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Bayou Nights
by Julie Mulhern
I haven’t read the first book in the Haunting Desire series, but after reading the blurb for book 1 it doesn’t look like I need to. The books appear to be linked but not intrinsically so can look like they can stand on their own.
I like the New Orleans world that Mulhern has created, although it’s not specifically hers in that New Orleans has always been a supernatural playground. It’s more about the characters she’s created and how she brings New Orleans to life in her writing. All the pieces fit together nicely and create a captivating picture that certainly had me intrigued.
The story itself was okay. I didn’t feel all that invested in it, probably because I felt like the voice was trying a little too hard to be quirky and cute and it came up a little distracting. It’s not an uncommon voice in these types of books, but I do think BAYOU NIGHTS was playing it a little heavy.
The plot where Christine was chasing pieces of eight around the city was fun. She ran the gamut when it came to individuals she encountered, from fine families (who now live in her childhood home and for whom she makes hats) to brothels to the swamp itself. She was attacked by a possessed mob, a slew of ghosts, a zombie. Certainly no shortage of supernatural creatures here.
Christine herself is a pretty great character, holding her head up high despite the supposed shame her father brought on her family. I mean, considering the time, I guess it would be beneath people to live above a hat shop she also owned, but she’s an independent woman and a trend-setter. She runs in a mix of crowds rather seamlessly and she can adjust to any situation on a dime, and make it work in her favor almost every time. Note I say almost. No one’s perfect.
Mattias Drake, on the other hand, I could do without. The POVs switched between him and Christine and when in his head he wanted to hit things. A lot. Didn’t usually do it, but he has a rather violent, short-fused brain that I found off-putting, especially when he talked about inflicting harm on a woman. I’m not saying someone like Yvette Simms didn’t deserve a slap or two but it’s very different when a man thinks of striking a woman because he doesn’t like what she’s saying than a woman wanting to slap another woman for being snide. I found him very off-putting as a result.
Because of that I really wasn’t on board with their developing relationship. It was all rather standard, a lot of build-up with a monkey wrench thrown in, only to end up together at the end. Hard to be for a relationship with you don’t like one of the characters.
I was very intrigued by Mike, though. I’d be interested in reading her story, which is the next book I’m guessing, for sure.
3
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I like the New Orleans world that Mulhern has created, although it’s not specifically hers in that New Orleans has always been a supernatural playground. It’s more about the characters she’s created and how she brings New Orleans to life in her writing. All the pieces fit together nicely and create a captivating picture that certainly had me intrigued.
The story itself was okay. I didn’t feel all that invested in it, probably because I felt like the voice was trying a little too hard to be quirky and cute and it came up a little distracting. It’s not an uncommon voice in these types of books, but I do think BAYOU NIGHTS was playing it a little heavy.
The plot where Christine was chasing pieces of eight around the city was fun. She ran the gamut when it came to individuals she encountered, from fine families (who now live in her childhood home and for whom she makes hats) to brothels to the swamp itself. She was attacked by a possessed mob, a slew of ghosts, a zombie. Certainly no shortage of supernatural creatures here.
Christine herself is a pretty great character, holding her head up high despite the supposed shame her father brought on her family. I mean, considering the time, I guess it would be beneath people to live above a hat shop she also owned, but she’s an independent woman and a trend-setter. She runs in a mix of crowds rather seamlessly and she can adjust to any situation on a dime, and make it work in her favor almost every time. Note I say almost. No one’s perfect.
Mattias Drake, on the other hand, I could do without. The POVs switched between him and Christine and when in his head he wanted to hit things. A lot. Didn’t usually do it, but he has a rather violent, short-fused brain that I found off-putting, especially when he talked about inflicting harm on a woman. I’m not saying someone like Yvette Simms didn’t deserve a slap or two but it’s very different when a man thinks of striking a woman because he doesn’t like what she’s saying than a woman wanting to slap another woman for being snide. I found him very off-putting as a result.
Because of that I really wasn’t on board with their developing relationship. It was all rather standard, a lot of build-up with a monkey wrench thrown in, only to end up together at the end. Hard to be for a relationship with you don’t like one of the characters.
I was very intrigued by Mike, though. I’d be interested in reading her story, which is the next book I’m guessing, for sure.
3
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.