Lagniappe, Louisiana – Present Day

Mardi Gras is a time of party and celebration, but it is also an exceptionally busy time at the Vermillion Parish Christian Crisis Center. The hot line phones are ringing off the hook. Felicia Trahan is one of the Counselors -- listening to problems from domestic violence to spiritual counseling. She looks fragile, as she uses a cane to get around. Born with cerebral palsy, she always had to rely on a wheelchair, but last year, thanks to cutting-edge surgery, she is now learning to walk.

Life has been anything but monotonous for Felicia. In the past several years, her grandfather was killed, her fiancé murdered, and her mother’s problems with alcoholism escalated. Felicia loathes violence. Yet, she, along with her best friend and roommate, Jolie, work at the center in the hope of helping others. Pastor Spencer Bertrand runs the crisis center, and over the past year, he and Felicia find themselves attracted to each other and are slowly forming a close relationship.

After Jolie has an argument with her boyfriend, Wesley, Felicia convinces Jolie to leave early to meet with him and see if they can work out their problems. But when she gets a frantic call from Wesley, Felicia gets a sinking feeling that something bad has happened to her friend. As she prepares to leave, Spencer insists on going with Felicia. When they arrive at the apartment, Felicia’s worst fears come true, Jolie is dead. Who would want to kill Jolie -- could it have been an irate caller? Where is Wesley, or Jolie’s brother Kip, who says he needs money for his gambling debts? When Sheriff Bubba Theriot arrives, why does Spencer seem nervous?

Once again, Felicia faces the loss of a loved one. Can her emotions handle another loss? Will she turn to God for strength, or look for vengeance? After her apartment is broken into and with a death threat made against her, Felicia still refuses to give up her independence, spurning her brother Luc’s demand that she return to the safety of their family home. Even worse, Wesley is arrested after an anonymous tip leads the sheriff to find the murder weapon. Felicia knows he is being set up, so she takes it upon herself to find the true killer, but will the killer find her first? Spencer is there for Felicia, but he fears not only for Felicia’s safety, but what will happen when Felicia learns about his violent past?

BAYOU JUDGMENT is a fast paced, suspense filled read. The secrets of Lagniappe leap out from every dark corner. Felicia is fearless, with Spencer determined to protect her. Spencer is caring, warm, and fearful of facing his own truth. But, if he and Felicia can both put the past to rest and find Jolie’s killer, then nothing will stop these two as they discover their love.

Robin Caroll spins a terrific story. BAYOU JUDGMENT is the third installment in the Bayou series. However, this book can stand on its own. The characters are inspirational, and the readers will embrace them. The suspense and emotion of the story along with a blooming romance in the small town of Lagniappe will keep the reader turning the pages. Secondary characters from book one, BAYOU JUSTICE, and book two, BAYOU CORRUPTION, make reappearances. The good sheriff, Bubba Theriot, is once again in the mix of the story, and in the next installment, we will see more of him. I look forward to Bayou Paradox. Enjoy.

Deborah C Jackson