Bayou Revelations

The Crane Diaries #6

by Apryl Baker

Secrets.Emma Rose Crane thought she left all that behind in North Carolina, but she can’t escape them. She was robbed of her childhood memories and the protections she was born with, making her human body vulnerable to the superhuman gifts she’d inherited. But why? It’s just another secret she must unravel.But it’s not only her secrets she’s dealing with.Her friend and fellow hunter, Cass Willow, has asked her to help him find out who his father is, but also exactly what he is, as Cass has discovered he’s not quite human. However, the fallout from the truth may destroy them all.And then there’s Kristoff—the psychotic vampire who seems to think she’s his shiny new toy. To get to him, they must unravel the mysteries of Madame’s island in the middle of the bayou, and for that, they need help.Saidie Walker always knew she’d return to the island where she learned what it was to be a Necromancer, but she never thought it would be so soon. Kristoff is forcing her hand. He’s the one thing that truly terrifies her, but she must face him not only to save Emma, but get justice for all the women he’s murdered since she killed Madame and set him free. She blames herself for their deaths and will do everything in her power to stop him.But she’s not sure she can do it alone. Together, she hopes she and Emma can finally put an end to his reign of terror.

Genres: Vampires, Fantasy, Ebooks

257 pages, Paperback

Published February 11, 2020

About the author

So who am I? Well, I'm the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesn't love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep.

Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama on you. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.

Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my family and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce...lol.

I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.

You can reach me at any of these places:
Blog: http://apryl-baker.blogspot.com/
Twitter:@AprylBaker
The Promise Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO2zTi...

PS: DO NOT GET IN MY WAY IF THERE IS A SALE ON AT TARGET - my home away from home!

Reviews

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 2 of the Bayou Trilogy sees Emma/Mattie and her family hunting the vampire serial killer Kristoff. They call in Saidie, Alex and the team from West Virginia to help in the hunt.

Before they can even start the hunt, Emma is lured to Kristoff in order to save the lives of those she loves. She is being held captive in a remote abandoned Asylum states away from her home. Emma is being tortured and the book is left in a cliffhanger with her family desperately trying to find her and Emma desperately trying to stay alive...

This is a fast paced book that will leave you wanting more.

[❀ Crystal ✿ - PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting this I believed it was the last book. I was emotionally and mentally prepared to finally have this series end and I was wrong...... there’s one more book and I’m dying inside.!!!! As with the other books, the low page count does not deter the author from information dumping on us. For this series I’ve loved every second of it. In this book we learn Mattie has another brother.... Cass. She knew he wasn’t fully human but no one let alone me expected this. Honestly I love it because his reaction when she came clean about what she is was priceless. He took it like an adult and though he told her he’d have to process it he didn’t run or look at her differently. Eli (RIP) ran from her when she came clean and he was her guardian angel.
I am so worried for Kane and I hope she is able to rescue him. Not to mention can she get some revenge against these reapers who think she’s an abomination. That damn lady just left her to be tortured and in my book that deserves some karmic retribution.
It was wild to see the book start with Mattie shopping for a wedding dress and she was genuinely happy, giddy and all the feelings a woman buying her wedding dress should be. Being with dan has changed her character so much and while Eli was my first choice, I can’t deny the connection between them nor can I deny they are totally soulmates. On the note of Eli though....... um omg I about died when a voice called her Hilda. So many thoughts went through my head and I was like, nah, not possible but omg Eli was there. Even if he can’t help her, just being there for her will help her hang on until she can get rescued.
I’m upset she ran right into her enemies hands but she is truly selfless. When she loves it’s hard and for life. She gives zero fucks about her own life especially if it’ll save someone she cares for. I’m glad there is a new group there to help, but holy shit do these people have their own series? They legit are a soap opera of their own and I was loving it. It just came off as crazy how much detail the author gave about these strangers and newbies to the series. Made me miss the Malone’s, who were really the only characters missing out at this point. All I know is it’s spring 2020 when the book is anticipated to release and I’m ready, NOW. I’m dying inside to see the series end but I just want everyone to have a HEA.

[Tina H · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Family you choose is more important than the family you’re born into."

I love Emma/Mattie and her entire family, even Silas!! I enjoyed this book but at the same time it felt kind of slow to me. Not my favorite in the series.

One more thing I just have to say... that ending!!!!! Seriously!! Just gonna drop that on us and then oops sorry gotta run, till next time. Ughhhhh

[Mummy's Naughty Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well what can I say..... it's not the end. Now I need to wait and I don't know if I can. I liked the new guys and I can't wait to see what they bring to the story. It seems like there is lots left to happen. I love this series and the characters and to be honest I'm not sure if I'm ready for it all to end.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series. This is one of my favorite series! I love Mattie/Emma and all her friends and family. This book left me hanging a little in the end so I can't wait to see what happens next. I love that Apryl is still writing books with Mattie/Emma and all the characters and I hope this series keeps going for many more books!

[Christina Showalter · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a short book (miniseries) but even so I was wrapped up in it from start to finish. I can not wait to see what the next book holds! As new information comes in, the more questions we end up with. Emma is in for the battle of a life time and she has so many plans. I'm ready! I need and want all the answers. As all good books do, in a series, it ends on a cliff hanger. However it is a heart touching, beautiful one. I felt comfort in the end, is all I can say.

[Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Cranky Stars


Bayou Revelations is slightly different in that it felt more like an afterschool special with all the heart to hearts and truths being revealed. I guess it had to be that way seeing that the end might be near. We did get the snarky Emma who will do anything to keep her family out of harm's way. Our girl is finding out she has a big heart and a family that loves her. Rather its her blood related family or her chosen family she has people on her side including her fiancé Dan. Emma learns a necromancer is coming to the Crane mansion to help her put down the creepy crawlies in the swamp. Things are a little strained at first between her and Saidie the necromancer, but they come to a truce. They are just a small part of the big picture. You see Saidie was held prisoner by Madame along with her boyfriend, so she knows personally what’s lurking in the swamps and how to maybe fix this whole mess. Along with Saidies family and friends and Emma’s they might stand a chance to rid the swamp of the evil and Kristoff forever.


The amount of concussions and broken bones Emma gets makes me flinch good thing she’s not fully human though because this series would have ended way back. I like watching Mattie/Emma grow and mature. I like that she is accepting of things in her life even if she does get reckless. Saidie seems like a good girl with a heart that wants to help. Bayou Revelations is shorter than the other but it still has a lot of story packed into it.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author wrote that she was going in a new direction because the series had gotten predictable. I agree it was predictable and I appreciate the new direction. However, there are 2 things I didn’t like.
1) The characters that were coming to help from out of town were really familiar to me but for some reason didn’t fit in with what I remembered from the series before. I finally realized they were from the Bloodlines series, which I did read a while ago. But there are so many characters that “didn’t belong” in this world that they confused me and I couldn’t remember who was who. Maybe a note somewhere that these characters were from a different series you should read first and even a recap of who everyone is would help.
2) I would gladly have waited longer for this story to have it finished in a logical place. It’s a *very* short read that ends in the beginning of the story, not even the middle in my opinion. Just when I’m finally figuring out who everyone is, the book ends on not just a cliffhanger, but on the road up the mountain. By the time the next book comes out I’ll have read 20 more other books and will have to figure out who everyone is all over again.
If the book had *more* before it ended I’d have given it 4 stars. But because it was confusing with so many crossover characters and ended before it really started I have to give it only 3. I’m happy she has this on KU or I would be really upset that I paid for only a quarter of a book.

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bayou Revelations picks up where Bayou Secrets left off. Emma/Hattie is on the run from the insane serial killer vampire Kristoff while trying to unravel the secrets of Cass's origins. So, in addition to some surprising revelations being unveiled, the book ends in a major cliffhanger. The bonds between Emma/Hattie and her family members are tested. Bayou Revelations was Ms. Baker's attempt to fix issues readers had with the previous installment in this series while continuing the storylines. I didn't necessarily think that there was something glaringly wrong with the previous book. However, I felt this one suffered from a lack of cohesion amongst characters. There were just too many characters and, at times, I felt like I was reading two different books that were supposed to be interwoven but I didn't quite grasp that. After doing some research, I found that one set of these characters was from another one of Ms. Baker's book series. (I'm slowly making my way through her books and just hadn't gotten to Bloodlines yet.) Maybe this will come together in the next book. Regardless, it was a good story with twists, secrets uncovered, and a wicked ending that will have readers wanting more. Looking forward to the next installment.

[Sammie Harley Ann Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read this book I felt even closer to the characters in the author's head. I wanted to punch Saidie's mom in the face and tell her dad to grow a pair, even as I reached out to give her a hug. The emotions that Apryl Baker bring about in her readers are real. She makes us apart of the story as much as any of her written characters.
I was excited to see what would happen when Alex's rag tag family finally met our Maddie Rose's family and how that would end. I was not disappointed in their reactions to each other in the least. I can't wait for the next book to see what happens next to them all.

[Wendy Shores · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning was a little confusing and I spent a couple minutes trying to figure it out but it all fell into place. It seems like the books are getting shorter and shorter and rather than taking a couple of days to read a book, it is only taking a few hours. The stories are still just as entertaining but I sort of feel a little ripped off as far as content go. I know that Mattie must be coming to an end and I am so sorry to see it. The Ghost Files and The Crane Diaries have kept me glued to my reader absorbing every word Apryl Baker writes. She is such a talented writer! So good at keeping my attention riveted to each book. I think I have found my new favorite author! Out of all of the books in both series, I have not tired one bit of reading her stuff. When I am finished the series, I will be moving on to ANYTHING else this author has put out! Just love her stuff!!!

[Cody Smith-Candelaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Cliffhanger!!! I love this series so much and I love that we basically have a cross-over series at this point in the story. The characters are amazing and you can't help but fall in love with each and every one of them. The storyline is so original and filled with twists and turns, most you don't se coming. You'll be turning the pages rapidly until the end and then you'll be screaming, no I need the next book and I need it now!! Well Played Apryl, Well played!! Until next time, i'll just be over here counting the days.

[Kimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is still amazing so far!!!

I can’t get enough how good this series is! I love love Emma Rose and her story. the characters are awesome and the story itself is EVERYTHING! I love how we get to finally have a cross over of the other characters from the other series ! So cool! That ending my gosh definitely cliff hanger but I’m okay with that it just makes me even more anxious to find out what will happen next!!! Please I need the next book like ASAP haha. Highly recommend this as a must read!

[Brandy Weckwerth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book series that I have actually looked forward to so much that I actually follow when the next one comes out, at least till this one. This book has completely kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat the whole time. I can't wait till the next one comes out. Emma/Mattie has been through so much that if you were her, you would give up on humanity. But not this girl. She has so much faith that she doesn't even realize at times and so much strength that I wish I could be just like her. Definitely recommend to everyone who reads it.

[Lanelle Wald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

I usually love Apryl Baker books but this one not so much. Emma/Mattie barely had any chapters and when she did it was short. && I don’t understand how the next book could be the end??? Hopefully the next book will be more like the other books and less like this one. This book was short and kind of boring. Apryl Baker if you are reading this please do a longer, better book for the finale or whatever the next book will be. But I hope this is not the end for Emma/Mattie.

[Annie Annie James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ending!!

I gave this five stars because I really liked the crossover of all the characters from the Blackburn series. Apryl Baker has masterfully brought her characters to life; you'll want to celebrate their victories with them and you hurt for them when they inevitablely get into scrapes. Maddie is still my favorite character.

The best part is the character who showed up at the end. I won't spoil it, but my eyes welled up right along with Maddie's. I can't think of her as Emma, sorry.

[Darien Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing installment by Apryl Baker! Her choice of past trauma and current situations really coincide with each other. I really feel for Mattie/Emma, she has literally be through hell and back in her short years but family and friends pull her from her darkness. Being a living reaper, plus having heritage from gods and demons can really put a target on you back, plus seeing ghosts never helps. But I just love how there is a still spark of Mattie in everything she says, nothing can destroy that girl ❤

[Lady Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book, great story with wonderful characters!

WARNING! BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK...you should read the 3 books in her "Blackstone Legacy" series. After you read them, then come back and read this book. The other series will tell you all about Alex and Sadie, plus the other characters that come with them to help Emma deal with Kristoff. Trust me it's worth it, because this book has whole sections devoted to Sadie's point of view, in what's going on. Plus they are awesome books too!

[Mélisande · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the story itself was interesting I found the cast to be confusing. Granted the authors tells us t the start that she made two of her series collide hence the very established characters and backstories but now we have a plethora of people, with extremely complicated family set up, half of whom have a name starting with “Al…” ( Alice, Aleric x2, alesha, etc ) or doubles names or nicknames and the whole lot starts to be difficult to follow. At the end I still can’t remember what everyone is supposed to look like and who is connected to whom. It’s just messy.

[Deana Evers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too confusing

I love this series and couldn't wait to read this book, but the author got carried away by her imagination and didn't stop to wait for her readers. There are too many new characters vin addition to the dozen main characters we already have and way too many substories going on at once. We want to know about Mattie and her growth and journey. Put the others in their own books. Maybe bring in one or two at a time to help out. This whole book seemed to go off on a tangent.

[Tracy Trixy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... another part to this fascinating story about Emma/Mattie and the elusive Kristoff. This part of the story does not disappoint, and while trying to find Kristoff and more importantly find a way to kill him, he gets the upper hand .... nail biting stuff! A word of warning.... the end will have you with tears, dangling over the edge of the cliffhanger!
Shortish in length, and the next book to this one will be Bayou Reckoning... would definitely recommend this series! ❤️

[Carissa Anelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Bayou Revelations Maddie gets fully immersed into the world of blood magic and all the creatures that come with it. Maddie must break her ties with Kristoff and make sure the Demon Castiel doesn't collect on his promise to Georgina. Will Cass finally get answers as to why he can see things he shouldn't. Thos book is one heck of a battle for the mismatched family, will their love and skills be enough to survive?

[Gskm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revelations- wow

This is so good. I am glad I waited to read this book until the final one is available. This one has been sitting in my kindle all this time. I love this one. I strongly recommend you read the last book before you begin this one. It has so many characters in it, you really need the refresher. This fantastic. Many surprise revelations. I can’t wait to begin the final book in the series. Love this author.

[Terralyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was better about not repeating every detail from the other books...I'll give it that. The downside is the introduction of a whole host of new characters, all at once. At some point I found myself not knowing who was who. There were six new people just at the beginning of the book. It was a lot to process to make the story line flow.

This book was okay. I'm ready to be done with the series.

[Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

AHHHH I need the next book!! I NEED it. I can’t even! That ending. I’m going to die if I don’t get the next book. This author knows how you throw you through loops and keep you hooked and on the edge of your seat. It was an amazing book and I’ll be slowly dying until I get the next book. Poor Mattie but can I say? THAT ENDING!!!!!

[Darrell Nuner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different writing style, but very good and interesting.

I am having a hard time categorizing this boom, but I like it very much. It holds your interest from page 1 to the end.
The heroine is a mixture of different beings. It is an interesting mix, and different talents.
I highly recommend it!

[Alice Blessing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough good things about this series. The writing style keeps you interested and you can't help but fall in love with the characters. I love Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse novels, and Apryl's books rank right up there with her to me. You get drug into their lives and feel like part of the family when reading her series. Can't wait to see where it all goes.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay

Even though Emma is in a horrible situation when she thinks all is lost she still has her faith in god. In her greatest time of need Eli comes back to her even if briefly but I know he will help her out . I hope Dan and the rest find her and finally get rid of kristoff and I can’t wait for the surprises I store in the next book.

[Kayleigh henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow it's just wow. I have loved these characters since they came to life in the ghost files. These books have had me gripped from the first pages, cant wait for the next book to see what will happen. Just love it.

[Donna Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG 💗

Without giving anything away because I dislike spoilers and I'm sure others do to
Just hold onto you hearts and minds because this one is going to completely blow you away
Now the agonizing wait for the next installment 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗