Bayou Born (Foundling Series #1)

by Hailey Edwards

Overview

"Edwards [creates] amazing fantasy worlds that the reader becomes completely engrossed in." Goodreads

Her beginning may be our end . . .

Deep in the humid Mississippi bayou, a half-wild child is dragged from the murky waters. She has no memories, no family and is covered in mysterious markings. Adopted by the policeman who rescued her, Luce Boudreau follows him onto the force, determined to prove herself in the eyes of those who are still suspicious.
However, there's more of a battle ahead than Luce could possibly imagine. She may be an orphan without a past, but no one - including Luce herself - could ever be prepared for the truth of her dark, powerful destiny . .

"Well-plotted fantasy continues to engage the reader with its intriguing characters, heart-pounding action, suspenseful intrigue and subtle romance." RT Book Reviews

"The world building is fresh ... The characters are well-drawn and easy to root for. And the romance really hits the spot." Red Hot Books

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780349417059
Publisher:	Little, Brown Book Group
Publication date:	10/17/2017
Series:	Foundling Series , #1
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	NOOK Book
Sales rank:	5,483
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Every life is like a story.

Hailey's beginning was a good one. She was raised in a small town in Alabama with two siblings. Her parents have been married for 32 years, proof that humans really can mate for life.

Her middle is pretty good, too. She met her husband on January 11, 1999. Their first date was on February 5, 1999. He proposed to her nine days later on Valentine's Day. They married two months after that. He says it was fate. She's just happy he found her.

Hailey's end is unwritten, but she has the love of her family and the support of her friends.

That is the best happily ever after she can imagine.

She loves to hear from readers. Visit her website to find out how to say hello and for all the info on upcoming books: http://haileyedwards.net/

Hailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy. She lives in Alabama with her husband, their daughter, and a herd of dachshunds.

Visit her website at www.haileyedwards.net

Editorial Reviews

12/01/2018

Found in the Mississippi bayou as a child, Luce Boudreau has no memories of her past or the meanings of the strange markings that cover her body. Adopted by the police officer who rescued her, she follows in his footsteps, determined to prove the assumptions about her wrong. When Luce rescues another young woman from the swamp, similarly covered in markings, rumors start again. With the help of Cole Heaton and his private security company, Luce starts to unravel the mystery surrounding the woman, but the investigation soon gets derailed when she disappears from the hospital. Luce's best friend also vanishes under strange circumstances. While Luce, Cole, and his crew track down leads on both missing women and survive an attempt on their lives, Luce's ability to recover quickly is mirrored by Cole's own healing powers. A strong attraction between Luce and Cole also develops, despite Cole's attempts to distance himself. The unknowns surrounding Luce's backstory and markings are soon revealed to be part of the current dangers facing humankind. VERDICT This paranormal fantasy/mystery/romance presents a compelling plot and likable characters, promising more to follow after an addictive beginning to this new series. Perfect for fans of Darynda Jones and Patricia Briggs.—Terri Lent, Patrick Henry High Sch., Ashland, VA

Library Journal

10/01/2018
A mysterious girl and lovestruck demons combine to odd effect in a story that begins as a crime novel and then veers into dark urban fantasy. Edwards (the Black Dog series) introduces Luce Boudreau, who, as a child, was found in the bayou with no memories of her early life. She follows in her adoptive father’s footsteps and becomes a cop in Canton, Miss. When a young girl is found floating in the swamps bearing the same metallic markings on her arms that Luce has, Luce believes that this nameless girl is the key to unlocking the mystery of her past—but she quickly learns some secrets should be left alone. Cole Heaton, head of White Horse Security, is retained by Luce’s father to protect both the foundling child and Luce. A topsy-turvy romance forms between Luce and Cole, though he rebuffs all of Luce’s advances—for surprising reasons related to demons, dragons, and the four horses of the apocalypse. By the end of the book, FBI investigations coexist uneasily with human-demon mergers. Though the ending leaves much unresolved, fans of snarky heroines and creepy atmospheres will still find the story enjoyable. Agent: Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

Be prepared for a fast-moving journey filled with the unexpected.—RT Book Reviews

Hailey Edwards has exceeded all expectations.—Goodreads

The author weaves an action-packed story of intrigue and betrayal. The dialogue is strong, the storyline compelling and the prose artful.—RT Book Reviews

Edwards is a strong voice in the Adult Paranormal Romance genre.—Goodreads

Well-plotted fantasy continues to engage the reader with its intriguing characters, heart-pounding action, suspenseful intrigue and subtle romance.—RT Book Reviews

The author spins an action-packed story of intrigue and betrayal, with an endearing romance at it's heart. I adore a good marriage of convenience tale that ultimately turns into much more - and this one is exceptional.—RT Magazine

Edwards has this way of writing that makes you feel like the narrator is talking to you and that you're old friends.—Goodreads

The world building is fresh ... The characters are well-drawn and easy to root for. And the romance really hits the spot.—Red Hot Books

Edwards [creates] amazing fantasy worlds that the reader becomes completely engrossed in.—Goodreads

"One aspect of her writing I enjoy is her ability to take the mundane and with a few changes, turn it into something unique and unexpected. She builds dynamic character bases, using common mythology but takes it one step further using previously unseen species or imbibing currently known species with skills and know how that offers readers something new in the paranormal world.—Smexybooks.com

There is enough mystery, action, and adventure to keep even the most reluctant reader engaged.—Goodreads

Hailey has taken several elements of paranormal storytelling and created a whole new dimension for her characters to thrive in their muddied, twisted merriment. Some things aren't as they seem, ensnaring readers to follow along.—Goodreads

From the Publisher