What do you think?
Rate this book
Genie McQueen #1
Bayou Blues
When your sister has saved the world, you have a lot to live up to.
Genie McQueen thought she’d seen it all after helping her big sister Secret stop the Apocalypse. The dead walked, New York City burned, and things nearly went to hell in a hand basket. After it was all over, the world knew about vampires and werewolves, and Genie’s life would never be the same.
But now, three years later, someone doesn’t want werewolves or any supernatural creatures to live alongside humans. A new anti-werewolf church with a charismatic leader and a cult-like following has declared open season on Genie’s whole species. When a member of her pack is kidnapped, she decides it’s time to stop going with the flow and to step up and fight for her people.
Tagging along for the ride is a handsome troublemaker, Wilder Shaw, a pack outsider who just wants to save his brother, but will leave Genie’s head spinning in the process.
Equally troubling are the ghosts of her past she can’t quite shake, the nightmarish figures who haunt her even when she’s wide awake, and a dark magic inside her she hasn’t yet learned to tame.
Things are about to get messy in the bayou.
Genie McQueen thought she’d seen it all after helping her big sister Secret stop the Apocalypse. The dead walked, New York City burned, and things nearly went to hell in a hand basket. After it was all over, the world knew about vampires and werewolves, and Genie’s life would never be the same.
But now, three years later, someone doesn’t want werewolves or any supernatural creatures to live alongside humans. A new anti-werewolf church with a charismatic leader and a cult-like following has declared open season on Genie’s whole species. When a member of her pack is kidnapped, she decides it’s time to stop going with the flow and to step up and fight for her people.
Tagging along for the ride is a handsome troublemaker, Wilder Shaw, a pack outsider who just wants to save his brother, but will leave Genie’s head spinning in the process.
Equally troubling are the ghosts of her past she can’t quite shake, the nightmarish figures who haunt her even when she’s wide awake, and a dark magic inside her she hasn’t yet learned to tame.
Things are about to get messy in the bayou.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2015
About the author
Sierra Dean
52 books626 followersSierra Dean is a reformed historian. She was born and raised in the Canadian prairies and is allowed annual exit visas in order to continue her quest of steadily conquering the world one city at a time. Making the best of the cold Canadian winters, Sierra indulges in her less global interests: drinking too much tea and writing urban fantasy.
Ever since she was a young girl she has loved the idea of the supernatural coexisting with the mundane. As an adult, however, the idea evolved from the notion of fairies in flower beds, to imagining that the rugged-looking guy at the garage might secretly be a werewolf. She has used her overactive imagination to create her own version of the world, where vampire, werewolves, fairies, gods and monsters all walk among us, and she’ll continue to travel as much as possible until she finds it for real.
She’s also a book lover (of course!), obsessive collector of OPI nailpolish and the owner of way too many pairs of shoes.
Ever since she was a young girl she has loved the idea of the supernatural coexisting with the mundane. As an adult, however, the idea evolved from the notion of fairies in flower beds, to imagining that the rugged-looking guy at the garage might secretly be a werewolf. She has used her overactive imagination to create her own version of the world, where vampire, werewolves, fairies, gods and monsters all walk among us, and she’ll continue to travel as much as possible until she finds it for real.
She’s also a book lover (of course!), obsessive collector of OPI nailpolish and the owner of way too many pairs of shoes.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 20, 2015
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.
March 20th couldn’t come soon enough as far as I was concerned because not only do I adore Sierra Dean’s writing and humour, but this spin-off series also promised more werewolf action than its big sister. I sometimes forget that SECRET MCQUEEN started out as 4-star reads, and didn’t wind up on my favourites pile until book 4, so when I loaded BAYOU BLUES up on my Kindle, my hope burned eternal. The story itself was tip-top, however like all younger siblings; I suspect that it’s going to take several installments for Genie to get out from underneath Secret’s shadow.
This novel had everything that I look for when I suss out Urban Fantasy titles: a resilient heroine, plot twists, budding romance, super-duper secondary characters, and dynamite paranormal elements. I wasn’t keen on the overdone anti-supe thread, although the author did modify it enough that the story didn’t suffer too much. The dialogue was shockingly snark-free; I missed the punchy one-liners that Dean’s other series is well-known for, and despite the odd funny bit, I found that the narrative was kinda stiff. I didn’t expect this spin-off to be a twin, but I did count on similarities.
Genie had some good, and bad traits; in the earlier chapters she was portrayed as doe-eyed, and naive, however as the book moved forward I found that she got her footing, and showed signs of being a protagonist that I could get behind. This installment transitioned her from spoiled royalty to fledgling leader; McQueen’s motivations were pure and well-intentioned, and it’ll be interesting to see how she handles Callum’s gift, her brother’s ambitions, and Pack politics. As a Princess, she needs to be more diplomatic than her sister, so Genie will doubtless be a different kind of heroine.
I was happy that the Church of Morning plot was dealt with in its entirety, and hopefully won’t be an on-going theme in this series, although I wouldn’t bet on it. Humans and supernaturals rarely coexist in harmony, but at least the author won’t be able to use this particular trope again. Still, it was an apt introduction to the new world order, and I enjoyed the smoke screens. I fully back Genie’s taste in men—Wilder Shaw, NOT Cash—and was crazy about fictional me’s debut even though it was short lived. I always knew that I wouldn’t last 2 seconds in UF!
BAYOU BLUES kickstarted my latest Sierra Dean infatuation!
March 20th couldn’t come soon enough as far as I was concerned because not only do I adore Sierra Dean’s writing and humour, but this spin-off series also promised more werewolf action than its big sister. I sometimes forget that SECRET MCQUEEN started out as 4-star reads, and didn’t wind up on my favourites pile until book 4, so when I loaded BAYOU BLUES up on my Kindle, my hope burned eternal. The story itself was tip-top, however like all younger siblings; I suspect that it’s going to take several installments for Genie to get out from underneath Secret’s shadow.
This novel had everything that I look for when I suss out Urban Fantasy titles: a resilient heroine, plot twists, budding romance, super-duper secondary characters, and dynamite paranormal elements. I wasn’t keen on the overdone anti-supe thread, although the author did modify it enough that the story didn’t suffer too much. The dialogue was shockingly snark-free; I missed the punchy one-liners that Dean’s other series is well-known for, and despite the odd funny bit, I found that the narrative was kinda stiff. I didn’t expect this spin-off to be a twin, but I did count on similarities.
Genie had some good, and bad traits; in the earlier chapters she was portrayed as doe-eyed, and naive, however as the book moved forward I found that she got her footing, and showed signs of being a protagonist that I could get behind. This installment transitioned her from spoiled royalty to fledgling leader; McQueen’s motivations were pure and well-intentioned, and it’ll be interesting to see how she handles Callum’s gift, her brother’s ambitions, and Pack politics. As a Princess, she needs to be more diplomatic than her sister, so Genie will doubtless be a different kind of heroine.
I was happy that the Church of Morning plot was dealt with in its entirety, and hopefully won’t be an on-going theme in this series, although I wouldn’t bet on it. Humans and supernaturals rarely coexist in harmony, but at least the author won’t be able to use this particular trope again. Still, it was an apt introduction to the new world order, and I enjoyed the smoke screens. I fully back Genie’s taste in men—Wilder Shaw, NOT Cash—and was crazy about fictional me’s debut even though it was short lived. I always knew that I wouldn’t last 2 seconds in UF!
BAYOU BLUES kickstarted my latest Sierra Dean infatuation!
March 28, 2017
Bite with a Dose of Spite
Great characters with some werewolf action together with a good helping of sexy alpha. The mystery element is the reigning plotline paving the way for the next book.
Although there isn't any new concepts in the story, it's still a fun read.
Great characters with some werewolf action together with a good helping of sexy alpha. The mystery element is the reigning plotline paving the way for the next book.
Although there isn't any new concepts in the story, it's still a fun read.
October 16, 2014
Secret McQueen's world not ending with the next novel????
March 20, 2015
Bayou Blues is the first book in the Genie McQueen series by Sierra Dean.
Let me start by saying I love Sierra Dean and I love her books. I love them so much I don’t think she can write anything bad. I’m pretty sure even her grocery list must be entertaining to read.
I spent many hours lost in the Secret McQueen Universe and when I saw the series come to an end I felt like I lost a good friend. Luckily for me -and other fans of the series, who like me, weren’t ready to say goodbye to that wonderful world- Sierra had the brilliant idea of a spin-off series. This time around based on Secret’s little sister, Genie McQueen. I have to be honest, I had some misgivings about Genie being the heroine of this next series; I thought she was too young and too good and didn’t have it in her what it was needed to be a good UF heroine, but… I was wrong and I’m very happy to be wrong.
Bayou Blues starts three years after the end of the Secret McQueen series. Even though the existence of werewolves and vampires is now in the open, Genie is trying to live a normal life; she is going to college and to the dismay of her pack, she has a human boyfriend. But her tranquil and normal life changes when the leader of an anti-werewolf church starts to publicly promote the killing of werewolves. Afraid for her life, her uncle and leader of the pack, Callum, asks her to return to the pack’s compound.
Returning to her family home was not what Genie was expecting and things only get more complicated when one member of the pack is kidnaped from the church and Genie realizes nobody is planning to do anything to rescue him. That doesn’t sit well with her or with Wilder, who is the brother of the kidnapped werewolf; so together, against Callum’s orders, they decided to embark on a secret rescue mission. What none of them were expecting was to find something more serious and complicated than a zealot and a kidnapping, but a very complicated situation that could change the public image and acceptance of all the werewolves.
Read the rest of my review at The Bookaholic Cat
Let me start by saying I love Sierra Dean and I love her books. I love them so much I don’t think she can write anything bad. I’m pretty sure even her grocery list must be entertaining to read.
I spent many hours lost in the Secret McQueen Universe and when I saw the series come to an end I felt like I lost a good friend. Luckily for me -and other fans of the series, who like me, weren’t ready to say goodbye to that wonderful world- Sierra had the brilliant idea of a spin-off series. This time around based on Secret’s little sister, Genie McQueen. I have to be honest, I had some misgivings about Genie being the heroine of this next series; I thought she was too young and too good and didn’t have it in her what it was needed to be a good UF heroine, but… I was wrong and I’m very happy to be wrong.
Bayou Blues starts three years after the end of the Secret McQueen series. Even though the existence of werewolves and vampires is now in the open, Genie is trying to live a normal life; she is going to college and to the dismay of her pack, she has a human boyfriend. But her tranquil and normal life changes when the leader of an anti-werewolf church starts to publicly promote the killing of werewolves. Afraid for her life, her uncle and leader of the pack, Callum, asks her to return to the pack’s compound.
Returning to her family home was not what Genie was expecting and things only get more complicated when one member of the pack is kidnaped from the church and Genie realizes nobody is planning to do anything to rescue him. That doesn’t sit well with her or with Wilder, who is the brother of the kidnapped werewolf; so together, against Callum’s orders, they decided to embark on a secret rescue mission. What none of them were expecting was to find something more serious and complicated than a zealot and a kidnapping, but a very complicated situation that could change the public image and acceptance of all the werewolves.
Read the rest of my review at The Bookaholic Cat
April 9, 2015
Sierra Dean is back and ready to rock with a new spin off based on her best selling Secret McQueen series. Ladies and gentleman, meet Genie McQueen. Genie is a witch/werewolf and princess of the southern pack. When a church decides to wage war against the werewolves and kidnap a pack member, Genie and a friend take it upon themselves to ride to the rescue, never imaging the true horror that awaits them. Dean jumps directly into the fray as she sets up the storyline and recaps the world building for fans and new readers alike. Genie is nothing like Secret but has her own skill sets that serve her just fine. Action packed scenes and a well plotted storyline blend well with the dry humor and an interesting potential romance. Looking forward to seeing where Dean will take Genie in the future.
Read
April 25, 2024Started off alright. I got bored about halfway through
March 27, 2015
Bayou Blues is the first in Genie McQueen's tales, a Secret McQueen spin-off. Genie is Secret's sister who we were first introduced to in Keeping Secret. Whereas Secret is ½ werewolf, ½ vampire, Genie is ½ werewolf, ½ witch. Since inheriting both gifts, Genie must work to find a balance between her magic and wolf. Her twin brother, Ben, "... was the levelheaded twin ... and bent over backwards to prove to Callum [their uncle and King of the South] he was the natural choice to step up as pack king."
Following Secret's actions, humans now know werewolves are real. And, as pack Princess, there's no hiding from the media. Genie is trying to "be normal"; she even has a human boyfriend. Yet, when a member of her pack is in trouble and her whole pack is threatened by the prejudiced preachings of Timothy Deerling, leader the Church of Morning, Genie takes it upon herself to save the day. The lighthearted, flirty werewolf Wilder Shaw tags along with hopes of saving his older brother. Together the two manage to do quite a bit more than that.
Looking back on Sierra Dean's Secret McQueen series, I remember how my love of Secret and her shenanigans grew slowly. But, by book 3-4 I was hooked. I have a feeling the same will be true for Genie. Sadly though, some of the quick humor I'd enjoyed in Secrets stories was missing here. Yet, it's great to be submersed back into Secret's/Genie's world and I look forward to more to come.
Following Secret's actions, humans now know werewolves are real. And, as pack Princess, there's no hiding from the media. Genie is trying to "be normal"; she even has a human boyfriend. Yet, when a member of her pack is in trouble and her whole pack is threatened by the prejudiced preachings of Timothy Deerling, leader the Church of Morning, Genie takes it upon herself to save the day. The lighthearted, flirty werewolf Wilder Shaw tags along with hopes of saving his older brother. Together the two manage to do quite a bit more than that.
Looking back on Sierra Dean's Secret McQueen series, I remember how my love of Secret and her shenanigans grew slowly. But, by book 3-4 I was hooked. I have a feeling the same will be true for Genie. Sadly though, some of the quick humor I'd enjoyed in Secrets stories was missing here. Yet, it's great to be submersed back into Secret's/Genie's world and I look forward to more to come.
May 9, 2015
First, oh those churches and sects. Here we have another crazy one that is all, death to all things supernatural! But hey people kill people everyday, but weres are just rabid animals so death to them all. See this is why we can't have nice things.
As you can see the baddies made me really upset. I am still all grrrrrr. But that is great. You need a good I hate you baddie, that you still can like while you hate him. And by like do I not mean LIKE, no I hated them, him. But emotions are good.
Genie then. She had some growing to do. Step by step and she shows her worth. I was a bit unsure about her first, she seemed so young and unprepared. But there is nothing like a crazy church leader to bring out the wolf in a woman.
We have action, baddies (well he needs mentioning again), and hints of romance.
I did not like her boyfriend, oh he was all wrong for her. Dump him! And go with the wolf instead. But then, there is that whole mate thing...who will that be?
Interesting start to this series.
As you can see the baddies made me really upset. I am still all grrrrrr. But that is great. You need a good I hate you baddie, that you still can like while you hate him. And by like do I not mean LIKE, no I hated them, him. But emotions are good.
Genie then. She had some growing to do. Step by step and she shows her worth. I was a bit unsure about her first, she seemed so young and unprepared. But there is nothing like a crazy church leader to bring out the wolf in a woman.
We have action, baddies (well he needs mentioning again), and hints of romance.
I did not like her boyfriend, oh he was all wrong for her. Dump him! And go with the wolf instead. But then, there is that whole mate thing...who will that be?
Interesting start to this series.
April 28, 2015
I'll write a review when I have time to sit and do so. So basically...after Girl Guides are done for the year lol. I really enjoyed this though. I like the dynamic and am looking forward to more :)
April 9, 2021
For those who love Secret McQueen, Genie McQueen is like the icing on your cake. She is the more sweet-natured sister, but is no less delightful of a read than Secret.
Her story has a different style. Sarcasm and quippy one-liners as a character trait have been replaced with a borderline psychosis of being haunted. Genie seemed to spend a great deal of the book worried that she's losing her mind and trying not to hurt anyone. And that's not a bad thing. In fact it's very relatable. Whereas, Secret would cheekily tell people 'crazy runs in her family,' while she slaughters them.
I look forward to reading more of the sweeter sister's adventures.
Her story has a different style. Sarcasm and quippy one-liners as a character trait have been replaced with a borderline psychosis of being haunted. Genie seemed to spend a great deal of the book worried that she's losing her mind and trying not to hurt anyone. And that's not a bad thing. In fact it's very relatable. Whereas, Secret would cheekily tell people 'crazy runs in her family,' while she slaughters them.
I look forward to reading more of the sweeter sister's adventures.
September 13, 2022
This was so fun and dramatic. It brings me back to college reading Living Dead in Dallas. I didn't know how much I had missed this fun world of supernatural. I always think I'm not necessarily and fantasy world person, but here I am in the middle of a werewolf pack, loving the story and ready to start the next book.
The characters are relatable, the Louisiana descriptions are more accurate and not obnoxious (hard to come by) and the story is easy going but super tense when it needs to be. Very plot driven, quick moving and opens up to more books without ending on a super cliff hanger.
The characters are relatable, the Louisiana descriptions are more accurate and not obnoxious (hard to come by) and the story is easy going but super tense when it needs to be. Very plot driven, quick moving and opens up to more books without ending on a super cliff hanger.
April 17, 2023
This is yet another Sierra Dean great book with believable and interesting characters. It has so many twists and turns that keep your interest and in the end all things are brought to a tidy closure. I recommend her books.
July 24, 2022
I listened to this on Scribd and read it after reading the second one first. Really enjoyable.
October 16, 2022
Hmmm… Genie sounds not so strong headed as Secret. Uncertain and unsure of herself. Stubborn yes. A bit crazy yes. But just not as badass as Secret 😅
July 18, 2023
When you literally read a spinoff because the main series keeps making references without much explanation and you're confused AF.
October 3, 2016
Review originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-bayou-...
I have a lot of love for Ms. Dean’s Secret McQueen series and was very sad to see it end. I relished the last book in the series and took my time reading, hoping to make it last. There were certain characters who I needed to see carry on and Genie, Secret’s magical werewolf sister, was one of them. I was very excited to see a spin-off series in the works for her. Bayou Blues is the first book in the Genie McQueen series and picks up several years after the events in A Secret to Die For.
First off, let me say Genie McQueen is just the type of heroine I look for in Urban Fantasy romance. She’s brave, but fully admits her limitations and is willing to overcome any odd to protect those she feels she has a responsibility for. But really it’s her self- awareness and humor that allows the me as a reader to enjoy seeing events through her eyes and being in her head for 250 pages. As an avid fan of this author this is world is not new to me, but Genie brings something new to the table as she isn’t like her sister in many ways and must prove herself right off the bat. Where Secret was a bad-ass who jumped into all kinds of messes with both feet and eyes wide open, Genie treads a little softer. She’s more hesitant and definitely not a hard, snarky leader like her sister. Not yet at least.
When the story opens Genie is a college student living away from the pack. She has a human boyfriend and no real desire to step into a leadership role for her uncle. This is what her twin brother has been groomed for years, so it’s not really an idea that she has given much thought. She is well-known, I mean she did help her sister save the world from zombies and she’s a werewolf princess to boot, but she has no love for the paparazzi standing on her lawn and invading her life.
The supernatural world is suddenly receiving all kinds of attention and there are hate groups and anti-supe churches popping up all over the place. Genie is called back home when her uncle, the Alpha, starts to receive threats to the pack. The Church of Morning is spewing all kinds of hate across the media and even goes so far as to kidnap a pack member and send a video of him being tortured. It’s not until Genie realizes that no one intends to rush in and rescue him that she decides to take matters into her own hands. She doesn’t especially like the man abducted. Hank is a racist asshole who hasn’t exactly proved his loyalty, but Genie truly believes her pack comes first in everything. So she sets out to find him and bring him home.
Her apparent love interest and partner in this adventure is Wilder Shaw. Brother to Hank and a man who sets her teeth on edge with his flirtatious attitude. I liked Wilder. Like really liked Wilder. Alpha, but no too alpha, good-looking, flirty and sarcastic, I knew immediately he would be a character I would fall in love with as this series progresses.There is a whole history behind why he left the pack and his time away that I can’t wait to dive into. He and Genie make a good team as they are unraveling the mystery and uncovering exactly what’s going on with the Church of Morning and what they soon find out is years of its abuse and murder of werewolves. It does take a while for them to mesh, but when they did it was like they just clicked.
The Genie who just wanted a normal life with her human boyfriend at the beginning of Bayou Blues evolves into a much different woman by the end. She’s stronger than she knew, and I think realizes that she can be a bad-ass leader in her own right. She surely proved herself by the time this book wrapped up. I look forward to seeing her grow even more.
While I do think this Bayou Blues can be read as a stand-a-lone, with no prior knowledge of the previous series, I do think readers would get more enjoyment out of it if they did decide to start at the beginning with Secret McQueen. I certainly enjoyed myself and am already looking forward to the next release in this series. Black Magic Bayou is expected to release somewhere in December of this year and I am very much looking forward to it. Final Grade- B
Favorite Quote:
I have a lot of love for Ms. Dean’s Secret McQueen series and was very sad to see it end. I relished the last book in the series and took my time reading, hoping to make it last. There were certain characters who I needed to see carry on and Genie, Secret’s magical werewolf sister, was one of them. I was very excited to see a spin-off series in the works for her. Bayou Blues is the first book in the Genie McQueen series and picks up several years after the events in A Secret to Die For.
When your sister has already saved the world, you have an awful lot to live up to.
First off, let me say Genie McQueen is just the type of heroine I look for in Urban Fantasy romance. She’s brave, but fully admits her limitations and is willing to overcome any odd to protect those she feels she has a responsibility for. But really it’s her self- awareness and humor that allows the me as a reader to enjoy seeing events through her eyes and being in her head for 250 pages. As an avid fan of this author this is world is not new to me, but Genie brings something new to the table as she isn’t like her sister in many ways and must prove herself right off the bat. Where Secret was a bad-ass who jumped into all kinds of messes with both feet and eyes wide open, Genie treads a little softer. She’s more hesitant and definitely not a hard, snarky leader like her sister. Not yet at least.
When the story opens Genie is a college student living away from the pack. She has a human boyfriend and no real desire to step into a leadership role for her uncle. This is what her twin brother has been groomed for years, so it’s not really an idea that she has given much thought. She is well-known, I mean she did help her sister save the world from zombies and she’s a werewolf princess to boot, but she has no love for the paparazzi standing on her lawn and invading her life.
The supernatural world is suddenly receiving all kinds of attention and there are hate groups and anti-supe churches popping up all over the place. Genie is called back home when her uncle, the Alpha, starts to receive threats to the pack. The Church of Morning is spewing all kinds of hate across the media and even goes so far as to kidnap a pack member and send a video of him being tortured. It’s not until Genie realizes that no one intends to rush in and rescue him that she decides to take matters into her own hands. She doesn’t especially like the man abducted. Hank is a racist asshole who hasn’t exactly proved his loyalty, but Genie truly believes her pack comes first in everything. So she sets out to find him and bring him home.
Her apparent love interest and partner in this adventure is Wilder Shaw. Brother to Hank and a man who sets her teeth on edge with his flirtatious attitude. I liked Wilder. Like really liked Wilder. Alpha, but no too alpha, good-looking, flirty and sarcastic, I knew immediately he would be a character I would fall in love with as this series progresses.There is a whole history behind why he left the pack and his time away that I can’t wait to dive into. He and Genie make a good team as they are unraveling the mystery and uncovering exactly what’s going on with the Church of Morning and what they soon find out is years of its abuse and murder of werewolves. It does take a while for them to mesh, but when they did it was like they just clicked.
The Genie who just wanted a normal life with her human boyfriend at the beginning of Bayou Blues evolves into a much different woman by the end. She’s stronger than she knew, and I think realizes that she can be a bad-ass leader in her own right. She surely proved herself by the time this book wrapped up. I look forward to seeing her grow even more.
While I do think this Bayou Blues can be read as a stand-a-lone, with no prior knowledge of the previous series, I do think readers would get more enjoyment out of it if they did decide to start at the beginning with Secret McQueen. I certainly enjoyed myself and am already looking forward to the next release in this series. Black Magic Bayou is expected to release somewhere in December of this year and I am very much looking forward to it. Final Grade- B
Favorite Quote:
I didn’t need to be my sister.
Being me should be enough.
March 10, 2018
I read these two back to back. They have great characters and character building, but they go to a really dark place. It was uncomfortable. They are mostly mysteries with a hint of romance - 95% mystery. The first one is about a hate-speech preacher and his atrocities.
March 20, 2015
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
Three years ago Genie’s sister (some of you may know her: Secret McQueen) averted the apocalypse and in the process the supernatural community was outed to the general population. Being werewolf royalty, Genie McQueen has tried her hardest to remain “normal.” She’s been given her freedom to live away from her pack and attend college. She has a human boyfriend, human friends. I suppose the moral of the story should be that you can’t run from what you are.
When a local church starts garnering attention and support for their dislike (putting it mildly) of supernaturals, Genie is asked to return home for safety. When the church ups the ante by kidnapping a member of the pack, Genie, along with the victim’s brother, Wilder, head out not only to save their pack member/brother, but also to stand up for all werewolves. In the process, Genie figures out the things she thought she wanted, that “normal,” is not the same—that she’s not the same person she used to be.
Everything about Bayou Blues just clicked for me. I haven’t read the Secret McQueen series (I know, for shame!), but from references in Bayou Blues I’m assuming Genie makes an appearance in that series. Rest assured nothing is taken away by not having read the predecessor series.
Instead Bayou Blues felt to me very much like an introduction to Genie despite what may already be known about her from Secret’s series. Readers go along on the journey with Genie as she learns what it is she truly wants out of her life as opposed to what she believes others want for her. I loved her character. I loved the snarky quips that would fly out of her mouth so smoothly I would find myself rereading the dialogue to make sure I read it right. I loved that while many people underestimate her and see her as weak she is anything but.
Being both a werewolf and having magic gives Genie the potential for extreme power. In Bayou Blues we get to see that Genie still struggles with how to harness all that power. We see times throughout the story where the magic has the opportunity to overwhelm Genie, but it speaks to her strength and personality, that she uses every resource available to her to make sure that she doesn’t lose herself within the magic even though that would mean becoming the ultimate power.
One of the things I like doing with a new series is trying to pick out the relationship. Well, the sparks between Genie and Wilder are pretty apparent from the first moment they’re on the page together. When I’ve read a lot of paranormal romances in a row, I forget how nice it is to see a relationship develop over the course of a few books. With both of them being alphas, and the way they seem to be able to keep each other on their toes, things are going to be interesting.
Bayou Blues really sets Genie on the path she wants to take with her werewolf side. We understand what her goals are in that regard. Based on instances in the story, I’m really interested to see how her magic side shakes things up for her and if she really will be able to reconcile both parts of herself.
Three years ago Genie’s sister (some of you may know her: Secret McQueen) averted the apocalypse and in the process the supernatural community was outed to the general population. Being werewolf royalty, Genie McQueen has tried her hardest to remain “normal.” She’s been given her freedom to live away from her pack and attend college. She has a human boyfriend, human friends. I suppose the moral of the story should be that you can’t run from what you are.
When a local church starts garnering attention and support for their dislike (putting it mildly) of supernaturals, Genie is asked to return home for safety. When the church ups the ante by kidnapping a member of the pack, Genie, along with the victim’s brother, Wilder, head out not only to save their pack member/brother, but also to stand up for all werewolves. In the process, Genie figures out the things she thought she wanted, that “normal,” is not the same—that she’s not the same person she used to be.
Everything about Bayou Blues just clicked for me. I haven’t read the Secret McQueen series (I know, for shame!), but from references in Bayou Blues I’m assuming Genie makes an appearance in that series. Rest assured nothing is taken away by not having read the predecessor series.
Instead Bayou Blues felt to me very much like an introduction to Genie despite what may already be known about her from Secret’s series. Readers go along on the journey with Genie as she learns what it is she truly wants out of her life as opposed to what she believes others want for her. I loved her character. I loved the snarky quips that would fly out of her mouth so smoothly I would find myself rereading the dialogue to make sure I read it right. I loved that while many people underestimate her and see her as weak she is anything but.
Being both a werewolf and having magic gives Genie the potential for extreme power. In Bayou Blues we get to see that Genie still struggles with how to harness all that power. We see times throughout the story where the magic has the opportunity to overwhelm Genie, but it speaks to her strength and personality, that she uses every resource available to her to make sure that she doesn’t lose herself within the magic even though that would mean becoming the ultimate power.
One of the things I like doing with a new series is trying to pick out the relationship. Well, the sparks between Genie and Wilder are pretty apparent from the first moment they’re on the page together. When I’ve read a lot of paranormal romances in a row, I forget how nice it is to see a relationship develop over the course of a few books. With both of them being alphas, and the way they seem to be able to keep each other on their toes, things are going to be interesting.
Bayou Blues really sets Genie on the path she wants to take with her werewolf side. We understand what her goals are in that regard. Based on instances in the story, I’m really interested to see how her magic side shakes things up for her and if she really will be able to reconcile both parts of herself.
March 20, 2015
I'm so excited to be getting more books in the world of Secret McQueen! (There are also more Misfits and Mayhem novellas in the works. Squee!) I always thought that Secret's werewolf family, the Southeast pack lead by her Uncle Callum, was so interesting. Her little sister Genie played a small role in helping to stop the zombies taking over New York in A Secret to Die For and now she's starring in her own series.
Twenty-one year old Genie is a student at Tulane living in New Orleans with her human law student boyfriend. She's frequently been pursued by reporters who want to interview the "werewolf princess" since the events in the last Secret book outed the supernaturals. Fearing her high profile will make her a target when The Church of Morning threatens the pack, Uncle Callum calls her home. On the way there, she's run off the road by a church fanatic. She calls the only tow truck in town and finds herself stuck with Wilder Shaw.
I really like Wilder. He's confident and flirtatious, but he's not over the top Alpha. I also like the fact that he has a history with Genie's twin brother Ben and I'm curious about how that, along with something that happens at the end of the book, will affect the siblings' relationship in the future.
I had some reservations, however, about the anti-supe church. I felt like it's been done before. The Church of Morning even sounds a little bit like The Fellowship of the Sun. Despite that, Sierra Dean twisted the familiar plot in a whole new way.
What I really enjoyed about this book is that it feels like a werewolf story. Even though Genie is also half witch and has magic abilities, the plot really revolves around the wolves. It has elements of pack politics as well as Genie growing into her position and learning how to be an Alpha. I feel like I really don't read many true werewolf stories. They're usually mixed in with the vampires and the other supes. So I loved that about Bayou Blues.
I also love the NOLA setting, even though that's also been done before. But again, it's something I mostly associate with vampires rather than werewolves. I'm excited to see how Dean develops Genie's version of the city in the series.
This book does have some small spoilers for the end of the Secret McQueen series, but it's nothing that would keep you from enjoying the last two books if you haven't read them yet. And if you have read A Secret to Die For, you know something Genie doesn't about the secondary plot that continues into the next book.
I feel like this series is off to a solid start and I'm really looking forward to the rest of Genie's story.
This review was originally published at Goldilox and the Three Weres and was based on a copy provided by the author.
Twenty-one year old Genie is a student at Tulane living in New Orleans with her human law student boyfriend. She's frequently been pursued by reporters who want to interview the "werewolf princess" since the events in the last Secret book outed the supernaturals. Fearing her high profile will make her a target when The Church of Morning threatens the pack, Uncle Callum calls her home. On the way there, she's run off the road by a church fanatic. She calls the only tow truck in town and finds herself stuck with Wilder Shaw.
I really like Wilder. He's confident and flirtatious, but he's not over the top Alpha. I also like the fact that he has a history with Genie's twin brother Ben and I'm curious about how that, along with something that happens at the end of the book, will affect the siblings' relationship in the future.
I had some reservations, however, about the anti-supe church. I felt like it's been done before. The Church of Morning even sounds a little bit like The Fellowship of the Sun. Despite that, Sierra Dean twisted the familiar plot in a whole new way.
What I really enjoyed about this book is that it feels like a werewolf story. Even though Genie is also half witch and has magic abilities, the plot really revolves around the wolves. It has elements of pack politics as well as Genie growing into her position and learning how to be an Alpha. I feel like I really don't read many true werewolf stories. They're usually mixed in with the vampires and the other supes. So I loved that about Bayou Blues.
I also love the NOLA setting, even though that's also been done before. But again, it's something I mostly associate with vampires rather than werewolves. I'm excited to see how Dean develops Genie's version of the city in the series.
This book does have some small spoilers for the end of the Secret McQueen series, but it's nothing that would keep you from enjoying the last two books if you haven't read them yet. And if you have read A Secret to Die For, you know something Genie doesn't about the secondary plot that continues into the next book.
I feel like this series is off to a solid start and I'm really looking forward to the rest of Genie's story.
This review was originally published at Goldilox and the Three Weres and was based on a copy provided by the author.
March 22, 2015
Genie McQueen has some big shoes to fill after everything big sis Secret did to save the world and I have a feeling it's going to be a kick in the pants watching her grow into herself. (To be fair, it took a good long while and plenty of bloodshed before Secret became as badass as she did. Plenty of bloodshed. Buckets of it, even.)
One thing Genie and Secret have in common is that they can't stand idly by when they're needed. They also chafe against authority. Those McQueens. Always pushing when someone tells them to pull.
This is a good thing, though. Genie can't sit back and do nothing when one of her pack is taken. So she acts. That she has to take to the road with a hunk of burning love werewolf who sets her panties on fire is just that good, ole McQueen luck. No, wait. The McQueen luck usually ends up raining down brimstone and destruction.
Sometimes literally.
Anyway. I loved loved loved seeing Genie fumble her way through doing the right thing. She doesn't always make the right choices, but she tries her hardest. Plus, it's hard sometimes to do the right thing when freaky burned things pop up out of nowhere to haunt her and her magic is bouncing around inside her. That's a lot of handle.
The sexy werewolf is distracting, too. As sexy werewolves are.
I'm excited to revisit this world (*fist pump in Secret's direction*) and can't wait to see how Genie handles the new responsibilities given to her.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
One thing Genie and Secret have in common is that they can't stand idly by when they're needed. They also chafe against authority. Those McQueens. Always pushing when someone tells them to pull.
This is a good thing, though. Genie can't sit back and do nothing when one of her pack is taken. So she acts. That she has to take to the road with a hunk of burning love werewolf who sets her panties on fire is just that good, ole McQueen luck. No, wait. The McQueen luck usually ends up raining down brimstone and destruction.
Sometimes literally.
Anyway. I loved loved loved seeing Genie fumble her way through doing the right thing. She doesn't always make the right choices, but she tries her hardest. Plus, it's hard sometimes to do the right thing when freaky burned things pop up out of nowhere to haunt her and her magic is bouncing around inside her. That's a lot of handle.
The sexy werewolf is distracting, too. As sexy werewolves are.
I'm excited to revisit this world (*fist pump in Secret's direction*) and can't wait to see how Genie handles the new responsibilities given to her.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
May 6, 2015
I had some problems when the action started...I was waiting for Secret...yes I know it's not her story...but I was expecting her :P
It's nice to see a younger Secret...yes yes I know I should stop with the comparison but I can't so please endure it :P...she is a power in her own way and I like that a lot...I hate when the women start being strong and in the end they need a man to save them...but here that's not the issue. She is tough cookie.
There is action, romance...not to much, hatred and much more...and guess what? they are all where and when they should me...
I can't wait for the next book...I would like to see what will happen with her and Wilder...I know it's not a hard thing to imagine...but I like to read it too :P
It's nice to see a younger Secret...yes yes I know I should stop with the comparison but I can't so please endure it :P...she is a power in her own way and I like that a lot...I hate when the women start being strong and in the end they need a man to save them...but here that's not the issue. She is tough cookie.
There is action, romance...not to much, hatred and much more...and guess what? they are all where and when they should me...
I can't wait for the next book...I would like to see what will happen with her and Wilder...I know it's not a hard thing to imagine...but I like to read it too :P
April 1, 2015
With so many human forces ranged against Genie and her allies, the fur flies in this tale. Genie's twin Ben is an ass, and I get the feeling that Genie is going to end up maturing over the course of the series and ascending to Queen of the South, displacing Ben. I can't wait to see that sanctimonious bastard Ben get his come-uppance! There are a few points where my willing suspension of disbelief is strongly challenged, but I thoroughly enjoy BAYOU BLUES, and am definitely on board for this next set of adventures to come from the fabulous author Sierra Dean.
See my full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id...
See my full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id...
March 26, 2015
LOVED this!! Couldn't put it down - I was such a huge fan of Secret's books I was a little hesitant to read this one. It sure exceeded my expectations! Can't wait for book 2.
March 31, 2015
Not the love interest I expected but hot damn what a man. Impatiently awaiting the next book!
August 20, 2021
love love love Genie. Cant wait to read the next 2
January 23, 2016
Excellent, can't wait for the next one. Anyone who is fond of the Secret McQueen series will definitely enjoy this.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews