Kemp explores Louisiana's 'Expressions of Place'

I’ve long studied expression of place through literature, both classical and contemporary works, and written about many of those books in this column. Louisiana exemplifies such scholarship, offering both diverse landscapes as well as a distinct cultural connection to the land. Art writer John Kemp collects 37 landscapes artists addressing the same theme — Louisiana’s sense of place — in a gorgeous new coffee table book, “Expressions of Place: The Contemporary Louisiana Landscape.” Artists highlighted in this University of Mississippi book hail from all corners of the Bayou State.

They were chosen, according to Kemp in the book’s preface, “on geography, subject matter, painting style, or accomplishment, and whether the urban or rural Louisiana was the primary focus of their work.” They range from professionals who are known nationally to those famous closer to home. George Rodrigue’s haunting oak trees are included, as are the dreamy rice fields of Elemore Morgan Jr. The vibrant brushstrokes of Mary Louise Porter pop off the pages, while Robert M. Seago Jr.’s landscapes offer a softer interplay of light and color. Shirley Rabé Masinter, Willie Birch and Alan Flattmann present New Orleans realism while Francis X. Pavy transforms Louisiana into “mystic zydeco expressionism.”

Each artist spotlight includes their story, residence, inspirations and art training, in addition to several examples of their work.

I savored this book, entranced by its images, especially those utilizing water, studying Rhea Jones Gary’s colorful wetlands, Adrian Deckbar’s ethereal reflections and Melissa Bonin’s calm New Iberia bayous. It was almost a spiritual experience.

Kemp is the former deputy director of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and has written and contributed to more than a dozen books about Louisiana artists.

New releases

Christopher Hallowell has published “Beneficiaries of Deceit,” a novel which takes place in Massachusetts, Louisiana and the Peruvian jungle. Hallowell is also the author of the Louisiana books “People of the Bayou: Cajun Life in Lost America” and “Holding back the Sea: The Struggle of the Gulf Coast to Save America.”

Allen Cates of Lafayette spent almost eight years in Southeast Asia flying helicopters with the Marines and Air America. He relates these experiences in his novel, “Full Circle: An Odyssey About America’s Secret Air Force in Southeast Asia.” For more information on Cates’ novel and his nonfiction book, “Honor Denied,” visit www.allencatesbooks.com.

LSU Southern Review’s winter 2017 issue brings together a group of authors, including two National Book Award finalists, a Pulitzer Prize nominee and a former U.S. poet laureate. The winter issue of the literary review is available for purchase online at http://thesouthernreview.org and at select bookstores.

Conferences

Heather Graham’s Writers for New Orleans will be Sept. 1-3 at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans. For information, visit www.writersforneworleans.com.

The Readers & Writers Symposium will be held Feb 18 at Hemingbough, outside St. Francisville. This year’s authors include Rheta Grimsley Johnson, nationally syndicated columnist and nonfiction author; Melissa Delbridge, author of the memoir “A Family Bible;” Deborah Johnson, who wrote two award-winning novels set in the Jim Crow South; and Peter Cooley, the present poet laureate of Louisiana. Tickets can be purchased through Brownpapertickets.com.

The Fourth Annual Walker Percy Weekend will be June 2-4 in St. Francisville. For more information, visit www.walkerpercyweekend.org.

Book events Jan. 22-28, 2017

Tim Gautreaux signs his latest book, “Signals: New and Selected Stories,” at 6 p.m. Monday at Octavia Books and at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Garden District Book Shop, both of New Orleans. He is the author of three novels and two earlier short story collections.

Frederick D. Jones J.D., writing coach and publishing strategist, presents “Write & Publish Your Book NOW!” from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Main Rapides Parish Library in Alexandria. He will discuss with participants writing, motivation and publishing a story, a kick-off to the library’s new writing group “Come Write In” which begins this month. Preregistration required; call (318) 445-2411, Ext 1020, or visit www.rpl.org. The class is free.

George F. Schneider, author of “Survivor: Memoirs of a WWII Vet,” shares his experiences fighting in the European Theater of World War II and answers questions from the audience following the talk from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Main Lafayette Library.

The Festival of Words hosts an evening of stories, poetry and an open mic beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Chicory Coffee in Grand Coteau. The event will feature poet Michael Rather and Marie Marcel of Leonville, who has researched area families for more than 30 years. The oral history presentation will be videotaped and placed in the Cajun and Creole Archives at the Center for Louisiana Studies in the “Grand Coteau Voices” collection. For more information, call Patrice Melnick at (337) 254-9695 or email festivalwords@gmail.com.

Dr. Shane K. Bernard will present a program on his latest book titled “Teche: A History of Louisiana’s Most Famous Bayou” at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Young-Sanders Center for the Study of the War Between the States in Louisiana in Franklin. The program is free and open to the public. For information email ysc1861@aol.com or call (337) 413-1861.

Cheré Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country.” She writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her latest is "Carnival Confessions: A Mardi Gras Novella." Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

Tuesday Ebook Spotlight: Full Circle by Allen Cates

Allen Cates of Lafayette spent almost eight years in Southeast Asia flying helicopters with the Marine and Air America. He relates these experiences in his new novel, “Full Circle: An Odyssey About America’s Secret Air Force in Southeast Asia,” available as a download for Kindle here.

Here’s the book’s description:

Acadian heritage and his father's watchful eye nurtured Brian Vincent's upbringing in the swamps and bayous of south Louisiana, where hunting and fishing were commonplace, and integrity and diligence were more than spoken virtues. Brian was a quick learner and an avid reader, and stories of love and war where warriors prevailed against formidable odds piqued his inquisitive mind. However, along with his strength of character came a degree of stubbornness. His family wanted him to be an attorney or a businessman carrying on the family tradition, but Brian wanted to test his mettle on the field of battle.

Marine Corps Aviation offered the path he was seeking, and the war in Southeast Asia provided the catalyst where innocent people were willing to die for freedom against an oppressor who killed anyone who tried to stop them. Against his family's wishes, he entered the fray altruistically and unpretentiously. But Brian found military regimentation did not fit his persona. Still, the adrenaline rush while dancing with the devil was alluring, and Air America offered another path with a twist. Flying in primitive conditions where death lurked unexpectedly like a hidden pit viper was daunting. The psychic income from saving lives and accomplishing the mission with his initiative drew him further into an abyss. Seeing first-hand daily collateral damage without reason coupled with a naive approach to affairs of the heart took its toll.

Brian made the full circle and returned to his roots, broken in body and spirit. Now, he must come to grips with the realization that people and governments are often devious, that life is not always fair, and he has begun to question the purpose of living in a complicated world.

For more information on Cates’ novel and his nonfiction book, “Honor Denied,” visit http://www.allencatesbooks.com.

Louisiana Book News is written by journalist Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. The first two books in her award-winning series are FREE as ebooks! For more information and to sign up for her newsletter visit www.cherieclaire.net.

Ellen Byron returns to Crozat Plantation for enchanting 'Body on the Bayou' cozy mystery

Ellen Byron follows up her award-winning, acclaimed cozy mystery “Plantation Shudders,” set at the Crozat Plantation B&B of Cajun Country, with another winner, “Body on the Bayou.”

Set in Pelican, Louisiana, outside of Baton Rouge, Maggie Crozat is about to lose her mind planning a wedding for her demanding friend and co-worker Vanessa Fleer. But things get really hairy when Vanessa’s cousin Ginger shows up, an equally demanding woman who also loves to scam people by faking accidents. Naturally, Ginger has her enemies, which is why when her body is found in the bayou, the suspects are numerous. Maggie, along with love interest and police detective Bo Durant, research the many suspects, including Ginger’s disgruntled coworkers, an ex-Marine with PSTD, Ginger’s spurned husband and even Vanessa. The intricate mystery’s woven in and out of an out-of-control southern wedding dressed in LSU colors, resulting in a rollicking story that will keep you hanging until the very end.

As we say in the South, Byron’s not from around here, lives in Los Angeles where she works as a TV writer, playwright and freelance journalist. But she studied at Tulane and did her homework, so she passes muster. But don’t take my word for it, her last mystery was an Agatha Award finalist for best first mystery, a Lefty Award finalist for best humorous mystery and a Daphne du Maurier Award nominee.

New releases

Everett Lueck has produced an informative book on the “Red River and Gulf Railroad: A Short History,” that looks at the rail lines that traversed from Lecompte to Long Leaf and on to Kurthwood with branch lines from Long Leaf to Bolton and Meridian from 1905 to 1954. The well-researched book is filled with great historical photos, maps and personal and regional stories.

Lueck’s book is available for $15 at the Southern Forest Heritage Museum in Long Leaf. For a copy by mail, send $17.50 to Southern Forest Heritage Museum, P.O. Box 101, Long Leaf, LA 71448.

Ashley Mace Havird’s “Lightningstruck: A Novel” centers around 11-year-old Etta McDaniel, whose horse is struck by lightning in 1964 and survives with new supernatural powers. Along with other characters, the lightning-struck horse initiates Etta into the world of “action and liability” as the Civil Rights Movement takes hold in her rural South.

            Lee R. Hadley has recently published “Cajun Justice,” a related side story to his previous three novels that are part of the trilogy Towers Series.

Allen Cates of Lafayette has published “Full Circle,” a novel centered around Cates’ time in Southeast Asia flying helicopters with the Marines and then Air America.

“I was involved with five SAR events and familiar with many others,” Cates wrote me by email. “Each were different but collectively the procedures used are accurately described in my book.

“The purpose of the book is to acquaint the public about a secret government Air Force used in Laos to support the USAF covertly and clandestinely, with an entertaining read.”

For the last 40 years, Allen has worked in the oil and gas industry domiciled in South Louisiana.

Robert Hicks, the New York Times bestselling author of “The Widow of the South” and “A Separate Country,” releases his latest novel on Tuesday, “The Orphan Mother,” an epic account of a woman’s quest for justice.

Cheré Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country.” She writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.