Bayou Rhapsody: Hearts of Marshall\'s Bayou

Mae Strickler is the flirtatious daughter of Joseph Strickler, a respected member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. Together with her siblings, Mae lives in the pristine community of Marshall’s Bayou outside Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her outgoing nature and short hairstyle set some tongues in the town to wagging, but her life is basically free of controversy. That is, until the arrival of the town’s new Methodist minister, Daniel Griffith.

Daniel, a handsome and thoughtful preacher, has recently survived a scandal involving a pretty girl from another church Anxious to start over with a clean slate, he is chosen to lead the local congregation in Marshall’s Bayou. Mae is introduced to Daniel and the attraction is almost immediate. They both try their best to rein in their feelings. Mae doesn’t want to cause a scene in front of her family, and Daniel is wary of making another mistake with a female before he atones for the last one.

In the 1920's South, women are still second-class citizens and Mae’s attempt to form a group for women to discuss their rights and the upcoming election provides another reason for the town’s “old biddies” to scorn her. She is careful not to draw Daniel into any scandalous situation, but their feelings are evident whenever they are near to each other. While Mae’s parents are out of town, she, Daniel and the other townspeople are faced with a dangerous situation that threatens to destroy the community and tests their resolve. This, coupled with bad news about one of Mae’s relatives, forces Mae and Daniel to come to some difficult decisions about their relationship.

Sarah Storme is a skilled writer. Her knowledge of Louisiana and the morals of small town life there in the 1920's pays off handsomely in this continuation of her Marshall’s Bayou series. Her characters evoke empathy and humor. Their heroic plights and emotional struggles ring true, and little touches, such as some of the dialogue between Mae and her little sister Lydie, charmingly draw out the characters’ personalities.

Reviewed by: Jade