Today is the day we find out if we hit NYT. George R.R. Martin has gobbled up all of the list, so I am not holding my breath. 
But I am hoping anyway, because we might get extra moneyz. Apparently the previous owner had placed their furniture very strategically. There are stains of indeterminable origin and odor in the living room and it’s severe enough that the carpet must go. 
Technically this could’ve been a deal breaker, because the seller must disclose issues like this, but it would’ve been a fight, and we have to put laminate down anyway. Mr. Tubby, also known as Angus, does occasionally have accidents and being a bull breed, he may continue to occasionally lose it until a year old.
The problem with Angus is that he is extremely set in his ways. In his head, it goes like this:
Be let out from the laundry room (his den)
Go to the door.
Sit on butt by the door.
Wait, Angus, wait.
Door opens.
Wait.
Okay!
Go out into front yard.
Go potty on command.
Be told, “Good boy!”
Sit on butt by the door.
Be let in.
Play.
Any deviation from routine is Bad and Confusing. For example, relieving yourself in the back yard only must be done as a last resort. He is the sweetest dog ever. Supergenius, he is not. A lot of websites say English Bulldogs are hard to train. He is very easy to train. It’s just that once you train him to do something, it’s chiseled in stone in his head.
The doberman has a different problem. Typically Del works for everything. Nothing is free: to go outside, she has to sit. To come inside, she has to sit. To get a treat, she has to sit or lay. Del gets bored very easily and working keeps her from sliding into neurosis. The problem with her is that when I start, “Sit. Stay. Down.” routine, she often gets impatient and anticipates commands. So if the treat or praise is half a second too slow on Sit, she’ll drop down into laying position.
When we get to Texas, we’ll be next to a preserve fenced in. I’d love to try her on some tracking. I think she’d love it.
With the pug, everything is scary. We are slowly winning the socialization war, but it’s a tough going. Sophie is afraid of everything. For example, taco seasoning packets. Shaking a packet used to mean instant panic. Now she will actually take a treat from me while I shake the packet. Making the world a less scary place for Sophie – one taco packet at a time.
Well, have to go work on Fate’s Edge. It’s going very slowly at the moment, because I am stressing out about the move/NYT and everything else.
PS. Getting a lot of questions about Kate and phones thing: is it only phones, who else knows, etc. If you check MAGIC SLAYS, the dead Guard on chains scene, your questions will be answered.
PPS. Just looked to see if HEXED is getting any love on Amazon and read some reviews there and on Goodreads. (Because I am allowed: it’s release week.) What do you mean it’s too short? It’s 25K. There are four people in anthology, which means we all got 25K of space.
Cheering for you. YOU CAN DO IT! I wonder if the fact that the first book in Martin’s Fire and Ice series was offered for free download on kindle effected his rankings some. Pluse the Tv tie in is probably what is driving his sales… Sean Bean is pretty hot….
I concur, Sean Bean is very hot. I love Sharpe too.
It’s only “too short” because we are greedy little monsters who want more.
I loved it.
kindle-aholic recently posted..Musings on Dark Books
I completely agree that we are greedy monsters. I finished Magic Dreams and just wanted more Jim and Dali. I loved it.
Yep, we be a greedy, greedy bunch for this world you have created.
I loved HEXED and the Kate/phone detail. It was like an Easter egg! Totally clicked…continuity of world building makes my geek soul sooooo happy.
Bummer about the carpet. The worst thing about those mystery stains is that they sometimes induce bad behavior even in well-mannered dogs. Laminate is the way to go.
Imagine Dali Telling Kate about her phone problems
We wanted more of Jim and Dali.
Aw poor Sofie.
Angus is just too cute! I will keep fingers and toes crossed for NYT! x
Good luck on the move. I loved your novella in Hexed…I wanted it longer but thats just becuase I finished the book, litterally squeeled and jumped up and and down and went ok… when do we get another Jim/Dali book?!?! I especially love, LOVE Dali’s mom, I hope we get to see more of her. Especially with the news paper! o_O
Fingers crossed you make the NYT your books is good enough to get there!
I agree we are greedy spoiled readers. The story was great!
I love the fact I can highlight dialog that I like in my kindle and believe me, I highlighted a lot in this story!
Thank you for the great afternoon I spent on Tuesday reading Magic Dreams.
Bookwormgirl recently posted..Hammered Iron Druid Chronicles- 3
finger, toes, arms, and legs all crossed for NYT!!!
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There is no doubt that having “Game of Thrones” on HBO has given a big boost to GRR Martin. How could it not? Ilona, if (when) your “Magic” series is made into a series on HBO, you won’t be #7 or #10, you’ll be #1 (and hogging The List).
We expect you to get to #1, some book soon, without the TV connection. After all, you have gotten to 7 and 10 with no TV series.
We don’t get HBO, so haven’t seen the show. Haven’t read the books, either – on my list for “some day.” Plenty to read first.
I don’t care as much about the position, I just want enough money to pay for the floors.
OH an Magic Slays is ranked 8th on fantasy bestsellers on Amazon atm.
You are an editorial spotlight in the SFF section of the Sony eBookstore. And number 8 on the list. You’ve also got four stars average from your reviews (more than the person at #1).
I think the Kate Daniels books would be an awesome HBO series, as long as they didn’t take all that creative license with it like they did w/ the Sookie Stackhouse books.
I’m just know watching Sookie Season 3 on DVD, and I love it. The story lines are way different, but I think it’s quite a hoot. Ok, the Bill/Sam shower thing was …different… but WHAT A WILD RIDE!!!!
I have no issue with the TV series. It’s definitely entertaining. The only thing I don’t like is when it differs enough from the books (not necessarily plot-wise, but detail-wise) that it changes facts/characters too much.
I just wouldn’t want to see that happen to Kate. Could you imagine Curran and Jim in a shower scene? Definitely serious eye candy, but it’s not who those characters are.
OK–I am seriously disturbed now. Reaching for the brain bleach. . .
I need to find a large off-leash area for my dogs. I have a smallish dog park very near me, but I would love to be able to let them run full-out without going in circles.
Magic Slays = awesomesauce
Going to read Hexed right now.
I never was that fond of Dali, although I like her better now, but my EXTREME fondness for Jim more than made up for it.
GREAT STORY!!!!!
When do we get another taste of Kate & Curran??
Too short b/c yours is the best and people just wanted the whole book to be Jim and Dali.
And ::hugs:: I see your stress and raise you a house guest with issues…
Brooke N/The Queen B recently posted..The Restorer Graveyard Queen 1 by Amanda Stevens
OMG you’re moving again?? Do you need the stress to write or something??
I love bull breeds. I have a smelly old rescue English Bull Terrier (although over here it’s just a Bull Terrier) who is just adorable…or should that be adorabull?
I’m sure you’ll be on the NYT – you guys are awesome
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Hopefully your move to Texas will mean you’ll do signings close to where I live! Although, Texas is pretty big. Fingers crossed for you for more $ through NYT!
Idea for a break. Remember some weeks ago on the blog, you longed for a space opera series? Wont suggested Tanya Huff’s Valor series. I didn’t write then, but I agreed completely. They are really good, and I think you’ll like the humor that runs through them.
For just a yuck, Huff’s “Summon the Keeper” (not a space anything – well, the possibilities, hell and our space on earth).
Have you read any of Melissa Scott’s books? The books I am about to mention are a few from the 1980s and ’90s. Her others, and more recent ones, are good as well. Definitely space opera is “The Roads of Heaven.” It is a collection of three books that originally appeared individually. The three books are: Five-Twelfths of Heaven; Silence in Solitude; Empress of Earth. They were originally published individually. Silence Leigh is a rare female space ship pilot in a universe in which women aren’t allowed to do things and own things, Muslem fundamentalism (just like all the other religions in their fundamentalist forms.) rules. Pilots fly by reading images in space and controlling the ships into those “roads.” She marries two husbands (starts as convenience, they need something the marriage willmake possible for them, and a married woman piloting with her husbands can legally pilot), discovers she has magic, and there are all sorts of complications and developments. I love these books.
A few more of her books (and there are more):
Dreamships focuses on a space ship crew (specialized implants to run ship, and ship has specialized AI) flying with an experimental AI. The next book, Dreaming Metal, focuses on a non-political magician who uses AI to create her illusions. She gets the AI from the ship in Dreamships. When does AI become sentient? The workers, who are treated like third class citizens, fear the possibility of sentient AI, since they believe the powers that be would keep them at the bottom, with the Sentient AI above them, and that the SAI would take their jobs.
Burning Bright is about a planet that specializes in computer gaming, and a top gamer/game creator is crew on a ship that stops there. There are political complications, gaming/gamer complications, etc. I haven’t read it in a while, and I can’t tell you how the gaming stuff reads compared to current gaming stuff. Don’t remember how much gaming detail there is, but there was enough to make it work the times I read it.
Her stuff is good.
Are you my clone or a distant unknown relation? I love the Silence Leigh books and their alchemy/philosphy based space travel. Scott has some more science fictional books as well and the world building is just great – consistent and thought through e.g. details about clothing and the way you act/walk in public spaces showing if you are space or planet born but there is always a strong political awareness in her books. I don’t mean right or left but about power relations. Also share the love for Tanya Huff.
OOOOO Tanya Huff Summon the Keeper – love those! I’ll have the check out the other author you mention, the book sounds familiar but not the author…
I had a friend email me today, she is all sad. She only has about 50 pages left in Magic Slays. She doesn’t want it to end. This is why you are seeing the grumbles about Magic Dreams being too short. My guess is: it could be 800 pages and still not be enough. That would apply to Kate and Curran or Jim and Dali. Face it Ilona, the stories are just that good. Sitting on my butt, waiting for my treat. ::wink::
I loved Hexed (Magic Dreams) but I agreed it was too short. At Amazon you can pre-order Fate’s Edge for Kindle, and you still have not finished! :0
from a fellow bull breed owner, I feel your pain. Between the jaws of infinite furniture destruction, the stubbornness and the housebreaking pains. It’s a good thing they’re so darn cute.
Hexed was great
Ive been waiting to see what happened with Jim and Dali!! Btw – welcome to Texas – lived here all my life and I have done some travelling, but this is home!
I live in Anchorage AK, and since Borders went under we only have one Barnes and Nobles. They ordered just one copy of Hexed, which they lost. GAH! So I’m still waiting to read it (>_<), sad panda.
I'm sure it will be fabulous though!
Good luck with the NYT & the floors – I loved Magic Dreams and wanted more Jim & Dali – but I also will just sit & stay.
Finished Magic Dreams……. Once again…. you guys ROCK!!! I loved it!!!!!! It left me wanting more of Jim and Dali!!! Thank you!!!!!!! You guys are my favorite authors!!!!!!
Agree w/ the other posters that the complaints are surely due to readers never wanting the “magic” to end. We just can’t get enough of your stories.
Good luck w/ NYT and the carpet fund. As I pointed out earlier, this may be unkind of me, but I suspect that a lot of those Martin books won’t be finished. Of course, I never begrudge any author his/her success–a sold book is a wonderful thing. I’m just sorry these are in direct competition w/ yours at this particular time.
As an even further aside, I also second the opinion on the fineness of Sean Bean. (Anyone remember in the Vicar of Dibley when she had a pic of SB on the wall next to Jesus? And I love my Sharpe boxed set. Mmmm. Yep, I’m a Beanstalker.)
BTW, Sad Sophie has the cutest face evah. I seriously want a pug.
We totally are greedy spoiled readers but you only have yourselves to blame for putting out such good stuff! ::winks::
All the best on the NYT list!
Bummer about the floors. We had something similar happen, but instead of strategically placed furniture, it was like they let their kids dump stuff on the carpet without cleaning it up between the last showing and the closing. Bleh.
Good luck on NYT; I’m sure you’ll do great!
I just showed my daughter the dog pics, and now she wants me to post something like this for our cats. She loves your dogs, especially Angus:)
I’ve bought Magic Slays– but haven’t blogged yet because I want to read Hexed first and blog together. I have to wait to get it til tomorrow at Target. Man, I hope they have it. I have a gift certificate so that’s why I’m waiting. It’s killing me because I REALLY want to read it.
Amazon is FULL of reviews for short stories and novellas that say “It wasn’t long enough…” Readers always want more–which is good because that’ why you keep selling books:) It should be a good thing when we are left wanting more, you know?
On Goodreads I just saw Magic Bites on a Most Read This Week list. Not Magic Slays, Magic Bites. That tells me you are getting a lot of new readers this week who have to start with book 1. Wonder if your trip to the top of the NYT might just be delayed while the masses catchup?
T.Garfield recently posted..Magic Wednesday
BTW that was in the mystery genre – paranormal sub which I was surprised to see it in. Cross over exposure!
T.Garfield recently posted..Magic Wednesday
I didnt think Hexed was to short. But I did feel like it was not fully completed. This is my review at Goodreads,
I have only read Magic Dreams. I will read the others at a later date.
I adore Ilona Andrews and I think she did a wonderful job with Magic Dreams.
I have one small issue with it.
Some people have said they didnt think that it was long enough, but I do not think that is the issue.
I think the ending is left a little open ended. Dali has gone through so much and loves Jim alot (you will find out how much when she risks everything for him)
So what I felt was missing was a little bit of passion. I wanted to see Jim be a little bit more passionate at the end. Maybe slightly lose control when giving her a toe curling kiss etc
Im not talking rip you clothes off passion (although I wouldnt say no to that ever LOL) I just felt that Dali got a little jibbed.
To tell you the truth – I dont feel like this is over for Jim and Dali – I think Ilona has set up for another short story. I hope that she does because all her short stories are wonderful glimpses into a magic torn Atlanta.
Anyone that is a fan of Kate Daniels book will love this story. If you have never read a Kate Daniels book – I have to question – what rock have you been hiding under, come out and play….go read Magic Bites
So my question is – do you plan to do another short story with Jim & Dali???? it just feels like their story isnt over yet???
Hope my tiny criticism didnt offend !
I loved Hexed!!! Was very happy to get it too. :p Have been to the bookstore down the road 5 times in the last week and they were sold out the day it came out and haven’t gotten anymore. :’( Hopefully tomorrow?
Ok, first off I feel your house breaking pain. You think you got it bad, try house breaking a beagle that doesn’t wanna be. We finally broke down (said beagle is now 13 years old) and put in new carpets (yes, carpets not laminate) after many bottles of stain/odor remover and nearly weekly carpet shampooing. My, at the time 6 wks old dutch shepard pup, was was completely house broken by the time she was 10 wks old. Go figure. As to dog tracking, go for it with Del, it’s a ton of fun, especially if the dog is a high drive dog and loves to work.
Now I’m gonna sit up and beg pretty. Gordon, please, please, please, after you guys get set up and comfy in the new house, will you pretty please do a Curran POV of the scene in Slays ( I don’t want to give anything away, just in case…) towards the very end of the book where Kate is doing something Curran doesn’t really want her to and she hears a voice, etc. etc.???? I really did not want that book to end, absolutley loved it.
I am cool with the POV but you know that was not Curran’s voice in her head right?
yup but still the epilogue deserves a Curran POV
I would also like to see how Curran is feeling during that scene – I bet he was freaking OUT!!!
I am 90% sure I know whose voice that was but I wont say anything in case of spoilers
Yep, I know. I’m pretty sure I know who and it’s killing me!
Really? Because I have two options in my mind. And knowing the Andrewses, I’m prepared for the possibility of both being wrong! (That’s just one of the things I like about them–their ability to continue to surprise me.)
That’s why it’s killing me. I think they actually enjoy teasing us so unmercifully, then leaving us to twist in the wind wondering if we got it right. Oh the cruelty.
I 2nd the request for Curran POV’s for Magic Slays
The Jim/Dali story was a perfect teaser for the spin off book.
I’m totally happy.
As far as animal stains, http://www.amazon.com/Anti-Icky-Poo-Pro-Kit/dp/B000PWSS6G/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1307598444&sr=8-9 Anti-icky-poo does honestly work. I buy it by the 4 gallon size for upset pee on everything kitty and blind oops-i-waited-too-long-to-hunt-the-litter-box blind kitty.
Congrats on the #6 NYT slot
I hope it brings you loads of $$ for the move 
OMG…I laughed so hard from that link I literally cried.
Re: Magic Dreams too short
I think it’s cause that was the closest I’ve ever seen you guys toe the line of cliffhanger.
Have you read what the funniest person on the internet said about moving far away when you have a dog?
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/11/dogs-dont-understand-basic-concepts.html
Re: Magic Dreams too short
I’m totally aggree with wont, who says “Face it Ilona, the stories are just that good”.
Greetings form Germany
Btw. in Germany “Magic Slays” is Rank #5 in Amazon Bestseller Ranks in English Books.
I just finished Magic Dreams. I knew it was a short story, but I read it pretty slowly with breaks in between so it would last. Unfortunately, as soon as I turned the last page, I still wanted more.. So I guess that’s just goes to show how awesome it was.
Reading this and thought – wait a minute! I pre-ordered Hexed from Amazon but have not received it yet. Checked Amazon and saw the reason – apparently it won’t be released on the Amazon UK site until end of August.
But can’t wait until then – so ordered Hexed on Kindle (which Amazon UK will provide immediately – weird!) Of course, not cancelling the pre-order though, ‘cos I like a physical book for my collection. Just don’t tell my husband (who, incidently, I have just got hooked on the Ilona Andrews books. He has just finished the Kate Daniels series plus On The Edge, and is currently reading Bayou Moon. Won’t tell him about Hexed until I have finished it though, or we’ll be fighting over the iPad-Kindle ;^D )
Taking opportunity to say excellent work on Magic Slays too – really loved it. Series is getting better and better. You deserve the NYT list and extra money!
BTW Magic Slays on Amazon UK: “Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 195 in Books, #11 in Books > Fantasy > Vampires”
Oh, and on Amazon UK you (Magic Slays) currently have 9 reviews in total, EACH giving 5 stars. I concur!
I agree with others, too short because darn it we just love your stories and a mere 25k is a tease. It took me 48 hours to read Magic Bites (things were a bit crazy with the kidlets) but the following novels were gulped down in less than 24 hours. Now I’m already screaming for the next one!
Err, 24 hours per book, I meant.
your dog-stories are always entertaining. btw, my parents now have a cute dog too. his name is gino and he loves me so bad, he starts leaking when he sees me
*lol* but he’s still young, so we’re hopeful he’ll learn to control his bladder soon.
re: hexed….. to me, it’s simple: jim and dali story was so awesome, people would have loved for it to be longer. it’s a compliment *waves*
You guys are good doggy parents. Seriously, that’s what I took away from this post. That and happy for the cute doggy photos and a little envy-green at the idea of getting to move around and try out new places till one fits. I often think I’d like to move down South, and would overall like it better there, but not really in a position to pick up & do so.
Funny my sister has a little puggy girl who is also named Sophie or Sophia Maria **** She is the bravest little dog (kinda). Goes after the bigger dogs like she owns the place (no matter whose place it is) but cats….
I got three puggies myself. Best little beings you could want to serve.
Hexed — you didn’t get enough space. Two of the other three got way too much. (I realize their fans may argue the point, but being new to those stories I can definitely say, they do not stand alone. I was way too frustrated and confused.)
On the other hand, Magic Dreams, was pretty much perfect as is.
It is just short to us fans because it left us wanting more. I loved both of them and my thought was wait that’s it but there needs to be more. Definitely should have given you more space.
Congrats on being number six on NYT!! Magic Slays was an amazing read! I’m really glad we got to see more of Julie, even if I was biting my nails until the end! Can’t wait until the next book!