Fiction Book Review: Under the Bayou Moon: A Novel by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Book Description:
Restless with the familiarity of her Alabama home, Ellie Fields accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country. Though rightfully suspicious of outsiders, who have threatened both their language and their culture, most of the people in tiny Bernadette, Louisiana, come to appreciate the young and idealistic schoolteacher as a boon to the town. She's soon teaching just about everyone--and coming up against opposition from both the school board and a politician with ulterior motives.

Acclimating to a whole new world, Ellie meets a lonely but intriguing Cajun fisherman named Raphe who introduces her to the legendary white alligator that haunts these waters. Raphe and Ellie have barely found their way to each other when a huge bounty is offered for the elusive gator, bringing about a shocking turn of events that will test their love and their will to right a terrible wrong.

A master of the Southern novel, Valerie Fraser Luesse invites you to enter the sultry swamps of Louisiana in a story that illuminates the struggle for the heart and soul of the bayou.

My Thoughts:
The bayou of Louisiana is different from any place I've ever traveled. Valerie Fraser Luesse paints a picture from the cypress trees with the Spanish moss draped on limbs to the alligator eyes watching folks glide along in their boats. Under the Bayou Moon is the story of Ellie and Raphe and their fight to help the people of Bernadette. While a beautiful love story takes place, the book is really about the people who live a different life style in a unique part of the world.  I enjoyed learning about the area and getting to know the people. Though fiction, the story felt real. This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you choose to read Under the Bayou Moon, be prepared to spend time in a place that feels like another world. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fiction Suspense Review: Two Reasons to Run (The Pelican Harbor Series Book 2) by Colleen Coble

Book Description:
A lie changed her world.

Police Chief Jane Hardy is still reeling from the scandal that rocked her small-town department just as she took over for her retired father—the man who wrecked her life with one little lie. Now she’s finally been reunited with her presumed-dead fifteen-year-old son, Will, and his father, documentarian Reid Bechtol. 

A crisis looms. 

When a murder aboard the oil platform Zeus exposes an environmental terrorist’s plot to flood Mobile Bay with crude oil, Jane and Reid must put their feelings for each other behind them and work together to prevent the rig from being sabotaged. 

A killer targets her son. 

Then the terrorist puts her son Will’s life on the line. Protecting him could be the common ground they need . . . but then ghosts from the past threaten to ruin Jane and Reid for good. 

She’s got plenty of reasons to run. But what if she stays? 

My Review:
Colleen Coble has written another satisfying page-turner. I love her character, Jane Hardy. The woman has overcome so many obstacles but still moves forward with a heart for justice, even as problems mount up. On top of that, there's something evil going down at the oil platform in the Gulf. As the Police Chief, Jane must put others before herself and go down a rocky road to find the truth. I enjoyed the role her son, Will, and his father, Reid, played, and the thread of faith that runs through this suspense-filled story. If you haven't read Colleen's books, this a great series to start with. If you are a regular Coble fan, you won't be disappointed. Start with book one, One Little Lie. Watch for book three, Three Buried Secrets coming in the fall. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fiction Review: A Dazzle of Diamonds (Georgia Coast Romance Book #3) by Liz Johnson

Book Description:

Penelope Hunter loves her job as the events manager at one of Savannah's premier historic venues--until her ex-fiancé walks into her office with his new bride-to-be. To make matters worse, a scheming social matriarch is intent on seeing Penelope fired, especially if she insists on being seen with Tucker Westbrook.

Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his friendship with Penelope, who has been by his side since childhood. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot--and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South.

To clear his name, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a 150-year-old lost treasure. But the more time they spend together, the closer she comes to losing her job--and falling helplessly in love.

My Review:
Liz Johnson's writing is a breath of fresh air when it comes to fiction. The books in the Georgia Coast series host a bit of intrigue with the history of the area mixed with sweet and (sometimes humorous) romance. All three in the series are entertaining, but I enjoyed this one, A Dazzle of Diamonds, the most. Tucker is a sweetheart and Penelope is a straightforward, hardworking, intelligent young lady who would do anything for her dear friend. The mystery of the treasure is fun to follow and adds an exciting thread to the story. The people Penelope and Tucker interact with are quirky in a lovable, but sometimes annoying, sort of way. With Savannah as the setting, you can't go wrong. If you enjoy southern romance with a bit of mystery, you'll love Liz's latest book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fiction Review: The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton

Book Description:

Sometimes it takes losing everything to find yourself again.

Lily Bishop wakes one morning to find a good-bye note and divorce papers from her husband on the kitchen counter. Having moved to Alabama for his job only weeks before, Lily is devastated but forced to contemplate her next steps when she sees a flier at the grocery store for a hair stylist position in a local retirement community.

Rose Carrigan built the small retirement village of Safe Harbor years ago—just before her husband ran off with his assistant. Now she runs a tight ship, making sure the residents follow her strict rules. Rose keeps everyone at arm’s length, including her own family. But when Lily shows up asking for a job and a place to live, Rose’s cold exterior begins to thaw. Lily and Rose form an unlikely friendship, and Lily’s salon soon becomes the place where residents share town gossip, as well as a few secrets of their own. Lily even finds herself drawn to Rose’s nephew, Rawlins—a single dad and shrimper who’s had some practice at starting over, and one of the residents may be carrying a torch for Rose as well.

Neither Lily nor Rose is where they expected to be, but the summer makes them both wonder if there’s more to life and love than what they’ve lived so far. The Summer House weaves Lauren Denton’s inviting Southern charm around a woman’s journey to find herself.

My Review:
In this story of change and growth, I appreciated that Lily ended up in a village filled with retirees. I found the setting refreshing. So often people forget that folks over fifty-five live interesting lives. Lauren K. Denton explores not only rising up after losing everything, as Lily does, but also letting go and enjoying life as we watch Rose bloom (pun intended.) I love how the author captures the endearing personalities of the folks in Safe Harbor. I can't forget to mention Rawlins. He's a single dad and a sweetheart with a touching story. I didn't care for the consumption of alcohol by the characters, although it had a connection to the story. Otherwise, The Summer House is a charming story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fiction Book Review: High Cotton (Bucklin Family Reunion Book 1) by Debby Mayne

Book Description:

Some families are filled with so much love they can’t help but drive each other crazy.

Shay Henke has mixed feelings about going to her family’s next reunion. On the one hand, she’ll get to see everyone in her mama's family—folks she loves unconditionally. On the other hand, she knows there’ll be more drama than you can shake a stick at.

The days leading up to the event bring one surprise after another. First Shay must deal with her sister-in-law’s deep, dark secret. Then she has to contend with the childish ways of her business-mogul twin cousins. And when her high school crush wants to be her date to the reunion . . . well, it may have been a dream come true for Shay’s teen self, but the woman she’s become doesn’t know what to make of this.

Shay’s contentment is challenged, and she’s determined to shake things up a bit. But will she find the excitement she’s looking for, or will Shay realize she prefers her quiet and predictable life? One thing is certain: Life in the Bucklin family is never boring. 

My Review:
The Bucklin family is full of quirky characters, including nosy aunts and meddling mamas. While the younger generation tries to figure life out, the older generation gives sage advice whether it's welcome or not. Shay seems to be at the center of everyone's problems and their triumphs, including her own. Although Debby Mayne is an excellent storyteller, I found the roles of the men and women in the families a little old fashioned. I did like the unconditional love the family had for each other, but felt the story lines were a bit dated. This just wasn't my cup of tea. I received this book for free.