Christmas in Dogtown

by Suzanne Johnson

A woman who spent years escaping her rural past learns that Dogtown, Louisiana, hides more family secrets than just the recipe for boudin blanc.

Resa Madere’s on the verge of losing it all. The boyfriend’s gone. The job’s history. Her beloved house is on the brink of foreclosure. She’ll do anything to save it--even spend a long Christmas holiday working in St. James Parish, Louisiana, helping her uncle run the family meat business. But the community of Dogtown, which has been home for seven generations of the Madere and Caillou families, has deep roots and deeper secrets. For Resa, going home is one thing. Getting out might not be so easy.

Genres: Holiday, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Short Stories, Romance, Paranormal Romance

35 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2012

About the author

Author of the Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series, set in post-Katrina New Orleans. A new story collection, JACKSON SQUARE, coming fall 2020.

Writing as Susannah Sandlin, she is the author of the award-winning Penton Legacy paranormal romance series The Collectors romantic thriller series, the standalone paranormal romantic thriller, STORM FORCE, and the Wilds of the Bayou series..

Books by Suzanne Johnson: Royal Street; River Road; Elysian Fields; Pirate's Alley; Belle Chasse; The Consort (novella); Frenchman Street; Pirateship Down (story collection); Christmas in Dogtown (novella).

Books as Susannah Sandlin: Redemption; Absolution; Omega; Storm Force; Allegiance; Illumination; Lovely, Dark, and Deep; Deadly, Calm, and Cold; Chenoire; Wild Man's Curse; Black Diamond.

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resa left her hometown and planned to never look back until one hard knock after another made New Orleans not so shiny and bright and left her with reluctant need to return home to help her Uncle Emile in the family meat shop.

The sense of some secret happening back in the swamp town and the newly emerging feelings for Chandler have her confused about her life. Then she learns to truth behind Dogtown and has a big choice to make.

The setting and tone of the story as well as the unwinding plot were fantastic. I wish this one could be a fully developed novel.

My thanks to the author for her Christmas gift to newsletter readers for this engaging shorter story.

[Carien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have yet to come across a book by Suzanne Johnson/Susannah Sandlin I do not like, so I was happy to receive this story for free as a newsletter subscriber.

I loved the atmosphere Johnson created and could picture Dogtown easily. Resa was a character I could relate to and I was rooting for her to find happiness. The story is set up nicely and I really liked to read about the Christmas preparations of this close knit community.

As Resa finds out more about the secrets of her hometown she has choices to make. Whether you think she finally makes the right choice will depend on your view of the world.

All in all a very enjoyable Christmas novella that I can recommend to anyone who loves a story full of atmosphere and secrecy.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts off with Resa going through a very difficult time - losing her job, boyfriend and soon her home. Like it or not, she has to make her way to her hometown of Dogtown and help out with the family business. Her family immediately pushes her into a relationship with her childhood sweetheart, which is the last thing she wants. She has no intention of staying in her hometown. Her intention is to go back to New Orleans and put her life in order, but then she learns of a family secret that changes everything.

I love Resa. She's a strong character, but also has her soft spots. She's a character readers will be cheering for. You can't help but want her to succeed. I thought the writer did an amazing job of writing a sweet romance with a touch of the paranormal in a few short words. It's only 11,000 words and takes about an hour to read but it's a quick read with a holiday feel to it. It puts you right into the holiday mode.





FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

She couldn't promise Chandler Caillou more than she was willing to give.

Christmas in Dogtown by Suzanne Johnson is a festive short and sweet paranormal urban fantasy tale. Most of the magic takes place in a very small town located squarely in Cajun country, about fifty miles from New Orleans. Suzanne is one of my favorite authors and this is a page-turner – perfect for a lunch-time escape.

This is the story of Rese Madere and Chandler Caillou. They are each likeable and seemingly genuine. The Madere and Caillou families founded the small bayou town seven generations ago. Rese escaped to new Orleans from Dogtown years ago, but now, on the brink of losing it all, she has returned for three weeks to spend the holiday working in her family’s meat business for her uncle. Chandler has recently moved back to Dogtown. As they did before she left, her family is pressuring her to take up with Chandler, her childhood sweetheart. But, is that what Rese wants? Can she ignore her family’s wishes and just listen to her heart? As she spends time in Dogtown, she starts rethinking where she belongs.

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Christmas in Dogtown:

Adequate duct tape was not an attribute she'd ever sought in a man.
----
On Christmas Eve, big cone-shaped bonfires that stretched for miles atop the levees would be lit to help Papa Noel, the Cajun version of Santa, find his way through the river parishes to leave presents for all the girls and boys.
---
“Sometimes we're born into situations, he'd said. We have to decide if we're gonna be a part of it or if we're gonna put an end to it.”

This is a remarkable Christmas tale that packs quite a paranormal punch at the end – one that I did not see coming at all. The plot is well-developed and does not feel rushed even though this is a short story. However, I do hope that Suzanne considers more stories about these families and their whammy-of-a-secret in the future. If you enjoy unique, beautifully-written paranormal urban fantasy romances, I’d encourage you to check out Christmas in Dogtown.

My full review is published at Reading Between the Wines Book Club. Please check it out there: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little romantic story set in rural Louisiana, with a very likable main character. Resa goes home for Christmas to be with her family and help her uncle in his butcher shop. There’s this young man that both families, his and hers, have been trying to match up since they were children. When Chandler asks her out, it seems like it might be the start of something nice, but she still wants to go back to New Orleans, she isn’t ready to come home permanently. There’s a nice twist at the end that I didn’t see coming, that just might change everything for Resa and her future. I really enjoyed the story, which has been the case for everything I’ve read by this author.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review for honest review. This is a story of when old traditions need to continue or die out . it's up to Resa and Chandler to decide. Awesome

[Lorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Wishing it was a full story

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice southern Christmas tale

As a lover of the Louisiana levees and Papa Noel celebrations, this story was enjoyable. Wish it was longer but love what there was of it.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when I was really getting into it the story ended

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

Christmas in Dogtown is a short and spicy (in the Cajun sense, not the sexy sense) holiday story that argues that, contrary to the title of Thomas Wolfe’s famous novel, you really CAN go home again. But only if you want to.

And maybe only if you get there in time.

Resa Madere comes from the long line of Maderes that founded the small bayou community of Dogtown in St. James Parish, Louisiana, right beside the Caillou family. There are entire pirogues full of traditions and expectations in Dogtown that revolve around all the things that the Madere and Caillou families have done together over the generations.

One of those many expectations was that Resa Madere would marry Chandler Caillou. Everyone in both families and all over town shoved that expectation down her throat for as long as she could remember. Along with the expectation that she would take over her grandfather’s meat business, and stay in Dogtown for her entire life. Resa had other plans, plans that involved the big city, the Big Easy called New Orleans.

But Katrina and the Great Recession meant that her dreams were running into some financial difficulties. So she was back in Dogtown for three weeks at Christmas to work in the family meat business, earn enough money to make a couple of mortgage payments, and then escape as fast as she could.

She knew that if she stayed in Dogtown too long, that she wouldn’t be able to escape at all.

What she didn’t know was why. This Christmas Chandler Caillou was back in Dogtown. And her grandfather decided that it was time that Resa knew the truth.

The truth could set her free. Or it could make her part of Dogtown forever. But it was time for Resa to choose.

Escape Rating A-: Christmas in Dogtown is a marvelous little Christmas story that packs quite the paranormal punch at the end.

The reader thinks that the story is about “roots and wings”. A story about Resa deciding what her dreams really are, whether she belongs in her hometown, or whether she really wants to be back in New Orleans.

She loves her homeplace and her people, it’s obvious. As she spends time at home, she starts to question where she belongs, so does the reader. She starts wondering whether she coming back really means giving up, or finding her right place.

And then she gets hit with the whammy. And so do we.

I just wish this story were longer. Because that whammy is one heck of a big reveal. I would love to know a whole lot more about what’s behind the myths and legends of Dogtown. There seem to be a lot of stories hidden in those bayous. I, for one, would love to read them.

[Maghon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I love Ms Johnson! I love everything she touches, including her facebook updates LOL! So when this first was coming out, I snagged a copy… but I hadn’t read it until I jumped on this blot tour. I know, bad dog Maghon! Let me also say that as a native to all of the places she talks about, it’s just so awesome to read this one! AND… the best part about this book- to me- the main character came to MY COLLEGE!! I feel so much kinship :) She talk about college at ULL- University of Louisiana at Lafayette. High five!!! And that’s also where I’m from, well I’m actually about 20ish miles south but you get it! So if I take DJ, Jake, and Mirren out of the equations, this is my favorite book! Lol :) ok now on to the real stuff.

Theresa, aka Resa, is out of a job, out of a jerk boyfriend, and officially out of money. So, most people from a small town can’t wait to get out of that small town- not me, but.most. Resa. Isn’t any different, she ran fast and hard to get out and now to her most horrific shame, shes coming back. Yes shes coming back to male money, but she’s coming back to help her beloved uncle. Much to her mother’s dismay, she wants nothing to do with the customs or the old childhood friend everyone thinks she should marry…. until she is back. She’s a modern day woman. She doesn’t want to ask for money, she wants to earn it. She doesn’t want to be treated like the little kid she was when she left, she’s a woman. She’s a little stubborn but nothing most of us aren’t. And she handles that big ole whammy pretty well. We south Louisiana folk aren’t scared of much. Lol

Yes, there’s a hawt male piece. Yes, I love him… I’m looking for him, gators and all, and yes you will love this sweet little romance. No, I will not go into details. You will have to read this one for those goodies. I did love chandler, and uncle Emile, and even her mom. But you’ll have to make your own opinions.

The writing is also excellent when Ms Johnson is writing. But I wasn’t expecting to love a short story this much! I seriously hope we see a little more of Resa and Chandler, maybe with DJ and the gang, if not on their own :) It’s also the perfect Louisiana Christmas story. We surround our holidays with food and family. And this story just gives me more reason to love where I live!! It’s a perfect time to slip this one in. It’s short, sweet, and the perfectly written holiday cheer story! 5 PAWS oooooh. Maybe today in honor of Chandler I’ll say 5 Gator Claws!! :)

[Miki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Review was first published on my blog Lecture toute une Aventure

Magical! Such a loving, touching well written novella. It’s really perfect to read it around Christmas but it’s not a necessity to enjoy the universe and atmosphere. I was emotionally drawn to Resa and her wish for freedom and independence and in the same time it’s not really what she is wishing for.
At first, we discover a young woman who isn’t happy with her life, and whose perspectives aren’t good either socially or financially but she is also loyal to her family. When her uncle asks for her help because he is ill, she accept to go back to a place she tried so strongly to leave. Dogtown is for her synonym of failure.
Worse as soon as she arrives, her family is speaking of the boy, now become man, they always hoped she would marry. After hearing it so often even as a child, Resa can’t accept to imagine Chan as a potential mate. It’s not possible.
However, when tradition and family are at stake she must face a choice and decide what is really important for her.

I’m not that fond of imposed traditions, obligations and I can see why Resa is fed up with the simple evocation of the boy she grew up with. For her, it’s a friend nothing more simply because as a child she did not try to find something more and then they parted ways. Now she is even fighting the idea of giving him a chance because she is afraid of what others will think, the pressure is so high that she is forgetting her own desire. This novella is not about fated marriage but about acceptance and trust and first love. Her family is ready to stop the tradition, loose their ancestral advantages if means to save Resa’ s happiness, Chan is ready to keep secret everything to let her free to make her choice and for me those actions speak volume of the love they have for her. Sometimes or even often we are searching for something that has been under our nose all along. For tradition to keep living you must accept them, embrace them and it’s something that can’t be done under pressure or obligation

It’s really a beautifully written short story, set in an area the author loves and knows so well that it transpires between the words. A magical story about love and faith that made my eyes filled with tears of emotion.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ad executive Resa Madere's life is on a downward slide: she's lost her job, her boyfriend, and her house is on the brink of foreclosure ... all before the Christmas holiday. Can life get any worse? When Resa's Uncle Aim becomes ill and asks her to come home to Dogtown, Louisiana, and help run the family meat market, Resa suddenly finds herself back in the town that she thought she had escaped from years ago. And if that isn't enough, Chandler Caillou, her childhood sweetheart is back in town and her family is acting strange ... is this a coincidence or is there something more going on in Dogtown?

Christmas In Dogtown is an enjoyable short holiday novella that follows a young woman's journey of rediscovering her hometown, family traditions, and finding what she has been searching for has been in front of her the whole time.

This is a touching story that has a nice mixture of light romance, intrigue and paranormal elements. In the backwoods town of Dogtown, Louisiana, old family traditions, obligations, and secrets are revealed, causing Resa to struggle to make a choice of what matter most in her life. The reader can't help but get drawn into the story of the Madere-Caillou families and how their generations of traditions and future now lies upon Resa and Chandler's shoulders. As the old family secrets are revealed, Resa struggles to make a choice between family and what she wants out of life, and while Chandler leaves the decision up to Resa, there's nothing like the magical holiday season to help her decide!

With a cast of quirky characters; humorous dialogue and interactions; a richly detailed description of the small Louisiana town setting; and an engaging storyline that mixes together romance, intrigue and a touch of paranormal elements; Christmas In Dogtown is a perfect short story to read during the holiday season!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Bewitching Book Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

[Sapphyria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas in Dogtown is a short and sweet little Christmas tale about Theresa "Resa" Madere who finally makes it out of her hometown just outside of Paulina, Louisianna. After a significant job loss and the subsequent shallow break-up by her boyfriend, however, she finds that in order to make ends meet she has to answer her Uncle Aim's request for holiday help at the family's successful butcher shop - meaning she has to go back to Dogtown. And her family is still trying to match her up with her childhood friend, Chandler "Chan"Caillou.

Resa doesn't expect to settle back into the familiarity of home and to the warmth of Chan's arms. She knew in her heart that she would only stay in Dogtown for the time needed to help Uncle Aim. When a shocking family secret is revealed, Resa must choose between what has always been her destiny and the home she has in New Orleans.

Unbelievably cute, this romantic short story that has all of the right components and none of the useless filler. The readers get the only backstory needed - Chan and Resa have know each other their entire lives; Resa and Chandler's families span multiple generations in Dogtown. The reader then gets the rest of the details - there is spark and chemistry between Resa and Chandler; Uncle Aim and Chan become ill in families that never get sick; and Dogtown desperately needs Resa.

Ms. Johnson's writing is smooth and fluid. Her characters are genuinely interesting and in no way perfect, adding to their charm. Chan and Resa are likable, easy to relate to, and believable. The short story is engaging, never dull.

Christmas in Dogtown is a wonderful story when you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holidays or even from just everyday life. You'll come to the end the story with a smile on your face and love songs in your head. What are you waiting for? Grab your copy now.

Review copy courtesy of the author, at no cost, in exchange for an honest review.

[Hywela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an unusual short Christmas story with a neat twist. Resa is going home for Christmas, but is not as excited at the prospect as one might expect. She has been trying to 'better' herself and escape from her rural,Louisiana bayou roots. With sheer hard work and determination she almost made it, but a run of bad luck,including losing her job and her rich boyfriend means she now has to make the trek back to her little hometown to work for her beloved uncle in order to earn enough money over Christmas to try to salvage something from the dire situation she now finds herself in.

To make matters worse, the boy her family has been trying to pair her up with since childhood, Chandler Caillou, has returned from a good job in Baton Rouge, to 'wrestle alligators'. Despite her determination to avoid him at all costs, Resa and Chan are inevitably thrown together and she discovers he has not only changed and matured since she last saw him but has hidden qualities she never appreciated before.

The author's vivid descriptions of the location and customs are beautifully written and really drew me into the story. There are subtle hints of the supernatural throughout the story, but these are not fully revealed until near the end. The climax is a cleverly worked surprise and in the true Christmas spirit, the story leaves the reader feeling that what is really important in life is commitment to ones family, and a sense of belonging. The sweet romance running through the story is not overstated but hints at future developments, and this quick read is a great story to read over Christmas, although it would be enjoyable at any time of the year.

[Lynda Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resa (Teresa) Madere has recently been dumped by her husband and is struggling to pay her mortgage. She heads home to Dogtown just before Christmas to help her Uncle Emile in the family sausage-making business. Dogtown is a small town whose residents belong to either the Madere or Caillou families. Its major attraction is the strange dog-like mascot, the rougarou, located in the center of town. Resa's sentiments about her home town can be summed up as follows: "Dogtown was like quicksand; unless one kept moving, getting stuck was inevitable, followed by sinking and suffocation."

Coincidentally, Resa's old school friend Chan (Chandler) Caillou has just moved back to Dogtown to take over his family's alligator wrangling business. He states, "It was my responsibility, you know? Sometimes we're born into a situation and we have to decide if we're gonna be a part of it or if we're gonna put an end to it." According to both their families, Resa and Chan are destined to be married. Resa has never felt that way about Chan, but now that he's all grown up, she's not so sure. When Chan asks Resa out to the community dance, the town's tongues start wagging.

What secret are both families hiding and how does it affect Resa and Chan? The future of both families is in her hands, and Resa has a decision to make.

This is a magical tale not so much about Christmas but about love, family, and new beginnings. A nice quick holiday read.

I received this book for the purpose of providing an honest review.

[CCAM&GZM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Dogtown is the kind of story that has the gift to make you to keep an eye on its author.

When I started reading the book, some time passed already from my enrollment on tour, I did it without refreshing my memory about its subject. So I was more impressed with the twist that the author gave to the story.

Mrs. Johnson constructed the story that, at first, seemed to be an ordinary romance. However, she took care (and well succeeded) to sprinkle elements that for the romance seemed unimportant giving the impression that they only emphasize the atmosphere and life of the little community from which our heroine is come and from where she wants to escape. At the ending, the reader will cannot criticize the author that he was misled, that the turn is too sharp or he was not warned. Everything is there, and Louisiana’s tradition, myths and magic will entwine wonderful for the beholder’s delight.

But Christmas Dogtown is not just a romance. The story is full of subliminal messages about what is important in life, what it means to have and keep your roots, about decisions, choices and predestination, about the fact that what we want is not always what we need. Personally I liked the balance that the author kept between free will and fate.

It is a story well told, fresh and sweet about magic (the Christmas’ one) seasoned with Louisiana mysticism, which I hope you will enjoy because I recommend it to you!

[Stephanie (Gorelenore) Cover2CoverBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resa has been trying to avoid home, it is a small town that she fears will sucker her back in and there is nothing she can do to avoid it. When she has to return to help her uncle she is both relieved that she can get away from her ex but petrified that the town will take over. Now back at home her family forces her to be partnered up with her childhood friend, and for the life of her she cannot figure out why they keep insisting.

I found this to be a light and easy read. It is a novella, so only about 30 pages in length, and the story is catchy and entertaining. However I did want more development. Resa was an interesting lead character I did enjoy reading about her but I wanted more back story and then at the end of the novella more explanation on the part of the family (you have to read it to find out why). Overall I think the characters were easy to follow and the plot was a relatible one in terms of being scared to return home, seeming like you have failed yourself for going back, but family and good friends are important and they can often trump that feeling.

Wonderful quick read, highly recommended. It is clean also, so no worries about that.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story features a woman named Resa who has returned to visit her family in a very small Louisiana town. Also there is a man named Chan, the guy everyone expects her to end up with. Resa has had some bad luck recently and isn’t sure if she’s ready to jump into another relationship. She’s also not sure how she truly feels about Chan.

There is some very good writing to this story. I loved the paranormal twist that does not reveal itself until the end. It presents a new concept that I have never heard of before, and I found it fresh and entertaining. There isn’t a big romantic plot here, which is how I prefer my stories. There is the possibility of a future romance, but this isn’t your average romance title.

I also loved the descriptions of the swamp area and the river. Those scenes are beautifully written and gave me a sense that the author herself must love those kinds of places. When an author writes from the heart, it shows. This story is short and sweet, and I would have enjoyed reading more.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely Christmas novella with a touch of the paranormal to it, although for the majority of the story the paranormal elements are only hinted at. I very much enjoyed reading about the heroine's internal conflict - she spent years trying to escape Dogtown, LA, but now that she's returned she feels conflicted. I would love to see a longer work set in this world as well.

Ms. Johnson has a engaging, fluid style of writing that draws you in at once, and her depiction of the bayou is fascinating. If you have yet to read any of her other books, this would be a nice introduction and will definitely leave you wanting more. I received a copy of the novella from the author, but I believe it's only 99 cents at Amazon, which is a steal. I definitely recommend that you give this author and this book a try!

[JoAnne Kenrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a lovely novella for the holiday season! I really enjoyed the perfectly executed feel of backwards Louisiana...from the author's voice and characterization to the setting descriptions. A fast, but highly enjoyable read. A huge holiday thumbs up from me!

[Michelle Diener · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this short story about a woman home from the big city for a few weeks, and desperate not to let the guilt, expectations and assumptions of her small hometown shackle her there for keeps.

[Crystal Fall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have liked it more as a regular sized novel instead of a short story.The twist in the story, threw me off ( no time for build up), wasn't expecting THAT one.

[Cissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but fun romance about New Orleans, and Christmas, and family and cultural traditions. I wish it had been expanded a bit more, because i enjoyed the characters and the setting a lot!