Review of Bayou Shadow Hunter by Debbie Herbert

Bayou Shadow Hunter by Debbie Herbert



                                              


5 stars
Reviewed by Char for Late Night Books and Reviews

Bayou Shadow Hunter is a very good romance set in the Louisiana Bayous. It has a unique story-line that features will-o’-the-wisps, Hoodoo magic and Native American lore. I’ve never read anything about those things before and I loved it.

Annie Matthews was staying with her grandmother on the edge of the woods in the bayou. Her grandmother was a well-respected witch and Hoodoo practitioner, who was teaching Annie the craft. One night she is awoken by a colorful ball of light that is calling to her through its music. Annie has a special auditory ability that allows her to hear things the average person cannot. She can hear a person’s unique musical aura. She can also hear the voice to the souls trapped in the will-o’-the-wisps. One particular soul, Bo, asked her for help.

Tombi, Native American who hunts shadow spirits and evil beings, stumbled upon Annie just after she had spoken to Bo. He is heart-broken over the loss of his best friend to the increasingly cunning evil spirits and is immediately suspicious of Annie. He learns of her hearing gift and enlists her help to find the traitor in his group of hunters by agreeing to help her learn to block the music she constantly hears.

Tombi and Annie had a turbulent relationship throughout the book. He didn’t trust her and wondered if she was secretly working for evil. She was resentful of him for her grandmother’s predicament and was mistrustful of people in general due to feeling isolated and bullied her whole life for being different. The more time they spend together, the closer they get and the more Tombi wants to deny his feelings.

This book has a great story-line and the supernatural aspects of the story were well done. I loved experiencing a different atmosphere and cultural references that are not common. Annie’s grandmother Tia and Tombi’s sister were great secondary characters. I have read a few other books by this author and they have all been very good. I am looking forward to reading more from Debbie Herbert.

Five STARS * * * * *


Late Night Books Reviewer Char