love, and religion takes place in the bayou of ...
345995
Mystery, murder, suspense, love, and religion takes place in the bayou of Louisana. Great details.
1924347
We find ourselves at the beginning of the book with some historical events happening, giving us a true timeline of where things were in the world. It points out where things were in time, especially for Civil Rights for Blacks. We also find ourselves in the bayous of Louisiana. What happens when Carrie Ann, her brother Bobby Ray, and her parents head to Grandma's house in Houston one summer? Who is Bo Brooks? What does Carrie Ann know about him? How does she learn about him? When a new family moves in next door, who are they? Who does Carrie meet? When her 'boyfriend' gets drafted, though he doesn't claim they are boyfriend and girlfriend, what happens? All of the paranormal part of this happens thanks to the Blue Bayou in Louisiana. You're going to have to read to see what happens. There is love, heartbreak, draft dodgers, soldiers, life, death, love, marriage, etc. in this book. It was a good book to read. Just make sure you have tissues ready!

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
98375
Cultural differences including beliefs provide an interesting environment for two people struggling to find their place in their community.  Their love must overcome their past relationships.
3651656
I loved this book, the story of Evangeline, whose life is upended by Hurricane Katrina. This is a wonderful story about displacement, love, and hope, full time f rich and interesting characters who keep you turning the pages. A wonderful debut!
393165
The writing is magical and artful.  The characters richly created.  The mythology of the Caribbean is scattered throughout the story, which spans multiple generations with all the conflict and attachments know to families.  Both religious and moral concerns are thems.  Often these concepts are at odds with one another, as represented by the lives of salves of that era. The history of one of the most important impressionist is brought to life as the story unfolds from those seeking a life free of religious oppression in St. Thomas and concluded in Paris.
2239762
A love story that takes place in New Orleans. A great book to read and hard to put down as I wanted to keep reading.  Now I want more as the book ends and I wanted the story to keep going.  Makes me want to visit New Orleans.
2067219
Continuing story of Hope, Kansas and of a founding town on the prairie in the 1800's. A story of different nationalities learning  to accept the other and build a living for their families. It is also story of God's word leading the lives of people to grow in Faith, Hope and Love amidst preconceived notions  of one nationality being more troublesome than others.  Faith, Hope and Love abound in high amounts with doubt and fear for the new family that moved to town. A very enjoyable read with a reminder of God's love for all.
193776
This is a very charming book to read and captures the flavor of New Orleans. She is able to portray the tensions and questions that abound in new romantic relationships. Although written as a Romance, this novel has a sense of humor and a sense of place. New Orleans isn't merely used as a superficial background. The city vibrates and breathes as you read the story. Ultimately, this is the story of somewhat guarded people who take the risk that love is in the air. This story is a breath of fresh air for the cynical times in which we live. The timing of its release is ironic considering the aftermath of Katrina. I recommend sitting back and enjoy reading about the beginning of a new relationship and learning about what has been (temporarily) lost from the hurricane.

I've known the author for a long time, and I think that this book is the beginning of what promises to be even better things to come.
2337655
This story of love and loss is no ordinary tale. It will make you laugh and cry and everything in between. You will come to know the characters as friends and neighbors. You will smell the fragrance of the bayous and towns. You will feel the hearts beating fast while falling in love. You will weep along with Calla in her unimaginable grief and you will pray for her healing ,and cheer her indomitable spirit. A book to remember and cherish.
2408295
In a world one doesn't quite fit, it's a religious pleasure to find connections and love. This story gives us two among many finding their wings. A lovely and revealing tale.
4213409
ALWAYS WITH YOU is a well-written story that takes the reader on Isabelle and Tyler's journey from frustration and fear to triumphant faith.

Isabelle Gilbert is tired of being treated like a child by her domineering father and grandmother. Her life is stagnant, and her dreams are driven by her atheistic father. Isabelle's dream is to move out of the shadow of constant disapproval and manipulation into the light of acceptance and love. She wants unconditional love and to be accepted for who she is. She no longer wants to live under one roof with blood relatives who watch out for each other only from obligation. Isabelle also wants to discover the dark family secret that removed joy from her home and changed her relatives into the people they are.

Tyler Saunders escaped his sterile, abusive past by joining The Faithful, a religious cult who took him in and cared for him and his siblings. Group members gave him a sense of family, faith, and community, yet as a member of The Faithful, Tyler is subhuman in the eyes of the surrounding Outsiders. Though he saves Isabelle from a terrible situation, her father rejects him as a friend and suitor for Isabelle.

Isabelle believes Tyler has what she needs so, against all warnings and advice, they marry. So begins the journey from the frying pan into the fire.

Always With You was well-researched, which is important to me. Through Isabelle and Tyler's thoughts and emotions and their desire for love and acceptance, I can understand how people get sucked into believing lies and joining such groups as The Faithful. I also appreciate the way the author brought the characters to true faith in an organic, non-preachy way.
4969501
Beautifully crafted and cast film.  A glimpse into the lives of people who live on the Bayou.  The film was done on location, not long afterwards the area was destroyed by a storm.  In this way the film has become an archive of sorts.
1614168
I could not put this book down. I read it from cover to cover in one sitting. As a Louisiana Creole from South Louisiana not only was I moved by the accuracy of the stories and familial relationships, I was mesmerized by the imagery the author provided in recounting language, traditional stories, and many of our most important experiences with land, family and spirituality. Every page made me want to know more about visions, family mystery, murder, and love. This story packed so much all into one audacious book!
4757076
Good easy read. Although the story is very steeped in faith and religion it's filled with emotion and adventure as well. You find yourself rooting for the main character and yearning for the wide open prairie along side of her.
111299
Told from the point of view of a young Nigerian girl, this story reveals in a most chilling way the harm that missionaries with their proselytizing and religions zeal bring to a culture that was doing just fine without them. What incredibly misguided individuals they are and the havoc they wreak is far reaching. This is religion at its worst.

The beauty of this novel is in the young heroine, Kambili's, ability to survive and love despite the world she is forced to live in.

There are hints only of what religion did to warp her father into the abusive husband and father that he is. Some of the story is hard to believe, but I suspect it is all too true. When I lived in Mali, friends were deathly afraid of horses. They explained that when they were very young, priests enjoyed Sunday afternoon games of chasing them down on horseback. What is it in religion that can warp a "god loving" man into a monster?
2882217
A distant Louisiana colony in 1704 is certainly a new and foreign world to the two French sisters readers are introduced to upon opening The Pelican Bride. With descriptive and historical detail, the author breathes life to the Gulf Shores we meet there with its intriguing and diverse culture of colonists, Native Americans, and brave young women in search of religious and political freedoms. The story produces everything you could wish for in historical fiction  compelling characters, dangerous secrets, threatening enemies, bonds of love, and, of course, fascinating history youve probably never heard of.

I enjoyed following our leading lady, Genevieve, from the moment she lands in the swampy waters along the coast in this New World. The hope of adventure and liberty that lies before her grew simultaneously in my heart as I read and watched her expectations quickly meet opposition and surprising consequences. Once she meets Tristan, I was ready to settle in and see if this exciting setting would bring them together or push them apart.

The characters seemed well-developed to me, the plot thickening to an exciting end, and the historical depth and maturity of the story pleasantly surprising  and yet, I had a hard time settling into the story and liking it as much I had hoped to. I struggled over a few portions where a characters foreign tongue was not explained. Sometimes the historical details distracted me from the overall theme. And while I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, I would have preferred to see them interact more within the book than they did. As the book unfolds, so much is happening that I admit I felt occasionally lost in it all.

I still think this book has a lot to offer fans of historical fiction. The second half certainly grabbed my attention and the author brought a lot of pieces together in a satisfying way I had never expected. It is an educational read, with thought-provoking questions for that time period  and for today as well. There is also room left to expand the story with the next installment of the series coming out in 2015. I look forward to seeing where the Gulf Coast Chronicles will take readers from here.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers at Revell for my copy.
2523317
AN. From Texas....

 Lots of romance around the French Quarter.
 A lot of voodoo  in around NO. . WOULD LIKE TO  SEE A SEQUEL WITH SOME OF SAME CHARACTERS.
KEEP UP GOOD WORk  bjcoleman32@gmail.com