The Cajun Series

Book excerpt: The Cajuns series follows a family of Acadians (Cajuns) who travel to South Louisiana and start anew after being exiled from their Nova Scotia home. Emilie Thirteen years after her family was torn apart during le grand dérangement, or exile by the British, Cajun Emilie Gallant journeys through untamed Louisiana in search of her father. But the dangers of the bayou are nothing compared to the fierce passion of Lorenz Dugas, her longtime companion. After losing so much, can she let herself love again? Rose Rose Gallant was always the agreeable sister, which is why she’ll do anything to help her Cajun family find their father in the wilds of Louisiana. So when a rich Louisiana Creole offers marriage and a chance to help, Rose believes the union will reunite her family. But it’s the passionate and handsome Coleman Thorpe that sets her heart to flame. Thorpe is both English and Protestant and therefore forbidden, but Rose will soon learn how determined a man can be in love, able to break down all boundaries and bring a family together. Gabrielle Gabrielle Gallant lost her heart the moment she met the sun-bronzed and dangerously handsome Captain Jean Bouclaire on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. When he kissed her in the moonlight, it hardly mattered that he was a smuggler by trade and the father of an illegitimate daughter. Jean swore to return to her, to help Gabrielle in her quest to reunite her Cajun family, but a duel went tragically wrong. Suddenly the bold privateer Gabrielle desired was a man on the run with a price on his head. Now it will take a miracle to bring them together, or the courage of a woman who will risk everything to be with the man she loves. Delphine Raised by Captain Jean Bouclaire, Delphine Delaronde lost her heart to his partner Philibert Bertrand when she was just a girl. But when she finally came of age and confessed her love to the dashing Louisiana smuggler, he dismissed her “juvenile crush.” Embarrassed and hurt Phiney fled to France, hoping to forget his cruel rejection, unaware that Phil had realized too late the precious gift he had cast aside. By the time fate brought them together again, Delphine had inherited a title, and a noblewoman’s responsibilities. Now she seems beyond Philibert’s reach forever. But beneath the poise and grace of the beautiful Countess Delaronde beats the passionate heart of a woman who will never give up her one true love. A Cajun Dream 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 intentions are honorable and win the heart of the "Jolie Blonde" he adores? The Letter Orphaned and alone in antebellum New Orleans, Fiona Riley promises a dying friend she will raise the woman's child as her own. But without a job and a roof over their heads Fiona fears for their lives. When a letter arrives announcing that relatives in a bayou town are searching for their long-lost cousin, Fiona finds the answer to her prayers, even if it means deceiving others to survive. Emile Dugas knew she was lying the moment he set eyes on Fiona Riley, an Irish immigrant trying to pose as his distant Cajun cousin. But how could he resist the entreating blues eyes of the angel baby she held in her arms or the fact that a larger force was at work in bringing them together? “The beauty of Ms. Claire’s tale is in the message that love makes one a stronger and better person…. 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 DETAILS • Historical American romance • Five full-length novels and one novella • R-rated content: Steamy love scenes! • Originally published by Kensington Publishing Co. (Ballad Books) The Cajuns historical saga Book One: Emilie Book Two: Rose Book Three: Gabrielle Book Four: Delphine Book Five: A Cajun Dream Book Six: The Letter Other books by Cherie Claire: The Cajun Embassy Ticket to Paradise Damn Yankees Gone Pecan Carnival Confessions: A Mardi Gras Novella The Viola Valentine Mystery Series A Ghost of a Chance Ghost Town Trace of a Ghost Ghost Trippin’ Give Up the Ghost The Ghost is Clear (novella) Ghost Fever Ghost Lights