Do not read if you haven’t read WHITE HOT.
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spoiler space
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The family sat at the dining table. I took the head spot this time. A stack of papers sat on my right, covered with a folder. I’d printed out the contents of the USB drive.
My two sisters had taken the chairs next to me, Catalina on my right, Arabella on my left. Catalina, who was a week shy of turning eighteen, was dark- haired, serious, and calm. She liked math, because it made sense to her, and would do just about anything to not be the center of attention. Arabella, still fifteen, was blond, athletic, with bigger boobs and a curvier butt, and calm wasn’t even in her vocabulary. She liked forensics and humanities. “Calling people out” was her preferred method of dealing with issues. The high school debate club, which made the fatal mistake of snubbing her because she was a freshman at the time and their roster was full, lived in mortal terror of her.
Bernard, the oldest of our two cousins, sat next to Catalina. Over six feet tall, with shoulders that had trouble fitting through narrow doorways, Bern was built like he broke people for a living. He had wrestled in high school and still went to judo a few times a week, which he claimed he was doing to balance long hours spent writing computer code. When he was a kid, his hair had been the color of straw and curly. The curls were all gone now. His hair had turned dark blond, and he kept it cut short and messy.
His brother Leon was just about his exact opposite. Lean, dark, and fast, Leon alternated between sarcasm, excitement, and total gloom as quickly as his sixteen- year- old body could produce the hormones. He hero- worshipped his brother. He also thought he himself was a dud without any magic. I knew he wasn’t, and I was doing my best to keep that knowledge to myself, because there was only one type of job open to someone with Leon’s magical talent, and it wasn’t a job any of us would’ve liked him to have. Right now, only Bug, who was Rogan’s surveillance expert, my mother, and I knew what he was capable of, and the only reason I told Mom was because his talent would explode into light sooner or later, and if I wasn’t around, someone else would have to handle it. Sooner or later I would have to tell Leon.
My mother sat at the other end of the table. She used to be a soldier, but her time as a POW left her with a permanent limp. She was softer now, her brown hair braided and pinned at the nape of her neck. Her eyes were brown like mine. When Dad got sick and after his death, Mom kept us together. I was just now beginning to understand how much it had cost her.
Grandma Frida sat beside Mom. One of my earliest memories was playing on the floor of the motor pool with little model cars, and Grandma Frida, who still had some blond in her hair back then, humming softly as she worked on some giant vehicle. Most people smelled engine oil and rubber and thought mechanic. I thought Grandma.
Family.
I loved them all so much. I had to do everything I could to keep them safe. This would be a Christmas we’d never forget.
“Victoria Tremaine knows who we are,” I said.
The words hit the table like a pile of bricks. Arabella paled. Catalina bit her lip. Bern became very still. Leon, oblivious, frowned at the pinched expressions he saw. Nobody spoke. Truthseeker talents like mine were very rare. There were only three truthseeker Houses in the United States. House Tremaine was the smallest and the most feared. It had only one member— Victoria Tremaine. And she was coming for us.
“How sure are you?” Mom finally asked.
“She tried to purchase our mortgage.”
Mom swore.
“I thought House Montgomery owned our mortgage,” Leon said.
“House Montgomery owns the mortgage on our business,” Bernard said patiently. “The mortgage on the warehouse was held by a private bank until Rogan bought it.”
“To bring everyone up to speed,” I said before they could go off on a tangent, “Dad was Victoria’s only child. He was born without magic, and she hated him for it. He ran away after high school, met Mom, and lived quietly, so she never found him. But now she knows. She’s the only member of her family. Once she dies, House Tremaine will die with her.”
“How did I not know this?” Leon asked. “Am I the only one who didn’t know this? You guys knew and didn’t tell me?”
Part 2 will be available later in the week.
Great snippet. I really hope Rynda does not try to steal Rogan.
Me too if Rogan even considers it he won’t be good enough for Nevada!
He made it clear he wasn’t interested.
Aaagghhhh! That was Awesome!
Thank you so much had bad day, this makes it better Read book over the weekend. Loved the story love Bunny and all the ferrets love everyone wish I had a Grandma like Nevada’s . Tell Leon ASAP. Relate to Catalina I remember in high school I would deliberately choose wrong answers on tests so I wouldn’t get highest grade. Hated high school , don’t know anyone who really loved high school . Can’t wait for next book Thank you for snippets ,love anything you write. Would probably love your grocery list. Thank you so much.
Ilona did post her grocery list once. We loved it ?
It had nothing on the rock story. 😛
Heh, heh, heh. That’s a good one.
Hope tomorrow is better for you Gail. ” Some days just be that way”
Oh how wonderful. I love the description of the family. Everyone is right, you are authorlords. Thank you.
Love and Gratitude to the Author Lords!
OMG! I was not expecting this. Thank you for making my Monday awesome. 🙂
Can not wait to get this ! Preordered!!!
Another excellently baited hook. Thank you. Is there an emoji for fish sounds? I will look.
Thank you for this gift. I’ve already finished White Hot and was ready for more.
How can a snippet be wonderful and painful in equal measure? I’ve read White Hot twice and I’m trying to hold off a third time for a while. It’s difficult. Judging by the Wildfire snippet at the end of WH, I’m not sure Victoria Tremaine is the greatest threat.
Well, I guess we all will be blog stalkers this week. Sigh.
Thank you for the snippet.
Normaly i dont preorder. Never had and thought that i never will….. but i just could not help my self. Sigh, this might tide me over until july…. but probably not. You guys are awesome and this series is amazing!
Thank you for the snippet.
Wildfire Pre-purchased 11/05/16. I will buy the audio when it comes out. I’m so addicted to your tales I read the book first for my take, then listen to Renee’s for hers. Fun, fun, Fun! Thank you for the snippets.
Yum!
Thanks for the spoiler. I’ve already read White Hot twice from cover to cover, so I’m really looking forward to the next book. Sounds like Leon and his magic will be a big subthread along with EG.
I have a feeling Leon is going to blow if Nevada doesn’t start including him more. Especially if he finds out about his magic before she tells him.
That’s what I thought – Nevada has to tell him soon, before his magic explodes out of him, if she doesn’t she is in for a world of hurt from a surly teenager who will be whinging all over the place that he should have been told. I have to say, for once, I am on the side of the teenager!
It is so hard at that age! They scream to be treated as an adult, and then they make a juvenile choice like sneaking out without telling someone.
Also, you don’t want to burden then with adult stuff and make them miserable as a teen.
Thank you! Great treat for a gray, raining, bleh Monday, this helped!!
Thank you! A wonderful treat on a gloomy Monday.
Proving once again why you guys are the best… thanks! Poor Leon.
Book was preordered in January! I can hardly wait. 🙂
OMG THANK YOU. This helps an aggravating Monday.
I can’t waaaaaaaaaaaait!!!
(Thanks!)
This was so amazing! I absolutely cannot wait until July. Though I have to say, I’m a little disappointed in Nevada. Why does she not give Leon a choice on what he wants to do with his life. Her parents didn’t want her to tell anyone about her magic but they gave her a choice on it. They explained why and what she would do if she told and she choose to keep it secret and she’s not giving Leon the same. I can see this backfire on her.
Don’t forget that it all happened in the space of a few days (not counting the few days off she took with Rogan). It’s understandable that Nevada would take the time to ponder this through, but she’s always been level headed and has tried her best to keep the “blowing in your face” problems to the minimum.
I have faith in her and will wait what happens before the end of that day.
She knows the cost of secrets.
Thanks to the authorlords! I had decided to stop stalking the website, hehehe got the alert in my email. (I was right to stop watching for the kettle to boil).
I agree with you. I’m hope the reason Nevada hasn’t talked to Leon is she’s taking the time to approach the situation with care. I’d be disappointed in the Baylor family growth, if they did not learn from their past that secrets aren’t the answer. I’m hoping after the dust settles regarding EG and building House Baylor they have a talk. Leon could be vital to keeping his family safe. Plus, his magic is a part of him.. Not doing what feels natural may push Leon over the edge. If he finds his family kept his magic from him, the betrayal would force him to do something stupid. I think House Rogan, his soldiers, Bug and to some degree Penelope could help Leon make better decisions.
That’s what Bug told Nevada in White Hot. Leon would go crazy, literally, if he can’t do what his magic is telling him to do. What Nevada is having a hard time with is her cousin being an assassin. She’s also having a hard time being a baby Prime. Rogan’s helping with the baby Prime part, but on a fundamental level he can’t help her with Leon. That is a Baylor family issue.
Actually, more than being an assassin, I think Leon is meant to be a great strategist.
And seems like he’s just used his passive field for the moment, we haven’t seen what happens when he puts his mind into it..
hehehe, wonder if he’s not going to plan the epic, major ending of arc attack!
Love this snippet.
Will Leon be less whiny and paranoid after he learns he HAS magic?
He is whiny! Sometimes funny but I hope he does calm some too.
He is a teenager who think he is the only one in his family not to have magic. Everyone is special except him in a world where magic means power. So yes, he is whiny and insufferable but he is also in a lot of stress, so I think he will be in a better place when he learns he has magic.
I dislike preordering more than a month before publication date, because several times the publication is pushed back further. I preordered two, which were to be published this month, one pushed to December and the other to October. Is there an advantage to the author if the book is preordered when a release date is first announced?
With a 45 foot escape door for Arabella, she is either a large dragon or a T-Rex. I don’t believe she is a shaggy giant elephant from the Sweeps.
August can not come soon enough! Waaaahhhaaa! Thank you for the snippet. Pure awesomeness as always!!
Thanks. That was awesome.
🙁 too short…. cannot wait for the next installment…
<3
Snippet! Well, excerpt. Maybe. Whatever.
Awesome!! Bring it EG – Neva & Rogan will smack you down!
Thank you so much..i cant wait for july
Thank you!
Thank you thank you Author lords!
Made this Monday so much better!
Thank you so much!!! This is really laying things out on the table!
Thanks so very much!!!!!
We got a snippet! 😀
Snippets are lovely and painful at the same time. They are like a teaser bite that leave you looking for more.
This one makes me realize how much I miss Sweep. I wonder what is happening at Gertrude Hunt. Is Orro making anything special for dinner tonight? Will the cat be leaving with Helen when Maude finally gives in to her feelings for Arland?
What is happening with our intrepid police officer and his knitting wife? Is she the lady from Costco as many suspect?
What presents did everyone get for Christmas? I wanted to know. Maybe that could be a snippet from Orro’s POV? Can you do a POV from Orro? Does he speak to you enough for one?
Thank you for ending May with happy dances galore as I made my way through WH. I need to not wish my summer away as I wait for the next installment.
I must confess a growing addiction to Nevada and company. I see her story growing like Kate’s if the Author Gods allow… I love both the similarities and the differences in Nevada and Kate. So much yummy goodness in Rogan and Curran too! I really truly hope that Wildfire won’t be the end of this series!
Ahhhh, I am currently re-reading Burn for Me for the umpteenth time so I can dive back into White Hot for a second read for the (for now) full Nevada-Mad Rogan reading experience. Can’t wait for Wildfire!
Wow. Can’t wait for the book.
I JUST finished White Hot. How come I’m still beyond excited about this?
I literally just got my fix.
What comes after Wildfire? Because it looks like the winter is gong to be long 😀
Hugh is getting his story this fall, then the new Innkeeper will be started about the 1st of the year.
OMG! Thank you! Counting down the days til it is released to my Nook for download.
Since both Nevada and Conner needs a genetic “match” for her/his gift to keep his/her house alive and they can’t give each other a child with a potential “compatible magical skill set for her/his house” — why can’t they use Artificial Insemination & implant the embryo into Nevada? Or do the gene donors have to be “physically” involved for the magic to work ? Sorta like why you can’t use aids to help you draw the circles—the resulting magic (might) be weaker?
You know, I don’t see any of those two as wanting to preserve their houses so bad. I think Nevada is more a “normal” person and Rogan never saw himself as having a family until Nevada came along.
Also, with the mystery still shrouding her father, I’m not sure they are so incompatible and I don’t think Nevada will ever care if they are or not.
They are both will based and Rogan’s mother wasn’t the same kind of mental magic that his father was. His father was trying to get a sub-talent to help, but Rogan’s main talent is too strong. I don’t see why his and Nevada’s powers won’t mesh the same way for kids.
You don’t have to have 2 same-magic Primes to create/keep a ‘House’. You just need 2 Primes.
Most ‘Houses’ seem to specialise in 1 type of magic + marry to strengthen this but they don’t have to.
In White Hot, Rogan asked Nevada if there was another Prime in her family (so she could create her own ‘House’) and she told Rogan ‘yes’. But her sisters + cousins do not have Nevada’s magic, yet they can still create their own new ‘House’.
I think it would be safer for Nevada and her family to just join House Rogan.
The only downside to that is Nevada would lose the 3 year window of safety. Not that Rogan can’t take care of her and her family, but Nevada is VERY concerned about losing herself and becoming part of Rogan. She values her independence too much, and doesn’t want to lose the business.
I just wanted to tell you how much i loved White Hot, thank you.
Thank goodness we only have a short wait until Wildfire.
Thanks again for sharing your wonderful characters and stories with us.
Thank you for this wonderful excerpt. Now I’m a bit worried for Leon.
Thanks to the person mentioning the excerpt from WF at the end of WH. I purchased a kindle and audiobook of WH. I started reading the book and switched to audio… It’s not on the audible WH, and I checked IA blog after so many people mentioned Rynda Charles in the Baylor kitchen. I thought I was losing my mind ?
Love the Excerpt and the snippet! The Baylors at the kitchen table has the feel of a war room. Lol.. Love it. Thanks so much!
Thank You for snippet !
I still don’t get why there is only one job available for Leon – if he’s so good at calculating angles and probability I’m sure there is many jobs “in physics department” that he would be invaluable for or he could become word best snooker player…
unless it only works for bullets ?
Anyway Nevada also kept saying that there is only one career path for a truthseeker which is obviously not true.
Nevada was operating on the info she got from her parents, but in her further exploration of the talent, I would have thought she’d learn about other options. Of course, if those options were only available to people with strong Houses, I can see why her parents were wary of her becoming known. Without strong House protection, being co-opted by government law enforcement would have been inevitable.
With House Baylor (and House Rogan on the side) she has a stronger likelihood of being able to write her own ticket.
Love it, especially this:
“The high school debate club, which made the fatal mistake of snubbing her because she was a freshman at the time and their roster was full, lived in mortal terror of her.”
Bwah-haha-a-ahaahaah-haaaa!
I see it’s categorized under ‘Buy my book’; I have and I’m eagerly anticipating it’s arrival.
Hehehe One of my favourites too ☺
Mine too.
Thank you so much for the chapter! Exactly what I needed today and a perfect treat to wait Wildfire.
Wonderful thank you
thanks!!! re-reading white hot right now to pick up the details 🙂 – love the family introduction evens o it wasn’t much new 🙂 anything helps to get through the next 50 days. 🙂
Catalina’s magic has my puzzled. Where’s the benefit to having people love you to death? Unless her gift is still developing, and ability to disengage will come with maturity and/or practice.
Are you serious? I think it’s one of the most dangerous abbilities I’ve read about. Catalina is good and fortunately she is also part of a decent family (she has developed moral boundaries to not abuse that part of her nature). Fear, Anger, Desire… are intense emotions. But I think Love is the strongest one. I’ll do (almost) anything for someone I love. And Catalina can cause that reaction in everybody just when you look at her “mode on” I’ll prefer to fight a Truthseeker, an Ilusion mages and all that jazz above her.
Did you miss the part where Catalina would be torn to pieces by her adoring fans if she did not leave in time?
The AL’s comment on the cost of magic elsewhere and truly there is a cost to all power. All this means is that Catalina has to plan the use of her power, not that the power doesn’t have benefits.
Just like Nevada has to be careful not to overuse her shockers or they will kill her. There are risks and benefits to everything, what matters is how we use it and how we play the odds.
Imagine if a criminal had her abilities. Or worse, a politician.
Or an older Prime.