Is there a possibility that the Baylors’ dad was actually a Prime with a subtle ability to increase the magic potential of people around him? All of his descendants are primes and the boys he helped raise seem to have higher-tiered abilities than one might expect. If there is no indication that his wife and her parents got a boost, maybe it would just affect people who are still developing.
No.
In the HL series, there are hints that at least a few people had magic before the Osiris Serum got started. Can you tell us a little about that?
Osiris Serum is theorized to awaken latent abilities, meaning that people already had these powers but they were either too weak to be used or locked behind some sort of evolutionary biological wall. Nobody know precisely why or how Osiris Serum affects human bodies, but the legends of magic must have had some basis in reality.
Is that a topic that will be explored in future books?
No.
Have you guys thought about writing more in the Magical World of Hidden Legacy? It’s a fantastic world and would love to see more stand-alone books.
We are writing Ruby Fever right now. It’s set in Hidden Legacy. :wags eyebrows: You should buy it when it comes out. I need to pay for the roof damaged by hail and insurance says it’s $100 under our deductible. 😀
How did Alessandro race up all those flights at the end of Emerald Blaze after his epic fall? Catalina was winded.
You have to remember, Alessandro is in a superb shape and his magic shields him the damage one might incur from falling. The height is a factor, as we all have seen in Emerald Blaze. Catalina doesn’t train the same way, because she is primarily a mental mage with fencing as her backup. Her physical conditioning, while good, is nowhere near Alessandro’s training regimen.
Look at it this way: before COVID, I could routinely do upward of 3 sets of 30 squats per workout session and maybe break a mild sweat. I have done 3 sets of 10 squats last Monday, and I was walking funny for most of the week because my thighs were on fire. When you train a specific muscle group, it responds. If you stop training it, you lose some of the endurance and strength associated with it.
Arabella can also run up the stairs without being winded. 🙂
In a previous snippet, Alessandro knifes someone (granted an anonymous assassin) and Catalina doesn’t even raise an eyebrow. Is this really in character as you have set up so far in the previous books?
“Exposure to violence at high levels or across multiple contexts has been linked with emotional desensitization, indicated by low levels of internalizing symptoms. … Theoretically, desensitization to violence represents a form of habituation, a well-established type of non-associative learning that results in diminished response to a stimulus after repeated exposure (Rankin et al., 2009). Thus, for instance, witnessing community violence would initially elicit strong negative emotional reactions, but after repeated exposure to community violence these emotional reactions would be dampened, resulting in less emotional distress. “
Emotional Desensitization to Violence Contributes to Adolescents’ Violent Behavior. Sylvie Mrug, Anjana Madan, and Michael Windle
“What Is Character Development?
In fiction writing, character development is the process of building a unique, three-dimensional character with depth, personality, and clear motivations. Character development can also refer to the changes a character undergoes over the course of a story as a result of their actions and experiences.”
Masterclass, How to Develop a Fictional Character: 6 Tips for Writing Great Characters.
Hehehe. “Is this really in character…” Hehehehe. Oh, fandom. I love you all. 😀
I am wondering if Cornelius and Mathilda have their guesthouse on the Baylor Family Compound
Yes, of course they do! That’s how Baylors roll. 🙂
Loved the insight and I wait patiently for Ruby Fever (well, perhaps not patiently…) but the blog does tide me over between your books stay safe and thank you all for all the hours of entertainment 🙂 🙂 🙂
I’m hoping Matilda gets a chance to snuggle with the bear (I’m so sorry I don’t remember his name). Maybe I’m first?
Sgt. Teddy ????. Cuddle the bear hehe!
Sargent Teddy 😀
She did! Remember, the kids were watching a kids tv show together with Sergeant Teddy, and Matilda fed him trail mix, I think it was. There was a song about cleaning the house…
Dried applies wasn’t it?
Bear in the Big Blue House…man, that brought back memories..
Am I alone in just wanting to read your books as written and not wanting you to really be something writing something else. I honestly don’t know how you two are so polite half the time since these are your creations and products of your imagination and we should all be grateful that you do write the books as you do instead of wanting to change them or make you write them faster or…whatever, it makes me cross! I just want to read your books, how you write them not how some want-to-be, frustrated author would like to see them.
+1000. Not that reader questions and expectations are never warranted, but Gordon and Ilona produce a lot of high quality content each year. I’m happy just to read it!
Welcome to fandom, where everybody wants something different and nothing is ever enough!
You took the words right out of my mouth.
We love you guys and we love the fact that you are passionate about the books. 😀
????
Hi,
Absolutely love your books!! Have read almost all your books and series from the Kate Daniels world to the Innkeeper to Iron and Magic and Hidden Legacy. However, this is the first time I am posting.
While waiting for Ruby Fever to be be released, I was hoping to ask and have an answer to a question that I have often wondered about regarding Nevada.
Rogan, Alessandro, Catilina, Adam Pierce, Lenora… basically all the main characters that are primes have unleashed power or created circles that have resulted in null spaces. However, Nevada never had. She has created amplification circles but has never unleashed her power enough to create a null space. Is that because she never needed to or is it that truthseeker magic doesn’t result in the creation of null spaces??
It’s just something I have always wondered and would be nice to know 🙂
Agree 100%. I don’t know how they keep patience.
I cannot wait to get you to take my money for the next book. I’d buy a book a week if you could write that fast. 😉
+1
+1!! There’s just no one else’s books that I reread as religiously. Or listen to as often either!
+1!
+1
+1!
hahahaaha….great post. Thank you for the “silly version” for a Monday. In which I tried to unlock my front door by clicking my car key at it.
I’ll be buying the book, can’t wait.
hahahahahahahhahahaha
Hehehehe! Stealing this for the book.
Lol love it. ????????
Can’t tell you how many times I have come home tired and tried to do that! Glad I’m not alone!
+1 So glad I’m not the only one. Also, can we get a doorknob that works like this? How hard can it be? Not that I could do it myself, but surely we have the technology. Might be a security issue in the city, but not where I live.
Um…sorry, off topic.
Bluetooth door locks are already a thing!
Not sure I’m willing to do Bluetooth, but thank you for that info. I just want a nice little key fob.
We have one-you can open with a fob or a code or your phone-we
got thru our security monitoring company.
Ok that’s one I’ve not yet done! Made me chuckle, thanks!
Hah! You should see me the day after a migraine. One was the remote control in the refrigerator. Another was leaving the car door open all night after I came home from work to ‘rest’. My neighbor knocked the next day asking if I meant to do that…
Done that!
Thank God I was alone or I would never hear the end of it!
I once tried to make a call by punching the numbers on the calculator. and couldn’t figure out what was wrong with the phone! heehee
OMG I’ve done that too.
Ever try to unlock the car door with the house key? I have done that one, too.
I like the “Silly Edition” part to the title of the post. 🙂
Please take my money for Ruby Fever. You get to pay your roof, I get to enjoy another trip down Hidden Legacy Lane, and read about the Baylor Family. It’s a win-win for everyone. Yay!
I love how Baylors roll. Thank you for all the details.
+1! ????
I want to know why Bern and Leon have the last name Baylor when they are related to Nevada & sisters by their mothers not their fathers
Hey Gwen,
They were formally adopted by Penelope and James. This is covered in the books.
The instance that mostly stands to mind is in A Misunderstanding, when Arabella recounts calling Leon “brother-cousin” in public and how hilarious she found it. Oh, Arabella 😀 https://ilona-andrews.com/2019/a-misunderstanding/
I hope this helped 🙂
Plus, who wouldn’t want to be a Baylor? I want to be a Baylor, and I have a wonderful family of my own!
Haha. Don’t we all? The BDH can be a character on its own. We don’t have individual superpowers, but joined together, we become an unstoppable scourge. Just like most extended families….
Like the Hope Crushing Horde we are named after. 😀
I’m going to suggest their mother didn’t marry their fathers, not are they known, if I remember correctly.
Woops, now I see the answer
Nice response on the ‘in character’ question.
I would say further that in the snippet, if I recall correctly, we were only reading her actions, not her emotions. Her biggest emotional response was a single exclamation, but she kept doing whatever it was she was doing when she saw it.
Going back to the first novel, when she was surrounded and had to fight her way out, we followed both her emotional and logical progression through the fight sequence, step by step. Very well, done, HA. That was a fun read.
But the snippet in question, while from Catalina’s perspective, only covers her actions. It is not a step by step emotional progression while her logic thinks it through. Had we not had that internal process, her actions in that fight would appear as disassociated and well-planned as her actions in the snippet.
She didn’t have any sort of emotional/cathartic release until after she was safe. That’s one of the great things about all of the HA novels, if I’m remembering correctly. And it’s one of the many reasons everyone praises the work for having characters who are always competent. Dramatic and full of issues, sure, but the plot doesn’t move forward because characters lack competence.
Crazy happens, deal with it first, then figure it out, then make sure you can still look yourself in the mirror.
Fun read and thanks! I really liked the questions that both got ‘No.’ answers.
I love the not so subtle hint to buy Ruby Fever.
We are here reading your blog. Trust me y’all, we will buy it. In at least 2 formats most likely ????
What was that stupid movie with the ball park in a corn field? Idk, but instead of “If you build it, they will come” around here it’s like “If you write it, we will buy it” ????????
Field of Dreams! I think it was called Field of Dreams ????????????
Oooooh, now you’ve done it :D. “Stupid movie”, them’s fighting words hehe
Sometimes I get all three formats, but always two. Kindle and audio, frequently, but occasionally paper and audio. Gotta have that audio, even tho I’m not in the car anywhere near as much as I once was.
I listen to audio books while driving around for work every day. 2 hours a day on average. I just re-listened to the HL series. Now I am doing Patricia Biggs, Alpha and Omega series.
Found family? Absolutely found family. I love how the authors integrated Cornelius and Matilda into the Baylor household.
I agree! I love that they became part of the family! Especially because their magic can make it hard to connect to other humans- it makes so much sense that the Baylors would accept them with open arms.
Don’t worry I will help pay for your roof damage. Ruby Fever will be pre-ordered as soon as physically possible. I also will be buying more of your books to give as gifts.
Thank you for this! I love how generous you are with the BDH. ????
I somehow missed the original call for questions, so I am hoping that I can add some to the list.
– will we see Michael Latimer in future books?
– will we find out more about Patricia & Regina’s situation? Is Regina related to Michael?
– does Matilda have a second magic talent besides being an animal mage?
– are there healing talents in HL as there are in the Edge? I assume not, since you haven’t mentioned them yet (and the Baylors could really use someone with them in their lives)
– what happened to Crystal?
– will there be any Alessandro POVs? Pretty please?
Thank you!
Um…I thought I knew Hidden Legacy pretty well, but who is Crystal? I’m drawing a total blank.
Cristal Ferrer, who made the warped assassins for Diatheke in Sapphire Flames, maybe?
Is there any possibility of Cornelius getting a relationship that is fulfilling for him and Matilda? We know he had a very special, unique bond with his murdered wife. Or does he spend his life bonding strictly with animals? How will his bond with Matilda develop as she grows up? Does it strengthen with time or does Cornelius retreat further into the standard animal mage relationships, only with animals?
I often Wonder about Matilda’s magical inheritance from her mother Nari, who was a weak empath. Considering that all the Harrison’s and their animals fiercely defend Matilda, there is little doubt in my mind about any emotional bond being strong towards her. I feel like Nari and Matilda help cross a bridge to the animal mages.
I also think continued exposure to the Baylor’s help Cornelius stay more involved with people. I too would love to see him find someone too love.
Blah blah blah… “No.” ????
Hahahahahaha
And we love you back.
Plus, given how psychotic the Prime society is, it’s no wonder the girl is getting hardened. Also, after you see someone get eaten by bugs, I’d imagine you’d get hard to shock…
(I think that was her. PTSD might be a factor though…)
It’s the only thing that always bothers me about these epic adventures. How quick the “heroes” are to murder and how callous they are about it. I kill a bug and feel guilty. Don’t get me wrong – I may not want to hang around these people in real life but I still really enjoy these stories.
I’m afraid I was one of those wondering about James being a living, Osiris Serum, person, making those around him more powerful. Lol, really didn’t care the why of it, just liked the idea. Thank you for all your work, and love your books, they repeatedly are my escapes. Hope your family and you both have a great week. Thanks again
Still think I know who is Leon’s father is, can’t wait to find out if I’m right…if we ever find out…sorry had to add that
Who do you think Leon’s father is?
I thought Baranovsky (the billionaire killed at his own art party in Nevada’s second book) was Leon’s dad.
I wondered that, too.
Truthfully that was who I was leaning towards prime that died at his own party…but still didn’t want to say it. Have no clue on his brother’s father,or who Ceasars is, but on Leon and Grandfather am pretty sure…still could be wrong so leaving it there.
O this silly Q&A and the snippet before have made me so excited for Ruby Fever! But still, I can wait for you to be happy with it! Because I love this family and Catalina and Alessandro so much that I want the best for them!
Thank you so much for all that you guys do! Your books bring so much joy and it’s so nice of you to take time on these blogs to answer questions (even some silly ones) or to just let us in on your day. Even knowing our comments get looked at is so fun as a fan! Much appreciated!!!
Here’s the thing. Please write stuff. I’ll buy it. You could publish a book on the life cycle of a salamander and I’d buy it… because I expect it would be interesting and funny and would be a good story.
I can wish you’d write faster, but I believe it’s your living and you write as fast as you can. I can wish you’d write more in my favorite series, but I haven’t actually found a book by you that I didn’t like, so that would be all of them. (I can also wish I would win a big lottery, but thus far I’m fated to win $2 occasionally).
There are some writers that I will buy everything they write, even if it’s not in my favorite genre or is something I wouldn’t normally read because they have proven they know how to tell a good story. Y’all are one of those writers. I have everything you’ve written. I’ll die with everything you’ve written to that point.
just the way it is.
I also wish we’d write faster. Faster and gooder. Much gooder. 😉
I don’t think it’s possible for anyone, including you and Gordon, to write gooder than you already do!
Thank you! I just finished rereading all the Inkeeper books, again. ????????????
Exactlynwhat I was thinking!
You write good, very good, goodiest, maybe even goodimost! I have very few books I read over and over. Most of them are yours. I have hard copies, e copies and audible copies so I can continue your story but not run into buses while I’m driving. Thank you
+1
I especially find the last question a bit odd because the books state that Catalina had seen and done a lot in the years since she tested as a Prime. She was already seeing violence by the third book.
Waiting for the next installment in the HL world is not an issue for me. Anticipation is its own reward, like waiting for Christmas. And in the meantime I get to visit with old friends by reading everything again. And again. Doesn’t matter that I know how their books end, I just enjoy my time with these powerful, kick-ass heroines and their brooding men.
Eh, and I speculate on whether I’ve already met a potential love interest for Arabella.
Probably not.
Yes, I will buy Ruby Fever 🙂 The paperback, the ebook, and the audiobook.
Thanks
As soon as I can, I will be contributing to the “roof fund” by buying Ruby Fever – a hard copy and an ebook, as I always do. (Sorry, I don’t do “audible” books. I can read *so* much faster.)
Thank you for the answers to these questions. I am humbled by your meticulous planning for the HL world – or any of your worlds, I would guess.
Now all we have to do is convince folks that you mean those answers. Some people are so enamored of their theories that they will keep asking, hoping you’ve changed your minds…
I’ve started buying audio books for series I love to reread. When I’m doing things like cleaning, gardening, etc and can’t hold a book at the same time I find it pretty relaxing to listen to a well loved story. And if I miss a bit here and there I’m not lost. So far I’ve bought Innkeeper, Iron & Magic, and the first couple KD books, (and loads of other authors that are read by Travis Baldree. His voice is so soothing, I could listen to him all the time.) you don’t have to have an audible subscription to buy and listen to books through them, and a lot of books give you a discount if you already own the ebook.
Yep, I’m gardening with them too. Also exercising. Gotta love the Bluetooth earbuds, but still have my wired ones for backup. Nothing worse than being out hiking and having your earbuds die in the middle of your favorite passage. Lol
I can just see it…you’re walking along with Hugh’s voice coming out, and then all of a sudden you get to “Put down that…” and the earbuds die on you. 😀
Thank you for your “No” answers. It doesn’t pay to encourage all rabbit holes.
So Mod R, please help. Since Bern and his brother were adopted, why do they call Penelope ‘Aunt Penelope’ instead of mom? And I know at least once they referred to James as “your father” instead of dad?
Thanks!
They were adopted when they were teenagers. If your aunt adopts you, are you going to call her mom all the sudden? No, you will keep calling her your aunt.
Thanks, I thought they were younger.
I will also contribute to the roof repair fund by buying Ruby Fever both ebook and audiobook when it comes out. I have found when I read I get caught up in the book and read as fast as I can. However, when I listen to the book later there are always new insights and things that stand out that didn’t when I read the book. Also, I do sew and quilt and it is really nice to listen to an audiobook when I am doing handwork! Hope you have a great week!
Have I mentioned how much I love you both?
I love the background and behind the scenes but do not just rely on your insurance agent for roof assessment. Get another opinion – preferable from a reputable roofing company. I had this issue several years ago and got a very different result. We asked for another assessment with insurance with the roofing rep there and got a new roof. It’s worth the effort
+100000000000000000000000000000000
Where can we submit questions? I have one about Iron and Magic that really through me for a loop (though I doubt anyone else got the same gut-punch over it)
The initial call went out here https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/now-is-your-chance/ but no worries, if you comment with a question it will make The List 😉
Thank you for including new questions for those of us that missed the original call. When you respond to the Clean Sweep series I’ve always wondered what relationship is between Gerard Demille and Helen to Dina, Maud and Klaus? Will we get any more of Gerard’s story?
Gerard and Helen DeMille are Dina, Maud and Klaus’ parents 🙂 . Gerard is Dina’s biological father and the adoptive father of Maud and Klaus, which Helen had from a previous relationship. He is the only father they’ve known. Maud named her daughter after her mother.
“”I know what my name is. What was your father’s name?”
“Gerard Demille”
The man studied me. “Gerard Demille? You’re Gerard and Helen’s daughter?”
I nodded”
Andrews, Ilona. Clean Sweep, Innkeeper Chronicles. NYLA Publishing, 2013. Kindle Edition, pages 45 and 46
“Gerard Demille wasn’t her biological parent, but he was the only father she ever knew.” Andrews, Ilona. Sweep of the Blade, Innkeeper Chronicles. NYLA Publishing, 2019. Kindle Edition, page 129
This might shed some further light, it’s a fan service snippet on how the parents meet where we see Klaus (Charlie) and Maud as toddlers https://ilona-andrews.com/gerard-demille-and-helen-meet/
I’ve added the question about more Gerard and Helen to the list.
Hope this helps :).
Thank you for clearing that up. I was thrown off by the change from Charlie to Klaus and the step relationships. Love all the books and immersive universes Ilona and Gordon create and share with us. Truly gifted storytellers.
Now I want to know!!!
Lovely; thank you!
I saw your username here a few posts ago and since then my secret fantasy has been that you’re Bill Gates taking time out from doing Bill Gatesy things by joining the BDH. It makes me chuckle. 🙂
Good old desensitisation. Happily it doesn’t affect me. Looking forward to whatever is next published but just have to go and decapitate my neighbour first. Toodles ????
I too will contribute to the roof fund as soon as possible. Is there by any chance a boxed set of KD? I only have the first 3 in paperback.
There is no box set of the KD series.
Hope this helped 🙂
These are wonderful! And as soon as I can preorder Ruby Fever I will be on that list!
“Is that really in character” –> I think musicians have the same problem.
“Why is the new album like the old one, they’re not evolving, boring”
“Why is the new album so different, they’ve betrayed their original style, they’ve sold out”
A band I adored changed their style once and I didn’t like the new direction, but I didn’t complain to anyone about it (well, except privately to my husband) because I know this is only a matter of my personal taste and as such, shouldn’t matter to anyone else.
*waves money at House Andrews* ‘your roof fund payment My Lord and Lady’. ????????????
I will buy it, I will buy a copy for everyone in my family! Get your roof fixed now, the constant rain will kill your house!
I’m sorry. I’m stuck on the comment response that Cornelius and Mathilda have a house on the compound. Now I’m imagining Mathilda orchestrating ferret raids to steal Arabella’s clothes or makeup.
Rofl! Great visual
ROFLOL!!
The both of you are too nice answering all the questions ( silly or otherwise) . I would eye roll so hard, at some of these, that I would sprain my brain.
Will the connection between the Warden of Texas and the Baylor family be explored in the next book?
I wonder if this is an arc that will be explored in the *maybe someday existing* Arabella series.
Re the comment that Catalina not reacting to Alessandro killing the would-be assassin in front of her was out of character – if someone was waging a campaign to kill the people I cared about, I would be fine with having their minion killed and their dead body draped over my island as well. Okay, maybe not over the island. That would be unhygienic.
Forgot to add that I will preorder Ruby Fever as soon as it’s available for preorder and will also buy your novella, no matter what universe it’s set in. Speaking of which, any ball park idea of when the novella might be available? Three months, six months, whatever?
Hey Patricia,
“It will come out October/November of this year.” as of https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/now-is-your-chance/
Hope this helps 🙂
It’sss my birthday, my precioussss! Yesss! I know what I’m getting myself…
*rubbing hands in glee*. ????
Will the Office of Records collect on the favor that Nevada owes them. And will we get any explanation for the powers that the almost wordless Michael of the office has.
I admit that both he and his boss really creep me out.
Yes I will be buying real, e-versions and the audio book so I am contributing at least one shingle to the roof.
Thanks guys!
Looking forward to it!????
Wasn’t it Edgar Rice Burroughs whose working titles for his books were something like “Tarzan buys new roof” or “Tarzan pays for 1 st year of college?”
I think Gordon wrote something about “Magic buys new tires,” etc. during the Kate book days. Pretty funny.
Thank you for taking the time to answer all these questions. I would love the idea of the Baylor compound for my family, altogether but with space ????
You can absolutely count on me buying Ruby Fever the moment it hits preorders. In both ebook and audible formats, even. =) When it gets close to coming out, I’ll probably buy a paper copy if it hits the bookstores early, then donate that one to our local library after I’ve devoured it at least three times… =)
I love how the Baylors rock, too. I also love that you do allow your characters to grow and change over time. I remember that you were worried a few times about Kate as her life changed and she changed with it, but that’s a normal thing and it’s awesome. Thanks for giving us such great books to read, and I happily offer my money for your roof even though it’s likely to be fixed before the book comes out. Your secret project may be there in time, and I know I’ll pounce on that, too.
Thank you, Ilona Andrews for the post.
I used to buy the audiobooks for Dad when he was in chemotherapy. That was Kate Daniels series.
For myself I buy dead trees and I have learned to buy digital to read at Mother doctor appointments. It’s easier to sanitize cell phone or tablet. Plus I enjoy re-reading. Looking forward to next book whenever and whatever it is.
Thank you
I love these kinds of posts. 🙂 Thank you for giving us another glimps into the Hidden Legacy world.
Ong I love the no answers