Blood Bayou

Camille St. James has worked tirelessly to gain funding and respect for the Truth Project, a college-supported program to free wrongfully convicted prisoners. After several years of nose-to-the-grindstone investigative work, her most newsworthy success has freed Chester Pelham from his incarceration on death row, where he awaited execution by lethal injection for a murder he did not commit. But even before the press conference announcing his release is over, Chester is accused of yet another vicious murder with the same exact MO. Camille is shocked to find the victim is her ex-husband's younger sister. Seven years before, Jack Vermillion's obsessive behavior and alcoholism destroyed his and Camille's marriage, his career, and the lives of others around him. Camille hasn't spoken to him since their divorce. Only after he lost everything did Jack find salvation. Now he's a minister and serves God by serving others. He has never stopped loving Camille, but she doesn't trust Jack's newfound piety. Jack's faith makes her uncomfortable because her own spiritual journey is not yet complete. When Camille refuses to allow Chester to be railroaded for yet another crime he didn't commit, her questions irritate the wrong people, putting Camille in jeopardy time and again. Jack teams up with her to protect her and to find his sister's true killer. In his heart, he prays that Camille can find a way to forgive him for their past. But the chilling events that follow might send this couple to their heavenly reward before their love is renewed. I stayed up entirely too late to finish this book. I think that is the greatest compliment one can give an author. I've enjoyed Karen Young's novels for years. Ms. Young delves into the darkest secrets of her characters, and compels her readers to join them in their journey to redemption. By adding an inspirational element to her already riveting romantic suspense, her storytelling has reached a new depth of richness, which leads to a very satisfying ending.

It's fast paced and jam-packed with action and mystery. And there's a bit of romance that will speak to female readers and not put-off male readers. The characters have an emotional depth that allows the reader to share their struggles and empathize in a way that few novels are able to capture. Camille is a strong, confident woman learning that it's OK to lean on others - especially in times of crisis - including her ex-husband Jack and ultimately, God. Jack, a fairly new minister, is coming to terms with bitterly tragic past sins and be patient for in waiting for God's timing to be reunited with Camille. Together they manage to outwit one of Blood Bayou's most cunning criminals. Completely credible. Completely entertaining to read. This book was provided free of charge by the publisher. No payment was provided in return for this review. The publisher had no editorial rights or claims over the content or the conclusions made in this review.

This book had me hooked with the prologue. It is suspenseful all the way through. I have not read any of the 34 books written by Karen Young before Blood Bayou, but I liked it so much that I will go back and read some of her other works, plus I will definitely look forward to her next books in this genre. It has everything I like, including a little romance, murder, suspense, friendship and a Christian theme woven throughout without being overdone. I highly recommend this book, this author and this publisher.

Lawyer Camille St. James works for the Truth Project, an organization whose mission is to get innocent people off death row and out of prison. Their latest success story is Chester Pelham, a man with low intelligence who was convicted of killing socialite Stephanie Hill in Blue Bayou New Orleans. After new evidence surfaced, the Louisiana Governor pardoned Chester. However during the news conference, a reporter blindsides Camille with the news that Chester was arrested in the death of Luanne Richard. To make matters personal, the victim is Camille's former sister-in-law. She has not seen her former husband Jack in seven years, but heads to Blue Bayou to make a condolence call. Jack has come a long way from driving drunk and running over Camille's student as he is now a pastor. He blasts her for freeing Chester, but she defends herself and furthermore insists he is innocent. She intends to prove Chester did not kill Luanne. Someone makes two attempts on killing Camille, which shakes Jack up as he agrees to help her find the real culprit. As their love reignites, she does not have his faith and has doubts about ever forgiving him for what he did to them even as the killer waits for the right moment. BLOOD BAYOU is an exciting suspense thriller with a romantic subplot that fits perfectly into the main storyline. The heroine is dedicated to insure justice occurs as she works for what is the equivalent to the Freedom Project; however that same obstinacy that is so helpful in her vocation prevents her from forgiving Jack who desperately wants a second chance. Although the theme of a stalking killer in the lurk is old, Karen Young refreshes it with the Truth project, strong characterizations especially the star-crossed lead pair, and a terrific whodunit rivaling the suspense of Mary Higgins Clark. Harriet Klausner

After several years without a new release, Karen Young is back and better than ever. BLOOD BAYOU is her first Christian fiction novel, but the genre designation is the only thing that has changed. Karen delivers a spell-binding suspense that starts with murder and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Camille St. James believes in justice and the law. A professor at Talbot College she heads The Truth Project, an organization dedicated to the exoneration of innocent individuals who have been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death row. Their work on behalf of Chester Pelham is successful, but within hours of his release from prison another woman is dead and Chester is found wearing bloodstained clothes. His arrest lands Chester in the hospital in a coma. The Truth Project is suspended and Camille is forced to take a month's vacation. Camille is devastated to learn that the murdered woman is her ex-husband's sister. A former attorney and recovering alcoholic, Jack spent several years in prison after a tragic drunk driving accident. During his incarceration, Jack found his true calling and his salvation in the word of God. Jack and Camille have been divorced for seven years and he is now a minister. Camille knows that his sister's death will devastate Jack and is certain he will blame Camille and The Truth Project. Still, she feels obligated to tell him how sorry she is for his loss and drives to Blood Bayou so she can do so in person. It won't be easy to face him after all these years, but it is the right thing to do. Camille is surprised by the changes in her ex-husband and uncomfortable with his religious calling. As evidence mounts against Chester, Camille is the only person who believes him innocent. She launches her own investigation, forcing her to stay in Blood Bayou and thus remain close to Jack. But someone doesn't want Camille nosing into things and several attempts are made to chase her out of town, which quickly escalate to attempted murder. Jack has never stopped loving Camille and is determined to keep her safe. Can this star-crossed couple rekindle their love, even as she works to free the man accused of killing his sister? Can she accept and ever be comfortable with the changes religion has brought into his life? Will her blood be the next to pollute the waters of Blood Bayou? Don't miss this who-done-it that offers all the clues, and still delivers a surprise ending!