Sapphire Flames is the fourth book in Ilona Andrews’ Hidden Legacy series. If you really wanted to, you could get by without reading the first three books, but you’d be doing yourself a great disservice; they were phenomenal reads. The series takes a turn here, as we transition from one Baylor sister to another. Nevada is no longer the focus of this series (nor is she even in this book very much,) and in my opinion, Catalina just doesn’t stack up to her sister. I’m a firm believer that an author sets the bar for themselves, but that doesn’t make this review any easier to write. I was left incredibly underwhelmed with this book. There was no point where I felt so gripped that I couldn’t put the book down, and I couldn’t even point to a favorite scene if you asked me to. There was nothing striking about the story. I thought the action scenes were lackluster, and very little was given away about Alessandro. And it wasn’t in a way that left me thirsting for more; it was more in a way that it was hard for me to care about him because I didn’t feel like his character offered anything to me as the reader. Which brings me to my next point, and my biggest issue. Where was the romance here? There is no build up, no tension. From the get-go, Alessandro and Catalina are just smitten with each other. But I feel like it took place before the book even began, so I wouldn’t even call it instalove. I honestly don’t know what I’d call it. I don’t feel like Ilona Andrews’ books have ever been just about the romance, but damn do they usually knock it out of the part with it anyway. As for Catalina...she was so lost in her head most of the time, and it got old for me quick.
The thing that I did love about this story was the Baylors. They really are the backbone of this series, and I always want to know more about them. Also, there may have been a bit of a flirtation for Bern in this one, and I really want more of that! And there was a new furry addition to the Baylor’s in this one, and I loved that, too.
Look - I know I sound like a frustrated reader, and yeah. I am. But now that I know what to expect and that Catalina and Alessandro are already in love, I’m hoping the next read will be better for me. I won’t give up on this series, and even with my issues, I’m still giving Sapphire Flames three stars. The Baylors deserve at least that.

As this series has developed, I really enjoy jumping into the Baylor Household. Sapphire Flames is the fourth book in this series. All four books have elements of a paranormal This is set three years since the previous book when Catalina was young and trying to find her footing in an adult world full of responsibility.

Catalina is a powerful Prime of Her House, therefore, she makes the major decisions for her family and associates. Another House comes calling for a favor in the middle of the night and a debt must be repaid.

So far I've enjoyed reading at Catalina- she's the touchstone of her family. She bridges Nevada's series but her perspective is different and refreshing. She's a solver and willing to bargain.

Her love interest Alessandro is refreshing. I enjoy their ongoing dynamic because you never knew, how things would end up if they combined skillsets. I also enjoyed the shenanigans Alessandro would draw her into. I look forward to learning about Alessandro as well.

The author did great in creating an air of mystery but tantalizing the readers. I will definitely continue to read more about where Catalina ends up. I would rate this a four out of five. Thanks to Netgalley for sending me this book in exchange for a fair review.

I was eagerly anticipating this book as I had discovered and blown through the rest of the series earlier this year. I was not disappointed!

In a Houston where magic families/Houses vie for power, Catalina Baylor is the Head of an emerging House. She is responsible for deciding if the House will stand on its own, or seek protection from more established and powerful Houses. She takes on a case and finds herself mired in a dangerous mystery with a dangerous man.

It's a ride - full of magic, alliances, monsters, and danger. If you enjoyed the previous books, you'll enjoy this one. And I think it could be read apart from Nevada's trilogy, but why wouldn't you read Nevada's books? I expect Catalina's romance arc to be a three book situation, but I felt satisfied with where this novel left me in terms of over-arching plot.

Seriously. ***Squeee***

What great world-building. I barely got into it and was finding it really easy to be pulled into the story. And what about the people you ask? They were really good but especially Catalina who I thought was outstanding. She wasn't anything like I expected. She was way better.
Catalina wasn't the only great character. There was depth of description of each person and magical skills with each one. Even the "monsters" were really well done and scary. A couple of times I wondered if I had been dropped into the Twilight Zone. But I mean that in the best possible way. Because the emotions and interactions were good and there was humor too. Some of the interactions between Catalina and Alessandro made me grin. The whole part where Catalina was making salsa for the family and swaggering Alessandro shows up is really funny! The other people who were there and witnessed it was almost as funny. I know I giggled right along with them.
I have to admit more than once I was right there with Catalina when it came to "who is the real Alessandro?" It was fun with the different names that Catalina had for his persona's. "Instagram Alessandro" was one of my favorites.
Is it unpredictable, you ask? Absolutely! And I loved every minute of that!!
There is a huge twist at the end. One I was half-afraid was coming. But in the end, all it did was make me want to see MORE of Catalina and Alessandro. But I do have ask, how in the world could this author top this book with other adventures?
By the way, the cover for this eBook was one of the reasons I stopped along the way to find out more about this book. I'm so glad it caught my eye and I read the book.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

I was really looking forward to this novel and I was really happy to be able to put my hands on it! In fact, I started it right away!!!!!!! Yes, because how to wait, huh? When you receive a novel by Ilona Andrews, you don’t leave it out, no, no, no… And I can tell you that I really had a great time!

The time has passed since the Baylor family was declared, and the three years are coming to an end. But here it is, the new head of the house, Catalina, has to manage a lot of things. Nevada is very little present in this novel, except for a few phone calls and no sign of Rogan but we find all the other characters with great pleasure!

It’s not easy for Catalina to manage everything, but when she finds herself in the middle of a case where Runa (which we discovered in the previous novella) finds herself an orphan. Her mother and sister were found dead and the girl hired the Baylor family to find the killer. But this story is much more complex than expected and our heroine will have to face many dangers. And then there’s Alessandro. Ah Alessandro, what a complex man and yet it is so easy to fall under his spell. He hides a large part of his life and I must admit that I am really curious to know more about it now!

It was a very good new story that took me from start to finish and I loved learning more about Catalina. Several things have begun and I am waiting to see what the author has planned for us in the future. I can only advise you if you have not tried yet, you will not be disappointed!

The Hidden Legacy series has now come to focus on Catalina Baylor, one of Nevada’s younger sisters who is now head of House Baylor. Catalina has taken over as lead investigator for their firm as well. Runa, a poisoner we met in Diamond Fire comes to Catalina after tragedy befalls her house. Taking on Runa’s case, Catalina runs up against a dangerous foe bringing not only her, but her whole family into danger. To complicate matters, after three years of no contact, once again Alessandro Sagredo pops back into her life right smack in the middle of her case. Alessandro alternatively flirts with Catalina and then seriously warns her off the investigation. Oh, I look forward to seeing how it’ll all play out in the coming books!

Ilona Andrews is such an amazing writing talent; I’m always anticipating their next story. There’s never a dull moment with lots of action, danger and humor expertly woven into their smart plots! The Hidden Legacy has been an amazing series and I’m sooo happy we’re getting more stories in this world, now focusing on Catalina. I’m so happy to see her as a power in her own right, gaining confidence, and whipping out attitude when needed. I was glued to the pages right from the start! Love the teasing humor from Grandma Frieda (her Herald must be very entertaining) and Arabella! There was bound to be some payback from Nevada, lol! The photo was priceless! The other Baylor’s continue to entertain as well, and I wonder at something between Burn and Runa? The current mystery/conflict is solved, but as this is a three-story arc, things are up in the air which made me very eager for the next book!

While I think a reader would benefit from reading the books in order, I do think you could read Diamond Fire, the novella before this story, and then Sapphire Flames and still enjoy the story. However, skipping the previous stories would deprive you of the awesomeness of this series!

*ARC received from NetGalley in return for an honest review*

Ilona and Gordon Andrews has been and continues to be two of my favorite authors. I love almost all of their books and always devour the new ones knowing that I am so rarely disappointed. I went into this one expecting to love Catalina as much as I did Nevada. While Catalina was such a great character I felt a little let down by her love interest and their connection. Everything felt just the tiniest of bits off. Like they were rushing into this together. Maybe it is because I am used to Ilona Andrews usually drawing out the relationships instead of rushing like this one. Or it could be because I honestly can't remember much about the LI besides he was Italian.

While the love was rushed the mystery of the rest of the book kept me reading and I ended up finishing this book quite fast. There is so much left to figure out in this world and I look forward to the next one. I just might try not to get my hopes up way too high on if I will like the romance in it. .

Another great addition to the amazing Hidden Legacy series. I absolutely love the Baylor family, Catalina takes center stage in this beginning of a new story arc within the world of the series. I really enjoyed seeing how much she has grown and come into her own. I cannot wait to see what's in store for her next.

The Baylor family is BACK and things are just as crazy as when Nevada and Rogan were running around all willy-nilly saving the city. Just kidding. Rogan doesn't do willy-nilly. But things are crazy. And Catalina is right in the middle of things.

You know, mostly because the Baylors can't look away when they see an injustice and Catalina won't abandon a friend.

Speaking of which, Catalina has grown by leaps and bounds from the girl who tried to fade into the background before. She might not love being in the spotlight as the head of a powerful house, but she steps up and does what needs to be done because her family needs her to.

And then we have Alessandro. The playboy. The man born with a silver spoon. The guy who keeps showing up and stepping into danger to do battle with the bad guys with the ease of someone who's well trained. Why is he well trained? That's a question for another book. But the guy has layers. Hidden layers. So many layers.

And he has it as bad for Catalina as Catalina has it for him. There's just that mysterious THING hanging between them and truuuuueeee love. Ehh...and maybe a few other things.

Catalina and Alessandro are living up to all the tension and magical shenanigans I've come to expect from this series. *heart eyes* *heart eyes so hard*

4.5 stars

I loved the first few books in this series featuring Nevada and Rogan, and frankly I was skeptical about having Nevada’s reserved little sister Catalina as the protagonist of the next few stories. I needn’t have worried.

Three years have passed since the events of the previous book. Catalina now is 21 years old and the three year grace period during which other Houses could not attack them is about to expire. The formerly I-want-to-be-invisible younger sister has become the head of the House, a move which is explained later in the story. House Baylor is thrown into the deep end of the magical world’s (cess)pool when an old friend hires them to find out who killed her mother and sister and things end up being far more complicated and dangerous than they imagined.

At the beginning of the story, Catalina has little confidence in herself as head of the House and she certainly doesn’t seem to command the respect usually accorded her position. As events unfold, though, she pulls on her big girl panties and not only grows into the position in others’ eyes, she begins to believe in herself as well, with good reason. It turns out Catalina, despite having more defensive than offensive magic, is a bit of a badass and far tougher than anyone imagined.

As is always the case with an Ilona Andrews book, the relationships and repartee are engaging and highly entertaining. Catalina’s “smoochy poo” teen crush Alessandro (about whom her sisters tease her mercilessly) gets involved in their case, and he turns out to be far more than the Instagram playboy of his public persona. <spoiler>While I loved Catalina and Alessandro’s interactions, I found their quick fall into love, at least admitted to themselves, to be too quick. After all, they’d met only a couple brief times and, at least at the start, knew very little about who the other truly was. I certainly understood the initial mutual interest, but the deeper feelings of caring and love really should have come with a bit more time and learning of each other, perhaps towards the end of this first book.</spoiler> Their relationship, and the difficulties they will have to overcome, promise to be very interesting.

I can’t wait for the next book.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Let me start by saying I absolutely LOVE this series. I have read the first book (Burn For Me) 4 times in 3 years. Yes, you read that right. This series is one I now seem to read once a year.

That being said, I went into this one with high expectations and huge dreams-- yet still remembered that Catalina is NOT Nevada and Alessandro is NOT Rogan. Remembering this is really important because while the feel of the book is still the same, the characters act so different than the original couple--- which they should. I'm taking it as a good thing and a sign of great writing.

Okay, okay to the book. Catalina won me over in Diamond Fire, so I've been looking forward to this book. I wanted to see how she would learn to use her powers. What totally slipped my mind is that of course she would be the Head of her House now that Nevada is married. Catalina is still growing and coming into herself, but I loved reading about her experience and her growth. She is trying and building her own morals and code.
Seeing the other characters after the 3 year jump after book 3 was fun. Everyone is still there, everyone is amazing. Can I just throw in real quick that I'm so, SO excited for Leon's book. I mean, Bern too (I suspect who he might be with...), but Leon is such a fun character.

Also, I really want to talk about Alessandro, but I don't want to spoil anything. I was curious about how he would work in the series, how he would fit in, but WOW there was a twist and I loved it. Alessandro is fantastic and I have so many questions-- especially considering how this book ended.

Honestly, there are quite a few potential hints for things that will come out later and I am all here for it. Waiting for the next book is going to be so difficult, but I'm willing to wait as long as necessary.

If you have yet to read the rest of the series, please read that before this book, but DO read this series. It is amazing and one of my favorites.

Another great story in the Hidden Legacy Saga. The first three books focused on Nevada and Rogan but this one was all about Catalina. I think it works well as a stand alone but it makes more sense if you’ve read the other books and the novella Diamond Fire first. I love everything by husband and wife team Ilona Andrews, so of course, I enjoyed this. Catalina and House Baylor are trying to be taken seriously as a new house. House Etterson is attacked and some members are killed. Augustine Montgomery drops this case on Baylor Investigative Agency with a proposition to become a part of his agency, basically wanting to put them on a leash. Catalina refuses and works to solve the case against some pretty tough odds. Her teenage heartthrob, playboy Alessandro Sagredo, seems to always be at the right place at the right time to help her out. He infuriates her but she is also intrigued. They work together to uncover the people who are threatening to destroy the house system. Catalina has to become ruthless to protect her family and solve this case and it’s not easy for her. She, little by little, becomes more used to using her power rather than suppressing it. She takes on more and more responsibilities as a way of safeguarding her family and House Baylor. As usual, all of the Baylor family members are involved and have unique abilities and personalities that really add to the series. They are all special and provide all kinds of possibilities for spinoffs. I detected a hint of a future romance or spinoff with Bern and Runa on the horizon but also between Heart and Mom. All of them could have there own story and be interesting in my opinion. Overall, I really liked this and can’t wait for the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I’ve loved and worried about Catalina from the very beginning of this series so I was all-in when her story became available.

Catalina has a magic talent that tends to keep her from developing relationships outside of her family. Since Nevada married Rogan and is no longer running the family business, she finds herself picking up the reins as lead investigator and head of House Baylor. She never wanted either position, but when a midnight visit results in her helping out a boy intent on suicide she is thrust into a case that has far reaching issues for not only those in her circle, but the world.

This is as action packed as things can get in an Ilona Andrews novel and I loved every moment. With new magic, new creatures and amazing new characters, I was invested one hundred percent. Once I started I couldn’t stop. Add in the deliciousness that is Alessandro and the battle Catalina wages to keep him at a distance and my romantic fantasy loving heart was full to bursting.

There is definitely more than meets the eye when it comes to Alessandro and we are given just enough to tease us. Thank goodness Catalina is intuitive enough to see the same. Their relationship is slow moving, taking a back burner to the mystery they are working on. However, there is never a doubt this couple has some serious chemistry. As in serious!

’”Does your brain ever take a break” he asked.
It did every time he said my name, or he touched me. Or propositioned me in my bedroom while I was wearing a towel, but he didn’t need to know that.’

The mystery is multi-layered keeping me intrigued throughout the entirety of the story. So many surprises, twists and new revelations. The Baylor family is just as fun and endearing as ever, and the addition of their client amped my enjoyment even more. I hope we get to see Runa and her brother again in future books. It is her presence that brings Benedict out of the Hut of Evil a bit more than usual.

While this is a series and usually I’d recommend it be read in order, this book would be a great place to jump in. There is plenty of information regarding these characters’ backstory making it possible to begin here if you’d rather not begin with book one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was so good! I got sucked into this book and couldn't put it down. I want to reread it already.

Catalina is now head of House Baylor. She is working a case for Runa, the poison mage from Diamond Fire. Along the way she teams up with Alessandro, her teen crush. They uncover new dangers and secrets, and kick a lot of butt.

Catalina has grown so much since Diamond Fire. She is no longer the scared and shy girl trying to find her place. She has accepted her abilities and uses them to keep her house safe. Alessandro is complicated and surprisingly deadly. He has so many layers that it's hard to know which is the true person. I can't wait to see where their relationship will go after this.

Overall, this was everything I expected from an Andrews book and I can't wait to see what Catalina will do next.

Thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher for sending me an e-galley of this book!

Sapphire Flames is a wonderful re-introduction to the "Hidden Legacies" series by Ilona Andrews. It's full of witty banter and a fantastical magic system that draws you in and keeps you in it's thrall until the very last page.

I'm fairly ashamed to say this is my first Ilona Andrews book and I really didn't know what to expect. Seeing as it was an Avon Books release, I wasn't really thinking I'd find so much plot since most of the romance genre, even paranormal romance, in my short experience didn't seem too plot-heavy, but I was pleasantly surprised to the point where I'm going to do a deep dive into her back catalog and catch up on the series.

Catalina Baylor was awesome and I related to her probably way too much. The series is set in Texas, Houston specifically, and I'm down in San Antonio. I liked the overall feel and it felt like home in a fantastical, but still very real way. The magic system was easy to follow even though I haven't read the series or gotten the run down. The book make a point to give the reader a refresher which probably wasn't necessary for the veterans but it did help as a new reader. I was concerned after I found out it was part of a larger series, but it's being sold as a new trilogy and it is somewhere that you can start.

Alessandro Sagredo was introduced as Catalina's teenage crush and an instagram bad boy, basically unattainable and out of the question. That is until he shows up during her case and kills a man without batting an eye and leads her out of danger. I really enjoyed the push and pull of their relationship and the unique twist that her powers of a siren gave to the pairing.

I pretty much devoured the book as soon as I started, I didn't want to put it down, but life has a silly way of trying to get your attention and I did end up with a tabby cat asleep on my lap a couple times while I gripped my ipad in the dark turning the pages to follow the action. Seriously, parts of this read like an action movie and I LOVED it. It had the right balance of tongue in cheek, where the genre sometimes doesn't take itself seriously at all, this at least held it's ground without making it feel like a parody. There were fantastical elements to the world which just worked, no one is going to bat an eye at a large arcane tiger-like creature named Zeus.

Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed this, it felt like a breath of fresh air.

I'll admit I was a little sad when I found out the next book in thes series wouldn't focus on Nevada and Rogan. However, after reading this book, I am so excited to see more from Catalina! She is similar to Nevada in their work ethics and such but under it all she is a very different person and she was great! Her interactions with her family are fun and it was nice to see her and Arabella still bicker.

One minor thing I didn't enjoy is we are told how she became Head of House Baylor. I love this series and I would have happily read books that took place over the last 3 years in the series to see how Nevada stepped down and Catalina stepped up. That said I do understand it. It was a clean break with Nevada being the focus of the series to the novella with Catalina and now the series focus is Catalina.

I loved getting to see all the Baylor 'kids' older. Arabella, Leon and Bern were all still funny and it was good to see how they had changed and what they were doing with their gifts. We find out a lot about their business now and how they stand as a house but there wasn't much focus on it. I think it will play a bigger part in the next book.

I really enjoyed the mystery/case that Catalina takes on in this book. We see familiar faces as well as some new. There was a lot of ground work laid for the next few books at least.

I would be remiss not to mention Alessandro. He is a very intriguing character and I can't say much more than that without spoilers. We are left on an open ending which is frustrating in the best way. I can't wait to get more from this series.

Jumping forward three years from the conclusion of the previous books, Sapphire Flames opens with Catalina turning twenty-one and House Baylor less than a week away from the end of their grace period as a new house. Sapphire Flames is the first full-length title in the Hidden Legacy series that is shared from middle-sister Catalina’s point-of-view. As newly appointed head of House Baylor, Catalina steps out from Nevada and Rogan’s shadows, putting her own stamp on Baylor Investigations and House politics.

While there are similarities between Catalina and Nevada (and therefore their individual storylines), the authors do a good job putting distance between the pair and allowing Catalina to come into her own. Catalina is not Nevada, even though her moral compass is equally strong. Catalina’s love interest, Alessandro, is like Rogan, but motivated by very different things. Additionally, the story arc developing in Sapphire Flames is different from the first trilogy; however, there is mention of the original, which was key for me since there are unanswered questions lingering from Wildfire.

The bulk of the book is spent with Catalina and Baylor Investigations helping Runa Etterson (the Prime Venenata who removed all the poison from Nevada and Rogan’s wedding cake in Diamond Fire) discover who murdered her mother. This leads Catalina into the dark underbelly of House politics, placing her life in danger a number of times. We are reintroduced to Catalina’s crush, Alessandro, who is so much more than the playboy socialite he allows the world to see. The slow-burn romance between the pair is important to the overall story and character development, but doesn’t overshadow the primary storyline. They are destined for one another; it’s just a matter of time, and with the obstacles in their way, it will be interesting to see how they work it all out.

Sapphire Flames is a strong story, creative, and intelligent. The action is fast-paced. The amount of details poured into the story are fabulous, from the creation of and continued character development, to the comprehensive action scenes. Nothing is shared without a reason; everything always comes up important in the end. Hold on for another wonderful ride!

My Rating: A, Loved It

I'm writing this after my second read of Sapphire Flames and this time I re-read Diamond Fire first. That novella transitions Catalina from the teen she is in Nevada's books to the adult Head of House she's become by the beginning of this book. It also shows her accepting the fact that she'll have to use her magic and discovering some powers she didn't realize she had.

Now we see a much more confident Catalina with more magic knowledge. I felt like she was more prepared than Nevada was at the beginning of her first book, despite being only 21. She's also less of a one woman show than Nevada was, which gives me hope that we'll see more of the other Baylors. I love cousins Bern and Leon and wished they'd had more to do here.

This is one of those times when it's hard to write an actual review and not just a list of things I want to squee about. So here are a couple of those things: I loved the enigmatic Alessandro! And Lionel! And Augustine! And their magics! (Squee!) The previous book, Wildfire, set a high bar for car chase shenanigans, but this one is a worthy successor. And that's just one of the incredible action scenes. (Squee!)

I nearly started the series over right after I finished my first read of Sapphire Flames. I love the Hidden Legacy world and didn't want to leave it. Only Ilona Andrews has ever made me do that - it used to happen every year with Kate Daniels. And it's possible this series is even better.

Love Ilona Andrews!! Finished it last night and I already want more! I laughed my way through the book in one evening.

The writing duo of Ilona Andrews takes their Hidden Legacy saga in a new and exciting direction with Sapphire Flames, their first full length novel starring Catalina Baylor, Prime Siren and Head of House Baylor. Readers got a taste of what to expect in the short story Diamond Fire and will be delighted with how the authors proceed in this newest installment.

This is the fourth book in the Hidden Legacy series and I strongly recommend reading the other novels – and the short story Diamond Fire – first. They contain information that will be crucial to the full understanding of this tale. This review will contain spoilers for those stories.

In a world where magical families engage in open warfare for supremacy, Catalina Baylor is in a precarious position. Her House was protected by law from attacks for the first three years of its formation, giving the members time to strike alliances and build a secure base from which to function. But their time of clemency is up and they must find a way to survive in an extremely hostile and competitive environment. With their sister Nevada now a part of House Rogan – and out of the country visiting in-laws with her powerful husband and mother in law – they are especially vulnerable. They lack the wealth of most of Houston’s magical elite, which limits their ability to hire protection, and has forced them to be cautious in establishing alliances. As Head of the House, Catalina must find a way to keep them afloat financially and most importantly, keep them alive – and she must do all of this while presenting a strong front to society and serving as lead agent for their private detective company, Baylor Investigative Agency.

Needless to say, all this responsibility means Catalina doesn’t get much rest. Which is why she’s really not pleased when Augustine Montgomery shows up at her house at two o’clock in the morning looking for her aid in an urgent matter. A young boy is on the roof of a hospital, contemplating suicide. Catalina’s Siren power gives her the ability to compel others to do what she wants them to, and Augustine needs her to use that ability to coerce the boy away from the edge. She does and this simple act of kindness launches her and her family into the heart of a very dangerous case.

It turns out that Ragnar Etteson, the boy on the roof, is the brother of Runa from Diamond Fire and one of the last two remaining members of his family following the deaths of the others in House warfare. Determined to help Ragnar and Runa get justice, Catalina agrees to investigate the murders and tell them who is trying to eliminate their House. Along the way she will tangle with a villain with a rare, terrifying magical ability; warped assassins, and her teenage crush Alessandro Sagredo. Not surprisingly, the latter proves to be the most dangerous.

Fans of the series will find this book a pleasure to read. The plotting is tight, the action enticing and exciting and all our favorite characters make appearances. The story captures the exact essence of all the previous Hidden Legacy novels.

Which is what kept this book from DIK status. Marvelous as it is, Diamond Fire felt more like a redux than an original tale. I was excited to see where the series would go as it followed a character who wasn’t Head of the House and Balylor Investigative Agency’s prime agent. Instead, Nevada was neatly removed from those positions so that Catalina could take her place. There is an effort made to show how Catalina handles things differently, but it fell a bit flat for me. It’s true she does delegate more but that has to do with timing rather than personality issues. Nevada had little help with the company because all the other family members were in high school. They have now graduated and it makes sense for them to work in the family business.

Catalina and Nevada are even similar in their responses to the jobs. Their primary concern in being a House is protecting their family, who are all adorable and lovable.(Seriously, you would beg the Baylors to adopt you if they were real!) They both feel just awful after killing people who are trying to kill them. They act strong around almost everyone but their love interests; Rogan and Alessandro get to see their mushy sides. There are a few contrasts: Catalina is more likely to spout facts, while Nevada is more snarky and funny. Catalina is also far more romantically insecure. Nevada knew her value, Catalina, on the other hand, is constantly afraid that the only reason people like her is for her magic. Catalina is more aware of her magic than Nevada ever was but since her abilities are dangerous both to her and the people she uses them on, she’s very reluctant to rely on them. She is every bit as courageous as her sister though, and every bit as determined to find answers, solve mysteries and deliver justice.

Alessandro, like Rogan, is scary talented, with magical fighting abilities that make him an extremely formidable opponent. He’s smooth, sophisticated, charming and a hero to die for. His secondary magical ability wasn’t revealed in the previous novels, so I won’t spoil it here except to say it’s amazing.

Sapphire Flames serves as an introduction to our hero and heroine as a crime fighting team and doesn’t contain an HEA. There’s lots of heat between them and lots of flirtation, some passionate kissing and petting but the focus is on solving the mystery and overcoming the evil villain. There’s also a lot keeping them apart by the end of the book and honestly, I can’t wait to see how that works out in future novels. I think other fans will be as delighted with this tale as I was and be as anxious for the sequel as I am.