The world slowed as they moved through it, too fast.
The pair of troops before them had no time to react.
Ramona slashed, slicing the man in front of her in half.
Matias thrust his blade into the neck of the trooper before him. The seco encountered no resistance. It never did.
Blood wet the paver stones.
The pair of the remaining shock troops opened fire. In the split second before they pulled their triggers, he’d shifted both seco into shields and sprinted. The pellet barrage smashed into the double seco shield, glancing off and mincing the jungle around them, and then he reached striking distance.
Ramona spun from behind him with breathtaking elegance, her two shields mutating into wide blades, and struck. Two heads rolled onto the path. She dismissed the seco with a flourish and stepped over the bodies.
He knew it was for the cameras. He had no doubt they were being watched and whoever saw that on the other end likely wet themselves. But she had done it flawlessly. Every line of her body, every twist, every movement was the definition of deadly grace.
Jealousy seared him. He wished she had done it just for him. He wished he was the one to parry it.
Thank you! I live for your snippets
OMG – the “project not to be discussed” woot!!! More please? *runs for cover*
Thank you for sharing!!!
OOOh – am I first???
I love the look of this – really looking forward to reading more 🙂
Stay safe everyone.
Thank you!
Now I will ponder whether a seco is magical, mental, or mechanical in odd moments throughout spring break. What fun!
Is this Kinsman or something new?
🤩 So excited to see what this is part of!!!!
Me too!!
SAME!!!!
Me too (three… four…)
The Seco shield/weapon makes me think of the melder ene-ribbon wielded by Meli in Silent Blade so I hope it is a new Kinsman. Wonderful books.
+1!!!!
Seco means dry in Spanish IS IT AN ETYMOLOGICAL CLUE?!
Or is it derived from second?
I will have forgotten these questions by the time I get answers lol
Aaaaah, is it too soon to freak out? Probably right. Well I don’t care. Thanks for the amazing snippet. I look forward to this story whenever ot will be released.
I am not sure if these seco are magical or not. As a touch of sci-fi in my mind. We shall see.
Well the pic might be a clue 😀
It does sound like “Kinsman”, but whatever it is sounds really exciting!
Hope this pans out into something salable. I haven’t given House Andrews nearly enough money lately.
+1
*squeals in delight*
Thank you for the snippet!
+1 😊
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Ohhh this is heating up fast!
Thank you for this snippet. Inquiring mind want to know where this snippet is in the grand book scheme of things. Hmmm….🤔😁
Moar!!! Give us moar! 🙂
Cracking surprise – thank you!
Thank you for a wonderful start to my work day. It makes me happy.
Well I gotta say that you have action scenes down to a fine science!! Eagerly awaiting more!!
Thank you for the tantalizing snippets!
Thankyouthankyouthankyou! Squee!
What a lovely little gift for us! Great snippet, thanks. 🙂
And that woke me right up! 🙂 Can’t wait to read more.
Thank you for sharing the awesome snippet! 😍😍😍
If it is part of an existing series which one is it so I can reread it
Oh. My. God!
A precious early easter egg- thank you for the snippet.
This seco-blade-shield-dual-thingy sounds very cool.
Sometimes I think Ilona and Gordon go “I’m bored. Wanna see how excited we can get the fans? Cookie to whoever finds the craziest fan theory!”
😂😂😂
Loved the snippet! Can’t wait to see what this is. Ramona kinda gives me Mara Jade vibes which is always a good thing
“Cookie to whoever finds the craziest fan theory!”
Hehehe…. I have to agree with this suggestion. Looks interesting, whatever it is from!
+1 Perhaps House Andrews is a bit feline and likes to play with the BDH.
Thank you!!!!
Snippet, teaser, torture that makes me smile and want more…
Testing my descriptive options to explain why I am interrupting my kiddo during remote school with my lamentations.
This is new and exciting! Thank you!
I’m so excited about the mystery book!!!! Woohoo!
OMG Excited…. new story (jumps for joy!). Thank you.
This was so good, I’m just licking my lips.
Thank you so much!
Thank you for the snippet!
Sounds so cool. I cant wait for more. Now I’m dying to find out if it is a new kinsman or not.
Thank you for all you do to give your readers a respite from gray fog of pandemic despair. NZ peeps – count your blessings. Your snippets are glimpses into a future when my most pressing problem will be finding uninterrupted time to devour the latest House Andrews offering. Truly thanks for all you do.
+1!
Ahhhhhhhhhh!!! I love this!!!
I don’t know why, but this kind of reminds of one of those “started but didn’t like so stopped” projects that they gave us links to last year. I seem to recall we all liked them. This reminds me of the one that had the most content available. I’ll have to see if I can find the link again.
That said, I do agree it could be a Kinsman one. I loved the Silver Shark.
Hey Tink,
I think you’re Tink thinking of the Trunk 😉 https://ilona-andrews.com/2018/the-trunk-is-open/
Hope this helps 🙂
Yes, I think it was one of those. Thanks, R!
Except I just read a few lines from each to see which it was and I can’t tell from those little lines. Guess I’ll have to reread them. Oh, darn.
Hey Tink – it wasn’t ‘a mere formality’ was it? I got vibes for that universe when we had the last snippet (when Romona arrived in the office) – https://ilona-andrews.com/a-mere-formality/
No, it was another one of people fighting in a forest, but I do like A Mere Formality. And they added artwork to the story! Or at least a picture of Deirdre, presumably.
Hmmm. I’m not sure about fighting in a forest, but there is definitely a dangerous jungle at the end of Emily 🙂 https://www.ilona-andrews.com/emily/
Yes, that’s the one! Thanks. That was driving me nuts!
Woohoo! Thank you!
Whatever new goodness this is, thank you from the bottom of this BDH member’s heart!
*squeeeeeee*
Thank you! You guys are terrific 🤩
Sounds great so far!! I can’t wait to see more!! I love everything you two give us lol!!
Sounds awesome! Looking forward to it!
Okay, I think you’ve got most of our curiosities itching. This, whatever it turns out to be, will be good.
OMGOMGOMG SOMETHING NEW GIMME!!!!!!!
*deep breath* ok, ok, I’m ok. *coughs*
Thank you for the snippet, I’m so excited! Can’t wait to read! ❤️
👀🥰😂😏 *obviously I have a lot of emotions here *
I have no idea what I just read, but I am so intrigued!!
😉 It’s a secret. But there was a part 1 before that may help figure it out 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/happy-wednesday/
Is this the same or different from “that forger thing” Kid 2 mentioned?
https://ilona-andrews.com/2020/fandom-tea-party/
It was never clarified whether it was fraudulent copying or shaping by a blacksmith.
No comment on the first question 🤐.
I have it on good authority (Ilona, in the Fan Group, with an answer) that it is option A for the second one.
Oh darn it! I really hoped that it was a blacksmith and not someone copying their work. Boo to lazy, unscrupulous people! Boo! 😡
Hi Breann,
To clarify: this isn’t about someone copying House Andrews works, but about a new book idea that Ilona teased in the Fandom Tea Party blog post- featuring forgers (as characters).
The BDH wasn’t sure what kind of forgers House Andrews had in mind, and it was clarified in the Fan Group that they would be the “producing imitations” kind 🙂.
Ohh good, I’m not going crazy, I DID remember Mathias. Thanks!!
Thank you 🙂 You folks are so kind to us.
Excuse me while I fan myself.
Whew!
Thanks for the snippet.
Thanks!!!!!!!!
I’m excited to read this new book!
Oh gosh, oh gosh! What a lovely tidbit after my walk. Idk who these two are but I can’t wait to meet them in a book.
Thank you.
Aaahhh so intriguing!! Can’t wait to find out what this is.
Damn! I got goosebumps!!
I’m going to be THAT PERSON and object to the lack of trigger discipline displayed in the pic above. 🙂
Wait what am I reading? Love it as usual. Just kinda confused. Lol had to read it several times each trying to apply it each of your series.
On a really migrainey kind of crap day, this is the happy thing I need. .
thank you
O.o
WOW!
Nothing new to add, wish I was a better writer.
Snippets are my favorite treat.
Especially snippets while eating candy, today it’s jelly beans .
Thank you.
I turn in into Gollum every time there is a snippet. (>o<)
"My precious…."
Whatever this is I love it. If it is released will be pre-ordering immediately.
Is this Kid’s book? The flow doesn’t ‘read’ Ilona Andrews to me…
This could be something out of (or parallel to) Kinsman … or it could be something completely new. Remember how Innkeeper was totally new and mind-blowing? Or when Hidden Legacy was a completely new world? Writers must like to stretch their wings and try new things as well as go back to old friends and worlds.
All I can say is that someone’s military background may have escaped for a little adventure …
Thank you!! Sounds super exicitng cant wait to read more!! Be safe 👍
😱
Thank you for the snippet. It has stirred my imagination.
this is getting really good 🙂
thanks for the snippet….
Oooooohhhhh shiny pretty! Thank you 😍🤩
hmm I am intrigued 🙂 🙂
Whatever this is, I can’t wait! 😁😁
The way things are going I wouldn’t mind having a seco of my very own. Certainly would get peoples attention.
Sounds bloody and violent. I love it!
That was certainly fun, thanks!! Can hardly wait to hear more about this new project.
Oh wow! This looks so good. I so looking forward to reading it. You can almost imagine Ramona’s fighting movements like it’s a smooth dance. Thanks so much for sharing with us!! =D
Wow loved it can’t wait to read more
Love it! I want more!
Ok, so here’s my theory – this is part of the IA multiverse – which consists of the questing beast + Kinsmen + space portion (Vampires, Werewolves etc.) from Innkeeper.
And so what is happening here is the Kinsmen families are having a hunger games inspired tournament at some newly discovered planet reserved for this type of sport – that the questing beast people couldn’t find life on & thus could not save for preservation – and that is serviced (so provided shuttle flights etc. because they control the specific gate that leads up to it now via piracy) by Maud’s old husband’s family.
Boom.
Like it!
Thank you!! This snippet is just the medicine I needed after three days of dr. appointments. (And now, “Jeopardy” and maybe a nap!)
wow! Such emotion! Love it!
Is it only me or this looks cool! Seems like scifi!!! 🍾
It’s gonna be good, ya’ll !!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much !!!
What New madness is this!!!
Uh Oh, now you’ve done it. The BDH will be clamouring for more. Thanks for the snippet. Looking forward to whatever this turns into.
This made me think of the vampires in the innkeeper world. Made my knight!!
Thanks for the snippet. Especially since I’m still amused by yesterday’s real estate post.
😊✨
Thank you for another bit of the new shiny!
The seco sounds so cool – excited to learn more about it and this world!!
Cool snippet. Hmmm, a new storyline!?!
Thank you!
This seco thing is intriguing. The word is both singular and plural and I suspect it is an acronym such as “Serious Energy Conversion Object(s)”. It certainly is versatile. More, please.
I’m hooked! Whatever book this is, I’m all in! You’ve got me hook,line & sinker!!! Thank you!
Ohhhh 😯 Thank you for the snippet. Hope everyone is doing well.
Squee, love a good snippet. And thanks Mod R for the link to the first snippet 🙂
Thank you House Andrews!!!
Oh….. wow!!! That was just breathtaking to read, I sincerely hope and pray there will be more to read because that was just… wow!
Oh my god…. a new story in my other favorite genre by my favorite authors?
*doki doki*
oooh!! Thank you for giving us a snippet!
What a treat! Thank you. I will be honest, I’m lurking around here on April 1st hoping for news of the Roland redemption novel, evil Kate and all that 😂😘
Intriguing!! Thank you so much!!
Oh, oh, oh! It’s sooo promising and exciting! Can’t wait for the book to be out <3
I thought I was thrillling for another Aurora’s book, but now I’m prayin for a new Kismet book.
Thanks
Thank you, Ilona Andrews for the snippet. We enjoyed it.
I am really enjoying the snippets. This will be a great read when it’s ready.
Thank you!
Ooooooo!
Totally confused. Doesnt matter! I always love reading your work😀💐🌺
Hey Lynene,
There was a previous snippet a couple of weeks ago that may shed some light 😉 https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/happy-wednesday/.
I have never stopped yearning for the next Kinsmen. My fav of all time. So hoping that coming true!!!
Happy Friday!!
Lovely snippet! Thank you. 🙂
What is this? it’s great so good but where in your book world’s does it fit.
Ooh! What’s this upcoming book?
This is Leon,right.
Wow intense, I love it,
Thank you very much for gifting us with this snippet ✨❤️
😫 whatever it is I need more of it
Love every word that drips off your fingertips. Thank you for the snippets you post.
I have been gone too long – don’t recognize any of these characters. Time to catch up on the blog …
Oooo! Juicy! Lol, pun intended!