8 books to read on Mardi Gras #reading #readingforpleasure #books

Happy Mardi Gras, booklovers! Are you looking for a book to read today that’ll transport you to New Orleans during Mardi Gras? These are just a few of my all-time favorites and they are superb. So grab a slice of King cake and join in the fun.

My Best Friend's Mardi Gras Wedding (Boys of the Bayou Book 1) by Erin Nicholas

A small town, pretend relationship romantic comedy. Josh Landry is one of the hottest bartenders in New Orleans. He’s shown many a female tourist that things are definitely big and easy down here. And he’s now been celibate for a year. Because he finally met her. Yes, her. The One. But, after nothing more than a hot goodnight kiss and a promise to meet up again next year if they’re both still interested, she went home to Iowa. It’s been a long year. But now it’s Mardi Gras again and he’s ready for his happily ever after. If she shows up. *** Oh, she shows up. For her best friend’s wedding. But Tori is a terrible bridesmaid because all she can think about is her knight-in-shining-Mardi-Gras-beads from last year. Well, and because she accidentally lays a hot kiss on her BFF. Aka, the groom. Unfortunately, no one believes that it was a case of mistaken identity. So, now she has to convince everyone she has no intention of ruining the wedding. She’s going to need a crazy-about-her boyfriend ASAP. Even if he’s just faking it. Well there’s only one other person she knows in Louisiana... Josh is all in. In fact, he’s thrilled. And he’s not faking anything. But the groom isn’t faking his sudden case of cold feet either. And now Tori might have a choice to make.

Rescued By A Kiss (The New Orleans Go Cup Chronicles Book 1) by Colleen Mooney

All the fun of Mardi Gras—without the hangover!

New Orleans is a big, small town where everybody knows someone you know. They will see what you do and talk about it. It’s hard to steal a kiss at Mardi Gras and not be the topic of local gossip, especially if the man you kissed got shot at the end of the parade…

Colleen Mooney’s humorous, romantic, delightfully meandering cozy mysteries gua-ran-tee you gon’ have a authentic N' Awlins experience, dawlin’! And a wild ride into the bargain.

Brandy Alexander’s the real deal--yes, that’s her real name and she’s not even a stripper, she’s an amateur sleuth, although her best friend Julia is.

Quirky characters are the norm in a town like New Orleans where anything can happen.

The Mardi Gras Mask: a clean romance (Love in New Orleans Book 2) by C. D. Mack

“Voice is fresh and unique… Smoothly told, flowing story.” —Rachel at Frostbite Publishing

Like all the men in their family, the Johannsson brothers are built like lumberjacks. Kris is a New Orleans real estate owner who prizes luxury cars and expensive clothes. Alex is a “roughneck,” working a dangerous job on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Lea Greene, owner of a skin care boutique, is in love with one of them. One of them is in love with her.

Lea is determined to get a marriage proposal from the love of her life. When a newspaper article leads her to fear her time is running out, she comes up with “The Plan.” Little does she know “The Plan” could tear apart the Johannsson family and jeopardize her own relationships.

Mardi Gras might just turn her whole world upside down.

Worry Beads: The Big Uneasy by Pauline Baird Jones

Laura Baker has seen a lot during her job as a New Orleans EMT. She has responded to just about every type of emergency known to man. An unexpected act of kindness during one call puts her on the news—and her life and heart at risk. Archie Gunn receives an unexpected tip that sends him to the beautiful and mysterious city of New Orleans. His trip opens up more than he expects –and a bayou full of danger. There is a lot going on in New Orleans and it isn’t all good times and Mardi Gras. Download the latest installment of The Big Uneasy series and discover what happens in New Orleans can be downright deadly!

Fatal Cajun Festival: A Cajun Country Mystery by Ellen Byron

USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Ellen Byron cranks it up to eleven in the fifth fast and funny Cajun Country mystery. Louisiana B&B owner Maggie Crozat kicks up her heels at a country music festival--but she'll have one foot in the grave if she can't bring the killer of a diva's hanger-on to heel. Grab your tickets for Cajun Country Live!, the pickers' and crooners' answer to the legendary New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Maggie Crozat, proprietor of the Crozat Plantation B&B, plans to be in the cheering section when her friend Gaynell Bourgeois takes the stage with her band, Gaynell and the Gator Girls. The festival's headliner, native daughter Tammy Barker, rocketed to stardom on a TV singing competition. She has the voice of an angel...and the personality of a devilish diva. But Maggie learns that this tiny terror carries a grudge against Gaynell. She's already sabotaged the Gator Girls' JazzFest audition. When a member of Tammy's entourage is murdered at the festival, Tammy makes sure Gaynell is number one on the suspect list. Gaynell has plenty of company on that list--including every one of Tammy's musicians. Posing as a groupie, Maggie infiltrates Tammy's band and will have to hit all the right notes to clear her friend's name.

No Time Like Mardi Gras (One Night in New Orleans Book 49) by Kimberly Lang

A scandalous night—and no one will ever know! Mardi Gras might be the best party in the world, but Jamie Vincent is spending it third-wheeling with her new roommate. So when gorgeous stranger Colin Raine offers to show her around, how can she say no? Soon Jamie's seduced by the hedonistic carnival—and her delicious tour guide! Technically she's sworn off men, but for one night only, they can go crazy and no one will ever know…. Until everyone in New Orleans finds out! Now that Jamie's secret is out, it looks like what happened at Mardi Gras might not stay at Mardi Gras, after all….

The Unmasking: An Emilie Richards Classic Romance by Emilie Richards

In this contemporary classic romance from bestselling women's fiction author Emilie Richards, a young woman finds she can run, but even a talented mask maker can't always hide. Bethany Walker loves her new life in the New Orleans French Quarter with her young daughter Abby and Life's Illusions, the shop where she sells her extraordinary feathered masks. Only memories of Abby's father Justin Dumontier, the man who vanished from her life before her daughter's birth, cast shadows over Louisiana's bright sunshine. Now one morning as carnival season begins and her work load increases, Bethany glances up to find Justin gazing at her. Hiding herself and the child he doesn't know about is no longer an option. She may have kept their baby a secret, but four-year-old Abby is all too clearly his. Justin is furious that Bethany has hidden his daughter, but reluctantly, he begins to understand. Their romance was brief and passionate, but Justin kept his feelings locked deep inside him until Bethany was gone without a trace. Now she is no longer an innocent college student, reaching out for his love, but an independent woman who has made a life for herself and their child with hard work and sacrifice. Bethany wants nothing material from wealthy Justin, and Justin doesn't know how to give his heart. Fate has reunited them, but so much stands between them still. Like one of Bethany's masks, will the painful events that separated them forever disguise what they feel? Or will they at last find a way to reveal what each of them needs most? Mardi Gras day, a time to fling away inhibitions, is fast approaching. During carnival season in New Orleans, almost anything seems possible. Even love.

Saving Savannah (Tante Lulu Adventure series) by Sandra Hill

When Tante Lulu decides to matchmake, matches are made. But this time, her meddling Cajun charm will be put to the test . . .

Do you have a must-read book that takes place during Mardi Gras? Let us know in the comments below.

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