I enjoyed the bayou setting and the characters in the book. The dialect used made them even seem more real. I did find the story a little slow and at times found myself jumping ahead to see what would happen next.

I'm not quite sure how to put into words what made this book so special. It's neither overwritten nor under. The story pulls you in like your sitting on the front porch of a southern bayou home, drinking sweet tea, and enjoying the view. The characters are so relatable and completely loveable...or dislikable, whichever the case may be. The magical description of this off-the-beaten-path place has led me to wish I could take a step back in time and discover the bayou. In this well written story, you'll fall in love with Ellie as she leaves her home in Alabama and ventures further south to spread her wings as a young lady and fly. You follow her story as she learns what it feels like to make choices for her future, fall in love, and earn the trust of a culture of people who've been abused by outsiders for years. You'll also meet Raphe who is desperately trying to successfully raise his nephew with help from his sister and neighbors. Raphe has a deep wound that needs care and healing. These characters, along with a host of secondary characters, will squeeze themselves into your heart and settle nicely. This book does not disappoint in any area and I look forward to reading more by Valerie Fraser Luesse.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Under the Bayou Moon
Valerie Fraser Luesse
Pub Date 03 Aug 2021
Revell
Christian



I am reviewing a copy of Under the Bayou Moon through Revell and Netgalley:


Ellie fields was restless with the familiarity of her Alabama home when she accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country. Though rightfully suspicious of outsiders, who have threatened both their language and their culture, most of the people in tiny Bernadette, Louisiana, come to appreciate the young and idealistic schoolteacher as a boon to the town. She soon teaches just about everyone, which brings her in opposition to the school board as well as a politician who has ulterior motives.





While acclimating to to a whole new world, Ellie meets a lonely but intriguing Cajun fisherman named Raphe who introduces her to the legendary white alligator that haunts these waters. Raphe and Ellie have barely found their way to each other when a huge bounty is offered for the elusive gator, bringing about a shocking turn of events that will test their love and their will to right a terrible wrong.





If you are looking for a historical read that will take you to the Bayou of Louisiana, I highly recommend Under the Bayou Moon.


Five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This was a unique book. I really loved the setting and the way these people had to live and travel from place to place. There was an underlying mystery in this book too and I wondered when that would all come to a head.

The romance wasn’t really the driving force in this book, although it was there. It was really about a community and love.

If you are looking for something a bit different I recommend this one.


A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

EVOCATIVE!

Valerie Fraser Luesse has written an evocative story set in the sultry swamps of Louisiana in the late 1940s-early 1950s. She introduces the world to a young teacher, Ellie Fields. Ellie has left the confines of the life she knows so well in small town Alabama and accepted the challenge of a teaching job in tiny Louisiana town deep in the bayou country. Tiny Bernadette, LA is filled with many sets of challenges for the idealistic schoolteacher. Yet, Ellie feels an immediate love for these people and one man in particular wins her heart. Cajun fisherman Rafe marries Ellie and they create a safe haven for the nephew that Rafe is adopting. In an area well known for not accepting outsiders, this mix of many different types of people have come together in one accord to accept the new school teacher. Why? Because she LOVES their children with everything in her being and loves each one of them the same amount as the others! She has even come up with a way to teach the African American children as well as the illiterate adults. She knows they are a proud people but some of them never had the opportunity to go to school. When the area is shaken by the largest crisis they have ever had to face, it is rewarding to see neighbors helping neighbors, friends helping friends and even strangers helping others! When push comes to shove, Luesse paints a beautiful word picture of what the Good Samaritan as well as true resiliency look like.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell & NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

This girl has spunk!! I just love Miss Ellie... Writing of high quality, & a totally likeable main character, helped engage me from the very beginning. A really good story, this doesn’t need to descend to the off-colour content so many books include these days. Nor does it need to set trouble between the ‘good’ characters – a refreshing change from the majority of books, which mostly seem to follow a set pattern. Don’t mistake me : there is enough of reality to make a gritty side to this as well as the pleasant. Whilst I have read other books about this locality, none of them left me feeling I had experienced it from an ‘insider’s’ point of view. I really enjoyed reading this book, & am sorry to come to the end of it – but at the same time, the story is complete & it has left me satisfied. Highly recommended!

This was a charming story of Ellie Fields who leaves her Alabama home to take up a solo teaching position in Bernadette, a small town situated on one of many bayous of the Atchafalaya Delta Basin in Louisiana. Ellie is a fish out of water and perhaps settles in a little too easily for someone who is new to the mixed culture of the area.

I delighted in reading the Cajun history and sampling a small element of its unique and varied culture through Ellie's eyes. And the bayou, its sounds, smells and sights were a joy to behold. At times, Luesse took my breath away. And then there was the white alligator - the piece de resistance. Oh what a gorgeous creature and what a beautiful connection it had with Raphe who seemed to be the only human it dared to be seen by.

There is so much to like about this story and it was such an easy read even though Luesse often led us in the Cajun dialect and French as well. The plot was quite simple and as another reviewer stated, there were a number of threads that just fizzled out. The romance between Ellie and Raphe was a little unrealistic - full of sweetness but for two who came from such diverse backgrounds didn't seem to struggle as a couple.

There were some good themes explored: racism, the clashing of multiple cultures, the hardship of poverty but the trauma both Ellie and Raphe experienced either before this story or during it were superficially handled when there was a lot more that could have been explored.

It was a good read and I'm thoroughly pleased to have spent some time Under the Bayou Moon.

I received an early ebook copy from Revell as part of their Revell Reads Program via NetGalley with no expectation of a favourable review.

Title: Under The Bayou Moon
Author: Valerie Fraser Luesse


Ch: 53 plus epilogue

Pg: 346

Genre: Christian Historical Romance Christian Historical fiction

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Revell



I didn’t know what I was going to get when I started reading this book. As I’ve never read anything by Valerie Fraser Luesse. But I was hooked from the first page of Under The Bayou Moon, the writing was lyrical and made the characters come alive. As well as making the bayou its own character in the novel.


Reading Under the Bayou Moon I felt like I was in the post war Louisiana bayou. I enjoyed learning a little about Cajun culture and some of the things I can’t believe happened has me wanting to dig deeper into Cajun and Louisiana history.


Aside from the bayou herself my favorite characters in the book were Raphe, Remy, Ellie and Heywood. I loved Remy’s childhood antics. Ellie not only was a teacher but she had a heart for kids and others. I loved Heywood’s since I’d humor. But Raphe might have been a simple Cajun fisherman but he was romantic at heart and fast becoming one of my new favorite fiction heroes.


Not only is the bayou her own character but the town of Bernadette and her residents are characters as well that enhanced the story. I loved Under The Bayou Moon that as soon as I finished reading it I immediately got the audio so I could hear Raphe’s Cajun accent and dive back into the story. I would love more stories set in Bernadette but also look forward to reading the authors back list and any future books.

I received a complimentary copy from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I loved it. 😭

It's slow and deep and haunting and hopeful. It's funny and lovely and so full of heart. My little emotional cheese puff heart couldn't handle it--all of the love and community and friendship.

The storytelling is just so rich. If you're looking for a fast-paced adrenaline rush, you aren't ready for this gem. This story requires patience and investment. And not a second of it goes to waste. What a gift.

I adored these characters. They're nestled deep in my heart--so deeply that I just sat and stared out the window, holding a hand to my heart, after I finished the last page. It's been an absolute delight to be among these words, among these characters.

If you're a fan of Valerie, this book is even more of the excellence she delivers. And though I've only read two other novels by her, Bayou Moon easily rests as my favorite of her offerings thus far.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All expressed opinions belong to me.

Valerie Fraser Luesse brings the Louisiana bayou country to life on the page in Under the Bayou Moon. This enchanting story speaks of family, community, and love in the lyrical voice of a gifted storyteller. The characters will win your heart from the first page - from Ellie's spunk and dedication to her newfound community, to Raphe's loyalty and faithfulness, to all of the other charming and sometimes quirky characters who call Bernadette home. A little mystery and intrigue balance out the slower-paced, character-driven plot. This book is sure to please fans of Susie Finkbeiner, Lauren K. Denton, and Amanda Cox.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Revell!

I have had the chance to read a few novels by Valerie Fraser Luesse, and it has quickly become quite apparent that she has quite a way with storytelling! Under the Bayou Moon is another fantastic example of those storytelling skills. Set in the late 40s along the Lousianna, Bayou this book transports us back to a different place in time and makes us feel as if we are there experiencing it there ourselves. The characters were wonderfully written and truly helped to draw readers into the story... and oh what a story it was! If you love a sweet historical romance with an amazing southern setting, this is one book that you will definitely want to add to your TBR.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

The story opens in 1949. Ellie Fields, a young teacher, accepted a teaching job in Bernadette, Louisiana. She was looking for adventure as well a chance to make a difference. What she found was all that and so much more.

In this beautifully told story the setting plays as big a part as the characters. The authors brings to life the Louisiana Bayou with all its teeming life and magic. Vividly depicted and skillfully presented is the varied group of characters who make up this unique and wonderful community. Even without modern conveniences, Ellie embraced her new life which included romance, the love of a child not her own physically and the inclusion she found. Facing illness, bigotry, corruption and physical danger unified the characters.

The author is a gifted story teller and she brings a memorable and heartfelt story to readers. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

When Ellie Fields accepts a job as a teacher in a school in a tiny town in Louisiana, deep in the heart of the bayou in 1949, she could never imagine just how dramatically her life would change. Though deeply suspicious of outsiders, who threaten their language and unique culture, the town people appreciate the young, idealistic schoolteacher, despite heavy opposition from the school board and a shady politician obsessed with ulterior motives. Ellie learns precious life-changing lessons from dear new friends and a captivating Cajun fisherman, that make all the difference in her life. In this captivating novel, we move away from the familiar to set foot in the shadowy waters of bayou country for a dramatic, heartmoving story of formidable risk and brave resilience. Steeped in the rich culture of the Louisiana bayou, this compelling tale of self-exploration and dramatic sense of adventure, is set in a place where love and community truly matter. Here, in this delightful place, Ellie finds her true heart and home in more ways than one. I highly recommend this inspiring book to all readers who wish to find true satisfaction in Valerie Fraser Luesse’s memorable tale of love for oneself, for others and for the land around us.

Well….I didn’t exactly begin this book with the expectation to enjoy it like I did.

To explain…when I was 8 years old a job transfer moved our family to New Orleans. We arrived in the midst of Mardi Gras, and I thought “this place is great!” Over the six years we lived there, I became friends with people with a different cultural background; one friend in particular hailed from Houma, pretty much in the heart of Cajun country. Some of her expressions were totally unfamiliar to me. For example, once she asked my mom if I could spend the night at her house by asking, “Can Karen come sleep by me?”😳

At any rate, over my time there, I learned lots of French pronunciations of names and places and of course totally loved the food!

However, bayou country was a part of Louisiana I never cared for. AT ALL. To me it was the swamp and the home of alligators, mosquitoes and other creepy critters. I didn’t like the look or feel of it.

Then along comes this book! The author has evoked a totally different feeling for this place foreign to new schoolteacher Ellie, who seems to embrace her new life and job! Putting myself in her place, I totally admired her attitude!! Her new friends, Doc and wife Florence, take her by the hand with a place to live and fun things to do! Yes, she faced some hardships, but they seemed not to get her down. Her creative solving of problems made her seem indomitable.

And it’s a love story, for Ellie and Raphe, a Cajun man totally different from her background, and for friends Heywood and Gabby. To meet these characters, read the book!! You won’t be disappointed!

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review

With just a few sentences, Valerie Fraser Luesse swept me into the sultry and utterly captivating of life of the bayou. I could feel the gentle forward motion of the pirogue as Raphe navigated into the secluded microcosm of the glorious white alligator, hear the night music of the croaking bullfrog, the gentle splash of turtles launching themselves from their log perches into the still water. I could feel the humidity settle on my skin, and I was taken to a place which stirs the spirit to stop and bide a while.

Luesse does not so much tell as story as she welcomes us into the lives of these individuals and their community. It does not take long to feel like family to Ellie, Remy, Raphe, and Heywood, or to the colorful and beautiful characters that surround them in Bernadette, Louisiana. We cheer for their victories and mourn with them in their losses. The plot centers around Ellie’s arrival in Bernadette, seeking to find herself and her future, as well as the small town’s struggles against a dirty politician. It is about community and family, friendships that last a lifetime, and romance that inspires the heart to sing. It is about fighting fiercely to protect the things that matter most and learning to let go when the time is right.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

I have enjoyed reading books by Valerie Fraser Luesse in the past. I was excited to have the opportunity to read her newest release, Under the Bayou Moon, and I was far from disappointed. I loved this book. It is probably among one of my favorites I have read for this year. It was great being transported back in time to Louisiana. I found Raphe and Ellie’s story to be a unique and it was refreshing to read something with a different plot line. It was intriguing to learn more about the Cajun culture, as well. I loved every single page of this book.

Under the Bayou Moon will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical fiction. Like always, I will be looking forward to reading more by Valerie Fraser Luesse in the future.

I received a paperback copy of a Under the Bayou Moon from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

I would not have chosen this book if I had a full understanding of what I was getting myself into. Having finished the book, I am glad I read it.

The author introduces the reader to the home of the Cajun and Creole cultures along the bayous of Southern Louisiana. She brings a mixture of adventure, culture, and romance, into a land many of us will never visit. At the same time dirty politics, greed, and family, bring our hearts on a journey that we will not want to miss.

It is not often that a book will leave me with tears in my eyes as I finish it - but this one did both because I really did not want it to end and because I fell in love with the characters (most of them anyways). The book gets five stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

I enjoyed learning the ways of the Bayou along with Ellie Fields. The author says, “Under the Bayou Moon was written primarily from the perspective of an outsider discovering Acadian Louisiana for the first time, just as I did. My sincere hope is that you’ve enjoyed discovering this singular place with Ellie Fields and that you fell in love with it just as she did.” Me too! Grin!

I appreciate the author’s research which turned out to be a yearlong exploration of Acadian Louisiana through the people she met who shared their love, and history of Louisiana. The authors passion and fascination for Louisiana excels through her characters and how she describes the allure of Cajun culture, as she (and Ellie) learned about their prejudices, and legends (like the one about the white alligator). The author states she credited Ellie’s passion for teaching and her love of history to her Aunt Patsy. She says, “her faith and love were shining examples to me...”

Ellie leaves Alabama and sets off on an adventure to Bernadette (where she hopes to serve as a teacher), but New Orleans was calling her name, she had to go there first. Ellie meets some interesting people there, especially Haywood, a photographer who helps her navigate some tough spots. She shares with him her desire to use the gifts God had given her to be part of something important. She didn’t want to just be a housewife. She felt called to do more. Haywood describes the Bayou and tells her about his good friend Raphe a local fisherman doing his best in raising his nephew Remy who lost his parents.

I enjoyed secondary characters, Doc and Florence. & Haywood just as much as the main characters. I also felt that the Bayou became a character in the story too, with the small town feel of Bernadette, Louisiana, a one-room schoolhouse, superstitions, the people’s sincere faith and how they looked forward to spending time each week to celebrate life on the Bayou. It made me want to join in the fun.

I loved Ellie’s passion for teaching the children and adults. She wanted to learn from the locals too. From the moment she arrives, Ellie wants nothing more than to create an environment for the children to thrive in, not one of fear as previous teachers had done. She was all about keeping the people’s heritage alive while embracing the dual languages. She wanted to show that it could be a good thing. Moreover, she had her work cut out for her. I was emotionally invested in this rich story right from the start, with vivid characters and a story that naturally leads to a great discussion time at your book club. It’s also a wonderful staycation! Grin!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

The bayou of Louisiana is different from any place I've ever traveled. Valerie Fraser Luesse paints a picture from the cypress trees with the Spanish moss draped on limbs to the alligator eyes watching folks glide along in their boats. Under the Bayou Moon is the story of Ellie and Raphe and their fight to help the people of Bernadette. While a beautiful love story takes place, the book is really about the people who live a different life style in a unique part of the world. I enjoyed learning about the area and getting to know the people. Though fiction, the story felt real. This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you choose to read Under the Bayou Moon, be prepared to spend time in a place that feels like another world. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I found myself quickly falling into Miss Ellie Fields’ world. The strength for this single woman to not just step out of her comfortable life in the 1940’s, but to step into an incredible challenge was portrayed with sophistication. Miss Ellie needed to teach the way most of us need to breathe. Immersing into the world of Cajun and life in the bayou, she did it with both eyes and her heart wide open. What she finds is almost another planet. However, tucked around the edges there are still the politics of the time and place as well as evil in the heart of some.

Supporting Miss Elle is the incredible Heywood. He is a man of many skills and a master behind a camera. The author tells his tale with flair and beautiful dialogue. I could not stop myself from having a crush on him. Also Raphe & Remy. Two souls trying to figure out their path together. Having both suffered incredible loss, they find solace in Miss Ellie.

The most influential character is the bayou. The descriptions made me long to sit on the porch with Miss Ellie and watch the sunrise. And the white alligator –- having seen one at the Houston Zoo, I was mesmerized. They are regal in their appearance and I cannot fathom sighting one in their home.