Review & Giveaway - - Ruby Fever

Ruby Fever

by Ilona Andrews

Hidden Legacy - Book 6

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: August 23, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

An escaped spider, the unexpected arrival of an Imperial Russian Prince, the senseless assassination of a powerful figure, a shocking attack on the supposedly invincible Warden of Texas, Catalina’s boss... And it’s only Monday. 

Within hours, the fate of Houston—not to mention the House of Baylor—now rests on Catalina, who will have to harness her powers as never before. But even with her fellow Prime and fiancé Alessandro Sagredo by her side, she may not be able to expose who’s responsible before all hell really breaks loose.

PJ's Thoughts:

It was worth the wait. So worth the wait! 

I loved Catalina and Alessandro! I could fill pages with what I want to say about them and this final story in their journey but every reader should discover its goodness the way I did - one page at a time - so I'll just say this: Questions are answered, bad guys dispatched, love is tested (but holds strong), surprises revealed, and the entire non-stop journey is littered with twists and turns aplenty. I couldn't put it down. Well, okay, so I did put it down (more like dropped my Kindle on my face when I fell asleep) around 2:30 AM but the second I woke up this morning I grabbed that device and didn't stop reading until I reached the final page. No surprise that the first thing I wanted to do was go back to page one and start over a second time. These books are seriously addictive!

I don't know what future plans Ilona Andrews has for the Baylor family or if this is the end of the Hidden Legacy series. (PLEASE, don't let this be the end!!!) There's a new Arabella thread introduced that has me hoping (wishing, praying, not above begging) for another trilogy. Plus, Leon needs a match. And...and...and...I love this family way too much to say goodbye. Not yet! 

If you're a Hidden Legacy fan, you probably already have Ruby Fever on pre-order. If you're new to this world, I recommend you begin with Burn for Me (Nevada's trilogy - Book 1) and read the books in order. It's the best way to fully understand these characters, their evolution, their fascinating world, their family dynamic, and the stories that have me reaching for these books to reread time and time again.  

The Hidden Legacy books, in order, are:

Nevada's trilogy

Burn for Me

White Hot

Wildfire

Diamond Fire (a novella that connects the two trilogies)

Catalina's trilogy

Sapphire Flames

Emerald Blaze

Ruby Fever

Giveaway:

Are you reading the Hidden Legacy series?

Have you read any other books by Ilona Andrews?

Are you as hopeful for another trilogy as I am?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, August 21 will receive finished print copies of Sapphire Flames and Emerald Blaze and a print ARC of Ruby Fever.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited

Review - - Emerald Blaze

Emerald Blaze

by Ilona Andrews

Hidden Legacy

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: August 25, 2020

Reviewed by PJ

As Prime magic users, Catalina Baylor and her sisters have extraordinary powers—powers their ruthless grandmother would love to control. Catalina can earn her family some protection working as deputy to the Warden of Texas, overseeing breaches of magic law in the state, but that has risks as well. When House Baylor is under attack and monsters haunt her every step, Catalina is forced to rely on handsome, dangerous Alessandro Sagredo, the Prime who crushed her heart. 

The nightmare that Alessandro has fought since childhood has come roaring back to life, but now Catalina is under threat. Not even his lifelong quest for revenge will stop him from keeping her safe, even if every battle could be his last. Because Catalina won't rest until she stops the use of the illicit, power-granting serum that's tearing their world apart. 

PJ's Thoughts:

After every book in the Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy series I wonder how they will possibly be able to top what they've just written. And then the next book in the series comes along and...they do. Emerald Blaze is filled with everything I love about this series. The world building continues to blow me away. I know, I really do know that this is a fictional world but everything in it is so unbelievably vivid and realistic that I find myself completely immersed in it, reacting to the characters, danger, magic, and non-human beings as if it's all real. I engaged in a lot of gasping, hand-wringing, breath-holding, sighs, and, yes, a few tears, before reaching the end of this book. The characters are so well developed that they've become more like real people to me than characters in a story. I care about them and am fully engaged in their lives.

The book starts a bit slow but quickly begins to build then ramps up and takes us on a life or death race to the finish. Catalina's character continues to strengthen and grow in this second book of her trilogy. As much as I liked Nevada, I like Catalina even more. She's growing into her power and position and I can't wait to see what comes next for her. Alessandro, also, shows significant growth in this story. I'm enjoying the person he's becoming and the effect that has on his actions and his tenuous relationship with Catalina. Their romance really develops in this book with unexpected twists and unveiled secrets that pack an emotional punch and create an ever deepening bond. These two have captured my heart and I am so hoping for their happily ever after. There are a couple significant obstacles in their path though, and one more book in the trilogy, which means more hurdles ahead. And I am here for every one of them.

We also get a lot of familial interaction in this book, including Nevada and Rogan (heroine and hero of the first trilogy). I love the dynamics within the Baylor family and am especially enjoying the evolution of Arabella, Leon, Bern and others. Still keeping my fingers crossed for a trilogy for Arabella once she's a bit older.

For maximum enjoyment of Catalina's character arc (without reading the entire series), I recommend beginning with Diamond Fire (a novella), then reading Sapphire Flames followed by Emerald Blaze. However, for a complete understanding of the Hidden Legacy world as well as the Baylor family dynamics, I suggest starting at the beginning of the series with book one in Nevada and Rogan's trilogy, Burn for Me, followed by White Hot, Wildfire, and then Catalina's books.

I've already read this book twice and I have no doubt I'll be revisiting it again before the final book in Catalina's trilogy is published. These characters have a tendency to not want to let go.

Review - - Sapphire Flames

Sapphire Flames
by Ilona Andrews
A Hidden Legacy Novel
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: August 27, 2019
Reviewed by PJ
 

In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.

But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.

To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.

My thoughts:

What do I expect when I pick up a book in the Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy series? Impeccable world building, complex characters who engage my mind and capture my heart, story lines that achieve a perfect balance of action, intrigue, and emotion, and a thrilling romance that plays out over the course of each trilogy. Sapphire Flames, the first book in Andrews' new Hidden Legacy trilogy provides all that and more. I couldn't put it down the first time I read it. Ditto for the second. The fact that I'll read it again before book two releases is a given.

I'm fascinated with both Catalina Baylor and her entire family. Andrews draws them with such clarity and creates a family dynamic so lifelike that I could easily convince myself they really exist. I admire Catalina's strength in stepping up to fill her sister's position within the family while also understanding her fear and misgivings along the way. It's a pleasure to watch her grow into her new role after watching her grow up in the first trilogy. 

Alessandro is a delicious man of mystery. He's a bit of a James Bond type character but glimpses into his thoughts and motivations during this book show readers that there is likely to be much more depth to this man that we realize. And much more depth to his feelings for Catalina as well. I'm eager to watch Andrews unravel his character - and build their relationship - as the series moves forward. 

If you were sad to see Rogan and Nevada's romance reach its conclusion, mourn no longer. It's time for Catalina and Alessandro to step into the spotlight and they are going to rock your world. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

While Sapphire Flames can be read as a standalone, for a more complete understanding of the Baylor family and the magical world in which they live I recommend starting at the beginning, or at the very least, reading Diamond Fire, the novella that transitions readers from the first trilogy (Nevada and Rogan) to the second (Catalina and Alessandro). The books, in order, are: Burn for Me, White Hot, Wildfire, Diamond Fire, and Sapphire Flames. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

Are you a paranormal romance reader?

If you could have one magical ability, what would it be?

Are you reading the Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy series?

PJ's Birthday Giveaway #2

One person who comments before 11:00 PM, September 9, will receive a Kindle copy of Diamond Fire, the novella that introduces Catalina and Alessandro's trilogy. 

Review - - Diamond Fire

Diamond Fire: A Hidden Legacy Novella
By Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Release Date: November 6, 2018
Reviewed by PJ

Nevada Frida Baylor and Connor Ander Rogan cordially invite you to join their wedding celebration. Summoning, weather manipulation, and other magical activities strictly forbidden.

Catalina Baylor is looking forward to wearing her maid of honor dress and watching her older sister walk down the aisle.  Then the wedding planner gets escorted off the premises, the bride’s priceless tiara disappears, and Rogan's extensive family overruns his mother’s home.  Someone is cheating, someone is lying, and someone is plotting murder.

To make this wedding happen, Catalina will have to do the thing she fears most: use her magic.  But she’s a Baylor and there’s nothing she wouldn't do for her sister's happiness.  Nevada will have her fairy tale wedding, even if Catalina has to tear the mansion apart brick by brick to get it done.

My thoughts:

I've fallen in love with the magical world created within Ilona Andrews' Hidden Legacy series and the characters that inhabit it. In the first three books, readers have watched Nevada and Rogan fall in love, vanquish enemies, and find their happily ever after. We've also been introduced to the members of Nevada's family, characters with oodles of potential for stories of their own, characters like her younger sister, Catalina. 

Diamond Fire is a novella that ties up Nevada and Rogan's journey with a happy bow while also setting up the next trilogy in the series. It's a fast-paced, action-packed, suspense-filled story chock full of betrayal, intrigue, and magic. And humor. I love how Andrews uses laughter to balance the darker elements of her stories.  

It was fun to watch kick-ass Nevada Baylor turn into a bundle of nerves over the prospect of planning her wedding and, especially, meeting her future mother-in-law. I adored Connor's mother! She's an intriguing character with powerful magic, a good heart, and no patience for anyone who threatens those she loves. I'm looking forward to hopefully learning more about her in future books. 

While the secondary cast is well-developed, the star of this novella is Catalina. The eighteen-year-old really begins to come into her own in this story and I thoroughly enjoyed watching her slowly begin to embrace her powers. I can't wait to find out what the future holds for her in the next trilogy. 

Diamond Fire is the newest addition to my Ilona Andrews keeper shelf. It's a brilliantly executed transition from Nevada's journey to Catalina's and I highly recommend it to both fans of the first Hidden Legacy trilogy as well as those new to the series. 

Review - - White Hot

White Hot

By Ilona Andrews

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: May 30, 2017
Reviewed by Nancy Northcott

White Hot is the second book in Andrews’ Hidden Legacy paranormal romance series.  It’s set in the same world as the prior volume, Burn for Me, and continues the romance of the two leads from that book, Nevada Baylor and Connor Rogan (a/k/a Mad Rogan).

With help from her family, Nevada runs the private investigations agency that supports them all.  Her rare magical talent, being able to tell when someone’s lying, is often useful for her work, but if her ability were widely known, government agencies and others needing a reliable interrogator would take over her life.

Those are the problems she anticipates.  She doesn’t know there’s someone else out there who would crush her family if the truth about her abilities, which are steadily growing stronger, were known.

Rogan is a billionaire and a prime, which is the highest ranking for a magic user.  He’s also the head of House Rogan, a magically gifted line.  In the Hidden Legacy world, families with magical gifts establish houses to continue their lines.  There’s a non-magical government and civic structure, but these houses hold the true power in Houston, Texas, where the series is set.

Unfortunately for Nevada, she can’t resist using her gift when she sees that it’s truly needed.  She also can’t resist a potential client on a desperate quest for justice for his dead wife, even though that quest pits him and Nevada against some of the city’s most powerful magical houses.

At the end of the first book, Burn for Me, Nevada and Rogan parted ways after he made an offer that insulted her.  Nevada’s family is sure they aren’t done, and various members make a point of saying so. She doesn’t know he’s also investigating the same case she has just taken on.  Employees of his died, and he means to avenge them.  He has information and skills she needs, so she reluctantly agrees to work with him.

The time they spend together shows her that his emotions aren’t as simple as she believed and teaches him that the blunt approach isn’t always best.  At the end of the book, when both their lives are on the line, each would rather die than sacrifice the other.  They have become a team.

The romance picks up early in the book, and Nevada and Rogan’s reunion is explosive.  There is considerable and consistent emotional tension, which is leavened with periodic sexual tension, and the progression of the romance works very well.  Nevada’s family, who were intriguing in the first book, are fleshed out even more in this one, with one person developing a potentially disturbing gift.

Overall, the story moves at a great pace.  The stakes rise through the book so that the ending is riveting.  It’s also satisfying. The only blip is that one subplot was built up to be more than its resolution implied.  I’m hoping that’s because it will be developed further in the next book. An advantage of continuing characters and situations is the ability to start something in one book and move it to the fore in a later one.

I highly recommend White Hot.

~~~~~~~~~~~

PJ, here. I read this book last week and loved it. Like Nancy, I give it an enthusiastic recommendation. I have an extra copy of White Hot for one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM, June 20. (U.S./Canada only)