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Breaking her curse will cost him his heart...and possibly his life.

The Brothers Bernaux, Book 1

For the past five years, Elita Raisonne has been on the run from a curse that started with her grandmother, and gradually reached out evil tendrils to kill her mother and her aunts. Now, healing from another nasty accident, Elita can feel the curse coming for her like icy breath on the back of her neck.

Her only trek deep into Louisiana’s Atchafayala Basin and ask the mysterious Bernaux brothers for help.

Pryor Bernaux takes one look at the black smudge clinging to Elita like a shroud, and recognizes the work of a powerful hex worker. Together, all three Bernaux brothers could easily break it—if Mercer and Wyatt weren’t away.

As the curse sinks deeper into Elita’s soul, Pryor realizes time is running out for the beautiful redhead who makes him want things he and his brothers swore they’d never have. He has no choice but to help her. But the magical backlash is torture. And without his brothers’ help, it could even be deadly.

Keep a cold beverage on hand, because the bayou isn’t all that’s hot and steamy in this book. Deadly hexes, naked spellworking, mouthwatering court-bouillon, and sexy Cajuns will curl your toes…and maybe your hair.

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2015

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About the author

Rinda Elliott

81 books428 followers
I write urban fantasy, paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Okay, and some space opera and post-apocalyptic menage as Dani Worth. I'm a lover of all kinds of romances! Some of mine (so far) are M/F, M/M/F and M/M.

Currently, I'm focusing on M/M romance because that's been my favorite for many years. I finally took the plunge in 2015 along with my good friend and co-writer, Jocelynn Drake. We are releasing long M/M romantic suspense right now (Unbreakable Bonds) and are already planning another series as well--possibly one that combines our love of MM romance with our love of urban fantasy.

I enjoy unusual stories and credit growing up in a family of curious life-lovers who moved all over the country. Books and movies full of fantasy, science fiction and romance kept us amused, especially in some of the stranger places.

I do get questions about the open series out. Beri O'Dell, Crux Survivors, The Kithran Regenesis and The Brothers Bernaux are unfortunately all on hold. That publisher is in the midst of closing so I don't know what will happen with them yet. Also, they weren't selling very well either, but I'm hoping I can self-publish the last of the stories in them at some point for the fantastic fans they do have. I'm sorry for the delay.

I’m represented by Miriam Kriss of the Irene Goodman Agency.

You can find me at http://rindaelliott.com, http://www.deadlinedames.com.
I also write erotic books as Dani Worth-http://www.daniworth.wordpress.com
And for more info on my co-authored M/M series with author, Jocelynn Drake, http://www.drakeandelliott.com


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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Crack A Book Cafe.
104 reviews11 followers
June 23, 2015
Love and magic in the Bayou….yummy! This is the first book in the new The Brothers Bernaux Series. And what a fantastic start! It’s told from alternate POV’s.

This was an interesting story. It had love, magic, banishing of evil with a bit of horror thrown in. I liked how it was set in the Bayou with a culture that accepted the existence of “backwoods” magic as part of the norm; at least in the Basin.

Our Heroine, Elita Raisonne, is desperate to break a hex (curse) that was put on the women in the Raisonne family line as a result of her grandmother’s refusal to marry the man who cast the hex…Rattrap Rousalard. Elita’s tried running from it but that didn’t work so she heads back home to Louisiana where she stays with her Grandmother Ninette. It’s at this point that Ninette tells Elita that she’s going to have to ask the three Brothers Bernaux to break the hex. So she goes to see the Bernaux Brothers. What she finds is the sexiest man she’s ever seen in the form of one Pryor Bernaux! The chemistry is hawt and she’s immediately drawn to him. I would be too after that first scene (you’ll know exactly what I mean when you read it) I was breaking a sweat there was so much heat coming off the page!!! LOL

The three Bernaux Brothers are cursed themselves. They are destined to remove hexes placed on others when asked. They cannot refuse a request and their magic is tied to the Bernaux’s swamp. Every hex they break requires payback and WOW do they pay back and it’s tortuous! The curse has run through their family for generations and has caused a great deal of suffering and heart break.

While Pryor is confident that he and his brothers can break the hex on Elita, his other two brothers are out of town and he needs to wait for them or the price he pays may be too high if forced to do it alone. I loved Pryor! He was sooo sweet, charming and had a playful side that was totally endearing. He would do anything to help Elita. He was like sex on a stick! Almost made me want to take a trip to Louisiana!!! Hahahaha

It was heartbreaking watching him struggle with his demons and his soul deep need for Elita. The suffering and hell he and his brothers have endured is horrific but he doesn’t let himself become too bitter or angry and his kindness is evident in all his actions and words.

Elita was strong, caring and a fighter! Not only for herself but for her family and the man she’s coming to care so much for. She faced her fears and moved beyond them. She had a level of subtle confidence without going overboard that I found completely appealing. Her kindness, core strength and flirty personality was a perfect fit for Pryor. The two of them together was amazing and exploding with passion! It made me all squishy inside! LOL

“You know, we’re in danger of sticking to each other for life here,” he murmured. “Melting into you wouldn’t be such a bad thing,” she whispered.

“Melt into each other.” His voice, again low and rumbly. “Have to admit I love the sound of that.”


The other two brothers were swoon worthy as hell and the deep connection between the three is so touching and is unbreakable. Of course let’s not forget the crazy secondary characters! Elita’s grandmother Ninette is a hoot! She’s blunt, honest, has no problem with sex and showing herself off even if that means nude! Bahahaha. Throughout the story we meet some wild and crazy people that I couldn’t help but love. I think the author did an amazing job of using her colorful secondary characters to accentuate the feel and context of the world she was building. Unfortunately, one of the reasons my review isn’t rated higher is because I felt like there were a lot of holes in the history and there were a lot of questions left unanswered. BUT…with that said maybe we’ll see those answers in future books and believe me I WILL be reading the next book!!

ARC kindly provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.



Profile Image for Amy A.
1,810 reviews23 followers
April 22, 2015
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club

What do you do when you’ve been scorned by a lover and your pride gets the best of you? Well, of course, you put a curse on that person, what else? That is a simplified version of how the Raisonne women came about the terrible curse that plagues the women of their family. Beginning with her grandmother years ago, the curse has finally made its way to Elita and her cousins Ava and Audrey.

Elita ran off to Boston trying to distance herself from the curse. Of course running never works, so after a particularly bad accident (always associated with the curse), Elita has returned home to Louisiana and her grandmother. With the curse getting worse every day, Ma’man Raisonne tells Elita “you hafta go see de brothers Bernaux.”

Pryor Bernaux and his brothers Wyatt and Mercer inherited their magic from their father and uncles, as they inherited it from the men in the family before them. They are your go-to stop for all your hex removal needs. And, once someone asks for their help, they cannot turn them away. The payback for using their magic is oftentimes worse than the curse itself, but them’s the breaks in the hex removal business. When Elita Raisonne shows up asking Pryor for help, he feels a pull toward her that he’s never felt for another woman, or wouldn’t allow himself to feel if he has his way. Unfortunately by helping Elita, Pryor stands to lose more than just his heart to her.

I loved the setting of this story. Louisiana is a hot locale for urban fantasy and paranormal romance authors as of late it seems, but there’s something about the bayous that are so steeped in superstitions and mystery. I literally don’t think there is anywhere else this story could have taken place, and Rinda Elliott brings out all the beauty and danger that can lurk in the water wonderfully.

I also found both Elita and Pryor to be really likable characters. It helped soften the instant attraction they have for each other which can be hard to pull off. It also helped that both Pryor and Elita acknowledge the fact that they’re moving fast with things.

It was interesting to me how much these two families, the Bernaux and the Raisonnes, are intertwined. I was a little surprised at the direction the book ended up taking. We start out with Elita’s problem with the curse but it’s clear very early on that things aren’t going to be easy in breaking it and that’s when this first book turns into a setup for what we can expect with the other two books. There’s also a lot of mystery surrounding the brothers’ magic, such as why they have it and the way it manifests. I think in figuring out this Raisonnes’ curse the brothers will discover a lot about their own curse.

The word I’d use to describe the Bernaux boys is yummy. Seeing as how this is technically their series I suppose it’s only right that they dominate the scenes. If you’re looking for a good book boyfriend you have three very fine contenders right here. We don’t get too much of Mercer and Wyatt in Raisonne Curse, but it’s definitely enough to whet your appetite while waiting for the next book (which I’m betting and hoping will be Mercer’s).

I loved this one. It is definitely up to Rinda Elliott’s standard. I now wait with anticipation for where things will go next.
Profile Image for Margaret.
1,020 reviews19 followers
June 17, 2015
Rinda Elliott pops up in my recommendations on Goodreads pretty often, but I'd never read her before. I figured the beginning of a new series was a good time to start and I was certainly not disappointed. Raisonne Curse was a quick read, but I really enjoyed it.

I loved the attention to detail in Elliott's bayou. I could really see and smell it all along with Elita. You expect to encounter some colorful characters there and they delivered as well. I loved Elita's grandmother who refuses to act her age, and often to wear clothes, her boyfriend Tooter and the LaBarres (OMG the LaBarres are awesome!) They're all interesting and eccentric without being over the top and cartoon-y.

When I try to describe Elita she sounds like a red-headed version of Tiana (from The Princess and the Frog for any of you who don't know your Disney princesses) wanting to open her own restaurant for her authentic Louisiana cooking, but I loved her passion for food. It really added to the authentic bayou atmosphere for me. The family curse essentially causes her to be accident prone in the most extreme and painful way possible, but she doesn't let it turn her into a damsel in distress.

I thought the way the curse was personified, as a shadowy and sometimes sentient figure following Elita, was both effective and different from anything I've read before. I did want to know more about the different types of curses and their casters, as well as the magic that the brothers perform to break them. I got the sense that it may be explored more in the next book, though, so I'll reserve judgment a little. What I did learn about the Berneaux's magic is both totally original and really frightening.

I'm often just as wary of insta-passion as insta-love, but the magical circumstances seemed to make the relationship between Elita and Pryor work for me. His brothers don't show up until close to the end, but I really liked the dynamics with the three of them and Elita as well. I can already get a sense of how the series will shape up and I can't wait to read the rest of it.

Originally published at Goldilox and the Three Weres and based on a copy provided by the publisher.
Profile Image for Melissa.
808 reviews7 followers
June 27, 2015
Elita Raisonne's family is plagued by a curse. It's been passed down from generation to generation only singling out the women. Elita's relative rejected a man way back when and he put a hex on her and her family. Elita has come back to her home town and things are only getting worse so they suggest she go see the Bernaux brothers. Rumor has it that they're able to break hexes, and it's the only chance she has.

Pryor Bernaux sees the beautiful redhead heading his way and when she asks him to break a hex that's been dogging her for her whole life he can't turn her down. Not at full power without his brothers, they discuss waiting until they return. But when things start to go awry, Pryor is determined to save Elita no matter the consequences.

Raisonne Curse was a steamy story that I couldn't put down. I know this will bother a few of you, so I'll mention it even though it didn't bother me. The story takes place within a few days, definitely less than a weeks time. That being said, love was present within that short period of time. The characters were drawn to one another from the start and it grew throughout the story. I wouldn't necessary call it instalove since it grew throughout the story, but it still might bother some. I enjoyed the characters, and hope the next few books will be about the other brothers! I suggest this story if you're looking for a steamy trip to Louisiana.
Profile Image for Rachel.
Author 2 books713 followers
June 3, 2015
RAISONNE CURSE is a captivating and delectable start to this new series by Author Rinda Elliott. It delivers steamy sexy romance, a couple of dark and intriguing curses, action - both in the bedroom and in the bayou - magic, a few ghosts, some Cajun cooking, plenty of eye-candy, and the promise of more to come.

When Elita Raisonne returned home, after a number of mishaps that forced her to flee Boston where she’d hoped to distance herself from the curse that has plagued her family for generations, she never anticipated it would be permanent. But distance hadn’t helped and the bayou had a way of luring her back, reminding her it was where she belonged. And it was where her only chance of getting rid of the curse resided - in the Atchafayala Basin with the Bernaux brothers.

Pryor Bernaux knew Elita Raisonne would be trouble. But he couldn’t refuse to help her. He just wished his brothers were around, as her family’s curse was going to be more than he could handle on his own. And being alone with Elita was going to make it impossible for him to stick to the pact they’d made. Especially with magic drawing her to him, making her want him as much as he wanted her.

With the curse getting stronger, and the ghosts of the Bernaux family getting restless, he’d have to do whatever he could to keep it at bay until backup arrived. He just hoped they’d show up sooner rather than later or he would end up losing his life or losing his heart or both.

Readers who enjoy their romance with a bit of a mystery, a touch of magic, a dose of mayhem, a southern gothic setting, immediate and intense chemistry, a smoking hot man with secrets, and a feisty but determined woman, will fall instantly in love with RAISONNE CURSE. Rinda Elliot created a story that is fascinating, exciting, and enticing, one that will keep readers engaged, can easily be devoured in one sitting, and teases the next installment in the series.

The love scenes sizzle, the love story is delicious, the paranormal elements are spine-tingling and gripping, the characters are appealing, the setting provides the perfect backdrop, the unanswered questions leave you hungering for more - it’s the perfect first bite. What’s not to love? Only the wait for the next installment.
Profile Image for Manda  Lee.
256 reviews5 followers
June 23, 2015
To read my complete review, go to https://onebooktwo.wordpress.com/2015...

Imagine having to deal with a curse everyday of your life. That is something that the main character Elita Raisonne has to contend with everyday of her life. She destroys things just by touching them. She falls or gets hurt often, sending her to the emergency room and sometimes things she touches can randomly start on fire. (Those who know me may think that is sounds like my life. But to reassure you all, I am not cursed. I am just a klutz.)

Now image that the only person that stands between you and certain pain, dismemberment, and death, is a man that is “walking, talking, bad boy sex… with a crooked grim that let her know he already had corruption in mind."

Raisonne Curse by Rinda Elliot is an enjoyable story of paranormal romance. I love supernatural stories set in the swamps of Louisiana. I’ve visited once and I can completely imagine the how spooky it would be at night with the sounds of the alligators in the water and the snakes hanging from the trees. From the romantic side, I can give it an R rating and it will definitely get readers hot and bothered. Overall the story distracted me from life and that is the #1 quality I look for in anything I read.

My main issue with the story is that it was too short. It bordered right on the edge between being a novella or novel. I felt like there was so much more information that I wanted about this family of brothers that remove curses from others. I wished I had more backstory and more answers. I think that would have added a lot of dimension to the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kim.
498 reviews
November 25, 2015
Elita Raisonne’s family women have been cursed ever since her grandmother turned down a marriage proposal. Bad things happen to Elita and her cousins, so her grandmother suggests she visit the brothers Bernaux to find a way to undo the hex. She goes to visit them and meets Pryor. He can’t fully undo the hex without the magic of his brothers, but that changes when things become scary while his brother’s are gone. Pryor vows to help the beautiful woman.

I enjoyed the Cajun setting for this story and all of the magic and mystery surrounding the hex put upon the Raisonne women. The author drew me into the story within the first chapter and made me want to keep going. My only problem with this was that I had to reread it because I had just finished another story set in New Orleans and the bayou and got some of the characters and details confused. But, I enjoyed this one the second time around and did not feel at all put out because I had to re-read it. The details and writing made me feel like I was in the bayou with the characters (and also makes me want to visit New Orleans very soon)! My favorite character, though, was the eccentric grandmother, Elita. She runs around naked (or “borrows” her granddaughters’’ clothes). She, also, has a boyfriend named Tooter who she uses for sex! Go Granny! She is the comic relief of the story without taking away from the real meat of the book.

This is definitely one of the better books of this genre. Everyone should give this author a chance because her writing is amazing!

*copy was provided for review.
Profile Image for Allison.
197 reviews24 followers
June 23, 2015
Elita Raisonne carries the weight of a family curse that is only getting stronger. Desperate for help, she returns to her home in Louisiana in hopes to finally resolve the problem once and for all. Her only hope is the mysterious Bernaux brothers.





This book is pretty much like every other romance out there, just with a bayou/paranormal twist. I was happy to see things ended as I had hoped, but I do feel as though the book wasn't as put together as it could have been.
I also found the french dialog a bit confusing at times (like when the author didn't explain what they words meant)

Overall I did enjoy it and will be looking for the next installment.

**I received a digital copy of this book in exchange of an honest review**
Profile Image for Chelly.
248 reviews47 followers
June 29, 2015
I'm on the fence about this one. It's hard to review novels set in and about New Orleans. There were some moments that had me nodding, yep, and others where I was like, wait, what?

I liked Elita and Pryor but I found the pace rather slow. Lots of telling and plenty of interruptions to pull me out of the narrative. About 3/4 of the way through, the pace picked up as the story slowed down and I got sucked in. I wanted the beginning to match the ending. More fleshed out scenes in the beginning, I think, would've help me connect with the characters sooner. Overall, a good story. I liked it, but I didn't love it.
Profile Image for Merideth.
892 reviews7 followers
April 24, 2015
I really liked this book. I would say it leans more toward s romance with a paranormal twist then a true Paranormal read. However If you are in the mood for some southern loving this is the book for you. I thought it was interesting to have a story based around a curse removal. While the book takes place in about a week it shows a surprisingly deep set of emotions. Can nor wait for the next book
Profile Image for Dona.
229 reviews1 follower
August 4, 2015
A cute story. 3.5.. Four is probably to high but there is no 3.5 and 3 is too low.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews