Maggie…… We’ll see

    • No, it is entirely independent, with no links to any of the previous universes. This was just for fun 🙂

  129. Haha! Brilliant, this is gold 👌🏼
    I feel the same as everyone else, those lighthearted moments and interactions in-between the tension, intensity and action elevate the story, providing balance, making it all the complete package. I adore your writing ♥️🙏🏽 and cookies 😁

  130. Love it, always up for a new character (watching for preorder link).
    AI, please do not take the requests, grumblings and outright begging from the BDH as anything more than an immense show of love and devotion. AI and BDH seem to have a very deep co-dependent relationship. We outright love you; your are our favorite “recreational drug” of choice, so we are always ready, waiting and wanting our next fix. So when there is nothing new forthcoming fast enough, we start having withdrawal pains. A select few of us are more advanced in years than you (Arabella attitude), and we don’t want to miss any of your literary gift offerings. Patience is a virtue and…a massive PAIN in the lower posterior seat cushion. (Plus I don’t think my kindle will make it to the great beyond. (weeping sounds))

  132. Thank you for this, it made my morning! Hang in there, HA-this too shall pass. As others have said, it may pass like a kidney stone, but what a relief after 🙂 We can do the wait thing. I’m re-reading to get my fan status closer to Maggie’s!

  133. After the edits are completed I cannot wait for House IA to begin the weekly chapters again.

    But I have a strong theory stuck in my noggin………. the inn’s new door into Arland’s world is like a batman signal in the sky, because Dina will need Maud’s new superpower to help defeat the corrupt innkeeper, and Maud and Dina’s coalition of superfriends who owe her a favor to find their parents.

  137. I’m with Arabella on this one! WE DO WANT ARABELLA! Please please please please, for the love all cookies and apple cakes in the world, you must give us Arabella at some point. I’m willing to wait years, YEARS, with the promise that it will come.

  138. Arabella: Me! They want me! My trilogy is a pile of money waiting to be scooped up!

    Yes, yes we do want Arabella.

  139. Thank you for lightening up this day. I loved the banter. Thank you also for letting Maggie stop by.

      • Mentioning voting is not political discussion or debate in favour of a po political candidate or cause 🙂. Your comment is fine!

  144. OMG. That was the best!!! Has House Andrew ever thought about writing a novel or novella combining their characters. This was so much fun to read. They made me laugh. Totally entertaining!
    Thank you 😊

  145. I love how the multiverse links through the inn, while breaking the fourth wall! It’s the best!

  147. I loved this. All of my favorite people together. You guys are the best. Lifelong fan.

    Was just thinking about what to reread.

  148. I love the Innkeeper books and have introduced the audio versions to my husband who always puts them on every time we’re in the car. Thanks!

  149. Loved this, and I can’t wait for Maggie. She’s gonna be worth holding up some other books- idc! Sorry Arabella!

  152. Gertrude Hunt and her unexpected guests! I’d love to stop by for some of Orro’s cookies! 😉

    Thank you for tea and cookies with everyone…well most of them! I’m looking forward to Maggie…whenever it’s ready. 🤗

  153. Arabella is not wrong, I’m just saying – people are waiting for her trilogy and it will sell well

  157. Cute messaging. But how about ALOT more stories about Maud and Arland and Dina and Sean. Pretty please- I beg you! What happened when the brother appeared at House Krahr? And what about Karat? Will she be the love interest for Maud’s brother? You could write 60 stories about that universe which would more than cover me until my dementia kicked in.

  159. That was fun! I love how Kate and Nevada stood up to Arabella! Of course this just wet our collective appetites for more. More of anything. Take care of yourselves! 💕

  161. thank you, it is so very good to see the whole gang together, but … I also would like a barrel-shaped cookie please … have you considered going into the mail order bakery business? you know, on the side, in your free time heh heh heh?

    🙂

    p.s. take your time, stay healthy, have some fun, I am okay with waiting

  162. If Orro is interested, I have a St Bernard shaped cookie cutter. I use it when I make treats for my Saints. I really, really wouldn’t mind if Orro borrowed it to make his cookies and then returned it with a tray of said cookies!!!!

  163. Oh please make this a recurring feature! It’s brilliant and fun for all those little questions and anxieties and sneaky hints.

  174. This was fun. Loved the party. Love the books. Given my efforts at writing “papers” I have nothing but sympathy for House Andrews. Good for Maggie. Frankly, I think I’d be tempted to give Arabella a good kick on the shins from time to time.

  178. So nice to read that everyone is still alive. I crave for a new book. I have been rereading all the books in anticipation of something new. Give

  183. Truly delightful! Thank you for sharing your amazing talent with us to bring a bit of sunshine to the Horde.

    May it have been as enjoyable to write as it was to read!

    Sending peace, love and safety to all!

  184. As if more proof were needed of the nerd shall inherit the earth… Maggie says “hold my beer” to Kate and owns arvo tea. Gold.

    Keep calm and read a physical book on, fellow word nerd herd! See you in a week!

  187. Thank you HA! I love everyone, but there is a special place in my heart for Arabella. Can’t wait to read her story. No pressure….

  190. Ah nooo. I really hope we don’t lose all the lighthearted moments from Maggie. I am addicted to reading isekai and would definitely read it anyway, but all tension all the time fuels my anxiety lol.

  192. Hi, I love all your writing, but please is there going to be another Julie and Derek story? I felt it ended on a “bit ” of a cliffhanger and Bloodheir was soooo good…. pretty please 🙏

    • HA= House Andrews, one of the names the fans use for the authors, Ilona and Gordon 🙂.

      RL= I can’t see that in the article, so unsure what the context is. If I had to guess it’s Real Life, as in irl (in real life) vs online. If you let me know where you’ve seen it, I can give more insight!

  195. I saved this until today! Thank you for the treat of seeing all the characters interact. Was just hoping Rose would show up too! He he.

  196. Looove this!

    Also – please know that most of BDH DOES know that the blog is a gift y’all do in your meager spare (what spare?!) time. The idea that people message to ask if y’all are divorcing or going through something traumatic is ridiculous (and can we talk about overstepping some boundaries?!) We know how busy y’all are! You keep us in the loop – so it’s not a secret 🤷‍♀️

    even if people message out of love .. still. We can do better, BDH! Laying on the stress will not make published works appear sooner.

    I’m saying this to say – keep up the good work HA! We’re not going anywhere.

    • This is why we have a fluffy branch of the Horde. It’s for those of us who can wait and be patient (yes – I did the two swear words of the BDH) for books and posts to come to us.

      I am part of that branch. I thought is when we get it, we get it. 😀

  197. This is glorious! What a fantastic way to give an update on all your series and leave a hook for the new work. Which of course, we will buy.
    Stay safe and well. Thank you

  198. Oh! I’m with the ‘we need the slice of life sections’ group. Some of the best parts of the Orro story were in the slice of life materiel in the Sweep with Me book. And the absolute funniest.

  199. Cookies…..COOKIES!
    Apple cider cookies, lemon melting moments, soft molasses ginger cookies, oatmeal with cashews & apricots- maybe cranberries!
    This is an obvious plot to distract the Horde from its insistence on new material.
    Clever, but is it clever enough?

  200. please don’t make your new book too suspenseful. I know this is for new readers/fans, but part of my enjoyment of your books is because they are Not too suspenseful. If it goes too far I may not be able to read it. Just saying…

  202. This Blog is my House at the End of the World (See David and Leigh Eddings, The Redemption of Althaus) It has hallways to every when and every where. It’s nice to escape to, especially when inundated by political ads.

  203. I also want to vote for light-hearted moments. It is part of my attraction to your stories. I expect to have cosy moments peppered into the adventure. It should make me feel like small tea breaks in a sunbeam with a cat to scritch.
    Also need my dopamine hit of a new story…….feed me!
    Oh and Mod R should host virtual parties for the Horde.

  204. You guys are utterly brilliant.

    I’m currently enjoying Dragon Age Veilguard at the moment, which is also brilliant if you love RPG’s. I hope you get some downtime to try it when you have time.

    Take your time with the book. We can wait. No pressure – ok that’s a lie, minimal pressure then. <3 😀

  205. This was an unexpected delight – a quick check in with a great group of old friends around tea and cookies! Even the uninvited newbie was a delight. Thank you for being awesome.

  206. That was like an early start to the holidays. A lovely little gift to unwrap. Thank you so much!

  207. Awesome! Your characters are hilarious (although we would devour Arabella books… she IS the cool aunt, after all). Thank you 🤩

  208. Love Maggie!
    Thank you!
    So much fun to read!
    Makes me want to reread everything you two have written!

  210. Who are these editors? I have spent the last few weeks re-reading the House Andrews collection, including free fiction and blog posts because of the stress of the election. We all need some light hearted comments and silliness.

    Also to the editors: Helloooo Shakespeare? There are always comic characters in the tragedies because no one can stay that wound up for an entire play/book.All good writers know this. Even the bad guys have great lines.

    The campaigning and election have served me a decade’s worth of stress and worry. Here is where I turn for ‘real people’ doing their best, including redemption stories.

    Also: yes on Arabella, and her attitude and outfits… all the things I would love to be and say, as I get into my car muttering “What I should have said…” And yes, Leon.

    I am already dreaming of Next Gen meeting at the Inn, Julie & Derek, Conlan, Helen, etc. and thinking of Hugh & Elara babies…

  211. Y’all are too good to us. This is great! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to blog for us ( no sarcasm intended)

  214. Sorry, I am very much behind…life of a preschool teacher and husband entrepreneur/musician.
    Anyway…that was freaking awesome!!!!!!!
    Ok, breaks over…

  215. This made me laugh. Thank you!

    I also wanted to send a little thank you to House Andrews for their care with their stories. And also acknowledge and appreciate the recent Pierce family detail updates to Burn for Me. Am I rereading these various series for the umpteenth time? Yep! I feel a bit like Maggie here. I know too much!

  216. Hilariously I just re-read Nevada & Catalina’s stories and wandered over to see if there was an update for Arabella’s series. 🙂 Thank your for this heartwarming reunion. Hope you’re all doing well.

  217. Thank you. I am a little behind on my emails and after a week of being ill, this was a perfect pick me up!

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