Wild Man’s Curse by Susannah Sandlin

April 6th, 2016 Kimberly Review 62 Comments

6th Apr
Wild Man’s Curse by Susannah Sandlin
Wild Man's Curse
by Susannah Sandlin
Series: Wilds of the Bayou #1
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

The bones said death was comin’, and the bones never lied. While on an early morning patrol in the swamps of Whiskey Bayou, Louisiana wildlife agent Gentry Broussard spots a man leaving the home of voodoo priestess Eva Savoie—a man who bears a startling resemblance to his brother, whom Gentry thought he had killed during a drug raid three years earlier. Shaken, the agent enters Eva’s cabin and makes a bloody discovery: the old woman has been brutally murdered. With no jurisdiction over the case, he’s forced to leave the investigation to the local sheriff, until Eva’s beautiful heir, Celestine, receives a series of gruesome threats. As Gentry’s involvement deepens and more victims turn up, can he untangle the secrets behind Eva’s murder and protect Celestine from the same fate? Or will an old family curse finally have its way?

ROMANCE MURDERMYSTERY SUSPENSE PAGETURNER

Wild Man’s Curse by Susannah Sandlin is the first in her new Wilds of the Bayou series. Set deep within the Louisiana Bayou in the swamps of Whiskey Bayou a voodoo priestess is murdered and from the first page, Sandlin hooked me. Suspenseful, with engaging characters, a curse, and the quirkiness of the bayou Wild Man’s Curse delivered a page-turner.

Five reasons to grab Wild Man’s Curse

  • If you have a thing for books set in Louisiana, Sandlin’s familiarity with the region is evident from her characters to the incredible scenes she describes. I love books set in the area, and loved the authentic feel from the language to the voodoo.
  • The murder-mystery was multi-faceted and tightly woven. I loved how Sandlin threaded the pieces together ensnaring the characters and reader within her tale. She has respect for law enforcement procedure and it’s evident she does her research. Unlike many books set in the south, she does not go for stereotypes. Secondary characters were developed and local law intelligent and through.
  • Sandlin’s characters are fully developed and original. Gentry Broussard a local wildlife agent looking for poachers when he spots a man leaving Eva Savoie’s cabin. The man shares a striking resemblance to his dead brother. A brother, Gentry shot and killed during a drug raid in NOLA three years earlier. Celestine returns home and has questions regarding her Aunt’s murder. As these two talk, a spark ignites that we watch slowly develop into more. The danger is far from over as the killer will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Secondary characters were unique and developed breathing life into this rural community. I am anxious to learn more about them from Paul, a local officer to Gentry’s partner.
  • The romance was slow burning, with some punches of heat. Typically, in the romantic suspense genre, you get instalove driven by the suspense angle, but Sandlin likes to develop her romances, slowly fanning the flames. It felt genuine and sweet making me hope for happily ever after.
  • Voodoo, old curses, mysterious facts and danger for our hero and heroine had me flipping the pages of Wild Man’s Curse. The story is well-balanced, with interesting tidbits about the past that bring us closer to solving the current case and capturing a desperate killer. The murders were dark, revealing a disturbed mind. Sandlin gives us just enough detail to provide chills without inducing nightmares. Sandlin delivered a realistic tale while weaving in the uniqueness of Louisiana.

For fans of romantic suspense, Wild Man’s Curse is a must have. For those who aren’t aware Susannah Sandlin is Suzanne Johnson, the author of the Sentinels of New Orléans, Urban Fantasy series. She writes fantasy, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense. I have read almost all of her books as Sandlin and Johnson and she is an auto-buy author for me.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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62 Responses to “Wild Man’s Curse by Susannah Sandlin”

  1. Lorna

    Sorry I am so behind on my visits. I have read probably four reviews on this book-all good. Sounds like it’s something I need to add to my Amazon wish list. Great review Kimberly!

  2. Judith

    This book is totally on my Want-It list, however I plan on going with the audio version. Especially since the author picked the narrator, someone from Louisiana, to narrate.

  3. Melanie Simmons

    This sounds really good. I’ve not read this author under either pen name. I just checked and this is available on audio, though the narrator is new-to-me. The sample didn’t sound bad. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing.

  4. Lark

    Great review, Kimba! I’m not often drawn to books set in Louisiana, for some reason (I know – what’s wrong with me?!) but you make this one sound so intriguing.

  6. Barb

    I love her books and it looks like I have another to add to my growing to read list now, darn it, where is the time?

  8. Angela Adams

    “The romance was slow burning, with some punches of heat” — From reading the blurb, I would never have guessed that there’s a romance. All that was indicated was lots of mystery and suspense. Thanks for the post.

  9. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Another brilliant review of this book and yea… romantic suspense has been my new jam. I do love books which are well researched in the area they are set so that is another HUGE plus for me. 🙂

  13. Heidi

    I love Susannah/Suzanne, and I can’t wait to read this one. Voodoo, NO and all that? You have my attention.

  14. Katherine

    I love a book set in Louisiana and I love romantic suspense. Thrown is Voodoo and old curses and there’s no way I can resist! Great review!

  15. Leona

    This sounds very interesting. I’m always looking for books set in New Orleans or Louisiana as a whole. Very detailed review, loved it 🙂

  16. Annika

    I actually *do* have a thing for books set in Louisiana, how did you know?! 😉 Voodoo, old curses, mystery, AND a nice romance? Yes please!
    Great review!

  17. Candace

    I LOVE this setting! And I haven’t read a book set in the Louisiana bayou in ages and ages. I know I have heard good things about this one already and her other books are already on my pile. I’ve heard she’s fantastic.

  18. Roger Simmons

    I really enjoyed this book. I want to recommend it to all. Great read, you will enjoy it.

  20. Liz S

    Wild Man’s Curse is a great read. The characters are well developed, the plot is fast paced, the bayou setting and voodoo aspects add a nice creepy feeling and the villain is unexpected. You won’t be disappointed!

  22. miki

    the slow building romance is one of teh thing i prefer it’s more realistic and with susannah we are so immersed in the story that we can’t stop turning the page so if you haven’t gotten your copy yet Hurry and grab it you won’t regret it

  24. Lekeisha

    Just read another great review for this book, so I’m now wanting to read it badly. Great review!

  26. Bookworm Brandee

    Gah! I wished I’d requested this one! I almost…almost did! It sounds fantastic, Kimberly. I love a Louisiana setting too but the mystery, suspense, and slow-burn romance have me really eager to read this one! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😀

  27. Jenny

    I so like the sound of this one Kim! And I like that there’s no insta-love despite the dangerous circumstances, slow-burning romances never fail to make me happy:) Definitely adding this to the list!

  28. Ksenia

    I love Romantic Suspence. Though I haven’t been in the mood to pick up a book in this genre lately, I add to my tbr list for the time when I would be in the mood. This is the first time I hear about this book, sounds interesting. I agree with your comment about instalove in this genre, though it doesn’t annoy me as much as in contemporary. Wonderful review, Kim!

  29. Nick

    Ali reviewed this and mentioned she loved it too! You’ve convinced me too, Kim! 🙂
    The slow burn romance, the mystery and the old curses/vodoo aspects are especially what intrigue me!

  30. Christy LoveOfBooks

    Blah! You and Ali have me feeling a lot of regret for skipping this ARC, because now I want to freaking read it. I’ll have to fit it in when I can. 🙁