by Ilona Andrews
Series: Hidden Legacy #3.5
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating:
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.
Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews is a novella in their Hidden Legacy series and while I can’t hide my disappointment that this was only a novella I will tell you this was amazing! Despite the page count the Andrews delivered a full story filled with a mystery, snark and glimmers of what is to come as Rogan takes Nevada home to meet Momma.
While initially this story focused on Nevada Baylor and Connor Rogan as he takes her home to meet his Momma this writing duo quickly shifts the story to Catalina Baylor. From a Romeo and Juliet moment to an all out mystery and wedding this story delivered all of the elements I love about this series, characters and authors.
- Snark
- A missing heirloom
- Character growth
- Betrayal
- Sleuthing
- Humor
Catalina Baylor is a level headed badass and I adore her. She is a Prime with a skill set that feels more like a curse. She needs to learn to harness and test her abilities. Some of skills end up being pretty dang cool. You’ll have to read Diamond Fire for the deets. I am dying to get my hands on the next full-length novel and felt this was the perfect bridge book. THIS, this is how you refocus a series on a new lead character.
This series is available on Audio as well. I started reading mostly to appease my curiosity. I’ve listened to everything else this writing team delivered and wanted to see if the stories were just as magical to read. Trust me no matter how you experience their stories they are brilliant.
Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews delivered mystery, humor and character growth as we get to know Catalina and watch the nuptials. #HiddenLegacy #urbanfantasy Share on X
Olivia Roach
I always struggle to read novellas in the series because I feel like we don’t get enough of a full story or they don’t add anything to the series. But it sounds like this one isn’t like that at all, and is really a full story in its own right!
Kimberly
This writing team does them well, and this was the perfect transition novella
Jen
Great review – I agree 100%… the writing team of IA just is amazing – the way they quickly shifted focus from Nevada and Catalina and made the story hers. It was the perfect transition! Can’t wait for more.
Kimberly
Yes, I am excited too. I am also anxious for the next Innkeeper on audio. I won’t read the installments and prefer to listen.
Northwoman
My review posted today and it’s so funny I also thought it was too short! LOL. I always want more to read from this author. It was the perfect bridge. Great review! Anne – Books of My Heart
Kimberly
Of course we always want more!
Barbara Strickland
Already on my TBR, love this series
Kimberly
Wonderful!
Tanya @ Rantings of a Reading Addict
Somehow I ended up with this book preordered in every format! I think I’m going to listen though. I love Renee Raudman. I’ve never listened to anything by her co-narrator before, but the Andrews seem to hit it out of the park every time when it comes to their narrators.
Kimberly
Yes, they do a splendid job. This is the only series I have not listened to,
Angela (Angel's Guilty Pleasures)
Oh I can’t wait to start this one. Both my eCopy and paperback arrived today. ^_^
Kimberly
Wahoo! Bet you devoured it already.
Angela
I’m sad to say I haven’t. I don’t ever read books on release days anymore. Not sure why!! Maybe it’s the hype, but I will get to it before the end of the year and it’s short so I should get it done in a few hours. ^_^
Debbie Haupt
Oh wow I love when an author can make a novella the full monte Kim. This is definitely an author I want to read and #35 In a series too. Great review thanks
Kimberly
#35?we addicts understand.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
I always see such great reviews for Andrews’ books. I really need to just pick one and start reading.
Kimberly
Oh my goodness yes, Suzanne she is one of my favorite authors.
Sophia Rose
This should be on my Kindle now and ready for me. So excited to read it. You’ve described just what I’m expecting to read. 🙂
Kimberly
Happy reading Sophia if you haven’t already devoured it.
sjhigbee
Great review, Kimberly – but my big problem with novellas is that their novellas – not long enough!
Kimberly
Hehe. Yes! This was a bridge book and in this case it worked wonderfully.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
Oh this sounds so fun! I’ve been wanting to read Ilona Andrews forever and have a bought a few of them on Audible but this sounds like such fun I think I’m going to need to go on and get this one too!
Kimberly
Oh my goodness Katherine , she is one of my favorite authors.
Angela Adams
This writing duo is such a great team! Thanks for the post.
Kimberly
Agreed! Thanks Angela.
Nicci @ Sunny Buzzy Books
I was so excited to see this land on my kindle today! Can’t wait to get started. Ilona Andrews are – quite possibly – my favourite authors!
Kimberly
Oh one of my favorites to be sure!
Mary Kirkland
I’m gonna have to read more of her books, this sounds good.
Kimberly
Yay I hope you do.
sherry fundin
Love that cover. This series looks like one for the reading shelf.
Kimberly
You cannot go wrong with this series or author.
Melliane
Oh yes I really had a great time with this one!
Kimberly
Andrews always delivers?
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
Twins! We both posted on this today. 🙂 I was delighted with Catalina’s story. Every time I dive into Ilona Andrews I fall in love all over again. They’re sooo talented. I love the snark and fun with this series and I’m dying for Catalina’s full length novel! Wonderful review, Kimberly! 🙂
Kimberly
Hey Rachel, sorry for the delay in responding. Prince Clayton is kicking my butt!
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
Lol. know all about grandkids kicking butt! They have a way of monopolizing time and leaching out all your energy. Gotta love those little energizer bunnies! 🙂
kindlemom1
I need to get caught up on their series. I’m still behind on the Kate Daniel series!
Kimberly
Nooooo…eep you need to catch up.
Angie Elle
This showed up as an Audible pre-order for me this morning, and I started listening while I was getting read for work. I am loving it so far. That you did, too, bodes well!
Great review.
Kimberly
This is the only series of theirs I don’t listen to, Glad it hooked you!
Ailyn Koay
i hope there’s a follow up with the novella then@ but knowing Ilona Andrews, which i don’t, i think there will be more coming XD
Kimberly
Haha…I would love to have coffee with them.
Danielle Chapman
I just finished this book today and I loved it! I too can’t wait for the next book! 🙂
Kimberly
Yay. I always have a blast with this writing duo.