After being possessed by the ghost of Sanite Villere and made to do unspeakable things, Julien Villere is ready to get the hell out of New Orleans, and fast. Haunted by lingering shame, humiliation, and guilt, Julien discovers the perfect opportunity to escape when he discovers strange shrines to two women with the last name Grisé in his grandmother’s closet.
A gator. That's what police say killed Nichole Montoya's father while he fished in Bayou Grisé. But she knows better, knows he isn't dead. Not because they haven’t found his body, but because she hasn't seen his ghost. Reluctantly returning to Plantation Grisé to settle his estate, Nichole is determined to do everything in her power to find him, even revisit old demons.
Located deep in the swamps of the Louisiana bayou, Plantation Grisé looks like a peaceful place for Julien to come to terms with his constant self-torment. But beyond the Live Oaks, Spanish Moss, and postcard surroundings, the Planation has its share of mystery. Together Nichole's demons and Julien's skeletons might just give them the answers they seek.
When not writing, C.D. Hussey enjoys a career as a professional engineer. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, teenage son, and two cats.
Besides exploring the world of Human Vampires, C.D. also enjoys writing fantasy romance.
last year, i read Villere House, despite it seeming to be well outside of my general reading-sphere, just because leslie is such a funny and nice lady. and even though, yeah, it was a paranormal romance type of book, it was actually more gothic romance, all full of new orleans voodoo and possession and sweaty passion, which is an easier genre for me to ease into than true paranormal romance.
this companion book doesn't even let paranormal romance get a word in edgewise - this is pure southern gothic. sure, there are paranormal elements, but it's not shapeshifters and vampires and whatever else might be sexxy in those books - this one is all ghosties and voodoo-zombies and alligators, oh my. and yessss, there is some intercourse, but what else are you going to do in the sultry bayou when you're attractive and you're already sweaty and you're all keyed up from fear and mourning and…book research?? you're gonna take your clothes off and get a little temporary release from your troubles.
this one involves julien, the brother of the romantic hero of Villere House, xavier. he went through some shitty experiences in that first book, and in this one, he gets a little redemption and the opportunity to get away from the glare of perfection that surrounds xavier. and for all his (completely justifiable) bad behavior in Villere House, julien's not so bad. apart from being, you know - dreamy, he's also a good person, handy in a crisis, and capable of coming to the aid of a damsel in distress.
which is lucky for nichole, because she is totally in distress. her father has just disappeared and is presumed dead, but she knows in her heart he is still alive. she's come to the plantation grisé from baton rouge ostensibly to settle his affairs, but also to employ her specific abilities to get some answers and hopefully to reunite with him. julien has been led to the very same plantation after finding a photograph of two women labeled grisé attached to a shrine among his grand-mère's belongings, which inspires him to take a fact-finding road trip do some research for the book he is writing about his family. when he arrives at the plantation, he is instantly attracted to nichole's beauty and the troubled aura she is giving off, and manages to combine research with romance and heroic adventures, like so many great writers before him.
it's a very enjoyable story - julien is a lot funnier and cooler than xavier, and nichole is well-suited to him - it's one of those good partnership-romances that doesn't feel unbalanced. it's got all the good stuff that characterizes a southern gothic - big crumbling antebellum house with uneasy racial history, creepy inbred locals, spectral appearances, foul-smelling swamps, alligators as both predator and prey and so many descriptions about how uncomfortably hot louisiana can get. seriously - it was killing me. how anyone could feel amorous in an environment like that boggles my little new england mind.
It was hot as balls out here; shit probably started rotting before it even died.
yeah, no. i don't let anyone stand anywhere near me when it's like 65 degrees. the thought of getting frisky with someone in the muggy hundreds is nowhere near an option.
but apart from that - i really enjoyed this. solid romance, good resolution, well-incorporated backstory from Villere House without it screaming "remember this??" you should definitely read Villere House first, or risk being slightly confused, but it's good stuff, so no hardship there. plus, leslie's really cool, so you'd be doing a nice thing for a nice person, and that math makes you a nice person. so there.
Last year I went out of my comfort zone and read a book that I wouldn’t normally read. I fell in love with the story Villere House. It was such a unique, mysterious/paranormal romance and it knocked me off my feet. I can’t recommend that book enough. Bayou Grise is the second book in the Blood of My Blood series. It focus’s on Xavier’s brother, Julien. Julien is the type of character I love to read about. He’s not near as sweet as Xavier. He’s a little less sweet and charming and a little more brash, sexy and dominate. When Julien leaves NOLA to go to the Bayou and figure things out, he meets someone named Nichole. And he might have just met his match.
Nichole is back in the Bayou for her father. Her father, who everyone claims is dead. Died in a fishing accident- a gator must have got him. That’s what everyone says. But Nichole knows better. Nichole has a little bit of magic up her sleeve as well. The Villere’s aren’t the only family who possesses these gifts. But to Nichole, it is more of a curse. She will have to use all her strength to find her father. Even if that means getting help from the handsome and cocky visitor at the plantation. Julien.
I like Nichole and Julien together. I feel like they really compliment each other. Their relationship is less of a epic romance and more of a discovery. I love the history and culture that this series presents. The adventure these two go on. It makes me feel like I’m right there, wrapped up in the Voodoo world. I love books that feel like they take you places, and Fear and Hussey have that gift.
If you like books that are different, fresh and have a bit more suspense and supernatural type themes, this is a series I would recommend. If you’re like me, and that’s not your normal type of book, I would still recommend you give these books a go. They’re well written, entertaining and have great story lines. I can’t wait to see what this duo comes up with next!
Leslie Fear and C. D. Hussey have done it again. After reading Villere House I wanted to know more about the sneaky brother, Julien. He rubbed me the wrong way. He was creepy. He was kind of a jerk...but I wanted to know more. Boy, was I wrong. I freaking love me some Julien. He's smart-assy, he's dark, he's mysterious, but he's caring and loyal beneath it all. The things that Nichole and Julien get into will rock your world. Have you shaking your head and really wondering what's real and what's not. This story quenched my thirst for more about this story, for sure!
I was ecstatic when I heard there was going to be a sequel to Villere House, and once I read the synopsis and saw Bayou Grise followed Julien, I was even more intrigued. Then I realized I'd have to wait a little while to read it. It was killing me! But to my surprise and happiness, I was provided an arc by authors Fear and Hussey, so no more waiting!
I started this one, really not knowing where it was headed. Julien is writing a book - say what? He finds a shrine of sorts in his grandmother's closet, wondering what the connection is between his grandmother and the people in the photographs. So, he heads down to the Bayou to do a little bit of research. There he meets Nichole. (I was immersed in the story from the beginning. I love a good mystery). Nichole is struggling. Her daddy has gone missing, and most people are skeptical that he is still alive. But Nichole has hope.
Sparks fly between Julien and Nichole. (I'm sure you know where that's headed:)The nice thing was it wasn't insta-love. You feel the instant connection between the two characters.
We learn that Nichole has a gift. (Won't give away spoilers). And somehow Nichole and Julien find themselves in a terrible situation. (Won't give that away either). Let's just say that the 2nd half of the book I was tapping my Kindle screen anxious to find out what would happen.
But it's not just the plot or the storyline that had me pulled in. With characters like Two Tooth, Mrs. Puts and Julien, how could I not love this story? I'm a sucker for realistic characters.
Love the dialogue in this story. Love the unique setting and story line. Love the fast-paced plot. And, well, I loved that the ending was full of surprises.
I highly recommend this for anyone who loves a unique paranormal story with romance and mystery. I don't normally read paranormal books, but I'll continue to read any paranormal story these two authors write.
Leslie Fear and CD Hussey have finished the sequel to Villere House. I have been waiting. Not so patiently. W. A. I. T. I. N. G.
Aren't there just certain smells that trigger an emotional response. For me it's old books. Makes me happy. Cinnamon and cedar reminds me of Christmas. Dead fish and swamp smells are sexy. Wait. No they are not....but if anyone can make me like the smell of the swamp it's Leslie Fear and CD Hussey. Oh, and Julien doesn't hurt. Not at all.
Julien Villere needs a change of scenery. He has been through the ringer. Being possessed by your ancestor's spirit can be draining. And now he has to not only clean out his recently deceased grandmother's house, but watch his brother be in love to boot. Yes....he needs a get away weekend. So when he stumbles on a set of photographs that must have meant something to his grandmother, he decides to take a few days for himself.
When Julien arrives at Plantation Grise', he feels no more at home than in he did when he left New Orleans.
It was a place for debutantes and polo, not his broke-ass.
Nicole has just lost her father. "Lost" as in doesn't know where he is but knows he isn't dead. Despite the funeral, the wake, the flowers. When she meets Julien, he is just another guy who wouldn't understand her, her past, and certainly not her present.
Well, it was a skill at least. Making beautiful women uneasy.
Julien is looking for answers with no real idea of what the question is. Nicole has lots of questions, but no answers that satisfy her. Bayou Grise' takes you into the swamp to find dead fish, maneating gators, bad dental care, white eyed old men, and new uses for salt. But it's slow to give up the answers Julian and Nicole need.
This girl was good at hiding, well, everything. He liked it.
Julien is a sexy smart ass. He can cuss, kiss and has some crazy sewing skills. Nicole needs someone who is not afraid of the dangers of the swamp, the supernatural or the heart. Can Julien be the man she needs?
She searched his face for a moment, looking for any sign of doubt. There was none, only understanding.
I loved this one even more than the first. This is a great blend of contempary romance and paranormal. It's obvious the authors has done their research and love the place they are writing about. They take you into the swamp and make you want to stay.
Ok, ummm, yeah, a just WOW!!! C.D. Hussey and Leslie Fear did it again. I loved the first book in this series and I stated in my review that it was not my normal read, but had me captivated beginning to end. I can honestly say that this story did that and more…. Yes I willingly admit that I had to stop reading and go to something else because it was late at night and I was home completely alone and this story scared the shit out of me!!! LOL but I am a world famous wuss when it comes to all things scary…. This story stars Julien, Nicole, and the voodoo world on the bayou. I loved the progression of the characters relationship. The story was fast moving, fascinating and had me looking over my shoulder on more that one occasion. At the same time the affection that was developing between Julien and Nicole was rooted in surviving situations they faced and trusting each other to get out alive. These authors did an amazing job at transplanting me to an old plantation on the Bayou; I could almost feel the humidity and hear the swamp critters sounding off. I will not claim to know anything about voodoo, so to me everything that I read seemed very really, and tied into book one brilliantly. The history of two families flowed wonderfully and never seemed far-fetched. I recommend this book to ALL who strive for a different yet fascinating read. WELL DONE!!
Another amazing cover and even better book. Okay I just finished the first book a day ago and was amazed. I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy the book since I don't have any knowledge of Voodoo. Well I ended up starting and finishing the book in one day. I bought Boyou Grise right after I finished book one. I couldn't wait to jump into the series again. So in book one we all fell in love with Lottie and Xavier. We were introduced to Voodoo and New Orleans. We were also introduced to Julien, Xavier's brother. I wasn't sure what to expect with Bayou Grise since Julien had some major issues in book one. Well Julien redeems himself in Bayou Grise, and in a big way.
When his grandmother passes away, Julien finds pictures that say the name Grise on the back of them. Still trying to write his family history/Voodoo book Julien goes to the Bayou to learn about this Grise family. And cue Nichole. Nichole recently lost her father, or so everyone says. Her father is missing, according to Nichole. With help from each other, Julien and Nichole learn more than they bargained for. Filled with romance, adventure, suspense, supernatural, and the past and present, this book will leave you on the edge of your seat wondering how it will end. Which by the way, it ended perfect. I can't wait for more books in this series and more books from these authors. An amazing follow up to a great beginning of a series.
I am going to try really hard or to have any spoilers.
After reading the first book in the Sins of Sanite series, Villere House, I was not too fond of Julien. You'll have to read it to find out why. But Leslie Fear told me that would change in Bayou Grisè, and she was right!
Julien is just coming out of a pretty bad situation of being possessed by an ancestor, Sanite, a powerful Voodoo priestess. He decides to take a trip to do research for his book on their family history, but what is supposed to be a nice relaxing trip quickly takes a drastic turn. Julien meets Nichole who is battling some demons on her own.
With Julien's help, Nichole must find out what happened to her missing father. Everyone says he's dead but she will not believe it. And what exactly are those swamp people up to?
This book definitely takes you on a thrill ride. It left me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what would happen. Once again Leslie Fear and C.D. Hussey did not disappoint. I enjoyed this second book as much as the first if not more. This was the perfect paranormal, thriller, romance, just in time for Halloween.
I am drawn to anything with the theme of New Orleans, Voodoo and Magic. So when I came across these two books I knew I needed to read them. I didn't really consider them to be romantic even if it is a huge part of the plot. The first book includes dreams about the 19th century, letting you read the history of the family and I personally love stories that allow you to live through the past instead of just mentioning what happend. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen in the second book and although you do get to figure out what happend I found it a tad bit disappointing.
I don't know what the future holds for this series, it seems a completed storyline with a satisfying ending. I would definitely recommend these books to anyone who would like to read more about this theme/setting.
I have a very real problem with this book...its sequel is not listed on the author's account or website. How can they make us love their world and not let us know about book 3? Rude, I tell you. As usual, the author's created a spellbinding story with a bit of the creeps, this one set at an old plantation near NOLA. Loved fInding out that Justein was not truly the jerk we saw him be before, loved the whole HEA, and will miss this couple if they dont make an appearance in the next book.
Although I didn't feel the pull I did with Villere House I enjoyed this book. It was nice to see the other side of Julien after the crap that happened in the first book with him. Just like the first book this story is set around all things Voodoo. I find myself wanting to learn more of this practice after reading these books and this proves the authors have written something I enjoyed. Once again the story was paced perfectly and the characters were engaging.
I just stared this book. I have so been wanting to read more books by CD Hussey. I have read all of her other books and just loved them. This one is starting out to be just as well written as her other books.
I just finished reading this book in one day. That should show how much I loved it and I am hoping that CD Hussey will have another book out soon.
Just like the first book I hated this one to end... I always knew Julian had a good side to him instead of his usual cocky male chauvinistic side. As in the first book. I wished there had been more to Nicole' s family history, like the Vallere family or even Lottie's family line (first book). Of course I loved folk lore, the setting, the occult, and it's paranormal aspect, and the many colorful characters.
Loved the mystery and excitement in this one with voodoo taking a front seat in the action. Fans of The Gates of Evangeline will enjoy this one, too. More to come later on the blog.
Updated book pairing/mini-review: I really enjoyed the first book in this series and looked forward to the New Orleans setting (a favorite setting for me) that would encompass the second book. I wasn’t disappointed. The writing is fluid, the storyline is engaging and suspenseful, and the characters are likeable. I loved the mystery and excitement in this one with voodoo taking a front seat in the action. Yes, I have a favorite setting for books; doesn’t everyone?
Bayou Grisé begins when Julien finds a shrine hidden in his deceased grandmother’s closet. He becomes curious and follows a trail leading him to an old plantation near New Orleans where he hopes to learn more. There, he becomes entangled in a mystery of a missing father to Nichole, a mystery that is steeped in voodoo and sins of ancestors’ pasts that catch up with him and Nichole in a vicious way. It was nice to see a different side to Julien in this book compared to the nasty character he was in Villere House. This book easily takes the reader into the throes of voodoo in a climactic finish, reading more like contemporary romance during the first half while hitting the horror mark during the last half. It’s a pretty short book at around 200 pages and can easily be read in one day.
While both The Gates of Evangeline and Bayou Grisé are completely different in plot, they have a familiarity about them that makes them a good pairing. Both are easy recommendations, and Bayou Grisé can be read as a standalone. Both books feature a Louisiana plantation (near New Orleans) setting, a Southern gothic feel, are fast-paced, and suspenseful. Both books also feature a protagonist who is gifted in a similar fashion, add an interesting back story, and have a solid resolution.
Julien feels horrible for what he did to Lottie and his brother, even if it wasn't really him. Being possessed was not something he is easily able to get over and when the chance to get out of the city and do some research on his book comes up he jumps on the chance.
Nichole is determined to find her father, even if everyone else thinks he's dead. She has a way of knowing for sure and won't accept what anyone else tries to much on her as the truth.
The twos first meeting is horrible with Julien putting his foot pretty well into his mouth, but there's something about Nichole the pushes him to keep fighting his way into her company.
Secrets surround Nichole and mystery is all around the both of them. Can the two come together to figure things out in time before things around them get out of control?
More history is interlaced in this one and I enjoyed seeing another side of Julien that was separate from how he acted in book one of this series.
Nichole has reason for being careful about opening herself up to people but I loved seeing as she accepted Julien for who he is and letting him into her life and secrets.
Oh my goodness! I freaking love this book! I liked Julian in book one, but I fell in love with Julian in Bayou Grise: Sins of Sanite by Leslie Fear.
This book follows Julian after his possession. Feeling angry, and guilty he decides to take a break and do some more research for his book on the Villere family. Some old photos lead him to The Grise Plantation in the Bayou where he meets Nichole.
This book had me completely enthralled. Like the first book it had me intrigued and had me guessing. I loved the history of it, and the way it all came around full circle. I really felt that Julian grew and matured a lot in this book and I loved it.
I really liked Nichole, I thought she was extremely real and unique. I thought she was perfect for Julian! And the love she had for her father was admirable, I was like that with my dad too, and it made me love her more!