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Cajun #4
The Red Hot Cajun
The fourth book in Sandra Hill's Cajun series serves up laugh-out-loud humor and sizzling romance in equal portions. The long, hot Louisiana summer just got hotter for Rene LeDeux. He returns home to southern Louisiana after quitting his job in Washington as an environmental lobbyist. Years of battling with the oil industry and land developers have left him completely burnt out, and now all he wants to do is work on his cabin on Bayou Black. But his peace of mind is disrupted by a few things. One, his great-aunt Tante Lulu is determined to get him hitched. Two, a couple of his activist friends have hatched a plot to bring national attention to their cause to save the bayou. They've kidnapped a TV celebrity and brought her to Rene's cabin. And three, the celebrity is none other than Valerie "Ice" Breux, Rene's nemesis while growing up. Now Val's stranded in Rene's remote cabin, besieged by irrepressible LeDeux relations, not to mention a dingbat duo out to save the swamp. It's bad enough being kidnapped, but did she have to land in the lap of the most irritating, sexiest hunk she's ever laid her eyes on? Val vows she'll give her heart to the Cajun bad boy when alligators fly. Rene swears to get the girl who got away. It's never been steamier in the bayou than with two people this red-hot with desire...and more than ready for love.
318 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
62 people are currently reading
804 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Hill
92 books1,313 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than 10 years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. She is the wife of a stockbroker and the mother of four sons.
This biography was provided by the author or their representative.
Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than 10 years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. She is the wife of a stockbroker and the mother of four sons.
This biography was provided by the author or their representative.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 3, 2008
4 1/2
Enjoyed another laugh out-loud Cajun book by Sandra Hill. This one kept me thoroughly entertained, laughing, smiling, loved the lawyer jokes and the romance was very nice. The internal dialogue that runs along with the characters kept me smiling. :-) Rene (the hero, The King of Smooth) was such a romantic guy. Val (Valerie) started out snobbish, but as her character developed I learned more about her and the horrors she endured as a child with a Joan Crawford-type mother.
There was a lot of environmental information packed into this one. The slow and steady destruction of Louisianna, building levees to re-route the current rivers that had detrimental effects on the ecosystem. This book was written before Hurricane Katrina, but it mentions the destruction that would ensue if a massive hurricane were to hit Louisianna. Interesting.
Nice story. Tante Lulu and her antics were funny. Neat character that added color to the story. Got to see Tee-John growing up in this one (16). All the previous characters from books 1-3 are here with updates, too. Nice.
Touch of suspense, albeit not much, this is more of a feel-good romance.
Some things to share from the book:
A sign in the bar: "Beer: Helping White Boys Learn to Dance Since 1837"
The author mentions one of her books, "The Very Virile Viking" in this one. Neat! Tante Lulu was reading it.
One lawyer joke: "What's the difference between God and a lawyer?"
Answer: "God doesn't think he's a lawyer."
Enjoyed another laugh out-loud Cajun book by Sandra Hill. This one kept me thoroughly entertained, laughing, smiling, loved the lawyer jokes and the romance was very nice. The internal dialogue that runs along with the characters kept me smiling. :-) Rene (the hero, The King of Smooth) was such a romantic guy. Val (Valerie) started out snobbish, but as her character developed I learned more about her and the horrors she endured as a child with a Joan Crawford-type mother.
There was a lot of environmental information packed into this one. The slow and steady destruction of Louisianna, building levees to re-route the current rivers that had detrimental effects on the ecosystem. This book was written before Hurricane Katrina, but it mentions the destruction that would ensue if a massive hurricane were to hit Louisianna. Interesting.
Nice story. Tante Lulu and her antics were funny. Neat character that added color to the story. Got to see Tee-John growing up in this one (16). All the previous characters from books 1-3 are here with updates, too. Nice.
Touch of suspense, albeit not much, this is more of a feel-good romance.
Some things to share from the book:
A sign in the bar: "Beer: Helping White Boys Learn to Dance Since 1837"
The author mentions one of her books, "The Very Virile Viking" in this one. Neat! Tante Lulu was reading it.
One lawyer joke: "What's the difference between God and a lawyer?"
Answer: "God doesn't think he's a lawyer."
December 18, 2022
The Red Hot Cajun is book #4 in the quirky, yet sometimes tiresome Cajun series. Here's looking to you St Jude and Tante Lulu. Meet cute, with terrible legal ramifications if written today. This book was published in 2005 and it wasn't until the last five years I start reading them. Fun characters, incredible south Louisiana settings and so very Tabasco hot, hot, hot.
Sandra Hill usually handles the Cajun settings and culture with skill, and she did an exceptional job with The Red Hot Cajun. That book, more than any of the other Cajun Series books, focused on the devastated coast line of South LA. Devastated decades before Katarina. (I was living a bit north of NOLA until 2 days before Katrina. Some luck, eh?).
I recognized so much of her "source material" (nothing that needed credit or footnoting), just common knowledge by that point. Starting in about 2000 the bell ringing about what was happening and what could happen was beginning to get louder and louder. The Times Picayune, professors, writers and national newspapers were beginning to show a very ugly picture. People and politicians were beginning to pay attention that the cost of repair would be much higher than the cost to fix.
On August 28, 2005 the world found out just what the cost would be.
I can not tell you how prescient Sandra Hill was with this book. I can not tell you many times my jaw dropped. Sandra Hill did a brilliant job of research, putting it all together in first the small details and then the larger picture.
Even though this book and Katrina are both 17 years old, I highly recommend reading it. The story is fun, while the environmental the facts are truly fascinating, and I doubt much has changed.
I wonder what would this book be like if it had been published on Jan 1 2006.
Sandra Hill usually handles the Cajun settings and culture with skill, and she did an exceptional job with The Red Hot Cajun. That book, more than any of the other Cajun Series books, focused on the devastated coast line of South LA. Devastated decades before Katarina. (I was living a bit north of NOLA until 2 days before Katrina. Some luck, eh?).
I recognized so much of her "source material" (nothing that needed credit or footnoting), just common knowledge by that point. Starting in about 2000 the bell ringing about what was happening and what could happen was beginning to get louder and louder. The Times Picayune, professors, writers and national newspapers were beginning to show a very ugly picture. People and politicians were beginning to pay attention that the cost of repair would be much higher than the cost to fix.
On August 28, 2005 the world found out just what the cost would be.
I can not tell you how prescient Sandra Hill was with this book. I can not tell you many times my jaw dropped. Sandra Hill did a brilliant job of research, putting it all together in first the small details and then the larger picture.
Even though this book and Katrina are both 17 years old, I highly recommend reading it. The story is fun, while the environmental the facts are truly fascinating, and I doubt much has changed.
I wonder what would this book be like if it had been published on Jan 1 2006.
November 27, 2019
When Tante Lulu gives you a Hope Chest, just give up. Stick a fork in it, you're done. But Rene is not about to admit defeat until The Lightening Strike of Love hits and even then he is fighting it all the way. I love this Romance series and the humor and setting. It's wonderful to listen to and I can't wait for the next book.
After Rene LeDuex returns home to Southern Louisiana all he wants to do is recharge and work on his cabin. His job as an environmental lobbyist has chewed him up and spit him out. When Tante Lulu comes for a visit bringing with her his Hope Chest, he is not having anything to do with it. He is not getting married, to anyone. When his two environmental crusader friends show up with Valerie Breux, a childhood acquaintance and TV celebrity, and a wild hair plan to make a documentary, Rene is really annoyed. That Ms. Breux arrived tied up and gagged sends Rene totally off. With Tante Lulu going on and on about The Lightening Strike of Love, it's really to much to have Val Breux, a participant in some childhood and adolescent boyish stuff with Rene, at his cabin and having Tate Lulu sizing Val up for a wedding dress. Talk about!
Val was having a really bad day. She has been fired, kidnapped and dumped in the outback of beyond at the cabin of Rene LeDuex. After the hottest night of near-sex, she has to decide if she wants to put Rene in jail or help him with his cause. That old Lightening Strike of Love, well, Lightening Strike of Lust for sure.
After Rene LeDuex returns home to Southern Louisiana all he wants to do is recharge and work on his cabin. His job as an environmental lobbyist has chewed him up and spit him out. When Tante Lulu comes for a visit bringing with her his Hope Chest, he is not having anything to do with it. He is not getting married, to anyone. When his two environmental crusader friends show up with Valerie Breux, a childhood acquaintance and TV celebrity, and a wild hair plan to make a documentary, Rene is really annoyed. That Ms. Breux arrived tied up and gagged sends Rene totally off. With Tante Lulu going on and on about The Lightening Strike of Love, it's really to much to have Val Breux, a participant in some childhood and adolescent boyish stuff with Rene, at his cabin and having Tate Lulu sizing Val up for a wedding dress. Talk about!
Val was having a really bad day. She has been fired, kidnapped and dumped in the outback of beyond at the cabin of Rene LeDuex. After the hottest night of near-sex, she has to decide if she wants to put Rene in jail or help him with his cause. That old Lightening Strike of Love, well, Lightening Strike of Lust for sure.
March 17, 2008
I really enjoy Sandra Hill's sense of humor and fun writing style. Although RED-HOT CAJUN was not my favorite book in this series, it was a fun, light read for the weekend.
Rene' was as sexy and hot as the rest of the cajun cowboys in this series. I love LOVE love the fact that he was an environmental lobbyist, fighting to save the bayou. The descriptions of the Black Bayou are intriguing and really brought my attention to the problems with wetland conservation. This book is worth reading just for the brief history lesson it offers.
Rene' had many hidden talents and an education that you just didn't anticipate. And how often do you read about a hero who reveals his true feelings half-way through the book and then fights to convince the heroine they belong together? There were no commitment phobias, no cruelness and no mind games by the hero in this book. He was a man who made up his mind and then pursued what he wanted with passion and zeal.
Valerie's character was a little too uptight for my tastes. I preferred Charmaine's wackiness in the second book. However, in Val's defense, she was able to work through her personal issues and redeem herself before the story ended. In my mind, Rene' deserved better. Maybe someone who truly appreciated him and his family. Maybe someone a little more laid back with a witty sense of humor.
The good news is Tante Lulu was back in this book and as crazy as ever! Tante Lulu and her outrageous antics made the book for me. What can be funnier than a senior citizen who has a crush on Richard Simmons and is always looking for the next "Chippendude" show?
Rene' was as sexy and hot as the rest of the cajun cowboys in this series. I love LOVE love the fact that he was an environmental lobbyist, fighting to save the bayou. The descriptions of the Black Bayou are intriguing and really brought my attention to the problems with wetland conservation. This book is worth reading just for the brief history lesson it offers.
Rene' had many hidden talents and an education that you just didn't anticipate. And how often do you read about a hero who reveals his true feelings half-way through the book and then fights to convince the heroine they belong together? There were no commitment phobias, no cruelness and no mind games by the hero in this book. He was a man who made up his mind and then pursued what he wanted with passion and zeal.
Valerie's character was a little too uptight for my tastes. I preferred Charmaine's wackiness in the second book. However, in Val's defense, she was able to work through her personal issues and redeem herself before the story ended. In my mind, Rene' deserved better. Maybe someone who truly appreciated him and his family. Maybe someone a little more laid back with a witty sense of humor.
The good news is Tante Lulu was back in this book and as crazy as ever! Tante Lulu and her outrageous antics made the book for me. What can be funnier than a senior citizen who has a crush on Richard Simmons and is always looking for the next "Chippendude" show?
April 21, 2021
I read this for a bookclub and I honest to god think the person who picked this was trying to prank us.
I have complaints.
I grew up in Houma and I am just amazed by some of the stuff in this book.
1- The Houma/Terrebonne airport is almost exclusively for oil field flights. All the hangers are either privately owned or company owned by organizations that fly out to the rigs. There is no way someone is flying in to the airport from New York unless they own a private plane.
2- What mansions is she talking about? We have roughly 4 plantation style homes that are exactly what you think of when you picture a plantation, except one of them is bright pink. There are few and far between "new money mansions".
3- Most of Bayou Black is land locked and if you do live in one of the offshore homes, you have a motor boat.
4- PLEASE DO NOT EAT RAW LOUISIANA SHRIMP. For real though. While other places may eat raw shrimp, you really don't want to test south La waters when it comes to bacteria.
On top of that the romance just felt rushed. The characters were ok and I didn't hate anyone, but the build up just seemed forced.
I have complaints.
I grew up in Houma and I am just amazed by some of the stuff in this book.
1- The Houma/Terrebonne airport is almost exclusively for oil field flights. All the hangers are either privately owned or company owned by organizations that fly out to the rigs. There is no way someone is flying in to the airport from New York unless they own a private plane.
2- What mansions is she talking about? We have roughly 4 plantation style homes that are exactly what you think of when you picture a plantation, except one of them is bright pink. There are few and far between "new money mansions".
3- Most of Bayou Black is land locked and if you do live in one of the offshore homes, you have a motor boat.
4- PLEASE DO NOT EAT RAW LOUISIANA SHRIMP. For real though. While other places may eat raw shrimp, you really don't want to test south La waters when it comes to bacteria.
On top of that the romance just felt rushed. The characters were ok and I didn't hate anyone, but the build up just seemed forced.
February 16, 2010
at first i was like mmm about the book, but the characters grew on me and the book turned out to be a fun laid-back romance,Rene and Valerie had an instresting past to start off, i was beginning to think they wern't going to work out, especially the way Valerie felt about Rene. the only thing i would have to say that bothered me was the italic text of when they talked to themselves, but for the most part the book was wonderful, and it grew on me, almost cried in one part which suprised me, considering this book was so humerous, but deff a good read!
August 18, 2011
Super quickie review!
The Red Hot Cajun by Sandra Hill
Genre: Contemporary Romance
The bad: The ending was a bit too fast, story slightly overstuffed.
The good: Sexy, delicious hero, hilarious Cajun family, loved the awesome romantic ending and epilogue. Made me feel like I was in the steamy bayou!
Grade: A-
The Red Hot Cajun by Sandra Hill
Genre: Contemporary Romance
The bad: The ending was a bit too fast, story slightly overstuffed.
The good: Sexy, delicious hero, hilarious Cajun family, loved the awesome romantic ending and epilogue. Made me feel like I was in the steamy bayou!
Grade: A-
August 30, 2014
Another witty Sandra Hill novel. We all need a Tante Lulu.
March 9, 2019
Another great book by Sandra hill Ren's LeDeux and Valerie Breaux they been butting heads for ever it seems like they where always at odds with each other because that was covering up what they really felt for each other
July 16, 2014
Another great entry in this series
Another great entry in this series
I gave this book five stars because it is fun, spirited, and a good read. Hill's Cajun books are as much fun as her Viking ones, and I recommend them to you.
Another great entry in this series
I gave this book five stars because it is fun, spirited, and a good read. Hill's Cajun books are as much fun as her Viking ones, and I recommend them to you.
January 11, 2009
This was my first Sandra Hill book.
holy smokes . .. need a cigerette or two after reading this one!!!
funny dialogue, quirky characters.
holy smokes . .. need a cigerette or two after reading this one!!!
funny dialogue, quirky characters.
September 17, 2012
excellent ending to the 4 book series... unless, of course Tee-John gets his own story when he's old enough.
October 10, 2012
This is an author that I have read a lot of and have added her books to my 'keeper' book shelf. Most I have read at least twice and some even more than that.
October 25, 2012
Can I marry Rene PLEASE....musician with a cause..Mon Dieu, I want one a Rene too...Oh yeah, I am already married...Dang it...He made me laugh, sigh, and just feel really, really good...YUM!!!
September 8, 2015
I look forward to finding the rest of the series at a book store. I loved Tante Lulu, it is a Grandma Mazur + Lula. :)
September 30, 2016
I laughed so much with Rene and Valerie´s Story, and how not with Tante Lulu doing her job!!!! I think that with this serie I felt in love with the Cajun Culture! I really want to know more!
May 5, 2019
This book has a great premise and is such a great rom-com set-up. I just don't really connect with Sandra Hill's writing style. There's a lot of internal dialogue on the part of both main characters - and I mean a lot - and it really jerks me out of the flow of the story. I did, however, love that they both seemed to be hearing the voice of St. Jude as a sort of Jiminy Cricket of love. Weirdly, St. Jude might have been one of my favorite characters in this story... haha!
I really like the male lead, René. He's so passionate about the things he loves, and who doesn't love a hot accordion player? Rawr. Val is also a really interesting character, and I love the many facets they both have to their personalities and their complex relationships with their families. And then there is Tante Lulu. I love when romances have that eccentric older lady character that has zero filter and is just a wacky breath of fresh air. That's Tante Lulu in a nutshell, and she is by far and away my absolute favorite thing about The Red-Hot Cajun.
This is the fourth book in the Cajun series, but can be read as a stand alone. I didn't notice any blatant spoilers for the first three book in the series (which I haven't read.)
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
I really like the male lead, René. He's so passionate about the things he loves, and who doesn't love a hot accordion player? Rawr. Val is also a really interesting character, and I love the many facets they both have to their personalities and their complex relationships with their families. And then there is Tante Lulu. I love when romances have that eccentric older lady character that has zero filter and is just a wacky breath of fresh air. That's Tante Lulu in a nutshell, and she is by far and away my absolute favorite thing about The Red-Hot Cajun.
This is the fourth book in the Cajun series, but can be read as a stand alone. I didn't notice any blatant spoilers for the first three book in the series (which I haven't read.)
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
June 26, 2020
Okay, I'll admit, I got a slow start on this story, mostly because it felt like I was reading the first three books all over again. Rene was doing some ordinary thing like working on his house, and Tante Lulu was there talking crazy as usual. Wackiness ensued, bringing Rene's love interest into, or rather back into, his life, propelling the plot forward. Throw in Tante Lulu rambling about "the love bolt," and it all just felt a bit too formulaic.
However, this was overall a definite improvement over the last two books, and more in line with what I had expected ever since falling in love with Luc and the LeDeux clan back in The Love Potion. Tante Lulu was in finer form this time around, Rene was a seduction master (though he still can't hold a candle to Luc), and he and Valerie certainly were more realistic with their problems than Remy and Rachel from book 2.
Overall Verdict: 7 bayous out of 10.
However, this was overall a definite improvement over the last two books, and more in line with what I had expected ever since falling in love with Luc and the LeDeux clan back in The Love Potion. Tante Lulu was in finer form this time around, Rene was a seduction master (though he still can't hold a candle to Luc), and he and Valerie certainly were more realistic with their problems than Remy and Rachel from book 2.
Overall Verdict: 7 bayous out of 10.
April 27, 2023
Tante Lulu is back and is busy matchmaking again. This time it is Rene. But it doesn't go the way he thinks. He has been handed a woman who was not his friend back while growing up, Valerie. They are poles apart in the environment surrounding the Bayou. She was dropped off at his place way in the bayou without cell phone or wifi to get her to change her mind about her and family stance on what is going on there. Their time together they are not alone. No, Tante Lulu is there to keep stirring the pot of the sparks growing between these two. It was comical to listen to and St Jude was active again in getting these two together. I have loved reading these books by Sandra Hill and will keep reading them.
April 18, 2019
Cajuns are so entertaining!
I grew up in Central Louisiana from age 10 to 16. We always made a point to go to any Cajun “Fai do do”. They really know how to party. The language is colorful even if you don’t speak French or Cajun. They are passionate about the bayous and family.
Sandra Hill has “hit the nail on the head” with her series of Cajun adventures. She should do more!
I grew up in Central Louisiana from age 10 to 16. We always made a point to go to any Cajun “Fai do do”. They really know how to party. The language is colorful even if you don’t speak French or Cajun. They are passionate about the bayous and family.
Sandra Hill has “hit the nail on the head” with her series of Cajun adventures. She should do more!
May 1, 2020
this is a really cute book while there are no real thrills or climax point at which you are worried about the relationship or the well being of the characters is has a cast of characters that are extremely funny and enjoyable. I love the cajun references as well as this fun-loving book coming off a book that was a thriller this was a wonderful fun time that was welcome
May 31, 2017
Ok, I am tired of reading about Tante Lulu. i don't think she is cute or funny in the least. I find her annoying, manipulative, interfering, and messy. I liked this book the least of the Cajun series.
December 15, 2017
Sandra Hill gives new meaning to hot on the bayou
Steamy and hot and I am not just talking about the food. Tante Lulu is match making with the help of her trusty sidekick St. Jude. Hold on to your hats you are in for a great ride with the book. Enjoy
Steamy and hot and I am not just talking about the food. Tante Lulu is match making with the help of her trusty sidekick St. Jude. Hold on to your hats you are in for a great ride with the book. Enjoy
March 17, 2018
This is a fun filled book. My favorite character in the series is Tante Lulu. It is always interesting to see what outfits she is wearing and what is she going to do next. This time, she wants Richard Simmons to come to her birthday party wearing his little red shorts.
April 14, 2019
Exactly what I expect from Sandra Hill - chuckles, laughs and happy tears. This was a bit less "quirky" than others I've read, but that's fine. The style fits the story. Characters fully developed. Tante Lulu as outrageous as ever. Storyline flowed flawlessly. Well done.
March 3, 2021
Cute rom-com with lots of laughs and a build of the other stories in the series. They can be read out of order and stand alone. I love all of the main characters and laugh at all of the antics of the dialogue.
November 28, 2022
Randomly borrowed this audiobook while I was waiting for a different novel and really enjoyed it. Loved the characters, the storyline was a little whacky but the author managed to make it really enjoyable, and the romance was 👌🏼
July 1, 2018
Not bad for a free book. Enjoyed learning about the bayou. The love story was ridiculous but not unpleasant
March 12, 2019
What a Great Laugh-Out-Loud book - Luv Ya Tante Lulu
August 26, 2019
This is a book you can’t put down and i love husband in
between reading. I love me some cajan. I went out and my 67 year old friend the set she loved them and so did her husband!!!
between reading. I love me some cajan. I went out and my 67 year old friend the set she loved them and so did her husband!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews