K. asks,
Why did Nevada care so much about the flowers at the wedding? I didn’t like how bridezilla she was.
They were symbolic. Rogan’s mother is an expert on all things Prime and she understood that they had to have a large public wedding. Rogan and Nevada made a ton of enemies through the trilogy, and Victoria Tremaine is a pariah, whom everyone fears and tries to avoid.
Arossa knew that the only way for the Victoria Tremaine’s granddaughter to be accepted by other Houses was to send a clear signal that House Rogan was not only agreeable but proud of the marriage. That required a Wedding. In front of the the entire Houston elite. Important people had to come to the wedding, witness it, and be photographed so the evidence of their presence would legitimize it.
Nevada understood this, but she still tried to rebel a little in her own way. It’s not about her being a bridezilla. It’s about her wanting small simple things at her wedding, like flowers, to go her way. As any bride would. Really, any bride deserves a wedding planner who doesn’t treat her like a child and actually listens to her requests.
And her poor, shy sister, who grew up knowing that every time a nurse, a teacher, or other adult tried to run away with her because her magic, they lost their jobs and often their friends and families, and who carries around way too much guilt and fear for her age, loves her so much, that she overcame the entire lifetime of her upbringing and had her Frozen moment for Nevada’s sake. Because Nevada is that loved and she is worth it.
It’s not spelled out in the novella specifically, because it’s told from a teenager’s point of view and Catalina isn’t fully aware of the subtext, but all of that is in there if one cares to look.
Nobody judges heroines more harshly than other women. Nobody. The hero can literally do anything and will be forgiven, but if you have a willful young woman, like Nevada, who is sacrificing something to be with a man she loves but refuses to just meekly go with society’s conventions, or someone like Catalina, who isn’t snapping witty and off-color one liners in every paragraph and who instead worries about the misery her magic brings when it wears off, well, they get no love. They are bratty, or boring, or bridezilla.
It’s okay. I love them the bestest. 🙂
I didn’t read that at all as Nevada being a bridezilla. Weddings make people crazy, it’s as inevitable as death and taxes.
Agreed, I never considered her a bridezilla. I thought the 2 wedding planners were shown to be incompetent.
+1 The wedding planners both showed their incompetence in not listening to the bride and working to realise her requests. I didn’t think Nevada was a Bridezilla just an exasperated woman being given the run around by “ experts”.
I loved how the novella moved the emphasis from Nevada’s POV to Catalina’s POV and revealed why Catalina is so shy and reluctant to use her magic. I look forward to seeing her unfold her wings as she grows in confidence and competence through the trilogy.
+1
I didn’t see her as a bridezilla either. I really liked your insight on how harsh women are to other women, especially women who rock the boat. Thank you for creating such amazing sheros!
It’s Nevada’s wedding. There is so much out of her control with her life is turned upside down and spun crazily, I think wanting to have flowers she thinks are pretty and smell nice is AN INCREDIBLY SMALL THING. These characters are so appealling and funny. I’m really hoping this series will expand forever.
Yes, a loud YES to all of that.
Weddings and taxes tend to make people crazy. That’s true. Death just makes them, well, dead. ?
+1 did not think her a bridezilla (I laughed out loud in the wedding planner – queso scene)
I read it as her being stressed and the flowers being beautiful and something that soothed and sheltered her in time of danger… And damnit it’s HER wedding and she wanted them ?. As IA said, her bit of control in a situation in which she had very little. And I loved how Lina finally said if she wanted them she would get them and to he…ck with what everyone else thought, or something along those lines
I completely saw that she wanted something in this wedding that was jet’s. The rest was propaganda. Necessary but not her.
Gahh, auto-confuse. Her’s not jet’s.
I got it too that it wasn’t really about the flowers. And being lied to and patronized by your wedding planner should be a fireable offense to any bride.
The Book Devouring Horde loves Nevada and Catalina the bestest too. The sales numbers and glowing reviews on Goodreads and Amazon speak for themselves. Can’t wait for the next book in the series. With Arrosa’s help, Catalina will grow up to be even awesomer woman.
I am BDH (book, nor blood demanding ?) but I love Grandma Frida the best ? My grandmother was as sassy and easy to love as her. Everytime I read Frida’s sentences it reminds me of her. Thank you Ilona and Gordon for that ♥️
I would love to see/hear/read more details on Grandma Frida’s talk with Victoria at the reception! That had to be an interesting conversation! =)
Freida’s POV snippet would be amazing someday when you have spare time – snicker, the Authorlords with spare time ROFL!
OMG yes. Bitte, AL’s!
This is one of the many reasons why i love your writing. It is a much needed break for me from the toxic expectations and unhealthy standards so many people have of women and girls.
+1
There is always so much simple (yet beautiful) truth in your works. You write such amazing characters, who are fantabulous but also real and vulnerable and worry about the bills.
+ ♾
Don’t let the haters and naysayers get to you! I loved the book! Each sister has her own demons to battle and nothing says love like a sister overcoming her issues and sacrificing for her sis’ wedding!
I never thought she was a bridezilla. I was sorry she had to go through all that pomp when it was not her preference. And, you are right, any bride deserves what she wants (within reason). She asked for very little. I felt like the flowers showed she still had some control over a choice. Good for her! Catalina was wonderful! Loved her POV. Thank you.
I really loved the flowers, loved the book and could see the point of view of them all, which is awesome.
And it’s really not bridezilla at all!!!
On a very different note, I completely understand your low-key rant.
In France, there is/was a blog called Vie de Meuf, a play on the Vie de merde blog (Fmylife in the US), where women can post their “anecdotes” on sexist treatments.
And more often than not, it’s the older women who are reproducing the sexism: they ask their daughters to clean up but not their sons, the aunts tells the niece she won’t get a good husband (ie have a good life) if they don’t dress better, etc…
Our own worst enemy… I realise it’s not exactly the subject but close enough.
On a lighter note, a nice picture of flowers.
Lovely lotus…And from the lonely standpoint of an ‘older woman’, who has occasionally given advice that could be interpreted as ‘sexist’…
We can only give advice on the lessons we have ourselves suffered thru. I, personally, tend to be socially awkward, physically clumsy, loud, and a fashion disaster. Also incredibly trusting (sometimes disastrously so) and forgiving.
Now. Take a moment to remember the disaster that is ALL our teenage years. The misery of ALWAYS wearing the wrong clothes, or being too tall, saying the wrong thing, loudly, in a suddenly quiet room.
Now add in the pain of trusting the wrong person because you thought they were your friend, forgiving them, and being betrayed once again.
This is where ‘sexist’ advice comes from.
“Practice walking in your new shoes. ”
So you don’t trip over your own feet running to catch the bus like I did.
“Here are some teen magazines.”
So maybe you’ll have some clues about what’s trendy…or not. I sure didn’t.
“Beware of friendly Disney princesses”
Because WAY too many of them are actually Disney villians.
On the surface, much of this advice is sexist, or dated, or even just plain wrong. But it usually comes from a good, though clueless heart
Also consider that:
1) when a white man criticizes another man, or some white men criticize some men, it is “that guy” or “those guys”. When some women criticize other women, or some people of African descent criticize others, it’s “you women/ POAD can’t get your shit together,” or “we are our own worst enemies.” White men are individuals. Everyone else is a monolith.
2) Speaking very broadly, because US culture differs from house to house, much less city to city, *overt* sexism has been decreasing over the past century. A drop at a time, but decreasing. Those “older ladies” giving the “sexist advice” learned how to navigate the sexism of 20-30 years ago, which seems crazy to us now.
3) of course women are more critical of women than men are. Every single message in our culture is that women are in competition with each other. Self-awareness sparks in many cases eventually. But just as Harper Larvo* is not Nevada, self-awareness is not something everyone has.
Ok. Just ONE soapbox today.
______
*and I adored Nevada’s “I am annoyed at the people who taught her that her only value lay in her magic and ability to land a high-magic husband” [extremely buggered up quote, Kindle is elsewhere]. That’s exactly it. Nevada isn’t in competition.
It’s not exactly what I meant. I understand that we can give gender oriented advice, with the aim that the younger generation doesn’t repeat our mistakes.
I’m taking more about older women keeping the torch of sexism alight and trying to pass it on to the next generation of girl.
I thought the flowers were very Nevada’s personality. She would appreciate the unexpected. Lilacs are my favorite flower. Just as we have to constantly guard against racism, we guard against sexism too in ourselves.
Why did Nevada care so much about the flowers at the wedding? I didn’t like how bridezilla she was.
wow however wrote that has never seen an ad, or show, for one of those bride shows. Those brides are crazy over EVERYTHING. I thought her request was reasonable, the flowers helped her out (by hiding) and she wanted them, not much else seemed to be her choice so she should at least get one thing she wanted. besides Rogan (of course)
Hmmm… I also didn’t think Nevada was a bridezilla and I am surprised that anyone did. Then again, I am very much on the ‘weddings should be personal’ side of things.
I find it so interesting that many people have a fixed idea how weddings should ‘be’, yet everyone’s ideas of what a wedding should be are so very different. The novella explored this deftly and with great humour.
I totally understood Nevada’s insistence on having “her” flowers for her bouquet – carnations are her favorite flower and lilacs smell wonderful.
Did you know that in the language of flowers carnations, in general, symbolize pride and beauty; pink carnations symbolize a woman’s love. Lilacs symbolize the joy of youth.
Maybe I inhaled the novella too fast, but to me Nevada’s stance about the flowers felt more like a way to show how stressed she was about her grand wedding and a source of “comic” relief compared to the others problems Catalina had to face, than poor Nevada going all bridezilla.
I must however admit that the subtext “I want something that speaks about myself rather than about what I am expected to be by others” was lost to me, but probably for it to be clear to a dense reader like me the argument should have been about carnations (which we already learnt are Nevada’s favourite flowers) rather than lilacs.
The only thing I regretted of the story was that Nevada was never really on stage, and that there was no “sisterly moment” between her and Catalina, even if I understand why the authorlords wanted her out of the spotlight.
+1
I just really liked the book. I have everything you’ve written, and plan to keep on following and acquiring your work. Thank you so much for making my life happier.
I didn’t think she was being a Bridzilla or unreasonable…
but…
I think the switch of the POV has something to do with it. When we were in Nevada’s head Catalina and Arabella would seem bratty at times. Now we are seeing it from Catalina’s POV. Nevada is going to seem a bit different since we aren’t hearing her thoughts, just seeing her actions. It can take a bit getting used to.
Good point.
Yes! POV is critical. I loved that AL showed how Catalina was in an uncomfortable situation for one so young and how she agonized over it. By the end of the novella, she’s grown up a little – she’s starting to become the fascinating heroine we will read about in the next HL trilogy. We are given her very different personality (from Nevada’s) in practically every scene. We met Nevada fully formed, but we met Catalina at the awkward teenage stage. I think some of us can identify with her much better because of that. Also, Grandma Frida is such a hoot!
Yes, yes, yes – thank you!
I actually liked the fact that the scented stuff, which Nevada used a great deal in Burn for Me and was dropped for the other two books, was back. I completely misunderstood why Catalina and Arabella were so against it until Arabella’s speech about not wanting Nevada to be torn apart on Herald. I also loved that even though Catalina went all “Fuck ‘em” and let the lilacs in that she still thought it was ugly.
I was also confused as to why NO ONE brought up the “something blue” argument. That one was obvious to me while they were still having the initial argument.
Lessee, I also loved the “we hated you before the wedding” bit. I thought that was extremely sisterly. Especially when Nevada, who probably saw that as bratty from her 25-yo perspective, was clearly being dictatorial to C & A.
So no. I didn’t see Nevada as a bridezilla. I DID see her as being anxious over everything, especially the “Nightingale Case” combined with the wedding. Probably combined with new House stuff.
I would have fired both of those wedding planners, too. And the wedding was a fantastic way to show how competent C & A are.
+1
Hey, I have a whole new theory with textual support about how Augustine is at least a bad guy and still might be Caesar. Wanna hear it?
I’m pretty sure Caesar is Linus Duncan. Everyone trusts him immediately (well, maybe not Rogan, but he respects him), but his Magic was never defined. I see Augustine as too insecure to be Caesar. He never shows his real face to the world.
See, I followed that argument, too. I’m still 100% convinced that Caesar is the Baylor daughters’ grandpa (I also read the “you just knew/sensed you could trust him” as Catalina’s power), and we know that Duncan was the one talking with Victoria in the garden at the end of Wildfire. But we all, including myself, assumed that the person talking with Victoria in the garden at the end of Wildfire was Caesar. Which means Duncan = Caesar. But what if he’s Caesar’s right hand? Or what is Duncan IS Caesar and Augustine is his right hand? Either way, like I said, I have buttloads of support that Augustine is on the dark side now. I’ll also note that the same “support” could mean nothing and is part of the story. It just seems overwhelming to me.
I meant DUNCAN is the grandpa. Who may or may not be Caesar.
But something struck me — we know he’s Augustine because of the mask he wears. Masks aren’t limited to one person.
No.
But it’s your world, go with it.
+1. It’s Duncan in my book. “I do so hate to be bored”
Yes, that’s exactly my point. It’s definitely Duncan talking to Victoria and saying that. But we all just assumed (myself included) that the person talking to Victoria was Caesar. It didn’t necessarily have to be.
What about Cornelius? He said Duncan tried to something good when he was President of the Assembly, but ‘something good’ was never defined. Maybe he supports or supported Caesar’s idea, but not necessarily how it is being carried out now?
He said Duncan tried to change the Assembly for the better. I read that as a number of changes, not one thing specifically. Like a platform vs. a position on.
I’m for Augustine being Caesar, too. I don’t like Augustine, and I don’t trust him. I’m appalled at the idea of shipping him with Catalina. We’re supposed to think that Linus is Caesar, sure, but Augustine is a prime illusion mage! When do we ever see the two of them, together? Hmm? Maybe Augustine is just pretending to be Linus.
I don’t necessarily think Linus Duncan is Nevada’s, Catalina’s, and Arabella’s, grandfather. But, we do know the grandfather is a siren, like Catalina.
Also, the names Caesar and Augustine? Caesar and Augustus were both Roman leaders. I want to say that Augustus was an emperor and Caesar’s grandson, but it’s been a long time since I studied Roman history and I really don’t remember. At any rate, it could be a coincidence, or it could be foreshadowing, but when it comes to novels I always leap to the conclusion that there are no coincidences and it’s all foreshadowing.
The names are only one reason. I looked so carefully back over Burn for Me & White Hot, and any time Augustine has said anything that might make us think he’s not involved in the conspiracy (e.g., “I have no wish to see Tremaine”) it was over whatever Skype or FaceTime is in HL — and Nevada’s power doesn’t work over phone or video. He made at least a token effort to either convert Rogan or defend the conspiracy (“how do we know we’re on the right side of history?”). All through White Hot he is incredibly careful with what he says. His statements are like Rogan’s — hard to quantify.
We know that he fully expected her to fail at bringing in Pierce — was it because she was a tiny expendable firm or because he didn’t want Pierce brought in? And remember that the Adam Pierce plan was designed to have Rogan involved — yes, Augustine helped Rogan & Nevada find the third piece at the same time Adam Pierce found it. So Rogan could fight Pierce and be their backup to destroy Houston?
How did Victoria know who the Baylors were BEFORE she visited Augustine? How did she know Catalina’s and Arabella’s powers? Augustine was there to see them or figure them out (“a beautiful girl and the monster that stole her away”… if he knew how James was born, and he did know Arabella was along with Catalina, he could have figured it out. Or he could have just conveyed the information to Victoria to figure out). In Burn for Me, someone stole the artifact piece from Lenora Jordan the second Rogan and Nevada left the DA’s office. Who knew that they took it there? Adam Pierce was cloaked by a team of illusion mages — he is Head of an Illusion House.
Not to mention the complete freak out at what secrets Nevada might have found out. And what she did find out was… his middle name is Julian. Nice way to introduce that, eh?
And yes, Illusion Prime! In Maskerade, by Terry Pratchett, Granny Weatherwax openly mocks how people “know” who the Ghost is — “he’s the one wearing the mask? Listen to yourselves!”
Plus, Ilona has said VEHEMENTLY that Augustine will never be in a romantic relationship with any of the Baylor’s. In Rogan’s POV, he remembers how Augustine was a hardcore idealist when they were in school together and thinks he “caved” to family demands. Ilona has also said here that something very definitely happened to Augustine after Rogan went off to war. With winks and everything.
I do think Duncan is the siren grandfather just because EVERYONE likes or respects him and his power is never explained. Nevada says that Olivia’s files had everyone except Caesar, but how does she know that? Duncan tells Victoria during the garden scene that “the cause is still alive.” That doesn’t make him Caesar. That just makes him involved.
We made assumptions as readers. We assumed that the not-such-a-mystery man in the garden was Caesar. We assumed that Nevada was right when she thought Olivia’s files had “everyone”. We assumed that because Augustine and Rogan had been past friends, that they still were (and “my best friend will murder me” is a hard statement to get truth out of. “My best friend…” in my life, even if not necessarily now? My best friend… at one point? My best friend… that I still consider my best friend even though it’s been a really long time?). We assumed Augustine was the perfect House drone he appeared to be.
And every single thing up there could be reading too deep. I just think that taken all together, it’s compelling enough to stay suspicious of Augustine.
And those of us at similar ages with daughters of similar ages understood immediately.
I love them the bestest too.❤️
p.s. No pressure, but if you could write faster…???
Beautifully said?
I love them the bestest too!
Whoever said that needs to actually plan her/his own wedding. It’s stressful, and you want what you want. It’s not about being a bridezilla, its about asking for what you want and paying for it and actually getting what you asked for. I’m shoving my soap box away because there’s a lot I want to say and shouldn’t, but I’ll just say that there’s nothing wrong with wanting what you want and not giving in. As you said, men do it all the time.
FYI, Catalina is my fav!
If I wanted certain flowers and everyone kept telling me no… well, that would really bring out my stubborn. The more no I heard the more I’d dig in my heels. Kinda like Nevada did. Can’t wait for the next book!
I didn’t get the flowers i wanted. But I got blue, which was what I wanted .
I got the blue on the cake icing, but I had to settle for that horrible fruit cake. I wanted chocolate cake. Like moving, I swore i would never go through with a wedding again. Unlike moving, I stuck to that.
Second that, all of that…thank you:). And to our authorlords and rest of us devotees..here’s wishing you a happy Merry Christmas with all the things and more of the loved ones!!
Ok, Wow! Ilona you are so right. Thank you for your clear and beautiful response. You made me feel better about Womenhood today.
My daughter is getting married in two months, and we were already planning when I read the novella. I TOTALLY got the flower thing, and it didn’t seem bridezilla to me. I loved the novella, all the delightfulness and twisty charmingness. Thanks!
I didn’t see it as a bridezilla move. I really just thought Nevada was putting herself first for once. She has had a hard life and deserves to have her desires on her wedding day. Especially since it wasn’t a small affair like she would have wanted.
For Catalina, I can’t wait to watch her grow into her own. My 15 year old and I just had a conversation about teenagers thinking they know themselves and everything but truly they still have so much growing to do and should trust those who love them to help guide them. It may have been one sided because he is stubborn and knows everything about who he is and what everyone thinks about him.
I have never been witty, but I have many friends who are and I have always been envious (I mean, how can they think that fast! lol). My mom pointed out to me once that it is okay not to have fast comebacks and be witty, because I am a kind, nice person who tries to make everyone feel comfortable. People are different. It would be boring if everyone was the same. Thanks Ilona for saying the above words.
My ex-husband decided in high school that he wanted to be funny. So he worked hard and practiced. Sure, for the first year, the one-liners came when he was at home reviewing his day, but because he did that every day, pretty soon they occurred 5 minutes too late, and then right on time.
Some people are absolutely gifted that way (when my two younger brothers get together the rest of us spend the whole time laughing at what one’s wife calls “the S- and D- show”), but it’s also a skill that you can develop.
I’m also not the witty one in the room, but ever since that conversation with my ex (he was a boyfriend at the time) I’m not envious. Now I know that it’s something I COULD do (maybe not as well as the naturally gifted people, but I *could* learn to do it), I… don’t care enough to put the effort in. Much like I am not envious of people who play the piano well — maybe I wouldn’t be a superstar, but I could spend my 10K hours and learn it. It’s all on my choices.
Wittiness absolutely can be developed!
For me, it was partly natural, maybe mostly natural, but I worked at it a little, too. That was all pre-hearing loss, though. Pretty much impossible to have quick comebacks (or any comebacks) and be witty when you are lacking both the context and the text of the conversation going on around you because you can’t hear it (and yes, that’s with hearing aids).
There is a difference between standing your ground and running roughshod over someone else’s.
I like Nevada’s attitude about the flowers because it’s one of things that make her real – flaws and imperfections are part of what make people people. Digging your heels in over flowers does not a “bridezilla” make, but even if she did make the Kardashians look reasonable over her wedding, considering everything she’s gone through, sacrifices she’s made, compromises she’s put up with; hell, let her be a little bitchy and own it!
I didn’t think Nevada was a bridezilla either with the flowers. The pressure from her case, House stuff, getting use to Rogan’s extended family, the wedding itself in front of all the power Houses in Houston, Connor’s teasing about her ring (remember he asked her about the ring at the end of Wildfire?)…it can get on anyone’s nerves. “Run for the border!” would be the motto of the day.
Any wedding planner patronizing the bride deserves to get fired.
I love all the Baylor family members…plus the addition of the newest family member…Connor. 😉
She wasn’t a bridezilla. She had one thing that was important to her and she stuck to her guns about it. She would be one if she was rampaging about every little detail, changing her mind 50 times, making her wedding party buy / wear things they couldn’t afford …. we’ve all seen the internet articles.
https://people.com/celebrity/bridezilla-horror-stories-from-reddit-worst-brides/
Those stories made my day. I’m so glad I didn’t do those things at either of my weddings and that I’ve never had a friend where I was close enough to be in the wedding party pull any of that crap. That being said, I loathe the word Bridezilla. For the exact reason that it’s used so often to refer to brides who either a) aren’t getting what they ordered and are rightfully annoyed or b) are asking for something a bit different and maybe difficult — but ASKING and being willing to pay doesn’t make you a bridezilla.
But what I hate most is the cultural socialization that says that the only time a woman is REALLY important is her wedding day. And I’ll stop here. It seems to be my day for climbing on soapboxes.
+1
You can get on that soapbox anytime, Siobhan! I applaud everything you’ve said so far!
Thank you!
+2
We may disagree, but that’s life. Life is too short to get mad over something that does not matter in the longer run.
I would like to apologize!! I was one of the few who kinda saw her as bridezilla. I did however, understand she wanted something for herself. I was confused at first why those flowers needed to be there. I didn’t realize until much later that her sister who loves her so much. Needed those flowers as her way of rebelling against that dangerous society the family was entering.
Thank you for clarify
I agree she wasn’t looking like a bridezilla- I mean, who’s stupid enough to lie to a prime truthseeker? And I had to do the same for my wedding. We did the courthouse, and then 18 months later did the big Catholic thing (I’m not). I focused on the cake and table decorations, because that was all I could control. I didn’t pick my dress- the moms did because they agreed on NOTHING ELSE. Sometimes all you can do to keep sane is draw a line on one thing and hold it. We had a final fantasy them in the end- with a screen printed cake and it was awesome!!
Personally, I thought Nevada was funny. She’s a perfect example if how extreme pressure can make even the most patient, logical person look demanding and slightly crazy. I love that she didn’t just let people steamroller her into their vision of “perfect”. She also didn’t throw her new mother-in-law-to-be’s wishes back in her face and say, “I’m eloping with your son and there’s nothing you can do about it. Neener-neener.” Nevada did the smart thing and acceded to the experience of someone who has much more knowledge of the society to which she is entering, then stood up for the parts that mattered most to her and let the rest go. The whole wedding is a statement that she’s willing to play by Prime society rules, but she’s no doormat.
As for Catalina, I wasn’t super-excited about having her as a heroine before I read this, but I am now. She could easily have been a cliché – Cinderella swept off her feet as she drove off into the sunset with her handsome prince in his fancy car. Instead, we now know she’s intelligent, patient, and genuinely cares for people. She’s also tough and incredibly brave. Instead of letting her gift rule her life, she’s learning to control it and in the process she’s stepping well outside the safety of the box she’s built around herself.
I can’t wait to see what will happen next!
+1
The Baylor family is the antithesis of the dysfunctional families we see in real life, ‘reality’ shows and many novels. They are genuine in their affection and quirks with a stong moral compass.
Nevada’s lilacs are the only change she made. Besides being something blue, they tied to the Rogan family tiara. And Herald obediently fawned over their perfection since this was HIGH MAGIC SOCIETY. And they set the fashion, not follow it.
Other changes were hinted at. When Leon is driving her back from the cake shop, and she’s going through her texts, there’s one from Arabella asking if she can duct tape Nevada’s mouth and fingers to “stop her making changes to the wedding every 5 minutes.” [approximate quote. Kindle is Over There]. But we don’t SEE any of that.
It is interesting to see how different our perspectives are on reading the same book. I was worried that I would miss Nevada’s point of view and not like Catalina’s, but I was wrong. Now I can’t wait for the next book. Which is a weird statement as That is all I can do but wait for the new book. ?
I loved, loved, loved Nevada’s choice of flowers and all the repudiation of the term bridezilla. Those are my favorite flowers as well, and I wanted them in my bridal bouquet lo so many years ago. The florist pretty much said “no can do” and because I didn’t want to be thought of as a bridezilla, immediately caved. Had a beautiful bouquet, but 30 some odd years later I still feel like I should have been less concerned about not being a bridezilla & more concerned with what I wanted (the bouquet was but one example). My point is, I’m a reasonable person. I caved so easily because I didn’t want to be seen as unreasonable and I just wish I’d had my own back a little better. And I think that girls are still taught to be pleasers who have to accede or be called difficult or bitchy or whatever. Things have changed, but not nearly enough.
“And I think that girls are still taught to be pleasers who have to accede or be called difficult or bitchy or whatever.”
Agree with you that girls today are still taught to be “pleasers”. On important things, we women need to dig our heels in and not be afraid to be thought “difficult”. We pick the battles and when it calls for, we must not back down.
It’s a cliché because it’s true, that assertive men are demonstrating leadership and assertive women are being demanding and bitchy.
My favorite blog posts are the ones like this. It’s like when you explained Barabas saying he can’t see Christopher in a suit. Posts like these show us how truly 3D and flushed out your characters are and it helps me see more of what it is that makes you guys tremendous writers. The people and their motivations have true integrity. You never write characters that are carried away by a plot line – you write characters that seem so convincingly real because you’ve got all this real motivation and personality behind them. I hope this makes some kind of sense. Either way, I’m sorry someone kvetching about story details prompted this post but I’m so happy to have read it. 🙂
+1
+1
First off, I loved the story and I thought it contained plenty of information to guide us in the right directions so we’d understand the characters and their motivations.
Second, I had a good laugh reading the thought of someone who thinks Nevada’s actions (going through a couple of wedding planners and making changes to a bridal bouquet) constitute a difficult or demanding bride. She was just acting like a normal adult woman who can think for herself.
Seriously. I’ve seen difficult brides in action. Any wedding without a physical altercation involving the bridal party (during the planning or the event itself) is low key. Yeesh – compared to the things I’ve seen… and heard… and run from…
I didn’t feel Nevada was Bridezilla either. Weddings do make people crazy (I’m Asian, in my opinion big weddings make everyone nutty and its a global thing) and the first couple of wedding planners were the wrong choices for Nevada.
She was insistent, she wasn’t bitchy. It is her wedding and her flowers, she should have some choice. It wasn’t as if she insisted her guests couldn’t wear certain colours etc (which has happened in real life). She was exerting choice for HERSELF on the Big Day, not making outrageous demands on other people.
+1
I kept thinking, “Let her have the damn flowers already…” She seemed to make so few demands on everything else….
I love them the bestest too! And I loved the novella as well ??
THIS is a bridezilla!
+1 lol only family would put up with that and maybe not even them! 🙂
+1 !!!!!!
If someone in our family tried that, they’d have zero family at their wedding!
I didn’t feel Nevada acted like a Bridzilla she just found something she really liked the look and scent of and it gave her joy at a bad moment and she wanted to incorporate that feeling into her wedding. I also see no sign Augustine is on the dark side. In fact I like him and would like a story about him finding his wife. I could see that Caesar could be the grandfather. What confused me was in the trilogy R oh and mother was described as a prime psychic with a weak telekinetic power…so how was she able to stop the fencing scene so powerfully. We also never saw her demonstrate her mind power.
Vicki, I so enjoyed Catalina’s novella that I decided a reread of the Hidden Legacy trilogy was in order and discovered the discrepancy about Mrs Rogan’s powers too. I expect the series success and resultant expansion requires some tinkering with previously revealed information (eg Leon’s age, Mrs Rogan’s powers), to accommodate the new plot developments and emergence of previously secondary and background characters onto centre stage. Mrs Rogan comes across as a strong, smart woman who will probably emerge as very important in helping the Baylor family adapt and successfully navigate their way as an emerging House.
I am really enjoying this series because all the characters are interesting, even Grandmother Victoria, and the warmth and support the central Baylor family provide each other is terrific.
In another thread, Ilona says that they decided Mrs. Rogan would be more fun as a Prime TK and Significant Empath. She pointed out that Rogan was probably being deliberately unclear on his mother’s powers (as Primes do) when first explaining it to Nevada.
I guess it takes all types. Some like to trash bridezillas, because females tend to easily go there, others like to trash the males (I swear there are those folks out there), and everyone else in between.
Everyone, at least once in their life, is entitled to a “bridezilla” moment. It only becomes a character flaw if that behavior is in every aspect of their lives.
I like the flawed, realistic people who only come up with witty one-liners at 3 AM after agonizing over them for a week. Then they shout them out and yell HA! Then suddenly dive back under their covers and hope no one heard them and TAKE THAT mean person!
Not that I ever met anyone like that. Nope. Nuh uh.
I love that book. And the Ladys are all total characters, i understand them so much.
YES TO ALL THE THINGS!! Thank you! It’s so interesting how even in a genre that empowers women there are issues like you point out. I adore the Baylor family because they offer a range of personalities and witty snark gets old sometimes. You did an amazing job writing a teenager – I was a little nervous as I spend my days with teens and the teen perspective is not always done well. You did it though! Thanks!
I loved the novella!
I hope Catalina gets what she wants without a tinge of fear that her power influenced the result. Her sister’s wedding showed her how she can finally control her power.
I am hoping the next Catalina story will be about her adventures with Arabella and Arossa. =)
I love this and you!
Funniest thing about reading Nevada wanting Wonder Blue lilacs in her pale pink, white, sage bouquet was I actually thought that pop of color would make it so much more interesting.
Wanting your favorite flower in your bouquet is just about the simplest things a bride can ask for in a wedding. But then again, I love Nevada, so pretty much anytime she wants in her wedding feels pretty normal to me.
Your response was spot on and perfect. Let the haters make you greater. PS as recovering pro Christmas tree decorator thought of you guys all week! Even discussed with former team mate.
I’ll start by admitting that I hate change and I wanted any more HL novels to be about Nevada and Rogan. But it’s not about me. ?
I loved seeing Catalina, seeing the very serious forces that have shaped her, the whys of how she thinks and behaves. I see the reasoning for not seeing much of Nevada — how would we then be able to bond with C?
So, while Diamond Fire didn’t contain what I’d hoped for, it was so much better. Thanks!
love all of the heroines.
Yh you tell them! I loved Nevada and Catalina.
+1
And as farrah as I’m concerned if you don’t listen to the bride about the basics of what she wants and try to make it happen when money isn’t a factor- what’s the point
Loved the novella and waiting for more when you write them, however long it takes
I will always love Nevada and Rogan, and I hope we get to see peripheral glimpses of them as the series continues, but I have also loved every character you’ve come up with. I can’t wait to see Catalina’s growth from the 3 year gap and how she juggles the responsibilities of being the head of a house. And I know I’m in no position to ask for things, but I love Leon so hard and want so much awesomeness for him, so…. please please please only good things for him
While I adore Nevada and Rogan, Leon is the one person I really want to know more about. I love the introduction to Catalina’s story and can’t wait to see more. I do humbly beg for healthy doses of Leon throughout please! Also I wonder what, or who, can make Bern lose his cool.
YES!
I didn’t even think about Mr. Cool & Collected Bern potentially having a romantic interest..
Awesome, thanks for the insight, just love your characters. Looking forward to more ??
One of the things I love most about the HL series, and there’s a lot to love, is the absolute dedication and love the Baylor family have for each other. To see the younger Baylors grow up and into their strengths while staying so tightly bound together as a family is a delight. Also, I caught a comment in DF (I think) about Leon and Bern’s mother showing up and ruining things.for the family; clearly the bad seed and I’d really like to know more.
+1
I think I might be the only one that suspects Leon & Bern’s mom did exactly what she meant to do. Look at the talents of those two kiddos, no way did their magic happen because she needed to distract an ex or forgot a condom or whatever the other pathetic excuse was that she gave. I want her to show back up because I have a lot of questions about how they happened.
I absolutely loved seeing the world through Catalina’s eyes! I suspect it will be a fun ride watching her grow into her strength and power as a Prime!
I appreciate so much all of your books. Your characters are real and relatable. Everytime I re read them it is like hanging out with an old friend. I like that the stories go there own way and not what I thought was going to happen. Your imaginations are so much better than mine. Thanks for all you do.
I loved Nevada just the way she was portrayed. I think the flowers were hilarious. What was even more hilarious, to me, was how the younger sisters interacted over the situation. Your portrayal of the family dynamics is priceless!
+1
I remember my wedding. I remember how on edge I was. Rogan was in a hurry, the whole wedding was telescoped into a much shorter time than it normally takes to plan a wedding (much less a Prime wedding), so everything was moving at hyperspeed. At hyperspeed and under that much stress sometimes you have to have things your way, sometimes that thing is the color of the flowers in the bouquet. I loved Catalina’s reactions, I loved watching her come into her own, both for the sake of her sister and herself. I thought it was a beautiful introduction to the next segmentof the books.
As much as I love Nevada, Catalina blew me away. I was not expecting it. I remember when they voted about becoming a house and she tried to abstain. I’m not saying this was a retcon of her character, more that the change in perspective from Nevada to Catalina, and her infinite capacity for empathy at such a young age, changed my view of her.
I was talking the other day about our mothers with a friend. And how now close to my 40s I finally understand the tiny little eternal arguments around issues that I always found banal before and couldn’t fathom the intensity of the argument and the eternal recycling of it (yeez mum, can’t you just let it go?). But when your sphere of influence is tiny, because you’ve been forced into a tiny world that is incapable of containing all that you are and all that you can and would aspire to be given half a chance, then you will sometimes decide to die on the most absurd of hills, just to exercise what little power you still have.
Love this comment! My Mom died recently and this helps to see her as a person, not just a mother, thank you.
I understood perfectly! Good job, authors.
From a male point of view. I saw nothing wrong with asking for specific flowers in a bridal bouquet. On a personal note, my sister was going through a bad stretch of life. I wanted to send her a Gerber Daisy, the Lollypop brand if it was available. My florist made phone calls to many florists in my sister’s area. One florist said OK. My sister got an Azalea. I didn’t find out until two weeks after the delivery. When I complained and wanted a refund, I was told, I was being inconsiderate. The small print said, … or a suitable substitute.
Thank you for taking the time to explain the subtleties.
I had largely missed all that so I now want to re read with that background as a frame of reference.
Thank you so much for all the time you take answering things like this. I didn’t think she was a bridelizza but I hadn’t picked up the other stuff. Not great at Reading between the lines!
I admit I was kinda surprised by the Bridezilla thing. Every thing w the planners made perfect sense but continuing to be diva w her sisters had me scratching my head (was like I didn’t see Neva pulling that one, wonder what’s up w that….) but when you explain it yes it makes perfect sense. So thank you for that.
Also for the record I loved Catalina. And Nevada. Exactly as written. They’re real and awesome. And I think better of her for feeling worried and guilty about that stuff. I mean it’s not her fault but it’s real, and it’s compassionate and empathetic.
I don’t see her being a diva at all.
“I want to add X flower to the bouquet.”
“YOU CAN’T DO THAT!!!”
“I want to add X flower to my bouquet, they smell lovely.”
“NO!!! YOU CAN’T DO THAT!!!”
Turns out they think she “can’t” because they think she will embarrass herself. It was the one time the girls let their thoughts of what would “look right” override their common sense, and while I get that they were doing it with love, they were wrong, and thankfully grandma Frieda pointed that out to them before any damage was done.
No bride deserves to be told to sit down and shut up when it comes to their own wedding (planner number one) because it’s about who she’s marrying not her.
No bride deserves to be lied to on a daily basis while trying to get the biggest day of their life put together. (planner number 2).
… and no one deserves to be denied something simple that they want on the basis of “what other people would think” about their choice.
I thought the whole “those will look sooooo ugly” thing was funny, because Catalina was in and out of a room that had those colors combined and with more (Arossa’s study) and thought it amazing and beautiful.
Alas, all the subtle stuff there was over my dense male head; I just loved the story. And as a sucker for HEA, I’m happy to see a new arc starting with a happy couple in the background.
Men often don’t realize what women go through. I have a friend who’s a prosecuting attorney and she really has to be careful. A man can question someone aggressively and that’s okay. A woman does it and she’s a B****.
She has to consider elbow she dresses. Because she has to be professional, but not offend the jury.
I’m not trying to dump on you, but people just don’t think about it.
That was how, not elbow. Autocorrect is just bizarre.
I feel for your friend,,, I’m an old lady and I do things myself, partly because I can, but mostly because I can’t afford to pay someone else to do them for me. 🙂
Try walking in to Home Depot, (as an over seventy year old female) and saying to the clerk, “Where are the couplers for electrical conduit?”
Right !
I didn’t get the bridezilla reference. Nevada just expected that the wedding planners would do what she wanted instead of protesting or lying. I became a paralegal in 1979 when women working outside traditional roles was hotly debated. I worked for 3 of the largest, most prestigious law firms in Minnesota. There were only a handful of female attorneys. The older male attorneys were strongly against the very idea of paralegals, usually female, thinking that they could handle the routine activities that an attorney would handle. John Malloy wrote Dress for Success in 1975 which we all followed religiously which set forth female professional attire. Basically, skirted suits in limited colors, limited jewely, high heels and definitely NO PANTS EVER. At one time, I had 5 grey suits. As an attractive 22 year old blond, I usually dealt directly with men at the VP level. Aspergers was actually helpful as sarcasm and most sexual innuendos went right over my head. I had no idea that women were expected to behave differently, so when Paul started having me take meetings in his place, I just ran the meetings the way he did and it worked. On every annual review, Paul just scrawled excellent for while other attorneys said that I needed to smile more which I still don’t understand. Our department was very profitable. My boss was a Harvard graduate, had Wall Street experience and charged $100 an hour. He set my rate at $50 an hour (junior attorneys billed $35 an hour), and our clients paid it. He dealt with a lack of educational opportunities for me by signing up for bar association seminars and sending me instead so not only was I the only female, I was the only person without a law degree. Of course, they refused to give me any credit for passing the courses. When he went back to Wall Street, his replacement fired me. He refused to listen to me, had a temper tantrum in a multi million dollar closing and threw documents across the room when our client backed me up in a disagreement. This was the first time I was called a bitch. Our biggest client gave me excellent references, and followed me to my new firm which had just opened a municipal department. Bruce was fired shortly thereafter. Even today, expectations are very different for business women. An interesting note, Alan Page, who played for the Vikings and the Bears, came to work for our firm which represented the NFL players union. He filled in for our department when we were short an attorney for City Council meetings where attorneys were a requirement. He was the easiest attorney apart from Paul that I have ever worked with. Truly a great guy.
+1, lol, or an automotive store.
Or an auto store. Not only are females incompetent about vehicles but we have no clue about parts. Dad farmed and raised females same as boys. When something broke we had to fix. Woe to the male idiots who did not believe females that he sent 30+ minutes to town for an xyz. When he had to go return ABC that they decided we really needed instead of xyz, heads rolled. Even now, in this supposed enlightened day same problem. Just yesterday, dealt with an idiot male at tractor parts store. Should not have been surprised as they reverse installed manufacturerer hydraulic part so now the Toy backs faster than it goes forward. I finally told the idiot to go back it off the trailer. No, he is still alive and tractor is unharmed. I shutter to think what would happen if he dealt with electricity or worked in home improvement store.
Yes, Susie q, I have mucked up doing my research but I know what you are speaking about as I can clear aisle in home depot or Lowe’s or wal mart just by asking a simple question.
My sister-in-law had the same background except no brothers. They also hunted to put meat on the table.
She is also very feminine. She’s my go to when dealing with anything automotive or when I bought my gun. I love, love watching her deal with auto store clerks and car salesmen and showing off her skills at the target range.
Absolutely agree with you. Happens in real life, too, not just in novels! 🙂
And for what it’s worth, I have found myself at times saying to myself “remember the 3rd rule”. That’s how ingrained your story has become!
I am not usually that good at the super nuanced stuff but I did pick up all that – all hail ALs – and would have wanted just one thing that was mine about the “show”.
Loved all that and, yes, it needed to be said that Catalina might be 19 but it has been a cloistered and closed life she has had to lead due to her gift and she hasn’t had a teacher until now. What a woman Nevada’s MIL seems.
Who knows what beautiful butterfly might emerge from Catalina’s current chrysalis! ?
I love them the bestest too. 🙂
To celebrate the taking & exchange of life long vows l want …
To be dubbed a carniverous unreasoning beast for adhering to & insisting that l, a prime principle, deserve this one thing is petty … A BRIDEZILLA … would insist that everything be changed to match my request
Nevada gave up the size, the location, the guest list, her preferences, the food, & on & on & on … NOTHING about the wedding, where, when, how it was held was for her …
Blue Lilacs smelt heavenly, she wanted them & the world can rot for their acceptance or not of this symbol of her day.
Chuh, pfft, she has always stood out from & above the crowd. Why would anyone want to pull her down …
just saying, peace & blessings upon all
+1
This was the single change in the whole story Nevada asked for – can’t see that as bridezilla in any way
I read an article recently where they 3d printed the bouquet, cake topper, etc to save money and because they could.
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612486/i-3-d-printed-every-bit-of-my-weddingincluding-my-bouquet/amp/
I understood about the flowers. She wasn’t being bridezilla about it at all.
Since I have a genuine talent for organization, I did my own wedding, many long years ago now, and didn’t have to deal with being patted on the head and sent out to play – but I would have responded pretty much the same as Nevada did if anyone had tried it.
I really like the story, and Catalina. I’m looking forward to the next book.
I love them the beatest too. Thank you for writing three dimensional women who kick butt in their own unique ways and do not give in to the whims and desires of the alpha heroes.
Thank you! I was worried that a “novella” would be too short to develop the story fully…It was all kinds of awesome! I love Catalina. Now… to decide if I am #teamaugustine or #teamalessandro. ???
I always think how come no groomzilla? I knew some grooms who were quite nasty planning their weddings , and the bride was not even consulted on some issues . Luckily I was only partner to best man, and I had to help keep the peace. It was a very expensive wedding and OMG the drama and last minute additions . Groom wanted a carriage with horses instead of limo to take them from church to reception .In NYC , going down Fifth Avenue. Last minute!!
We were able to talk him
Out of that , but it was close.
I think Nevada was perfectly reasonable, and I like Lilacs, and they are her choice.
I like how you are developing Catalina into her own person with different strengths and foibles.
I have purchased everything you published this year. You are the only author I will buy sight unseen . I am waiting to buy Maud and Arland, plus Sapphire Flames , next year.
And you will let us know who Caesar is (Linus), I hope .
And pretty please , another animal heist. Or something with Sargeant Teddy ?
Forgive me ,if I am too greedy. But , you write such great scenes with the menagerie of animals.
Not that my opinion makes a difference, but I sincerely hope that whoever referred to Nevada as Bridezilla because she wanted lilacs, was a minority. I’d hate to think that was the norm eh. (None of the above opinions reflect that thought train.)
It’s interesting that Nevada and Grandmother Tremaine both have carnations as their favourite flowers.
The comments all rocked.
I thought Diamond Fire did an excellent job on a couple of fronts. Number one, it was entertaining and heartwarming. I was happy with it all the way through. Number two, it prepared my mind to start accepting other House Baylor characters as The POV to follow for future books. Great story, I’m ready for more. ❤️
Hmm I just loved Nevada and Catalina as they are, and even as a dimwitted member of the male species, I could understand Nevada and Catalina well as characters and love them both to death. Nevada simply wants something special to her, that ain’t a bridezilla, and Catalina is a young woman trying to find a way to see what some would see as a gift as anything but a curse, having people fall in love w you because of magic is like fishing in a pond where you catch a fish every time you throw a line in, it is hell not heaven. I would love to see Catalina unleashed in further books, she will be a character to be reckoned w one day,and will be great to read about her as her story unfolds.
I haven’t read other comments so maybe this has been said…
But I didn’t read Nevada as being a bridezilla at all. Guess my perception of what a bridezilla is differs from others. Nevada’s character has already been established in the previous books. She sacrifices for those she loves on a consistent basis. She has honorable principles and what flaws she has are minor and normal.
A bridezilla because she wants specific flowers in specific shades? We all know she has a thing about carnations. And then adding a flower because you admired them after jumping into the bush? That’s funny. A bridezilla because she doesn’t want a wedding planner lying to her?
Again….Not once did the word bridezilla come to mind as I read about Nevada.
It’s not like Nevada demanded guests pay $1500 to fund her dream wedding….
Totally on Nevada’s side. Nothing about her was “bridezilla” to me. If she wanted blue flowers, she should have them. She’s having the type of wedding she never wanted for her mother-in-law. She should have some say in how it goes. I understood all the subtexts – you are really good at them. I am looking forward to Catalina’s story, although I will always enjoy re-reading Nevada and Connor’s story. Thank you so very much for your wonderful stories.
I didn’t see Nevada as doing a bridezilla. It seemed more like frustration and a hint of her rebellious nature to me. Plus I can relate, even though it was 27 years ago, to family and other people telling me to do everything their way. I gave in on many things just to keep the peace, so I actually found myself cheering her on. Maybe she couldn’t have everything as she would have liked, but by golly she could have her favorite flowers! Go Nevada!
It’s almost always an adjustment when authors change their heroine/hero to the spinoff characters. While Catalina is a quieter kind of character than what we’re used to, I love her no less. She wasn’t forced to grow up as fast as Nevada and she is definitely more reserved thanks to her siren abilities, but I’m sure we will get to see her grow as a woman and a character!!
so your post also had something about Braveheart- thought you might get a kick out of this photoshop that was done of yours truly. I look better than whatshisname right?
This????????????
I didn’t get all of the context either (I was a distracted reader during the novella, even when I went back and reread some things to remember who some of the new characters were), but Nevada’s so called bridezilla moments didn’t really bother me. She wasn’t hateful about it, she just wanted her (not ridiculous) preferences to be catered to as they should be at her own wedding. I love that Catalina is a more sensitive and considerate heroine. I don’t like loud mouthed idiots for my main characters. Some might call Kate loud mouthed, but she was never an idiot. She was always thinking and applying her knowledge to the best of her ability. TL;DR: your characters are yours, and should be written how you guys want to write them. I love almost all of them. You all are my favorite authors, and have been for over a decade. Thank you for many years of happy reading!
I loved D F and the character development, and I hope to see much more Baylor family history.
I loved that aspect of the wedding, actually, that Nevada will have a wedding she doesn’t want (huge, and public, and crazy) for the good of her new family and her old family, but dang it, she is gonna have flowers that smell good! It was very realistic and consistent, to me. And I loved the potential opening up in Catalina. Maybe it’s just the Catholic in me, but I totally understood her personal concerns and struggles with how her magic manifests. In fact, though they certainly need tempering, they say good things about her moral core, because they are legitimate concerns with a magic that affects the will of others.
Thank you, Ilona Andrews for Diamond Fire. No I did not think Nevada was being a bridezilla. My Mother and one of my sisters are drama queens and there be bridezilla. Actually my Mothers whole family has enough drama for a prime time soap opera with Dr Phil and Judge Judy thrown in the mix too. Like the Pistol Annie’s song says one is smoking, one is drinking and other is taking pills. Yup, and in Mothers family sometimes it is all one person who is also an upright citizen as well as staunch church attending Christian. The bridezillas and groomzillas can just blow your mind with their antics.
Nevada made logical sense. I enjoyed the story as did the pup. It is a challenge but you two do a great job be it Catalina, Alessandri, Augustine, Nevada and Rogan, Hugh and Elara, Raphel and his lady, Kate and Curran, Jim and Dali, Rose, Sophie, oops, Lark, George, Jack, Gaston, Dina and Sean, Maud and Arland etc. Dang, I hate auto corrupt. Thanks again.
Not only do I love your heroines, I deeply admire them exactly because they are not one dimensional cliches but amazing women with personalities. Women who think for themselves and stand up for their believes even if it is inconvenient. Women who deeply care for their families (related&acquired) and who have a strong moral integrity. They deserve all the happiness they can get especially since they usually think of the others happiness first.
I’d be deeply honoured to know them, if that were possible, and instead I am very grateful that I have the luck to read about their world. And it never ceases to amaze me that you are so generous in sharing so many insights on your blog so that the multitude of facets in your book shine differently yet again. Every time I re-read a book something new pops out that I hadn’t realized before.
Dear Authorlords, thank you so much !
Your characters make the story for me. The female characters are strong and stubborn with heart and compassion. Best of all, they are human with quirks and moods. Their disagreements bring humor and different perspectives. I didn’t see Nevada as Bridezilla at all- she had a lot of pressure with a case, Prime expectations, future-in-laws, and a wedding. I would say she was remarkably calm, considering! But to her sisters, especially Catalina who stepped up to be her wedding planner (there’s a brave sister there!), maybe she was a bit Bridezilla-ish
I enjoyed seeing a new side of Catalina and can’t wait to see when she grows up enough to find her own match. The characters’ continuing development and growth keep me coming back for more and rereading the series to review the development of relationships.
I like the twists and turns in this mystery and all the possible suspects kept me guessing. Intertwining it with the family dynamics and wedding planning made it seem like a behind-the-doors special on the Baylor’s. Well done! Loved seeing glimpses of Rogan and Nevada too.
I love your heroines. I never got the feel that Nevada was a bridezilla or that Catalina is boring. She is obviously not her sister, she has her own personality and reasons to do things. I’m super excited to see her grow into her own wings in the future! ❤
I agree that the heroines are always judged the hardest and heros get a lot of slack.
Thank you for your hard work!