ILONA ANDREWS

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author

You are here: Home / Blog / Deleted Scene, Appearances, and Signed Books

Deleted Scene, Appearances, and Signed Books

Blog, Catalina, Free Fiction, Hidden Legacy POST A COMMENT by

The release date is almost upon us. I am super nervous about this one, which is nothing new. It’s always a gamble when you start a book with a new protagonist. If I could, I would just hide the entire release, but that wouldn’t be any fun for anyone.

Hidden Legacy has taken over the front page of this website. If you want to see it, click Home in the top menu.

We are doing two appearances for this release.

Appearances

8/26  Murder By The Book, Houston TX.

Murder by the Book ships internationally, so if you want a signed copy, this is your best chance to preorder. Let them know exactly how you want it signed in the Other Comments field when you order and we will write whatever you want in it. But maybe no poems this time. 😀 They take too long. Click here for more information and to preorder.

8/29 Barnes & Noble, Austin , 7:00 pm.

The last time you guys complained that we didn’t do a local Austin signing, so here we go. This will be held in B&N at Arboretum, 10000 Research Blvd #158, Austin, TX 78759. This store is a lot easier to get to and parking is abundant. More information here.

If you can’t make either of these two appearances, we will be doing two online events on Friday, 8/30/2019.

There will two Q&A sessions available to live stream through Twitch. Information regarding these sessions is listed below. Click the session you are interested in and you will be redirected to the page where that particular session will go live.

Twitch is a streaming platform, which allows you to ask us questions in real time and have us answer them via video.  You can watch the Q&A session without creating an account, but if you want to ask something, you will have to sign up.  It’s free.

This is the link to our Twitch account: Ilona Andrews Twitch.

To sign up for Twitch, click Sign Up in purple in the left upper corner or in the right upper corner on the menu.  You can also sign in with your Facebook account by selecting that option after clicking sign up.

There will be two Twitch sessions on Friday 8/30/2019.  They will both be recorded, so you can watch the video at your convenience.

Session 1

US: 12:00 pm EST, 11:00 am CST, 9:00 am PST.

Europe: Berlin 6:00 pm, London 5:00 pm.

Australia: Sydney 2:00 am.

Session 2

US: 8:00 pm EST, 7:00 pm CST, 6:00 pm PST.

Europe: Berlin 2:00 am, London 1:00 am.

Australia: Sydney: 10:00 am (Sunday!)

And now for the deleted scene. Technically this was cut from the next book, not SAPPHIRE FLAMES, but it’s not spoilery and we think you might enjoy it anyway.

Pay Me

I walked into the mansion of House Piney wearing my best “Pay Me” pant suit.  Powder pink and slightly oversized yet still obviously tailored, it draped my body in an elegant way, complimented my tan skin, and hid the bruises on my arms. My dark hair rested in a conservative bun at the nape of my neck, my makeup was understated but expertly applied, and my shoes, plum-red Dior pumps, completed the look. My outfit said, “I don’t need your money, but I collect what’s owed to me. Take me seriously.”

The outfit lied. We needed their money. Every cent of it.

Behind me, Arabella wore a similar ensemble in pale grey with a turquoise blouse that contrasted nicely with her blonde hair. Nobody would ever guess that only a couple of hours ago my sister and I come home covered in blood and dirt.

I’d learned this trick from my older sister.  Like Nevada, I spent most of my business hours in jeans and a T-shirt, while my small but expensive wardrobe hung in the closet safely wrapped in plastic. Usually I only pulled it out twice during a case: first, when meeting the client and the second when collecting the payment. I’d come here once before and dressing up proved to be the right choice. House Piney was a second-generation House, practically a brand-new family by the standards of Houston magical elite. They were clearly insecure and deviation from the status-quo made them nervous. They would expect the Head of another House to flaunt their status, so I met and exceeded their expectations.

The foyer of Piney home had that generically luxurious quality particular to newer Texas mansions: travertine tile sheathing the floor, spotless white walls, and an iron-railed staircase leading to the second floor. A safe decorating choice, uncomplicated by personal style and taste.

A middle-aged white man stood guard by the staircase.  He wore a three-piece black suit, white shirt, and a black tie and stood in a classic pose, one arm bent behind him, the other in front, with a white-gloved hand resting across his waist. Arabella’s eyebrows crept up. I shot her a warning look.

The man gave me a short nod. “Good morning, Ms. Baylor.”

“Good morning, Mr. Walt. This is my sister, Arabella Baylor,” I told him.

“Very good, ma’am. Please wait in the sitting room.” He indicated a living room on our right with a swipe of his hand.

We walked into the living room filled with ornate furniture. I’d sit down, but I’d fallen off the armored vehicle last night and my butt hurt.  If I sat, I’d need help getting up.

“A butler,” my sister murmured under her breath. “Do we have brandy and cigars now or after they pay us?”

“They would probably serve us tea and cucumber sandwiches. You can have brandy and cigars when you go to visit Linus next weekend.”

Unlike the Pineys, Linus Duncan was a fourth-generation Prime and for reasons I didn’t understand, he doted on us like we were his grandchildren. Arabella took shameless advantage of that.

The sound of light feminine giggling drifted from deeper within the house. Four people emerged from the other room.  Two young women in late teens, both Caucasian, one in a white dress, the other in a pink. Two men in their early twenties, one white and blond and the other dark-haired and Latino, accompanied them.

The woman in white was Brittney Pine, the youngest child of House Piney. The blond guy next to her was Robert Taylor, House Taylor, Lux mage. Robert created fluorescence, anything from a gentle colored glow to a blinding light, and could attach it to inanimate objects. The other man and the girl in pink didn’t look familiar. All four had that polished House brat look. Life had been kind to them so far and they had no fear she would change her mind.

The girls glanced at us and giggled.

Arabella rolled her eyes.

The foursome landed on the couches at the other end of the room and spoke in hushed voices. We were an oddity. Arabella was their age, I was only a couple of years older, and we were members of the magic elite, but while they lived a carefree existence wrapped in luxury, we worked, and their parents took us seriously. Furthermore, our records had been sealed by our request. Both Arabella and I were Primes, the highest rank of magic user, but the exact nature of our magic remained hidden.

A faint tendril of magic brushed against my mind. Brittney turned away quickly and snickered.

House Piney were telepaths. They could communicate with each other over great distances and they could scan hundreds of people at once, picking up surface thoughts. They specialized in providing confidential communication to large corporations. They couldn’t penetrate one’s mind and pull a secret out, however, which was why they now owed us money.

Another feather-light touch. Strong but clumsy. Compared to what I grew up with, this was amateur hour.

 â€œHandle her,” Arabella ground out. “Handle her, or I will.”

Another touch. This was a huge breach of etiquette. If she did it to the wrong mental mage, she would start a war with another House. As a Prime, I was expected to react. I had to cut this short.

I lowered my mental defenses and remembered the first person I ever killed. The man’s dark silhouette in a ballistic vest loomed in front of me, his head turned away.

I lunged. The blade of my sword sliced his throat, cutting the jugular and the carotid. Blood gushed, dark and hot. The metallic smell of it lanced my senses.

I tasted acid on my tongue.

The man choked, exhaling bloody mist out of his mouth


I yanked myself back to reality. Across the room, Brittney stared at me, wide-eyed. Her girlfriend pulled on her hand. “Hey?”

I walked over to them, slowly, the sound of my heels measured on the travertine tile. My face had iced over. When I took over as Head of the House, this expression didn’t come naturally to me. It’d been six months and now it required no effort.

Brittney shrank from me.

“Would you like to see what’s in my head?” I asked quietly.

Brittney shook her head.

“It’s impolite to trespass in other people’s minds,” Arabella said, studying her nails.  “Pull that stunt with the wrong person, and you’ll end up wearing diapers for the rest of your life, blissfully unaware that you are the sole survivor of House Piney.”

Harsh but true.

Brittney’s girlfriend opened her mouth. I looked at her, loading enough derision into my gaze to make a whole ballroom of debutantes wither. She clamped her teeth shut.

A quick staccato of steps running down the stairs came from above. “Brittney!” A sharp male voice cracked like a whip.

Arabella smiled. “Uh oh.”

John Piney, Brittney’s older brother, charged into the room.

Robert turned to him. “Hi John
”

“Shut the fuck up, Bob. Why are you here?”

Bob recoiled, stunned.

John pivoted to his sister. “Are you high or have you lost your mind?”

“Don’t talk to her like that!” the other girl piped up.

John glared at her. “Leave. Now.”

She gasped.

Bob finally snapped out of his shocked stupor. “I have to go do something.”

John turned to him. “Are you still here?”

The three friends took off for the front door. John stared at his sister.

Brittney turned red, then white. Clearly, a telepathic chewing out was taking place.

“Sorry,” she said in a small voice.

“It’s fine,” I told her.

“Please accept our sincere apologies,” John said. “My parents will see you now.”

Arabella and I followed him up the stairs into a study lined with mahogany shelves. Mr. Piney, a slender white man in his early fifties, sat in an overstuffed red chair that very much wanted to be a throne. Mrs. Piney, naturally pale with blonde hair and a generous figure, waited next to him, on her feet. John stood to the side.

I unzipped the black leather folder I was carrying, opened it, and put it on the desk in front of them, revealing a printout with columns of numbers.

“You’re right. Your nephew is stealing from you. He’s been doing it for the last three years. He occasionally issues bogus payments to your legitimate contractors. They refund him, and he then transfers the money into one of the private accounts. However, the main source of his embezzling is Raptor, Inc. It’s a shell corporation, no actual physical address, no assets. It’s presented as your subsidiary in the paperwork.”

“I’ve never heard of it,” Mrs. Piney said.

“What does this Raptor do?” Mr. Piney asked.

“Currently it’s billing the Department of Defense for bogus expenses associated with your military contracts,” Arabella said.

Silence.

“I’m going to kill him,” John said, his voice disturbingly casual.

In his place, I would try to kill his cousin too. Once the DoD discovered the fraud, House Piney could lose the entirety of their military contracts. Civilian jobs would follow. They would be ruined.

I pointed at the paper inside the folder. “These are the twelve accounts he maintains, with current balances and passwords. You’ll find the digital copy on the usb in the pocket of the folder.”

“How did you get this?” Mrs. Piney murmured, scanning the data.

Her nephew had told it to me yesterday over dinner.  He’d practically dislocated his fingers logging into his accounting software trying to impress me with his cleverness and wealth.

“This is what we do,” I said. “Your nephew is unaware that we have this information. If you move quickly, you should be able to seize the assets before he liquidates them.

Mr. Piney raised his head. “Who have you told about this?”

Oh no, you don’t. “Our contract guarantees confidentiality. We do not disclose the information we obtain in the course of our investigations unless compelled to do so in a court of law.”

Mr. Piney was still staring at me.

I met his gaze. Pay us and walk us to the front door, and you will live another day.

I was looking straight at him and I saw the exact moment his confidence faltered.

Arabella stepped forward and held up her cell phone. “I’m ready for your transfer.”

NEVER MISS A BOOK RELEASE

Join 30,000 Subscribers

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO
PUBLISHING NEWS

New book releases, give-aways, and appearances.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO
BLOG UPDATES

Free fiction, snippets, and funny stories.

Read our Privacy Policy.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wow!!!
    I can’t wait to read Sapphire Flames and you don’t have to worry- we already love Catalina and the rest of the Baylors????

  3. Wow, you are making it hard to pick a favorite primary character. I am now vested in the whole family.

  5. Brilliant snippet. Catalina and Arabella have really grown up and found their confidence. They rock. I wish it was the release day already.

  6. ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????. Great job ladies! I love that there is another book coming. And I am completely impressed with how much Catalina and Arabella have matured.
    Looking forward to release day! Those of you who get to go to the signings have fun!

  11. Pre order already came from book depository. Really loved the book, read it on one seating. can’t wait for the next one.

  13. I love it… I can’t wait until Tuesday. I hope that we get to read stories with all the Baylors and Augustine needs a happy ending too…

  14. Woo! Get it Catalina and Arabella! Fantastic snippet, I love it. I’m so excited for this series, I can’t wait until the release day!

    I hope you guys have a wonderful, relaxing weekend, and I absolutely know this new Hidden Legacy series is gonna kick butt and take names!

    Thank you for the snippet!

  15. This was great! Thank you. I love that they learned their lessons from family and are working together.

  17. If you have time on your Austin trip, you might want to check out Austin Creative Reuse. They have lots of donated yarn and you never know what you might find.

  18. Awesome excerpt! I am so excited for this next installment! I can’t wait to see what Catalina and Arabella get into next!

  19. That was amazing. From a long history of reading your posts about the writing process, I know that not every scene can be kept. Sacrifice has to be made, even with really good scenes. But boy oh boy if that was a scene that got the axe, I cannot WAIT to read what stays!!

    • My rule is simple, if it has our name on it, we will sign it. Still, I would check with the store about bringing other books. Sometimes if a person has a lot of books, we ask that they wait until everybody gets their one or two signed and then we can sign all their stuff and not feel bad about holding up the line.

  24. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It has been a shitty few days. I’m sure you’ll understand what it’s like to be in the emergency room for two days in a row and no one seems to know whats wrong. Finally Mom got admitted into the hospital and is getting some care. But I was in the worst mood until I saw this. Believe it or not a snippet from you is exactly what I wanted before I fall into bed and try to sleep. Well after a few more calls to doctors. I’m sorry this release is so stressful. I really hope your daughter gets on the other side of her condition soon.
    It may not seem like much coming from someone you don’t know, but you are well loved. Better stop cause I can’t see the screen right now.

  26. This was much needed. I too love all of the Baylors so now worry there. My husband and I recently took emergency guardianship of my mother in law and my husbands brother is now in jail. Retreating into the world of Hidden Legacy for a few moments has been a balm to my soul today. Thank you!

  31. Yeah for the delayed scene! This is a “deleted” scene?!! You guys are just the best…Just the best. â˜ș????????

  32. OMG, I love it already! (So sorry it’s been deleted. Trust more and better will follow.)
    Don’t worry about how we’ll respond to new series / new characters. I (and everyone else in your Tribe) are so looking forward to connecting more deeply w/ Catalina, Arabella, and other members of House Baylor.
    I’ve already pre-ordered “Sapphire” fm Amazon. May have to place an additional special order to get a signed version.
    All this angst-stuff about new release – won’t that just disappear nicely when the Amazon orders stack up, the long lines show up at the book signings, and the great reviews start to pour in?
    In (a state of deprivation) I read a book by someone who is sort-of in this same genre over the last two days, and the best I could say was “Mheh,” I am SO glad that “Sapphire” is coming out soon. That will make my Labor Day week really great!

  33. Some days I hate my name. It is almost always associated with vapid idiots. Thanks for the deleted scene.

    • Not your fault, dear. The ones that know you won’t think that and that’s the important thing. As a member of the BDH, you are automatically cool. (My slang is many years out of date. Since I am, too, I refuse to apologize.)
      You are named for a beautiful place and the name itself is not the problem.
      Unfortunately the currently famous Brittney is not a font of good sense or good taste. Hopefully she will grow up eventually.

  35. Thank you for this. It is bright spot on an otherwise dreary day. We will be here for all of your characters and I am looking forward to this world and it many characters and nuances.

  36. I loved this – thank you so much for your fantastic books and stories. I hope your daughter is doing better

  39. Damn it! Sapphire Flames isn’t even OUT yet, and now I want to read the NEXT book!
    Interesting to read that Linus Duncan is suddenly the grandfather type to the Baylor family. He’s always been my best guess for being Caesar. Stunning to read how Catalina and Arabella have come into their powers so well that they can terrify people without really trying.
    I really wish that your life would just give you a break long enough for you to write another 25 books for me to read. I cannot understand how you manage to produce so much good work while living in a whirlwind of huge proportions. I’ve read everything of yours that I can find, and I keep searching for more.

  40. now i have to re-read the other books – Linus – is their granddad or who was it that evil Grandma had paid or coerced or what ever to donate his sperm, and he is the bad guy … or do i have it all wrong – problem with binge readers like me is to much Information in my head on all the different series.

    • Linus is a friend of their grandmother and for House Baylor before their testing to ensure they were not attacked and to give advice to Nevada about said evil grandmother.

  43. Don’t know why the simple sentences of some writers (a very few) capture my attention right away and I cozy down for a few hours of comfortable satisfaction. The subject doesn’t always matter as my tastes are wide ranging. These authors grab my attention right away and keep it. Now, you two, I love your deleted scene and would love to see it expanded. It is distressing to think it is going to waste!

  48. And you deleted that!!!!! It was awesome! Go Catalina and Arabella!!!! If your book is like this deleted scene, then you don’t have to hide. Everything will be fine.

    Just keep swimming.

  49. Catalina and Arabella have learned the fine art of being Primes in an emerging House. You go girls.
    To bad it was cut but I’m sure IA found some other way to make the same point in the story line.

  51. Catalina has so grown up…nice scene.
    „he doted on us like we were his grandchildren“ . Does he now…
    ( Cue evil chuckle and rubbing of hands)

    • Yeah, I focused on that, too. I predict a lot of betrayed feelings in the third book of the series. Or maybe the very end of the second book.

    • I’ve just reread this first three books earlier this year. Might need to do it again before Tuesday.

  53. I’m so glad that I’m off the day that Sapphire Flames comes out. Can’t wait to read it in one sitting!

    • Oh God!! I want it so bad!!!!!! Release day can’t come fast enough!!!

      If this is what got cut just imagine the goodies still there!!! ????????????????

    • It kind of snuck up on me, but I saw someone’s comment on one of previous blog posts and that reminded me, so I came in Monday morning this week and requested next Monday and Tuesday off. Wheeee!

    • My “Sapphire Flames” is preordered and I have made certain that there is nothing else to do that day. I can’t wait to listen (audio book user).

      Thank you for the tidbit from the next book. Now I have that to look forward to.

  54. Oh, I so enjoyed that…..
    Let’s go back and read again….
    Tuesday seems so far off……

    Thanks so much!!!

  55. Awesome snippet! Just made me 1,000 times more excited to read Sapphire Flames. I love the Baylor family and am so glad you’re continuing it with Catalina.

  56. Oh, thank you so very much! I love little snippets, even if they are deleted scenes. I hope you are having fun with the new journal and are finding it relaxing!

    • It’s so funny reading all the comments how happy a good ass kicking makes all of us… ???? I love when strong heroines use their power to full potential…

  58. Yup, no loss of skills here. Why this wont be included will be seen but it is good you shared with us. If only George was in the scene it would be perfect!! 🙂

  59. Awesome House Andrews and thank you so much for this snippet. Can’t wait for the 27th!! 🙂

  60. Wow. Girl has grown up. Big time. I wanna know why she’s head of house now. That has me concerned.

    • Easy. Nevada has married Rogan and joined House Rogan, so Catalina took over as head of House Baylor.

    • Nevada is now part of House Rogan. As the oldest Prime of House Baylor now, Catalina is Head.

      • And apparently they’re not taking money from Rogan because they said in this scene that they really need the money.

    • I thought the same thing. Nevada and her family are so close, it seems strange that she would leave them financially strapped considering Mad Rogan’s wealth. The girls seem so young for Nevada to leave them struggling with a business that supplies their whole family with food and shelter.
      I’m starting to re-read the series in preparation for the new release Tuesday, maybe I missed something somewhere.
      But…. maybe that’s the way the story line has to flow…….

      • I guess there must be more details we need to read to understand the full context bc in Wildfire (I think) there were discussions about all the wealth they’d eventually have as a magical family… maybe it’s just the cost of moving? Didn’t it say somewhere the family was moving out of the warehouse?

      • The Baylors are a stand alone family, beholden to no one, even their sister. Nevada would not accept any support which would make her family appear weak , even from Mad Rogan. I suspect the rest of the family is the same. Their House must stand on its own merits to survive, if they accept help from House Rogan, they will loose their fiercely won independence and be seen as a scion of House Rogan. More Leon please, but damn, all those Baylors kick arse!

  65. This looks amazing! Waiting for Saphire Flames.

    Though I did have a question – Why couldn’t Nevada remain Head of House?

  67. I wouldn’t worry about a new protagonist. I got completely on board with Catalina in Diamond Fire. I am dying to read the new book. I don’t know how I’ll wait the last few days until it comes. I have a million questions about House Baylor, because I noticed some changes from the end of Diamond Fire to the two snippets I’ve read of Sapphire Flames and this book that comes after S.F. What has happened to all of my people in three years, (besides Catalina and Arabella becoming total badasses, of course). No pressure on the authors, but I am so hoping that Nevada and Mad Rogan have a baby. I think that would be fun to see. I’d love to see them have lots of kids, and Mad Rogan become this doting daddy.

    • Their children would have them wrapped around their little fingers and ignore the word “no”. 😀

  69. Ahhh. Blissful sigh, so far this morning I screwed up house network then picked up my laptop to look underneith it slipped and cracked me on my lower lip. Nicely all swollen up now. I shall NOT SMILE ow! All afternoon over my fav guurls.

  72. I’m freaking out. I can’t wait. I love these stories I love these characters. You guys rock. I’d tell you not to be nervous but, I know it won’t work. But I will say I thought for some reason this book was coming out last february. No idea why. I was so depressed when I found out different I ate a hershey bar. Then I thought it was coming out on august 7. I got my favorite amaretto almond ice cream when I realized i had yet again been fantasizing. I’m so excited. Only five days now. Right. It’s the 27th right? Yeah. I’m right.

  73. awesome. The girls are growing up, right before our eyes. Waiting (im)patiently for the book to be here (now would be nice).

  75. I hope you are able to do things that comfort you and help with your stress… But please remember, you are good at your job. No one has forced the BDH to be your devoted horde – we make that choice every time we read your stories. Words from a stranger probably aren’t going to help with your Release stress, but we love Catalina as evidenced by her first story, Diamond Fire blowing up! Thank you for the deleted scene above!

    I am literally salivating at the thought of having Sapphire Flames to read over Labor Day weekend – but that is if I can hold off staying up all night on Release Day – approximately 108 hours from now… Maybe I will reread Hidden Legacy starting with Burn for Me, in order to properly savor the series and have the pleasure of spending time with the Baylor family again! If I don’t rush, and stay away from spoilers, Sapphire Flames over Labor Day weekend could work out perfectly!

  78. Those Baylor girls are fierce!!! Great snippet!! Thank you, life would be dull without House Andrews!

  79. Thank you IA! Looove snippets! This one was great!
    I’m so excited for Sapphire flames ????

  81. What a way to give myself a break from work. Whoop, whoop! Wow…to see both of them mature into their magic…it’s great. Deleted scene or not, House Piney better be very careful who they telepath to. I loved Arabella’s response to that. 🙂

    Thank you!

  83. It’s not a new character the way far too many authors do it; we know and love Catalina (and Arabella, of course) already. This is Catalina coming to the front of the stage, and boy, is she ready! CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  84. It is hard to believe that something that good was deleted. I know if might be for reasons such as it didn’t fit the plot or something but it is still amazing that what you delete from a book can be better than what someone else publishes.

  85. I’ve been fighting a cold all day and while this did not cure it, it’s made my day all the more bearable! Thank you SO much for this snippet. I loved it.

  86. I know I always say this…but WOW! You guys pack such a punch into that short snippet! No wonder you have a BDH of your very own!

  91. Fantastic scene! A shame it had to be cut. 🙁 Thank you for sharing it with us – it is SO appreciated!!! 😀

  92. Thank you for the snippet. Really gutted to hear you’re having to cancel the appearance at RARE19 London. I hope you can make it to the UK in the future.

    Still very excited to read Sapphire Flames when it releases!

  93. Thanks for the snippet! It’s always such a sweet surprise and so much fun. And then there’s the comments, it’s so fascinating to see where everyone’s minds venture. I haven’t quite figured out why it seems the progression so frequently follows that babies need to be added tho. I like the mayhem and tension that happens without them. (and yes, I do have kids whom I love very much) So glad House Andrews chooses to continue to delight us time and time again!!

    • Thank you! Love theses glimpses into what the multi-faceted Baylor girls are growing into!

  94. Thank you. Love the snippet! Your writing is always so detailed and wonderful that I always preorder whatever you have coming out. Don’t forget to take your vacations and breaks though. Life is what happens while we are earning a living.

  98. I’m touring England on release day. I should wait until I get home to read it, but probably won’t.

  102. I did not read any previous comments, so please forgive redundancy. I love the strength , courage and intelligence of your characters. “Disturbingly casual” I. cannot. wait.

    • Ohh ,love the scenes that feature the two sisters working together.
      You can feel their maturity and intelligence in how they handle the 4 spoiled brats with just a hint of Catalina’s magic.
      Thank you .

  103. If the rest of the book is as good as the deleted scene, you have another winner on your hands.

    Can’t wait until Tuesday!

  105. My spine crawled. My neck muscles tensed and goosebumps crawled up and down my arms. Wow.

  106. If this was deleted, I’m mindboggled about what’s actually IN the next book! Gods, I love the Baylors, and the entire HL universe. Can’t wait to read more about Catalina, and REALLY can’t wait for Arabella’s trilogy! My friend and I have been texting one another with “squee” GIFs for “Ten More Days!” “One More Week until Sapphire Flames!”

  107. Every single time, whether it is snippet or in this case, deleted scene, I am reduced to high pitched squeals of delight.
    Eagerly awaiting release of this novel. Currently speed reading lesser fiction offerings from other authors.
    Thank you 🙂

  109. Thanks for sharing! This deleted scene was crack!

    Can someone please clue me in? What was the dad trying to achieve with the question, “who did you tell?” Was he trying to stiff them on their bill? Because Lina’s reaction “Oh no you don’t” and later “pay us and you won’t be killed” seems to imply (to me) that he had violence on his mind?

    Also, LINUS IS THEIR GRANDPA??! If so, does that mean we don’t get to kill the big bad in the end? God I sound bloodthirsty. And, basic name aside, GO JOHN!!! Potential suitor for Arabella? Loved her line “take care of them or I will ” she’s such a lil bad ass! Grandma Freida would be proud

    • Uh…no. Linus isn’t their grandfather. He treats the Baylors as if they were his grandchildren.

    • I read the question “who did you tell” was House Piney assessing whether or not they should just kill Arabella and Catalina to keep the embezzlement a secret.

    • +1 on Caitlin’s answer.

      Their grandpa was an excised siren from a Greek house. Don’t know that we have been given enough details on Duncan to contradict that, but my impression is he’s part of an established US-based house. I expect his doting is part of a long game as Caesar.

      • I agree! Especially since he’s a fourth generation prime, his family is well known as are their powers, whatever those are.

        Also, Mr. Piney would be a total idiot to pick a fight with house Baylor as that would basically also be picking a fight with House Rohan. Nevada would not let someone who hurt her sisters get away.

        So excited! My only regret is that it takes so long to write yet will only take me a few hours to read.

      • For some reason, I thought Grandma Tremaine used bits and pieces of male prime DNA to create her son. Idk where that idea came from ????????‍♀because iirc, they don’t have gene therapy/modification in HL world?

    • So here’s a House, facing potential ruin thanks to their relative that Catalina investigated…and here are these 2 maybe-Primes of power, come to deliver the news. As the Pines are a telepath house & probably also aware of the Rogan connection, I read this question as, “we’d like to re-arrange your memories or otherwise lay a geas upon you to keep you from speaking of this….EVER”. So we’d like to insist that we rewrite your brains a little.
      But, happily for them House Pine got a clue-bat from Arabella & Catalina’s behavior and backed the bleep off….

      • Huh… That makes sense. Thanks for the thorough explanation ???? sometimes I have trouble reading between the lines

      • Huh… That makes sense. Thanks for the thorough explanation ???? sometimes (often) I have trouble reading between the lines.

  111. Oooooooohhhh! So good! I know you worry but we love everything you write! Thanks for all you do!

  112. Awesome deleted scene. I can’t wait for more of house Baylor. You have created a wonderful world and it will stand on its own no matter who the protagonist is. Relax and everything will be good.

  113. I know this is cut from the next book, but it’s getting me fired up for Sapphire Flames. Like others of the BDH, I’m re-reading the other Hidden Legacy books before Tuesday and I even went back in your blog to search for all the snippets you posted for this book. ???? I can’t tell you not to be nervous, but the word “devouring” is there for a reason. ????

  114. Publishers print fantasy novels that need to be cut down to no more than half their length, yet something wonderful like your writing gets pared down. Makes no sense. Thank you for sharing these “deleted” chapters with us.

    • Ahhh I love this. Catalina is badass!!!

      Uh-oh, Linus. I Gates at the moment he isn’t quite bored.

      Counting the days for the release.

  117. Thank you so much!! I love when you guys post snippets and deleted scenes on the blog. I can’t wait to read Sapphire Flames! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  118. Looooove it! And soooo looking forward to the release! It’s already pre-ordered so I’m going to wake up and have it on my kindle… and then in paperback a few days later. Good stuff!
    Thanks for sharing! <3

    • Ok, so this is totally greedy of me, but would you ever consider releasing a “book” of all your deleted scenes and short stories? ::throws credit card – please take my money!!!:: Thank you for sharing this with us – it was delightful and I can’t wait to read your next release!!

  123. Wowsers!!!! Oh my ! I am fanning myself. I loooooovvvvvvveeee it!!! Thank so much for sharing this. I love your books and all your books are a success. I can barely contain my excitement as the day to get Sapphire Flames draws near. Please know that any naysayers are not your main group. I love your work and as I have seen from the fans page and reviewers, they think your books are the bomb too! Thank you for sharing your life with us too on the blog…… Thank you so much!!!!!

  131. It’s really hard to like Linus when you think of all the people he has had killed. Cornelius wife and all the times he has targeted Rogan and Nevada and her family. It will be hard when he gets revealed for all of them.’

  132. I can’t wait to read Sapphire Flames. To keep my “Ilona Andrews habit” under control I just reread Magic Binds, Iron and Magic, and Magic Triumphs. ????

  134. Awesome scene so sad it got cut….maybe it needs a delated scene family. They can all hang out in a book all there own….

  136. Re: Twitch sessions – Some of those times are wrong. I noticed the gaps for the time zones were not consistent between sessions, so I used https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html and got:

    Session 1
    EDT (New York) – 12 pm (noon)
    CDT (Houston) – 11 am
    PDT (Los Angeles) – 9 am
    Berlin – 6 pm
    London – 5 pm
    Sydney – 2 am

    Session 2
    EDT (New York) – 8 pm
    CDT (Houston) – 7 pm
    PDT (Los Angeles) – 5 pm
    Berlin – 2 am (Saturday)
    London – 1 am (Saturday)
    Sydney – 10 am (Saturday)

    Also on the Hidden Legacy FAQ under “How did Penelope Lose her PI license?” the first paragraph says “Prices can vary significantly depending on the size of your project. We handle projects for small agencies, and also large projects that can run upwards of $200k. Our minimum project cost is $5,000.”

  137. I was talking to my SIL today about stuff. She just turned 71 and hubby is 72, they’re active and always doing projects in the house/yard and she has taken care of all her grandchildren after school for both families. One set of parents are proactive and doing a good job but the other set not so much. The older kids have benefited greatly by daily contact with their grandparents over the years and it has become more and more apparent as they are into their early twenties. They think and process as adults, have standards of behavior, and accept responsibility for themselves and are realiable in their jobs and personal lives.

    I guess where I’m going with this is that the Baylor family, fiction or not, resonates with me. They are allowed to be their age but are expected and encouraged to be responsible and contributing members of the business and family and to fulfill their part in Team Baylor. That kind of home atmosphere gives kids a solid basis of capable self-confidence that they can handle life’s issues which is part of why I enjoy the books so much as these young people step up and mature into capable adults. And now I’ll get off my soapbox.

    • Hey.. enjoyable / engrossing writing as always!
      Somebody said Linus couldn’t be their grandpa as their grandpa is supposed to be an excised siren ..but who’s to say that it couldn’t be the same person.. as far as I’ve gathered from the novels Linus’ s powers are hidden and he has plenty of charisma and the same kind of power that Lina has.. so maybe House Andrews will surprise us..
      Whatever it’s gonna be I’m sure it would hit the feels..it always does!
      Thanks for sharing these scenes and if u’ve got more scraps from the table we’d- the BDH- be really grateful..love you ..and don’t worry about upcoming reveals as you are Prime authors???? and very much loved by your BDH, who I’m sure would stand by House Andrews.. amen

    • Grandparents, more often than not, raise the youngest generation in my culture (Chinese). As a child, I benefited tremendously from this practice because my grandfather was an amazing person and the only male figure in my life.

      But the same cannot be said for all grandparents. My BFF, for example, was telling me recently that she’s having problems with her mom watching her kids because mom is a compulsive liar and gambler. A drawback in my culture is you don’t really criticize your parents and never, ever, EVER accuse them of lying.

      Tl;dr- not all grandparents are created equal so not all kids raised by grandparents end up like your grand niblings. But overall, if the grandparents are willing and able, I agree that having them help raise lil ones is awesome.

  138. I can’t believe this gets cut. This is fabulous. The 30th is my birthday, so I’m hoping to get a question in. I’m halfway through Sweep of the Blade, and Amazon tells me The new Hidden Legacy will be in my mail box on release day. So exciting. #Luthor

  140. This deleted section was so exciting, the real book must be stunning. I can’t wait for the release to devour it. Way to go! Keep on writing for us fans, please.

  148. I love your snippets. This family totally fascinates me. Thank you for sharing the cut scene. Your cut scenes are most others published ones. Why you’re numero uno.

  149. Oh My Gosh! Love it! Now I can’t wait for this book, as well as Sapphire Flames… Love it! Thank you!

  151. Catalina has really changed. “The loss of innocence is the one loss from which we never recover.”

    • Innocence or shyness ? She was never innocent she lost her father young she has a talent that allows her to manipulate people that she had to control so I don’t think she was ever innocent especially as Nevada left her in charge of the house

      • I think it’s more so a gain of confidence. At the end of Diamond Fire we see her on that cusp of development. By the end of that book, she took on more responsibilities, proved her competence in front of Rogan’s family and in general by handling Kelly, and headed towards a specialized physical self defense skill with swords. It makes sense that she’s undergone a lot of growth undergone from DF to Sapphire Flames to this deleted scene from the next book. I’m super excited to see what events led to this development. *rubs hands together*

      • Poor Catalina was so reticent to form a House and after establishing “House Baylor” Nevada left her in charge of it. I hope the why is explained in “Sapphire Flames”.

  152. I love your books sooooo much that sometimes I wish I didn’t know about Ilona Andrews until all the books are out and I could just spend a week re-reading them! Thank you for this short story it has given me some reprieve to the long awaiting of you next book. I hope you keep wring these short stories!

    • I’ve already pre-ordered my copy!! I can’t wait, I’ve been a long time fan and I just can’t get enough of your stories. I’ve already re-read all of Nevada’s books and the novella featuring Catalina to prepare for the release!

  153. BDH public service announcement:

    If you’re lucky enough to have a Barnes and Noble store near you and you haven’t pre ordered the book yet, go to the store and see if possibly they have it already.

    You can also check online and the stores near you that received the book will have a “in stock” sign next to them.

    If you can wait until the 27th that’s ok too ????

    It’s so good …..

    • That’s my plan for this evening after work. If I got it before work, I know I’d end up getting dragged before my boss…. but having a blissful weekend…. I’m down for that 🙂

      I”m glad to know it’s been spotted “in the wild” already. I stopped pre-ordering the print version after discovering this for Wildfire. I do have the kindle coming to my account because “epic” and “always on hand” — along with “discount on the audio most times.”

      WOOOOOT

      • Loved!!! Great clip even deleted it captures so much.

        No early audible editions of any author as far as I know.

        I listen to all the books even though I so despise Rinda Charles I scroll past her speeches now.

        Pet peeve for me when either an ex- tries to destroy a relationship, or the main character in detective story is suspected of the crime.

        Meanwhile, I listen to Steve West reading inferior books for my Hugh fix.

        • Haha! “ listen to Steve West reading inferior books for my Hugh fix”!! I love everything about that comment!!

    • Thanks for the heads up, Alex R. I just checked the closest Barnes and Noble to where I live and shows it’s in stock. Now, the question of the day (for me) is will it be there after I get down to the store after work? Hmmm…..

      I have it pre-ordered so if I don’t see the book in the store, I can wait (somewhat). 😀

      • Patricia,

        I often call and ask them to place the item on hold for me. I just know my husband is looking forward to the epic run-around-hunt-wooooooooooooot-itsontheshelf experience…. that and today has no spare moments to call…. plus we will be 2 minutes from a B&N with out errands today.

        Depending on how far your drive is out of your way, may be worth calling 🙂

      • You can also “Order (pay) online and pick up in-store.”
        I have never done it, but it’s (used to be?) there when you look at the list of options.
        My close B&N is more of an educational toy store than a real bookstore, so I always check availability before I go…

    • I buy both kindle and hard copy. My husband prefers yo hold a book and I prefer never having to leave a book at home. Sadly, no Barnes and Nobles in my area. 🙁

    • Thank you so so much for this public service. I literally got in my car and drove to the nearest one.

    • I checked at a Barnes & Noble, didn’t see it out, so I asked for help. “Do you have the book Sapphire Flames?” “Let me check” said the clerk typing “Saffire Flames” on her computer. ???? I absolutely didn’t know what to say.

    • So, so jealous of all of you who have B&N stores near you that will let you buy these copies before they officially come out on the 27th. I have bunches within easy driving distance, absolutely every one of them shows the book “in stock”. Not one single store will let me buy it before Tuesday ????.

      • My nearest B&N is 45 miles away. Would drive there if they would sell me the book before 27th but their policy is no sales before the 27th but I get my Nook book before 10 pm Monday so will have it mostly read before bedtime Monday night.

      • I was so surprised that my B&N sold it to me. The saleperson made a point of saying that it was “OK to sell it today (Sat.) ” I took it and RAN to the checkout. OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!

    • I tried. ???????????? my B&N keeps to publication dates. They have them in the back and wont sell until Tuesday.

    • Thanks for the tip! My local Books a Million has it in stock. Going to get a copy right now! ????

  154. Oh, I’m sorry that got cut… That was totally Bad A## …Wow!
    I think these girls are going to be VERY interesting…
    Thanks for sharing

  155. Yessss. So excited about every book from IA this will be no different.

    And the online sessions For the new book. I am really looking foward to that. I hope you are both taking much needed care of yourselves too and after all this excitement you will relax and pamper yourselves.

    Your BDH thank you for a great year and for your generocity any time we see the successful completion of your works. And that when sometimes our life springs up in unexpected ways your books and worlds and blogs are always a source of amazing wonder and comfort that can transport us anywhere we want to go for a couple of seconds, minutes or hours. The joy they bring are priceless.

    Anytime you wish to share more awesomeness with us, your BDH will be there with bells on and a smile. Even quiet ones like me. Thank you.

  157. i haven’t read Sapphire Flames yet, but i cant wait to see the next novel. Catalina is dripping with confidence.

  159. Goodness gracious! I feel like my fav character is dependent on which IA book I’m reading! Sooooooooo good! Your books and I are a perfect fit and I will always be a fan!

  161. I am really curious why Nevada is no longer head of the house. I assume it will be revealed quickly in Sapphire Flames. Just pondering to myself: is it because she married Rogan and the heads of two houses can’t be married? Does House Rogan need her to maintain their status (the only primes I’m aware of are Rogan and his mother)? I can’t see Rogan asking her to give up her status with her own house when he pushed so hard for her to establish it, plus he seems to enjoy watching her flourish in her new position.

    I am glad Catalina seems to be stepping up and growing up (she killed someone with a sword? since when are swords part of Hidden Legacy, I thought the Baylors were all about the guns?). To be honest she wasn’t my favorite character in the original trilogy, she had her moments (such as when she insisted on joining in on the raids and stood up for Matilda), but they were interspersed in a lot of annoying teenage drama. I also love that Arabella seems to have grown up (like Catalina said she needed to at the end of Wildfire), maybe Nevada stepped aside to force her siblings to step up to the plate?

    • I wonder if the evil grandmother died and Nevada had to take over House Tremaine? She might do it if it meant people losing their jobs if the House fell. Just a guess. Can’t wait to read the book.

  162. Super big clue! “Linus Duncan was a fourth-generation Prime and for reasons I didn’t understand, he doted on us like we were his grandchildren”. Does Linus get revealed during in the book?

    • I don’t think it will be in this one, since it’s the first of a trilogy. I could be wrong though

  163. Commenting for the very first time to say that this scene is a quintessential illustration of the price of being a House, and a Prime, and it is a tragedy it had to be cut from the novel. Catalina’s streqm of thought regarding Brittany’s trespass and her effective, and necessarily harsh, handling thereof, demonstrates the cut-throat nature of House relations and the paingul loss of innocence every member of a House will eventually face – both on Catalina’s part and on Brittany’s. It is a sobering truth of the Hidden Legacy world that is beautifully summed up in this interaction, and serves as an eloquent reminder to readers of the lack of empathy most Houses show toward each other while demonstratibgthat Catalina has not become so jaded or twisted by her experiences to fail to do the right thing (providing a warning rather than simply destroying Brittany for the invasion). After all, in the HL world, being a minor is no protection, and any Prime is entitled to defend themselves and their house as they see fit.

    This was a fantastic glimpse into Catalina’s approach to her role as Prime and Head of House Baylor. Thank you for sharing.

  165. I’m looking forward to Tuesday! Everyone knows I’m completely unavailable for anything. Snacks are already purchased and the reading nook is all setup 🙂

  166. Thank you , Ilona Andrews. I enjoyed as always.
    I do understand why Catalina is head of house now. Nevada served for many years and it is Catalina time. Arabella time will come too. I speculate that Bern and Leon would be too except they are not Primes . Not they are incapable of being head of house Baylor. Just society prejudice.

    • Leon may be a prime. Would be interesting to see if he ever formally tests. I suspect he will be a prime – will be interesting to see who his unidentified father may be for future plot twists. (And when he does meet a woman faster than him, does he end up dead or smitten?)
      I wonder if Bern is actually a prime as well. He tested for pattern sorting, but his real skill lies in computer manipulation, a variation of mech mage is mentioned at one point.

  168. don’t know if i can wait til tuesday after reading that snippet…lol…guess i’m gonna spend the day today trolling the local bookstores til one coughs it up.

    • I just got back from my local Barnes & Noble with a pb copy of SAPPHIRE FLAMES in my trembling hands. I had already pre-ordered both the kindle and hardback copies but now I will own the trifecta of all three editions. I’m in northern Virginia but if my B&N has copies already, maybe others do too.

      Anne in Virginia

      • This is a great way to support the brick and mortar stores. So many are closing as e commerce takes over. Dropping a few copies to them early will increase traffic.

  169. So excited for your book birthday! Don’t be too hard on yourselves, you give me and plenty of other people an escape from this crazy reality we’re living in and I’m so thankful

    Keep on truckin’

  172. Thank you very much for that snippet! I just loved the smackdown Catalina and Arabella gave that spoiled brat hehehehe 🙂

    Are you going to collect deleted / extra scenes from your various series and publish them in a kind of “director’s cut” anthology? That would be so cool!

  175. Thank you for sharing that with us. I think that nothing should be cut from your books but, I guess you have to do it….

  179. Great snippet appetizer … can’t wait!
    I am so happy ???????? I ordered a signed copy and they ship it to Germany ???? ????doing a happy dance ????

  180. I love your writing. I discovered your books by accident when I read a blurb about a book that took place in Atlanta where magic and tech were at war. I just looked and can’t believe that was 2007. Then there was the Edge Series. How can you not love a book with the concept that people with magic can pass through a boundary to go to Walmart unbeknownst to the people on the other side. I have totally enjoyed each series. I was hooked.I get invested in the characters. I can’t wait to read Catalina’s stories. The excerpts are so tantalizing. You both are gifted storytellers.

  181. Of course I remember reading your explanations of why certain scenes get cut and they made sense. I’m just darned glad you share them because this was superb!! I’d hate having missed this!! I preordered for my kindle ages ago and I always get audible but glad it’s almost here. I can hardly wait for more Hugh and Elara, too. Steve West really did rock that audible!

  184. You never fail, Ilona Andrews. Makes me want to have the book in my hands right now… Thank you!

  185. Yes!!!!! Oh my goodness I can’t wait!!!! Catalina is so bad-ass I love that she’s come into her own talents.

  187. I’ve already told my family that I am doing nothing on the 27th after my hardback of Sapphire Flames arrives, hopefully first thing in the morning. I still have to figure out a dinner that won’t require me to stop reading while I fix it. I plan a day of nothing but enjoying the next Hidden Legacy story. The best mini-vacation possible.

    Thank you for providing such treasures.

  189. That scene is really intense — I had to stop and catch my breath when I got to the end. I’m trying to remember — is this the book you had to go back and completely rewrite when you’d got near the end, or was it another one? If this one, the deleted scene makes me confident the rewrite paid off.

    Prayers for the quick return to normal health for your lovely daughter, and that you both are given the strength you need to get to the other side of this.

    In response to pre-release nerves, I saw the below in today’s missive from
    BookBub:

    Trish Loye
    Author
    @TrishLoye

    Recommended and rated this book
    1 star2 stars3 stars4 stars5 stars [she gave it five stars]

    Sweep of the Blade
    Ilona Andrews

    Book Details
    Loved this book just as much as all her others! It might be helpful to read the other books in the series before you read this one. But they’re all awesome. If you like fantasy/sci fi mixed with romance then read Ilona Andrews!
    Reasons I enjoyed this book:
    Action-packedPage-turner

  191. I think this is a great development, the characters are growing and become more real and complex.
    I love it.
    This is why I love Ilona Andrews books so much.
    Can’t wait for it ❀

  193. After reading about Barnes and Noble putting out the bold early, I checked my local Books-A-Million, and it’s on the shelves. Bought it!

  194. I’m so stoked for the next books! You write such amazing characters I’m always excited to learn more about any one of them. I loved Nevada and Rogan’s story but I’m also pumped about Catalina. Probably helps that I’ve never read anything of yours that I didn’t enjoy ????
    Thank you for the deleted scene!

  195. Ooo, if this is a deleted scene, I can’t wait to read the full story. I never read snippets because I want the entire book to be new to me when I read it, so I always enjoy reading things like this.

  196. Just want to say a big THANK YOU!!!! to whichever BDH member sent me to B&N today. (Say.) I got my hard copy. Happy Happy Happy Day!

  197. testing I have only had 1 out of 6 comments “stick” since the changeover. Anybody else having probs? Hope this makes it as 2.

    • 2019/08/24 at 2:44 pm
      2019/08/24 at 2:42 pm
      2019/08/24 at 2:39 pm
      2019/08/24 at 2:39 pm
      2019/08/24 at 2:38 pm
      2019/08/22 at 9:19 pm
      2019/08/22 at 9:18 pm
      2019/08/22 at 9:13 pm
      2019/08/22 at 9:03 pm
      2019/08/22 at 9:02 pm
      2019/08/20 at 7:53 pm
      2019/08/20 at 7:48 pm

      This is the list of your comments since the migration. If one out of every 6 comments is sticking, then you would have left 12×6= 72 comments in the last three days. 🙂 I think your browser is probably caching the site.

      • This only seems to be happening on my phone so….. you are right. Let me go throw my phone across the room and see… no no no. Will try something a little more technical like clearing cache . Thank you.

        Oh, the book is so good!!!! So So So good!

  198. I just thought I would mention that Monday is my birthday, and the book release on Tuesday is my favorite present so far! Thank you!

  199. I absolutely loved this cut scene. thank you so much!
    Its a good thing our world is not post shift and flooded with magic. fans would be elevating you toward godhood we love and appreciate your writing so much.

  200. There are is an ache that this didn’t make it into the story. There’s a need for all the rest that hurts.

  202. P.s. and thanx. Some arsehats shot up our neighborhood unloading 60 rounds. Thankfully no one got hurt. This time. Asked to write opinion piece for newspaper. As proud member of the fabulous IA school of outstanding detailed writing I was inspired by your writing techniques. Article published. Everyone liked it except of course for dozen trolls. Hehehe.

  203. *quickly double checks her Audible account* yep, preorder in place. Thanks for the snippet to hold me over until Tuesday

  206. Yup, Barnes & Noble sold it to me today, here in Eastern Washington! Finished it and it is GREAT!

    Thank you both for the great book!

    P. S. It is in the romance section, not the SciFi section

    • The book stores don’t have a classification for this type of work, so all of the hidden legacy series is in the romance section…How many men would even think to look for it there?

  208. This was so awesome when I read it the other day that I was inspired to read Nevada’s series and Diamond Fire all over again the last couple of days. My Barnes and Noble shows it in store but not available until Tuesday. I am such a rule follower myself that I can’t legitimately complain that the store manager is keeping to the publication date but I am so jealous of all of you that have it already. It is pre ordered on my Kindle so I will get it bright and early Tuesday. I just have to be patient.

    I really like the way Catalina and Arabella have grown in both the snippets you shown us and Diamond Fire. I also really like the way Rogan and his mother took the rest of the Baylor family seriously and care about them. None of that in law drama. That is so nice.

    I hope your daughter continues to improve and all is well for your family. Unfortunately I am too far away to come see you at the bookstores. I live in Mississippi and that is a little too far to get a book signed. However, I am going to keep watch for the opportunity to meet you both and have a book signed. It’s been years since I did that. The last time was about 22 years ago in Memphis and my daughter Brittany who was two or so and asleep in her stroller and I waited for 3 hours to have a book signed by Mary Higgins Clark! She is now 24 and expecting her and her husband’s first child. She just sent me a picture of her and her crib that I saved and that she has now set up in her nursery. This is going to be my first grandchild. I am very excited (in case you can’t tell)

    Your books are wonderful! Hope you both have a great day!

  210. I’m so looking forward to reading Sapphire flames. Finished rereading the hidden legacy books, can’t wait for the next one

  211. Hi, I wrote an answer to a comment but it didn’t show up. Anybody else with a similar problem?

  212. Hi! Oh my gosh I can’t wait for this surely amazing book to come out!!! I just reread the whole serie aaaand… I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW MUCH I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!!!
    Though the news of Catalina taking over the Head of House Baylor position that came out during this last excerpt spooked me a little. I wonder what could have happend to Nevada? Also during my read through of Nevada’s story I realized that I did not know the answer to this (to me VERY important) question: How will the Baylor girls handle any potential pregnacies? Like in this instance I mostly worry about Nevada because the storyline moved forward by three years and she and Rogan may be considering having children. With their genes and incredible love I am extremely curious how could it turn out but… will Nevada even be able to have more than one child? Especially since Rogan’s mother expects eight? rooms of grandchildren and I WISH for her to have more than one child and less trouble than grandmother Victoria had.
    Is this worry of mine adressed during this new book? It would make me sooo happy to be able to stop worrying about one of my favourite character’s future 🙂

  213. I really love the whole series but I haven’t read anything from you two that I don’t love. I do miss Rogan & Nevada’s point of view books (like the first 3 in the series). Any chance you will write another from them?

  214. SQUEEEEE!!!!! I already love this new Hidden Legacy series! I really hope we get Arabella and Leon books too!

  215. I needed to read this today ^.^ Thank you for posting the deleted scene, as always, Your writing is inspiring and for the lack of better word: awsome <3

  216. * A safe decorating choice, uncomplicated by personal style and taste.”

    Luv the drag. Guess I gotta wait til Tuesday (I hated that band).

  217. About the deleted scene, it’s not even “patapon”, Filipino slang for something that’s worthy of the trash can. Ofcourse this is coming somebody who read it for it’s entertainment value. Thank you for posting.

  218. Just finished Sapphire Flames and as usual, I’m left both entirely satisfied and wanting more!! Cannot wait for the next Catarina book!!
    And this deleted scene was fun to read and wonder about the next book to come!!

  219. Just finished Sapphire Flames and already can’t wait for the next book! I’m really enjoying the new and deepening mystery, and Catalina’s voice as a main character. Decided to check here just in case there was some information about the next book, a title or plot blurb, and here was this great deleted scene! Super enjoyable.

  223. Totally enjoyed the new book. Never a miss! My daughter and I have had migraines for decades. When she was late teens she would pass out without warning. We took her to Hopkins and other places with many bizarre tests. Then put her on antidepressantsl that they found later were dangerous to someone her age. Anyway. She stopped those and later quit passing out but still we have headaches. Do be conservative.

  224. sigh* devoured the book in 4 hours, then read it again. Now to wait for the next one. Keep yo the fantastic work.

  225. Please, please, please give snippetsâ˜șâ˜șâ˜ș I can’t wait for the next book. Catalina has grown so much and I can’t wait to see where you take us next!

  228. Oh no. I just caught the tail end of the second live twich session. Missed both while out with friends today.
    In the main article it talks about recorded sessions for those who miss the live Q&A would we find those on the same twitch link in a few days?
    Many thanks to anyone who can advice from watching previous live Q&As
    All the best

  229. Question: Is this the same Piney son who was besotted with Catalina and followed her around hoping she would notice (she didn’t)?

  230. Love all your books. Love the way they collect their bills in this case.
    Some wording was from the previous book about the outfit.
    Keep up the good work. I hope you make a fortune. You’ve earned it.
    Glad you publish for the kindle, I have several hundred feet of books and am glad for electric content. Hard to get rid of the actual books in the library.

  231. I stayed up until 3am reading this one. Loved Catalina’s story! I feel so proud of her for how far she’s matured (which is silly since I had nothing to do with it). Can’t wait for the next one.

    P.S. – I have a question about that scene where Catalina talks about when they made it so any money from Nevada’s jobs goes only to her which then resulted in Catalina taking over the House. Was that actually a scene in one of the stories? I’m worried I missed something. ????

Skip to content