Nicolette Dazincourt is a spunky, savvy girl, who knows her way around the backwoods of Louisiana, knows how to hunt and fish and take care of sick animals. She is thrilled when the handsome Montgomery DeLande shows an interest in her. She thinks she would give her soul to have him look at her. After their wedding and a whirlwind honeymoon in Paris she is taken to meet his family, and she begins to see another side of Montgomery--a dark and abusive side.
As the story unfolds, Nicolette finds herself trapped in an abusive marriage. But what will she do when she learns that Montgomery has been abusing their young daughters? And that his family, powerful and influential in the state, is immersed in a peculiar culture of sexual violence? And that no woman ever leaves a DeLande, at least not alive? You will have to read the book to find out what happens. If you pick it up, you will not be able to put it down.
Author Gwen Hunter writes brilliantly, drawing you quickly into the story. She creates wonderful female characters who will come alive for you--characters with grit and tenacity--women who fight for their lives against unbelievable odds. And men, both good and evil. And the atmosphere of South Louisiana. And the psychology of an abusive relationship from which the victim cannot break free. Sometimes the story is almost too graphic, too horrific. Sometimes the evil DeLandes are almost too evil, evil with no redeeming features. Still, the book works, and it is a spell-binding read. I recommend this one highly. (...)Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.