Rue Toulouse
by Debby Grahl
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: The Writers Coffee Shop Publishing House
Cover Designer: Niina Cord
Publisher: The Writers Coffee Shop Publishing House
Cover Designer: Niina Cord
Release Date: January 15, 2015
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.
“But isn’t that what’s fun about a masked ball, not knowing who the mystery person is you’re talking to? What’s better yet, you can do and say things you’d never consider doing or saying because they also don’t know who you are. As the saying goes, laissez les bons temps rouler.”
Elaine coughed, almost choking on her champagne. “Wait a minute. Back up. Did I just hear you say, let the good times roll?”
Caterine nodded. “I can’t get what happened with Jonathan out of my mind, and I’ve decided that tonight the old Caterine doesn’t exist. Since I’m in disguise, this is the perfect opportunity to prove to myself that Jonathan and those other men are wrong.”
Elaine cocked her head. “Okay, what exactly do you have in mind?”
Caterine grinned. “If I meet someone who makes my pulse quicken and my toes curl . . .” She shrugged. “Who knows? Tonight the ice princess may melt away.”
A wide smile spread across Elaine’s face. “Good for you. If I’m not mistaken, your chance might be coming this way. Good luck.”
Before Caterine could respond, Elaine disappeared into the crowd. She turned in the direction Elaine had been looking and caught her breath. The man dressed entirely in black coming toward her reminded her of a dangerous outlaw from a past century. Lean and muscular, he stood close to six foot. He wore a loose, long-sleeved, V-necked shirt, snug pants, and low boots. As he walked, his body language exuded confidence, power, and incredible sex appeal.
The closer he got, the harder her heart pounded. Okay, take a deep breath. You can do this. He doesn’t know who you are; if you make an idiot out of yourself, it won’t matter.
“Hello, Princess. I believe this dance is ours,” he said, his bayou cadence low and sultry.
Bereft of speech, she could only stare into the thick-lashed, deep blue eyes behind the handsome stranger’s black bandit mask.
He flashed white teeth in a sensuous grin. “I’m not mistaken am I, cher? You looked so beautiful standing there glittering, I assumed you must be a fairy princess.”
She swallowed hard, hoping her voice was steady. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, monsieur, but I’m not a fairy princess. I’m known as an ice princess. But who knows, I still might be able to grant you a wish.”
“No, cher.” He stepped closer. Gently placing his fingers under her chin, he tilted her head back to gaze directly into her eyes. “Whoever said you were an ice princess wasn’t man enough to release your heat. Grant me my wish and I’ll do just that.”
Her first published romance, The Silver Crescent, was released by The Writer’s Coffee Shop in January, 2014. The Paranormal Romance Guild awarded it 5 stars and First Place in the 2014 PRG Reviewers Choice awards in General Romance. Her latest book, Rue Toulouse, a contemporary romance set in New Orleans, came out January, 2015. Debby belongs to Romance Writers of America, Florida Romance Writers, Hearts Across History, Georgia Romance Writers, and Lowcountry Romance Writers.
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