Bayou, Whispers from the Past — Lauren Faulkenberry

New love is put to the test in the sultry bayous of Louisiana in the latest from Family Circle Award Winning Author Lauren Faulkenberry.

Thirty-one-year old Enza has finally found love with sexy fireman Jack, and through him, she has gained a family, years after her mother abandoned her. With her friend Kate in town, Enza's looking forward to her first Christmas in Bayou Sabine, surrounded by those she cares about most. But instead the holiday ends in turmoil. One guest puts someone Enza loves -- and her relationship with Jack -- in danger, and another guest brings news that makes Enza question the circumstances surrounding her mother's departure.

Enza, fleeing Jack and the drama in Bayou Sabine, sets off with Kate on a road trip à la Thelma & Louise. But will she find answers about her mother's disappearance and the strength to accept the truth? And will she return home in time to save everything that's important to her?

If you like the heart and story of novels by Emily Giffin such as The One & Only and enjoy the romance in books by Robyn Carr, this exciting new voice in Southern fiction is for you!

Author Interview

It started with a dare. In grad school, I wrote a short story and dodged a love scene (and was teased mercilessly). I was writing with a more literary bent so my friend dared me to get out of my comfort zone and write a romance story, saying it would help my other writing. The more I wrote, the more fun I had, and it turned into Bayou My Love. I fell in love with the characters and didn't want Enza's and Jack's stories to end. So I knew it had to be a series.

I see mystery, humor, drama, and romance in some combination every day, and those elements are woven into my books. But in the end, I just want readers to enjoy being a part of the world I create. I hope they enjoy the characters and their stories as much as I do.

Louisiana has an undeniable fire to it -- the Bayou heat. It's mysterious and fascinates me because of its history and blend of cultures, its resilience, its passion for the arts, the connections people have to their histories and the land. There's beauty, mystery, and heartache, just like in every good story -- it was the natural setting for Enza's story because she embodies those elements herself, even if she doesn't realize it until she's there.

Each book can stand alone, but I recommend:

Women's fiction, literary fiction, and paranormal romance. I respond to certain things in each genre, whether it's wit, an unforgettable love scene, or the zing of a top-notch metaphor. Ultimately, the books I love best have characters that thrill and haunt me -- and bring me delight.