Voodoo, family secrets and a mysterious stranger in this tale from Family Circle Award Winning Author Lauren Faulkenberry.
When Enza Parker's mother abandoned her and her father fifteen years ago, Enza abruptly stopped spending summers with her grandmother in Louisiana. Her father removed all traces of the two women from Enza's life.
Now, thirty-one-year-old Enza is drawn back to Bayou Sabine to attend her grandmother's funeral. In the bayou, memories surge forth, and questions about her past and her family's intentions flood Enza's mind. And an encounter with an enigmatic young man offers a hint of what her future may bring—if she doesn't turn her back on her roots.
If you like the heart and story of novels by Emily Giffin such as The One & Only and enjoy the romance in books by Robyn Carr, this exciting new voice in Southern fiction is for you!
It started with a dare. In grad school, I wrote a short story and dodged a love scene (and was teased mercilessly). I was writing with a more literary bent so my friend dared me to get out of my comfort zone and write a romance story, saying it would help my other writing. The more I wrote, the more fun I had, and it turned into Bayou My Love. I fell in love with the characters and didn't want Enza's and Jack's stories to end. So I knew it had to be a series.
What do you hope readers will get out of your books?I see mystery, humor, drama, and romance in some combination every day, and those elements are woven into my books. But in the end, I just want readers to enjoy being a part of the world I create. I hope they enjoy the characters and their stories as much as I do.
How does the mystical and fiery setting of the Louisiana bayous play into your books?Louisiana has an undeniable fire to it—the Bayou heat. It's mysterious and fascinates me because of its history and blend of cultures, its resilience, its passion for the arts, the connections people have to their histories and the land. There's beauty, mystery, and heartache, just like in every good story—it was the natural setting for Enza's story because she embodies those elements herself, even if she doesn't realize it until she's there.
In what order should I read the books?Each book can stand alone, but I recommend:
- Bayou My Love, to get straight to Enza and Jack's storyWomen's fiction, literary fiction, and paranormal romance. I respond to certain things in each genre, whether it's wit, an unforgettable love scene, or the zing of a top-notch metaphor. Ultimately, the books I love best have characters that thrill and haunt me—and bring me delight.
