Bayou Born (The Foundling, #1)

by Hailey Edwards

[kimbacaffeinate]

The story opens when we meet Luce Boudreau, a police officer for Canton, Mississippi PD. It's her birthday and marks the day, her now adopted father discovered in the murky waters of the bayou. Luce's origins are surrounded in mystery especially when doctors and the press discovered strange bands or markings on her wrists and arms. Luce takes great care to keep her life normal and hides the markings under long sleeve shirts. We learn some strange things about the day they discovered her and about a bizarre ritual she repeats each year. Edwards pulled me in, and I knew we were in for a ride when Luce helps rescue another girl found in the swamps.

I liked Luce, her partner and father. She has built strong ties even if she feels very much a loner. The more Edward's revealed that about her, the more I wanted to learn.

I love urban fantasy and Edwards did a wonderful job introducing the world and characters. We have a mystery when Luce's best friend goes missing and they find her blood. She is the second missing woman. The mysterious girl found in the swamp, now called Jane is in the hospital and Luce is hoping she holds the answers to who she is. Cole, a security expert and leader of an elite team is assigned by a mysterious benefactor to watch over Jane, and Cole follows Luce. I loved the interaction between them and was intent on finding out more.

Edwards mixed in a little humor and some sexual chemistry to offset the gritty, darker sides of the story and I appreciated the balance. We get to know more about Cole's security team and it left me excited to hear their stories.

Mythology, swamp creatures and heart-pounding danger gave this gritty tale an addictive pace. The reveal and set up for the next book has me eager to dive in. Bayou Born was a great start to the Foundling series This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer