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Bayou Christmas Disappearance
She’ll help him find a kidnapped victim
He’ll keep her alive in the process
Mona Avery is determined to investigate Dillon Reed’s high-profile missing person case in the Louisiana bayou. Even if stubborn Detective Reed insists the hotshot investigative journalist is a hindrance. For Mona, the case is personal, especially at Christmas. Working closely with the detective makes it hard to deny their attraction. But a killer wants Mona’s story silenced…and only Dillon can keep her safe…
He’ll keep her alive in the process
Mona Avery is determined to investigate Dillon Reed’s high-profile missing person case in the Louisiana bayou. Even if stubborn Detective Reed insists the hotshot investigative journalist is a hindrance. For Mona, the case is personal, especially at Christmas. Working closely with the detective makes it hard to deny their attraction. But a killer wants Mona’s story silenced…and only Dillon can keep her safe…
Audiobook
First published November 30, 2021
5 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Denise N. Wheatley
72 books219 followersDenise N. Wheatley is a lover of happily-ever-afters and the art of storytelling. She has written (and ghostwritten) numerous novels and novellas that run the romance gamut, from contemporary to paranormal, sweet to steamy. Denise strives to pen entertaining stories that embody matters of the heart, while creating characters who are strong, colorful and relatable.
She is an RWA member and received a B.A. in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, the city where she was born and raised. When Denise is not sitting behind a computer, you can find her in a movie theater, on a tennis court, watching true crime television or chatting on social media.
She is an RWA member and received a B.A. in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, the city where she was born and raised. When Denise is not sitting behind a computer, you can find her in a movie theater, on a tennis court, watching true crime television or chatting on social media.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 27, 2022
Mona Avery is an investigative reporter who has returned to her college town to cover the disappearance of a close friend. Detective Dillion Reed is assigned to the case but he's not happy to be working with her. He doesn't want his case to turn into media fodder for true crime lovers. Mona's attempts to leverage her connection to Olivia's family don't go as planned since the family outside of the mother don't want to cooperate.
Different than my other romantic suspense reads this year, Bayou Christmas Disappearance leans heavily into the suspense aspect. And this made for some heart-racing scenes. And then Mona's background as an investigative journalist was used well. She did this sit down interviews that were shocking and had me distressed. I don't listen to true crime podcasts but I could easily see this book appealing to those who do as they try to figure out who kidnapped Olivia.
And for my friends who aren't romance readers but want to start this is a good one too because the romance elements aren't that heavy. There's longing looks and thoughts throughout but the romance slow burns through the end.
This was also set during Christmastime and it had more mentions of the holiday season than other Intrigue titles I've read. I really liked the scenes early on in the local restaurant and at the inn. Those elements felt very cozy and they were a great way to see Mona and Dillion bond.
Over all I thought this was great suspense that hit the right beats and I recommend it if you're looking for something quick and thrilling. My people expecting a strong romance will be a disappointed because the romance is definitely on the lighter side. I would've loved some kissing earlier in the book. But her writing was good enough for me to check out another release.
4.5 stars
Different than my other romantic suspense reads this year, Bayou Christmas Disappearance leans heavily into the suspense aspect. And this made for some heart-racing scenes. And then Mona's background as an investigative journalist was used well. She did this sit down interviews that were shocking and had me distressed. I don't listen to true crime podcasts but I could easily see this book appealing to those who do as they try to figure out who kidnapped Olivia.
And for my friends who aren't romance readers but want to start this is a good one too because the romance elements aren't that heavy. There's longing looks and thoughts throughout but the romance slow burns through the end.
This was also set during Christmastime and it had more mentions of the holiday season than other Intrigue titles I've read. I really liked the scenes early on in the local restaurant and at the inn. Those elements felt very cozy and they were a great way to see Mona and Dillion bond.
Over all I thought this was great suspense that hit the right beats and I recommend it if you're looking for something quick and thrilling. My people expecting a strong romance will be a disappointed because the romance is definitely on the lighter side. I would've loved some kissing earlier in the book. But her writing was good enough for me to check out another release.
4.5 stars
January 17, 2022
The plot was slow moving and Detective Reed made me not enjoy the subplot of romance as much as I wanted to. I will say reading a book that has foods from Louisiana was enjoyable even though there were some I never heard of. The twists in the story really saved it for me. I live for a good twist or twists.
June 28, 2022
DNF @ 35%.
I was looking forward to this, especially because so many of the reviews mentioned it being heavier on the suspense and lighter on the romance - which is how I like my romantic suspense.
Unfortunately, the writing wasn't clicking for me here. While I give Mona latitude for getting in over her head since she's an investigative reporter, she still had several TSTL moments. There were also plot points that didn't make sense. (see spoilers below) Romantically, I felt nothing between Dillon & Mona and they've only had some very stilted conversations up to this point. Granted, it could be better developed later.
Plot issues (spoilers):
I'm willing to try other writing of Wheatley's to see if I connect better with another story.
Narration:
Part of the problem may be how Elle Cleviden is performing some of the characters. I loved her in The Three Mrs. Greys - but it's not working here. Mona is coming off screechy, dense, and naïve. Cleviden's male voices all sound very old. I usually like the deeper, gravely register - but Dillon sounds (to me) like someone in his 50s.
I was looking forward to this, especially because so many of the reviews mentioned it being heavier on the suspense and lighter on the romance - which is how I like my romantic suspense.
Unfortunately, the writing wasn't clicking for me here. While I give Mona latitude for getting in over her head since she's an investigative reporter, she still had several TSTL moments. There were also plot points that didn't make sense. (see spoilers below) Romantically, I felt nothing between Dillon & Mona and they've only had some very stilted conversations up to this point. Granted, it could be better developed later.
Plot issues (spoilers):
I'm willing to try other writing of Wheatley's to see if I connect better with another story.
Narration:
Part of the problem may be how Elle Cleviden is performing some of the characters. I loved her in The Three Mrs. Greys - but it's not working here. Mona is coming off screechy, dense, and naïve. Cleviden's male voices all sound very old. I usually like the deeper, gravely register - but Dillon sounds (to me) like someone in his 50s.
January 4, 2022
Could have be good, but the main female character was always "screeching"
Didn't care for her at all..she kinda spoiled it.
Totally lacked romance as well, more of a mystery.
Didn't care for her at all..she kinda spoiled it.
Totally lacked romance as well, more of a mystery.
December 11, 2021
This definitely earned the entry line for sure heart pounding from page 1 to the end of the book. This is my first book by Denise n Wheatley, but it will not be my last highly recommend.
December 10, 2021
The mystery is really the focus point in this book and it is super charged and intense and that really kept me turning the pages. I know with the Intrigue line, that's the way it's supposed to be. More mystery focused, less with the romance, but I would've really loved more romance between our two MCs.
Read
December 14, 2021Denise Wheatley is a new to me author that I will likely read again (Like soon bc she has some holiday romances I want to read). This book is rom-suspense, HEAVY on the suspense half of that trope. I didn't buy into the enemies to lovers story line and would have been happy to just read this as a thriller/suspense. Its like action action action, all of a sudden, they care about each other and 'we found love and come home to meet my family'. I... sis where? You just met this person days ago? I just... anywayz.
I'm so iffy and grey (and I hate being this way on books) with closed door, low heat romances because it's difficult for writers to show attraction without the physical aspect.. It can be done though - I look for meaningful, close convo, the almost kiss, the fear of losing that person before they know how you feel. I think these elements are present but fleeting. There was much more effort on the suspense and external conflict of a missing woman. At times I feel like a few scenes are dropped in here and there so they meet the trope but would have rather left them out if they had their way.
The main characters are helping each other investigate a disappearance. I love a gruff hero, also love a strong, determined heroine - this is a great combo. My favorite combo, if I am being honest. The back and forth and bending of the stiff, stalwart hero to the stubborn news reporter was great.
I found the ending satisfying if sweet and insta-love fueled. It was overall a perfectly fine read.
I'm so iffy and grey (and I hate being this way on books) with closed door, low heat romances because it's difficult for writers to show attraction without the physical aspect.. It can be done though - I look for meaningful, close convo, the almost kiss, the fear of losing that person before they know how you feel. I think these elements are present but fleeting. There was much more effort on the suspense and external conflict of a missing woman. At times I feel like a few scenes are dropped in here and there so they meet the trope but would have rather left them out if they had their way.
The main characters are helping each other investigate a disappearance. I love a gruff hero, also love a strong, determined heroine - this is a great combo. My favorite combo, if I am being honest. The back and forth and bending of the stiff, stalwart hero to the stubborn news reporter was great.
I found the ending satisfying if sweet and insta-love fueled. It was overall a perfectly fine read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2022
I thought this was an okay book. I did like the chemistry that Mona had with the cop right from the beginning. I also liked that things started happening right away. This book kept me entertained while i listened to it
February 16, 2023
Book by State Challenge (Louisiana)
Love this read! Olivia is held hostage and it’s up to Dillon and Mona to find out the truth! The combination of suspense and mystery made this fast pace & enjoyable!
Love this read! Olivia is held hostage and it’s up to Dillon and Mona to find out the truth! The combination of suspense and mystery made this fast pace & enjoyable!
October 12, 2021
I loved the cast of characters in Bayou Christmas Disappearence. Everyone's secrets and motivations coupled with the twists and turns of Dillion and Mona's investigation into Olivia's disappearence kept me guessing until the very end--and what a satisfying reveal. A romantic whodunit! I couldn't put this book down, and woke up early the next morning to finish it. I'm so happy I did. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this title ahead of the release. Make sure to pick this one up if you haven't had the chance yet!
January 18, 2022
Bayou Christmas Disappearance by Denise N. Wheatley 248 pages
7 hours and 1 minutes narrated by Elle Cleviden
Genre: Romantic Suspense, African-American Fiction
Featuring: South Louisiana, Reporter, Detective, Missing Person, Family Secrets, Threatening Violence, Actual Violence, Insta-romance
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult themes and content
My rating: ⭐½
My thoughts: 22%- If Choices: Stories You Play were novels they would sound like this book.
53% - Meh but I want to know what happened.
84% - Mona has been an idiot since chapter one and now it's rubbing off on Dillon.
92% - Ridiculous! 🙄
This book was still on order from the library when I got on the waiting list in early December. I wasn't crazy about the title but I like new books and the cover was nice. Right off the bat I found the narrator irritating. She did a good job of using multiple voices for different characters, unfortunately they sounded older than what they were supposed to be and as if they were in a previous time period, she also used a lot of raspiness to distinguish the characters and I really don't want to hear those type of voices. Speeding her up did not solve the problem, she still sounded slow even on 3 times the speed, in addition to her her 1960s voice styles the actual material was horrible. I am not kidding when I compared this to a story app script. I'll start with Mona, she is a complete idiot. I don't understand what kind of reporter thinks it's great to give all the details you discover to the public, everybody knows you have to hold something back for the real killer to identify themselves. Her second issue was although she felt that she was in danger and receiving threatening messages she kept putting herself in immediate danger after receiving such messages. If somebody is threatening to kill me the last thing I'm gonna do is run off into a dark alley by myself or let my car run out of gas in an unfamiliar place. I'm not saying that happened, you'll have to read the book for yourself, I'm just saying this is a type of character Mona was. My final issue with Mona was that she didn't make mistakes one time she repeated them throughout the entire story. Dillon is a horrible police officer especially for one that has so much experience. I was hoping this was a first effort that's forgivable, but it isn't a debut. So, I don't think I'll be reading anything else from this author. I hated the ending, it did not make any sense to me at all. As far as the romance goes there was no chemistry, no sexual tension or anything and then instant romance all of a sudden, made absolutely no sense to me, and that wasn't even the worst part of the ending.
Recommend to others?: No! I wish could tell the 4 people that were waiting for this file not to bother.
7 hours and 1 minutes narrated by Elle Cleviden
Genre: Romantic Suspense, African-American Fiction
Featuring: South Louisiana, Reporter, Detective, Missing Person, Family Secrets, Threatening Violence, Actual Violence, Insta-romance
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult themes and content
My rating: ⭐½
My thoughts: 22%- If Choices: Stories You Play were novels they would sound like this book.
53% - Meh but I want to know what happened.
84% - Mona has been an idiot since chapter one and now it's rubbing off on Dillon.
92% - Ridiculous! 🙄
This book was still on order from the library when I got on the waiting list in early December. I wasn't crazy about the title but I like new books and the cover was nice. Right off the bat I found the narrator irritating. She did a good job of using multiple voices for different characters, unfortunately they sounded older than what they were supposed to be and as if they were in a previous time period, she also used a lot of raspiness to distinguish the characters and I really don't want to hear those type of voices. Speeding her up did not solve the problem, she still sounded slow even on 3 times the speed, in addition to her her 1960s voice styles the actual material was horrible. I am not kidding when I compared this to a story app script. I'll start with Mona, she is a complete idiot. I don't understand what kind of reporter thinks it's great to give all the details you discover to the public, everybody knows you have to hold something back for the real killer to identify themselves. Her second issue was although she felt that she was in danger and receiving threatening messages she kept putting herself in immediate danger after receiving such messages. If somebody is threatening to kill me the last thing I'm gonna do is run off into a dark alley by myself or let my car run out of gas in an unfamiliar place. I'm not saying that happened, you'll have to read the book for yourself, I'm just saying this is a type of character Mona was. My final issue with Mona was that she didn't make mistakes one time she repeated them throughout the entire story. Dillon is a horrible police officer especially for one that has so much experience. I was hoping this was a first effort that's forgivable, but it isn't a debut. So, I don't think I'll be reading anything else from this author. I hated the ending, it did not make any sense to me at all. As far as the romance goes there was no chemistry, no sexual tension or anything and then instant romance all of a sudden, made absolutely no sense to me, and that wasn't even the worst part of the ending.
Recommend to others?: No! I wish could tell the 4 people that were waiting for this file not to bother.
December 23, 2023
I exchange books with a friend. I give her all different types of books. She gives me Harlequin. I'm not a mussy romance type of gal. I'll only read her books, mainly for the heck of it, if it's book #1 in the series. This was the case for Bayou Christmas Disappearance. I can't read/don't like reading a story by jumping in when it's already started in other book(s).
Mona Avery, eye rolling at her name, lives in Los Angeles and is an investigative journalist on the on the Cable News Broadcast TV show. She's returned to her small hometown, Lake Landry, where everyone knows one another. She's working on a case and this time it's personal because the person who is missing was her old college roommate, Olivia Whitman. Mona is paired up with Detective Dillon Reed. He is not pleased, but his bosses insist she can help him solve this case.
As is the case in Harlequin romance books the female and male are obviously attracted to one another, but they have to deny it for the majority of the mystery.
The killer, because now the body has been found, wants Mona's story silenced and starts going after her. I found Mona doing some really dumb moves and it was frustrating reading.
So, I figured out who was behind it by page 9. Um, the story started on page 7. So 2 pages in and I had already solved it! By page 169 it was finally suggested of who it was. And the story was over 248 page.
Spoiler Alert
I also didn't understand why the kidnapper took weeks before he wrote the ransom note. That was also dumb.
Mona Avery, eye rolling at her name, lives in Los Angeles and is an investigative journalist on the on the Cable News Broadcast TV show. She's returned to her small hometown, Lake Landry, where everyone knows one another. She's working on a case and this time it's personal because the person who is missing was her old college roommate, Olivia Whitman. Mona is paired up with Detective Dillon Reed. He is not pleased, but his bosses insist she can help him solve this case.
As is the case in Harlequin romance books the female and male are obviously attracted to one another, but they have to deny it for the majority of the mystery.
The killer, because now the body has been found, wants Mona's story silenced and starts going after her. I found Mona doing some really dumb moves and it was frustrating reading.
So, I figured out who was behind it by page 9. Um, the story started on page 7. So 2 pages in and I had already solved it! By page 169 it was finally suggested of who it was. And the story was over 248 page.
Spoiler Alert
I also didn't understand why the kidnapper took weeks before he wrote the ransom note. That was also dumb.
October 9, 2021
I absolutely loved this book by Denise. I was lucky enough to receive an early copy and from the first page the action and drama was intense and gripping. Mona, a successful investigative reporter is paired up with Detective Dillon Reed, who is less than thrilled to have Mona involved in his investigation into the disappearance of Olivia Whitman who is a friend of Mona’s which makes this deeply personal. Throw in threats against Mona and the growing attraction between Mona and Dillon and the twists and turns in this story and we have a gripping, enthralling story that I was up late finishing it because I was so desperate to find out the answers. A well written, fast paced story guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat. I definitely recommend this one.
November 11, 2022
Mona and Dillon!!
I must say, I truly enjoyed this book! I have several of Ms. Wheatley’s books; however, this is the first one I have read!! She’s intriguing and has that knack of pulling you in and keeping you there for the entire journey! And, what a journey this was! I was right there with Mona through it all! Dillon was a little skeptical, but he learned!!
This was a great mystery and I can’t wait to see what Ms. Wheatley has up next! I highly recommend this book! Go grab your copy today! You won’t be disappointed!! Kudos, Denise!! 💜
I must say, I truly enjoyed this book! I have several of Ms. Wheatley’s books; however, this is the first one I have read!! She’s intriguing and has that knack of pulling you in and keeping you there for the entire journey! And, what a journey this was! I was right there with Mona through it all! Dillon was a little skeptical, but he learned!!
This was a great mystery and I can’t wait to see what Ms. Wheatley has up next! I highly recommend this book! Go grab your copy today! You won’t be disappointed!! Kudos, Denise!! 💜
January 31, 2022
This story was a page turner I couldn't put this book down until I finished it. I had to know what happened to Olivia was she alive was she dead I couldn't wait to find out and I had to know who the culprit was and why. Glad Mona and Dillon became a couple. Oliver was interesting quite the character would love to see him with his own story. Thanks, DW for a thrill rider. I will definitely be checking out some of your other books.
October 18, 2021
This was such an enjoyable read with characters you could really root for. Love the various drinks the author inserts into her books. They all sound quite yummy. And Oliver was such a hoot - a really odd, but funny character. I bet you won't guess who dunnit. :-)
January 23, 2023
I haven't read very many Harlequins and I think this is my first Intrigue. It was pretty good. I liked that it was more suspense with only a little romance. It kept me interested and never considered DNFing it.I'm giving it a 3.5 and keep wavering whether to raise it to 4 stars or lower it to 3. With the word, Christmas in the title you would think the holidays would be a big part of the book, but it could have been anytime of year. I think there was a very brief mention of a Christmas tree and lights at some point.
January 11, 2022
Took too long to get juicy.
February 17, 2022
Not predictable, but also doesn't seem all that logical of a progression of story.
Really did not enjoy.
Really did not enjoy.
September 16, 2022
This is the 1st book I read by Denise N. Wheatley. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story 📖 at chapter 2 because it didn't grab my interest.
March 13, 2024
I am never disappointed if it’s a Denise Wheatley book!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews