So, this is the first book in a new series, but I believe the previous series, When Hearts Dare, takes place in this same world with the same characters. Or maybe at least the book Josette. Anyway, it didn't feel like a first book in a series, although it is okay to read as a standalone. I know many of you prefer to read in order, so perhaps with this story it might be better to go to that series first. I am still trying to figure out if the heroine's brother, Michel, has his own story already, as he was married in this book and it seemed like a story that would have it's own novel too. This is my firth Kathleen Bittner Roth and I'm obviously a bit lost lol.

Felice's family owns a shipping empire based in New Orleans, Louisiana. After a falling out with handsome Rene, she spends two years abroad and returns with an almost fiance, just awaiting her father's blessing.

Felice is a rather fun character. She's sassy and spunky and a bit mouthy, but not overly so. She wasn't obnoxious but definitely fierce and independent. I felt like she was the star of this book, where I usually look to the hero for that role, or at least a balance.

Rene is a creole born bastard, son of a voodoo witch. He's come from nothing but worked damn hard to be a part of the shipping business owned by the Andrews family. He knows Felice is not for him but he just cannot control himself around her.

Give this book a try if you like
-second chance romance (hero and heroine have a past)
-a new location! This story takes place in New Orleans and is filled with Cajun food and has a totally different feel than regency england
-great tension and a dose of action and mystery. There is a murder in this book and some questions regarding Felice's fiance she brings with her from England.
-A non-virgin heroine

This book had a few things I enjoyed in it. I loved the sexual tension in the first half of the book. I enjoyed the dialogue a lot and the banter between the family members. I loved the food!! I enjoy when food is described in historical romance, and the fact that it was flavorful Cajun fair just made it more fun.

But there was a lot I didn't like. This book has a lot going on with it, especially in the latter half, and the romance just kind of dwindled for me (but does not mean it will do so for you). Also something I didn't know how I felt about was how Rene's accent was written. Things like “dat” for that and “don'cha know”. But I did like the sprinkling of french throughout the book. It was different anyway.

The ending of the book rather dissolves into a lot of action, mystery, crazy sub plot nonsense that I don't tend to love in romance. The fiance turns out to be quite the character. While the first few things he says to the heroine after meeting the family would probably be enough to terminate the engagement you just kept find out more. And more. And more. And more. And by the end it was a bit much with all this fiance was doing.

Thanks netgalley for the ARC, all opinions and thoughts are my own.