Tuesday's Ebook Spotlight: Sandra Hill continues Cajun love with new ebooks to download

Sandra Hill loves writing about Cajuns, which you can deduce from her book titles. Her romances starring men of Acadian descent have included “The Cajun Doctor,” “Cajun Crazy,” “The Cajun Cowboy,” “The Red-Hot Cajun,” and “Tall, Dark and Cajun.”  Other books set in the Bayou State include “The Love Potion,” first in the Cajun Books series in which “The Cajun Doctor” follows and “Snow on the Bayou: A Tante Lulu Adventure,” among others.

One of her Louisiana-based books originally published as “So Into You” has been rebranded as “Bayou Angel” and right now it’s only 99 cents to download as an ebook. Here’s the book description:

Angel Sabato tries to live up to his name as he seeks to win the love of his life, but it’s hard being good with his past as a bad boy biker, treasure hunter, and Playgirl centerfold. Against the sensual bayou setting of Southern Louisiana as a backdrop, Angel sets out on a plan of sizzling seduction.

EX-NUN ON A MISSION:
This angel is going to have his feathers clipped if Grace O’Brien has her way. The ex-poker-playing nun and folk healer isn’t buying this Jersey boy’s declaration of love. Friendship, yes. Sex, maybe. Love, no way! Besides, she has a secret that precludes any relationships. But how does she resist the reformed rogue?

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN:
With the notorious Tante Lulu, the bayou busybody, calling the shots, Angel and Grace don’t stand a chance. They soon find themselves in the midst of a plot to rescue a group of hurricane orphans while a mysterious person from Grace’s past shows up. Will Angel and Grace be able to weather the storm? 

Coming out June 26 is "Cajun Persuasion," part of the Cajun Books series Here's the book description:

Alaskan pilot Aaron LeDeux came to Louisiana with his brother to discover his Cajun roots. But any hopes he had of returning home are extinguished when he agrees to help a crew of street monks and nuns rescue sex-trafficked girls. For the work has become his new calling. Plus, he’s in love with a gorgeous almost-nun named Fleur . . .

With her harrowing past, Fleur Gaudet only feels safe at the nunnery. But when she’s ordered out into the real world to decide where she truly belongs, Fleur goes to live with the notorious Tante Lulu, matriarch of the LeDeux clan. Suddenly, she’s leading a regular life, thinking irregular thoughts about Aaron. With his whiskey-colored eyes and fierce bravery, Aaron is like her own personal Cajun cowboy, re-introducing her to . . . everything.

As the dangerous missions bring them closer, Fleur must decide if her heart is truly on the path she’s been following, or if she’ll have a new future with the man of her heart.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.

Tuesday ebook spotlight: A Cajun Dream

The fifth book in my Cajun Series of historical romances was actually my debut novel. And “A Cajun Dream” (FREE download until Nov. 1) was actually a dream.  

I woke up one morning during that “Twilight Time,” around 2 a.m., and this story flitted across my mind like a movie. I kept thinking, “This is awesome and I should write it down,” but I didn’t want to interrupt the story. Seriously, it was like watching a film! In the back of my mind I knew I would never remember what I was seeing when I woke up the next morning, but amazingly enough, I did. It was as if the universe was gifting me a story to share.

The original title was “Jolie Blonde,” because this story was to be the fictional tale behind what we call the Cajun National Anthem, a song titled “Ma Blonde est Partie," later shortened to Jolie Blonde” or beautiful blonde. It’s a popular song in South Louisiana and a sad tale of a beautiful blonde woman that the singer begs not to return home to her family. Want to hear it? Click here to enjoy Michael Doucet, Aly Bain and Ricky Skaggs perform "Jolie Blonde." 

In my story, all ends well (it is a romance, after all) but the name was changed because, as my editor informed me, most Americans don’t understand French so a French title is completely out of the question. She was right. And the title became “A Cajun Dream,” which is appropriate, don’t you think?

My debut novel went on to win awards and final for many others. 

“A Cajun Dream” is free from now until Nov. 1, a Halloween present to my readers. It has become the fifth book in the series because following this novel and its sequel, “The Letter” novella, I wrote four books preceding the story. When I launched all six books as ebooks, I put the stories in chronological order. (And let me also mention that the first book in the series, "Emilie," is always free.)

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Here’s the book description:

Spurned by the Americans living in the South Louisiana town of Franklin because of her Catholic upbringing, and forbidden to associate with the French Creoles and Cajuns by her father, Amanda Rose Richardson believes she is destined to become an old maid. When she finds herself in a compromised situation by the town rogue, it is her good friend René Comeaux, the darkly handsome and passionate Cajun who rescues her. Unbeknown to Amanda, René has been in love with her for months. But can René convince her father his intensions are honorable and win the heart of the "Jolie Blonde" he adores? 

Here’s what others said: 

"A Cajun Dream will bring a smile to readers' faces. Ms. Claire has captured the sweetness of falling in love the first time with the gentleness of Dorothy Garlock and the tenderness of Pamela Morsi." — Maria C. Ferrer for Romantic Times magazine 

"What a marvelous debut! Cherie Claire is sure to earn a bevy of fans with this charming and heartwarming tale." — Rexanne Becnel, author of Blink of An Eye 

Want to read a preview? Click here.

  

Want to purchase the book (FREE until Nov. 1)? Click on your favorite bookstore below.

Kobo

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Apple

Louisiana Book News is written by journalist Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. The first two books in her award-winning series are free as ebooks! For more information and to sign up for her newsletter visit www.cherieclaire.net.

The Cajun Series of historical romances now ebooks!

            Some people view the rise of ebooks as the death of print. I’m enjoying this new technology as a second life to my alter ego. I published several historical romance novels under the pen name of Cherie Claire in the early part of this century, all focused on Cajun culture and set in South Louisiana. Because they were romance novels, their shelf life was limited. Last year, I received the rights back to these books and have uploaded them all to Amazon as ebooks. So Cherie Claire is back in business, and this time “The Cajun Series” of historical novels will remain available indefinitely and soon I’ll have versions for young adults, foreign countries and as audio books. Pretty cool.

The Cajun Series follows a family of Acadians (Cajuns) who travel to South Louisiana and start anew after being exiled from their Nova Scotia home. The first three books — Emilie, Rose and Gabrielle — follow the Gallant sisters as they attempt to reunite with their father in the wilds of Louisiana and Delphine (Book Four) takes place during Louisiana's role in the American Revolution. The Dugas family saga continues with A Cajun Dream (Book Five) and The Letter (Book Six). You can read more about my books, view a family tree and see what books are coming up at CherieClaire.net. 

Book One: Emilie (now only 99 cents!)
“Pick up a copy of Emilie for your reading pleasure, and take a journey into the historical Acadian (Cajun) country of Louisiana for an educational, romantic read.”

—Carol Carter, Romance Reviews Today

 “The beauty of Ms. Claire’s tale is in the message that love makes one a stronger and better person. She leaves just enough hints to keep readers eagerly anticipating the next two sisters’ tales. As a history buff, I enjoyed learning about the Acadian (Cajun) culture, as well as the story’s characters.”

—Evelyn Feiner, Romantic Times magazine

Book Two: Rose

"Ms. Claire's tale of the Acadians (Cajuns) is rich in Old World traditions as she explores the early beginnings of what was to become the melting pot of American society. Rose and Coleman's love is the stepping stone to a new beginning and readers' hearts will be warmed by their love and its powerful message."
—Romantic Times Magazine 

“I’m saving a spot for Cherie Claire on my keepershelf!”

—Heather Nordahl, Affaire de Coeur

Book Three: Gabrielle

“Ms. Claire’s characters are vividly portrayed against the atmosphere of the swampland, and living in exile in a strange land and dealing with all that it entails. I felt I was right there with Jean and Gabrielle.”

—Suzanne Coleburn, The Belles and Beaux of Romance

Book Four: Delphine

“Author Cherie Claire masterfully blends the challenges of history, love and loyalty in Delphine. From the grand mansions of the aristocrats of France to the marauding dangers of the high seas, this rich plot combines intrigue, treachery, and traitorous love in a riveting novel readers will not be able to put down….Delphine comes highly recommended.”

—Cindy Penn, Word Wrap

Book Five: A Cajun Dream

"A Cajun Dream will bring a smile to readers' faces. Ms. Claire has captured the sweetness of falling in love the first time with the gentleness of Dorothy Garlock and the tenderness of Pamela Morsi." 

—Romantic Times magazine 

Book Six: The Letter

"Cherie Claire is a new voice in romance from the heartland of Louisiana. I found The Letter enchanting, original and lyrical from beginning to end. Catch this star rising - her talent is a gift of the Goddess!" 

— Eileen Charbonneau, author of Rachel LeMoyne

Cheré Dastugue Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” She also writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.