Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts
Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts 2001 A Jove Book
[image error]
Reporters are often assigned a beat which means they write the same type of stories every day whether it’s features, business, or government. You become skilled in that area but don’t expand your knowledge to other areas. Writers need to try other genres than the one they are most comfortable with.
Roberts was known for her romances but also wrote crime mysteries under J.D. Robb. In this book, she combines historical, supernatural, and romance. She isn’t afraid to try something new and push the boundaries.
The story begins in 1899 with Abigail, who is married to Lucian Manet, going to the nursery on the third floor to feed her daughter, Marie Rose. Abigail is Cajun and was a servant girl until Lucian fell in love with her and eloped. He brought her back to Manet Manor where his mother, Josephine, hates her and his brother, Julian, lusts after her. Lucian is away and Julian comes into the nursery, drunk, and rapes and kills her. Josephine helps him cover it up and tells Lucian that Abigail ran away and the child isn’t his. Abigail’s grandmother raises Marie Rose.
Roberts shifts to 2002 and Declan Fitzgerald, a rich Boston lawyer, bored with his life, has bought Manet Manor and wants to restore it to its former beauty. His friend, Remy lives in New Orleans and introduces him to Lena, a descendant of Marie Rose.
Roberts has set up the story and adds to it in layers as more background for the modern characters is added with scenes from the past as Abigail’s life is revealed. The sounds of a baby crying, doors slamming, and cold spots show the characters the manor is haunted, and Declan has visions of the past.
Roberts shows that Declan loves Lena immediately, just as he knew he had to own Manet Manor. Lena has a drug-addicted mother who made her lock away her heart to love a long time ago. A key she wears around her neck is a symbol of her unwillingness to fall in love with Declan and keeps them apart most of the story.
Symbolism is a great tool for writers but should be used sparingly. Roberts uses it here in an effective way because the reader knows she has to give the key to her heart to Declan at some point.
Roberts also uses humor in an effective way with a man having a baby – I won’t say anything more. The men, who are friends in her novels, tease and taunt each other, something she uses in several of her novels.
A writer develops a style that can be recognized by fans. It is the small details that create your style. It takes time to find what elements you want to use to define your style so try different things until you recognize what works for you.
More reviews can be found at authorfreeman.wordpress.com
