Dina:  Welcome, dear BDH, to the new edition of the Frinnterviews. Today we have two guests from a different Earth with us: Adaline Moore, Dimensional Breach Resource Assessor; and Elias McFeron, Guildmaster of Cold Chaos. Our chef prepared special refreshments and some snacks.

Elias: Are these… what are these?

Dina: They are gourmet triple chocolate cupcakes, and they are shaped like Guardian Guild emblems.

Elias: Why Guardians?

Dina: Orro thought you would have fun “devouring” them. Since they are your rivals.

Elias: I wouldn’t say the Guardians are our rivals. We all stride toward the same goal: repelling this invasion and protecting our planet.

Ada, rolling eyes.

Elias: What about those?

Dina: These are cheesecake bites with piped mauve flowers, and this is whiskey and honey panna cotta with chocolate Grasping Hand dipped in red wine glaze.

Elias: How did he make the red lattice?

Dina: I’m not sure. I think it’s a type of cookie called coral tulle.

Elias: I’ll try the cheesecake.

Ada: Are you allergic to nuts?

Elias: No. Are there nuts in these?

Ada: Yes.

Elias: Good to know. … These are incredibly delicious.

Ada: We are sitting inside a semi-sentient tree, disguised as a house, while it is generating its own space-time by bending the rules of physics, and you are eating cheesecake.

Elias: What can I say? I’m a man of courage.

Ada: Yes. Nerves of steel. And low blood sugar.

Elias, smiling: Things got a little heated in the Ft. Campbell breach. We came out barely an hour ago. It’s always a race to the gate once the anchor is destroyed.

Ada: Did 101 Airborne finally give up and call the guilds in?

Elias: We were asked to assist. I’m sure they had it well in hand.

Ada: Let me save you some time, Dina. You’re not going to get much out of him. He is in Guildmaster mode. He will give you smooth, political answers in a way that ensures that absolutely nothing he says could be used against him or Cold Chaos.

Dina: Is that true?

Elias: Depends on the nature of the question. While we are here, I have several questions myself, Ms. Moore.

Ada: I prefer Assessor Moore and I’m not here to answer your questions. I’m here as a courtesy to everyone who put us in the Amazon #1 bestseller spot. The authors worked very hard, and they are very proud.

Dina: Is she pleased?

Ada: She showed the #1 to the computer repair guys to get his desktop repaired faster.

Elias: That’s not pride. That’s communicating the urgency of a crisis requiring immediate resolution.

Dina: How did that go, by the way?

Elias: He might need a new motherboard. They adjusted the BIOS, and it’s working for now.

Ada: Our time in the spotlight was short. They’ve already shifted gears to working on the extra material for the special editions of This Kingdom.

Elias: Mhm. I’ve read it. It’s good. An interesting isekai.

Ada: I had no idea your vocabulary included that term. Perhaps, the vice-guildmaster’s influence?

Elias: I’m well read. Although I prefer LitRPG myself. Back to questions.

Ada: Dina, did you have any questions for me?

Dina: Yes. Are you planning on returning to your work as an Assessor?

Ada: That’s what I do. It’s my small way of contributing to our fight against the invaders.

Dina: Do you plan to make use of the knowledge acquired in the breach?

Ada: Of course. Assessors are constantly learning. We gather information in every breach we enter.

Dina: Elias, my next question is to you. Have you chosen the name for your cat?

Ada: You must be joking. My children watched him interact with Mellow. The guildmaster is definitely not a cat person.

Elias: It’s between Reaper and Buttercup right now. We will figure it out. Speaking of names, Dina, did you know that human linguistics is quite interesting? No matter what language it is, when people pronounce unfamiliar names for the first time, they tend to pause slightly. It’s an unconscious hesitation. Also, we tend to start sentences with names.”

Dina: I didn’t know that.

Elias: Curious, right? When one says something like Ighrr tsee Rakalan dresst, and the other person starts the next sentence with Rakalan, it’s a good bet that Rakalan is a name…

Ada: …

Elias: It’s interesting what a qualified linguist can glimpse from a recorded conversation. I have a whole bunch of names, Rakalan, gress, Tsu…

Ada: Dina, if you care about the survival of our Earth, expel him now.

Dina: I’m sorry, the Guildmaster had to leave us early. Duty calls.

Ada: Thank you.

Dina: I understand the need for discretion. Secrecy is paramount to the very existence of the inns.

Ada: I appreciate you inviting us to visit. Before I go, I did want to ask one question.

Dina: Of course.

Ada: Have you ever heard of Baha-char?

***

Quick reminder that our Inheritance Zoom Q&A is tomorrow, Saturday August 16, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time (CT).

Good news: registration has been extended so if you want another chance to join us live, the link is here.

Not sure what that is in your neck of the woods? Use a handy converter: Find your local time vs. Central Time.

The session will be recorded and posted on YouTube and here on the blog sometime next week.

The post Frinnterview: Ada and Elias first appeared on ILONA ANDREWS.

Graphic Audio have collaborated with Humble Bundle to feature the dramatized adaptations of Clean Sweep and Sweep in Peace in a Romantasy Promotion which will run until February 24th.

Humble Bundle is a digital storefront for video games, books, comics and other entertainment, and they release collections that are sold at a price determined by the purchaser, with a portion of the price going towards charity. For the Romantasy bundle featuring Innkeeper, Graphic Audio have chosen Charity Water and their worthwhile cause to provide access to clean water for millions of people.

Also included in the bundle are dramatized adaptations of books by Jeaniene Frost, Charlaine Harris, K F Breene, Elaine Wilks and more- for a maximum total of 24 books. The regular price for buying the items separately would be above $400. With Humble Bundle, the reader decides what they wish to pay and for how many books, with the minimum purchase being $1 for 2 books.

The audiobooks in this bundle are available in MP3 format. Instructions and a list of recommended listening programs can be found here.

If you’ve ever thought about trying the Graphic Audio adaptations, and are in the Valentines mood, now is a great opportunity to get your listen on and contribute to a good cause at the same time.

The post Dramatized Innkeeper on Humble Bundle first appeared on ILONA ANDREWS.

Sweep of the Heart, the fifth and most recent Innkeeper Chronicles novel, will be released on the Graphic Audio Access app tomorrow, January 19. You can order it here. The dramatized adaptation will show up on February 2nd on other retailers like Audible, Hoopla, Chirp, Overdrive etc.

Just in time for the cold weekend ahead (for most of us). May we all be as comfortable as Cyanide in this exclusive treat Graphic Audio sent for the blog Horde:

Hehe, #TeamKitty. All the attentions!

Graphic Audio are also in the process of recording Magic Slays, with a bonus of Magic Tests (Julie’s story from Small Magics). The preorder is already live on the GA website: first appearances for Roman, Yu Fong, dangerous Lightkeeper conspiracies, we’ll hear them all! It is scheduled for a March 25th release everywhere. You’ve heard that right, the new system will hopefully go simultaneously across all the platforms, and there will be only one date from now on.

Answers to a few questions I’ve received about the Graphic Audio adaptations recently:

Can we have a list of Ilona Andrews books released by Graphic Audio so far, to be sure we have them all?

The fastest way to check this is to search for Ilona Andrews in the Graphic Audio catalogue. Here’s the result I’ve prepared earlier.

In summary, once Sweep of the Heart comes out tomorrow, we are up to date with the Innkeeper Chronicles, all 5 novels and 1 novella.

We have up to and including book 4 in the Kate Daniels series. The Kates also contain the bonus material from Small Magics, such as the Curran POVs that correspond with each book, Questionable Client, Magic Tests etc. For now, Graphic Audio are only adapting the 10 novels of the main series and the Small Magics content, not any of the companion novels (Andrea, Dali, Derek etc). Don’t go all Horde Mode on me, I’ve said “for now” hehe.

A reminder that Ilona Andrews doesn’t commission Graphic Audio for adaptations, they are an independent business who purchase the adaptation rights from our beloved authors and make their own decisions about which and how and when.

Why are only the first 4 Kate Daniels books on Graphic Audio?

Because Nora Achrati and team are still in the process of recording them. The first book was launched in April of last year, meaning an amazingly fast rhythm of release of roughly 1 book every couple of months. The behind-the-scenes process takes a lot of hard work, involving script adaptation, cross referencing, casting the right actors, recording, editing and sound designing. We will get to hear more about it soon, but that’s a surprise.

In the meantime, I wish us all soft blankets, chewy cookies and happy listening!

The post Sweep of the Heart from GA Tomorrow first appeared on ILONA ANDREWS.

I have a Klaus snippet for you today, the long-awaited reveal of what he needed to tell Maud when he came to her at end of Sweep of the Blade.

It’s also an incentive for us. Remember that bit about the Barsas in Sweep of the Heart?

“The Barsas stopped in front of us. Their leader, an old white-haired male, stepped forward and raised his arms.
Here we go.
“Barsa! Barsa, barsa, barsa. Barsa.” Each word was accompanied by arm-waving and finger-pointing.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Sean said. “Is that all they say?” “Yep. Hush, I’m trying to concentrate.”
“Barsa. Barsa, barsa.”
The leader nodded sagely.”

Andrews, Ilona. Sweep of the Heart, The Innkeeper Chronicles 5. NYLA 2022. Kindle edition, page 401

There’s a certain Barsa-esque (Barsumial?) tendency sometimes with the Book Devouring Horde, where we can get a bit fixated on “when’s the next book, next book, next book, next book”. Klaus is here to placate us away from that, as only an Arbitrator can.

Let’s be fluffy, not Barsumials!

We’ve had an Innkeeper book just a year ago. The next one is not yet on the schedule, so there are no official dates or updates, but there will be a continuation to the series, we will find out what happened to their parents, see Helen, witness Ripper Cushions—the whole Orro banquet.

House Andrews are hard at work on projects; we’re currently getting Roman chapters every Friday; the Sweep of the Heart release from Graphic Audio is coming to us this week and I’ll have an exclusive sample just for the Horde tomorrow. We are beloved. We just have to be a bit p*tient and chill our bosoms.

“I will explain everything,” Klaus said.  “But right now we have more pressing matters to discuss.”

Oh no, you don’t. “What could be more pressing than you becoming an Arbitrator?” Maud crossed her arms on her chest. “Have you told Dina? She thinks you might be dead.”

“I have perfectly valid reasons for how I’ve handled things.”

“Valid?”

Arland gently touched her shoulder. “Perhaps we can hear the reason behind this unexpected visit?”

Argh. She waved her hand. “Go ahead.”

Klaus leaned against the table, half-perching on it. The memory punched Maud, knocking her mentally off balance. He used to sit just like this, when they were both teenagers, in their parents’ inn. It was at once nostalgic because here he was, alive and well; sad because Mom and dad were still missing; and infuriating because right now, on Earth, Dina was worried sick about him.

“Thank you,” Arland said.

“Have you set a date?”

“Three months from now,” she told him. “It will be a small, family affair.”

“I suggest you postpone it,” Klaus said.

“Why?  For how long?” she asked.

“A few years?” Klaus said. “A decade would be best.”

“And why would we do that?”

“You’ve made enemies,” he said.

“Be more specific,” she snapped.

“Do you remember a monster, a long time ago, at the inn? He chased you when you were a toddler?”

“Mukama.” Arland bared his fangs.

“You told him? Good. This will make things simpler. I can’t explain the details right now, but things are connected. You, Dina, the corrupted ad-hal, and the mukama. All of it is part of one complicated whole. Should you have your wedding now, it will be invaded. There are forces out there that wish to prevent your union. The safest, most prudent thing, is to wait until all of the preparations are complete. If you give me a decade…”

“Let me understand this,” Arland said, his face dark. “You are saying that if we were to have our wedding, the remnants of the mukama may invade the planet to stop it?”

“In essence, yes,” Klaus said.

A predatory light sparked in Arland’s eyes.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” she asked.

Arland nodded. “We do have to postpone.”

“I’m glad you see the wisdom—” Klaus started.

“We need to go bigger,” she said.

“Oh yes.” Arland grinned, displaying his fangs. “Much bigger. We’ll need to invite everyone. We should be ready in 10 months or so.”

Klaus stared at them.

“We should tell your mother about the invasion,” Maud said. “Lady Ilemina would love this.”

“Oh, she will be overjoyed.” Arland clapped his massive hand on Klaus’ shoulder. “Thank you for this delightful news, my future in-law. You bring the best tidings. We shall have the grandest wedding in Krahr’s history. We will invite everyone.”

Maud grinned and swiped a quick kiss on Arland’s lips. “I can’t wait.”

The post I Will Explain Everything first appeared on ILONA ANDREWS.

Graphic Audio reached out to our literary agency.

Thanksgiving is a time when we come together with friends and family to share a delicious meal and reflect on everything we have to be thankful for.

We want to help you show your fans how much you appreciate their unwavering support and enthusiasm for your work with this 60% discount on your audiobook, “Sweep In Peace [Dramatized Adaptation]: Innkeeper Chronicles 2”.

The promotion starts today and will be available until 11/30/23.

This promotion is ran by Audiobooks.com. It is NOT available on Audible. To listen to Audiobooks.com titles, you have to download their free app.

PS Mod R: Also a reminder that there’s an Early Black Friday deal going on at the moment on the Graphic Audio website for 50% off all downloads, so if you want to grab the latest Kate adaptation or the rest of the Innkeeper Chronicles (Sweep of the Heart is coming out in January and the preorder is already live), now is your time.

Happy listening!

The post Audiobooks.com: 60% Off Sweep in Peace GA Audio first appeared on ILONA ANDREWS.

I promised to remind you when the release is upon us: it’s TODAY!

You can listen to a small sample here on the order page. They also have the details of all formats available and instructions for using the Access app to listen to your purchase.

Step 1: Create an account with Graphic Audio (you can take the shortcut and link it to your Amazon account)

Step 2: purchase Clean Sweep

Step 3: Download the Access app on your device and look in the “Collection” section for your download. You’re ready to listen!

If you want to chose the zip download options, they give the user the ability to listen to the files on third party players or to back up the files on personal drives for collection purposes. Read more.

Notice there will be a CD version, but the release is slightly later, in February.

It will be available on March 1 at Audible, Storytel, Audiobooks dot com, Overdrive, Google books, Apple books, Chirp, Hoopla, AudiobooksNow, Kobo, LibroFM and more.

There are no geographical restrictions to purchasing the book or downloading the Access app. Depending on your bank, a small foreign currency fee may apply if you buy from another country (for me in the UK it was 20 pence).

House Andrews are very happy with the collaboration and they were able to make sure the pronunciation of names and terms was accurate. Graphic Audio adaptations, for those who don’t know, are quite similar to the radio dramas of old, and include a diverse cast, with each character being voiced by a different actor, sound effects, music etc.

I had a bit of a sneak peak listen under Mod prerogatives and absolutely lost it at the Arland drinking coffee scene hehehe. The actor really runs with it.

Happy weekend listen!

The post Graphic Audio Adaptation of Clean Sweep first appeared on ILONA ANDREWS.