Behold a wide variety of topics.
How to Make people not to use your browser
This is the view of my WordPress dashboard in Chrome. The latest Chrome update broke WordPress, so if you are seeing this, it’s not you. It’s them. I am typing this in Edge. It’s not rendering Gutenberg icons sharply enough, and it’s annoying.
Tea
Verdant Tea came highly recommended in the comments so I bought a sample of 5 teas for $5. I’ve tried He Family Laoshan Black Tea.
I tasted it and almost died. It was unbelievably delicious. For some reason its aroma reminded me a little of chocolate. I actually mourned when the leaves had lost flavor after too much steeping.
I will report on the other teas in the sample. The tea report might become a regular thing, so please bear with me.
rare
We are not going to London RARE. We apologize for the inconvenience, but Kid 1 is still not out of the woods with the headaches, and we don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone for an extended period of time.
release dates
Good morning. Love your books and writing style. Just a little worries about the next iron & magic book. Hope it hasn’t stalled.
I did look in the F&Q but didn’t see an answer to this question – but maybe I missed it – if so I am sorry for wasting your time asking again. But I don’t see where anything has been said or updated on the second Iron Cov. book.
I’ve just finished reading all four books in the ” Innkeeper chronicles ” back to back and have enjoyed them very much. I’d like to know when the next book in the series will be released.
I was wondering when you will be starting on a new book for the In Keeper Chronicles?
When is the release date of CB (? – Ilona) book 5. Thanks for the teaser chapter but I’m dying to read book 5. Loved Saffaire Flames
I love everything you’ve ever written and you are my favorite authors! I’m just wondering if you had considered following up on the Derek and Julie short story
[same person] I love everything you’ve ever written and you are my favorite authors! I’m just wondering if you had considered following up on the Derek and Julie short story and write more about them.
[Still same person] I would still like to hear from you about Derek and Julie but I saw the release schedule and answered my own question about iron and magic. Thanks!
I’ve added a link to the Release Schedule on Contact page. You can also access release schedule by click on Books in the top menu. Or by going to I’m Looking For page. I have now linked to it in 6 places on the website.
play with me
This post is dedicated to Jeaniene Frost, who helped us fix the beginning of the next Hidden legacy.
Charlie: Play with me.
Baby: No. I’m older than you by 6 years. I’m a dignified lady.
Charlie: Play with me.
Baby: No. I’m comfy on the blanket.
Charlie: Play with me.
Baby: Go away.
Charlie: But I’m so sad!
Baby: Fine. Boop!
Very sorry to hear you guys won’t be coming to London but I hope everyone feels better soon.
What is CB book 5, cousin?
I honestly don’t know.
Hidden legacy?
Catalina Baylor?
+1 on Catalina Baylor!
+1
Catalina Baylor makes sense, but from context, it would seem to be referring the Hidden Legacy series, and probably the *next* Catalina Book, so in the tradition of the Marvel No-Price, I will propose Catastrophe Baylor.
Catalina Baylor maybe? Good luck & hope everyone feels better!
Actually, I’d love a couple of snippets from Bernard’s POV. He’s such a steady rock of a human being, but it has to be tough to be that even-keeled in a house of 4 primes. (I’m counting on Leon being a prime if he ever felt like getting tested.)
+11
I will not mind a tea report 🙂 Good luck on Kid 1’s headaches. So sad to hear they continue. Also, boo on Chrome. Have you ever tried Opera? I think it’s based on Chrome, and I like it much better (although I haven’t tried WordPress on it in the past week)
I had weirdness with Chrome after 1 of my last updates. Icons were all text. I turned off all the extensions and then it was better.
Honestly, anything you guys write is worth the wait. I’ll just re-read all of your other books in the meantime 🙂
+1
+1
+1
Is the next Hugh book coming in October or December?
The release schedule says both.
It says: December, 2019 – *Title to be determined, Iron and Magic #2 -DELAYED, probably next year
I’m a sweet iced tea with lemon drinking Texan. I prefer coffee. When I drink tea, it has to be black and unflavored other than the sugar and lemon. One son sent me some Chinese brand of white hybiscus tea. It was good, can’t find it on the net. Son said he picked it up in one of the Chinese markets in NYC. The store has closed. Another son sent a variety pack from Ceremonietea.com. There were 10 different blends. Only 2 were satisfactory, Ginger peach and Jasmine green. Keep the tea review going.
Have you tried mint or raspberry ice tea? Haven’t tried peach ice tea. For mint tea it’s three bags of regular black tea bags and one bag of peppermint tea.
Depends on the tea itself for me. Some peach teas I like, some suck and I give them away.
Whaa, if I can get my hands on He Family Laoshan Black Tea, I will try it too! Living in Indonesia at the moment (and has been for the last 23 years hehe)
all your books are worth the wait. I enjoy the deleted scenes that you post. Keeps me entertained.
Love the dogs. More~! LOL
Looking for new tea so bring on the posts! Hoping Kid 1 improves soon 🙁
My dog is also named Baby. We got her from a local rescue who found her and her littermate in a box. Unfortunately she does not like other animals at all so she has no playmates except her human siblings. She’s almost six but still likes to play hide and chase with them, which involves hiding and when found chasing the other person around the house, until they submit 😂😂.
This tea is really phenomenal also. And it doesn’t lose flavour the way regular leaf teas do.
Are Charlie and Baby your dogs? I love all the pet stories and pet photos that you include.
Yes. They shared ther drama of the eye loss that you can see in the video.
For Kid 1’s headaches: Have you tried magnesium? My auntie has migraines and when they’re really bad she sometimes gets IV magnesium. Obviously not feasible for home use, but I’ve tried just taking 500mg magnesium pills every day and it seems to lessen the frequency and intensity of (non-migraine) headaches. This is anecdotal and I’m not sure if it’s entirely supported by science, but if it works who cares, right?
Hi Brenna,
Magnesium meets the “Holy Trinity” test at my house -it’s *affordable, *there are no (horrid/disfiguring/fatal) side effects pleasantly glossed over in a commercial , and it *works! My daughter started having migraines when she was a tiny kid in elementary school and in wild attempt to avoid caustic daily medications, I started giving her magnesium. Her neurologist was thrilled with the results and now at 19 she only gets occasional migraines – like once a year- even though she only takes the magnesium sporadically.
I’m glad that you’re doing better too!
Warm regards, Regina
Be careful too much magnesium can cause chronic diarrhea. It is used as a binding for many medications so you aren’t even aware of how much you are ingesting. 😀
Whilst I’m sad I won’t get to see you in London this weekend, as soon as I saw the announcement you wouldn’t be attending on the RARE Facebook page I assumed it was due to kid health issues and just wanted the best for you all. Family comes first and I really hope the drs can figure out what’s going on with Kid 1 and find a balance of medication or treatment that works for her.
Best wishes to you all, and hopefully you’ll be able to come to the UK in the future.
I was going to post a link to white pages, then, as I thought about it, the phone book gif. Then, I decided not to post any links, since that got me in trouble before.
My point was to ask Ilona and Gordon to write a phone book. Because, well, that would be better than 99% of the books out there. Just saying.
Also, I hear that you’re writing Hugh’s book with Nevada, Dina and Jack all playing major roles. When is that coming out? I’m hoping tomorrow?
Siobhan
and for that book the print, e-book _and_ audio books will be published simultaneously in all domestic and foreign markets with all retailers at exactly the same date, right?
/evil grin
May I suggest Brave as a potential browser? It’s based on the Chromium project so it’s familiar to Chrome users and blocks trackers, ads and 3rd party cookies by default (you can choose to enable all that if you want). Its also fast 🙂
That battle royal had me on edge. Intense! 😁
I like Brave a LOT. The only bad things… I have found it does not work with some of my bill paying sites, AND, it won’t load Ilona-Andrews .com on my mobile!!! 🙂 So I have to revert to Safari.
Oh bummer 🙁
I personally never had any issue with it (banking or accessing this blog ), be it mobile or PC but perhaps its because the Android and Windows version doesn’t have as many glitches as the iOS version, since the later is tightly closed source operating system?
You got me wondering now, inquiring minds want to know 😛
So very funny -boop!
Aww! It’s a hard life for a dog when you have to beg another dog to play with you! I should try more teas. But I don’t like the ones with fruits are flowers add into it. Also I anticipate greatly any and every book you have On the way! You can write a book about what you observe in Walmart And it will be tons better than most of the stuff I’ve read.
I’d buy that book! Omg, how hilarious would that be? Good reading, y’all. 😀
I have a People of Wal-Mart daily calendar at work that is funny (some days more so than others). Now, I shop at Wal-Mart too, but always fully dressed in real clothes, so I feel ok about enjoying what I see.
Love the tea reports because they give me inspiration.
Sorry that the headaches aren’t sorted out for Kid1, hoping a light will shine down on that situation soon.
Keep well House Andrews, and thanks for all the awesomeness!
I wish I liked tea. Some of the flavors sound interesting.
Your blog always makes my day. Thanks!
Love the tea comments.
Will not ask about any new book details . Sorry for the nagging. Very sorry.
I know you guys will tell us when you know.
A tea and pet blog is just great. Some of my favorite things are trying new tea and looking at fun photos of pets. And swords. Love the videos you showed of 2 handed swords ⚔️ fighting.
That is when I am not reading and working.
Sorry kid 1 is still experiencing headaches.
All the women in my family had/have miagraine s. The safest treatment were, my
Moms Diet Pepsi with Ice.Drink Diet Pepsi, ice on her head. Also dark room. quiet.
Magnesium added to her vitamins and sometimes ginger helped.
She would not take any medication.
She was Irish, red head with a very high pain tolerance.
Hormones, weather changes, even having wine in a sauce set her off.
I don’t have such a severe headache reaction, but I still get them. They seem to get less intense after menopause.
Several of my Moms doctors said that only very creative people get Miagraines. That didn’t help . Especially when you are throwing up.
Hope you are safe and the hurricanes fizzle out.
Do you drink your tea straight up or with cream and sugar. I like some heavy cream with my Irish Breakfast. So yummy
Hope Kid 1 feels better soon. Love everything you guys write. As long as you keep writing I don’t care when they come out, as long as they will be out. Going to have to try that black tea you mentioned. I wouldn’t mind regular tea reports. 😁
TWG makes amazing teas. I don’t know how far they have ventured into the North American market (they do have one in Vancouver, BC) but if you are anywhere that has a TWG store, I highly recommemd stopping by. It’s like a tea wonderland of marvels.
Verdant is one of first companies that I fell in love with when I got more into loose leaf tea and had my first adult paycheck. Have you tried “gong fu” brewing style for their teas? It can be relaxing trying to tease out the different notes and forces you to slow down a bit. (The puer teas sometimes will steep forever this way and we just have to throw it into the fridge and have it iced. ) Definitely try their Big Red Robe (it smells like fresh bread!) and Golden Fleece ( a touch sweeter) which have similar taste profiles. On the other end of the taste spectrum with lighter flavors, I’m in love with their Laoshan bilochun green which is grassy and sweet (and a touch creamy) but best with gong fu style as it can turn bitter fast (nothing wrong with that either!). Yunnan Sourcing also has also has a bigger variety but takes a bit longer to ship and What-Cha has some fun selections as well. Lupicia tea also has nice flavored teas, which we love iced for the warmer months.
I just bought the sample pack from Verdant Teas. Thanks for the info on this.
I’m actually really interested in a tea report. I consider it a “crowd funded” info tip! 😀
“I will report on the other teas in the sample. The tea report might become a regular thing, so please bear with me.”
Yes, please. I tend to easily get stuck in a rut wrt tea if I’m not being reminded of the cool things out there. (Hm. Tea bloggers with much smaller circulation often end up getting promotional samples sent to them…)
“We apologize for the inconvenience, but Kid 1 is still not out of the woods with the headaches, and we don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone for an extended period of time. ”
*sniff sniff* This is so sweet, and I’m so glad you’re staying home. (I mean, sorry for any of you who are disappointed, and I get it.) When my migraines appeared, I was living in a pretty unsupportive environment, and under a lot of research pressure, and the experience was pretty isolating. (I mean, I’m older, and lots of hot baths and audiobooks got me through it…)
Has Kid1 noticed whether the headaches get worse if a storm is brewing? I woke with migraines for three days straight before Harvey finally made landfall. Had to treat them nonstop with sumatriptan. It works but you have to wait for the headache to start-not the best solution. So sorry she’s still having trouble; hope you find a cure soon!
Hope Kid 1 can get a handle on the headaches. They are so debilitating. I got them all the time as a kid; less so as I got older, thank God. I have to avoid a bunch of stuff that I figured out triggers them, which kind of sucks, but not as bad as having one. Best of luck to her.
Have you tried Harneys teas? My favorite is “Eight at the fort”. It is a very well blended black tea, but one has to be very careful not to leave it brewing more than 3-5 minutes or it becomes so strong it’ll strip varnish. And I love any tea with lemon verbena.
My kid#1 is a migraine sufferer. I hope your family is restored to rambunctiousness.
Best wishes,
Dawn
I am so here for tea reviews!
Please also add how you drink them- as in with milk, lemon, cherries, sugar no sugar, honey etc.
I’m very curious if you change that based on the eyes you drink or stay consistent to one method. Even after more than a decade in the U.K., my Eastern European brain still finds milk in tea weird and cannot get close to the type of teas that demand it.
After my summer of migraines in 2016, when I had a migraine every day for almost 3 months, I saw a neurologist who specializes in headaches. He has made a world of difference in controlling the frequency of my migraines. Hope this suggestion helps. I did not realize that neurologists specialized like that until the neurologist I was seeing set up the appointment for me.
Sorry if I’m repeating stuff you’ve heard about, but I’ve had severe migraines for about 40 years. My neurologist has recommended that I take Magnesium, Riboflavin, feverfew and butterbur. It does help quite a bit for me, but everyone is different. I can tell you that it took me many years and many preventative medications before I found the combination that works and got mine mostly under control. Good luck and if she needs to talk to a random person that understands the struggle, have her reach out to me!
Tea reports will be just fine. Good stuff tea. I had migraines or cluster headaches (depending upon which doctor I spoke to) nothing much helped . They seemed to be becoming more frequent. One evening as I watched television someone came up behind me and split my skull with an axe. At least I was sure that was what had to have happened. It lasted exactly as long as one of the commercials. I was frozen in place. When I could move I raced up stairs, looked in the mirror to see if my pupils were uneven. Took BP in both arms. stuck out tongue. Nada. and no pain. It had been the worst pain of my life. Next day I spoke to my Doctor, a really good guy. Tests showed nothing. Dr P. said.”I have good news and bad news, depending. I’ve seen this before and either you are not longer going to be bothered by these headaches any more or they are going to become a much more frequent visitor.” Luckily for me, almost 30 years later, I have never had another one. No more suddenly sparkling pavement, or blinding sunshine on a cloudy day. May your daughter be as lucky.
So sorry to hear Kid 1 is still suffering, it would have been fantastic to meet you in London this weekend but we can all understand why you are unable to come. I hope she can see some progress soon.
I don’t know why Microsoft tries to force Edge usage, but I feel for you for having to use it.
I love your tea reports! I’m one of the lazy tea drinkers that uses bags (I know, it’s terrible and I’m sure I’d love it if I switched), but I love hearing about new things and you’re inspiring me to consider loose leaf. My new subscription box came with a to-go brewing bottle, so I think I need to order tea for it. 😉
I’m so sorry that Kid 1 still has headaches and hope they get resolved soon! I would think that the majority of your fans would understand why you’re not taking an international trip right now.
Wow. That’s some email. And here I thought that I was rambling too much! 😊
J. Frost is having a good day! Helped with book, wrote Bones POV, and now has a cute doggy video dedicated to her. Way to go BFF. But the real winner here is the BDH!!! So thank you Jeaniene from the bottom of my ravening heart. 😀
I really, really hope Kid1 gets a handle on the migraine issue. Pain sucks!!!!! (And I say that as someone so used to pain that when my appendix ruptured no one at the emergency room realized it because apparently I didn’t appear to be in enough pain! AARRGGHH!)
Charlie cracks me up!🤣😂
Whatever drugs kid 1 is prescribed please read the literature with side effects carefully. My 85 year old stroke patient had headaches and was prescribed a really strong tablet that was very clearly marked NOT for a stroke patient! You have to be your own researcher because so many Rx drugs block uptake of vitamins and minerals or force your body to excrete them which causes all kinds of extra symptoms resulting in more Rx. There is a book called “Drug Muggers” written by a pharmacist, Suzy Cohen, and it tells what you need to replace when using drugs.
Also aspartame and other fake sweeteners are neurotoxic which could be an issue if she drinks diet sodas. Pepsi products use “Truvia” which is a highly processed version of stevia. Better to use raw stevia or monks fruit. Sorry for the info dump. Probably a combination of many factors causing the issue.
Another good resource is actually the pharmacist. They get training for drug interactions. And side effects.
This is particularly useful for people who have a whole pharmicopia that they take.
You had 3 books come out this year – 3 – yes 3!!! That’s huge. Thank you.
Tea and pet reports are great. Looking forward to them.
Hope Kid 1 finds a solution soon for the headaches.
Any tea comments, recommendations, or general talk about tea is fine with me. I drink tea straight: no milk or sugar. Just tea and water. 😁
Hopefully Kid1’s headaches get better. Just a thought: has Kid1 had her eyes examined recently? When I was 21 I got horrible headaches and it felt like an iron bar was going through my eyes. Come to find out I had astigmatism in both eyes. These are black spots floating in the eye. They make the eyes very sensitive to light. If I look at light for too long, I squint and start getting bad headaches. It’s hereditary.
Sorry to hear that the Kid 1 Migraine Issues are still occurring. They are just so debilitating and it has to be so discouraging to not get any real traction on the why’s or how to make it better. Hugs to all of you on that score.
I’m glad to see that Charlie seems to be doing well after his eye surgery. Yay Charlie! Good boy (mostly)!
I hope you all manage to avoid catching whatever Patient Zero brought home this time.
Sending prayers and positive energies to Kid1, from a fellow migraine sufferer. Also the sibling antics of Charlie and Baby were great. What else can you do with an annoying younger brother? And keep the tea reviews and info flowing, please. Every day life is never boring around IA and BDH.
IMO Charlie the Dread Pirate got off easy with just a few bops. It could’ve been helpful Artha instead and anything could’ve happened. *giggle*
IMO Charlie the Dread Pirate got off easy with just a few bops. It could’ve been helpful Artha instead and anything could’ve happened. *giggle*
Family first always.
Sorry to hear about London, but best wishes to Kid 1!!
I would love a snippet of when Matilda first met Shadow. Maybe also being told that she could not have all the pets, she has to learn to share…..
Of course I’m gutted about not getting the chance to meet you both at RARE but Kid 1 is FAR more important than any signing could ever be so I’m glad you made the decision that’s best for you as a family. I hope they manage to sort out her headaches soon, it must be awful for her to have been suffering so long. I only get the occasional migraine and they’re a nightmare so I really feel for her.
I’m still hoping you’ll get to come to London at some point in the future so we’ll get a chance to meet you though 🙂
I so would not have the patience to put up with people as well as you do!! I’m so happy you are putting your children first! So many people do not do so! I pray everything gets figured out for her! I just got home yesterday from a surgery from my one year old so I know how stressful it when they are trying to figure everything out! Best of luck with everything! Side note: I bought my husband the 5 for $5 tea samples since he too loves good tea. Should be here in a few days. Cannot wait to have him try them.
It’s been a LONG time since I’ve posted but I read the comments and blog. I’m sorry family is ill (((sending healing vibes)))
Just popping in to say I love all that is posted sometimes it brightness my day… the flowers the tea IDC it makes me smile.
Thank you, Ilona Andrews for post. Yes that scene with Charlie quite familiar at my house. Of course the names are different as in titan and Jupiter but the scenario is same. Puppies. Ha ha ha.
Bummer on the Hugh #2 🙁
Adorable video! Hope kid 1 stays on the mend and you are not getting too wet!
I am not a hot tea drinker, but your post made it sound so yummy!
I ALWAYS laugh at the pet back and forth dialogue because it is soooo spot on, love it!
I have a lot of sympathy for the ” release date ” poster because it could be me if: 1-I did not know you were human. 2-That releasing that many books a year is impossible. 3-I have more self-restraint, but I am a proud, card carrying member of the BDH.
No one posting has asked for a good book recomendation but I am going to give the BDH one anyway. DISCLAIMER -I am not the author nor related to or affiliated with in any way. The book is CICI AND THE CURATOR I’m afraid it can only be found on Amazon Kindle. If you are a member it can be read for free, otherwise it is 4.99. I loved it! It hooked me from the first page, just sample it, and I guarantee you will want to know more about Cici. The book has everything but romance, it is set somewhere in space and has humor, mystery, plot twists, absurdity , aliens, funny pets, ritual combat and all of this in a 176 pg. novelette. 2 hours of your time spent in smiles and laughter, unbeatable bargain!
Lastly, I am so sorry Kid 1 is still ailing. Was there ever a diagnosis? or did they just tell you what it is not?
I hope healing is happening for everyone in your home. 💜
I hope Kid 1 recovers soon. Sending healing vibes 💜
Can’t wait for more Innkeeper, just finished my 3rd re-reading of the entire series!
Loved the picture of the ‘Turkish’ tea cups. When I was stationed in Turkey that was what the tea cups for their Cai was served in. In Turkey, their black tea was called Cai, no spices or herbs. I loved sitting by a Russian samovar and having Cai in an outside patio of most restaurants in Ankara.
By the way, you can’t use Samovars here unless you can find soft coal to use in it. Our charcoal briquettes burn too hot.
Tea updates sounds great! I like trying new things. I’m sorry to hear kid 1 is still struggling. Best wishes headed her way!
I am so sorry your kiddo is still having headaches! I sure hope they get her on the mend soon.
Sad face with regard to delays on Iron and Magic. Better late than never, and better to be done right at a later date than wrong in a hurry. I am trying to not pout too much.
Regarding headaches, my sister used to have debilitating ones and tried (it seems) every medication and neurological treatment available. The two things that ultimately solved the problem were drinking Pepsi Throwback (something about the real cane sugar is excellent for conquering migraines) and taking full-spectrum CBD oil. Just a thought! Hope you guys find a solution… there are few things more misery-inducing than headaches.
Ohhhh on the WordPress shenanigans. Mine did it too. Must buy a punching bag for this “improved” WordPress.
Oo, thanks for the tea recommendation! I get most of my tea from Adiago, but Verdant Tea sounds like a good one too. 🙂
I know this thread is old. But, if you are still reading it here is another suggestion. First, I know you love your loose leaf tea. But, the holidays are coming. I love advent calendars. They just make the holidays feel more like holidays. It is just super fun having a little treat to open each night. And now, they have some pretty cool advent calendars out there for adults. I just got 15 days Harry Potter socks from Target. But here are a few of tea advent calendars (these are from the UK, but they deliver here – I have not seen any in the US so far in 2019)
https://www.fortnumandmason.com/products/christmas-tea-wooden-advent-calendar?channel=ppc&gclid=CjwKCAjw8NfrBRA7EiwAfiVJpf1xvbglLlScvBggI-tQyuTHNCUYFH8OBg2qI_F_Q-qTgUIQVAJeLRoCtVsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=26inhouse&utm_term=UKNetwork&clickid=RcxRZD31DxyJRbv0EHQlB1XYUknx2WS1TWBgSA0
https://www.whittard.co.uk/gifts/gift-collections/christmas-emporium/the-luxury-tea-advent-calendar-343491.html?cgid=christmas-gifts&utm_medium=Skimlinks&awc=3355_1569357291_ec07fb762083134b5293979127383384&utm_source=Affiliate_Window
https://www.fortnumandmason.com/products/christmas-tea-lovers-advent-calendar?utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=26inhouse&utm_term=UKNetwork&clickid=RcxRZD31DxyJRbv0EHQlB1XYUknx2WVdTWBgSA0&dclid=CjkKEQjw_absBRD7noHZqrLQ97wBEiQAjRhYQUEOZRHVV9z1WhyENXyKbT0n2hVdJ-TGRBXauO6ylE_w_wcB