White Hot by Ilona Andrews

The Hidden Legacy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews continues as Nevada and Rogan navigate a world where magic is the norm…and their relationship burns hot

Nevada Baylor has a unique and secret skill—she knows when people are lying—and she's used that magic (along with plain, hard work) to keep her colorful and close-knit family's detective agency afloat. But her new case pits her against the shadowy forces that almost destroyed the city of Houston once before, bringing Nevada back into contact with Connor "Mad" Rogan.

Rogan is a billionaire Prime—the highest rank of magic user—and as unreadable as ever, despite Nevada’s “talent.” But there’s no hiding the sparks between them. Now that the stakes are even higher, both professionally and personally, and their foes are unimaginably powerful, Rogan and Nevada will find that nothing burns like ice …

Lori:  I haven't been reading as much as I used to so this was a great book to kick my reading mojo in gear.

This book did great in balancing stories. There was a definite romantic storyline between Nevada and Connor, there was the mystery of who killed Nevada's client's wife and also a plot line (probably leading into the next book) with a family issue that's bound to explode.

The sexual tension between the lead characters was great. Of course I had issues with Connor's over-protective urge. There were too many times he overstepped and took away Nevada's power. Despite his accurate reasoning, it always pissed me off. Nevada's independence rests too much on Connor keeping his word, not an okay situation.

Also the one sex scene purple prosed so there was that too...


Carolyn:  

Did you see Ilona Andrew's post about the difference and progressing series http://www.ilona-andrews.com/better-books/ . What makes their series so good is that they are progressing.

And White Hot is a great example.

Here's what I like about this book (unless I think of something more):

1.  We learn more about Nevada's magic.

2.  We learn more (MUCH more!) about Rogan. (Side note: I'm rereading Nora Robert's Born in Fire and the hero's name is Rogan, although it's his first name. He's just about as alpha too, lol.)

3.  We learn more about the Baylor family history.

4.  We learn that Nevada can be honest with herself regarding her feelings for Rogan. She starts to understand him, to realize he's not just a caricature but a real human being with feelings and morals. For me, that was the best part of the book.

5.  New types of magic.

6. Cornelius. Love him, feel so bad for him, love his magic, want those ferrets!

Okay, i give - who the heck is Private Dick???


Lori:  The only Private Dick I know was years ago and I'm not supposed to talk about him...

I agree with most of what you say. I loved the family stuff and I'm actually looking forward to the next book where more of the family magic and genetics is explored. I think Nevada's ........



Spoiler Alert 





..... sudden awareness that not only is she a Prime (a magical person with greater power) but also her siblings are too. That should bring some real drama to the story line.



END




I also think Cornelius was a great character and I'm glad he's going to be involved further in Nevada's life. Who ever knew that any author could make ferrets fun.

I'd give the book a solid 4 out of 5 stars with my only caveats being that my feminist rage burned at Nevada losing so much of her autonomy so quickly and the sex scene was too purply for me to enjoy (her aching core.... I always think of apples and they aren't sexy).

So wrap this baby up Carol.


Carolyn:  To put the awesomeness of this book into some kind of perspective, there are 491 reviews of it on Amazon at this writing and the score is a solid 5 stars. Don't see that happen too often, but this book deserves it.

I did do a double take on some of the phrasology in the single love scene, but that's why eyes have the ability to skim, lol. I much prefered the long, slow burn between Nevada and Connor. (I can call him Connor now because I know him so much better. Hee.) And OMG, he does need Nevada. She'll be his salvation, mark my words. I don't think he's had anyone love him before.

Cornelius brought tears to my eyes. I love this character and I love his magic. I loved that he took his revenge without any bleeding heart nonsense; he deserved it and the villain deserved the punishment.

Like you, I'm so looking forward to the final book in this trilogy and I'm praying that the publisher will offer them a new contract for more books in this world. But if that doesn't happen, there have been hints of self publishing.in the air.  :-)

I can't recommend this series enough and it's a trilogy, y'all, in this day of multiple book series.  It's also at MMP prices.  Can't say better than that.