SWEEP IN PEACE is Book 2 in the Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews,
the fantastic writing duo of Ilona and Gordon Andrews. Originally released as a
free serial, the book is now edited and re-released for purchase. I'm thrilled that
they are planning a third book in the series. There hasn't been a single thing
written by Ilona Andrews that I have not inhaled and absolutely loved. SWEEP IN
PEACE is no exception.
Dina DeMille runs the Gertrude Mills Inn, a magical bed and breakfast that does
not service humans. It's only available to alien guests, usually from other worlds.
Gertrude Mills is almost sentient and defies the law of physics. Dina can ask her
inn to transform itself to meet her guests' needs. George, an Arbitrator, arrives
and asks her to host a peace summit between three warring species. Dina jumps
at the chance to gain both energy for her inn and the prestige of hosting a peace
conference. She's also eager to gain some traction in a personal cause: locating
her parents who ran an Inn before their mysterious disappearance. Dina's talents
are stretched, however, to
provide acceptable food and lodging to three very different races, as well as
keeping them from killing each other while at her inn.
Fans of Andrews' Edge series will be thrilled to meet Jack, George, and
Lark again. SWEEP IN PEACE can be read and fully enjoyed without any previous
knowledge of the other series. I don't think you even need to read Book 1 in the
Innkeeper Chronicles first, although you should because it's so awesome.
The deviousness of George, along with the sheer mastery of Lark and Jack, is
lovely to
behold. However, it is Dina as Innkeeper who acts as the linchpin and who shines
as the heroine of this story. I love her perseverance, her integrity, and her loyalty.
Truly, anyone would be lucky to count Dina as their friend.
The worldbuilding in this series is glorious. Andrews' books always do a fantastic
job in pacing alternating periods of utterly tense paranormal activity with
lighthearted scenes of bizarre alien humor. I adore the writing style with its superb
pacing and a dry sense of humor that just kills me. There are several interlocking
mysteries to keep the reader guessing, and lots of martial sparring and posturing
to keep things lively. There is also an underlying romantic thread that makes me
sigh happily. SWEEP IN PEACE hits all my buttons, and Ilona and Gordon Andrews
have turned in another winner.
Dina DeMille isn't your typical Bed and Breakfast owner. Her inn defies laws of physics, her dog is
secretly a monster, and the only permanent guest of the inn is a former Galactic tyrant with a price
on her head.
The inn needs guests to thrive and guests have been scarce, so when an Arbitrator shows up at
Dina's door and asks her to host a peace summit between three warring species, she jumps on the
chance.
Unfortunately, for Dina, bridging the gap between space vampires, the Hope-Crushing Horde, and
the merchants of Baha-char is much easier said than done. To make the summit a success, she
must find a chef, remodel the inn, keep her guests from murdering each other, and risk everything,
even her life, to save the man she might fall in love with. But then it's all in the day's work for an
Innkeeper…