Catalina, now head of House Baylor, as she investigates the murder of the head of a house of poisoners. (If you haven't read the short story, Diamond Fire, you really need to do that before starting this book. Not so much to fill in gaps, but the novella does fill in some background and really establishes Catalina as her own independent person and will give you more details about some of the other characters - plus Rogan and Nevada's wedding.) Once again, Andrews starts and finishes strong. Excellent action scenes, an intriguing mystery all with a side of steamy romance. And then there is the cliff hanger. If you enjoyed Rogan and Nevada, then you will love Catalina and Alessandro. Not to mention Arabella, Bern, Leon, Penelope and Grandma Frida.

While some might be disappointed that Nevada only appears briefly, you won't be disappointed in who Catalina has become. I look forward to reading more about her and hope Arabella will get her turn as well. Preorder this book, it's worth it.

Full review to be published online in late August.

SAPPHIRE FLAMES is the fourth book in the 'Hidden Legacy' series by Ilona Andrews; but the first in the three book arc about Nevada's sister Catalina, and her adventures as a powerful Prime and (now) head of the family house. I was bit worried that this book might not be able to meet my high expectation after Nevada and Rogan. In the previous books Catalina was portrayed as really smart but introverted and shy. I had hoped with being older in the new book she would have some confidence being a Prime, and she definitely does. Catalina grew in controlling her powers and her general 'kick-assability' throughout the book as she solved her case and got her House on less shaky ground. And her budding relationship with Alessandro...wow.

Definitely looking for more from Catalina. That being said, the book had a few similarities to 'Burn For Me'. There were a few places where it felt like Nevada and Rogan with the names changed. Not an issue, though; it was fantastic no matter who the characters remind the reader of.

I've really enjoyed this series, and was excited for this new entry in the Hidden Legacy. I follow the authors on social media, and they discussed on their blog how they had to do a lot of editing and cut back on word count for this title and I think it shows. I found the story a little choppy and hard to follow, which is unusual for an Ilona Andrews book. They generally write very strong female leads and I found Catalina to be a little disappointing. Her love interest was a little off too. I think the part of the story that explains his weird secondary powers got cut, and his motives for doing pretty much anything were never really explained. Overall it was still an engrossing read and I definitely want to see where the story goes, it just wasn't the strongest entry in the series.

This book exceeded my expectations and I could not be more happy after reading it. I've been such a fan of the Hidden Legacy series and I was overjoyed when I found out they would be continued with Catalina's voice. I fell in love with the Baylor family and it was great to read about Catalina and how she grew to utilize her unique power.

Nevada and Rogan were strong characters that I really loved, and I was interested to see how Ilona Andrews would set them aside to give Catalina the Head of House spotlight. Catalina reluctantly took the reigns for House Baylor and she did it in her own way different from Nevada. I thought she was a great heroine and it was entertaining to see her slowly decide what kind of Head of House she was going to be. To go from the Catalina in Diamond Fire to the Catalina here was a significant change. She has grown into a more confidant and secure-in-her-power woman.

I was also surprised by how great a character Alessandro turned out to be. The glimpses we got of him in previous books were barely the tip of the iceberg. He turned out to be a great character and love interest for Catalina. I can't wait to see where their relationship takes them.

The secondary characters are also such a joy to read. They all have such unique and believable voices and I found myself laughing more than once with certain personality quirks.

Finally, the plot is fantastic as well. The conflict in this was very well-written and seamlessly thought-out in terms of connecting things from the previous books. It is clear that the authors take the time to create the science behind their universe, and then insert clues that you often don't notice until the next book. It's just great storytelling.

The Hidden Legacy series has been one of my all time favorite novels in the genre, and Sapphire Flames has only solidified that. The only negative thought I had was when I realized all the waiting I'll have to do for the next novel!

Catalina Baylor is doing a good job as the head of House Baylor. She's a Prime with a unique and very strong talent. But House Baylor is small and just coming out of their three years of protected status. She really shouldn't get involved with Runa Etterson and the case she brings. She is first brought in when Runa's fifteen-year-old brother Ragnar is threatening to jump off a hospital roof. Catalina uses her power of beguilement to coax him off the edge and then has to bring him home with her to remove the magic she used.

Runa has a major problem. Her mother and sister died in a fire and she is sure they were murdered. She wants to hire Catalina's investigation agency to find out the truth. She's already been turned down by the Head of House Montgomery who runs a much larger investigative agency. Catalina feels that she owes Runa a debt because Runa prevented the whole wedding party at Catalina's sister Nevada's wedding from being poisoned. She also sympathizes with someone who has lost her family is such a tragic way.

But the investigation gets complicated fast as Catalina learns about Runa's mother's past and someone would very much like the Baylors dead before they uncover more secrets. Fortunately, Catalina has a dubious sort of guardian angel in the person of Alessandro Sagredo who happens to be Catalina's long-time crush. He's a Prime; he's beautiful; he's a playboy; and he's way out of her league. At least that is what she thinks. But Alessandro is a man with a bunch of secrets of his own and he isn't at all what Catalina expected.

I loved the banter between Catalina and Alessandro. I loved that way they are very tentatively building a romance. The story was filled with all sorts of magic and magical creatures. It was filled with the politics that governs the Houses. The story was fast-paced and filled with action. My only complaint is that it is apparently the first book in a trilogy and leaves the romance and Alessandro's secrets as threads that are left dangling.

Ilona Andrews kills it again. I think this is the best book yet. Catalina is a very relatable character, and I appreciate the different kind of romantic relationship we have in this book. Sometimes I get a little tired of the stereotypical male romantic interest character. I found Alessandro appreciatively different and intriguing. I couldn't stop reading and I'm dying to read the next one.

I received a free copy of SAPPHIRE FLAMES (A Hidden Legacy Novel) by Ilona Andrews in exchange for an honest review. It’s been almost three years since the Baylor family was named House Baylor; they’re all at the end of the three-year grace period before coming under fire from the competing houses. During that time, Nevada worked ceaselessly to secure funds and favors for her family. In fact, she worked herself into a collapse. This alarmed her family to the extent that they voted in bylaws to prevent Nevada from contributing anything to her family’s security. All money and favors earned by Nevada are now strictly Nevada’s. Because Nevada could no longer assist House Baylor, she stepped down as the head of the house and appointed Catalina, who orchestrated the family action, to take her place.

Once again, House Montgomery drops a difficult case on Baylor Investigations. Despite the danger, Catalina takes the case because of the three cardinal rules established by their father. Alessandro Sagredo keeps popping up, interfering, and otherwise annoying Catalina. Can Catalina solve the case? Will House Baylor survive?

Desperately attracted to Alessandro, Catalina is determined to save him from her powers. Amused, Alessandro doggedly pursues Catalina. This is the beginning of the Catalina and Alessandro courtship. No, I’m not going to tell you what happens.

I enjoyed all of the books published under this name. I was thrilled to be given a chance to preview this novel because I adored the Nevada/Rogan books. I recommend this book to fans of Ilona Andrews, to fans of supernatural romance, and to fans of urban fantasy.

#SapphireFlames #NetGalley

I'm going to be giving this book an immediate re-read. I'm afraid that I was so looking forward to this book that I gobbled it up in one huge bite and missed some nuances.

No, I am not going to tell you precisely what Catalina and company will be fighting nor am I going to hint at her relationship with the egotist Alessandro -but it's good...trust me!

I can tell you without giving anything away, is that Catalina and Alessandro are very much a younger version of Nevada and Mad Rogan, even the story-line was similar. Although, I have to admit that this was a bit more heart-pounding than most of Nevada's books!

This book is part a trilogy, and although you will be disappointed to be left on a bit of a cliff-hanger, it sounds as if the next two books will be exciting. I am assuming that the following two books will also be about Catalina and Alessandro and the horrors that they found in this book. I would find it unusual for the Andrews team to have taken out all the bad guys this easily!

I was happy to see some of the secondary characters from Nevadas story to find their way into this trilogy and I hope we get to see more of these people. Matilda and Zeus do make an appearance!

Although the characters were a little immature for my taste, I was able to get past it and enjoy the read. It will be interesting to see Catalina mature into her full potential. All in all, this was a great book and will be one that I put on my comfort/re-read shelf, and I sure will be recommending this to some of my reading buddies.

*ARC supplied by publisher.

I love the hidden legacy series and I especially loved Catalina's story (saphire flames is the first book in a new trilogy). This novel centers around Catalina and very mind blowing case that comes to her family's investigation service. Its a romance trilogy so it's a slow burn in that department, but OMG is the book action packed. You will not be disappointed. Seriously go read the book when it comes out.

Catalina is so different then Nevada( Catalina's sister and there main character of the first trilogy). They are both extremely strong women but where Nevada has to do everything herself to protect her family and Catalina uses the strengths of her loved ones alongside her own strengths.

I just want to hug Catalina though. She keeps people at a distance as she doesn't want to influence them with her magic. She has almost no friends outside her family and that where you get Runa, the client for this story. She's not a good friend but she's as close as Catalina normally gets. And you see the toil it takes on her. Especially in her love life. She's worried her magic will affect that as well. All I will say on this is I can't wait to see what happens in the next books.

I received this ARC yesterday afternoon. I meant to read a few chapters last night, but I ended up staying up WAY too late because I could not put it down. These authors never disappoint. I knew this continuation of the Hidden Legacy series was going to be excellent, because everything Andrews writes is, but they have truly outdone themselves.

A few years have passed since we last saw these characters, and now Catalina is the Head of her House, Nevada having married Rogan. In the time since we've seen her, she's grown into the role, receiving mentorship from Rogan's mother and Linus Duncan, two formidable Primes who are each in their way experts at dealing with the elites of their society. Catalina can now easily fit in with other powerful Primes, and she can handle the many dangerous and violent situations that she and her House will find themselves in. She's definitely come into her own, although pieces of the unsure, socially shy young girl we first met are still in there.

She takes her responsibilities as head of her House extremely seriously, and she does things a little differently than Nevada did. Things get complicated when the only real "girlfriend" she has suffers a personal tragedy that looks more like murder than an accident, and Baylor Investigations agrees to take the case.

Enter Alessandro, Catalina's childhood crush, Italian billionaire Prime playboy...or is he? There is a lot of mystery surrounding Alessandro, but one thing is sure: he is every bit as dangerous as Rogan was, in his own way. He's also on a mission of his own, one that for now, coincides with Catalina's. The two of them have to work together and it's clear from the moment they meet again that Catalina is NOT over him, and he is definitely still interested in her. I don't want to say more about how this progresses because I don't like spoiling people in my reviews, but suffice to say: the next book cannot come soon enough!

I have a book hangover this morning, and it's not just from staying up most of the night to read. It's also because this book was so amazing, and I can't stop thinking about it, about these characters, and where the story will take them next.

As usual, all of the side characters were every bit as engaging and interesting as the main characters. Highlights: a tiny thread that will likely become more involving Catalina's Mom, Leon's ever evolving brand of....sociopathy? Returning favorites, even if only for small glimpses, and of course, Grandma Freda. There is also a very interesting development regarding Catalina's relationship with one of her two mentors that has me wondering some things, but again, spoilers, so I won't speculate here.

Just trust me: read this book! If you're a fan of Ilona Andrews, it's amazing, one of her stand out best. If you've never read one of hers before, start now! I recommend picking up Burn for Me and going from there. You won't be disappointed.

I loved this book so much! Catalina and Alessandro are very different leads from Nevada and Rogan. Catalina's powers and history make her growth from the earlier books compelling, and Alessandro's mysterious past is intriguing. Also, this new plot direction in the Hidden Legacy series looks like it's going to be a lot of fun. I can't wait to read about more of their adventures.

LOVE THIS SPIN-OFF! Catalina is so wonderful! She is the new Baylor Prime and she is doing a fantastic job. She is forced to work with Alessandro, the Prime that tested her abilities, to find out what happened with a friend's family. Alessandro plays the stereotypical Italian Playboy to the hilt and has me dying! If Catalina won't take him I sure will! LOVED IT, can't wait for the next installment.

House of Baylor was formed 3 years ago, when Catalina, Nevada and the other Prime family members faced their magical trials. Their grace period is ending in days and then the other Houses will be on the hunt. Catalina's magic is scary stuff and she must find a way to use it for the protection of her family without losing or hating herself. And their family business has just started a case to find the reason behind her friend's mother and sisters deaths.

Why I started this book: I've been stalking NetGalley since Andrews announced that ARCs were available. Burn for Me is one of my favorites and the series has just gotten better with each new book.

Why I finished it: Sleep is for wusses. Baylor family dialog was perfect, their love and exasperation clear with each conversation. Catalina is such a wonderful character and I can't wait for more of Alessandro Sagredo. Like always, finishing the book is torture as I reset the clock, anxiously waiting for more. (No cliffhangers, just enough teasers to whet your appetite for the next installment.)

Scene: my house:
Me: (goes into bedroom, falls face down on pillow): Groooooan.
Husband: what.....?
Me: I just finished the book and it was utterly amazing and it took them six months to write and it took me four hours to blow through and now I'm going to have to waaaaaaaaaaiiiiiit.
Husband: honestly, that sounds like a good review.

This newest Hidden Legacy book is an excellent introduction to the series, accessible to new and existing readers alike. Catalina Baylor has stepped up to act as the head of House Baylor, but with their new House's grace period set to expire, she and her family are facing a fight for their very survival.

It's the worst possible time to get involved in a murder investigation. But even though Catalina is now moving in the world of Houston's magical elite, she is determined not to compromise her principles, and unwilling to abandon a friend in need. Even if her investigation uncovers things some people would prefer to be left in the dark--and even if it means working with Alessandro Sagredo, the man she wants more than she should.