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Count The Roses
Betrayed and jilted, Jennifer Dewitt finds solace in a new job and new city. Men and marriage are not on her radar. Adrien Merrill’s divorce leaves him bitter and jaded. In Cajun custom, pride rules. Yet Adrien aches for a woman to fill his days with laughter, his nights with passion, and his house with children. He sets his sights on Jennifer and runs right into stubborn, mouthy and independent. He soon discovers the line between pride and love is as whisper thin as a fine silk thread.
368 pages, ebook
First published February 1, 1984
271 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Weger
39 books325 followersI would rather write an obit than my bio, mostly because I'm one of the most boring souls you'll ever meet. I have been to interesting places and met interesting people, but none of it rubbed off on me. Some of those places and some of those people found their way into characters or settings in my romance novels which lends me about an inch of panache--on the table below the salt. With family or solo, I've traveled since I was about eleven. I spent years living abroad in Central America in little jungle villages absorbing the native culture and language. I spent months on off-islands and sailed in the Pacific with a friend until his sloop sank--not with us on it--thank goodness. I spent a New Year's in Montreal, a summer semester in the U.K and a few glorious days in Paris before returning Stateside to finish a degree in history, then it was off to Panama and Costa Rica. While my passport is always handy, I've settled down in Texas to be near my family. Since I'm sitting still, I've plugged in my laptop and started writing again. After an absence of a few years, I've jumped back into the publishing world which has changed dramatically. I love the changes. In the past, category romance novels had a shelf life between yogurt and ice cream, but with the advent of e-books they can live on the Web for years. I'm excited to be publishing my backlist. I'm working on a new novel. I live with a man, a dog, seven feral cats and go to Bingo on Friday night. The most exciting thing that's happened in my life recently is a cow wandered into my yard and ate my garden. See what I mean about being boring?
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Blurb:
Betrayed and jilted, Jennifer Dewitt finds solace in a new job and new city. Men and marriage are not on her radar. Adrien Merrill’s divorce leaves him bitter and jaded. In Cajun custom, pride rules. Yet Adrien aches for a woman to fill his days with laughter, his nights with passion, and his house with children. He sets his sights on Jennifer and runs right into stubborn, mouthy and independent. He soon discovers the line between pride and love is as whisper thin as a fine silk thread.
Blurb:
Betrayed and jilted, Jennifer Dewitt finds solace in a new job and new city. Men and marriage are not on her radar. Adrien Merrill’s divorce leaves him bitter and jaded. In Cajun custom, pride rules. Yet Adrien aches for a woman to fill his days with laughter, his nights with passion, and his house with children. He sets his sights on Jennifer and runs right into stubborn, mouthy and independent. He soon discovers the line between pride and love is as whisper thin as a fine silk thread.
September 29, 2013
All I did was download a sample of this book and I was hooked. I had to buy a copy.
The author's descriptions of the bayou and New Orleans are fantastic. I loved the characters—all of them. They felt real, like people I would like to know. I immediately became involved in their circumstances, in the tragedies of their pasts, and I ached for Adrien and Jennifer to transcend their differences so they could find love at last. This really is an unforgettable story.
Download a sample. That's all it will take to be hooked by the beautiful writing.
The author's descriptions of the bayou and New Orleans are fantastic. I loved the characters—all of them. They felt real, like people I would like to know. I immediately became involved in their circumstances, in the tragedies of their pasts, and I ached for Adrien and Jennifer to transcend their differences so they could find love at last. This really is an unforgettable story.
Download a sample. That's all it will take to be hooked by the beautiful writing.
October 30, 2018
I'm convinced that Ms. Weger was a fly on the wall in the south in order to write these characters. Jennifer DeWitt and Adrien Merrill pretty much live up to the Northerner living in the South and the Southerner trying to figure out a Northerner. Seriously, Jennifer and Adrien have to navigate their own preconceived ideas and feelings in order to come together in this story. And it is just as I would imagine life would be like in the Bayou.
April 4, 2018
Story of a man and woman, each hurt in a different way, from vastly different worlds, finding each other and a new lease on love. Fairly well edited. Main complaint is the inconsistency in the spelling of names. Adrien/Adrian. Letty/Leddy. I don't care which, just pick one and stick with it.
Adrien has been hurt. He married, only to find that his wife hates the bayou country he calls home, and she eventually walked out. Jennifer has been hurt. Her fiancee used her to get a job with her father, and as soon as that came through, he walked away. Jennifer leaves New York and moves to New Orleans, taking a job at a local boutique hotel. Here, she meets Adrien. He more or less blackmails her into a date, even though she isn't supposed to date guests. They develop a hot and cold relationship. He gets her to come out to his home on the bayou and host an important business weekend for him. Both Adrien and Jennifer have been badly burned by love in the past. Will they take a chance on a new love? Will either of them bend in their independence, or will they break their own hearts with pride?
Lots of interesting supporting characters. Bertie. Henri. Leddy and Etienne. All of the goings on a the hotel. Ms. Weger writes with a really nice flow to it. Mostly, it feels like the words flow along, only occasionally getting a little stagnant before breaking free and moving again. Things were wrapped up fairly well, although they did seem a little rushed in the end. Enjoy!
Adrien has been hurt. He married, only to find that his wife hates the bayou country he calls home, and she eventually walked out. Jennifer has been hurt. Her fiancee used her to get a job with her father, and as soon as that came through, he walked away. Jennifer leaves New York and moves to New Orleans, taking a job at a local boutique hotel. Here, she meets Adrien. He more or less blackmails her into a date, even though she isn't supposed to date guests. They develop a hot and cold relationship. He gets her to come out to his home on the bayou and host an important business weekend for him. Both Adrien and Jennifer have been badly burned by love in the past. Will they take a chance on a new love? Will either of them bend in their independence, or will they break their own hearts with pride?
Lots of interesting supporting characters. Bertie. Henri. Leddy and Etienne. All of the goings on a the hotel. Ms. Weger writes with a really nice flow to it. Mostly, it feels like the words flow along, only occasionally getting a little stagnant before breaking free and moving again. Things were wrapped up fairly well, although they did seem a little rushed in the end. Enjoy!
October 2, 2018
I'm moving to Louisiana!
Adrien was my cup of tea! What a dreamboat! Jennifer was fabulous also. I loved the book and will be reading it again.
The secondary characters and their lives were fascinating. I don't blame Adrien for being cautious with a new relationship. But I don't think Jennifer wrong in her demands about the relationship either. I'm so glad they found their way to an HEA. The ride was well worth it.
However, I'm sure you noticed that I only gave it four stars. The reason was I found the first 35% to 40% was a little slow. Basically, the author described everything in too much detail. Maybe it as the mood I was in. Don't let that stop you from reading this book.
Adrien was my cup of tea! What a dreamboat! Jennifer was fabulous also. I loved the book and will be reading it again.
The secondary characters and their lives were fascinating. I don't blame Adrien for being cautious with a new relationship. But I don't think Jennifer wrong in her demands about the relationship either. I'm so glad they found their way to an HEA. The ride was well worth it.
However, I'm sure you noticed that I only gave it four stars. The reason was I found the first 35% to 40% was a little slow. Basically, the author described everything in too much detail. Maybe it as the mood I was in. Don't let that stop you from reading this book.
October 3, 2013
What a wonderful story! I have never been to Louisiana and now want to go visit someday. The people in the story are all wonderfully created with real personalities with interesting interactions with one another. I don't believe I read it when it came out and am so glad it is now out in ebook format so I can keep it forever. Thank you Jackie Weger for a wonderful timeless story!
November 7, 2016
This is a wonderful story. The characters were well described. I was totally mesmerized. And I LOVE HEA.
January 27, 2019
At first, I did not like this book. Not at all! The author lost herself in minute and unnecessary detailed descriptions of persons, landscapes, kitchen utensils, houses etc. - in short, it was boring, very boring. There was way too much narration and description, and not enough dialogues. Additionally, when introducing the main protagonists, she seemed to use every available stereotypes of the typical Cajun, the typical American young woman, the inhabitants of the Bayou - not a prejudice as such as more preconceived opinions, like, for example, all Germans wear "Lederhosen" and drink beer, Scots are greedy and avaricious, Spaniards are proud - you know what I mean. I also missed a plot in the first half, apart from the "opposites attract" and two people with broken hearts can help each other.
The story did indeed catch up in the second half and made up a bit for the first weak half. The protagonists were still stereotypes, and I personally did not overly like them, but they at least acted a bit more realistic, there were more dialogues which livened up the story, and there were actually some quite humorous incidents which made me smile.
So, after all, I did like the book, just. The character that in my opinion most stood out, was a side character, namely Bertie. She was the most realistic throughout the whole book.
The story did indeed catch up in the second half and made up a bit for the first weak half. The protagonists were still stereotypes, and I personally did not overly like them, but they at least acted a bit more realistic, there were more dialogues which livened up the story, and there were actually some quite humorous incidents which made me smile.
So, after all, I did like the book, just. The character that in my opinion most stood out, was a side character, namely Bertie. She was the most realistic throughout the whole book.
July 5, 2019
Rich rancher and hotelier Adrien Merrill and NY city girl, Jennifer De Witt - on the bounce from a marriage that never was fall in love in New Orleans. She works in his hotel. There is a will-they-won't they situation prevailing for the first 70% of the book while they dispel their joint phobias residing as legacies in both of them from former failed relationships. Adrien's ranch is in rural Louisiana where the author paints some delicious pen-pictures of the bayous, their people and their Acadian culture. What is important about this book is the sensitive portrayal of Hansen's disease ( leprosy) and the dispelling of the myths surrounding this awful disease and its financial, social and human impact on sufferers. For that I give it four stars. I cannot say the book grabbed me and held my attention from start to finish, but I did finish and enjoyed the read. Thank you
May 16, 2017
Love it!! Oh Jackie where have you been
Oh Jackie Weger, a new favorite author.. where have you been? I loved this book.. at first I wasn't sure.. bc it felt old world then the story just opened itself right up and I jumped in. Not old world but real world. I love your writing style, the story, the humor and so much more.. I have never been to New Orleans but you gave me a deep enough taste that I want to go.. and thank you for a clean read.. most romance books are cluttered with meaningless sex that I never needed anyway!! Yay!! Looking forward to your other books! My thanks!
Oh Jackie Weger, a new favorite author.. where have you been? I loved this book.. at first I wasn't sure.. bc it felt old world then the story just opened itself right up and I jumped in. Not old world but real world. I love your writing style, the story, the humor and so much more.. I have never been to New Orleans but you gave me a deep enough taste that I want to go.. and thank you for a clean read.. most romance books are cluttered with meaningless sex that I never needed anyway!! Yay!! Looking forward to your other books! My thanks!
March 6, 2020
Terrific Story
This book has the most interesting and unique characters. Jackie Weber has a talent for creating unforgettable people and places. Jennifer finds herself working in a hotel in New Orleans after graduating from college and getting dumped by her fiance. She loves her job, but when Adrian Merrell shows up in her office things begin to change. A love-hate relationship is formed. When he contracts her to work at his farm to handle a dinner party she is happy and angry at the same time. From that moment life gets very interesting. Great story, fantastic characters. I loved it.
This book has the most interesting and unique characters. Jackie Weber has a talent for creating unforgettable people and places. Jennifer finds herself working in a hotel in New Orleans after graduating from college and getting dumped by her fiance. She loves her job, but when Adrian Merrell shows up in her office things begin to change. A love-hate relationship is formed. When he contracts her to work at his farm to handle a dinner party she is happy and angry at the same time. From that moment life gets very interesting. Great story, fantastic characters. I loved it.
November 8, 2018
Wonderful surprise
I was all set to just like this book but in all truth, I loved it. First off you had strong characters. Strong women. Strong men. Good verses evil as well. Some you even wanted to strangle! The story line flowed well and I thought it was well written. There were only a few type-os, which makes it so much easier to read. A nice modern romance with fun, suspense and laughter and a little sexual heat thrown in, all rolled up in one. I hope you enjoy this book too.
I was all set to just like this book but in all truth, I loved it. First off you had strong characters. Strong women. Strong men. Good verses evil as well. Some you even wanted to strangle! The story line flowed well and I thought it was well written. There were only a few type-os, which makes it so much easier to read. A nice modern romance with fun, suspense and laughter and a little sexual heat thrown in, all rolled up in one. I hope you enjoy this book too.
May 3, 2019
I loved immersing myself in the richness of the descriptive writing by Jackie Weger. I felt like I was walking in the rooms of the Hotel Guilbeaux and on the paths of the Bayou. Thank you Jackie for hours of pleasurable reading. I enjoyed the humor and wit and suspense as well as the variety of characters portrayed with all too human traits. I look forward to reading more books written by Jackie Weger.
February 12, 2018
What a breath of fresh air! This is an author that can make a romance novel have an actual story without including elaborate sex scenes. The characters seemed real and had aspects of the story they could identify with. It just goes to prove that it takes all kid of people to make up the world, but the good do come out on top from time to time!
November 8, 2018
This book is one of the slowest starters I ever read; the opening scene and first couple of chapters were extremely boring. I am glad I continued to read however; it turned out to be a pretty good read. The constant harping on the culture got old, the romantic outcomes were highly predictable, but something kept me reading to the end.
May 4, 2023
This is an expanded version of a 1984 edition I read many years ago. The author did a fine job of updating the New Orleans setting to include references to Katrina and to take into effect the changes in technology in the past 35+ years. The repartee between the main couple was such fun and just enough of a comeuppance plot to be satisfying. Good job.
May 12, 2017
This was a good book to read. I've never been to New Orleans or the "Deep South" so the setting sounds absolutely wonderful. The characters all seemed engaging and very friendly--typical Southern hospitality.
I wish more books were similar to this!
I wish more books were similar to this!
April 27, 2018
☺☺☺☺☺
As usual Jackie gives us terrific characters, with strengths and weaknesses and real depth. Adrien, Jennifer, Bertie and the rest of the cast become friends you want to see succeed. The coverage of Hansens disease is a nicely done feature.
As usual Jackie gives us terrific characters, with strengths and weaknesses and real depth. Adrien, Jennifer, Bertie and the rest of the cast become friends you want to see succeed. The coverage of Hansens disease is a nicely done feature.
October 26, 2018
Very nice story.
A sweet story. I enjoyed the two minor couples a lot. The description of New Orleans and the country around it was so vivid I could picture it. A pleasant little story.
A sweet story. I enjoyed the two minor couples a lot. The description of New Orleans and the country around it was so vivid I could picture it. A pleasant little story.
November 25, 2018
Riveting
Count The Roses has kept me not wanting to put the book down. The. Unique way the way that cajans are portrayed in their thinking for one. Leaving the part of sexual conduct to the imagination was refreshing! I really enjoyed the book and plan to read more of her books.
Count The Roses has kept me not wanting to put the book down. The. Unique way the way that cajans are portrayed in their thinking for one. Leaving the part of sexual conduct to the imagination was refreshing! I really enjoyed the book and plan to read more of her books.
March 26, 2018
Worlds collide
Worlds collide, New York....New Orleans. Disaster in her life sends New York to New Orleans, where she finds not only a job but new life.
Worlds collide, New York....New Orleans. Disaster in her life sends New York to New Orleans, where she finds not only a job but new life.
April 10, 2018
Fun and easy to read, would recommend to anyone who enjoys a love story.
April 2, 2019
I found this book refreshing and a new twist on an old story. Loved the people and the twist. I wish there were more books/stories like this.
December 13, 2021
Good book
Started a little weird to me but I was also reading before bed when my mind is wonky. Soon it was a good story for strong, take no $#!woman. My kinda gal. enjpy
Started a little weird to me but I was also reading before bed when my mind is wonky. Soon it was a good story for strong, take no $#!woman. My kinda gal. enjpy
November 3, 2018
Kindle-Free-3 1/2 stars. A romance between city girl from NYC and a rural Cajun from Louisiana. Recommend. Robin Reads
October 4, 2016
Really, really good romance
I love Wegner's books. She writes a good strong heroine, a good man (sometimes in the making)' a great romance without invading the bedroom.
I love Wegner's books. She writes a good strong heroine, a good man (sometimes in the making)' a great romance without invading the bedroom.
July 11, 2016
I am a huge fan of Jackie Weger. Her books are not only entertaining but an experience that promise something new with each book. When I heard about her latest offering, Count The Roses, I jumped at the chance to review it and I am so happy to tell you that I loved every minute spent reading it!
Now I have never been to New Orleans and Bayou Lafourche where the story in this book takes place. Living continents away, I was thrilled to visit a place so different in every respect from where I reside. I loved meeting the Cajun people and getting an insight into their history, beliefs and life which is harsh and yet so adventurous, nothing like the tame city life. Jackie paints a vivid, brutally honest and sometimes romantic and other times harshly daring picture where I felt every shift in the atmosphere and in the moods of the protagonists as if I was right there seeing and experiencing it all.
It happened often in this story that while I followed the heroine in the city, in the Hotel where she worked I felt like I was travelling back in time to the seventies, the era of vibrant colours and daring fashion styles that, not being born then, I have only seen on TV in the shows of that time. The whole experience was just lovely and added more appeal to the story for me.
The story is about two people who have faced traumatic experiences in their past that has made them wary of love. Totally different from each other, their love story takes them on a roller coaster of emotions with difficult decisions and compromises to be made to attain their happily-ever-after.
The narration is fluid and crisp. The story moves quickly and held me captive right till the end. There are well planned twists and turns added to surprise the reader. The emotional play is admirably developed and I empathized easily with the characters. Not only are the characters of the protagonists fresh and complex, I equally loved the secondary characters who get an equal chance to shine and win the readers' hearts, all due to the expert execution by the author who shows not only her writing prowess but also her deep understanding of human nature through this book. I laughed and cried; learned a lot from this book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
I can go on and on about it but to wrap up, I'll finish by saying that this book is an entertainer through and through, I absolutely loved reading Count The Roses by Jackie Weger and happily give it 5 super shiny stars. Recommended to all romance lovers, go grab your own copy of this lovely romance and enjoy reading it with a hot cup of tea.
I received the book from the author to read and review and I am very thankful to her. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
This review is also available on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff (NWoBS)
Now I have never been to New Orleans and Bayou Lafourche where the story in this book takes place. Living continents away, I was thrilled to visit a place so different in every respect from where I reside. I loved meeting the Cajun people and getting an insight into their history, beliefs and life which is harsh and yet so adventurous, nothing like the tame city life. Jackie paints a vivid, brutally honest and sometimes romantic and other times harshly daring picture where I felt every shift in the atmosphere and in the moods of the protagonists as if I was right there seeing and experiencing it all.
It happened often in this story that while I followed the heroine in the city, in the Hotel where she worked I felt like I was travelling back in time to the seventies, the era of vibrant colours and daring fashion styles that, not being born then, I have only seen on TV in the shows of that time. The whole experience was just lovely and added more appeal to the story for me.
The story is about two people who have faced traumatic experiences in their past that has made them wary of love. Totally different from each other, their love story takes them on a roller coaster of emotions with difficult decisions and compromises to be made to attain their happily-ever-after.
The narration is fluid and crisp. The story moves quickly and held me captive right till the end. There are well planned twists and turns added to surprise the reader. The emotional play is admirably developed and I empathized easily with the characters. Not only are the characters of the protagonists fresh and complex, I equally loved the secondary characters who get an equal chance to shine and win the readers' hearts, all due to the expert execution by the author who shows not only her writing prowess but also her deep understanding of human nature through this book. I laughed and cried; learned a lot from this book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
I can go on and on about it but to wrap up, I'll finish by saying that this book is an entertainer through and through, I absolutely loved reading Count The Roses by Jackie Weger and happily give it 5 super shiny stars. Recommended to all romance lovers, go grab your own copy of this lovely romance and enjoy reading it with a hot cup of tea.
I received the book from the author to read and review and I am very thankful to her. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
This review is also available on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff (NWoBS)
November 18, 2016
Set in the lush, tropical landscape of New Orleans, Count the Roses is about Adrien Merritt, a farmer and breeder and an Acadian whose wife has left under mysterious circumstances. Adrien has ‘this ache, this sap rising,’ and is ripe for the picking.
At least that’s what it looks like to Jennifer DeWitt of mixed Lithuanian heritage, a single career woman from New York who’s been dumped just before her all-paid wedding and is looking for a place to hide away.
She comes to New Orleans to work at Merritt’s hotel as the catering manager. Adrien and Jennifer are instantly attracted to one another.
I did not like the rapid to and fro of changing POVs between Adrien and Jennifer in the beginning of the book. But Weger does manage to settle down after the initial unfortunate choices of words to describe the want and lust raging through New Orleans. Unforgettable characters such as Jean Dubois and Bertie make a strong support background to this tale of getting a second chance at love.
It is a dance Jennifer and Adrien go through before the final bout of ecstasy. At the end of her book, Weger explains her reluctance to write explicit sex for, she says, ‘you all know what’s going on.’
Yes, we do. And she’s perfectly within her right to portray her characters as she chooses. However, this reluctance is carried through in the exchanges between the lovers, which are awkward and replete with avoidance. So transitions are not smooth.
These are only small quibbles. Jennifer is a strong female protagonist who thinks she has to choose between her independence and love. But she does realize she can have both. Adrien, a broad-shouldered, raucus Acadian learns that all females are not like his first wife, even if they’re from New York. All in all, a wonderful story.
At least that’s what it looks like to Jennifer DeWitt of mixed Lithuanian heritage, a single career woman from New York who’s been dumped just before her all-paid wedding and is looking for a place to hide away.
She comes to New Orleans to work at Merritt’s hotel as the catering manager. Adrien and Jennifer are instantly attracted to one another.
I did not like the rapid to and fro of changing POVs between Adrien and Jennifer in the beginning of the book. But Weger does manage to settle down after the initial unfortunate choices of words to describe the want and lust raging through New Orleans. Unforgettable characters such as Jean Dubois and Bertie make a strong support background to this tale of getting a second chance at love.
It is a dance Jennifer and Adrien go through before the final bout of ecstasy. At the end of her book, Weger explains her reluctance to write explicit sex for, she says, ‘you all know what’s going on.’
Yes, we do. And she’s perfectly within her right to portray her characters as she chooses. However, this reluctance is carried through in the exchanges between the lovers, which are awkward and replete with avoidance. So transitions are not smooth.
These are only small quibbles. Jennifer is a strong female protagonist who thinks she has to choose between her independence and love. But she does realize she can have both. Adrien, a broad-shouldered, raucus Acadian learns that all females are not like his first wife, even if they’re from New York. All in all, a wonderful story.
June 10, 2016
Reading the book transports you straight to the rain drenched bayou country as you watch the story progress like a fly on the wall. Jackie has this ability to pluck you from your mundane daily life and take you straight into the lives, hearts and minds of her characters. None of them are perfect, and each of their flaws endears you even more to them. It's not just the main protagonists that you care about, but also the other secondary characters that make up their world. You laugh with them, cry for them and yes you root for them to solve their issues which can be anything from recovering from leprosy to live a normal life, to congress in a young marriage.
I must admit when I get my hands on a new book by Jackie I actually have to force myself to read slow, so that I can prolong my journey in her story world. Just like all her other books this one too touched my heart with the simple description of country life juxtaposed with the hassles of city life in the hotel. And I must admit I was very happy at the way the problems at the hotel were solved.
I must admit when I get my hands on a new book by Jackie I actually have to force myself to read slow, so that I can prolong my journey in her story world. Just like all her other books this one too touched my heart with the simple description of country life juxtaposed with the hassles of city life in the hotel. And I must admit I was very happy at the way the problems at the hotel were solved.
November 12, 2016
If I could give half stars I would give this book a solid 3 1/2 stars. This book has a great concept pride and predjudice meets modern New Orleans.. I absolutely loved the secondary characters..the were great! the main characters I felt their interactions were weak... one minute they are yelling at each other and the next you have to just accept they are in love... gotta tell you ...I was a bit disappointed with the non existant love scene....the author describes her world beautifully...buts it just seemed to just jump from here at position A to position D...and as a reader I want to read what happens during parts B and C...ummm...that's why I read!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews