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Vellum Updates and a Bribe Giveaway

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We will start with a brief vellum update and then switch to the giveaway. I am bribing you.

Some people saw me testing things on Facebook this morning, and I wanted to explain it before any misunderstandings occured.

It’s our first time printing vellum so we made some decisions that slightly complicated our life.

Our original vellum, the one that is advertised in image below is printed on 40lb vellum. It’s thicker, the colors are brighter, and it is exactly 6×9 so it fits into US hardcover.

It fits in the book, but it is thicker and it is a bit of struggle to make it stay. It should have been printed slightly smaller.

We have now tried 5 different printers. At some point, I invited Grace Draven to the house to get unbiased opinions.

First, we dropped the white border and settled on the size that would fit both UK and US hardcovers.

Next we found a thinner vellum at 28 lbs that still shows the beautiful colors but is much thinner and lays better in the book.

We have one more batch coming to us before finalizing the no-border vellum. After that, the no-border vellum will be available as a separate product. We don’t want to throw it out there before we have pictures to show you.

We would like to give you options at the fulfillment.

  • You can choose to stay with the original vellum with white border. We printed a ton of it and we have it in stock.
  • You can switch to the no-white-border version at no additional charge. It is a one for one swap.
  • And those of you who would like to get both, border and no-border, will be able to grab a set of no-border vellum at a discount. We will just stuff it into the same envelope, saving you on shipping. The add-on pack will be available only with a regular order.

Once we have finalized this second variant, we will send you an email through the store explaining how to choose your options. If you run into trouble, please email us and we will sort it.

A little warning about the fulfillment: we expect it to take several weeks. We have in excess of 2,000 orders. Kid 2 is stuffing maps into the envelopes as we speak. We even put Rito to work.

We appreciate your patience.

We will start shipping after 07/08, and if you get worried, email me through the store and I will be able to tell you your place in line.

Also I now know way too much about vellum.

Giveaway Bribe

We have received beautiful collected editions of Innkeeper Chronicles Volume 1 from Subterranean Press. It is a gorgeous book, and we are very grateful to Subterranean for reissuing it.

(And also an unexpected gift of the wonderful Sencha Tea! A giant bag of it. Dear Geralyn, thank you so much! It is appreciated beyond all reason.)

This collector edition contains Clean Sweep, Sweep in Peace, and One Fell Sweep. Clean Sweep is currently available free in our store.

This is your chance to grab one of these copies. The giveaway will run until 07/09 and the winner will be chosen on 07/10.

  • US only – unfortunately, it is a massive book, and shipping it internationally will be a nightmare. House Andrews will host other international giveaways soon.
  • To enter, please let us know in the blog comments who is your favorite character from the Innkeeper Chronicles.

PS Mod R:

Ilona wrote this post, but I am changing author to myself so she doesn’t get the thousands of comments alerts – House Andrews are on the last scenes of Maggie 2 and they need full focus!

Please read the instructions before making your comment, I have had to void so many entries in the previous giveaway.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. There are so many great characters in Innkeeper that it is hard to choose. If forced to make a selection, it would be Dina.

    Thank you for the chance to win the collection. I love every one of your books.

  2. After much deliberation for today I will declare my favorite character to be Orro*.

    *subject to change

    • hahaha, this is a great description of my thought process trying to come up with a favorite 😍

  4. As much as I absolutely love reading Dina & Sean’s adventures – my favorite so far is reading Maud’s arc. I am here for how she responds to situations and her growth as a character!

  5. Orro! I love his love for food and ability to replicate anything (except fast food)

  6. Arland is 100% my favorite character in the Innkeeper series. He’s the perfect man and I fully claim him. 😀

  9. It’s so hard to choose! But I think my favorite character is Orro. You gotta love a giant hedgehog chef who is also a drama llama.
    And yes, I’m in the US.

  11. My favorite character from the Innkeeper series is Gertrude Hunt. I wish I could stay there for a nice, long vacation.

  13. Oh goodness, definitely Maud (and Helen). I understand what its like to do anything for your child, to keep them safe. Thank you House Andrews for writing relatable characters and sticking them in a deep sea of fantasy and sci-fi for us to enjoy!

  14. I love all the characters, but maybe Sean just a little bit more? Very fond of Maude and Arland as a couple as well, much more than I liked them as individuals.

  15. Ohhh the vellum look amazimg!!

    I think Orro is amazing! Hilarious cook and loves mangos like me!

  16. Who is my favorite character? I think, probably, Gertrude Hunt–Can a building be a character? The inn is always there, caring for tenants and guests alike. Seeing to their every need. Making everyone safe and happy. (And self-cleaning! Heh) Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live there???

  17. My favorite character? SO hard to choose, but today I’m going with Maud. Her book is my favorite.

  18. My favorite character is Gertrude Hunt. An inn who feels and loves and is magic? Perfection!

  19. Favorite character from the Innkeeper Chronicles has to be Orro, since we share a similar obsession with mango.

  20. The whole cast of characters is wonderful but Orro has a special place in my heart. He just wants to make good food. 😭

  22. My favorite character is Gertrude Hunt! She was written with such personality and all in all has been in almost every scene of the books!

  23. Orro is my favorite character! His food sounds divine! I know he can be a bit sensitive and dramatic. That’s ok, I can relate, lol.

  26. Helen (and Maud and Arland)
    The graphic audio version are my go to re-listen I LOVE them

  27. Mod R, please do not count my post as an entry since I’m about to get my copy from Subterranean Press in the mail.

    I have so many favorites of the Inn. However my favorite of favorites is Arland. The scene in the orchard after coffee. The “throwing myself on the World Killer” to keep everyone from dying scene. The snark between Sean and Arland. Maud and Helen’s rescue from Karhari. The patience of a saint (somewhat) with wearing Maud down to get her to marry him. Standing up to his mom. 😁

  28. Maud and Helen, no Helen without Maud. Maud is my favorite, she’s tough and tender with a lively intellect of politics and she’s a kick ass mom!!
    Rippercushions is my favorite line!!!

  29. Dina is the soul and heart of the Innkeeper series, and is our guide and touchstone as readers. She is my favorite, and I’d love it if she was my “cup of sugar borrowing” friend and neighbor.

  31. My favorite character is either Maude or Helen. Or Cookie. Or Orro. I can’t decide.

  33. To make sure that Mod R doesn’t have to void my entry, I will name a name (Dina). But it’s a difficult choice; I adore Maud, too!

  35. Not entering, just commenting. At first I thought all the dates were oddly far off and then realised, duh, I’m an idiot, it’s because it’s US style, month first then day, because otherwise that’s a really long running competition! (UK does day first then month).

  37. Nuan Cee is one of my favorite characters, and to see the Lee’s referenced in The Inheritance made me clap and laugh out loud!

  38. My favorite is really Maud. I just can’t get over how she is with Helen.

  40. Sean.

    Dangerous, but sets that aside for the woman he loves, until that dangerousness is needed.

  41. Ack! I just finished a re-listen-through of the Innkeeper series too! I think…actually Lady Wexyn.

    Honorable mentions to Gaston and Nuan Cookie.

  44. I am still extraordinarily proud to have been the one to introduce you to the Sencha tea in Minneapolis. And so happy that other Horde friends are helping you stay in stock!! Thanks for all you do.

    My favorite character is probably Caldenia. Her scheming knows no bounds!

  47. My favourite character is Maud. I’m always so impressed with her dedication and fierce nature protecting Helen.

  48. I love Orro! He’s so eager to please and him becoming obsessed with what is basically Gordon Ramsay is so funny.

  49. My favorite character is Orro!

    Thank you for the updates and the special giveaway.😄

  51. My favorite character seems to change daily, but today it is Maud!
    She’s so strong and smart.

  52. Maud is my favorite character in the Innkeeper Chronicles. It’s just something about how she’s overcome all that life has thrown at her.

    Thanks for all your stories—I love everything you’ve written!

  54. Maud is my favorite character. But there are so many others who are pretty close up there.

  56. Olasard, Because I suspect he will be the key solving the how to stopping Sebastien North. Plus who doesn’t like a kitty who can move thru walls?!

    But Orro and his dramatics is a close second. 😉

    • I agree! Olasard is my furry favorite character and a potential hero. (I’m nearly obsessed with Maine Coon cats after having owned one.) That said, my choice may change on another day.

      Thanks for the giveaway and HA’s amazing writing.

      Writing from Michigan, USA.

  57. Just one, sigh. I’ll give my shout out to First Scholar Thek (sp? I mostly listen). Such an absurd, unlikely super hero and yet he illustrates the value of developing one’s intellect.

  58. This is the first HA book I ever read. I love Dina. In the reviews on amazon, everyone kept comparing Dina and Kate. I thought I couldn’t love anyone more than Dina, but I decided to give Kate a chance. Completely devoted to HA now. Buy everything sight unseen. Thank you.

  59. This series is a “break glass in case of emergency” series for me. So I don’t have a favorite character yet. Seems like Dina is a popular choice!

  61. A new favorite character of mine from Innkeeper is our former intergalactic bachelor, Kosandion. I would pay money to listen in on a conversation among George, Caldenia, and him about political maneuvering.

    Now, it’s a toss up as to whether I’d be able to understand that conversation, but oh well…

    Love from the US!

  63. My favorite is Lady Caldenia. The more you learn the more you see why she made the choices she did and that she is letting others believe she is the horrible/evil person they think she is. She is so much more complex than that.

  65. My favorite character from the Innkeeper series is Maude. Her struggle to make herself into what her husband wanted, only the find it would never be enough, and then to find her real self in the battle to save her child and family honor, was epic. She’s fully worthy of a HEA with Arland, and I can’t wait to read more of her.

  66. It’s hard to choose since in additions to great main characters HA has well fleshed out supporting characters. That said, I have to go with Caldenia.

  68. I haven’t read this yet, but it’s on my TBR. Fell in love with your writing in TKWNKM and am slowly making my way through your other series.

  70. My favorite character is Helen. She is wonderfully cute and fierce. Plus ripper cushions, who doesn’t love ripper cushions.

  71. Otto is probably my favorite character because he reminds me of so many people that I know.
    I will say that I love all of them though, and this is my favorite series

  72. Helen is my favorite. I say ripper cushions as often as I can lollollol.

  74. Orro is my favorite – not only because of the funny and sometimes emotional scenes with him, but he’s a great example of the 2nd chance theme that runs through so much of the Innkeeper.

  78. Maude is my favorite character. She only got one book but she really resonates with me.

  80. Orro! He embodies the “I’ll do it, but I’m going to be dramatic first”

  81. My first thought was, “Dina. Of course!” And then I second, third, and fourth-guessed. But since Dina grabbed my attention with the first book and keeps on impressing me, she is my official favorite.

  82. Her Grace Letere Olivione! Or Cookie or Orro…..
    So hard to choose.
    I love Innkeeper, it is my go-to read!

  84. my favorite character from the innkeeper is Hector. normal human cop, doing his job, confronted with the truly unusual, just keeps doing his job. no muss no fuss.

  85. I thought about it for a bit and I think Gertrude Hunt is my favorite character. I want to nestle in a magical house with my pup and chef and lethal cool lady in the window!!! with Funyuns!!!!

  86. My first thought was Maud, but my absolute favorite IC character is Orro. The skills, the quills, the DRAMA.

  89. Oooohhhhh, I think my favorite character from Innkeeper is either Orro or Caldenia. Hard choice… hmmmm They’re all just so good. I’m feeling Orro this morning if just one is required, me thinks.

  90. Officer Hector Marais is my favorite character today. I thought of him and his evolution throughout the series from a cop with an uneasy intuition to the scene where he is introducing his wife to the Inn! I love all of your series but the Innkeeper books get read the most!

  91. A huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to House Andrews. Wow, they’re on the last few pages of Maggie 2. That’s amazing—a big hug to you. And thanks for this great giveaway — I love The Innkeeper Chronicles. Sadly, I can’t enter. Hopefully there will be international giveaways.

  92. Thank you for taking the time and experimenting with the Vellum! sounds like it’s a long process, but sounds like it will be well worth it. 💜

    My favorite innkeeper character is: Maud

  93. I believe today’s favorite Innkeeper character is Orro! Tomorrow it might be different.

    • My favorite character is Arland. When he hinted at reading Twilight as research on earth women I was sold.

  94. It’s Maude. Maude is a badass. But Dina is a close second because she’s also a badass in a quieter way. But also Orro. And Marais’ wife. And Karat.
    THEY ARE ALL MY FAVORITES how can I pick just one lol?

  95. Helen because “ripper cushions”. I have a niece who is just like her, attitude and all!

  96. My favorite character—so effing hard to choose. But today as I’m (re)listening to Sweep of the Heart, Caldenia ka ret Magren.

  98. I am new to the BDH because I’m obsessed with Maggie the Undying. But I have a whole backlog of books I’m excited to start! Innkeeper being one of them and I love beautiful books 🫶 As a dog lover, Beast might be my favorite character. But we shall see. Have grabbed book 1 now 😍