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Bon Amie #1
Under the Sassafras
Nestled between the Atchafalaya Basin and Sugar Island lies Bon Amie, a friendly, quiet town, where nothing exciting ever happens. Until Joelette Benoit’s two sons find a man washed up in the murky water at the edge of the swamp.
Joelette Benoit, a widowed single mother, has sworn to never believe the promises of another sweet talking man. Fiercely independent and determined, she’s hidden away her heart, while struggling to provide for her two sons and lively mother-in-law. She swears the stranger will stay one night, and one night only, until she discovers he has no memory. Now duty-bound to aid him, Joelette decides to offer him a place to heal in exchange for his labor.
Against the colorful backdrop of life on the bayou, she watches as he immerses himself not only in her family but also in her town. She can do little to prevent her sons from bonding with the only man they’ve come to trust since the death of their father. Though she, too, is drawn to his kindness and vulnerability, she will not risk the heart of her family because without a past, this man cannot promise a future. But when his memory returns and he realizes he has blood on his hands, he knows he has unfinished business to attend to before he can claim the family he has grown to love.
Joelette Benoit, a widowed single mother, has sworn to never believe the promises of another sweet talking man. Fiercely independent and determined, she’s hidden away her heart, while struggling to provide for her two sons and lively mother-in-law. She swears the stranger will stay one night, and one night only, until she discovers he has no memory. Now duty-bound to aid him, Joelette decides to offer him a place to heal in exchange for his labor.
Against the colorful backdrop of life on the bayou, she watches as he immerses himself not only in her family but also in her town. She can do little to prevent her sons from bonding with the only man they’ve come to trust since the death of their father. Though she, too, is drawn to his kindness and vulnerability, she will not risk the heart of her family because without a past, this man cannot promise a future. But when his memory returns and he realizes he has blood on his hands, he knows he has unfinished business to attend to before he can claim the family he has grown to love.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2013
32 people are currently reading
520 people want to read
About the author
Hattie Mae
9 books15 followersAward-winning author, Hattie Mae was born and bred southern, cutting her teeth on cornbread and greens and running barefoot through the canals of her small Louisiana town. So when it came to writing, there was no question as to where to set her books. She's now writing her fourth book set in Bon Amie, a busy little town nestled in the heart of Cajun country.
She's also published a short story in The Cup Of Comfort For Teachers. The love of books and writing runs in her family, Hattie's daughter is award-winning historical romance author, Robyn DeHart. When not writing you can usually find her playing with her grandchildren or cooking up some healthy versions of tasty southern fare. She lives in central Texas with her husband and one crazy cat.
Fans of sweet small-town romance will fall in love with the characters of Bon Amie. Upcoming titles include Snow on Magnolias and Sweet Tea & Mayhaw Pie.
Sign up for Hattie Mae's newsletter here www.hattiemaeauthor.com/newsletter/
You can find her online at www.hattiemaeauthor.com
Hattie on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hattieleger....
Hattie on Twitter https://twitter.com/HattieMaeAuthor
She's also published a short story in The Cup Of Comfort For Teachers. The love of books and writing runs in her family, Hattie's daughter is award-winning historical romance author, Robyn DeHart. When not writing you can usually find her playing with her grandchildren or cooking up some healthy versions of tasty southern fare. She lives in central Texas with her husband and one crazy cat.
Fans of sweet small-town romance will fall in love with the characters of Bon Amie. Upcoming titles include Snow on Magnolias and Sweet Tea & Mayhaw Pie.
Sign up for Hattie Mae's newsletter here www.hattiemaeauthor.com/newsletter/
You can find her online at www.hattiemaeauthor.com
Hattie on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hattieleger....
Hattie on Twitter https://twitter.com/HattieMaeAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 11, 2013
I really loved this story. And I'm excited about this new series. There is a lot of downhome Cajun lifestyle and culture, including some great cooking tips. And it's all wrapped up in a complex and totally believable love story. And I don't say "totally believable" easily. There are plotpoints that typically I would find less than genuine. But Hattie Mae has a way of presenting them so authentically that I had no problem buying into the storyline. An authentic story in a very interesting and unusual setting. I'll be reading this entire series.
MAYBE SPOILERS from here on! Joelette and her sons, T-Boy and Ozamae pull more than a gator from the swamp. They find a man, near dead. They take him to MaeMae, the local healer and Joelette's mother-in-law. She's able to save his life, but not able to tell him who he is. Joelette doesn't care. She's done with men. Her low-life cheating husband died and left her single. She plans to keep it that way. But she does need a strong back to help her get her field cleared for planting mamou beans. With no money and no name, he feels he owes her for saving his life. It's just a working relationship that really works out. Lots of funny characters and local color. There's also some scary moments and a few unexpected tears. Joelette's boys are wonderful. For those who want hot sex scenes, well you won't find them here. Clean enough for your Sunday School teacher, but romantic enough for anyone between 12 and 120.
MAYBE SPOILERS from here on! Joelette and her sons, T-Boy and Ozamae pull more than a gator from the swamp. They find a man, near dead. They take him to MaeMae, the local healer and Joelette's mother-in-law. She's able to save his life, but not able to tell him who he is. Joelette doesn't care. She's done with men. Her low-life cheating husband died and left her single. She plans to keep it that way. But she does need a strong back to help her get her field cleared for planting mamou beans. With no money and no name, he feels he owes her for saving his life. It's just a working relationship that really works out. Lots of funny characters and local color. There's also some scary moments and a few unexpected tears. Joelette's boys are wonderful. For those who want hot sex scenes, well you won't find them here. Clean enough for your Sunday School teacher, but romantic enough for anyone between 12 and 120.
August 17, 2013
Just too cheesy. I skimmed the ending just to get done. It was like reading a really bad B rated movie.
May 27, 2014
Joelette Benoit's two young sons discover an unconscious man lying on the banks of their swamp. Although life has given her many reasons to distrust men, it seems Joelette has no choice but to help this one, before the alligators get him. When he turns out to have complete amnesia, his time with them is prolonged. As he appeals to her other family members with his winning ways, she does her best to convince herself that he's not growing on her too.
Although this is a contemporary novel, it comes across as historical to me at first, in the remoteness and simplicity of the Benoit family's life. The author writes lovingly of her setting, obviously well-acquainted with it. I love nothing more than when authors highlight their own unique environments in the pages of their novels. This one is embellished with folk tales and local lore, making it a very entertaining read.
Joelette's mother-in-law, MaeMae, is a wise old character, but the two boys won me over, causing me to shed a few tears. 9-year-old T-Boy is so vulnerable, in his fixed resolve to be the man of the family, while 5-year-old Ozemae has such an open-hearted, welcoming attitude to the newcomer. Joelette herself seriously annoyed me at one stage, when she jumped to a totally hare-brained and irrational conclusion. You'll know when you get there. Given what she's grown to know about Mansir after all that's happened, what the hey? At least the heroine's occasional silliness is balanced by a hero whose decent instincts are always reliable, even in the confusion of his amnesia. I don't think he ever made one move we could disapprove of.
What struck me most about this book is the contrast of the different worlds portrayed. How amazing that such completely different existences can take place on the same planet simultaneously, and neither is superior or inferior to the other. Poor Joelette almost convinced herself that her way was backward and inferior, while we readers have been talked around to know better. You can't help taking a step back to reassess your own way of living too. At least, that's what I found.
It's the sort of novel I wish had a cook book at the back! The description of all those yummy Cajun recipes was getting me hungry. I probably wouldn't have a hope of pulling off the gumbo, jambalaya, bread puddings, cornbread, collard greens and all the seafood, but I wouldn't mind trying, they sounded that good.
4.5 stars, I think.
Although this is a contemporary novel, it comes across as historical to me at first, in the remoteness and simplicity of the Benoit family's life. The author writes lovingly of her setting, obviously well-acquainted with it. I love nothing more than when authors highlight their own unique environments in the pages of their novels. This one is embellished with folk tales and local lore, making it a very entertaining read.
Joelette's mother-in-law, MaeMae, is a wise old character, but the two boys won me over, causing me to shed a few tears. 9-year-old T-Boy is so vulnerable, in his fixed resolve to be the man of the family, while 5-year-old Ozemae has such an open-hearted, welcoming attitude to the newcomer. Joelette herself seriously annoyed me at one stage, when she jumped to a totally hare-brained and irrational conclusion. You'll know when you get there. Given what she's grown to know about Mansir after all that's happened, what the hey? At least the heroine's occasional silliness is balanced by a hero whose decent instincts are always reliable, even in the confusion of his amnesia. I don't think he ever made one move we could disapprove of.
What struck me most about this book is the contrast of the different worlds portrayed. How amazing that such completely different existences can take place on the same planet simultaneously, and neither is superior or inferior to the other. Poor Joelette almost convinced herself that her way was backward and inferior, while we readers have been talked around to know better. You can't help taking a step back to reassess your own way of living too. At least, that's what I found.
It's the sort of novel I wish had a cook book at the back! The description of all those yummy Cajun recipes was getting me hungry. I probably wouldn't have a hope of pulling off the gumbo, jambalaya, bread puddings, cornbread, collard greens and all the seafood, but I wouldn't mind trying, they sounded that good.
4.5 stars, I think.
August 19, 2013
Hattie Mae’s Under the Sassafras takes readers into Bon Ami, a Cajun community deep in the Louisiana bayou country, for a different, touching love story.
Jolette Benoit calls on her Cajun grit and spunk to help her raise her two boys alone after her philandering husband dies. She and her mother-in-law MaeMae eke out a living, gathering herbs, attending to the ill, and doing what they can to care for young Ozamae and T-Boy.
On a trip into the swamp with Jollette, the boys find something unusual in the swamp—a man practically buried in mud, unconscious—who wakes with amnesia.
Jollette swore off love, and the man Ozamae names Mansir certainly isn’t a candidate, but he has nowhere to go, no resources—not even a last name.
Mansir, trapped in a cloud of confusion, wants Jollette and the life he’s never known existed, but who did he leave behind, and why? Hurting the family that saved his life just seems unavoidable if he is ever to find the answers he needs.
Hattie Mae paints a loving portrait of journeys into love of the heart—you’ll feel the attraction and need between Jollette and Mansir, but burning sex scenes have no place in the story.
Memorable characters and fascinating glimpses of Cajun tradition, spiced with longing for lasting love and the ability to trust carry the story forward, setting the stage for sequels set in Bon Ami.
Sweet and satisfying, I give Under the Sassafras 5 stars for the feelings of peace and hope it engenders—and a sense that love, real love, exists everywhere.
Even now.
Jolette Benoit calls on her Cajun grit and spunk to help her raise her two boys alone after her philandering husband dies. She and her mother-in-law MaeMae eke out a living, gathering herbs, attending to the ill, and doing what they can to care for young Ozamae and T-Boy.
On a trip into the swamp with Jollette, the boys find something unusual in the swamp—a man practically buried in mud, unconscious—who wakes with amnesia.
Jollette swore off love, and the man Ozamae names Mansir certainly isn’t a candidate, but he has nowhere to go, no resources—not even a last name.
Mansir, trapped in a cloud of confusion, wants Jollette and the life he’s never known existed, but who did he leave behind, and why? Hurting the family that saved his life just seems unavoidable if he is ever to find the answers he needs.
Hattie Mae paints a loving portrait of journeys into love of the heart—you’ll feel the attraction and need between Jollette and Mansir, but burning sex scenes have no place in the story.
Memorable characters and fascinating glimpses of Cajun tradition, spiced with longing for lasting love and the ability to trust carry the story forward, setting the stage for sequels set in Bon Ami.
Sweet and satisfying, I give Under the Sassafras 5 stars for the feelings of peace and hope it engenders—and a sense that love, real love, exists everywhere.
Even now.
May 19, 2014
Kind of middle-of-the-road for me...
I don't feel like I really connected with any of the characters, and I personally just have a hard time getting into a book with too much regional dialect. The dialect is not near as heavy as others I have read, but it's still a negative for me. I also felt like the story just left me scratching my head - we jump all over the place with Mansir's conflict resolution. An unreal story just became even more unreal.
There were also quite a few editing errors - missing words & wrong/misspelled words.
I don't feel like I really connected with any of the characters, and I personally just have a hard time getting into a book with too much regional dialect. The dialect is not near as heavy as others I have read, but it's still a negative for me. I also felt like the story just left me scratching my head - we jump all over the place with Mansir's conflict resolution. An unreal story just became even more unreal.
There were also quite a few editing errors - missing words & wrong/misspelled words.
June 5, 2021
Yes this is a bit cheesy but I really liked it. A broken woman with 2 sons eking out a living in Cajun country. She has dreams but not a lot of money. Her sons come across a man in the bayou with a head wound and barely breathing. Who is he? Where did he come from? A sweet love story and colorful characters.
August 1, 2021
A super Read
I took a chance and decided to read this book. Was not sure if it would be my cup of tea? Once past the first few chapters realized I was having a full blown meal!
I took a chance and decided to read this book. Was not sure if it would be my cup of tea? Once past the first few chapters realized I was having a full blown meal!
January 16, 2022
I really liked it and I was happy that it was a clean book. I hope who ever reads this review will give this book a chance.
March 7, 2022
Great story
I was raised in Louisiana so this was a little like going home. Real.people and real places. I loved every minute of this book
I was raised in Louisiana so this was a little like going home. Real.people and real places. I loved every minute of this book
October 1, 2022
Great Read
I had a hard time putting this one down. I fell in love with Mansir! It left me wanting more.
I had a hard time putting this one down. I fell in love with Mansir! It left me wanting more.
April 29, 2014
"AIEEE"! Under the Sassafras by Hattie Mae is fantastic!
I loved Bon Amie, a small cajun community nestled between the Atchafalaya Basin and Sugar Island, Louisiana. It is ripe with southern charm and wonderful characters.
I absolutely adored the characters and the simplicity in which they lived their life.
MaeMae, is the grandmother and the local traiteur (local healer aka witch doctor). She has vast amounts of love, wisdom, and good food to share with anyone in need.
Joelette Benoit, a wonderful mother that has had her trust in men shattered. She protects her heart and her boys with fierce determination and is unwilling to consider letting anyone break through her defenses. Keeping her family safe is her number one priority.
T-Boy- Joelette's oldest son. This kid broke my heart. He has been through so much and his pain and confusion about life is apparent.
Ozmae- The sweetest little boy ever! He rescues broken animals and looks at the world with such innocence and faith. The complete opposite of his older brother T-Boy.
Mansir- Named by Ozmae. He is cared for by this wonderful family and introduced to life in the Bayou. In the process of healing he discovers that who he can become may be more important than who he was or where he comes from.
Possum- A loyal friend of the family. I loved Possum's happy outlook on life and his determination to find himself a wife.
The story of these amazing characters made me laugh, shed a few tears, and wish that I could visit them in the Bayou and enjoy some of MaeMae's cooking.
I read some reviews that stated that the ending is a cliff hanger. I didn't find that to be the case. I felt like the ending was a good conclusion to the story and that it leads you to the assumption that all is well in Bon Amie. At the end I was smiling from ear to ear and craving a big ole bowl of gumbo,
I was so impressed with the story that I sent, this new to me author, a message on Twitter telling her how much I enjoyed it and how it left me with a fierce craving for some gumbo. Mrs. Hattie Mae is such a sweetheart that she offered to mail me her gumbo recipe. I'm so excited to receive it and can't wait to cook up a big ole pot of gumbo!
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a warm hearted clean romance that is full of southern charm. Hattie Mae is an author that I hope to read many more books from.
I've already purchased book two in the Bon Amie Series, SNOW ON MAGNOLIAS, and signed up for updates for any new releases from this fantastic author.
Download UNDER THE SASSAFRAS today for FREE and enjoy your trip to Bon Amie!
"He turned out to be a man with dreams in his heart and lies on his lips." - Under the Sassafras by Hattie Mae
"One thing I know is that you can be at peace wherever you are, if the world's right with you and you are right with the world." -MaeMae's wisdom; Under the Sassafras by Hattie Mae
"We decided to make you stay. We have money. More money than you have, I bet. Look in the bag." T-Boy crossed his arms over his puffed out chest. Mansir opened the bag and couldn't believe his eyes. He pulled out a small piggy bank. "That's from me," Ozamae said. "It's got a gazillion dollars in that bank." ---"I told you there was a lot of money. Will that do? Is it enough to make you stay?" --T-Boy and Ozamea; Under the Sassafras by Hattie Mae
I loved Bon Amie, a small cajun community nestled between the Atchafalaya Basin and Sugar Island, Louisiana. It is ripe with southern charm and wonderful characters.
I absolutely adored the characters and the simplicity in which they lived their life.
MaeMae, is the grandmother and the local traiteur (local healer aka witch doctor). She has vast amounts of love, wisdom, and good food to share with anyone in need.
Joelette Benoit, a wonderful mother that has had her trust in men shattered. She protects her heart and her boys with fierce determination and is unwilling to consider letting anyone break through her defenses. Keeping her family safe is her number one priority.
T-Boy- Joelette's oldest son. This kid broke my heart. He has been through so much and his pain and confusion about life is apparent.
Ozmae- The sweetest little boy ever! He rescues broken animals and looks at the world with such innocence and faith. The complete opposite of his older brother T-Boy.
Mansir- Named by Ozmae. He is cared for by this wonderful family and introduced to life in the Bayou. In the process of healing he discovers that who he can become may be more important than who he was or where he comes from.
Possum- A loyal friend of the family. I loved Possum's happy outlook on life and his determination to find himself a wife.
The story of these amazing characters made me laugh, shed a few tears, and wish that I could visit them in the Bayou and enjoy some of MaeMae's cooking.
I read some reviews that stated that the ending is a cliff hanger. I didn't find that to be the case. I felt like the ending was a good conclusion to the story and that it leads you to the assumption that all is well in Bon Amie. At the end I was smiling from ear to ear and craving a big ole bowl of gumbo,
I was so impressed with the story that I sent, this new to me author, a message on Twitter telling her how much I enjoyed it and how it left me with a fierce craving for some gumbo. Mrs. Hattie Mae is such a sweetheart that she offered to mail me her gumbo recipe. I'm so excited to receive it and can't wait to cook up a big ole pot of gumbo!
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a warm hearted clean romance that is full of southern charm. Hattie Mae is an author that I hope to read many more books from.
I've already purchased book two in the Bon Amie Series, SNOW ON MAGNOLIAS, and signed up for updates for any new releases from this fantastic author.
Download UNDER THE SASSAFRAS today for FREE and enjoy your trip to Bon Amie!
"He turned out to be a man with dreams in his heart and lies on his lips." - Under the Sassafras by Hattie Mae
"One thing I know is that you can be at peace wherever you are, if the world's right with you and you are right with the world." -MaeMae's wisdom; Under the Sassafras by Hattie Mae
"We decided to make you stay. We have money. More money than you have, I bet. Look in the bag." T-Boy crossed his arms over his puffed out chest. Mansir opened the bag and couldn't believe his eyes. He pulled out a small piggy bank. "That's from me," Ozamae said. "It's got a gazillion dollars in that bank." ---"I told you there was a lot of money. Will that do? Is it enough to make you stay?" --T-Boy and Ozamea; Under the Sassafras by Hattie Mae
May 20, 2014
"Under the Sassafras" is a sweet romantic tale filled with Southern charm. It is a true romance and not erotica for those of you who care.
Joelette is a Cajun woman living on the Southern Louisiana Bayou with her two sons and mother-in-law. Her husband died several years prior and she is doing what she can to make ins meet by selling tea she grows and sewing for others. Then, one day she and her boys stumble upon an injured man in the swamp. Her youngest son, Ozamae insists they help him and bring him home. When they arrive at the house Joelette's mother-in-law, MaeMae, helps to heal the stranger. However, when he awakens two days later he is suffering from amnesia. So, as he tries to remember his past, Ozamae names him Mansir.
Mansir earns his keep around the house by making repairs and helping Joelette plow up the field to plant seeds. One day after dropping Joelette's oldest son, T-boy on the bus something terrible occurs. The bus has an accident that leaves it in the precarious position of possibly falling into the river. Mansir immediately goes onto the bus and rescues the children. Due to his bravery, he becomes front page news. Sure enough he is recognized by none other than his sister. What will follow will have dire consequences for the budding romance building between Mansir and Joelette.
What makes this story so interesting and compelling is it's simplicity. In a literary world filled with so many high class elite people, it is refreshing to read a story about the common man who has and values everything in their lives. There is no pretentiousness or selfishness just down home folks who know how to band together for the common good of their community. I for one laughed out loud at some many things but also loved the tale of this simple life.
If this sounds like something you would've, check it out. It is currently being offered for free on Amazon.com.
Joelette is a Cajun woman living on the Southern Louisiana Bayou with her two sons and mother-in-law. Her husband died several years prior and she is doing what she can to make ins meet by selling tea she grows and sewing for others. Then, one day she and her boys stumble upon an injured man in the swamp. Her youngest son, Ozamae insists they help him and bring him home. When they arrive at the house Joelette's mother-in-law, MaeMae, helps to heal the stranger. However, when he awakens two days later he is suffering from amnesia. So, as he tries to remember his past, Ozamae names him Mansir.
Mansir earns his keep around the house by making repairs and helping Joelette plow up the field to plant seeds. One day after dropping Joelette's oldest son, T-boy on the bus something terrible occurs. The bus has an accident that leaves it in the precarious position of possibly falling into the river. Mansir immediately goes onto the bus and rescues the children. Due to his bravery, he becomes front page news. Sure enough he is recognized by none other than his sister. What will follow will have dire consequences for the budding romance building between Mansir and Joelette.
What makes this story so interesting and compelling is it's simplicity. In a literary world filled with so many high class elite people, it is refreshing to read a story about the common man who has and values everything in their lives. There is no pretentiousness or selfishness just down home folks who know how to band together for the common good of their community. I for one laughed out loud at some many things but also loved the tale of this simple life.
If this sounds like something you would've, check it out. It is currently being offered for free on Amazon.com.
August 15, 2013
Posted on What I'm Reading
I received an opportunity to read Under the Sassafras by Hattie Mae. I must say that this was a really sweet story about love and learning to trust again.
Joelette Benoit and her sons find an injured man in the swamp and take him back to their home. They help him nurse him back to somewhat health. After all, he can't remember who he is or where he came from. Joelette and her family take care of him, and he slowly worms his way into their hearts.
Joelette is a stubborn, strong-willed cajun woman who has been hurt in the past. So, he's a bit leery when it comes to the man. Poor guy, can't remember who he is, so they end up calling him Mansir. Mansir starts to tear down their fortress around their hearts. Even though Mansir would like to know where he came from, but at the same time he's a little afraid of what he might remember.
Overall, a wholesome read. A sweet story about two people learning to trust once again and healing past scars. So, if you are looking for a clean sweet read, you might want to give Under the Sassafras a try.
Copy provided by the author
I received an opportunity to read Under the Sassafras by Hattie Mae. I must say that this was a really sweet story about love and learning to trust again.
Joelette Benoit and her sons find an injured man in the swamp and take him back to their home. They help him nurse him back to somewhat health. After all, he can't remember who he is or where he came from. Joelette and her family take care of him, and he slowly worms his way into their hearts.
Joelette is a stubborn, strong-willed cajun woman who has been hurt in the past. So, he's a bit leery when it comes to the man. Poor guy, can't remember who he is, so they end up calling him Mansir. Mansir starts to tear down their fortress around their hearts. Even though Mansir would like to know where he came from, but at the same time he's a little afraid of what he might remember.
Overall, a wholesome read. A sweet story about two people learning to trust once again and healing past scars. So, if you are looking for a clean sweet read, you might want to give Under the Sassafras a try.
Copy provided by the author
June 13, 2014
Under the Sassafras is by Hattie Mae. This book was hard to get into and slow going at times.
Joelette and her sons find a man in the swamp. He is unconscious and has nothing with him to identify him. They take him home to Maemaw (Joelette’s mother-in-law) for her to help him enough to get him to the doctor. She doctors him and when he regains consciousness, he cannot remember who he is or how he came to be here. The next day, Joelette takes him to the doctor. Doc tells him he could regain his memory soon or may not regain it at all. Until they find out who he is or he remembers, Doc manages to get Joelette to agree to let him stay with them. Her youngest son, Ozamae is delighted and names him “Mansir”. Her oldest son T-Boy does not want him to stay for fear he will take his father’s place,
Mansir agrees to help Joelette clear a field in return for allowing him to stay with them. He does minor repairs around the property as well. He finds out that he can whittle and carve intricate pieces out of wood scraps. The longer he stays, the greater the attraction grows between Joelette and “Mansir”.
Who is he? Is he a danger to Joelette and her family? Will he regain his memory?
Joelette and her sons find a man in the swamp. He is unconscious and has nothing with him to identify him. They take him home to Maemaw (Joelette’s mother-in-law) for her to help him enough to get him to the doctor. She doctors him and when he regains consciousness, he cannot remember who he is or how he came to be here. The next day, Joelette takes him to the doctor. Doc tells him he could regain his memory soon or may not regain it at all. Until they find out who he is or he remembers, Doc manages to get Joelette to agree to let him stay with them. Her youngest son, Ozamae is delighted and names him “Mansir”. Her oldest son T-Boy does not want him to stay for fear he will take his father’s place,
Mansir agrees to help Joelette clear a field in return for allowing him to stay with them. He does minor repairs around the property as well. He finds out that he can whittle and carve intricate pieces out of wood scraps. The longer he stays, the greater the attraction grows between Joelette and “Mansir”.
Who is he? Is he a danger to Joelette and her family? Will he regain his memory?
June 1, 2014
Love is worth waiting for.
Love is worth waiting for.
The only reason this book doesn't get a five star rating is because of spelling errors, some grammar mistakes, and the failure of the page turning mechanism to work correctly a number of times. The story is a wonderful tale full of Cajun culture, the satisfaction of working hard, playing hard, the goodness found in helping others, forgiveness, learning how to be unafraid to keep looking for real love, and that you can start over again. This author has an excellent way of conveying the feeling of love without getting into the unsavoury descriptions so prevalent in many romances. It is so much more effective to show the beauty of love this way. The lasting feelings are so much more uplifting. Thank you.
Love is worth waiting for.
The only reason this book doesn't get a five star rating is because of spelling errors, some grammar mistakes, and the failure of the page turning mechanism to work correctly a number of times. The story is a wonderful tale full of Cajun culture, the satisfaction of working hard, playing hard, the goodness found in helping others, forgiveness, learning how to be unafraid to keep looking for real love, and that you can start over again. This author has an excellent way of conveying the feeling of love without getting into the unsavoury descriptions so prevalent in many romances. It is so much more effective to show the beauty of love this way. The lasting feelings are so much more uplifting. Thank you.
October 5, 2013
Truly Heart Warming!
I LOVED this book!! It touched my heart in many ways. I laughed, I cried and felt true devotion and unconditional love. I cannot wait to read the next book by Hattie Mae!
Never having lived in Louisiana Bayou country, I wondered if I would be able to visualize it, to become interested in the way of life there. Within the first few pages, not only could I see it in my mind's eye, but I felt drawn into the area, the town and the characters' lives so strongly, it was easy to feel I was there taking part in it rather than reading the book. The main characters are strong, endearing and unforgettable. I highly recommend this book!
I LOVED this book!! It touched my heart in many ways. I laughed, I cried and felt true devotion and unconditional love. I cannot wait to read the next book by Hattie Mae!
Never having lived in Louisiana Bayou country, I wondered if I would be able to visualize it, to become interested in the way of life there. Within the first few pages, not only could I see it in my mind's eye, but I felt drawn into the area, the town and the characters' lives so strongly, it was easy to feel I was there taking part in it rather than reading the book. The main characters are strong, endearing and unforgettable. I highly recommend this book!
May 11, 2014
Nice story
Really sweet story of a young widowed single mother living in the bayou of Louisiana. They find a stranger man unconscious on the banks of the swamp. This romance is well-written and engaging. The author does a nice job with the imagery. I especially enjoyed reading about the Louisiana bayou. While the writing was great, there were at least twenty typos, such as the word "tilted" instead of "filled". However the writing was strong enough that it did not distract significantly. Overall I recommend this lovely romance. Also language and themes are wholesome and are fine for my teens to read.
Really sweet story of a young widowed single mother living in the bayou of Louisiana. They find a stranger man unconscious on the banks of the swamp. This romance is well-written and engaging. The author does a nice job with the imagery. I especially enjoyed reading about the Louisiana bayou. While the writing was great, there were at least twenty typos, such as the word "tilted" instead of "filled". However the writing was strong enough that it did not distract significantly. Overall I recommend this lovely romance. Also language and themes are wholesome and are fine for my teens to read.
January 1, 2015
Finding an unconscious person in your backyard; when he regains conscious, he suffers from amnesia. Single widowed mother of two boys, down on love, wanting nothing to do with the situation. A widowed mother-in-law; an untrusting little boy and another who loves openly and with passion. All five of them are good, wonderful people, but yet their lives and hearts makes them do the right thing.
This was a Kindle free book, and I am glad to have read it. It supports my belief that most people are good and will do the right thing.
This was a Kindle free book, and I am glad to have read it. It supports my belief that most people are good and will do the right thing.
July 14, 2013
This is a lovely, charming southern book with a cast full of endearing characters. It has the right mixture of humor and poignancy. I fell in love with the whole Benoit family and the hero is definitely a man to fall in love with, he's so gentle and kind. The author did a wonderful job creating the Louisiana atmosphere and the Cajun culture. And the food! Oh, I've never been so hungry reading a book before. Yum! I loved it. Brava, Ms. Mae.
June 26, 2014
I really loved this book. When it was over, I was left wishing that there were a little more. However, I am hopefully that everything worked out for the characters. I loved seeing Joelette and her family as they became attached the the stranger that they had found. I also enjoyed seeing William/Mansir find himself and find out where home really was. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more work by this author.
May 22, 2014
I seem to have developed a soft spot in my heart for books set in the bayou. Hattie Mae's book is my favorite in that subgenre so far since it delves deep into the culture, but spoonfeeds us the information in an entertaining culture. The characters are delightful, the romance sweet, and the setting vibrant. Highly recommended!
May 25, 2014
Lively and charming, a wonderful combination!
Lively and charming, a wonderful combination!
A book with the charm of the colorful and vibrant Louisiana bayou; as well as characters both lively, heartfelt, and as colorful as the story and its setting. To the point, a satisfying and engaging read.
Lively and charming, a wonderful combination!
A book with the charm of the colorful and vibrant Louisiana bayou; as well as characters both lively, heartfelt, and as colorful as the story and its setting. To the point, a satisfying and engaging read.
February 15, 2015
I liked the story but this kindle edition (not sure about the print version) is in serious need of some editing. Unfortunately it kept tripping me up and I'd have to set is aside for a bit to get over it (a bit OCD perhaps). I do plan to read the sequels but sure hope they are in better shape.
May be a little too sappy and sweet for some.
May be a little too sappy and sweet for some.
February 24, 2015
This is a great romance by Hattie Mae. The story starts out in the Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana. Where a woman finds an unconscious man in the swamps, who does not remember anything about himself or where he came from. This is a very good cross between a romance and a mystery that I enjoyed very much.
May 15, 2014
Southern Comfort on a Kindle:)
Faith and trust--a good summary for this novel. Even when our lives don't turn out as we expect and seem beyond repair, the Lord has a bigger plan for us. We just need to have faith and trust Him. Loved the book.
Faith and trust--a good summary for this novel. Even when our lives don't turn out as we expect and seem beyond repair, the Lord has a bigger plan for us. We just need to have faith and trust Him. Loved the book.
May 17, 2014
Under the zzz Sassafras
A stranger suffering from amnesia is rescued by a Cajun widow Anand her two sons. Will she be able to overcome her trust issues? Will the secrets of his past pull him away from the bayou country?
A stranger suffering from amnesia is rescued by a Cajun widow Anand her two sons. Will she be able to overcome her trust issues? Will the secrets of his past pull him away from the bayou country?
May 26, 2014
Great book
the book has many twists and turns in every chapter. keeps you wanting to skip ahead to see what happens next. wish it was longer with more of what their lives would turn out. very v well written.
the book has many twists and turns in every chapter. keeps you wanting to skip ahead to see what happens next. wish it was longer with more of what their lives would turn out. very v well written.
June 10, 2014
I really loved this book. The characters are wonderful, the kind you feel you'd like to really know. There were some spelling and punctuation errors every so often, but overall it was a wonderful story and I look forward to reading more by this author.
June 19, 2014
A very good read
A very good read
I don't know when I have read a book I have enjoyed as much as this one. It took me down the bayou in my mind and was just as real as if I were really there. I didn't want the story to end. I highly recommend this read.
A very good read
I don't know when I have read a book I have enjoyed as much as this one. It took me down the bayou in my mind and was just as real as if I were really there. I didn't want the story to end. I highly recommend this read.
December 13, 2014
I loved this story! It caught my attention and held on to it until the very end. I am looking forward to reading other books in the series. The author's style of writing was easy to follow and the story was believable.
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