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Blood of My Blood #1
Villere House
"This epic tale spanning past and present will have you on the edge of your seat. Set in a world of Voodoo, spirits, and the historic locale of New Orleans, Villere House is deliciously spooky and romantic." ~ Tracey Garvis Graves, author of the New York Times bestseller, On The Island and Covet.
College senior, Lottie Boyd, expects to drink too much while on spring break in New Orleans. What she doesn't expect is to be haunted. Or fall in love. But that's exactly what happens.
It starts with strange, vivid dreams about a 19th century widow so desperate to save her sick little girl, she's willing to do anything--even if it involves the black magic of Voodoo. It doesn't end there. Voices, ghost sightings, familiarity with things and places she couldn't possibly know. All leading her to the Villere House of Voodoo and the young Creole owner, Xavier Villere.
Xavier is compelled to help and is drawn to Lottie in a way he's never known, but skepticism of his family's century-old link to Voodoo and the occult keep her at arms length. If he can only come to terms with his heritage, he might be able to help solve the mystery of the widow plaguing Lottie's dreams. And maybe even find love in the process.
Note: Villere House is an adult romance and not suitable for readers under 18.
College senior, Lottie Boyd, expects to drink too much while on spring break in New Orleans. What she doesn't expect is to be haunted. Or fall in love. But that's exactly what happens.
It starts with strange, vivid dreams about a 19th century widow so desperate to save her sick little girl, she's willing to do anything--even if it involves the black magic of Voodoo. It doesn't end there. Voices, ghost sightings, familiarity with things and places she couldn't possibly know. All leading her to the Villere House of Voodoo and the young Creole owner, Xavier Villere.
Xavier is compelled to help and is drawn to Lottie in a way he's never known, but skepticism of his family's century-old link to Voodoo and the occult keep her at arms length. If he can only come to terms with his heritage, he might be able to help solve the mystery of the widow plaguing Lottie's dreams. And maybe even find love in the process.
Note: Villere House is an adult romance and not suitable for readers under 18.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2013
14 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Fear
10 books200 followersLeslie began writing in college, creating short stories for friends, family or whoever wanted to read her paranormal romance stories. They’re her favorite genre, and you’ll never read anything without a supernatural spin.
Leslie is also the host of "Because I Wanna Know" podcast, where she chats with guests who have unique occupations or life experiences. Like a mortician, a near death experiencer, paranormal investigators, even a woman who escaped from a religious cult! You can find her on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Leslie lives in Texas with her husband, son and daughter, and two very silly pugs.
Leslie is also the host of "Because I Wanna Know" podcast, where she chats with guests who have unique occupations or life experiences. Like a mortician, a near death experiencer, paranormal investigators, even a woman who escaped from a religious cult! You can find her on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Leslie lives in Texas with her husband, son and daughter, and two very silly pugs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
November 25, 2019
in which karen gives urban fantasy/paranormal romance another shot!!
with much the same outcome: i can see the appeal and it's fun but i will probably never become one of those people who reads it regularly. but i do like dipping my toes in every once in a while, to keep those readers' advisory skills moist.
for me, this genre is like the sophisticated version of monsterporn. although please to be noting: the relationship in this book is purely human-on-human with some ghostly assistance, but the paranormal elements are more like matchmakers than participants. mostly. mostly. and this isn't a particularly erotic book. meaning - your mom can read it as long as she doesn't mind a little sex. and she had you, so she's probably okay with it. sorry if i just caused upsetting mental images. here - look at this until they pass:
so!!! this book takes place in new orleans
like many books of this type do, because its permissive alcohol policies make you less freaked out when you encounter the paranormal, and makes it easier to fall in love with them. or at least into bed.
but so lottie is having her spring break here, with two other girls. but the two other girls are really embracing the spirit of new orleans and spring break, while lottie is kind of more chaperone than spring break woo.
she was orphaned as a teenager and came up through the foster care system, which has made her a little more cautious than her traveling companions. but then she meets a guy with the scrabble-valuable name xavier villere, and she also begins having vivid sequential dreams with historical details she couldn't possibly know and things start getting a little spooky when they carry into her waking world. like, water starts talking to her.
GET YOUR FUCKING ELBOW OFF OF ME!
no, but seriously, folks.
so xavier comes from a family big in the voodoo community (also, unlike so many romance novels' ideas of what an attractive man is, this one actually sounds hot. i'd be into him.) so it becomes
a little bit of this:
and a little bit of this:
a little bit of this:
nooo! that is a different book!
and like - half a second of this:
because it's new orleans!
and so it becomes this great mystery/horror/romance mashup: what do her dreams signify and who were her people and why are all these spooky things happening and should she kiss this boy?
but even though it is not my usual genre, i liked it. the romance element is handled well - the characters are likable and their reservations are natural and it's neither wild passionate silliness nor obstacles-for-the-sake-of-obstacles. you want these crazy kids to get together. yeah, there are the stock romance conveniences of the two characters being hot AND financially well-off AND kind AND driven, but it's fantasy - they're gonna be better than most people, otherwise it would be like reading your own diary. and your diary doesn't have ghosts.
so, yes - if this is your genre of choice, i would say give it a shot because i dug it, so why not?
oh, but be careful of papa legba - he'll put a wire up on you!
which is only a funny joke if you watch the same combination of shows i watch.
come to my blog!
with much the same outcome: i can see the appeal and it's fun but i will probably never become one of those people who reads it regularly. but i do like dipping my toes in every once in a while, to keep those readers' advisory skills moist.
for me, this genre is like the sophisticated version of monsterporn. although please to be noting: the relationship in this book is purely human-on-human with some ghostly assistance, but the paranormal elements are more like matchmakers than participants. mostly. mostly. and this isn't a particularly erotic book. meaning - your mom can read it as long as she doesn't mind a little sex. and she had you, so she's probably okay with it. sorry if i just caused upsetting mental images. here - look at this until they pass:
so!!! this book takes place in new orleans
like many books of this type do, because its permissive alcohol policies make you less freaked out when you encounter the paranormal, and makes it easier to fall in love with them. or at least into bed.
but so lottie is having her spring break here, with two other girls. but the two other girls are really embracing the spirit of new orleans and spring break, while lottie is kind of more chaperone than spring break woo.
she was orphaned as a teenager and came up through the foster care system, which has made her a little more cautious than her traveling companions. but then she meets a guy with the scrabble-valuable name xavier villere, and she also begins having vivid sequential dreams with historical details she couldn't possibly know and things start getting a little spooky when they carry into her waking world. like, water starts talking to her.
GET YOUR FUCKING ELBOW OFF OF ME!
no, but seriously, folks.
so xavier comes from a family big in the voodoo community (also, unlike so many romance novels' ideas of what an attractive man is, this one actually sounds hot. i'd be into him.) so it becomes
a little bit of this:
and a little bit of this:
a little bit of this:
nooo! that is a different book!
and like - half a second of this:
because it's new orleans!
and so it becomes this great mystery/horror/romance mashup: what do her dreams signify and who were her people and why are all these spooky things happening and should she kiss this boy?
but even though it is not my usual genre, i liked it. the romance element is handled well - the characters are likable and their reservations are natural and it's neither wild passionate silliness nor obstacles-for-the-sake-of-obstacles. you want these crazy kids to get together. yeah, there are the stock romance conveniences of the two characters being hot AND financially well-off AND kind AND driven, but it's fantasy - they're gonna be better than most people, otherwise it would be like reading your own diary. and your diary doesn't have ghosts.
so, yes - if this is your genre of choice, i would say give it a shot because i dug it, so why not?
oh, but be careful of papa legba - he'll put a wire up on you!
which is only a funny joke if you watch the same combination of shows i watch.
come to my blog!
April 20, 2015
5 Voodoo stars!!!
Anyone who knows me, knows I don’t do scary. I like dark and twisted reads with broken people, but anything spooky you can count me out. It’s safe to say anything about ghosts, spirits, voodoo etc. wouldn’t be my type of book. Normally, I wouldn’t give this type of book a go, but I’m so glad I did. Full of suspense, mystery, romance and all kinds of paranormal things. Was it a little creepy? Yes. But it wasn’t too scary for me. I would classify it more like a paranormal/suspenseful romance and less horror. It was unique, unpredictable, entertaining and refreshing.
Lottie Boyd is on spring break in New Orleans with her two college friends. She’s supposed to be having some fun, but ever since she arrived at the city, these dreams have haunted her. Except they don’t feel like dreams. They feel real. The dreams are set in New Orleans in a much different time. Lottie doesn’t feel like she’s dreaming about Elise. She feels like she IS Elise. Elise is a widowed mother with a sick child. She is willing to do anything to get her child well, including a Voodoo ritual to make her well again. After experiencing these dreams and some other strange things, Lottie decides to do some digging. It’s getting to the point where she’s afraid of her dreams.
Maybe going to one of the local Voodoo places will shed some light on the situation. There, she meets Xavier.
Xavier Villere has grown up in New Orleans with the Voodoo culture. He is a bit disbelieving and cynical when it comes to believing in that stuff, but Lottie may be one to change all that. When she first tells him about her dreams/flashbacks, he’s skeptical. When her dreams start including Laurent Villere, things change.
Not only do the dreams continue for Lottie, but they get much more intense. Xavier and Lottie try to figure out what the dreams could possibly mean. Elise and Laurent. Lottie and Xavier. The stories intertwine. There are signs, she just has to figure out what the signs mean. And she needs Xavier’s help for that. With everything going on, Lottie and Xavier develop a bond. Xavier has this need to protect her, keep her safe, but he can’t deny the feelings he’s starting to develop for her.
Xavier is a stand up guy and a swoonworthy leading man. He has character, he’s kind and charming. No matter if he believed Lottie or not, he had to help her. It’s just his nature.
As things with the couple progress in present time, secrets from the past come to light. Things get confusing for this couple when the flashbacks start invading Xavier as well.
I was captivated by this story from the start, and as the end drew near, I was biting my nails to see how it would all turn out...
Villere House is not your traditional romance story. It’s full of paranormal mystery, but the two separate yet intertwining romances made it interesting. The authors did a wonderful job mixing the present day with the past story lines. While reading, I actually felt like I was in New Orleans. The book is rich with the culture of this city. A well written and entertaining story. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a paranormal/mysterious romance with a historical feel to it. I very much enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to book 2 in the series, which will focus on the other Villere brother.
**ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review**
Anyone who knows me, knows I don’t do scary. I like dark and twisted reads with broken people, but anything spooky you can count me out. It’s safe to say anything about ghosts, spirits, voodoo etc. wouldn’t be my type of book. Normally, I wouldn’t give this type of book a go, but I’m so glad I did. Full of suspense, mystery, romance and all kinds of paranormal things. Was it a little creepy? Yes. But it wasn’t too scary for me. I would classify it more like a paranormal/suspenseful romance and less horror. It was unique, unpredictable, entertaining and refreshing.
Lottie Boyd is on spring break in New Orleans with her two college friends. She’s supposed to be having some fun, but ever since she arrived at the city, these dreams have haunted her. Except they don’t feel like dreams. They feel real. The dreams are set in New Orleans in a much different time. Lottie doesn’t feel like she’s dreaming about Elise. She feels like she IS Elise. Elise is a widowed mother with a sick child. She is willing to do anything to get her child well, including a Voodoo ritual to make her well again. After experiencing these dreams and some other strange things, Lottie decides to do some digging. It’s getting to the point where she’s afraid of her dreams.
Maybe going to one of the local Voodoo places will shed some light on the situation. There, she meets Xavier.
Xavier Villere has grown up in New Orleans with the Voodoo culture. He is a bit disbelieving and cynical when it comes to believing in that stuff, but Lottie may be one to change all that. When she first tells him about her dreams/flashbacks, he’s skeptical. When her dreams start including Laurent Villere, things change.
Not only do the dreams continue for Lottie, but they get much more intense. Xavier and Lottie try to figure out what the dreams could possibly mean. Elise and Laurent. Lottie and Xavier. The stories intertwine. There are signs, she just has to figure out what the signs mean. And she needs Xavier’s help for that. With everything going on, Lottie and Xavier develop a bond. Xavier has this need to protect her, keep her safe, but he can’t deny the feelings he’s starting to develop for her.
Xavier is a stand up guy and a swoonworthy leading man. He has character, he’s kind and charming. No matter if he believed Lottie or not, he had to help her. It’s just his nature.
“What are you doing here? I thought I told you-”
“I know,” he interjected quietly. “But this is the man I am, Lottie. I can’t sit by and watch those I care about suffer. Not when I might be able to help. I realize it can be stifling, but I can’t be any other way.”
As things with the couple progress in present time, secrets from the past come to light. Things get confusing for this couple when the flashbacks start invading Xavier as well.
Was it him she kissed? Or Laurent? Was she acting as Elise or herself? He had no idea.
I was captivated by this story from the start, and as the end drew near, I was biting my nails to see how it would all turn out...
Villere House is not your traditional romance story. It’s full of paranormal mystery, but the two separate yet intertwining romances made it interesting. The authors did a wonderful job mixing the present day with the past story lines. While reading, I actually felt like I was in New Orleans. The book is rich with the culture of this city. A well written and entertaining story. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a paranormal/mysterious romance with a historical feel to it. I very much enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to book 2 in the series, which will focus on the other Villere brother.
**ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review**
February 15, 2014
I LOVED IT!!! <3 <3 REVIEW TO COME!!
ARC kindly provided by author in return for an honest review
ARC kindly provided by author in return for an honest review
December 25, 2013
Disclosure: I am both a Facebook and a Goodreads friend of the author.
When Lottie arrives in New Orleans she is fully expecting a few days of drinking too much and partying. But an evil spirit and a centuries old curse are hanging over her head. With the help of Xavier, the owner of a shop selling voodoo souvenirs to tourists and a French speaking ghost who visits her in her dreams, she begins to unravel the mystery. But the voodoo queen won't easily surrender what she has and the price she demands might be more than Lottie can pay.
Villere House is an old school ghost story, well written and entertaining with just the right amount of creepy. There was even one moment which seriously freaked me out.
Totally loved this book.
Added: December 25, 2013
Hooray for me!!!
When Lottie arrives in New Orleans she is fully expecting a few days of drinking too much and partying. But an evil spirit and a centuries old curse are hanging over her head. With the help of Xavier, the owner of a shop selling voodoo souvenirs to tourists and a French speaking ghost who visits her in her dreams, she begins to unravel the mystery. But the voodoo queen won't easily surrender what she has and the price she demands might be more than Lottie can pay.
Villere House is an old school ghost story, well written and entertaining with just the right amount of creepy. There was even one moment which seriously freaked me out.
Totally loved this book.
Added: December 25, 2013
Hooray for me!!!
December 5, 2014
What a kickass book. This author had an interesting way of telling this story...switching back and forth between the past and present. Sometimes, it bothers me to go back to the past because I'm too interested in the present story, but with this book, each time period was equally fascinating. I loved being either place.
To be quite honest, the idea of Voodoo squicks me out. I don't know if I believe in it or not, but the evil spirits that seem to accompany any Voodoo story scares me much more than any monster book ever can. There is definitely something evil in Villere House, and Lottie inadvertently stumbles upon it. Or, to be quite honest, most likely is led back to Villere House through her dreams. The opening scene is a hook...it instantly grabbed my attention and made me sit up and take notice.
Xavier is a great hero in that he's not only hot, but he's protective of the fairer sex...almost old fashioned in that way. And thank goodness for Lottie that he is. Their relationship is a scary one, and the way the author weaves the past and present stories had me scratching my head at times, but when it all comes to a head and the truth is revealed, I couldn't help but get that bubbly, excited feeling that always accompanies an "aha!" moment.
The romance adds a balance to the scare factor. I kind of wish it had manifested a little sooner, but I have no idea how, so it's quite possibly exactly where it needs to be. Somewhere amid the voices coming from running water, to the ultra spooky and realistic dreams, to the feeling of evil permeating the air to the possessions, Lottie and Xavier find the time to act on their attraction to each other. It was handled really well, and considering their ages, I was surprised at how mature they both came across.
This was a great little surprise for me. An author to watch out for, for sure!!
Copy provided by the author for review.
To be quite honest, the idea of Voodoo squicks me out. I don't know if I believe in it or not, but the evil spirits that seem to accompany any Voodoo story scares me much more than any monster book ever can. There is definitely something evil in Villere House, and Lottie inadvertently stumbles upon it. Or, to be quite honest, most likely is led back to Villere House through her dreams. The opening scene is a hook...it instantly grabbed my attention and made me sit up and take notice.
Xavier is a great hero in that he's not only hot, but he's protective of the fairer sex...almost old fashioned in that way. And thank goodness for Lottie that he is. Their relationship is a scary one, and the way the author weaves the past and present stories had me scratching my head at times, but when it all comes to a head and the truth is revealed, I couldn't help but get that bubbly, excited feeling that always accompanies an "aha!" moment.
The romance adds a balance to the scare factor. I kind of wish it had manifested a little sooner, but I have no idea how, so it's quite possibly exactly where it needs to be. Somewhere amid the voices coming from running water, to the ultra spooky and realistic dreams, to the feeling of evil permeating the air to the possessions, Lottie and Xavier find the time to act on their attraction to each other. It was handled really well, and considering their ages, I was surprised at how mature they both came across.
This was a great little surprise for me. An author to watch out for, for sure!!
Copy provided by the author for review.
October 10, 2014
3.5 Stars
”The world is rarely what we expect. There are many things beyond…of a past life… ”
[image error]
This story's back drop is the fascinating city of New Orleans. The authors gifts all the magic and mystery for their readers in this story. Our main character is on spring break from college with her friends and slowly the authors take the reader back in time through Lottie’s dreams. In the present, Lottie struggles with the fact that her dreams are showing her the past love affair of Elise Cantrelle and a witch doctor named Laurent Villere.
Lottie is drawn to many places in New Orleans one of which is a family run voodoo shop where she meets Xaveir the hot and skeptical love interest. Xavier helps Lottie and it seems his dreams coincide with Lottie’s and in turn their ancestors are trying to share their story and warn them.
”God, Xavier. I don’t know what to do. I know they’re reaching out to us for a reason. But why?”
The story has curses, possession, chicken feet, voodoo, vampires and a pretty obvious linking of the two characters. Their love connection leaves Xavier concerned that Lottie’s feelings for him may not be genuine since she channels Elise’s for Laurent.
The time frame of the past characters of 1788-1816 can’t be her great great grandmother nor Xavier’s grandfather (as worded in the story) it just doesn’t add up since she is currently a college student and he has just graduated.
The writing was strong and interesting. I would be interested to see what’s on the third floor of the Vampire Bar as well as learning more about Papa Legba, Julien and Armand.
*A copy of Villere House by Leslie Fear was provided to me in exchange for an honest review*
”The world is rarely what we expect. There are many things beyond…of a past life… ”
[image error]
This story's back drop is the fascinating city of New Orleans. The authors gifts all the magic and mystery for their readers in this story. Our main character is on spring break from college with her friends and slowly the authors take the reader back in time through Lottie’s dreams. In the present, Lottie struggles with the fact that her dreams are showing her the past love affair of Elise Cantrelle and a witch doctor named Laurent Villere.
Lottie is drawn to many places in New Orleans one of which is a family run voodoo shop where she meets Xaveir the hot and skeptical love interest. Xavier helps Lottie and it seems his dreams coincide with Lottie’s and in turn their ancestors are trying to share their story and warn them.
”God, Xavier. I don’t know what to do. I know they’re reaching out to us for a reason. But why?”
The story has curses, possession, chicken feet, voodoo, vampires and a pretty obvious linking of the two characters. Their love connection leaves Xavier concerned that Lottie’s feelings for him may not be genuine since she channels Elise’s for Laurent.
The time frame of the past characters of 1788-1816 can’t be her great great grandmother nor Xavier’s grandfather (as worded in the story) it just doesn’t add up since she is currently a college student and he has just graduated.
The writing was strong and interesting. I would be interested to see what’s on the third floor of the Vampire Bar as well as learning more about Papa Legba, Julien and Armand.
*A copy of Villere House by Leslie Fear was provided to me in exchange for an honest review*
October 20, 2015
3 rounded up to a 4 because Voodoo.
^it's my review I can totally do that
I am waaaayyy overdue to write this review but I still remember all of my feelings about it. I snagged this one up after reading Karen's review of the second book in the series. Karen is a review master and pretty much all I had to read was "...gothic romance, all full of new orleans voodoo and possession and sweaty passion..."
and I was like what's that amazon? you need me to confirm my one click?
done.
So I start reading this and you know what, it's not without it's faults, but it is super fun. Now, before I go any further, there is something you should know about me.
I LOVE NEW ORLEANS
I love the music, the food, the history, the vibe, all of it. It's one of my favorite places and I have family not far from there which has always upped my sentimental attachment to any place.
I took my husband a few years ago for our first real getaway after we had our second tiny person and I had so much fun taking him to all of touristy type places and some of the not-so touristy spots.
He even developed a fascination with the cemeteries which pleased me to no end because I have always had a thing for them. Growing up, my hometown's old city cemetery was only three blocks from my house, and I liked to take rubbings of some of the really unique headstones.
(shut up. I think we long ago established I was a weird kid)
Anyway, cemeteries have always fascinated me and why not, take a look at a few of these gorgeous family vaults that we snagged pics of
You can't tell me that you don't find something beautiful about them.
Anyway, long story short, I have a big ol' soft spot for all things NOLA and reading a story about a girl there on spring break that gets swept up into the mysterious side of one of my favorite places was a no brainer for me.
So here's what you need to know:
Our main character, Lottie, was orphaned in her teens after her parents were killed in an accident and with no other family around she got bounced around the foster system for a few years causing her to develop a healthy amount of skepticism about people and the world around her.
The problem with that is when she starts experiencing things she can't explain, like memories of people and places she couldn't possible know about, she thinks she has a just received a ticket for the crazy train.
Enter Xavier Villere. This hottie has a complicated family of his own. He is the part owner and primary manager of The Villere House of Voodoo. Which is kinda like this place
(and yes, that's me at the bottom of the pic pre-pixie cut but definitely still rocking my post baby bod so that is where I cut off the picture)
I don't want to give away too much about the story so here's what I liked and what I didn't:
Liked - Xavier was not some long haired romance novel alpha Fabio. He is a super sexy southern gentleman. And I for one did not mind reading the descriptions about him. *swoon*
Didn't Like - He still went into possessive mode about the MC because he desperately felt she needed his help and protection.
Liked - The main character is not a blushing virgin. She is a sexually healthy college aged woman who has no problem admitting to what she wants.
Didn't Like - Despite our MC not being a prude, she definitely passes a little judgement on her frenemy for being more "experienced" than she is. I think I would have felt better about this situation if she kept her judgey feelings directed at her frenemy's clichéd excessive alcohol consumption.
Liked - The sexxxy times. They were well written and genuinely hot and not over the top in any way.
Didn't Like - I've got nothing for this one.
Unless there was an option to have more sexxy times in this book. In which case... yeah, I'll have some more of that please.
Liked - The descriptions of the places Lottie visits.
Jackson Square
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
(Sidenote: I kind of have a thing for this specific set of tombs. They are called the Secret Garden and were built by four friends, "the Quarto" who wanted to be buried together and there were rumors of secretive meetings that they held but there is little other info about them which gives me all kinds of goose pimpley feelings
The second line parade they join
Would just a general All. The. Places help you understand how happy books set there makes me?
Didn't Like - Again, there really wasn't anything I didn't like about this aspect. The author has our MC at a ton of the touristy spots in the Quarter, but she is a tourist (spring break remember) so it would be silly to have her spending the majority of her time off somewhere else. And in a lot of cases they are touristy spots for a reason... they are awesome and everyone wants to see it.
Liked - The paranormal aspect of the story. Voodoo. Ghosts. Curses. YES
Didn't Like - Nothing. This was great. I really enjoyed the way the two story lines were brought together and it helped give a reason for why our MCs were immediately drawn to each other.
My only real complaint about this book would be that I found quite a few editing errors, but not enough to drive me nuts or ruin my enjoyment of the story.
Overall this was a fun read.
^it's my review I can totally do that
I am waaaayyy overdue to write this review but I still remember all of my feelings about it. I snagged this one up after reading Karen's review of the second book in the series. Karen is a review master and pretty much all I had to read was "...gothic romance, all full of new orleans voodoo and possession and sweaty passion..."
and I was like what's that amazon? you need me to confirm my one click?
done.
So I start reading this and you know what, it's not without it's faults, but it is super fun. Now, before I go any further, there is something you should know about me.
I LOVE NEW ORLEANS
I love the music, the food, the history, the vibe, all of it. It's one of my favorite places and I have family not far from there which has always upped my sentimental attachment to any place.
I took my husband a few years ago for our first real getaway after we had our second tiny person and I had so much fun taking him to all of touristy type places and some of the not-so touristy spots.
He even developed a fascination with the cemeteries which pleased me to no end because I have always had a thing for them. Growing up, my hometown's old city cemetery was only three blocks from my house, and I liked to take rubbings of some of the really unique headstones.
(shut up. I think we long ago established I was a weird kid)
Anyway, cemeteries have always fascinated me and why not, take a look at a few of these gorgeous family vaults that we snagged pics of
You can't tell me that you don't find something beautiful about them.
Anyway, long story short, I have a big ol' soft spot for all things NOLA and reading a story about a girl there on spring break that gets swept up into the mysterious side of one of my favorite places was a no brainer for me.
So here's what you need to know:
Our main character, Lottie, was orphaned in her teens after her parents were killed in an accident and with no other family around she got bounced around the foster system for a few years causing her to develop a healthy amount of skepticism about people and the world around her.
The problem with that is when she starts experiencing things she can't explain, like memories of people and places she couldn't possible know about, she thinks she has a just received a ticket for the crazy train.
Enter Xavier Villere. This hottie has a complicated family of his own. He is the part owner and primary manager of The Villere House of Voodoo. Which is kinda like this place
(and yes, that's me at the bottom of the pic pre-pixie cut but definitely still rocking my post baby bod so that is where I cut off the picture)
I don't want to give away too much about the story so here's what I liked and what I didn't:
Liked - Xavier was not some long haired romance novel alpha Fabio. He is a super sexy southern gentleman. And I for one did not mind reading the descriptions about him. *swoon*
Didn't Like - He still went into possessive mode about the MC because he desperately felt she needed his help and protection.
Liked - The main character is not a blushing virgin. She is a sexually healthy college aged woman who has no problem admitting to what she wants.
Didn't Like - Despite our MC not being a prude, she definitely passes a little judgement on her frenemy for being more "experienced" than she is. I think I would have felt better about this situation if she kept her judgey feelings directed at her frenemy's clichéd excessive alcohol consumption.
Liked - The sexxxy times. They were well written and genuinely hot and not over the top in any way.
Didn't Like - I've got nothing for this one.
Unless there was an option to have more sexxy times in this book. In which case... yeah, I'll have some more of that please.
Liked - The descriptions of the places Lottie visits.
Jackson Square
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
(Sidenote: I kind of have a thing for this specific set of tombs. They are called the Secret Garden and were built by four friends, "the Quarto" who wanted to be buried together and there were rumors of secretive meetings that they held but there is little other info about them which gives me all kinds of goose pimpley feelings
The second line parade they join
Would just a general All. The. Places help you understand how happy books set there makes me?
Didn't Like - Again, there really wasn't anything I didn't like about this aspect. The author has our MC at a ton of the touristy spots in the Quarter, but she is a tourist (spring break remember) so it would be silly to have her spending the majority of her time off somewhere else. And in a lot of cases they are touristy spots for a reason... they are awesome and everyone wants to see it.
Liked - The paranormal aspect of the story. Voodoo. Ghosts. Curses. YES
Didn't Like - Nothing. This was great. I really enjoyed the way the two story lines were brought together and it helped give a reason for why our MCs were immediately drawn to each other.
My only real complaint about this book would be that I found quite a few editing errors, but not enough to drive me nuts or ruin my enjoyment of the story.
Overall this was a fun read.
September 21, 2013
http://thebookbosses.blogspot.ca/
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
So I usually don't read Paranormal. I just don't. Not sure why......well, I'm a bit of a 'fraidy cat really. So that's likely why, LOL. Once in grade 10, my BFF made me read a Mary Higgins Clark book. Wigs still scare the CRAP outta me. ( don't ask...**shiver, shiver** )
I loved the setting. New Orleans. Such a rich, culturally diverse background.....not to mention, deliciously spooky. These ladies paint a gorgeous picture for us. You feel like you're actually there. Many times through this book I thought, "Hey, this would make an awesome movie!"
I really liked Lottie's character. I related well to her. I felt like I understood where she was coming from. Girlfriend has issues......let's leave it at that.
Some parts of this made me freak right out. I was texting Leslie (co-author) like a mad-woman telling her I was afraid to go to sleep! She laughed at me.......THEN I woke up at 3AM, scared again. I'm such a wuss. The story kept drawing me back in. There was a fantastic mystery, loads of suspense, and of course, a steamy romance or two. (Yay!)
I won't get into too much detail, bc you know we HATE spoilers, but if you are into Paranormal, I think you will definitely love this book.
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
So I usually don't read Paranormal. I just don't. Not sure why......well, I'm a bit of a 'fraidy cat really. So that's likely why, LOL. Once in grade 10, my BFF made me read a Mary Higgins Clark book. Wigs still scare the CRAP outta me. ( don't ask...**shiver, shiver** )
I loved the setting. New Orleans. Such a rich, culturally diverse background.....not to mention, deliciously spooky. These ladies paint a gorgeous picture for us. You feel like you're actually there. Many times through this book I thought, "Hey, this would make an awesome movie!"
I really liked Lottie's character. I related well to her. I felt like I understood where she was coming from. Girlfriend has issues......let's leave it at that.
Some parts of this made me freak right out. I was texting Leslie (co-author) like a mad-woman telling her I was afraid to go to sleep! She laughed at me.......THEN I woke up at 3AM, scared again. I'm such a wuss. The story kept drawing me back in. There was a fantastic mystery, loads of suspense, and of course, a steamy romance or two. (Yay!)
I won't get into too much detail, bc you know we HATE spoilers, but if you are into Paranormal, I think you will definitely love this book.
October 17, 2014
4.5 STARS for Villere House!!!
Have you ever had that weird déjà vu moment? You know.. The one where you could've sworn you had been there or seen something so familiar, even though you'd never been before?
Meet Lottie. A pretty blonde college girl who has come to party with friends in New Orleans on Spring Break, only to find that she is having more of those déjà vu moments than she wants to. Here she meets sexy, dark and exotic Xavier, a local with a lot of history in the city, and plenty of secrets.
I was attracted to the story of Villere House right away! What's not to love about hot, young college students on vacation in New Orleans, surrounded by voodoo magic, ghosts, a crazy Mom and Grandmother who hold seances right in their home, and the appeal of all that makes up the city of lust.
"They didn't know these guys from Adam, but by the look of things, it wouldn't be long before Amanda and Sam would be getting to know them in the biblical sense."
I loved the funny banter between Lottie and her friends, and everything else about this book!
Have you ever had that weird déjà vu moment? You know.. The one where you could've sworn you had been there or seen something so familiar, even though you'd never been before?
Meet Lottie. A pretty blonde college girl who has come to party with friends in New Orleans on Spring Break, only to find that she is having more of those déjà vu moments than she wants to. Here she meets sexy, dark and exotic Xavier, a local with a lot of history in the city, and plenty of secrets.
I was attracted to the story of Villere House right away! What's not to love about hot, young college students on vacation in New Orleans, surrounded by voodoo magic, ghosts, a crazy Mom and Grandmother who hold seances right in their home, and the appeal of all that makes up the city of lust.
"They didn't know these guys from Adam, but by the look of things, it wouldn't be long before Amanda and Sam would be getting to know them in the biblical sense."
I loved the funny banter between Lottie and her friends, and everything else about this book!
May 24, 2016
Loved it! Written by a Goodreads friend of mine and it was great. A perfect mix of mystery, romance and vodoo in Na Lawns (New Orleans). Thanks Leslie. Looking forward to Graveyard Watchman!
July 22, 2014
I received an ARC of the book for an honest review.
4.5 Love That VooDoo That You Do So Well Stars
New Orleans. Beads. Cajun. Creole. Hurricanes (the drinks not the weather). Funky Bars. VooDoo. It's all there and here too. In this book...The VooDoo. The Mystic. The Cemetery Tours. Vampire Bars. Hot Guys and Ghosts. All right here. You don't even have to get on a plane to experience the fun, mystery and romance of New Orleans.
Lottie is a college sophomore. She is on her own having lived most of her teen years in foster care. Lottie travels to New Orleans, a place steeped in history, for Spring Break with some friends. Being surrounded by all the old houses, traditions and stories of New Orleans she is reminded of just how alone she is.
She had no family. Zero, Zilch, Nada....Her parents died long before she cared to ask about her family history and now there was no one to ask. It somehow made her feel even more isolated and alone than if she had just been an orphan.
Almost immediately upon arriving Lottie starts having dreams. Weird feelings of familiarity. No. It's not the Pat O'Briens Dollar Beer Night kind of dreams. She is dreaming the story of Elize, a woman who lived in New Orleans in the 1800's.
Xavier is a hunky New Orleans native whose family operates a VooDoo Shop, gives seances, and channels spirits. Except Xavier doesn't really believe in all that his family sells to tourist.
Xavier had heard the stories over and over as a kid. But he's never really thought about the man behind them....He didn't believe for a second that offering gifts to the spirits of dead ancestors strengthened them..
When Lottie is drawn to the Villere House of VooDoo, she and Xavier meet and begin a ride neither of them have any control over. Lottie is tormented by the dreams and is compelled to discover what Elize needs from her. Xavier is compelled to stay close to Lottie, not just because he is attracted to her, but because he feels a need to protect her. He's just not sure what exactly she needs protection from.
Will Lottie discover what she has been missing all these years? Will she discover something of her own history in the history of Elize? Can Xavier help Lottie without accepting the part of his heritage he has fought to deny. The supernatural side of his family tree.
And what about Lottie and Xavier? Xavier is a huge flirt.
...I'm just saying I have my own style and set of skills.
Lottie has been on her own for so long, can she let Xavier in. Let him give her what she needs? Trust him to take care of her?
...it was overwhelming. Hardly anyone had given two shits about her well-being for years. For him to run in on his white horse...it was damn near suffocating.
This book is very different from what I usually read. I have been off my paranormal kick for a while. But this story leaps from the pages just like the uber-cool cover that caught my attention. If I were a tattoo getting kind of gal, that cover would inspire one for sure.
The style of the book is a mix of romance meets paranormal meets mystery. The writing is both contemporary and historical. Just like New Orleans.
This is what you'll be doing to get the book. If you like the Big Easy this is an easy buy. But wait...It releases Oct 10. Party Time! And you don't even have to flash anyone to get it. Unless you want to of course.
4.5 Love That VooDoo That You Do So Well Stars
New Orleans. Beads. Cajun. Creole. Hurricanes (the drinks not the weather). Funky Bars. VooDoo. It's all there and here too. In this book...The VooDoo. The Mystic. The Cemetery Tours. Vampire Bars. Hot Guys and Ghosts. All right here. You don't even have to get on a plane to experience the fun, mystery and romance of New Orleans.
Lottie is a college sophomore. She is on her own having lived most of her teen years in foster care. Lottie travels to New Orleans, a place steeped in history, for Spring Break with some friends. Being surrounded by all the old houses, traditions and stories of New Orleans she is reminded of just how alone she is.
She had no family. Zero, Zilch, Nada....Her parents died long before she cared to ask about her family history and now there was no one to ask. It somehow made her feel even more isolated and alone than if she had just been an orphan.
Almost immediately upon arriving Lottie starts having dreams. Weird feelings of familiarity. No. It's not the Pat O'Briens Dollar Beer Night kind of dreams. She is dreaming the story of Elize, a woman who lived in New Orleans in the 1800's.
Xavier is a hunky New Orleans native whose family operates a VooDoo Shop, gives seances, and channels spirits. Except Xavier doesn't really believe in all that his family sells to tourist.
Xavier had heard the stories over and over as a kid. But he's never really thought about the man behind them....He didn't believe for a second that offering gifts to the spirits of dead ancestors strengthened them..
When Lottie is drawn to the Villere House of VooDoo, she and Xavier meet and begin a ride neither of them have any control over. Lottie is tormented by the dreams and is compelled to discover what Elize needs from her. Xavier is compelled to stay close to Lottie, not just because he is attracted to her, but because he feels a need to protect her. He's just not sure what exactly she needs protection from.
Will Lottie discover what she has been missing all these years? Will she discover something of her own history in the history of Elize? Can Xavier help Lottie without accepting the part of his heritage he has fought to deny. The supernatural side of his family tree.
And what about Lottie and Xavier? Xavier is a huge flirt.
...I'm just saying I have my own style and set of skills.
Lottie has been on her own for so long, can she let Xavier in. Let him give her what she needs? Trust him to take care of her?
...it was overwhelming. Hardly anyone had given two shits about her well-being for years. For him to run in on his white horse...it was damn near suffocating.
This book is very different from what I usually read. I have been off my paranormal kick for a while. But this story leaps from the pages just like the uber-cool cover that caught my attention. If I were a tattoo getting kind of gal, that cover would inspire one for sure.
The style of the book is a mix of romance meets paranormal meets mystery. The writing is both contemporary and historical. Just like New Orleans.
This is what you'll be doing to get the book. If you like the Big Easy this is an easy buy. But wait...It releases Oct 10. Party Time! And you don't even have to flash anyone to get it. Unless you want to of course.
January 29, 2014
***4.5 Stars***
This is not a book I'd normally read. I loved it! I I couldn't put it down! Can't wait for more books in this series! Oh, and there is NO cliffhanger ;-)
This is not a book I'd normally read. I loved it! I I couldn't put it down! Can't wait for more books in this series! Oh, and there is NO cliffhanger ;-)
October 31, 2013
I love books that create wonderment in my mind and make me think is it possible? Could it happen? That is what Villere House was for me....that special book that reaches beyond this earthly realm and touches that possibility of contact with those who have gone on centuries before. Villere House is a beautifully written novel combining Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, and Paranormal Romance. It is laced with voodoo, ghosts, and vampires while set in one of the most haunted cities in America.
The book begins with a scene from the 19th century in which a young widowed mother is rushing home with medicine for her deathly ill three-year old daughter. Add in the dark streets of the French Quarter with ritualistic drums and chanting from a voodoo ritual, along with a very handsome and mysterious man, and the tone is set for a haunting experience. This haunting experience just happens to be the first of many sequential dreams that Lottie is experiencing since arriving in New Orleans with her two friends on school break.
Shaken by the authentic feel of the dreams, Lottie becomes curious as to why she is having such an experience and what it could mean. While walking through the Quarter, she is drawn into a Voodoo shop, Villere House, where she hopes she will find answers to some of her questions. There she meets Xavier Villere, the handsome Creole shop owner. Lottie and Xavier are immediately drawn to each other, but neither understand the depth of the attraction...or strange pull to one another.
The dreams continue and Lottie begins to think she is going crazy. She can't confide in her friends who already view her as the fun sponge and treat her as though she were different. The connection she feels with Xavier affords her the opportunity to share her dreams and experiences with him. Xavier is very versed in voodoo rituals and supernatural, but he is also very skeptical in the power of his family's history with voodoo. He thinks the supernatural is all just a bunch of hocus pocus, so he has a rebuttal for every claim Lottie makes. Of course, Xavier has secrets of his own that could help Lottie, but he isn't willing to share those just yet.
As Xavier and Lottie discover that Lottie's dreams are warnings and clues to a greater mystery, malevolent forces come into play that threaten Lottie's life. Xavier and Lottie work together to solve they mystery and save Lottie's life, drawing Lottie and Xavier closer. Where sleep began as Lottie's nemesis, sleep soon became her craving as she wanted to learn more of the woman in her dreams and in search for the next clue. There are twists, secrets, and betrayals to be revealed as you journey with Lottie and Xavier in their quest to solve the mystery of Lottie's dreams.
Hauntings, possessions, vampires, seances, and voodoo curses all play a part in this novel that defies one genre and fits into several. There is plenty of romance happening as it time warps and span of centuries, and the erotic heat of the 21st century is just as exotic when written as these co-authors have done. Sometimes with two authors, you can tell the shift from one mindset to the next. However, from chapter to chapter, the shift in authors is seamless, helping the story to flow beautifully. The dream sequences are extremely well done and allow the reader to partake of two stories in one.
I was once a frequent visitor to the Big Easy, and especially throughout the French Quarter. These authors have certainly done their homework, writing a very accurate account of perimeters, landmarks, and capturing the feel of the crescent city and its citizens. Villere House is not just a novel, but a movie that will play in the readers' heads. Once I began Villere House, I had a very hard time putting it down. I recommend Villere House to fans of paranormal romance and mystery/suspense novels that will stretch the imagination to look beyond this plane that we live on. I look forward to the next installment in the Blood of My Blood Series.
The book begins with a scene from the 19th century in which a young widowed mother is rushing home with medicine for her deathly ill three-year old daughter. Add in the dark streets of the French Quarter with ritualistic drums and chanting from a voodoo ritual, along with a very handsome and mysterious man, and the tone is set for a haunting experience. This haunting experience just happens to be the first of many sequential dreams that Lottie is experiencing since arriving in New Orleans with her two friends on school break.
Shaken by the authentic feel of the dreams, Lottie becomes curious as to why she is having such an experience and what it could mean. While walking through the Quarter, she is drawn into a Voodoo shop, Villere House, where she hopes she will find answers to some of her questions. There she meets Xavier Villere, the handsome Creole shop owner. Lottie and Xavier are immediately drawn to each other, but neither understand the depth of the attraction...or strange pull to one another.
The dreams continue and Lottie begins to think she is going crazy. She can't confide in her friends who already view her as the fun sponge and treat her as though she were different. The connection she feels with Xavier affords her the opportunity to share her dreams and experiences with him. Xavier is very versed in voodoo rituals and supernatural, but he is also very skeptical in the power of his family's history with voodoo. He thinks the supernatural is all just a bunch of hocus pocus, so he has a rebuttal for every claim Lottie makes. Of course, Xavier has secrets of his own that could help Lottie, but he isn't willing to share those just yet.
As Xavier and Lottie discover that Lottie's dreams are warnings and clues to a greater mystery, malevolent forces come into play that threaten Lottie's life. Xavier and Lottie work together to solve they mystery and save Lottie's life, drawing Lottie and Xavier closer. Where sleep began as Lottie's nemesis, sleep soon became her craving as she wanted to learn more of the woman in her dreams and in search for the next clue. There are twists, secrets, and betrayals to be revealed as you journey with Lottie and Xavier in their quest to solve the mystery of Lottie's dreams.
Hauntings, possessions, vampires, seances, and voodoo curses all play a part in this novel that defies one genre and fits into several. There is plenty of romance happening as it time warps and span of centuries, and the erotic heat of the 21st century is just as exotic when written as these co-authors have done. Sometimes with two authors, you can tell the shift from one mindset to the next. However, from chapter to chapter, the shift in authors is seamless, helping the story to flow beautifully. The dream sequences are extremely well done and allow the reader to partake of two stories in one.
I was once a frequent visitor to the Big Easy, and especially throughout the French Quarter. These authors have certainly done their homework, writing a very accurate account of perimeters, landmarks, and capturing the feel of the crescent city and its citizens. Villere House is not just a novel, but a movie that will play in the readers' heads. Once I began Villere House, I had a very hard time putting it down. I recommend Villere House to fans of paranormal romance and mystery/suspense novels that will stretch the imagination to look beyond this plane that we live on. I look forward to the next installment in the Blood of My Blood Series.
February 6, 2014
Lottie Boyd is a college senior enjoying Spring Break in the City of Mystery – New Orleans. Almost immediately after arriving in the city, Lottie starts having vivid dreams of Élise Cantrelle – a 19th century widow who sacrificed all for forbidden romance and to save her sick child.
When Lottie’s dreams start melding with reality, she is lead to the The Villere House of Voodoo and its current owner, Xavier Villere. For sacrifice or salvation – only time will tell.
‘Villere House’ is the first book in a new paranormal romance series ‘Blood of My Blood’ from indie authors Leslie Fear and C.D. Hussey.
New Orleans is a stand out character in this book, with Fear and Hussey becoming literary tour-guides to the City of Mystery. I loved ‘American Horror Story: Coven’, and was fascinated by the New Orleanian history they played with. So having enjoyed that TV show that featured (and twisted) stories of real-life characters like Delphine LaLaurie and Marie Laveau, I really appreciated that ‘Villere House’ delved into and played with voodoo and ghost stories this city is famous for.
Now she had to know what was going on in that courtyard. She’d pray for forgiveness later.
Peeling back the curtain of ivy a few inches, she peered through the opening. Two men and a woman sat in a semi-circle around a small open fire. Wooden goblet drums pinched between their knees, they pounded ferociously on them while another woman chanted and danced. She wore only a thin chemise that was socked with either water or sweat and was now completely sheer. Her long, curly black hair floated around her face like the tendrils of smoke twisting up from the fire she danced around.
I also loved the heartthrob hero, Xavier Villere. He’s Creole and charming, and though mighty proud of his family’s history he is also a sceptic when it comes to ‘voodoo’. What he can’t deny, however, is the connection he feels to young Lottie Boyd, which feels deeply profound … and, eventually, Lottie’s seeming connection to Élise Cantrelle.
Élise’s story is mostly told in flashbacks that worked really well (when so often flashbacks can be under-cooked and used as too much as a crutch for the story). Fear and Hussey did a great job of making me care both about Lottie’s story in the present, and Élise’s troubles in the past, while keeping me guessing as the two intertwined …
I had a few issues with Lottie as our protagonist, however. They mostly stem from the fact that she’s in New Orleans on springbreak, and her being a tourist meant I never really felt like I had a firm grip on who she was. It’s hard when all she had to hint at her background was the two (admittedly, drop-kick) friends she’s travelling with (and I did wonder why on earth she hung out with them in the first place, they were fairly awful individuals). It would have been a very different story, but I think readers would have been given opportunities to better understand Lottie if New Orleans/Louisiana was her home. It’s just hard to really “get” a character when we aren’t privy to their backstory by reading about their home life and family etc.
Be warned: this story is genuinely creepy too. And I’m not talking modern slasher ghoulishness. I mean proper creepy, like Susan Hill ghost story/1980’s horror film kinda creepy. Be a little bit brave and read it at night to heighten your senses and scare the beejesus out of yourself … but it’ll be worth it to feel the goosebumps rise.
Overall this is a highly enjoyable read, and I’m curious for more instalments in the series.
When Lottie’s dreams start melding with reality, she is lead to the The Villere House of Voodoo and its current owner, Xavier Villere. For sacrifice or salvation – only time will tell.
‘Villere House’ is the first book in a new paranormal romance series ‘Blood of My Blood’ from indie authors Leslie Fear and C.D. Hussey.
New Orleans is a stand out character in this book, with Fear and Hussey becoming literary tour-guides to the City of Mystery. I loved ‘American Horror Story: Coven’, and was fascinated by the New Orleanian history they played with. So having enjoyed that TV show that featured (and twisted) stories of real-life characters like Delphine LaLaurie and Marie Laveau, I really appreciated that ‘Villere House’ delved into and played with voodoo and ghost stories this city is famous for.
Now she had to know what was going on in that courtyard. She’d pray for forgiveness later.
Peeling back the curtain of ivy a few inches, she peered through the opening. Two men and a woman sat in a semi-circle around a small open fire. Wooden goblet drums pinched between their knees, they pounded ferociously on them while another woman chanted and danced. She wore only a thin chemise that was socked with either water or sweat and was now completely sheer. Her long, curly black hair floated around her face like the tendrils of smoke twisting up from the fire she danced around.
I also loved the heartthrob hero, Xavier Villere. He’s Creole and charming, and though mighty proud of his family’s history he is also a sceptic when it comes to ‘voodoo’. What he can’t deny, however, is the connection he feels to young Lottie Boyd, which feels deeply profound … and, eventually, Lottie’s seeming connection to Élise Cantrelle.
Élise’s story is mostly told in flashbacks that worked really well (when so often flashbacks can be under-cooked and used as too much as a crutch for the story). Fear and Hussey did a great job of making me care both about Lottie’s story in the present, and Élise’s troubles in the past, while keeping me guessing as the two intertwined …
I had a few issues with Lottie as our protagonist, however. They mostly stem from the fact that she’s in New Orleans on springbreak, and her being a tourist meant I never really felt like I had a firm grip on who she was. It’s hard when all she had to hint at her background was the two (admittedly, drop-kick) friends she’s travelling with (and I did wonder why on earth she hung out with them in the first place, they were fairly awful individuals). It would have been a very different story, but I think readers would have been given opportunities to better understand Lottie if New Orleans/Louisiana was her home. It’s just hard to really “get” a character when we aren’t privy to their backstory by reading about their home life and family etc.
Be warned: this story is genuinely creepy too. And I’m not talking modern slasher ghoulishness. I mean proper creepy, like Susan Hill ghost story/1980’s horror film kinda creepy. Be a little bit brave and read it at night to heighten your senses and scare the beejesus out of yourself … but it’ll be worth it to feel the goosebumps rise.
Overall this is a highly enjoyable read, and I’m curious for more instalments in the series.
February 4, 2014
When spending college spring break in New Orleans, there is always the possibility of encountering a ghost or two. After all, NOLA is the capital of preternatural experiences; rich in the culture of Voodoo and the occult. But when Charlotte “Lottie” Boyd visits the Big Easy, her life is upended when mysterious supernatural dreams, spirit possessions, and unexplainable visions of the dead drive her into the arms and protection of a city native, Xavier Villere. Nothing makes sense and Lottie is certain she is a certifiable loon. But with the help of Xavier, puzzling pieces begin fitting together; yet with more answers come more questions. Will Lottie be able to find what she is looking for...or perhaps who is looking for her?
Mysteries.
Secrets.
Suspense.
Voodoo.
Spells.
Necromancy.
Ghosts.
Love.
It’s a heady cocktail that our authors, Leslie Fear and C.D. Hussey, brew in Villere House. And I enjoyed every minute of it. From the dual and parallel romance in this clever tale to the preternatural steeped in the mystique of Voodoo, it will satisfy anyone’s craving for a fun romp in the genres of ghost stories and mystery romance.
Villere House is an adult book with adult themes and sex.
Villere House is book one in the Blood of My Blood series. Book two, Bayou Grisé, is due out this year.
UPDATE: I have changed my rating from 4 stars to 5 stars. Simply put, this story has stuck with me. I'm still thinking about it a few days later... If a book does that, it deserves an extra star :)
Happy Reading!
♥ Lisa
March 3, 2014
Villere House (Blood of My Blood) is an intense and highly captivating paranormal type story featuring Lottie, a college student on her spring break with a couple of other friends. While in New Orleans Lotties mates are only intersted in going out drinking while Lottie finds herself inexplicately drawn to Villere House of Voodoo. Lottie's also having vivid dreams about Elise Cantrell, a 19th century widow doing anything she can to heal her very sick daughter.
When Lottie is drawn to the The Villere House of Voodoo she meets Xavier. The store is run by his family and soon enough they're important characters in the story. The first meeting is hilarious, Lottie drops the book she's thinking of buying to rush out the door to... well... no one, on one that Xavier can see but Lottie is convinced she can see the woman in her dreams ahead and before she knows it she's almost run over. that's only the start... next up they cross paths in a tour Xavier's brother runs... and Lottie wakes up from stabbing herself with a nail file.
Lottie's dreams are so vivid and real and as a reader I couldnt wait to get to the next dream installment, it's a story within a story. The whole book was a rollercoaster ride full of non stop voodoo adventure and I didn't want to get off! The Author's creative, descriptive and captivating writing held my interest from start to finish and I want more. I will definitely read more from this author.
New Orleans, the perfect backdrop to cover the mysteriously magical mystery world of Voodoo. The author writes in such a way that I felt not a word was wasted. There was a point to everything i read and I was completely fixed. The writing flowed and was a huge part of why I think this story will be a great success.
I will recommend this book to anyone wanting to try something different from their usual. Actually I'd recommend this book to anyone who asks for the nomination of a good read. Even as I write this shivers are still running up my arms at the memories I have of this fantastic story.
I received an ARC for an honest opinion review
When Lottie is drawn to the The Villere House of Voodoo she meets Xavier. The store is run by his family and soon enough they're important characters in the story. The first meeting is hilarious, Lottie drops the book she's thinking of buying to rush out the door to... well... no one, on one that Xavier can see but Lottie is convinced she can see the woman in her dreams ahead and before she knows it she's almost run over. that's only the start... next up they cross paths in a tour Xavier's brother runs... and Lottie wakes up from stabbing herself with a nail file.
Lottie's dreams are so vivid and real and as a reader I couldnt wait to get to the next dream installment, it's a story within a story. The whole book was a rollercoaster ride full of non stop voodoo adventure and I didn't want to get off! The Author's creative, descriptive and captivating writing held my interest from start to finish and I want more. I will definitely read more from this author.
New Orleans, the perfect backdrop to cover the mysteriously magical mystery world of Voodoo. The author writes in such a way that I felt not a word was wasted. There was a point to everything i read and I was completely fixed. The writing flowed and was a huge part of why I think this story will be a great success.
I will recommend this book to anyone wanting to try something different from their usual. Actually I'd recommend this book to anyone who asks for the nomination of a good read. Even as I write this shivers are still running up my arms at the memories I have of this fantastic story.
I received an ARC for an honest opinion review
August 22, 2014
Wanna hear a story? No, well STFU, I'm going to tell you it anyways.
I am a cover whore and cover snob. I will buy a book just for the cover. I won't read the blurb, I won't read the reviews. I will just buy the book.
But I will also not read a book if the cover is horrible. I mean come on GROSS covers are such a turnoff.
I am obsessed with SKULLS. I mean my wedding ring is a skull tattoo. OBSESSED. So I'm wandering around the book signing in Texas this past weekend and I see Villere House. I see the amazing cover and I'm like Damn I want that book. But I walk right past the table, I even leave the signing.
But something dragged me back in there (lesbehonest, it was the fucking hot ass cover model). I was walking back by the table and decided to approach the lovely ladies behind the table. I expressed my love to Skulls, showed off my tats, got a pretty cool skull ring and was like FUCK IT. I'm buying the book.
Cut to me at the airport and my kindle deciding to die. I do not read my signed paperbacks, but for some reason I kept this book out of my suit case. What else is one supposed to do while sitting in the airport and on a plane for 5 hours?
I opened the book and BOOM I am engulfed in a alter universe. I am taken beyond this realm into a world that I didn't know existed.
When I first started reading, it thought it was going to be a historical PNR. WRONG. I thought it was going to another book that I didn't finish. WRONG. AGAIN.
Refreshing, brilliant, fast paced with twist and turns that you never expected. I couldn't stop reading. I couldn't put it down. I would try, I would close the book and with in minutes I was opening it back up and Diving back into the world of Xavier.
I love being SHOCKED by a book. You see my love of covers gave me this book. So if you ever judge a book by its cover, JUDGE this book for being FUCKING AMAZING.
read this book. Read it. DO IT.
I am a cover whore and cover snob. I will buy a book just for the cover. I won't read the blurb, I won't read the reviews. I will just buy the book.
But I will also not read a book if the cover is horrible. I mean come on GROSS covers are such a turnoff.
I am obsessed with SKULLS. I mean my wedding ring is a skull tattoo. OBSESSED. So I'm wandering around the book signing in Texas this past weekend and I see Villere House. I see the amazing cover and I'm like Damn I want that book. But I walk right past the table, I even leave the signing.
But something dragged me back in there (lesbehonest, it was the fucking hot ass cover model). I was walking back by the table and decided to approach the lovely ladies behind the table. I expressed my love to Skulls, showed off my tats, got a pretty cool skull ring and was like FUCK IT. I'm buying the book.
Cut to me at the airport and my kindle deciding to die. I do not read my signed paperbacks, but for some reason I kept this book out of my suit case. What else is one supposed to do while sitting in the airport and on a plane for 5 hours?
I opened the book and BOOM I am engulfed in a alter universe. I am taken beyond this realm into a world that I didn't know existed.
When I first started reading, it thought it was going to be a historical PNR. WRONG. I thought it was going to another book that I didn't finish. WRONG. AGAIN.
Refreshing, brilliant, fast paced with twist and turns that you never expected. I couldn't stop reading. I couldn't put it down. I would try, I would close the book and with in minutes I was opening it back up and Diving back into the world of Xavier.
I love being SHOCKED by a book. You see my love of covers gave me this book. So if you ever judge a book by its cover, JUDGE this book for being FUCKING AMAZING.
read this book. Read it. DO IT.
April 8, 2014
I am not, nor have I ever been, a big fan of fantasy or paranormal stories. Every once in a while a situation comes along that drags me kicking and screaming into the foray (and I mean that literally). Once it was under the power of a challenge, another time it came clothed in a friendly buddy read, and then like here, an author piqued my curiosity period. I never say never but . . . even good writing and a very intriguing storyline, along with authors who did a commendable job in bringing New Orleans and all its charms to life on the pages, still hasn’t won me over completely . . .
But I didn’t hate this book – and I actually found it quite captivating. I love the city of New Orleans (even spending a spring break there years ago, and my honeymoon, too). Its beauty and mystique makes it the perfect setting for this type story, thus the first plus. I’m a big fan of romantic suspense and there’s definitely mystery and intrigue hanging over the Big Easy at any given time in this tale so add in a second plus. I’m also a history buff and when past and present combine, it all added up to a “three’s the charm” read.
Of course, there’s also a wonderful romance when boy meets girl and love blooms. I really adored Lottie, a college student on spring break who is drawn to the Villere House of Voodoo and its owner, Xavier, a charming young Creole, who though proud of his heritage questions the voodoo side. The couple shares an undeniable heated chemistry, along with some very erotic moments most romance lovers will find very appealing.
Dreams play a prevalent part in this story -- sometimes even adding touches of humor, and with the inclusion of voodoo and vampires, the spook meter does at times reach a high level. I viewed it as a magical mystery tour. I might even sign up for the next tour.
But I didn’t hate this book – and I actually found it quite captivating. I love the city of New Orleans (even spending a spring break there years ago, and my honeymoon, too). Its beauty and mystique makes it the perfect setting for this type story, thus the first plus. I’m a big fan of romantic suspense and there’s definitely mystery and intrigue hanging over the Big Easy at any given time in this tale so add in a second plus. I’m also a history buff and when past and present combine, it all added up to a “three’s the charm” read.
Of course, there’s also a wonderful romance when boy meets girl and love blooms. I really adored Lottie, a college student on spring break who is drawn to the Villere House of Voodoo and its owner, Xavier, a charming young Creole, who though proud of his heritage questions the voodoo side. The couple shares an undeniable heated chemistry, along with some very erotic moments most romance lovers will find very appealing.
Dreams play a prevalent part in this story -- sometimes even adding touches of humor, and with the inclusion of voodoo and vampires, the spook meter does at times reach a high level. I viewed it as a magical mystery tour. I might even sign up for the next tour.
August 16, 2015
I grabbed Villere House because my go to fellow book loving friend said you must read this and when she says that I know I have to follow her instructions. She has yet to let me down.
The first thing I noticed was the cover. Love love love so much! Add in New Orleans (bucket list!) and voodoo and I was in.
I loved this book so much. The story line was fast paced, went from past to present and back smoothly, had tons of suspense, a bit of heat, and some Voodoo that your mama warned you to stay away from. Or was it that his grandmamma told him to stay away from the non-voodoo girl? Read it and you’ll figure out which it was. :)
I read this in one sitting, just kept turning the pages to see where we were going.
Loved the characters, except one friend (pretty much the whole book – we aren’t supposed to like her anyway) and one family member (for just a wee bit). Characters from the past were perfectly intertwined with characters in the present. They were all perfect for the parts they played in the story.
The paranormal in this book isn’t quite like any other paranormal book, there’s some twists along the way that make this an exciting and intriguing read.
I loved it so much! I need to buy Bayou Grise and see where that book takes these characters.
5 quick paced, ghostly kind of sort of matchmaking, too much fun stars from me!
The first thing I noticed was the cover. Love love love so much! Add in New Orleans (bucket list!) and voodoo and I was in.
I loved this book so much. The story line was fast paced, went from past to present and back smoothly, had tons of suspense, a bit of heat, and some Voodoo that your mama warned you to stay away from. Or was it that his grandmamma told him to stay away from the non-voodoo girl? Read it and you’ll figure out which it was. :)
I read this in one sitting, just kept turning the pages to see where we were going.
Loved the characters, except one friend (pretty much the whole book – we aren’t supposed to like her anyway) and one family member (for just a wee bit). Characters from the past were perfectly intertwined with characters in the present. They were all perfect for the parts they played in the story.
The paranormal in this book isn’t quite like any other paranormal book, there’s some twists along the way that make this an exciting and intriguing read.
I loved it so much! I need to buy Bayou Grise and see where that book takes these characters.
5 quick paced, ghostly kind of sort of matchmaking, too much fun stars from me!
November 13, 2013
I enjoyed the story and writing in many ways. I also ventured into a genre far outside my norm, and as such, likely didn't connect with the story or characters as much as I would otherwise have done. Yes, I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat when it comes to ghosts and creepy ilk.
My personal preferences, and fright issues, aside, there were many enjoyable aspects of Villere House. I learned quite a bit about the culture and history of NOLA, as the authors wove it expertly through the story line. I absolutely loved the fluid writing and vivid descriptions when we were thrown far into the generations past. The writing-style variation between past and present was unique and really helped set the tone for each time period.
And so very funny, I had NO idea what a growler was. Had to look it up on my trusty Kindle dictionary. Later that day in Whole Foods? There was an entire display of the dark-brown glass jugs with the words "Growler" and "beer" emblazoned on the front. Talk about coincidences!
{gets all creeped out, thinking ghosts are running my activities now} :)
I would recommend this read to those who enjoy reading college-aged, coming of age, historical, and sexy-creepy reads. ;)
My personal preferences, and fright issues, aside, there were many enjoyable aspects of Villere House. I learned quite a bit about the culture and history of NOLA, as the authors wove it expertly through the story line. I absolutely loved the fluid writing and vivid descriptions when we were thrown far into the generations past. The writing-style variation between past and present was unique and really helped set the tone for each time period.
And so very funny, I had NO idea what a growler was. Had to look it up on my trusty Kindle dictionary. Later that day in Whole Foods? There was an entire display of the dark-brown glass jugs with the words "Growler" and "beer" emblazoned on the front. Talk about coincidences!
{gets all creeped out, thinking ghosts are running my activities now} :)
I would recommend this read to those who enjoy reading college-aged, coming of age, historical, and sexy-creepy reads. ;)
October 14, 2013
I enjoyed this book VERY much and am looking forward to the next book in the series. The plot was really unique and different. I had trouble putting the book down and the authors did a great job of writing seamlessly. I didn't see a different in writing styles between chapters, etc.
I adored Xavier---he was wonderful. I would have liked to know more about Lottie, I feel like I had the basics about her, but just wanted to connect with her on a deeper level so that I could "get" her.
The flashbacks were excellent and Laurent had me captivated!
Well done!!
I adored Xavier---he was wonderful. I would have liked to know more about Lottie, I feel like I had the basics about her, but just wanted to connect with her on a deeper level so that I could "get" her.
The flashbacks were excellent and Laurent had me captivated!
Well done!!
January 29, 2014
Yeah, I am a sucker for ANYTHING in New Orleans, especially with ghosts and voodoo and history and family connections so yeah, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The book was written well, I was fully engaged in the story and enjoyed the characters. Lottie had some moments where I wanted to shake her but you know, she has issues. Very glad that I saw this come up on my feed and I took a chance.
October 29, 2013
This cover drew me in. I am obsessed with skulls and the color pink so I knew I had to read it. Then I read the back of the book and I was hooked. I really liked this book a lot. The plot and the story line. I love NOLA books. The setting and vibe was great. Can't wait for the follow up book!
December 6, 2013
Review to come!
This book is just wow! The writing is amazing! I want so much more Lottie and Xavier. Seriously he is totally dreamy.
This book is just wow! The writing is amazing! I want so much more Lottie and Xavier. Seriously he is totally dreamy.
May 29, 2017
Perhaps one of my most sacred rules in reading is this: "Do not read books set in New Orleans."
This sentiment extends a bit to the South, in general, especially when the author doesn't live where they're writing about. I ran into a terrible string of media set in the South when I was younger, where Southern characters were just a series of Southern tropes, and the entire setting was just ruined for me.
(I mostly grew up in the South, so I hate, hate, HATE Southern caricatures. You have no idea how often people are surprised or disappointed that I don't have a Southern, or worse - "Nawlins" - accent. This, too, has affected my stance on books set in the South.)
So it was with great...hesitation that I picked up this book. The plot eventually drew me to give the book a chance. It sounded interesting, even if certain lines in the description, like...
...had me cringing a bit.
Because that's always what people focus on when they think of New Orleans. Beads, boobs, and booze. You have no idea how tired you get of that misunderstanding of culture, when you actually live here.
Thankfully, though, the book is pretty well researched for the historical bits. A few lines seemed almost copy/pasted out of Wikipedia, but at least the information was correct.
And I know, I know - it's a paranormal romance book. I probably shouldn't hold it to such high standards of historical accuracy. But you've got to understand that it gets a bit frustrating when you see your city constantly being stripped down and defined by one single factor. It doesn't help that I work in tourism/hospitality down here, and I'm forced to constantly set people straight on what is and is not actually true and legal.
(For instance - you can carry alcohol on the street, so long as it's not in a glass bottle. You can not urinate wherever you want. Coming to New Orleans is NOT an excuse to loose all sense of public decency.)
Sorry...sorry.
So, historically the book was fine. The romantic aspect of the plot didn't wow me, as a lot of the romance was less the characters getting to know each other, and more fueled by memories of their ancestors who had fallen madly in love with each other. I did find myself enjoying how the Voodoo curse sort of tied everything together, though.
(My last aside, I promise - I swear I've been inside the Voodoo shop that the Villere House is based on. It's set up just how the book describes, with the altars, and ghost/cemetery/voodoo/vampire tours have tourists meet them there before setting out.)
Really, at the end, I was impressed by how much I liked this. While the romance was somewhat lacking for me, I appreciated the care that was taken in researching the setting and the culture. So, good on you, book! You have given me hope that not all books set in New Orleans will be terrible.
You deserve praise for that, if for nothing else.
This sentiment extends a bit to the South, in general, especially when the author doesn't live where they're writing about. I ran into a terrible string of media set in the South when I was younger, where Southern characters were just a series of Southern tropes, and the entire setting was just ruined for me.
(I mostly grew up in the South, so I hate, hate, HATE Southern caricatures. You have no idea how often people are surprised or disappointed that I don't have a Southern, or worse - "Nawlins" - accent. This, too, has affected my stance on books set in the South.)
So it was with great...hesitation that I picked up this book. The plot eventually drew me to give the book a chance. It sounded interesting, even if certain lines in the description, like...
College senior, Lottie Boyd, expects to drink too much while on spring break in New Orleans.
...had me cringing a bit.
Because that's always what people focus on when they think of New Orleans. Beads, boobs, and booze. You have no idea how tired you get of that misunderstanding of culture, when you actually live here.
Thankfully, though, the book is pretty well researched for the historical bits. A few lines seemed almost copy/pasted out of Wikipedia, but at least the information was correct.
And I know, I know - it's a paranormal romance book. I probably shouldn't hold it to such high standards of historical accuracy. But you've got to understand that it gets a bit frustrating when you see your city constantly being stripped down and defined by one single factor. It doesn't help that I work in tourism/hospitality down here, and I'm forced to constantly set people straight on what is and is not actually true and legal.
(For instance - you can carry alcohol on the street, so long as it's not in a glass bottle. You can not urinate wherever you want. Coming to New Orleans is NOT an excuse to loose all sense of public decency.)
Sorry...sorry.
So, historically the book was fine. The romantic aspect of the plot didn't wow me, as a lot of the romance was less the characters getting to know each other, and more fueled by memories of their ancestors who had fallen madly in love with each other. I did find myself enjoying how the Voodoo curse sort of tied everything together, though.
(My last aside, I promise - I swear I've been inside the Voodoo shop that the Villere House is based on. It's set up just how the book describes, with the altars, and ghost/cemetery/voodoo/vampire tours have tourists meet them there before setting out.)
Really, at the end, I was impressed by how much I liked this. While the romance was somewhat lacking for me, I appreciated the care that was taken in researching the setting and the culture. So, good on you, book! You have given me hope that not all books set in New Orleans will be terrible.
You deserve praise for that, if for nothing else.
October 25, 2013
Our blog was asked to promo Villere House by a fellow blogger friend, and after finishing the book, I am glad we signed on. Villere House is a quick enjoyable read, one that held a sense of mystery and intrigue.
What's not to like about a blurb that entices you with voodoo, New Orleans, ghosts, historical periods, oh and a super-hot hero? Villere has all this and more.
I used to really enjoy paranormal, but as of late not so much. Therefore, I was on the fence when I started this book, since I wasn't sure if I would be able to connect and really immerse myself in it, however the voodoo theme and switch between historical time and present really captivated me. It is definitely different from the angsty NA books I have been reading recently, and not your typical (vampire/wolf) paranormal read. One of the main things I liked about this book is the fact that it leaned more towards the romance genre with a bit of supernatural thrown in. It’s not a beat you over the head type of romance; it’s a subtle build and blend of present mixed within the memories of the past. Xavier and Lottie are fun and delightful, as is their chemistry. To be honest, I wanted to spend less time in the past with Elise and Laurent (not because they weren't essential to the story or enjoyable), and more time in the present with Xavier and his deliciousness; I just couldn't get enough of him. There was just something so sweet and alluring about him. I can say that without a doubt his character made this book for me.
Although the story was engaging and over all enjoyable; I did falter a bit around 30%, having to set the book aside and step away. I will say that the second half of the book flew for me.
Kudos to first time author Leslie Fear; her first venture into the world of writing is a huge success in my book. If I hadn't been told, I would have never known she was a first time author. Leslie's first book is so well written that in my opinion it's better than some seasoned authors. I found it to be very well written. Villere House had an interesting plot line, different from what I normally read; the plot and characters were well developed with depth and personality, and the attention to detail intriguing.
I would most definitely recommend Villere House, and I am looking forward to what the authors have in store for book two. Just an FYI, this book does not end with a cliffhanger.
Thank you, Leslie Fear, for providing me with the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Villere House in exchange for my honest opinion.
What's not to like about a blurb that entices you with voodoo, New Orleans, ghosts, historical periods, oh and a super-hot hero? Villere has all this and more.
I used to really enjoy paranormal, but as of late not so much. Therefore, I was on the fence when I started this book, since I wasn't sure if I would be able to connect and really immerse myself in it, however the voodoo theme and switch between historical time and present really captivated me. It is definitely different from the angsty NA books I have been reading recently, and not your typical (vampire/wolf) paranormal read. One of the main things I liked about this book is the fact that it leaned more towards the romance genre with a bit of supernatural thrown in. It’s not a beat you over the head type of romance; it’s a subtle build and blend of present mixed within the memories of the past. Xavier and Lottie are fun and delightful, as is their chemistry. To be honest, I wanted to spend less time in the past with Elise and Laurent (not because they weren't essential to the story or enjoyable), and more time in the present with Xavier and his deliciousness; I just couldn't get enough of him. There was just something so sweet and alluring about him. I can say that without a doubt his character made this book for me.
Although the story was engaging and over all enjoyable; I did falter a bit around 30%, having to set the book aside and step away. I will say that the second half of the book flew for me.
Kudos to first time author Leslie Fear; her first venture into the world of writing is a huge success in my book. If I hadn't been told, I would have never known she was a first time author. Leslie's first book is so well written that in my opinion it's better than some seasoned authors. I found it to be very well written. Villere House had an interesting plot line, different from what I normally read; the plot and characters were well developed with depth and personality, and the attention to detail intriguing.
I would most definitely recommend Villere House, and I am looking forward to what the authors have in store for book two. Just an FYI, this book does not end with a cliffhanger.
Thank you, Leslie Fear, for providing me with the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Villere House in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 25, 2013
During a Spring break trip to New Orleans, Lottie begins having the most vivid and detailed dreams she's ever had. In the dreams, she experiences events as Elise, a 19th century widow.
Lottie is a college student visiting New Orleans for Spring Break with a couple girlfriends. Xavier runs his family's Voodoo shop, located in a house that has been part of his family since before the Civil War. The characters meet and both are immediately drawn to the other, though neither can figure out why the draw is so strong. The characters are well written. Actions and reactions feel natural for both, and we learn more about each character, the chemistry between them makes more sense.
I am a sucker for books that blend historic plot points with a present day story line, and this one pulled me in from the very beginning. Because of the nature of the dream visions, it had the potential to feel like the present day character was always asleep in order to progress the historical story line, but I didn't get that feeling here. Instead, I found a little bit of humor in the ways Lottie tried to force herself to sleep, and the reactions of Xavier whenever she mentioned unnatural methods of inducing sleep. The historic story line really was a secondary plot more than a driving factor for the main plot. I found myself curious as to what was going to happen next with Elise, and the inclusion of the dreams helped develop the connection between Lottie and New Orleans and Lottie and Xavier.
Because I have one of those imaginations that doesn't turn off when I close a book, I have a tendency to stay away from ghost and spirit related paranormal books. Any other paranormal subgenera doesn't give me any note of pause, but ghosts, hauntings, and spirit interaction scares the bejesus out of me. There were some points in this where I was in chills (didn't help that the cat jumped up on my legs in the dark while I was reading one of the first scenes where the spirit speaks to Lottie…darn cat!), but for the most part the spook factor was not over the top. Bottom line: there is enough paranormal activity to keep things interesting, but not enough to scare you silly. (Says a confessed scaredy cat.)
Overall, Villere House had a good plot, well written characters, perfect setting, and not over the top scary. A perfect combination for a good, spooky read.
Thank you, Leslie Fear, for providing me with the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Villere House in exchange for my honest opinion.
Lottie is a college student visiting New Orleans for Spring Break with a couple girlfriends. Xavier runs his family's Voodoo shop, located in a house that has been part of his family since before the Civil War. The characters meet and both are immediately drawn to the other, though neither can figure out why the draw is so strong. The characters are well written. Actions and reactions feel natural for both, and we learn more about each character, the chemistry between them makes more sense.
I am a sucker for books that blend historic plot points with a present day story line, and this one pulled me in from the very beginning. Because of the nature of the dream visions, it had the potential to feel like the present day character was always asleep in order to progress the historical story line, but I didn't get that feeling here. Instead, I found a little bit of humor in the ways Lottie tried to force herself to sleep, and the reactions of Xavier whenever she mentioned unnatural methods of inducing sleep. The historic story line really was a secondary plot more than a driving factor for the main plot. I found myself curious as to what was going to happen next with Elise, and the inclusion of the dreams helped develop the connection between Lottie and New Orleans and Lottie and Xavier.
Because I have one of those imaginations that doesn't turn off when I close a book, I have a tendency to stay away from ghost and spirit related paranormal books. Any other paranormal subgenera doesn't give me any note of pause, but ghosts, hauntings, and spirit interaction scares the bejesus out of me. There were some points in this where I was in chills (didn't help that the cat jumped up on my legs in the dark while I was reading one of the first scenes where the spirit speaks to Lottie…darn cat!), but for the most part the spook factor was not over the top. Bottom line: there is enough paranormal activity to keep things interesting, but not enough to scare you silly. (Says a confessed scaredy cat.)
Overall, Villere House had a good plot, well written characters, perfect setting, and not over the top scary. A perfect combination for a good, spooky read.
Thank you, Leslie Fear, for providing me with the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Villere House in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 8, 2014
Villere House blew me away!!!! Brilliant story and brilliant writing! This book was nothing like I expected...FABULOUS. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for more than a romance. Because Villere House is not your typical romance. I think I need to make a trip to Louisiana soon!
I will admit that I've had Villere House on my Kindle for quite sometime. Something always got in the way of me starting it. I'm now kicking myself that I didn't start it sooner. Romance... The occult... Brilliant attention to detail with great flow that made it hard to not devour this story in one sitting. If only real life didn't get in the way of reading ;-)
I knew almost immediately that this book was going to be amazing because the writing just sucked me in. I can't even begin to imagine how much time was spent researching for this story. Leslie Fear and C.D. Hussey have written such a unique romance. Packed full of mystery and suspense — jumping between the past and present — not once did Ms. Fear or Ms. Hussey lose my attention. It killed me to have to put this book down when "real life" got in the way.
Villere House has great characters, past and present. Elise, Laurent, Lottie, Xavier, and Julien are characters I won't soon forget. Some will make you smile, and some will make your pulse race ;-) Some will make you angry, while others will make your skin crawl!
Another thing I really enjoyed about Villere House... That this story had the perfect amount of hot sexy time! If you're looking for a gratuitous raunchy read, you will not find it here. Lately I feel that many of the new releases are packed full of gratuitous sex and lacking in story. You know the old saying, "Less is more."
If you are looking for an absolutely amazing suspenseful read to keep you on the edge of your seat, something more than just a romance, but an intriguing mystery... Villere House should not be missed out on!
I will admit that I've had Villere House on my Kindle for quite sometime. Something always got in the way of me starting it. I'm now kicking myself that I didn't start it sooner. Romance... The occult... Brilliant attention to detail with great flow that made it hard to not devour this story in one sitting. If only real life didn't get in the way of reading ;-)
I knew almost immediately that this book was going to be amazing because the writing just sucked me in. I can't even begin to imagine how much time was spent researching for this story. Leslie Fear and C.D. Hussey have written such a unique romance. Packed full of mystery and suspense — jumping between the past and present — not once did Ms. Fear or Ms. Hussey lose my attention. It killed me to have to put this book down when "real life" got in the way.
Villere House has great characters, past and present. Elise, Laurent, Lottie, Xavier, and Julien are characters I won't soon forget. Some will make you smile, and some will make your pulse race ;-) Some will make you angry, while others will make your skin crawl!
Another thing I really enjoyed about Villere House... That this story had the perfect amount of hot sexy time! If you're looking for a gratuitous raunchy read, you will not find it here. Lately I feel that many of the new releases are packed full of gratuitous sex and lacking in story. You know the old saying, "Less is more."
If you are looking for an absolutely amazing suspenseful read to keep you on the edge of your seat, something more than just a romance, but an intriguing mystery... Villere House should not be missed out on!
December 3, 2013
Y’all y’all y’all y’all y’all! This was one creeptastic read! I really hate to admit this, but I do sometimes judge a book by it’s cover. This cover promised me a creepy ghostly mystery and the authors delivered! What more could a little Cajun girl want, than a mystery, a centuries old curse, the French Quarter, New Orleans, Voodoo queens, Papa Legba, hauntings, ghosts, vampire bars, cemeteries, evil spiteful spirits and more lagniappe than you could shake a stick at? Oh yeah, a love story too! The imagery that these two managed was nothing short of fantastic. I swear I could smell the perfume of the South that New Orleans exudes from every bend of the river.
This story moves at a lighting pace, no boring moments, and there was no fluff. Everything was relevant to the story line. And what a story! The relationships that Lottie has with her friends and the relationship that Xavier has with his family are vibrant. I wanted to be their friends too! The sexual chemistry between Lottie and Xavier was off the charts, and you also saw it mirrored in the relationship of Laurent and Elise. I think the authors did a great job of blending their two styles almost seamlessly, it never felt that I was reading the writing of 2 different authors. The characters were strong and rich. I loved the way the historical flashbacks were done, the dream sequences were outstanding.
I must say, the way they wrapped this up and melded everything together kind of blew my mind. How did I not see it? I said this to myself more than once. The story was so engrossing that my mind didn’t wander off on its usual jaunts to figure out the answers! I am looking forward to book 2!
XOXO
~Michele
Book Geeks Unite
This story moves at a lighting pace, no boring moments, and there was no fluff. Everything was relevant to the story line. And what a story! The relationships that Lottie has with her friends and the relationship that Xavier has with his family are vibrant. I wanted to be their friends too! The sexual chemistry between Lottie and Xavier was off the charts, and you also saw it mirrored in the relationship of Laurent and Elise. I think the authors did a great job of blending their two styles almost seamlessly, it never felt that I was reading the writing of 2 different authors. The characters were strong and rich. I loved the way the historical flashbacks were done, the dream sequences were outstanding.
I must say, the way they wrapped this up and melded everything together kind of blew my mind. How did I not see it? I said this to myself more than once. The story was so engrossing that my mind didn’t wander off on its usual jaunts to figure out the answers! I am looking forward to book 2!
XOXO
~Michele
Book Geeks Unite
November 11, 2015
Lottie has no real history, with her parents deaths when she was 15 and no other relatives she history of New Orleans draws her in while she is visiting over spring break. Vivid dreams and crazy hallucinations begin though and she has a hard time figuring out what is real.
Xavier Villere a Voodoo shop owner sees her struggles and while he's never really embraced his culture like the rest of his family he feels compelled to help her.
With things becoming worse for Lottie it becomes clear there are two spirits. One trying to help her and the other....well if she can't figure out the mystery of the past she may not have much of a future.
Lottie has a good head on her shoulders. Being responsible when you're in college might put some people off but for her it is important to stay in control, especially after seeing what too much partying can do while she was in foster care.
Xavier might be the younger brother, but he is the responsible one. Taking care of his mother, grandmother, brother and the shop and all things attached to it control is not something he knows how to give up. He is sweet and caring and allows his instincts to guide him even when other around him try to force his opinion.
This story is rich in history showing New Orleans in such detail you feel like you are right there in the city. You can actually see it through the authors' words. Voodoo is also well explained, and it's not how the movies try to paint it. It is a religion and way of life and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing into the history of it as well.
With twists and turns you don't quite see coming you never know what will happen next. The story is well told and characters and very in-depth. Very enjoyable read!
Xavier Villere a Voodoo shop owner sees her struggles and while he's never really embraced his culture like the rest of his family he feels compelled to help her.
With things becoming worse for Lottie it becomes clear there are two spirits. One trying to help her and the other....well if she can't figure out the mystery of the past she may not have much of a future.
Lottie has a good head on her shoulders. Being responsible when you're in college might put some people off but for her it is important to stay in control, especially after seeing what too much partying can do while she was in foster care.
Xavier might be the younger brother, but he is the responsible one. Taking care of his mother, grandmother, brother and the shop and all things attached to it control is not something he knows how to give up. He is sweet and caring and allows his instincts to guide him even when other around him try to force his opinion.
This story is rich in history showing New Orleans in such detail you feel like you are right there in the city. You can actually see it through the authors' words. Voodoo is also well explained, and it's not how the movies try to paint it. It is a religion and way of life and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing into the history of it as well.
With twists and turns you don't quite see coming you never know what will happen next. The story is well told and characters and very in-depth. Very enjoyable read!
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