From an Amazon review (so I check our sales ranking, leave me alone):
So far, every single time Andrews have put pen to paper it has made for a fantastic read with well-developed characters, terrific plots and fabulous world building. I live in fear that some morning they will look at each other across the kitchen table and say, “Damn, I see you too much.” and get divorced.
We have agreed that if we get divorced, Gordon gets the car and the bulldog and I get the knitting supplies. We’ve been trying to divorce for a while now, but we’re so screwed up, nobody else will have us.
The signing in Houston was great. We got to meet a whole bunch of awesome people and I think that was the best Q&A we’ve ever had. Except Gordon decided to go on a spoiler rampage. Also, when I explained that our children do not read our books, we got this lovely yell from the peanut gallery, “I read one! I was in the bathroom and there wasn’t anything else.”
I stole this picture from Mona. I hope she doesn't mind.
Thank you to Murder by the Book for having us over, Brady from Ace’s publicity department, who booked the awesome Hotel Zaza, and Wont, who drove us all around through the wild streets of Houston.
Tonight we’re doing a special Tweetchat for Bookcountry. It was supposed to be we as in plural, but Kid 2′s very important play is today, so you are getting me (I got to be in line for the Worst Mom of the Year Award due to my ability to type faster.) Lord Gordon is going to the play. But, you also get Anne Sowards, our editor, for the twitter chat so I say we gank her and make her tell us all her dark secrets.
The chat is taking place on Twitter 9 EST, hashtag’s bookcountry.
Must make words. Oy.
Oh, almost forgot: does anybody know how to make gumbo? I’ve read several online recipes and I’ve got the concept of roux, but I am mostly confused about when to put it in.
The blog was funny, and the comments are great. I enjoy being able to stop by and hear how you’re both doing. And I totally know what it’s like to have to be the ‘worst parent of the year’ when you have to work, and the other one goes to all the school functions…*sigh* Hope you get to switch off sometimes!
Thanks so much for both the Curran POV and Fate’s Edge! I loved them both. And I just got and read Silent Blade and Silver Shark– more, please!!
My only problem is that I read things too fast– but having them on the Kindle means I can re-read them as often as I want, whenever I want.
Best wishes,
Tyger
There must be a million versions of gumbo. My mama always made the roux in advance and let it cool completely. Then she pulled it out and started heating it…then added the veg ( onion / celery) and went from there. It was the first step, not added later. Very much a PROCESS! The roux keeps cooking after you cut the heat, so adding onions or any cool, watery ingredient caused a lot of sizzle unless you let it cool first. Roux, veg, liquid, seasoning, meat… The big trick was not letting the water, tomato juices, etc… break the oil, or you get a big layer of oil on top. She’d heat each liquid ingredient before adding it, once the roux got hot.
Hope that helps!
Fate’s Edge was awesome!
Oh, and I agree with NO Divorce! But if you’ve already agreed on asset division, you’ll probably stay together for 50 yrs.
It’s the couples who don’t think it can happen and can’t even joke about it that seem to fall apart!
Y’all need to come to Columbus, OH. xD Just sayin’
Love you guys!!!
Lizz D recently posted..UTC Immortals Reading Challenge
wow, peed my pants when i read header -.-
I’m reading Fates’ Edge slowly. I don’t want to miss anything. It is excellent.
Yep, and I had heart failure when I read your header, too.
By the way, I read the criticism of Christine Feehan and thought I would toss a couple of coins in.
I thought Feehan’s Dark Peril was not her best and was glad I got it from the library. (I think it was the underwear that did it. In. I mean, really? Those sorts of games did not seem to fit either character.)
I am so glad that I read Dark Predator when it came out. I know it got mixed routines, but I personally loved it, liked it better than her last three Dark books, easily. I thought it ranked up there with her best.
Love your books! Also, love the Browncoat tshirt. Firefly rocks!
DHL courier just arrived! I almost knocked him off in front of our receptionist.
Poor guy. But he already accustomed to me and my reactions to his appearance. As well as receptionist for that matter.
I couldn’t help myself – I’m dancing around and clapping my hands and on special occasions, like your books arrival, I’m even squeaking in anticipation.
He just shielded packages which he brought and begged me to wait for a second while he’s extracting mine from a pile.
The moment when the box with longed-for book moved to my arms everybody, including security guard, exhale with relief. Visitor in expensive cashmere coat failed to hide his smile: “What a nice office… Everybody seems so joyful and animated around here…”
I’m tearing the box apart, giving remains to imperturbable receptionist, open ‘Fate’s Edge’ and starting to read it on my way to elevator. Security guard leaping up from his place and open glass door for me to avoid my inevitable crush into it.
What a marvelous beginning of the Friday!
PS No divorce! NO DIVORCE for you dear Andrews!
So guess who’s already #15 on the BAM fantasy book list just days after release? Congrats y’all!
Omg when the title said ‘Divorce’ I had a panic attack! Lol glad yall are still your awesome-duo selves! XD
FYI
Of Swine and Roses is #1 on Top 10 OmniLit
Best Sellers
The world is catching on to how awesome your work is.
Happy Friday
I see I’m not the only one coughing up my coffee when reading the headline. Absolutely concur with the Amazon review – you guys rock, no divorcing allowed!
i also love your books and hope that you will be able to identify the right place to end the series as there is little more upsetting than watching your previously favourite characters falling off the cliff of bad quality!
EEK! This title nearly gave me a heart-attack!
Gordon, so jealous you gave away spoilers!! I want….
MinnChica recently posted..Dark Future by K.C Klein
I’m late to the party, but I have to throw in my gumbo recipe.
Yes, you must start with a roux. To do this, mix about 1/2 cup of flour with maybe 1/2 cup of oil in a pot. Stir intermittently. As it begins to brown, stir more frequently. You want it beyond golden brown –almost dark brown. Then, add about 3/4 of a bag of frozen okra and one small can of tomato paste. Stir constantly until the paste is dark brown. (It will be stringy.) You want it as dark as possible without it being scorched. Then add a chopped onion, a stalk or two of chopped celery, maybe 1/2 tsp of minced garlic, one or two bay leaves, and maybe 1/4 tsp each of basil and oregano. Stir well. Then add 2 to 2 1/2 cups of water. Simmer until all the veggies are soft. Then add 2-3 drops of Zatarains crab boil & salt and pepper.
There are many different kinds of gumbo, from chicken and sausage to seafood. I prefer seafood. So I add about a pound of peeled shrimp and a small container of crab claw meat for the last 10-15 minutes of cooking. (some people like to add crab claws with the shell as well.) But if you prefer, you can add cooked chicken and or sausage instead. If you go that route, add the meat right after you add the water, so it can soak in the seasonings while your veggies cook down.
Serve over rice… And with French Bread if you have it.
–That’s from my mom’s kitchen in NOLA!
I LOVED!!!!! Fate’s Edge. It is my Favorite Edge book so far. Jack and George were wonderful. I was also glad to see Gaston got to get his revenge for his mother and redeem himself to his parents. I never put reviews on Amazon but will with this one.
Roux is your base, it goes first
I promise, I’m not trying to be that nit picky commenter, but I just had to interject! Roux is NOT a base, it is a thickening agent. You certainly Can start with it, but absolutely do not have to. Many people find that they get better results by adding roux in to sauces and soups later in the cooking process so that they have more control over the consistency.
Thats all!
(professional chef for the last 15 years)
[...] I pilfered the following comment from Ilona Andrews’ blog to share with the others of my ilk who are just as bewildered as me about the whole Andrew [...]
What were the spoilers that Gordon shared?????
Would love to hear them.
At my restaurant we use this recipe for Gumbo. I substitute Andouille sausage for the smoked sausage.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/chicken-and-smoked-sausage-gumbo-recipe/index.html
I had a great time at the H-Town MBTB signing! Thanks for taking time to meet with us silly acting fans before hand. I am self conscious now about what I post because of your statement about Andrew having poor spelling and grammar cause I know mine is horrid! Anyhoo hope to have the opportunity to meet you all again cause it was so much fun and Ilona you should record the stories you tell and write them they are worth it!
I make gumbo. Yes, you do the roux first then add bunches of spices and veggies, I add onions, green bell pepper and celery once veggies are soft add broth slowly. I also throw in at least one can each of okra and diced tomatoes. Let everything simmer and add more spices to taste. It gets spicier the next day, so keep that in mind. I add the meat last because the only meat I put in is shrimp and they cook really fast. I also cook rice separately and ladle the gumbo over it when I serve. Hope this helps!
I honestly freaked out a little on reading the title. Damn you for trolling me like that!
If you go that route, add the meat right after you add the water, so it can soak in the seasonings while your veggies cook down. But he already accustomed to me and my reactions to his appearance. Then, add about 3/4 of a bag of frozen okra and one small can of tomato paste.
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