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Mystere Parish #3
The Awakening
It could be a mythical creature wreaking havoc on a Mystere hotel… or a malicious vandal. It’s detective Tanner LeDoux’s first case and—much to his chagrin—the hotel belongs to Josie Bettencourt, once the most popular girl in town and his unrequited love. A woman who now doesn’t even recognize him.
Josie’s poor memory is Tanner’s luck, however. He has a chance to be the strong, sexy hero who protects her and her hotel from mounting danger. Tanner’s no believer in the old ways, but one stormy night, he sees something horrific he can’t explain. And he knows, without a doubt, whatever lurks in Honey Island Swamp means to keep Josie from him forever!
Josie’s poor memory is Tanner’s luck, however. He has a chance to be the strong, sexy hero who protects her and her hotel from mounting danger. Tanner’s no believer in the old ways, but one stormy night, he sees something horrific he can’t explain. And he knows, without a doubt, whatever lurks in Honey Island Swamp means to keep Josie from him forever!
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
703 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Jana Deleon
103 books4,241 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jana DeLeon was raised in southwest Louisiana among the bayous and gators. Her hometown is Carlyss, but you probably won't find it on a map. Her family owned a camp located on a bayou just off the Gulf of Mexico that you could only get there by boat. The most important feature was the rope hammock hanging in the shade on a huge deck that stretched out over the water where Jana spent many hours reading books.
Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.
Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.
She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.
Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.
Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.
She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 3, 2016
If she couldn't trust a man, she couldn't trust herself with him. Not even for a fling.
Tanner worked for ten years as a tracker and forest ranger, but now he works with his half-brothers at the P.I. agency. He is assigned to help Josie. He knows Josie from high school but never tells her when it turns out she doesn't recognize him...
Josie is a gorgeous local woman who went off to be a high-fashion model after high school. Now, after losing both her parents and her scumbag cheating ex-boyfriend - she's back to her hometown. Everyone thinks she's rich since her father was rich and she was a model, but really she has nothing and is barely scraping by. Her only hope is to turn the ranch she inherited into a B&B. But someone (or some THING!) does not want her to do that, and has been vandalizing her barn and fence, and doing other bad things.
A lot of people think it's a swamp monster.
A lot of people hate Josie (basically because she was pretty and popular in high school), so there are a lot of suspects for people who could be causing her grief, if it turns out not to be a swamp monster.
...
THE GOOD:
This was actually a good and gripping mystery novel. It was interesting and kept me guessing. There were a lot of suspects when considering who is playing "swamp monster" and the possibility that there actually IS a swamp monster. I liked the creepy bayou setting and the small-town animosity that were present here.
Josie was a pretty good character for a romance heroine. Tanner was rather bland and uninteresting.
...
THE BAD
The problem that often crops up in Harlequin's Intrigue line is that the mystery takes precedence over the romance, and that's certainly the case here. Please don't read this expecting steamy sex, touching romance, or a heartwarming love story. It's a mystery with a tiny bit of romance tacked on.
...
How's the sex, Carmen?
Dismal. At least they use a condom. Sex is about a quarter of a page long. o.O I'll hide it under a spoiler so that you don't have to read a sex scene you don't want to - although, trust me, it's nothing to get excited about.
That's it. Not very impressive.
...
Tl;dr - If you read this as a mystery book, you will probably find it to be okay. However, if you were hoping for an actual romance novel, I don't think this will bring you happiness.
P.S. I like the cover - it reminds me of the X-Files.
THREE REAL STARS, TWO ROMANCE STARS
Not available in Spanish.
Tanner worked for ten years as a tracker and forest ranger, but now he works with his half-brothers at the P.I. agency. He is assigned to help Josie. He knows Josie from high school but never tells her when it turns out she doesn't recognize him...
Josie is a gorgeous local woman who went off to be a high-fashion model after high school. Now, after losing both her parents and her scumbag cheating ex-boyfriend - she's back to her hometown. Everyone thinks she's rich since her father was rich and she was a model, but really she has nothing and is barely scraping by. Her only hope is to turn the ranch she inherited into a B&B. But someone (or some THING!) does not want her to do that, and has been vandalizing her barn and fence, and doing other bad things.
A lot of people think it's a swamp monster.
A lot of people hate Josie (basically because she was pretty and popular in high school), so there are a lot of suspects for people who could be causing her grief, if it turns out not to be a swamp monster.
...
THE GOOD:
This was actually a good and gripping mystery novel. It was interesting and kept me guessing. There were a lot of suspects when considering who is playing "swamp monster" and the possibility that there actually IS a swamp monster. I liked the creepy bayou setting and the small-town animosity that were present here.
Josie was a pretty good character for a romance heroine. Tanner was rather bland and uninteresting.
...
THE BAD
The problem that often crops up in Harlequin's Intrigue line is that the mystery takes precedence over the romance, and that's certainly the case here. Please don't read this expecting steamy sex, touching romance, or a heartwarming love story. It's a mystery with a tiny bit of romance tacked on.
...
How's the sex, Carmen?
Dismal. At least they use a condom. Sex is about a quarter of a page long. o.O I'll hide it under a spoiler so that you don't have to read a sex scene you don't want to - although, trust me, it's nothing to get excited about.
That's it. Not very impressive.
...
Tl;dr - If you read this as a mystery book, you will probably find it to be okay. However, if you were hoping for an actual romance novel, I don't think this will bring you happiness.
P.S. I like the cover - it reminds me of the X-Files.
THREE REAL STARS, TWO ROMANCE STARS
Not available in Spanish.
January 17, 2021
I liked this one but it wasn’t as strong of a story as the first two were in the trilogy, in my opinion. The first book was a five star read for me and I think the first book in a series often times are my least favorites. I always hope the last book ends things off with a bang but sadly this one was middle of the road. While I do really enjoy mysteries, the mystery in this book dominates the story. I didn’t really feel the romance at all! The hero is well aware of Who the heroine is the entire book but she doesn’t realize who he is until literally the last 20 minutes of the story. What I liked about the first two books is how the author uses solving the mystery as a way of forcing the two characters to spend time together and she used those moments to have the romance bloom but in this one it felt like there were just solving the mystery and nothing else. Is it bad that it’s more of a mystery? On the surface, No! But for romance reasons..yes’ish. When we go into a book expecting some romance, dammit we want it to deliver on the romance. Oh well, I have her Mystere Parish:Family Inheritance series ready to go. I’ll definitely continue reading her works!
December 7, 2012
In DeLeon’s romantic suspense novel, something is out there wreaking havoc on a Mystere hotel. Tanner LeDoux has just joined his brother’s detective agency and his first case is to find the mythical creature or the malicious vandal and put a stop to the terror. The hotel in question belongs to Jose Bettencourt, Tanner’s first love—a woman who has no idea who he is.
Tanner doesn’t believe in superstition but he’s given the opportunity to be Jose’s knight in shining armor when the unexplained happens. Whatever lurks in Honey Island Swamp intents bodily harm to Josie and Tanner is willing to put everything on the line to protect her.
A great story, strong characters—a fabulous addition to the Mystere Parish series.
Tanner doesn’t believe in superstition but he’s given the opportunity to be Jose’s knight in shining armor when the unexplained happens. Whatever lurks in Honey Island Swamp intents bodily harm to Josie and Tanner is willing to put everything on the line to protect her.
A great story, strong characters—a fabulous addition to the Mystere Parish series.
March 31, 2022
It's ok but I just didn't click with any of the characters and develop the interest for the plot.
November 24, 2025
Not a bad series, just not as good as the Miss Fortune series.
Still, I liked it.
Still, I liked it.
May 13, 2013
Josie Bettencourt wants to turn her old Plantation home into a Bed and Breakfast. Well, she really has to or else sell the place. That is something she doesn't want to do. But there is something vandalizing the work that is being done and she can't open it unless it's up to code. So she hires Tanner LeDoux, a tracker, to find the creature or person who is doing their best to sabotage her efforts.
It was a pretty decent suspense read but I was surprised at how little romance there really was in it. Apparently, this is another one of those irritating series that has a storyline that continues through several books. So obviously, that means there are unresolved issues at the end. Sigh! I guess I will just have to quit reading Harlequins. Pity, too, since I have read a few really good ones through the years.
It was a pretty decent suspense read but I was surprised at how little romance there really was in it. Apparently, this is another one of those irritating series that has a storyline that continues through several books. So obviously, that means there are unresolved issues at the end. Sigh! I guess I will just have to quit reading Harlequins. Pity, too, since I have read a few really good ones through the years.
January 28, 2025
The Mystere Parush Series has been a wonderful read. The atmosphere of the Louisiana bayou that Jana Deleon has created is fantastic and adds to the experience of each book in a way that other authors can only dream about.
This book is a second chance love story about a boy who loved a girl, but the only thing she wanted was out of Mystere Parish. When Josie Bettencourt, the daughter of a rich businessman comes home after the death of her father, all she has is an old broken-down plantation house. Her father's money is gone, wasted in bad investments along with all the money Josie earned as a high fashion model. She badly wants to save her family home and plans to turn it into a B&B, but those plans are sabotaged from the beginning. Her homecoming isn't much better with the residents she left behind.
Tanner LeDoux is hired to find out who, or what, is behind the problems at Josie's home. This is his first case since joining with his brothers in their detective agency and he wants to do a good job. He is sad that Josie doesn't even remember him but determined to get to the bottom of her problems.
This book is a second chance love story about a boy who loved a girl, but the only thing she wanted was out of Mystere Parish. When Josie Bettencourt, the daughter of a rich businessman comes home after the death of her father, all she has is an old broken-down plantation house. Her father's money is gone, wasted in bad investments along with all the money Josie earned as a high fashion model. She badly wants to save her family home and plans to turn it into a B&B, but those plans are sabotaged from the beginning. Her homecoming isn't much better with the residents she left behind.
Tanner LeDoux is hired to find out who, or what, is behind the problems at Josie's home. This is his first case since joining with his brothers in their detective agency and he wants to do a good job. He is sad that Josie doesn't even remember him but determined to get to the bottom of her problems.
February 20, 2020
Definitely not my favorite of the 3 in this series, but still really enjoyed reading it. It felt more predictable than the other 2 and I'm not sure how I feel about the "tainted keitre" being in the story... growing up in Louisiana we all know the legend of the honey island swamp monster but it just felt a tad odd to see it in the story. I do love that Jana Deleon makes me feel like I'm in my own backyard in everything she writes; which means she's true to our heritage and nature. It makes reading her stories strike a completely different chord than other authors because I can see in my mind everything she's describing perfectly. For me that makes it so much more enjoyable. The characters in this one were believable and richly developed. I was completely immersed in their world even though I felt some predictability I still wanted to see it through and was glad I did. Enjoyable as always.
August 24, 2021
I'm awake
Great story about a handsome man Tanner and a beautiful girl Josie who doesn't recognize Tanner who went to her same school when he comes to Josies door to investigate vandalism on her property. Seems there are other mysterious things going on that appears to be some swamp monster. Read the book you know there is a good love story here too. Everything MS Jana DeLeon writes is awesome so sit down and relax have some tea or a beer and enjoy.
Great story about a handsome man Tanner and a beautiful girl Josie who doesn't recognize Tanner who went to her same school when he comes to Josies door to investigate vandalism on her property. Seems there are other mysterious things going on that appears to be some swamp monster. Read the book you know there is a good love story here too. Everything MS Jana DeLeon writes is awesome so sit down and relax have some tea or a beer and enjoy.
July 3, 2025
a decent series with one complaint
I enjoyed this series. The setting, the characters, the general plots. My one piece of constructive criticism would be that the author spend a little more time fleshing out the climaxes at the ends of the books. They feel like afterthoughts, and that’s disappointing in a mystery series. Other than that, an enjoyable series.
I enjoyed this series. The setting, the characters, the general plots. My one piece of constructive criticism would be that the author spend a little more time fleshing out the climaxes at the ends of the books. They feel like afterthoughts, and that’s disappointing in a mystery series. Other than that, an enjoyable series.
December 31, 2019
The Awakening is a great read that will keep you on edge until the last page is read. I wish that Jana DeLeon will have books 4,,5,6 coming out soon. I want to see them take down the crime family that killed their dad. So I have my fingers cross that she will continue with this series.
November 20, 2025
Ma arvasin, et tegu on sarja esimese osaga. Seega olin vahepeal üsna segaduses. Lugu oli huvitav ning peategelased meeldivad. Sel hetkel nautisin kogemust, kuid nüüd umbes kuu hiljem ei ole mul loost suurt midagi meeles.
March 20, 2018
HI #1393
May 1, 2018
Not as good as the other two books in the trilogy but decent. left some unanswered questions
March 11, 2020
Good book. Full of mystery.
April 23, 2020
Different from here usual books. Several twist and turns that has you guessing.
November 10, 2020
Another great read!
All I can say is, "another great read!" One of my all time favorite authors. I want to read all the books she's written. So glad I found her!
All I can say is, "another great read!" One of my all time favorite authors. I want to read all the books she's written. So glad I found her!
April 15, 2021
Excellent !
I was unable to put this book down! The story was very interesting, as were the characters.
I would recommend this book to my best friend.
I was unable to put this book down! The story was very interesting, as were the characters.
I would recommend this book to my best friend.
July 31, 2021
Loved this series. How do you explain the unexplainable but see it? Jana has in guessing until the very end as only she can. Wish there were more books in this series
October 14, 2025
The only thing a bit iffy about this series is the time period. Is it in the 70’s? EBay didn’t exist then.
February 20, 2013
If you haven't read the previous books, you'll want to go and read them in this order:
1. The Reckoning
2. The Vanishing
3. The Awakening
While each one has a stand-alone story, there is a background mystery and narrative about the three half-brothers and Mystere Parish that you'll enjoy more if you start at the beginning. Besides, each one of these books is well worth the read. Actually...this book might just be my favorite of the three. I liked both the characters a lot and loved the cryptid mystery that was at the heart of this one. A swamp monster! How can you resist a book with a swamp monster chasing them? I'm telling you...this is the stuff that dreams are made of. ; ) Okay, well, probably nightmares, but I loved the myth this centered around.
Once you've finished this series, I highly recommend you check out The Secret of Cypriere Bayou by Jana DeLeon.
If you like a hint of the paranormal, great suspense, and a setting that has you hearing crickets chirping and imagining fireflies...this series is it. I mentioned this in other reviews, but I love, love, love that the author doesn't explain away every aspect of the mystery as other suspense novels do. You're left thinking that ANYTHING can happen in Mystere Parish.
Amazing series--so glad I stumbled across them and that other people had reviewed them so highly that I figured they were worth checking out.
I always include an excerpt I liked from the story--and this bit of dialogue made me snicker. This is Tanner speaking with a guy he sent a suspicious footprint cast (SWAMP MONSTER!) in order to have it analyzed--it starts off with the lab guy talking:
"Yeah, well, that print was creepy."
"Is that your official opinion?"
"As a zoologist and amateur cryptozoologist, yes, that's my professional opinion."
"Okay, I'll bite. Why was it creepy?"
"Well, everything indicates it's a bipedal creature, but given the soil conditions and depth of the imprint, we're talking something between six and seven feet tall and two hundred fifty pounds or more."
"Bear?"
"With four toes? Dude, don't even go there."
1. The Reckoning
2. The Vanishing
3. The Awakening
While each one has a stand-alone story, there is a background mystery and narrative about the three half-brothers and Mystere Parish that you'll enjoy more if you start at the beginning. Besides, each one of these books is well worth the read. Actually...this book might just be my favorite of the three. I liked both the characters a lot and loved the cryptid mystery that was at the heart of this one. A swamp monster! How can you resist a book with a swamp monster chasing them? I'm telling you...this is the stuff that dreams are made of. ; ) Okay, well, probably nightmares, but I loved the myth this centered around.
Once you've finished this series, I highly recommend you check out The Secret of Cypriere Bayou by Jana DeLeon.
If you like a hint of the paranormal, great suspense, and a setting that has you hearing crickets chirping and imagining fireflies...this series is it. I mentioned this in other reviews, but I love, love, love that the author doesn't explain away every aspect of the mystery as other suspense novels do. You're left thinking that ANYTHING can happen in Mystere Parish.
Amazing series--so glad I stumbled across them and that other people had reviewed them so highly that I figured they were worth checking out.
I always include an excerpt I liked from the story--and this bit of dialogue made me snicker. This is Tanner speaking with a guy he sent a suspicious footprint cast (SWAMP MONSTER!) in order to have it analyzed--it starts off with the lab guy talking:
"Yeah, well, that print was creepy."
"Is that your official opinion?"
"As a zoologist and amateur cryptozoologist, yes, that's my professional opinion."
"Okay, I'll bite. Why was it creepy?"
"Well, everything indicates it's a bipedal creature, but given the soil conditions and depth of the imprint, we're talking something between six and seven feet tall and two hundred fifty pounds or more."
"Bear?"
"With four toes? Dude, don't even go there."
February 12, 2017
Lousy ending
Ending was rushed and not very good. Like publisher mad author hurry to meet deadline. Too jumpy not smooth. Mediocre
Ending was rushed and not very good. Like publisher mad author hurry to meet deadline. Too jumpy not smooth. Mediocre
February 12, 2013
Tanner LeDoux has come back to work with his brothers at their new detective agency. However he doesn't expect his first case to bring him face to face with Josie Bettencourt.
Josie doesn't remember Tanner but she is grateful for his help. She has come back to open a bed and breakfast but something or someone doesn't want Josie back. It's up to her and Tanner to solve the mystery so that the B&B can open on schedule. But will past secrets tear Josie and Tanner's budding relationship apart?
This is the third book in the Mystere Parish series. I really liked Josie's character. Yes she was popular is school but she wasn't a snob. Jana did a great job creating a nice character out of a role that is typically stereotyped.
Josie doesn't remember Tanner but she is grateful for his help. She has come back to open a bed and breakfast but something or someone doesn't want Josie back. It's up to her and Tanner to solve the mystery so that the B&B can open on schedule. But will past secrets tear Josie and Tanner's budding relationship apart?
This is the third book in the Mystere Parish series. I really liked Josie's character. Yes she was popular is school but she wasn't a snob. Jana did a great job creating a nice character out of a role that is typically stereotyped.
August 15, 2013
The Tainted Keitre has arisen again in the Honey Island Swamp, wreaking havoc on Josie Bettencourt's plans to convert her family home into a Bed and Breakfast. A family friend hires Detective Tanner LeDoux to figure out why vandalism keeps occurring. Tanner has loved Josie since high school but he was the boy from the wrong side of the tracks and she was the prom queen. He sees the Keitre and soon is racing to keep Josie safe. There is a happily ever after yet the question of does the Tainted Keitre really exist is never answered.
September 14, 2015
Enjoyable read
I liked this book better than the previous one. The characters were easier to immediately like, and their stories, interesting. Having lived in Louisiana, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the descriptions of the setting. I'm not a fan of romance, but these books offer enough of a mystery to keep me interested. I do miss the humor DeLeon incorporates in the Miss Fortune series, though.
I liked this book better than the previous one. The characters were easier to immediately like, and their stories, interesting. Having lived in Louisiana, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the descriptions of the setting. I'm not a fan of romance, but these books offer enough of a mystery to keep me interested. I do miss the humor DeLeon incorporates in the Miss Fortune series, though.
January 24, 2013
This book is not paranormal or fantasy, it stays in the realm of the uncanny, with a monster that we never quite know whether it is superstition or reality. The novel is part of Harlequin Intrigue, and much shorter/less complex than the stories I'm normally used to. Good light reading for relaxation.
October 7, 2013
Book three in the Mystere Parish series. A mythical creature or a vandal? who is causing trouble in the hotel in Honey swamp? Whatever is lurking will keep you reading. Gotta love spooky old buildings.
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March 7, 2016Not bad. Got this one because I just loved the 1st Miss Fortune. She has a different writing style. Miss Fortune was in 1st person which I normally avoid. But it was written in a way I really enjoyed.
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December 27, 2014Miniseries: Mystere Parish
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December 27, 2014Miniseries: Mystere Parish
Category: Suspense
Category: Suspense
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews