Review - - Cajun Crazy

Cajun Crazy
By Sandra Hill
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: November 28, 2017
Reviewed by PJ

  

The last thing Simone LeDeux needs in her life is a man. Especially a Cajun man! Returning home to Louisiana from Chicago after kicking her cheating fiancé to the curb, the former cop is determined to focus all her energies on helping her mother rehab from knee surgery and opening Legal Belles with her attorney friend. So, of course, one of the first people she meets is her half-brother's new law partner, Adam Lanier. All it takes is one "darlin'" in his slow, Cajun drawl and Simone's lady parts urge her to forget all about her avoidance vow. 

Moving to the bayou after the death of his not-so-beloved wife, Adam Lanier has no interest in a relationship, confining his interactions with women to sex only and keeping them far away from his six-year-old daughter. His late wife's infidelity and sexual escapes have left him with trust issues and, because of a quick Google search, he's made some snap judgments about Simone. Let's just say those judgments don't go over well when Simone discovers what kind of person he thinks she is. 

In the way of small towns on the bayou, Simone and Adam are continually thrown together, causing their initial attraction to simmer but, more than that, they begin to like each other and become friends. Adam even includes his daughter in their budding relationship. Everyone in the bayou is urging a happy ending but Adam still has those trust issues, Simone has a lousy track record with Cajun men, and a roadblock involving Simone's sometimes dangerous career looms large between them. Will Adam be able to put the hope chest Tante Lulu makes for him to good use or will pride and doubt stand in his way?

I've been reading Sandra Hill for years, beginning with her time-traveling Vikings, and continuing with her Navy SEALS and sexy Cajuns. Her books never fail to make me laugh. Sure, some of her characters (Tante Lulu) are outrageous, at times leaning into caricature territory, and her humor can tend to the bawdy, but her stories have a lot of heart...and sizzle...and did I mention the humor? I enjoyed Simone and Adam's journey though there were times Adam tried my patience. He comes through in the end, though, for an intelligent man, it took him awhile to see the light.

If you're a fan of this series, you'll no doubt enjoy catching up with many of the characters from previous books. This story does stand on its own, however, if you're new to Hill's bayou, you may feel overrun by the plethora of secondary characters and how they fit into the greater scheme of all things LeDeux. One secondary character who stands out above the rest is Adam's precocious daughter. I don't know how long Sandra Hill plans to continue writing stories set in the bayou but I sure hope it's long enough for Maisie to grow up. I haven't had nearly enough of her!

Bottom line: if you're looking for a fun, light romp in the Louisiana bayou with plenty of sizzle and laughter, a bit of danger, strong women, and sexy men, you can't go wrong with Cajun Crazy. 

Have you read any of Sandra Hill's books? Do you have a favorite?

What's making you laugh these days?

I have a print copy of Cajun Crazy for one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment before 11:00 pm, January 4. 
(U.S. / Canada only)