Caterine Doucette works as a designer for her
grandmother's fashion house Ma Chérie. Ever since her
parents died, when she was a young child, Caterine has
been shunned by almost everyone in her family, save for
her grandmère Miss Dauphine and her cousin Bobby.
Caterine was always perceived as the favourite, however
it was not the case: Caterine has always been the only
one to really care about the fashion house, everyone else
was only concerned with the money and prestige it could
bring them. Their animosity and resentment towards
Caterine has never died down, on the contrary. While
attending a parade for Mardi Gras, Caterine sees her
boyfriend with another woman; Caterine is livid and
confronts him. Things start to get nasty and a good-
looking man comes to her rescue. A few days later,
Caterine is attending a masquerade ball and she decides
it's time to let her hair down and have some fun, and
although they are both in disguise she notices her
rescuer, and they share a passionate moment. But someone
has been snooping in Ma Chérie's offices, so Miss
Dauphine hires security people, one of whom is her one-
night indulgence: Remi Michaud.
RUE TOULOUSE is a book for anyone who loves New Orleans!
Ms. Grahl captures the essence of this magical and
romantic city so well that RUE TOULOUSE could not have
taken place anywhere else: the atmosphere, the food, the
sounds and smells are inseparable from the story. Debby
Grahl strikes a perfect balance of steamy romance and
intrigue in this gripping mystery of vengeance and family
squabbles. Caterine's family is a total nightmare,
unfortunately utterly believable in their pettiness as
they try to contravene the formidable Miss Dauphine's
decision. I love Miss Dauphine, she's a fascinating
character: an old-fashioned grand dame in true southern
style, with a steel backbone.
I loved that, even though Remi and Caterine felt lust at
first sight, their romance took its sweet time to
develop; they both have personal issues, and they do not
share a similar background: Caterine is wealthy and Remi,
ex-NOPD is not, but he's a good man; it was lovely to
watch where their infatuation would take them. Caterine
is reserved, resourceful, and much tougher than she first
appears, while Remi is protective but not aggressively
domineering; he values Caterine's opinions and I loved
his Cajun roots, which make for colourful cursing! RUE
TOULOUSE has a complex plot, and given the number of
characters, it could have been confusing, but it's easy
to follow and there are numerous twists and turns. I was
actually quite taken by surprise by the first incident
that occurs early in the story; very ingenious! Ms. Grahl
makes everything very realistic, whether the
dysfunctional Doucette family or the warm and engaging
Michauds, and the investigation that unfolds at a normal
pace. RUE TOULOUSE is a great read for anyone who enjoys
a solid suspense with complex characters, and the
beautiful city of New Orleans.
It's Mardi Gras time in New Orleans. Attending a masquerade ball, wealthy fashion designer Caterine Doucette, dressed as a shimmering ice princess, has her cool façade shattered when she encounters Bayou-born ex-cop Remi Michaud, disguised as the darkly handsome pirate Jean Lafitte. Their true identities hidden, the princess and the pirate come together in an explosion of passion and desire. But when fantasy turns to cold reality, Caterine panics and disappears into the night, unaware this man will soon be sent to rescue her from a killer and will capture her heart. Orphaned at a young age, Caterine grew up in the home of her beloved grandmother, Miss Dauphine Doucette. Despised by her Doucette relatives for the devotion she received from her grandmère, Caterine suffered years of envy and disdain. The young Caterine learned quickly how easily the love she had to give could be thrown back in her face. After Miss Dauphine turns over ownership of the century- old fashion house, Ma Chérie, to Caterine, an attempt is made on her life, for there are those in the Doucette family who will stop at nothing to possess what they feel is their rightful inheritance. Not knowing whom to trust, Caterine goes into hiding. Miss Dauphine, convinced someone in her own family is behind the attack, hires Remi, now working for a private security company, to track her down and unmask her would-be assassin. Learning that the affluent Caterine Doucette is the beautiful princess he held in his arms at the ball, Remi is torn between his growing desire for her and painful memories of another rich socialite's betrayal. Caterine finds herself falling in love with Remi, but old embedded pain leaves her afraid to open her heart. Down in the Big Easy, Caterine and Remi must learn to trust one another if they are to survive in a world of family greed and ruthless revenge.
Excerpt
Hello, Princess.” Caterine stared in disbelief at the man leaning against the door frame. Her mouth suddenly gone dry, she whispered, “Remi?” “At your service.” She opened her mouth and closed it several times before she stammered, “Wha-what are you doing here?” “Your grandmother sent me.” “Why?” “Let me in, and I’ll tell you.” Without a word, she stepped back to let him pass. He quickly scanned the room. “Nice, isn’t it? I’ve never stayed here, but I’ve heard it’s a great hotel. It suits you. But would you care to tell me why you’re here and not on a plane out of New Orleans?” Caterine’s back stiffened. “I don’t see what concern that is of yours. I called Elaine and expected either Paul or her to come. So, again, what are you doing here instead of Paul?” “You’re in trouble and need help.” “But you don’t even know me.” Remi smiled. “We have met.” Caterine felt her face turning scarlet. He chuckled. “I take it you remember.” Remember? Oh, how she remembered. She’d relived those moments in his arms over and over again. And here he was standing in front of her wanting to help. It took everything she had not to throw herself at him. “I still don’t understand. How did you find out what happened?” “I was on my way home when I heard Ma Chérie’s alarm. I found your hair clip and the blood on the sidewalk. What did that guy do to you?” She shuddered and in a barely audible voice said, “He held a gun to my back and tried to force me into a van.” Remi’s jaw tightened. “That fils de putain left some blood. If we find him, we have a DNA sample.” He reached out and took her hand. “How did you get away from him?” “First I swung wildly and hit him in the nose with the alarm remote I had in my fist. Then I got him with my umbrella.” “Way to go, Princess.” She gave him a slight smile. “And I’m pretty sure the remote saved my life. I set the alarm off while he held the gun to my back.” “You must have been terrified. I promise we’ll get the bastard who did that to you.” She tried to blink back the tears that suddenly filled her eyes. “Don’t cry.” With the tip of his finger, he brushed away the tear that slid down her cheek. “You’re safe. I’m here.”
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