Adding a touch of enchantment with the magic fireplace

The magic fireplace is a mystical and enchanting element that has captivated the hearts and minds of people for centuries. It carries with it an aura of warmth, comfort, and a sense of home. When you imagine a magic fireplace, your mind takes you to a cozy living room with a crackling fire, providing a gentle glow that fills the room. The flames dance and flicker, casting shadows on the walls, creating a mesmerizing spectacle for all who gather around it. The magic of the fireplace lies not only in its ability to generate heat but also in its ability to bring people together. It acts as a central focal point, attracting family members and friends to gather around and share stories, laughter, and moments of joy.

Jon played the Cowardly Lion in his high school production of The Wizard of Oz.

The threat involves the assassin who murdered Alessandro s father, as well as the dangerous serum that can give people magical powers as easily as kill them. In fact, I m not only designing and gathering costumes, I m building and painting sets and making technically begging, borrowing, and stealing props.

It acts as a central focal point, attracting family members and friends to gather around and share stories, laughter, and moments of joy. It serves as a symbol of togetherness, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that fosters connection and deepens relationships. This magic fireplace has the power to transport us to a different time and place.

Guest Review: Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews

This guest review is from Aidee. Aidee recently graduated from law school, where romance novels provided a much needed break from reading court opinions. She started reading romance in high school, but isn’t quite sure which was her first romance read—Jean M. Auel, Fern Michaels, or something that she has completely forgotten by now. She loves reading, writing, chocolate, tea, and listening to music, although not necessarily in that order. The books she keeps thinking of have been Nalini Singh’s Last Guard, Elsa Sjunneson’s Being Seen, Patricia Briggs’s Wild Sign, and Sherry Thomas’s Lady Sherlock series. Because her mind is a little chaotic, there are more, but that’s probably a good stopping point.

Ruby Fever is spectacular and bittersweet and is a wonderful cap to the series. This book will not work if you are not familiar with the previous books in the series, particularly Emerald Blaze ( A | BN | K | AB ) and Sapphire Flames ( A | BN | K | G | AB ) , but you don’t need to reread these books before devouring this one, as Ilona Andrews does a good job of reminding readers what is going on without making these reminders feel redundant.

I think this book is one of the best examples of character development during a series; Catalina has gone from a nervous new Prime to someone comfortable exercising her power to defend her family and carry out her duties, and it is epic. We also have all of our questions answered, and if I explained the answers, there would be too many spoiler tags in this review. However, it is safe to say that the theme of the importance of family continues in this book for all the characters we’ve come to love throughout the series.

Catalina is trying to stop a terrifying assassin and his organization that is after her family and lover, because if she doesn’t, there will be no peace for any of them. She is also figuring out two seemingly unconnected mysteries, the murder of a member of the magical elite, and an attack on her mentor, boss, and family friend, Linus. It is all pulled together as the book progresses, and neatly resolved by the end.

Perhaps the best example of what the book is like is the prologue, which is by turns funny, violent, and sweet. Arabella and Leon make jokes about their new house being haunted, there is some attempted murder and self-defense killing, and a marriage proposal. It’s a glorious way to start off the book and lays out what the rest of the story will feel like.

This book is not like the previous books, where Nevada and then Catalina were solving cases and also doing magical things. The case—who attacked Linus and why—is solved long before the book reaches its climax or ends. The tension is in stopping the bad guys from getting to the family.

Catalina has to deal with a multi-pronged threat, not only to her family/House, but to Texas and potentially, magic wielding society. The threat involves the assassin who murdered Alessandro’s father, as well as the dangerous serum that can give people magical powers as easily as kill them. This means Catalina is threatened on a personal and professional front, as she is the Deputy Warden of Texas, and for most of the book, she is the Acting Warden, due to the terrible attack on Linus. This is, naturally, scary for her and while she admits to her fear, she doesn’t let it slow her down.

Catalina thinks she is on her own, but it didn’t feel that way to me while reading the story. She has the full support of all her family, from grandparents to her youngest (and funniest) cousin, Leon. Nevada and Rogan make a few appearances throughout the book, but they’re busy dealing with their own piece of the threat and so don’t take center stage. This is actually okay because this is Catalina’s book, not Nevada’s book.

We also get lots of cute animals appearing throughout the book—including an alarm system masquerading as a golden retriever.

The reason this book is bittersweet for me is because there have been rumblings on the author’s blog that they won’t be coming back to the Hidden Legacy world for a while, if ever. This makes me sad because I really enjoy all the characters—Nevada, Catalina, Arabella, and everyone else. I’d love to read short stories or novellas about Penelope (Nevada, Catalina, and Arabella’s mom), and one with Augustine would be fascinating. And of course, I want to know what Arabella’s adventures would be like.

One of the things about this series I’ve enjoyed the most is seeing the younger characters grow up as the books progressed. Everyone we met in Burn for Me is an adult—which is somewhat surprising because it only took about 6 and a half books to cover so much time in this world. It is a good ending point, if we never get another book in this world: all the big plot questions are answered—family secrets from Alessandro and Catalina’s families are laid out, and the loose ends from Nevada’s books are finally tied off.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC for this review, but I also pre-ordered the audiobook. I have since reread this story multiple times, including when I listened to the audiobook. Emily Rankin does a good job performing this book, giving all the major characters their own voice—down to whispering when people mouth things in the book to each other, which not all audiobook narrators do.

I enjoy this series for a couple of reasons. The magic system is fairly straightforward, but still interesting in how the characters interact with it. This means I don’t need to worry about understanding a lot of complex rules to understand the magic, which is nice. More importantly to me, I really enjoy the interactions between the Baylors and the people they bring into their family, like Cornelius and Runa—and of course, Rogan and Alessandro.

The Baylors are not a perfect family, but in spite of that, they work together and care deeply for each other’s well being and happiness. That isn’t always present in urban fantasy novels, or if it is, it is very much overshadowed by other elements of the story (similar to how friendships with others are sometimes nonexistent in romance novels). The books also have a lot of catnip for me, like competent heroines, fun banter between characters, and underlying, sweeping romances. I think this series is close to a comfort read for me because of that.

If you’ve enjoyed the Hidden Legacy series so far and want the answers to all the questions, as well as to see Catalina get her happy ending and also see

…this is the book for you. There are several posts on Ilona Andrews’ site that answer questions you may have after finishing the book. And the authors are donating a quarter of the proceeds of this book to the UN Refugee Fund because of the war in Ukraine.

This guest review is from Aidee. Aidee recently graduated from law school, where romance novels provided a much needed break from reading court opinions. She started reading romance in high school, but isn’t quite sure which was her first romance read—Jean M. Auel, Fern Michaels, or something that she has completely forgotten by now. She loves reading, writing, chocolate, tea, and listening to music, although not necessarily in that order. The books she keeps thinking of have been Nalini Singh’s Last Guard, Elsa Sjunneson’s Being Seen, Patricia Briggs’s Wild Sign, and Sherry Thomas’s Lady Sherlock series. Because her mind is a little chaotic, there are more, but that’s probably a good stopping point.

As we stare into the flames, we find ourselves lost in thoughts and memories. It becomes a portal to our imagination, allowing us to dream and explore the realms of possibility. It sparks creativity and ignites our passions, fueling our desire for adventure and discovery. In addition to its emotional and social significance, the magic fireplace also holds practical benefits. It provides a source of heat during cold winter nights, offering much-needed warmth and comfort. Its radiant heat spreads throughout the room, enveloping its occupants in a cozy embrace. It becomes a sanctuary, a place where one can escape the harsh realities of the outside world and find solace. The magic fireplace is more than just a physical object; it embodies the intangible qualities that make a house a home. It represents love, comfort, and security. It symbolizes the heart and soul of a dwelling, the hearth around which we gather to find solace and contentment. In a fast-paced and ever-changing world, the magic fireplace serves as a reminder of the simpler things in life. It invites us to slow down, disconnect from technology, and be present in the moment. It encourages us to cherish the company of loved ones and create lasting memories that will warm our hearts long after the fire has burned out. So next time you find yourself in the presence of a magic fireplace, take a moment to appreciate its enchanting qualities. Embrace its warmth, both physical and emotional, and let it ignite your spirit and fuel your dreams. For within its dancing flames, lies a world of infinite possibilities, waiting to be explored..

Reviews for "Transforming your living room with the magic fireplace"

1. John - 2 out of 5 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'The magic fireplace'. The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The animation was mediocre at best, and the music didn't add much to the overall experience. I felt like I wasted my time watching this film, and I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a magical and engaging animated movie."

2. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars - "I watched 'The magic fireplace' with high hopes, but it was a complete letdown. The animation was choppy, and the characters were not relatable or interesting. The plot was confusing and lacked direction. Overall, it felt like the filmmakers didn't put much effort into creating a captivating story. I would advise skipping this film and watching something more worthwhile instead."

3. Mark - 2 out of 5 stars - "I found 'The magic fireplace' to be underwhelming. The visuals were mediocre, and the storyline didn't offer anything unique or engaging. It felt like a generic children's movie without much substance. Some of the humor fell flat, and the voice acting lacked emotion. Overall, it wasn't memorable, and I wouldn't recommend it as a worthwhile watch."

4. Emily - 1 out of 5 stars - "I had high expectations for 'The magic fireplace', but it turned out to be a disappointment. The animation was subpar, and the characters were forgettable. The plot was predictable and lacked creativity. The dialogue was bland, and the voice acting was unconvincing. I was expecting a magical and enchanting experience, but all I got was a dull and forgettable movie."

5. Michael - 2 out of 5 stars - "I was not impressed with 'The magic fireplace'. The animation quality was low, and the character design felt generic. The storyline had potential, but it fell flat and didn't hold my attention. The music was forgettable, and the pacing was inconsistent. Overall, it didn't meet my expectations, and I wouldn't recommend it to others."

Harnessing the power of the magic fireplace