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In the world of the Creole Kings, Rukem, a reluctant visionary, is assigned to find a commoner female for an unprecedented challenge - understanding love and romance.



Rukem must roll the Bayou Bishops' Fate Dice and ends up with Shank, his designated Marsh Mutt to help navigate the messy details. Once he chooses his female from the non-gifted sector of humanity, the race is on for Rukem to prove the entire fiasco is doomed to fail.



Surprisingly, Rukem forms an odd alliance with the pretty commoner and they both set out to prove that experiencing love isn't required to understand and teach it. But the intimacy enigma is about to teach them that some fires aren't to be toyed with.



While they both dodge the bewildering intricacies of this assignment, an ancient prophecy arrives in the King's midst and the only salvation in sight points directly to their odd bayou family.

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2024

130 people are currently reading
74 people want to read

About the author

Lucian Bane

135 books3,247 followers
I’m a husband and author, and I may be a little religious about both. I like writing hot sex and encapsulating it in the delicate white silk of devotion, commitment, and psychotic obsession.

Lucian

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5 stars
368 (78%)
4 stars
70 (14%)
3 stars
26 (5%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Rhonda Hicks.
4,672 reviews83 followers
February 7, 2024
Hang on for the ride

Lucian Bane takes Rukem, the fourteenth book in his epic "Bayou Bidhops" series to the next level with his unique brand of family, love, and loyalty. Add to that, the twists and turns each of the Bishops go through while coming face to face with their chosen "wife" and you'll find yourself experiencing a plethora of emotions. I personally felt like there is a "Nature vs. Nurture" playing out within the alliance and am almost giddy to see the results unfold. This one is spectacular!
Profile Image for Kimerys Bookmarks.
187 reviews9 followers
April 1, 2024
Another great story in the Bayou Bishops series!

Alpha Male Romance, Action & Adventure Romance, and Erotica (Kindle Store).

This is the first where the main character is a Viking King, Rukem. Rukem has to get to know a "commoner". He picks a waitress from a local diner, Darby, as his "project". Can't forget Shank (Ace) and Sophie and how their relationship is developing.

Not only is there Rukem and Darby and a possible somethin something. There are hot moments with Bullets & Mia and Patches & Tegan. And a surprise with Juliette, Bishop's little sister, and Kaj. Hurricane has "picked his wife" Claire. This is a sad situation but I'm rooting for Hurricane!! Lots of storylines developing.

This book had me laughing out loud several times! Rukem is all serious and has met his match with Darby.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

'She’s a librarian that likes sex books,” he hissed, like that should explain it all."

"“I have spent all my life denying myself. Mind, body, spirit. Now, every part of me is in a prison.” He stared at the fierce passion in her gaze. “I don’t know what terrifies me more. That a single kiss brought me to such a prison…or that I may never have another one from your perfect lips again.”"

"She’s a flower that never got enough sunlight. Her potential beauty was stunted, skin sallow from years of emotional starvation."

"“I want you to…force me to feel so good. I’ve dreamed of this while awake.”"

"“I would never ask you to parade your intimates in front of me.” She scoffed. “Have you seen the males in my generation? They are stupid. The older ones aren’t perfect but they’re a lot more emotionally and mentally mature.” Not a fan of…huge puffy muscles, but I do like a man with a tight body. A man with real work muscles, not the artificial muscles these . . . get at the gym, excuse my French.”

"So you’re…pairing up gifted people,” she realized. “Are you trying to build a super race or something?” “Or something.”

"He wished he knew what that meant to her and how she needed to touch him so he could brace for whatever degree of hell he’d be burning in."

"With each long moan, his brain busied itself with ascribing pitch, tone, resonance, texture, and volume with his every touch. What produced which and which did he want to produce? He soon got lost in the job, her foot a musical instrument, his thumbs and fingers learning it. Then when he found the perfect sounds, he focused all his efforts on recreating them."
557 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2025
Such An Amazing Series

It sounds like a horrible cliche but this series has so many complex layers, vivid scenery, scorching hot sex scenes with characters that are flawed and relatable. It’s easy to see the different cultures and fascinating to interact with them.

This is a Louisiana based series primarily focused on the families that live and work in the swamp. One society split into twelve subdivisions called a Hatch. Each Hatch has a leader with a specific ability and skills some, quite possibly all have special otherworldy gifts. The Twelve are led by the Eveque (Sahvrin Bishop), their overall goal is to protect their people and the bayou by preventing or terminating evil acts, like human trafficking, gun running, cartel activity etc.

There’s a strong spiritual leaning within their culture. Recently books have seen the introduction of isolated Viking communities. In the wider geographic area there are other groups who have malevolent goals including demonology alongside the criminal elements mentioned above.

This book specifically explores the new relationship between the Bayou Bishops and the Creole Viking Kings. It’s not the kind of series that you can dip in and out of, it might be possible to do so but it’s best read in order. Given the number of books (23) so far speaks volumes about how engaging and entertaining it is. As ever my only complaint is that conversations between characters are usually depicted phonetically. In literary terms it’s generally done this way to demonstrate an accent or acute mannerism, but to do that for a foreign language can lead to more than a few confused moments. It’s still worth 5 stars because the overall experience is worth it.
Profile Image for Stacey Bates.
485 reviews
February 7, 2024
Lucian Bane has truly surpassed expectations with this remarkable story (I have really really high expectations), introducing us to new captivating characters alongside our favorite characters. The evolving relationships between the Twelve and the 13 Kings will keep you on your toes with fascination and humor. Each page offers us a look into the world created by the wonderous mind of Lucian Bane and gives us hints that this story and world of how big this world is becoming. Beyond creating this wonderful world that he brings us into, he shares these wonderous relationships and bonds between the characters. Once you start reading this series (and you do need to start at book 1) you will be joining us on this exhilarating journey that has no end in sight!
I fell in love with Shank and Sophie, Kaj and Juliette, Rukem and Darby Mae, the relationship between each of these couples is what we all aspire for in our relationships. The bond and growing bromance between Shank and Rukem adds a charming layer of camaraderie that will leave you in stitches.
Profile Image for Elise Jordan.
614 reviews4 followers
February 6, 2024
This is really going to blow your mind!

This is where the Creole Kings and the Twelve enter this arrangement. The Kings have a mentor with one of the twelve! This book focus is on King Rukem. There's a women named Sophie, Shanks woman a woman named Darby who has a wild ride when she becomes Rukem's assistant and its hilarious! Hurricane has his new wife ( Sad story) and I was laughing very hard with Bullets and Mia! Then there's Juliette and Kajun! Yea deep breath because now we have King Syphon who has some crazy " gifts" that is where the cliffhanger leaves us! Juliette's dad is meeting Kajun but that's left us wondering how funny bad this will be! Poor Kajun! This is the beginning of a whole new world within our world in the Swamps. Who are these Kings and what is so urgent that Seer calls the twelve to meet with Syphon? Guess it's our next read! Excellent book of an excellent series! Not surprising its Lucian Bane! Read this series in order y'all!
391 reviews3 followers
April 17, 2025
Oh my gosh, we've got so much going on in this one. There's Hurricane, Claire, and Troy Abner. Oh, is he a little sweetie, Troy Abner, that is. Then there's Rukem learning from Shank and Shank learning from Rukem. That was hilarious. We have Shank and Sophie. Oh, what the hell is going to happen with them. And then we have Rukem and Darby Mae. If Darby doesn't pass out from just looking at Rukem, Rukem might pass out from overload of everything going on and trying to sort it out. Well, I don't see that happening any time soon, the sorting out part, I mean. This one had me laughing quite a bit. It was just that good. All the other cast of characters were in this book, too. At times, it was a bit confusing, but I absolutely didn't mind. I can't wait to read Shank next. I 100% recommend this book. Just remember you have to start with book one.
Profile Image for Trish.
1,072 reviews5 followers
February 6, 2024
Absolutely Riviting.😯😊😘

As usual, I dove into this newest Bayou Bishop book. If you're a fan, you are immediately swept up with everything happening. Bullets, and Mia. Thank you Lucian, for not making us suffer for too long on that part. The getting to know more about the Kings, and Oh my, getting to see more of Hurricane, and the sweet Claire. I loved how quickly things are moving. So much pain, and past abuse, have caused her to be shut down, and having no sense of her own value. Hurricane has to build her up, so she sees, what he's discovered. The Syphon King is a powerful force, and Samuel, and Bishop have had a hard reveal from him, and something big is coming. The 12 are gathered for this big announcement. In the next book. I loved it! Lucian is the man!
Profile Image for P.S. Sutton.
Author 2 books8 followers
February 12, 2024
Ace versus Mr. King
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2024

Rukem Bayou Bishops

If you're ready to read a book filled with adventure, romance, loads of humor, and new and old relationships being made, read Rukem Bayou Bishops. You will not regret one word of it. Author Lucian Bane once again has spun his magic to write a story straight from the swamps into our hearts.

For me, the pure enjoyment began as Shank and Rukem traded quips learning the language of the day, trying to figure who knew the most.

I seriously loved this book from the beginning to end. I look forward to Mr. Bane's next one.
Profile Image for Phyllis L..
283 reviews3 followers
February 7, 2024
I'm so excited with the direction Lucian Bane is taking with the Bayou Bishops and the Creole Viking Kings! The taste of the mystical we got in the first 13 books continues and expands into book 14, combining with new metaphysical elements that have me curious as heck. This does not take away in any way, of course, from the passion and heat of the relationships we've all come to know and love. If anything, it's making things hotter. I'm fully invested in the couples in this book, both new and old, and already cannot wait for the next book!
3 reviews
February 9, 2024
Each Book Gets Better and Better

I’ve followed this series from Book 1, and as the characters and world fill out, as the title suggests, each book gets better and better!

There is just the right balance of steamy, funny and love to explode in your mind.

Mr. Bane’s writing just keeps going, filling the reader with a wonderful look at the people and land of the Bayous that fills your imagination.
1 review
February 9, 2024
If you’re looking for a book to dive into until you finish, this one is for you. Then, you want to go back to book 1 and start from there, although you don’t have to.

Mr. Bane is a master at weaving a story with his words, and you feel that you know the characters and the Bayou as you read.

A warning to all, you will laugh, cry and tell the men “don’t do that”, but they will anyways. Always leads to a sigh at the end and ready for the next installment.
Profile Image for Deborah Dickey-Anderson.
255 reviews1 follower
March 9, 2024
Rukem, Bayou Bishops, Book 14

Yes I am hooked on Lucian Bane's Bayou Bishop series. This first Viking King , Rukem is an amazingly complex character. It mixes other worldly gifted individual Creole Kings with wit and humor. Mix in a school for the gifted and a few commenors, and you have a read that is impossible to put down. However, the cliff handers are really starting to frustrate me.
1,037 reviews3 followers
March 31, 2024
I loved this one so much!!

There is a LOT going on in this book! Bullets and Mia, Bishop, Beth and bun in the oven Bishop, the Creole Kings, Shank and Sophia…
And I have to tell you…if you’re not rolling on the floor laughing when you get to the part where Darby and Rekum are discussing kissing…well then I don’t know what’s wrong with you.
Things are going to become even more eventful for our swamp crew and their new “friends”.
Profile Image for Regina.
2,153 reviews37 followers
June 23, 2024
Here we're finally introduced to the Creole Kings which I feel like is Bane's jumping-the-shark moment in the series. Really? There's so much going on already, what with The Twelve and their search for wives and we still have even truly encountered the evil that has been plaguing them, let alone dealing with the gun runners and human/sex trafficking that has been plaguing their territories.

Sigh... let alone, Mal... Remember we're not going to review until we finish the ongoing soap opera.
350 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2024
Holy moly

So, I, along with many, many others, will be holding our breath waiting to see what happens next. Seeing all of these characters and plots balanced and juggled so well reminds me of the plate spinners we used to see on variety shows. Thank you, thank you for having this on Kindle Unlimited. Can barely wait for more.
Profile Image for Paula.
1,962 reviews6 followers
February 7, 2024
I loved reading Rukem . This is part of the Bayou Bishops series . It's packed full of sexy times and intrigue and suspense . It's all out amazing . I couldn't put it down . I'm looking forward to the next book . The characters are unique and interesting and I could go on and on . It got something for everyone . I highly recommend taking the time to read . It will not disappoint .
6 reviews
February 9, 2024
Rukem in place of Clark Gable

I really enjoyed this book, I like and have enjoyed each Bayou Bishops book so far.
To me Rukem is just a little different, I could see it like a movie in my head and I laughed out loud at some of my visuals ( a Viking King (Rukem) in place of Clark Gable in gone with the wind)
I believe Mr Bane could have written the scenes better.
7 reviews
February 24, 2024
The mysterious swamp

The newest book in the continuing saga of The Bayou Bishops does not disappoint! Just when you think you know where this story is going it takes a new and fascinating turn. The story does leave you on a cliff hanger, but it is a most intriguing and exciting one.
Profile Image for Michelle Penkoski.
98 reviews1 follower
July 17, 2024
Rukem, my goodness👅😍🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

This book 14 had me in knots but thoroughly ready to get more!
You will want to read these books, they are breathtaking and the storyline is awesome the characters gosh what can I say the spice is five star and keeps you wanting more of these men and what they have to offer!!!
Profile Image for Gail  G  Maxwell.
193 reviews4 followers
August 21, 2025
Rukem bk 14

This series has spun me around with the supernatural abilities the author has created. However, there are so many characters I sometimes get confused and need to back up and reread, so to be sure of which characters and scene I’m reading. I guess, he keeps the reader on their toes so to speak.
53 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2024
Another awesome read ! Lucian Bane brings in some great characters, love Darby, she's a hoot ! I like how he has several scenes going on at one time ! He leaves you hanging, for the next adventure! Can't wait !
95 reviews
February 7, 2024
So Good!!!

Dang so much happening!!! Now I have to wait for the next book!!!
Hopefully, Lucian won't make us wait to long!
Keep up the amazing writing!
I could totally see this as a TV series.
103 reviews
March 14, 2024
Other worldly. New experience

I am trying to get into these Viking kings, but they are like aliens who have powers that they don't understand, like inexperienced children . I'm trying Lucian .
Profile Image for Kat Crumb.
801 reviews6 followers
July 21, 2024
Oh wow

Oh wow, how I love this series. It's not a book where you read a story it puts you in the lives and places of each character. Like you personally know them
Not on to the next book
Profile Image for Rita Whinfield.
1,583 reviews
September 9, 2024
Further down the rabbit hole

New characters introduced and they seem very complicated. Shank is absolutely hilarious and creating his Creole King partner a merry dance, but something serious is coming.
9 reviews
December 11, 2024
Another Winner

I am so hooked on Lucian Banes writing! Yes, there are beau coup characters and directions, but absolutely fascinating storylines. I simply must get the next Book 15 and proceed….please keep on Mssr Bane. I cannot run out!
Profile Image for Suzi.
1,011 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2025
exciting

A lot of stories within one story. Hurricane and his wife, Shank and his possible wife, Rukem and Darby, Kaj and Juliette, plus the Seer and the Syphon King. Alot is happening in the swamp!
513 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2026
Rukem & Darby bk14

Rukem seeks out his commoner his lowly one that he can help build up but also being him down a peg or 2.
Darby is a teacher in training so he offers her a job at their "special" school but while doing that Darby is drawn to him hope he doesn't hurt her!
Profile Image for Rebecca Toland.
36 reviews
February 7, 2024
So good

Lucian Bane has done it again. Book 14 in this series, and it still has you in the edge of your set. You can stop reading.
Profile Image for Allena.
1,451 reviews
February 7, 2024
Amazing continuation with some great characters and storyline.

I loved all the new characters and the Syphon King blew me away.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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