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Cajun Connection #1
Saving Sarah
Haunted by memories of war and strangely prophetic dreams, Gaston "Ranger" Boudreau spends his time alone in the Louisiana bayou he calls home. When fellow SEAL, Matthew "Wolf" Steel calls in a favor, Ranger can't refuse—a Boudreau always pays his debts.
Writer Sarah Sloane is in New Orleans on a mission, to find her missing sister. Unsure what she'll uncover, she needs somebody who knows the city—but more, she needs a bodyguard who can keep her safe. One sexy former Navy SEAL might be just the person for the job.
As Ranger's dreams evolve, the dangerous search for Sarah's sister becomes a race against the clock. Can they find her before it's too late, or will their quest cost more than one life?
Writer Sarah Sloane is in New Orleans on a mission, to find her missing sister. Unsure what she'll uncover, she needs somebody who knows the city—but more, she needs a bodyguard who can keep her safe. One sexy former Navy SEAL might be just the person for the job.
As Ranger's dreams evolve, the dangerous search for Sarah's sister becomes a race against the clock. Can they find her before it's too late, or will their quest cost more than one life?
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2016
464 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Ivan
77 books181 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling author Kathy Ivan can’t remember a time when books and reading weren’t a part of my daily life. I was blessed with a mother who instilled the love of reading in me at a young age. That progressed into a passion for the written word in all forms, which led to my writing. Every day I have new stories and new ideas roaming through my brain, the characters chomping at the bit for their turn to be front and center and have their story told. Today that love of storytelling translates into my desire to write and share my stories with others. I write in many genres, but I’m currently concentrating on romantic suspense and paranormal.
My day job is about as uncreative as it gets. I do medical transcription, spending numerous hours at the computer each day trying to decipher the mumbled, garbled and often unrecognizable words the physicians are dictating, in an effort to make a complete and comprehensive patient record. It’s almost as bad as trying to read their handwriting!
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, I’ve lived in various places throughout my youth, from California to Hawaii and back to Florida (Key West), before finally settling in Texas. I make my home outside Dallas, Texas with my spoiled black lab (Missy).
I am a member of Romance Writers of American and the Dallas Area Romance Authors (DARA), where I’m an active member; you can find me at the local meetings each month.
That’s about it off the top of my head. I love talking with other readers and writers, so feel free to contact me.
My day job is about as uncreative as it gets. I do medical transcription, spending numerous hours at the computer each day trying to decipher the mumbled, garbled and often unrecognizable words the physicians are dictating, in an effort to make a complete and comprehensive patient record. It’s almost as bad as trying to read their handwriting!
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, I’ve lived in various places throughout my youth, from California to Hawaii and back to Florida (Key West), before finally settling in Texas. I make my home outside Dallas, Texas with my spoiled black lab (Missy).
I am a member of Romance Writers of American and the Dallas Area Romance Authors (DARA), where I’m an active member; you can find me at the local meetings each month.
That’s about it off the top of my head. I love talking with other readers and writers, so feel free to contact me.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
August 3, 2017
I have only one word for this book....repeated over and over: EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT!!! I loved, LOVED this book. The storyline and characters pull you right in and you can't lay it down. Plan to read a lot (A LOT) more books by this author. If you haven't read any of her books, give them a try....you will not be disappointed!
March 4, 2025
A quick read
November 4, 2022
DNF. I tried. I tried so hard. I made it 14 pages. Living in New Orleans and absolutely loving a damsel in distress/hero romance read, I thought I would love it. I can’t get past the HORRIBLY stereotypical sh*t for New Orleans. I should have known when Rangers last name is spelled Boudreau and not Boudreaux. I should have stopped before I read it when it was Cajun and based in New Orleans. NOLA is not Cajun country. I should have stopped when his dad’s name is Gator. I should have stopped when he climbed out of his pirogue on page 1 of chapter 1. I should have stopped when he took his pirogue to a dock and could walk from the dock to the French Quarter. Your pirogue would CAPSIZE in the Mississippi. I should have stopped before the author described the French Quarter smell without mentioning urine and vomit because let’s be real that scent permeates the air more than the Mississippi River. The only “yeast” smell is not from a bakery- it’s from the beer that tourists are peeing in the streets. Maybe for some one who doesn’t know Louisiana, this book would be fine. Maybe for some one who has no idea about geographic possibilities, this book would be fine.
I, on the other hand, cannot finish this and would throw this book if it weren’t on my kindle.
I, on the other hand, cannot finish this and would throw this book if it weren’t on my kindle.
July 22, 2022
Another one where I thought I had left a review... ah well!
This feels ( and, I guess... in a way, is supposed to ) very much like the set-up to Savannah's story. I truly didn't feel that I got to know Ranger or Sarah that well... and the insta? That was in a blink of an eye...
And
After much searching through my books... I just realised that KI must've re-edited this to make it 'Cajun Connection' rather than part of Susan Stoker's world... 'Bogey' replaces 'Wolf'... thank gawd I wasn't going mad... What I don't get tho, is that the GR descriptor is still for the SS world edition... Wolf is mentioned! Sighs...
This feels ( and, I guess... in a way, is supposed to ) very much like the set-up to Savannah's story. I truly didn't feel that I got to know Ranger or Sarah that well... and the insta? That was in a blink of an eye...
And
After much searching through my books... I just realised that KI must've re-edited this to make it 'Cajun Connection' rather than part of Susan Stoker's world... 'Bogey' replaces 'Wolf'... thank gawd I wasn't going mad... What I don't get tho, is that the GR descriptor is still for the SS world edition... Wolf is mentioned! Sighs...
November 10, 2022
Dnf
I couldn't get connected with the story at all. The third person pov is not one I enjoy, and it flicked back and forth between them too often. It was confusing and I lost the words. Couldn't finish I'm afraid.
I couldn't get connected with the story at all. The third person pov is not one I enjoy, and it flicked back and forth between them too often. It was confusing and I lost the words. Couldn't finish I'm afraid.
November 15, 2022
It was an ok book. I didn't get the title because the book was about saving Anna. It took me a few days to read so it wasn't that interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2016
Susan Stokers Special Forces series is one of my all time favorites. I absolutely love that other writers are including her characters from this series and spinning their own tales with new characters in them. Kathy Ivan created an intense page turner around this world and I couldn't wait to see how it ended. I loved that it had just a hint of paranormal in it too. The character's "dreams" that led to the male lead, "Ranger" saving Sarah and her sister were well written and totally believable.
I can't wait to read everyone else's stories based on this world, especially if they are written as well as Kathy Ivan's.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review, but I want ALL of the books from this world in my inventory so I can read them whenever I want. This world is awesome!
I can't wait to read everyone else's stories based on this world, especially if they are written as well as Kathy Ivan's.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review, but I want ALL of the books from this world in my inventory so I can read them whenever I want. This world is awesome!
July 19, 2016
Sarah Sloane is desperate to find her sister. Anna has gone missing from her spring break in New Orleans. Sarah's friend, Caroline's husband, Wolf has offered the help of his friend Ranger. Together they hunt through the places and events that lead up to Anna's kidnapping. Ranger has the gift of dreams, which he uses to find Anna. He just didn't know that she was Sarah's sister until he sees her photo. With the help of his friend Remy, Rangers father and an old Veteran they follow the trail, leading them to Anna, just in time to save her. Sarah and Ranger try to contain the feelings they have for each other, but eventually cave in. Ranger didn't believe in "love at first sight", but has a change of heart on that thought. Loved the story, can't wait to read the other books of Kathy Ivan.
August 28, 2022
Ranger has been seeing Sarah's sister in his dreams and the more he sees her, the more he realizes time is running out to find her. When he tells Sarah about his ability, she doesn't mock him or doubt him; instead, she works with him to see if they can gather any clues from his dreams.
I enjoyed the fact that there was a bit of a physic connection between Ranger and Anna. He saw her in his dreams and Anna saw him in hers. She recognized that he was searching for her and would fight for her.
This was previously part of Susan Stokers' Operation Alpha series, however, it has been edited and republished, and references to characters from Susan's books have been removed. The overall storyline remains the same though.
I enjoyed the fact that there was a bit of a physic connection between Ranger and Anna. He saw her in his dreams and Anna saw him in hers. She recognized that he was searching for her and would fight for her.
This was previously part of Susan Stokers' Operation Alpha series, however, it has been edited and republished, and references to characters from Susan's books have been removed. The overall storyline remains the same though.
July 15, 2016
Sarah is determined to find her sister. She doesn't care what or who she has to go through. Ranger is asked to help Sarah. Sarah and Ranger find themselves getting deeper and deeper into the search for Sarah's sister. But will they manage to succeed? And what will become of them after they find her? This book was so good! I did not want to stop reading. I read it straight through, and I really hope we get more glimpses of them in the future. I absolutely loved it!
November 5, 2022
Two stars because of what it's missing more than what it includes... Content warnings at the end to avoid spoilers.
So all these Verb-ing [Woman's name] novels and their authors start to blur at some point. Usually, I know that I'll get a few entertaining hours out of them, especially because romantic suspense is arguably my favorite genre. Here, the storyline was good at first, but ultimately, it overpromised. Some really problematic editing doesn't help.
Ranger is a former SEAL who has come home to New Orleans (and the nearby bayous) to figure out what comes next. A SEAL friend (probably from another novel, but I didn't bother to check) ropes him into helping a friend (the titular Sarah) search for her missing sister, Anna. When he meets Sarah in a bar, it's more or less instalove.
The story is told from Ranger's, Sarah's, and Anna's perspectives, with a sort of fourth narrator in Ranger's prophetic dreams (he has a gift). There isn't precisely any action until the final conflict, though Sarah's hotel room is inexplicably tossed over at one point. That part is told post facto, almost as an aside, and it doesn't fit with Anna's kidnapper's profile (nothing to look for). That's one area that feels like editing failed.
Another failed edit is when Sarah meets Ranger's dad, ostensibly wearing Ranger's shirt (causing dad's eyebrows to raise). I couldn't figure out when she raided Ranger's closet. Turns out she raids it in the subsequent chapter. Hmm. This particular issue isn't a big deal, but it does make me think that the story once looked really different. I'd have liked to read that novel instead, maybe?
Finally, Ranger's progression into acknowledging his love is choppy and seems like the author just didn't want to deal with Ranger dealing with his issues. He feels possessive immediately but thinks that he'll let her go because he battles PTSD and it wouldn't be fair. Then suddenly--all this is internal dialog--he's like, nah, it's coo'. I'll just keep her. As for Sarah, we are told she's a romance writer, but we know very little else about her. I personally like it when main characters know more about each other before exchanging ILYs.
Though I rated it low, it's a very readable novel. It just won't tug on your heartstrings or make your pulse race.
I received a free copy of this book through BookBub. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!
Content warnings: PTSD, abuse, rape
So all these Verb-ing [Woman's name] novels and their authors start to blur at some point. Usually, I know that I'll get a few entertaining hours out of them, especially because romantic suspense is arguably my favorite genre. Here, the storyline was good at first, but ultimately, it overpromised. Some really problematic editing doesn't help.
Ranger is a former SEAL who has come home to New Orleans (and the nearby bayous) to figure out what comes next. A SEAL friend (probably from another novel, but I didn't bother to check) ropes him into helping a friend (the titular Sarah) search for her missing sister, Anna. When he meets Sarah in a bar, it's more or less instalove.
The story is told from Ranger's, Sarah's, and Anna's perspectives, with a sort of fourth narrator in Ranger's prophetic dreams (he has a gift). There isn't precisely any action until the final conflict, though Sarah's hotel room is inexplicably tossed over at one point. That part is told post facto, almost as an aside, and it doesn't fit with Anna's kidnapper's profile (nothing to look for). That's one area that feels like editing failed.
Another failed edit is when Sarah meets Ranger's dad, ostensibly wearing Ranger's shirt (causing dad's eyebrows to raise). I couldn't figure out when she raided Ranger's closet. Turns out she raids it in the subsequent chapter. Hmm. This particular issue isn't a big deal, but it does make me think that the story once looked really different. I'd have liked to read that novel instead, maybe?
Finally, Ranger's progression into acknowledging his love is choppy and seems like the author just didn't want to deal with Ranger dealing with his issues. He feels possessive immediately but thinks that he'll let her go because he battles PTSD and it wouldn't be fair. Then suddenly--all this is internal dialog--he's like, nah, it's coo'. I'll just keep her. As for Sarah, we are told she's a romance writer, but we know very little else about her. I personally like it when main characters know more about each other before exchanging ILYs.
Though I rated it low, it's a very readable novel. It just won't tug on your heartstrings or make your pulse race.
I received a free copy of this book through BookBub. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!
Content warnings: PTSD, abuse, rape
November 7, 2022
So good
A Navy SEAL, back home in New Orleans, has been staying out in his cabin deep in the swamp. PTSD having followed him from Afghanistan, the quiet, isolation has been therapeutic. When his friend from the teams, Bogey, calls with an urgent request that he meet him in 4 hours in a bar in the quarter, there is no hesitation. The men he operated with are more than teammates, they're brothers, and will always have each other's back.
After waiting more than an hour for his friend, the bar door finally opened. The bright afternoon light silhouetted the beautiful figure of a woman. Immediately, he knew in his gut that she was here to meet him. Something told him that she was involved in the string of the bad dreams that had been haunting him recently.
So well written and spellbinding. I couldn't tear my eyes from the page. Kathy Ivan has just gone to my top ten favorite authors list!
A Navy SEAL, back home in New Orleans, has been staying out in his cabin deep in the swamp. PTSD having followed him from Afghanistan, the quiet, isolation has been therapeutic. When his friend from the teams, Bogey, calls with an urgent request that he meet him in 4 hours in a bar in the quarter, there is no hesitation. The men he operated with are more than teammates, they're brothers, and will always have each other's back.
After waiting more than an hour for his friend, the bar door finally opened. The bright afternoon light silhouetted the beautiful figure of a woman. Immediately, he knew in his gut that she was here to meet him. Something told him that she was involved in the string of the bad dreams that had been haunting him recently.
So well written and spellbinding. I couldn't tear my eyes from the page. Kathy Ivan has just gone to my top ten favorite authors list!
December 10, 2016
Tortured by memories that haunt him, Gaston "Ranger" Boudreau spends most of his time in his cabin on the bayou struggling with PTSD and memories of the past. But when a fellow SEAL sends Sarah Sloane to him asking for help, he's all in. Sarah's sister Anna has disappeared without a trace in the city of New Orleans and Ranger promises to do all he can to find Anna while also recognizing with his sixth sense that he and Sarah are meant to be together. While Ranger and Sarah chase down every clue and give in to their sexual attraction this storyline takes a gripping and violent turn and becomes a frantic race to save the life of a woman on the brink of death.
April 14, 2022
Overall Amanda rating: A+
TBH I was a bit worried given this was Fan fiction continuing the storylines of one of my favorite authors(with her permission) I was prepared to find fault with this book. I found no such thing. I felt this book brought me back to a world I loved, and did a very good job of keeping some of my favorite characters alive.
As for this book, it had it ALL! Plot/Climax/Character Development… this book was a fantastic read. I felt that the book was also very well written with an actual storyline with a pop of smut, rather than smut and a copier machine.
Ranger- Perfection
Sarah- Perfection
Ranger’s dad- low key prob my favorite.
TBH I was a bit worried given this was Fan fiction continuing the storylines of one of my favorite authors(with her permission) I was prepared to find fault with this book. I found no such thing. I felt this book brought me back to a world I loved, and did a very good job of keeping some of my favorite characters alive.
As for this book, it had it ALL! Plot/Climax/Character Development… this book was a fantastic read. I felt that the book was also very well written with an actual storyline with a pop of smut, rather than smut and a copier machine.
Ranger- Perfection
Sarah- Perfection
Ranger’s dad- low key prob my favorite.
November 9, 2023
I really love an author named Susan Stoker and I found out that she gave other authors permission to use some of her side characters in their books. So of course, I had to find those books and see how well they incorporated characters that I fell in love with. I really enjoyed this book, it was different then other books in Susan Stoker books. This book had a mystery, in the fact that you were trying to find Sarah's sister. The romance between the two characters were not love at first sight that you commonly see in romance books. So it was nice to see how the two of them developed through out the book. I highly recommend checking this book out.
November 2, 2018
Sarah needed a bodyguard. Who better than a former SEAL. "Ranger" hides out in a cabin in the bayou trying to forget his past. When a friend contacts him and asks for his help, he can't turn the man down. He owes him so much. Ranger has been having horrible dreams but they don't make since. He keeps seeing a young girl in trouble. He is sure he has never met her. When Sarah meets up with Ranger, she explains what's going on and shows him a picture of her sister. He is left speechless. That is the girl in his dreams. Can Ranger find her before it's too late?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2022
quick read
I liked the story. The characters were interesting. I just wish it was fleshed out more. So much more could have been done with Ranger’s gift. It was the reason I wanted to read the book in the first place because you don’t see this kind of thing much. The romance came on so quickly there was next to no build-up. The action was almost over before it started. Finished this book in about a day. That’s how short it was.
I liked the story. The characters were interesting. I just wish it was fleshed out more. So much more could have been done with Ranger’s gift. It was the reason I wanted to read the book in the first place because you don’t see this kind of thing much. The romance came on so quickly there was next to no build-up. The action was almost over before it started. Finished this book in about a day. That’s how short it was.
January 6, 2025
This is a fun, entertaining read. Ranger and Sarah are interesting, wounded, complex, intriguing, complicated, strong, smart, entertaining characters. I enjoyed the romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. The mystery subplot held my attention and had me turning the pages until the very last. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. The story is easy to get into and read.
TG: violence
TG: violence
May 9, 2018
Sarah has come to New Orleans to find her sister who is missing. Ranger (Gaston) is an ex-Navy Seal who's trying to get past his own nightmares when he was captured in Afgan. Wolf calls him to help Sarah find her sister. Sparks fly at the first meeting. It's a long road to finding her sister. This may have triggers for some. This was a great story.
September 30, 2019
Great series!
This was expertly written. I've read the three books in the series, though not in order and have immensely enjoyed each. Some sexual content but not much. More mystery, romance, chills and thrills than anything. Fantastic characters. I would like to see more of Gator. A big thank you to the author.
This was expertly written. I've read the three books in the series, though not in order and have immensely enjoyed each. Some sexual content but not much. More mystery, romance, chills and thrills than anything. Fantastic characters. I would like to see more of Gator. A big thank you to the author.
November 11, 2022
Sarah and Ranger
Sarah was searching for her sister. She was put in contact with Ranger for his help.
Kathy Ivan tells the best stories. Families with deep ties. Love not always smooth but designed to last. Mysteries that take your breath away.
Definitely a good read that will take your breath away.
Sarah was searching for her sister. She was put in contact with Ranger for his help.
Kathy Ivan tells the best stories. Families with deep ties. Love not always smooth but designed to last. Mysteries that take your breath away.
Definitely a good read that will take your breath away.
November 27, 2022
This was a quick read laced with romantic tension in the midst of Ranger trying to save Anna's life. The author could've take more time to really flesh out the dream premonition and probably should've only given that to Ranger. Having Ranger and Anna dreaming out each other was not a believable story line.
December 2, 2022
"Saving Sarah" was a compelling read. The fast-paced riveting plot was filled with suspense, tension, and romance. Moreover, the protagonists, Sarah and Ranger, gushed with chemistry as they desperately tried to find Sarah's missing sister Savannah (Anna). Additionally, there were some interesting characters that were met along the way. I liked the narrative.
May 28, 2020
Nail Biting!
Saving Sarah: WOW! Fantastic story! Amazing writing, lots of surprises and suspense. Fantastic characters throughout. I loved that it took place New Orleans. Ranger and Sarah were the right team to find her sister.
Saving Sarah: WOW! Fantastic story! Amazing writing, lots of surprises and suspense. Fantastic characters throughout. I loved that it took place New Orleans. Ranger and Sarah were the right team to find her sister.
November 9, 2022
Cute fairytale, romantic suspense.
Former SEAL with a psychic gift, Ranger, helps Sarah, a romance writer, find her kidnapped sister in New Orleans. A little insta-everything, but a very cute, quick read. Will read more.
Former SEAL with a psychic gift, Ranger, helps Sarah, a romance writer, find her kidnapped sister in New Orleans. A little insta-everything, but a very cute, quick read. Will read more.
December 3, 2022
Saving Sarah
A nice story with likeable characters. It went too quickly. I’m hoping the end is just the beginning of a series with all the handsome men and their possible one and only loves.
A nice story with likeable characters. It went too quickly. I’m hoping the end is just the beginning of a series with all the handsome men and their possible one and only loves.
February 24, 2023
Great story
This story has a lot of danger,suspence, and a little romance thrown in, keeps you turning the pages to see what kind of danger they are in.looking forward to reading more books from this author
This story has a lot of danger,suspence, and a little romance thrown in, keeps you turning the pages to see what kind of danger they are in.looking forward to reading more books from this author
July 6, 2023
good story needs editing
A good story idea but there were some sequencing issues from the visit to Gator’s place.
Didn’t mind the dream concept but there were discrepancies that need attention.
A good story idea but there were some sequencing issues from the visit to Gator’s place.
Didn’t mind the dream concept but there were discrepancies that need attention.
March 15, 2024
Monsters are Real
Another series by author Kathy Ivan is off with a great start! As usual the danger is real and you'll be on the edge of your seat as you read.
It's great to learn more about Ranger while friends help find his lady's missing sister.
Another series by author Kathy Ivan is off with a great start! As usual the danger is real and you'll be on the edge of your seat as you read.
It's great to learn more about Ranger while friends help find his lady's missing sister.
November 11, 2024
“Distraction”
Saving Sarah is an exciting book. The chemistry between Ranger and Sarah is off the charts. Their race to find her sister is thrilling. The bad guy gets his just reward. Another terrific Kathy Ivan book!
Saving Sarah is an exciting book. The chemistry between Ranger and Sarah is off the charts. Their race to find her sister is thrilling. The bad guy gets his just reward. Another terrific Kathy Ivan book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews