Heart of Louisiana RWA hosts Fall into Romance Readers Luncheon Oct. 31 in Baton Rouge

            The ninth annual Heart of Louisiana Fall into Romance Readers Luncheon will feature international bestselling author of paranormal suspense and urban fantasy, Diana Rowland, beginning at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Juban’s Restaurant, 3739 Perkins Road in Baton Rouge.

White Trash Zombie Gone Wild, 

Book 5 of the Angle Crawford/

White Trash Zombie series.

            Rowland has lived her entire life below the Mason-Dixon line, uses "y'all" for second-person-plural, and otherwise has no southern accent (in her opinion.) She attended college at Georgia Tech where she earned a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics, and after graduation forgot everything about higher math as quickly as possible. She has worked as a bartender, a blackjack dealer, a pit boss, a street cop, a detective, a computer forensics specialist, a crime scene investigator, and a morgue assistant, which means that she's seen more than her share of what humans can do to each other and to themselves. She won the marksmanship award in her Police Academy class, has a black belt in Hapkido, has handled numerous dead bodies in various states of decomposition, and can't rollerblade to save her life. She presently lives in south Louisiana with her husband and her daughter where she is deeply grateful for the existence of air conditioning.

            Louisiana award-winning author LoriLeger is scheduled to serve as emcee and other local and regional novelists will be on hand to share their experiences. Each attendee is seated with at least one author and all authors are easily accessible during the pre-luncheon "meet and greet" and post-luncheon book signing from 2  p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be goodie bags for each attendee, baskets of books for raffle, and door prizes are among the other highlights of the event.

            Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in costume as your favorite fictional character or Halloween spirit.
            The event is sponsored by Heart of Louisiana, also known as HeartLA, the Baton Rouge chapter of the Romance Writers of America. HeartLa is a not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to the support, encouragement and education of aspiring writers of all romance genres. For more information, visit www.heartla.com.

Hester Young's debut novel keeps you on edge of seat

             Dreams tell tales, most indecipherable. For Charlotte “Charlie” Cates, a mother aching from the loss of her four-year-old child, dreams have become too close to reality, predicting events that come true or are messages from the dead. These dreams lead Charlie out of her self-imposed exile in Connecticut to a plantation in South Louisiana to research a book involving a 30-year-old kidnapping case in “The Gates of Evangeline” by Hester Young.

            At first, Charlie doesn’t want to take the assignment, but then a young child comes to her in a dream and she fears it is Gabriel Deveau, a child stolen from the Evangeline Plantation in 1982 and never found. Researching the case might help her understand why she is having these premonitions so she travels to Louisiana for answers.

What waits at this swamp-infested plantation are just more questions, from the spoiled heiresses and the tortured son and CEO of the family business to the family matriarch dying of cancer. Charlie receives more than she bargained for in a love interest, plus dreams continually plague her, sometimes taking her in other directions. Everything intersects, however, making this a thrilling story with twists and turns that keep you turning pages.

Young does an expert job in crafting a suspenseful tale and her details of South Louisiana appear as if she’s done her homework well. My only complaint is the dialogue of locals told in that annoying broken English, spattered with an occasional French word to remind readers they are Cajun or African America, both so unnecessary and jarring, especially for those of us who know better.

“ ‘Well, now, Shalit,’” one of the character says. “ ‘Ah’d be real careful ramblin’ ‘round at night when yuh dis close to da bayou. Neva know when a cocodrie’s gone go fo’ a ramble of ‘is own.’”

Seriously? Although in defense Young pops up with a good Cajun expression or two that shows me she did visit and attempt to get it right. 

“The Gates of Evangeline” is hailed as the beginning of a new series and I’m anxious to read more, thoroughly enjoyed this story from cover to finish (with the occasional dialogue exception). I’ll bet, however, that if the next one takes place in another part of the country they will leave the accents out.

Punks

Lafayette graphic artist Kody Chamberlain (“Sweets: A New Orleans Crime Story”) and Joshua Hale Fialkov (“I, Vampire”) have teamed up to produce a wild ride in “Punks, the Comic,” a new graphic title from Image Comics. Several characters come together in this collage-style story, all based out of a home that happens to be on Vermilion Street in downtown Lafayette. There’s Abe (Lincoln), Fist, Skull and Dog, the latter three with human bodies and heads reflecting their names. Other people show up as well, from Sean Connery to the authors, and the story occasionally pauses for games and cutouts. It’s crazy fun.

Book events

Phil Bildner will read, sign and discuss his children’s book “Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans” at 2 p.m. today at Octavia Books of New Orleans.

Upcoming events

            The Friends of the Lafayette Library will hold its annual Fall Book Sale Wednesday through Saturday, Sept. 9-12, in the Heymann Convention Center Ballroom. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, Friends members may enjoy a members-only night, followed by the public sale Thursday through Saturday.
            Best-selling romance author Diana Rowland will be the keynote speaker of the 2015 Heart of Louisiana (HeartLA) Readers Luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Juban’s Restaurant, 3739 Perkins Road in Baton Rouge. Registration will open at 11 a.m., with the luncheon from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Book signings with more than 18 participating authors will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person. Make checks payable to: Heart of LA RWA c/o Readers Luncheon, P.O. Box 85459, Baton Rouge, LA 70884. Includes your name, email and phone number. Participants may also pay online at www.heartla.com/luncheon-2014/.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” She also writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire, “A Cajun Dream” and “The Letter.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

Book events this week

            Lee A. Farrow will sign “Alexis in America: A Russian Grand Duke's Tour, 1871-1872” by LSU Press at 6 p.m. tonight at Octavia Books in New Orleans.
            Maple Street Bookstore in New Orleans will offer a night of poetry and prose with Lavender Ink and Dialogos Books beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21. Authors Ralph Adamo (“Ever”), Andy Young (“All Night It is Morning”), and Jonathan Kline (“The Wisdom of Ashes”) will read.

            Arthur Hardy will discuss “Mardi Gras in New Orleans: An Illustrated History” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at Maple Street Book Shop in New Orleans. The book is a pictorial account of the celebration with 325 vintage and contemporary illustrations. This updated fourth edition features an expanded reference section that provides details on nearly 600 Carnival organizations, including the identities of 5,000 kings and queens.

            LSU Forensic anthropologist Mary Manhein will be the featured speaker at HeartLa, the Baton Rouge Chapter of Romance Writers of America, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Bluebonnet Branch Library, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd. in Baton Rouge. Membership is comprised of local authors, published and unpublished, and is open to writers of all genres. Guests may attend two meetings before joining.

            Friends of Hilltop Arboretum’s symposium “Louisiana Garden Heritage: A Lavish Hodgepodge of Design and Plants” will be 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the LSU Hilltop Arboretum in Baton Rouge. One of the speakers, G. Mike Shoup, owner of The Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham, Texas, is author of “Empress of the Garden.”

Cheré Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

Heartla Author Luncheon celebrates local talent

            On Nov. 15, I was honored to be a part of the Heart of Louisiana Romance Writers annual author luncheon at Juban’s in Baton Rouge, with best-selling author Diana Crosby as the keynote speaker offering us great advice and inspiration.

             Participating authors — you’ll be amazed at how much talent there is in Louisiana — included:

             Christa Allen is the author of love stories “Love Finds You in New Orleans,” “Threads of Hope” (one of the books in Abingdon’s Quilt Series) and “Test of Faith” as well as “Walking on Broken Glass” and “The Edge of Grace.”

            In addition to dressing up and interviewing authors on her blog ‘The Romancechik Speaks,” Nancy Brandt has published “Fabric of Faith” and  “Sword and Illusion” with her husband, Steve Brandt.

            Donna Caubarreaux writes as Pepper Phillips, offering “Southern sass with a touch of heart” with books such as “This Devil Has Dimples,” “The Vow” and “The Christmas Gift,” which is hot on Amazon right now. 

            James Buddy Estes is the author of “Alabama’s Youngest Admirals” and other titles and reported that his books are being read in Alabama schools. 

            Shana Galen of Houston is the bestselling author of Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers’ Choice, “The Making of a Gentleman.”

            Lori Leger of Kinder has published through her own publishing house, Cajun Flair Publishing. She has several books out right now, including holiday anthologies, “Hearts, Hearths and Holidays” and “Christmas by Candlelight.” You can even learn Cajun cooking on her web site!

            Trish F. Leger of Jennings focuses on Druids in her Wiccan romance series and she’s also one of the authors in Lori Leger’s anthologies.

            Anne Clarye Mason of Baton Rouge writes romances under this name and mysteries under A.C. Mason. I just picked up her “Mardi Gras Gris Gris” in anticipation of Carnival beginning Jan. 6, 2015. She is also the author of the newly released “Deadly Bayou.” 

            Shirlee McCoy of Baton Rouge, inspirational author at Silhouette and Kengsington, has a new book in time for the holidays, “Her Christmas Guardian,” where former army ranger Boone Anderson must help Scout Cramer retrieve her child from kidnappers “before the kidnappers cancel Christmas for all of them permanently.” 

            Judy McDonough just released “Deadline,” book one in The Bayou Secrets saga, along with "Lifeline," book two.

            Rhonda McKey aka Rhonda Leah writes erotic and contemporary romances, her latest being “Risking Delaney” from Lyrical Press. 

            Farrah Rochon of Gramercy is a USA Today best-selling author of contemporary romances. Her latest is “I Dare You!,” book four in the “Moments in Maplesville” series, but you’ll also find holiday books such as the “Hot Christmas Nights" anthology and “A Perfect Holiday Fling.” 

            Wendy Russo writes YA science fiction and her latest, “January Black,” will be released Christmas Day. The book features 17-year-old Matty Ducayn who gets treacherous adventure after being expelled from the orderly “Hill.” She lives in Baton Rouge, working as an IT analyst for LSU. 

            Lynn Shurr of New Iberia is a retired librarian who has been knocking out romances left and right, many involving the New Orleans Sinners football team. She has also begun a new Mardi Gras series, the single title enviromental romance, “A Trashy Affair,” and the spicy Cajun romances, “A Taste of Bayou Water” and “Blessings and Curses.”  

            T.S. Tate/Eden Butler is currently Editor-in-Chief at LitStack.com and co-founder with Heather McCorkle of #WritersRoad chat on Twitter. Her flash fiction, "Street Noises," was included in the Pill Hill Press anthology "Daily Frights 2012: 366 Days of Dark Flash Fiction (Leap Year Edition)" and her short "Til Hunt Be Done," was included in the Winter Wonders anthology from Compass Press. 

            Jo Templeton writes historical romance (“A Pirate’s Kiss”) and paranormal fiction, featuring a fallen angel hoping to get back to heaven, “Scorned,” in addition to many other books. 

            I feel like I'm missing someone, which tells you how much talented this chapter has!

            Here’s a few more romances to heat up your holiday season, books I learned about from my goodie bag.            

            Jennifer Comeaux of Covington incorporates her love of figure skating in her novels and her latest is “Crossing the Ice,” where pair skaters Courtney and Mark have one shot left at their Olympic dream and vow not to let anything get in their way, especially not Josh and Stephanie, the wealthy and talented brother and sister team. The heart doesn’t always listen to reason, though.

            Marian Merritt as a holiday novella titled “Southern Fried Christmas” in which Colorado native Kelly Shepherd takes an assignment to write articles on Cajun Christmas culture after spending eight days in Cajun country. She meets widow Denny Labouve, owner of an oilfield company and dad to a 10-year-old daughter and proves that “love is deeper than a Louisiana bayou.” Her other books include “A Cajun Christmas Miracle” and “Deep Freeze Christmas.”

            The Heart of Louisiana RWA chapter meets at 10 a.m. the fourth Saturday of every month in Baton Rouge. For more information, visit www.HeartLa.com.

          Here’s a few more romances to heat up your holiday season.            

That's me in the maroon sweater next to Joan Whalen,
right, and Anne Clayre Mason, left.

 Cheré Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “ExploringCajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

Coen to speak in Thibodaux

I (your Louisiana Book News host Cheré Coen) will be giving a talk about Cajun Country, in connection with my travel guidebook, “Exploring Cajun Country: A Tour of Historic Acadiana,” at noon Tuesday to the Rotary Club of Thibodaux at Envie restaurant, 203 N. Canal St in Thibodaux, followed by a 1:30 p.m. signing at Cherry Books, 1050 Canal St. in Thibodaux.

Heartla luncheon

            New York Times bestselling author and New Orleans native Sabrina Jeffries, with more than 5 million books in print, will be the guest speaker at the Heart of Louisiana's Annual Romance Readers Luncheon Saturday, Nov. 5, in Baton Rouge.

            The event will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Juban’s Restaurant, 3739 Perkin Road, and will feature book signings in addition to Jeffries’ talk and lunch.

            Tickets to the “Fall in Love With Romance” luncheon are $40 and available through http://heartla.com/luncheon/index.htm.

Obama’s choice

            While Pres. Obama was on vacation, he purchased some books for he and his family to enjoy. Among them was “The Bayou Trilogy,” a trio of crime novellas by Daniel Woodrell that’s set in fictional St. Bruno Parish of Louisiana and features Detective Rene Shade, a part-French, part-Irish ex-boxer turned cop.

There’s an App

       Shreveport’s William Joyce, known for his charming children’s books and Disney movies, has added another interesting talent to his resume. Joyce’s short animated film, “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore,” created by Moonbot Studios of Shreveport, debuted at Lafayette’s Cinema on the Bayou film festival last January. The ebook version of “Lessmore” was later released as an iPad app and has sold more than 55,000 copies so far, making “Lessmore” the first ebook app to hit number one on the iTunes store.

Back to school

            Literary lovers — and let’s hope our kids are — will get a kick out of the new sneakers and iPhone cases that pay tribute to great literature. There’s fleur de lis-inspired sneakers for “The Three Muskateers,” romantic designs for “Romeo and Juliet” and a farm yard for “Animal Farm,” among many more. Styles can be found at http://www.zazzle.com/foreverRebuilt.

Folktales series

The Vermilion Parish Library Abbeville branch will host a six-week series of readings and discussions titled “Folktales and Stories of the South and Louisiana.” The program is free and open to the public and will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Thursdays, Sept. 15 through Oct. 20.

“Folktales and Stories” will be conducted by Denise Rogers of UL’s Department of English. The six sessions will cover creation myth traditions; tricksters: animal and human; heroes and outlaws; why the world is; ghosts and magic in the South; and tales about people in the South. Texts to be used include “Swapping Stories: Folktales from Louisiana” edited by Carl Lindahl, Maida Owens and C. Renée Harvison; “Favorite Folktales from Around the World” by Jane Yolen; “Cajun Folktales” by J. J. Reneaux; and John Burrison’s “Storytellers: Folktales and Legends from the South.”

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged because of the limited number of books and expected public response. To register, call (337) 893-2674 or stop by the Abbeville Library.