Tag: Ilona Andrews

Review: Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews

Posted June 12, 2025 by Wena in Reviews | 0 Comments

Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews

Series: Hidden Legacy #5
Also in this Series: Burn for Me, White Hot, Wildfire, Diamond Fire, Sapphire Flames
Main Leads: Catalina Baylor, Alessandro Sagredo
Setting: United States, Texas, Houston
Tropes: Murder Mystery, Childhood Trauma, Second Chance Romance
Genres: Romance, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Published On: August 25, 2020
Publisher: Avon
Format: e-Book
Source: Purchased
Pages: 392
Purchase It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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.

This book starts about six months after the last book, Sapphire Flames, ends. Catalina is busy. She’s running the family business, taking care of Deputy Warden business, and nursing a broken heart from Alessandro leaving. She’s bad, she’s sad, and just a little bit mad. When Felix Morton is murdered, Catalina is assigned to the case. This new case has also brought Alessandro back in town because Felix’s father hired him to kill whoever killed his son. That means that Catalina and Alessandro are back together again and Catalina is not even a little bit happy about that fact.

Seeing these two back in action was a lot of fun even though Alessandro being back in town and his complete turnaround made me make this face…

He wins me over of course but I still had an attitude in the beginning. There’s a lot going on in this story and I won’t lie, seeing Catalina and Alessandro piece things together while Catalina is trying to hold Alessandro at arms length and Alessandro wanting to protect Catalina even though he knows that he completely messed up and trying to protect and love her anyway had me all eager to see their love story come together. In terms of time, this book takes place over the course of a few days so if I stop to think about it, the make up between Alessandro and Catalina happened too quick but let’s not think too closely about that. I still enjoyed this book a lot.

I like that Catalina is a different heroine than Nevada is. I even like the differences between Mad Rogan and Alessandro and even though I like Nevada and Rogan more, I really enjoy reading about Catalina and Alessandro. Their teamwork is a lot of fun and I love how smart the two of them are. They’re fiercely loyal to their loved ones and have their own set of charms that are compelling as hell. I love that Catalina is smart as a whip and has a soft touch to her style.

The case of Felix Morton’s murder gets Catalina and Alessandro entangled in some shit and seeing it open threads and expose some truths made for an interesting ride. The Andrews writing duo is second to none in writing compelling stories with colorful characters that really bring the story together. I loved seeing the Baylors and everyone else and I’m mighty curious about who Arabella will end up with. Andrews does a great job of stringing the character along, keeping them invested in what was going on and that was definitely the case with this book. I love this series so much and am so happy that I can still enjoy it and have things to look forward to. This is a definite recommend.

Hidden Legacy Series

4.5 out of 5

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Review: Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews

Posted June 11, 2025 by Wena in Reviews | 0 Comments

Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews

Series: Hidden Legacy
Also in this Series: Burn for Me, White Hot, Wildfire, Diamond Fire
Main Leads: Catalina Baylor, Alessandro Sagredo
Setting: United States, Texas, Houston
Tropes: Good vs. Evil, Super Powers, Family Drama
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Published On: August 27, 2019
Publisher: Avon
Format: e-Book
Source: Purchased
Pages: 359
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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.

Sapphire Flames is the first book in the Hidden Legacy series featuring Catalina as the main protagonist. This book starts approximately a year after the events of Wildfire. Catalina is now head of House Baylor and in charge of the family. Nevada and Rogan are out of the country, so Catalina truly is on her own. When a new case lands in her lap – this one involving family – she’ll need all her resources to keep it together…especially since Alessandro Segredo is back, and somehow involved.

I loved Catalina and I’m so ready for more of her and Alessandro. I like that Catalina isn’t the billy badass that Nevada is but she’s still growing into the person she’s meant to be and I think her powers are so interesting. I have every faith that she’s going to be just as awesome as Nevada and I look forward to being here for all of her adventures. I’m really hoping that in the next book, we’ll get more into Alessandro’s mission, his revenge and just his whole story in general. I do think that they seemed to fall in love super fast but that didn’t bother me. I probably would have fallen in love at first sight with Alessandro’s fine ass too. Ha. Maybe their powers manifested to them that they were going to fall in love, haha, who knows. I bought it and I’m here for it.

I think that Ilona Andrews writes entertaining stories and this wasn’t any different for me. I couldn’t read this story fast enough. I enjoyed everything, I look forward to seeing where Catalina’s story takes her in the next book, and I’m here for seeing each of the young Baylor’s really grow into themselves and their powers. I really want to see them learn their powers and see their powers grow as they learn them. Man, there’s so much to look forward to. I can’t wait.

I also really, really want more Arabella. I would definitely be on board with her getting her own set of books as well as Leo. They’re all such interesting characters and I think they would carry their own books really well.

I inhaled this book so fast both times that I read it and I’m so here for all of it. The second time that I read it, I meant to savor the experience but nope…I was too thirsty for more so I just jumped right in. Andrews means business with this series. This was a great addition to an already fabulous series.

Hidden Legacy Series

4 out of 5

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Review: Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews

Posted June 10, 2025 by Wena in Reviews | 0 Comments

Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews

Series: Hidden Legacy #3.5
Also in this Series: Burn for Me, White Hot, Wildfire
Main Leads: Catalina Baylor, Alessandro Sagredo
Setting: United States, Texas, Houston
Tropes: Good vs. Evil, Family Drama, Super Powers
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Published On: November 6, 2018
Publisher: Avon
Format: e-Book
Source: Purchased
Pages: 160
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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.

This was such a short story but I thought the Andrews duo did a pretty great job of packing a serious punch. We got some Rogan and Nevada action, we got some House Baylor shenanigans, some House Rogan bonding and we got some Catalina showing some serious promise action too so all in all, I was a happy camper.

So the blurb will have you believe that this book will be all about Nevada and Connor’s wedding, and while that is the huge backdrop of the story, the main focus of the actual story is on Catalina trying to make sure that there is a wedding after a bunch of family shenanigans throw those plans up in the air. We have a missing family heirloom, some family unrest and Catalina coming out of her shell and putting people on notice.

I read this book in one sitting because I still can’t get enough of this world. I love the Baylors, the Rogans (Connor’s Mom is whoa!) and being wrapped up in their world again appeals to me on every level. I adored reading the first three books from Nevada’s POV and I didn’t know if I’d enjoy Catalina’s POV as much because they’re such different characters. Nevada is an in your face, take charge kind of person while Catalina is a lot more reserved. She tends to see the best in people and is always so nice but holy cow, don’t let that fool you. She can get down with the best of them and it’s going to be fun seeing her come into her powers and into herself as a person.

There’s just a tiny glimpse of a romance here (which was a bummer for me since I wanted more from this guy) and Catalina doesn’t trust it so I can see that playing a huge role in her books.

Overall, this book was too short but it definitely satisfied the craving that I had for something new. It proved that Catalina and Arabella can definitely hold their own as the main characters and I can’t wait to see where Catalina’s books take her. Fans of this series won’t be disappointed and it will definitely make you thirsty for more so stay thirsty, my friends. 🙂

Hidden Legacy Series

4 out of 5

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Review: Wildfire by Ilona Andrews

Posted June 5, 2025 by Wena in Reviews | 0 Comments

Wildfire by Ilona Andrews

Series: Hidden Legacy #3
Also in this Series: Burn for Me, White Hot
Main Leads: Nevada Baylor, Connor “Mad” Rogan
Setting: United States, Texas, Houston
Tags: Super Powers, Family Drama, Strong Female Lead
Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Romance
Published On: July 25, 2017
Publisher: Avon
Format: e-Book
Source: Purchased
Pages: 391
Purchase It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Nevada Baylor can’t decide which is more frustrating—harnessing her truthseeker abilities or dealing with Connor “Mad” Rogan and their evolving relationship. Yes, the billionaire Prime is helping her navigate the complex magical world in which she’s become a crucial player—and sometimes a pawn—but she also has to deal with his ex-fiancée, whose husband has disappeared, and whose damsel-in-distress act is wearing very, very thin.

Rogan faces his own challenges, too, as Nevada’s magical rank has made her a desirable match for other Primes. Controlling his immense powers is child’s play next to controlling his conflicting emotions. And now he and Nevada are confronted by a new threat within her own family. Can they face this together? Or is their world about to go up in smoke?

Wildfire is book 3 in the Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews and it’s the last book in Nevada’s trilogy of books. Everything that Nevada and Rogan have been fighting against since book 1 is still in the background of what is happening front and center in their lives. Nevada’s latest client is Rogan’s ex-fiancee and she hired Nevada to help find her missing husband.

The very last person that Nevada wants to spend time around is the woman that almost married her boyfriend but how could Nevada say no to someone who desperately needs help? The deeper that Nevada digs into this case, the more shady shit she finds and everything pretty much link back to the bigger fight that started in Book 1. So Nevada and Rogan are investigating different things but their cases keep bringing them back together.

On top of that, Nevada’s magic is getting stronger and stronger. She’s learning more about what she can do and her family is too. What a freaking powerhouse family she has. From Catalina to Arabella (damn girl) to freaking Leon, they’re going to be pretty legit once they each come into their own. I loved the dynamics between each family member. They fight fiercely but man do they come together like no other when they’re needed. Hell, even when they come together for the greater good, they fight like animals. Haha, they’re so great.

Nevada was pretty legit in the first book but in the third book, she’s come full circle and I loved her so much in this book. She handled the whole Rynda thing a lot better than I would have. I wouldn’t have been nearly as understanding and patient as Nevada was. One of my favorite quotes from the series is when she tells Rynda.

“If you continue to rely on others for that security, you will never find it. You’re a Prime, a woman, and a mother. Make yourself secure. Take charge of yourself. My circle work my be shaky and crooked, by it’s mine. I taught myself how to do it by studying books and now I’m using it. I didn’t ask Rogan to draw it for me, because I didn’t have to.”

Like I said, I wouldn’t have been nearly as patient and understanding with Rynda had I been in Nevada’s shoes but I love how loyal Rogan’s people were to him, but also to Nevada. When she said the above, I was all like…

I’m super sad that this book ends the series because holy crap, there was so much goodness in this one. Everything that I wanted to happen in this book, happened. Seeing more of Catalina, Leon and Arabella using their magic made me one happy camper. There were plenty of shocks and surprises that had my mouth dropping all over the place. This writing duo worked their magic once again and I ate every word up. I’m not ready to say goodbye to this world so I’m hoping against hope that we’ll see a spin off series that feature Nevada’s family. I’d love to see Catalina and the Italian Stallion that tested her. I’d love to see Leon’s future, as well as Arabella because holy shit, Arabella!! I laughed so much when Arabella shows up to kick ass and Nevada is like, “Mom is gonna kill me. Mom is gonna kill us. We can never go home.” Hahaha, oh this book was so good.

There’s a lot to love in this book. The action, the adventure, the romance between Rogan and Nevada was everything. Seeing them work through their issues had me all up in my feels. I loved how strong they were on their own but how they were even stronger together. I loved that Rogan put Nevada first every single time and I loved that Nevada loved Connor and how much faith they had in each other.

This series was such a fun reading adventure and I’m not all okay with the fact that I’m done with it. What am I even going to do with the rest of my life?

If you’re looking for a magical reading adventure that will hit all of your happy buttons, pick this series up because it’s the bomb. For real.

Hidden Legacy Series

4.5 out of 5

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Review: White Hot by Ilona Andrews

Posted June 4, 2025 by Wena in Reviews | 0 Comments

White Hot by Ilona Andrews

Series: Hidden Legacy #2
Also in this Series: Burn for Me
Main Leads: Nevada Baylor, Connor “Mad” Rogan
Setting: United States, Texas, Houston
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Romance
Tags: Super Powers, Family Drama, Strong Female Lead
Published On: May 30, 2017
Publisher: Avon
Format: e-Book
Source: Purchased
Pages: 389
Purchase It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Nevada Baylor has a unique and secret skill—she knows when people are lying—and she’s used that magic (along with plain, hard work) to keep her colorful and close-knit family’s detective agency afloat. But her new case pits her against the shadowy forces that almost destroyed the city of Houston once before, bringing Nevada back into contact with Connor “Mad” Rogan.

Rogan is a billionaire Prime—the highest rank of magic user—and as unreadable as ever, despite Nevada’s “talent.” But there’s no hiding the sparks between them. Now that the stakes are even higher, both professionally and personally, and their foes are unimaginably powerful, Rogan and Nevada will find that nothing burns like ice . . .

White Hot is the second book in the Hidden Legacy series by writing duo Ilona Andrews and it’s another book that I absolutely loved.

Nevada Baylor and Mad Rogan are back for an action-packed story filled with magic, bad guys, and Nevada finding out more about herself, her family and her magic. Her latest case has her trying to find Cornelius Harrison’s wife’s killer. The case wasn’t normally a case she’d take on but Cornelius has nowhere else to go and nobody else will help him so of course, Nevada is going to help. She dives right into the case and finds herself brought face to face with the guy that hasn’t called in months, the guy she can’t seem to forget….Connor “Mad” Rogan of House Rogan.

I’m really digging the suspense in these books. There’s a lot going on and a bigger story is unraveling in the background but I thought Ilona Andrews did such a great job of pulling on each string, keeping the reader hanging until the dramatic finish in the end. I was invested throughout the entire book, even though Nevada’s stubbornness was a bit much. I still love her but I thought she fought stupid shit for too long. She does eventually get over it and so did I, but that was a bit of a downer in an otherwise fantabulous book.

The chemistry between Rogan and Nevada is so much fun that I read this one in no time at all. The way that they’ll be bickering one moment and then immediately jump into a fight to protect each other makes me love them all the more. This book was fun with a cast of characters that jump right off the pages and into your heart. I can’t get enough.

I’m really interested in seeing more of Catalina, Arabella, Leon and even Bern. I’m itching to see what their powers are and how powerful they’ll be when they come into their own. Leon is such a fun character and I love how normal these teenagers are. They’re into the things that teenagers these days are into. Their selfie game is on point and the drama that they’re always in the middle of had me laughing so much.

I also really enjoyed getting to know Cornelius and his daughter Matilda. All of Rogan’s people are great, too. Seriously, I love them all except the bad guys and Nevada’s grandmother on her father’s side. There’s a lot to love in this book and I want everyone to read it and love it as much as I did. So good!

Hidden Legacy Series

4 out of 5

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Review: Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

Posted June 3, 2025 by Wena in Reviews | 0 Comments

Burn For Me by Ilona Andrews

Series: Hidden Legacy #1
Main Leads: Nevada Baylor, Connor “Mad” Rogan
Setting: United States, Texas, Houston
Tropes: Super Powers, Family Drama, Strong Female Lead
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Romance
Published On: October 28, 2014
Publisher: Avon
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Pages: 382
Purchase It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.

Burn for Me is the first book in Ilona Andrews’ Hidden Legacy series and it follows Nevada Baylor as she navigates the magical world that she’s thrown into but not really a part of.

Nevada Baylor is a private investigator who took over the reins of her family PI firm after her father died. She lives in a magical Houston, TX where the more magic you have, the more powerful your House is. She likes to keep her head down and do her job, because it’s hard work trying to stay afloat if you’re not a part of a House and don’t have any real magic. All of that changes when Nevada is forced to take on a case that she can’t possibly survive and being backed into a corner by the people that own her mortgage isn’t all that great either so Nevada has no choice but to take on a suicide mission and see where it takes her.

Adam Pierce is a bad guy who embraces being bad. When his family hires Nevada’s firm to find him and bring him home, Nevada is thrown into the mix of some pretty bad business and when Mad Rogan, a powerful Prime from one of the biggest Houses in Houston, kidnaps her for information, her life is thrown into a freaking mixer. Trying to stay alive becomes Nevada’s first priority because she has to take care of her family.

Burn for Me was a damn good book. I loved every minute of it. I loved getting to know Nevada and her family (every single member of her family) and then I loved getting to know Mad Rogan. Mad Rogan was everything. He flat out rocked my world. This entire book was so exciting and fun and I laughed so much throughout the entire reading. It was just great. I loved when Rogan shows up with a bouquet of red carnations. I loved when he called Augustine Pancakes. I especially loved when he says, “Let’s dance” to Adam at the end. For most of the book, this is what I looked like whenever Mad Rogan was on the scene.

I have loved pretty much every single book that I’ve read by Ilona Andrews and this one was no exception. Mad Rogan and Nevada’s relationship is going to be so much fun reading about and I am so here for it. I’m really interested in seeing Nevada learn more about herself and her magic (because you know she’s got some hidden magic up her sleeve) and I’m also really looking forward to seeing more from her family. Catalina, Arabella and even Bern and Leon.

This book was such a fun read and it really sets up this series nicely. If you like some humor sprinkled in with your magic, give this one a go. I promise the book is a lot better than the cover looks.

Hidden Legacy Series

5 out of 5

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