You may wonder why when I have so many books to read I sign up for and host Book Challenges. Well it is for days like these, when I need to fill a spot for a challenge and I get to pull a book from my overflowing To-Be-Read bookshelf. Today I am filling the “U” spot in my Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge. That just leaves “V” “X” and “Y”. If you have any recommendations let me know in the comments. The Titles have to start with the letter after any “The”, “A”, etc. The “X” is special. Any word in the title can start with “X”.
Under the Cajun Moon
Christan Mystery/Suspense
Setting – Louisiana
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (September 1, 2009)
Paperback: 332 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0736926249
E-Book ASIN: B003P9XMAS
What Secrets Can Be Found by the Light of the Cajun Moon?
New Orleans may be the “Big Easy,” but nothing about it was ever easy for international business etiquette expert Chloe Ledet. She moved away years ago, leaving her parents and their famous French Quarter restaurant behind. But when she hears that her father has been shot, she races home to be by his side and to handle his affairs―only to learn a long-hidden secret that changes everything she knew to be true about herself and her family.
Framed for murder, Chloe and a handsome Cajun stranger must search for a priceless treasure, one whose roots weave through the very history of Louisiana itself. But can Chloe depend on the mysterious man leading her on this cat-and-mouse chase into the heart of Cajun country? Or by trusting him, has she gone from the frying pan into the fire?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This book received such wonderful reviews when it came out I purchased it right away and then it was buried in my TBR stacks. I pulled it out last week and started reading and could not stop. I finished the book at 3:07 a.m. I was planning to read just a chapter or two before going to sleep and one chapter just led to another and another and another. Usually when this happens I call the next morning a “book hangover” but that wasn’t the case this time. I actually woke up at my usual time and wasn’t tired at all.
Chloe receives a call telling her her father has been shot and before he became unconscious he told her mother that Chloe must come home to finish a deal he had started. She remembers getting off the plane and meeting her father’s lawyer at his restaurant but has no idea how she got to a hotel suite and who is pounding on the door? and why is the lawyer asleep on the couch. What happens next sends her on a wild ride searching for the truth and following a recipe to find a secret treasure.
There is also a story from the past of Jacques, a young goldsmith in France, interwoven into the main plot. I really enjoyed this part of the story.
Both Jacques and Chloe are endearing characters. You truly care about them and their journey. They are both just trying to do what is right with so many, sometimes heart-wrenching obstacles in their way. Each has a bit of a love story too. Chloe meets Travis and he helps her so much. Jacques love story is a bit more complicated.
This is not the first story I have read by Mindy Starns Clark. I enjoyed her Million Dollar Mysteries several years ago but I don’t remember being so totally drawn in my those books. This mystery was perfectly paced and wonderfully written. All the characters were well developed and so interesting. There is a bit of a Christian theme but it does not preach or become overbearing. It blends in with the history, the mystery and the wonderful scenery of the bayou seamlessly. The only thing I didn’t like were the snakes 🙂
I am truly upset with myself for waiting so long to read this book. I now see why it was getting great reviews. It was a riveting read and while it is an older book I do recommend you pick it up today, just don’t wait to read it like I did.
Find out more about Mindy and her books on her webpage here.
I know this is an older book but I would love to share my copy with one of you.
Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
Making this short and easy!
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If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End September 1, 2015 at 11:59 PM CST
Winners Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winners Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
*This book was from my private collection.
I really appreciate your blog. It provides insights into books I might be interested. Thanks for also,providing giveaways for a bit of fun!
Sounds like a great page turner! I will be adding Under the Cajun Moon to my TBR list.
Love a chance to read your books, thanks for this awesome chance, it is so appreciated.
This books sounds like a great read. Thanks, I will be adding this to my read list.
Emails are best for me as they get more attention. If there is time, then on to the contests and blogs. I often print out pages for a later referral or read. I use my smartphone to save pix of covers to keep track of books that catch my interest. Goodreads is my choice for reviews. I am attracted by mystery covers. I like to read series in order. I follow many authors, often met at signings. This is a new writer to
me. I also use Facebook.
Thanks for the chance to win this book! My son went to middle school with one of the author’s daughters, and now he lives in Louisiana, so it definitely sound like I should read this book. I enjoyed the Million Dollar series, too.
I like to read older books. Sometimes, with a new author, I go to my local book store to look for their older books, even ones not in a series. This sounds wonderful and I like the setting.
I have this book on my TBR shelf too glad to know it is good.
for X consider the new Sue Grafton book X or XVI by Julia Karr.
Your review sounds so interesting that I would love to win the book. You mentioned that you could not put it down. Sounds like my type of book.
Another book added to my to-reads queue. The review was influence, thank you.