UL-Lafayette titles finalists for Indies Awards

Five of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press 2016 titles are finalists for the 2016 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards. Here is the complete list with links to our reviews of the books:

The Land South of the Clouds - General Fiction 

A Legacy Preserved - Crafts & Hobbies 

Martha Wright Ambrose (1914-2000) - Art 

 Ghost of Good Times - Photography 

Madame Grand Doigt - Juvenile Fiction 

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.

Debut novelist Shalanda Stanely to be featured at Louisiana Library Association conference

             This week I’m visiting the Louisiana Library Association’s annual conference in Baton Rouge and listening to Shalanda Stanley as the featured author. Stanley grew up in Louisiana, holds a masters in special education from UL-Monroe and a PhD from LSU in curriculum and instruction with a focus in reading and literacy education. She’s an assistant professor at ULM. Stanley is also the author of the debut novel “Drowning is Inevitable,” a story that centers on main character Olivia who has spent her life struggling to escape her dead mother’s shadow. Olivia leans on her best friend, Jamie; her handsome but hot-tempered boyfriend, Max; and their wild-child friend, Maggie, for the reality check that her small Louisiana town can’t provide. When a terrible fight between Jamie and his father turns deadly, all Olivia can think to do is grab her friends and run and the foursome become fugitives on the back roads of Louisiana. For more information on Stanley and her new book, visit www.shalandastanley.com.

Last chance!

            "Emilie," the first book in the Cajun Series of historical romances by Cherie Claire (my pen name) is FREE to download today and Monday, March 7, at Amazon.com.  

            Emilie Gallant and her Cajun family have traveled to Louisiana in search of their father, separated thirteen years ago during le grand dérangement, the brutal exile by the British from their Nova Scotia homeland. The last thing Emilie has on her mind as she enters the rugged bayou country is marriage to her longtime companion, Lorenz Dugas. Beautiful but stubbornly defiant, Emilie worshipped Lorenz as a child but having to fight to preserve her family has built a wall around her heart. But Lorenz is equally determined and his passion will prove that their love cannot be denied. As they make their way across the untamed Louisiana wilderness, hoping to reunite the Gallant family, Emilie learns that love has a way of healing all wounds — even in the most unusual places. 

Reviews:
“Pick up a copy of Emilie for your reading pleasure, and take a journey into the historical Acadian (Cajun) country of Louisiana for an educational, romantic read.”
—Carol Carter, Romance Reviews Today 

“The beauty of Ms. Claire’s tale is in the message that love makes one a stronger and better person. She leaves just enough hints to keep readers eagerly anticipating the next two sisters’ tales. As a history buff, I enjoyed learning about the Acadian (Cajun) culture, as well as the story’s characters.” 

—Evelyn Feiner, Romantic Times magazine

New releases

            To celebrate the 100^th anniversary of our National Park Service, National Geographic has published several books for both children and adults.

The guidebooks to the national parks offer tips, maps, directions, photos ops and so much more and, of course, are filled with gorgeous photos from the talents of the National Geographic staff. It’s a bit information overload in small spaces, and I’m on the fence over whether readers will love the myriad of information on every page or repel from too many photos and info boxes. On the flip side, the guidebooks are not comprehensive; many parks, such as Jean Lafitte in Louisiana, aren’t included.

National Geographic Kids also publishes cute children’s stories with a park theme, such as “Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure” by Ilona E. Holland, and the “Funny Fill-In: My National Parks Adventure.” My favorite of the bunch was the “Funny Fill-In” which blindly asks for nouns, verbs and the like to place into a story and then children read the crazy tale they have created, all of which relates to national parks.

            Celeste Fletcher McHale of central Louisiana plays on the South’s love of desserts and the loyalty of friends in her latest, a humorous novel, “The Secret to Hummingbird Cake.” Her first novel, “Save Us A Seat,” is based on a true story about herself and her two best friends.

            Erin Entrada Kelly follows two Filipina-American sisters as they walk the line between real and make-believe to cope with their difficult life in Louisiana with a cruel stepmother in the young reader book, “The Land of Forgotten Girls.” The book is geared toward ages 9-12.

            I find out about so many Louisiana books and authors online. One example is A.L. Vincent of Cajun Country (not sure what town) who released “Tangled Up in You,” the first in the “Fleur de Lis” series (www.lisaslouisianahome.com). How about Kimberly Lang, who has published 19 romance novels with four of them set in Louisiana, one during Mardi Gras (www.booksbykimberly.com).

In Baton Rouge

Today (March 6) at 4 p.m., Baton Rouge Gallery’s ARTiculate Artist Talk series will offer a special presentation in conjunction with its “Logophilia” exhibition. Moderated by poet and LSU’s McElveen Professor of English, Laura Mullen, the panel of writers and artists will delve into the relationship between visual imagery and the written word. Panelists include Darrell Bourque, Kathryn Hunter, Laura Mullen, Jacqueline Dee Parker, Ronlyn Domingue, Chancelier Xero Skidmore, Kelli Scott Kelley and Forward Arts Inc.

 

Book events

A graduate of USL and the first female ROV supervisor in the world, Leah Hebert from Oceaneering International Inc. will speak about the world of ROVs and how she played a part in the competition as a judge from the book, “Spare Parts,” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at South Regional Library.

            Photographer an author Phillip Gould will speak on "Ghosts of Good Times: South Louisiana Dance Halls Past and Present," a book he is creating with Herman Fuselier, at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Hilliard University Art Museum.

Marlene Trestman speaks on and signs “Fair Labor Lawyer” at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Octavia Books in New Orleans.

            Dr. Richard Brettell will give the second annual John Bartholomew

Bienvenu Lecture, “Impressionist Gardens Beyond Giverny: Pissarro’s House and Garden in Eragny,” at 7 p.m. Friday, followed by a book signing at the Paul & Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum. The free event is open to the public on a first come, first serve basis.

“Celebrating the Written Word” literary conference returns for its third year on Saturday in various downtown Hammond locations. There will be local authors discussing various types of writing from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The highlight of the event will be a reading by Louisiana Poet Laureate Peter Cooley. Registration is $35, which includes a full day of workshops, panel discussions and master classes.

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. Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

UL Press offers great deals at Holiday Book Sale

             The UL Press will host its annual Holiday Sale from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the UL Alumni House. There will be refreshments, giftwrapping, authors on hand to sign copies and every title will be discounted by at least 20 percent off of the regular retail price.
            And for Cyber Monday, the press is offering 40 percent off all books via their web site until midnight Monday, Dec. 1.

            Here’s a few UL Press books to consider:

            “The Public Art of Robert Dafford” with photographs and text by Philip Gould, part of the Louisiana Artists Series, has to be my favorite coffee table holiday gift idea of the year. Anyone who has witnessed Dafford’s exquisite murals throughout Louisiana — and the country — along with Gould’s innovative photographs will want to include this gem in their library.

            Dafford not only enhances outdoor spaces but brings regional history to life through his public art. His intricate Acadian murals throughout the world tell the story of a people both blessed and exiled, his American pieces explain both Native American life and European expansion. Closer to home, many will recognize his work through the giant clarinet of New Orleans or the new harmonica gracing downtown Baton Rouge. Dafford’s work can also be seen in numerous museums, churches and inside commercial buildings.

            Another lovely coffee table book is photographer Tina Freeman’s “Artist Spaces: New Orleans,” with text by Morgan Molthrop. Crescent City artists are profiled or spotlighted in their own words along with photos of their studios, work spaces, homes and the artists working or at leisure. Some, like Fat Boy who creates with graffiti, are highlighted through public art. Others, such as Stephen Coenan and George Dureau, are no longer with us so encapsulating their artist space makes the book even more poignant.

            Genaro Kỳ Lý Smith, a professor of creative writing at Louisiana Tech, chronicles exquisitely through poetry the life of his grandfather Lý Loc in “The Land Baron’s Sun: The Story of Lý Loc and His Seven Wives.” The story follows the son of an affluent Vietnamese landowner who was thought to own the sun by his children, wives, servants and tenant farmers because the sun had always shone favorably upon him.

            Another fascinating book is “African American Home Remedies: A Practical Guide with Usage and Application Data” by Eddie L. Boyd and Leslie A. Shimp who studied the use of home treatments through the University of Michigan. The book includes the author’s study of the 100 home remedies and herbs used by African Americans — many times due to lack of funds or health insurance — but includes a handy guide to these plants and their believed cures, plus a listing of herbs used in specific ailments.

            The Irish presence in New Orleans is both deep and deep-rooted, stretching back to Louisiana Governor Alejandro O’Reilly’s tenure in the 1700s to the famine ships bringing Irish natives in the 1840s. Historian Laura A. Kelley offers a comprehensive history, from early politics and prejudice to the modern St. Patrick’s Day Parade in “The Irish in New Orleans.”

           

New releases

            Louisiana professor of library science Dayne Sherman has released two novels: his latest, the Southern gothic “Zion” and “Welcome to the Fallen Paradise” as a 10th anniversary edition. “Zion” begins in 1964 and ends a decade later, but for the book’s Hardin family, faithful members of Little Zion Methodist Church, they will carry the scars of the decade for life. Sherman’s first novel, “Welcome to the Fallen Paradise,” was named a Best Debut of the Year by The Times-Picayune and a Notable Book by Book Sense.

            Award-winning Lafayette author John Francois has chosen 1848 New Orleans and Paris for his latest historical, “Revolutions,” centered around young Allain deGravelles who travels to France to study at the École Polytechnique but who wishes to be an artist amidst the violent political upheaval of the times. For information about this book and Francois’s previous historical novels, visit www.johnfrancois.com.

            “The First Inaugural Address of President Abraham Lincoln: A Rhetorical Analysis in The Art of Persuasion” by Lafayette’s Joseph John Murphy Alexander has just been published by Red Lead Books and New Orleans’ Walter Isaacson has published “The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution.”

            Susan Fleet announced that book five of her Frank Renzi crime thriller series set in New Orleans has been published. Titled “Natalie's Art,” you can check out the book cover and a short video book trailer on her website, http://susanfleet.com/nataliesart.html.

            Ron Chapman of Chalmette, a history professor at Nunez Community College and recipient of the Spirit of 1812 Award from the National Society United States Daughters of 1812, has just published “The Battle of New Orleans: But for a Piece of Wood.”

WWII

            Historian Gerhard L. Weinberg discusses the legacies of World War I beginning with a 5 p.m. reception and followed by a program and book signing Tuesday at the U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center of the World War II Museum in New Orleans. Weinberg is author of “A World at Arms: A Global History of World War II,” two volumes on Hitler’s foreign policy, “Visions of Victory: The Hopes of Eight World War II Leaders” and many other books and essays. He has won honorary doctorates as well as many fellowships and prizes for his scholarship, among them the Pritzker Military Library Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military History. Reservations for the lecture and reception are requested; call (504) 528-1944, Ext. 229.

Book events

            Warren and Mary Perrin, editors of “Acadie Then and Now: A People’s History,” will speak about their new book at 6 p.m. Monday to Concerned Citizens for Good Government at Alesi’s Pizza House, 4110 Johnston St. in Lafayette and sign copies during Abbeville’s Christmas Stroll at The Depot on Wednesday and at noon at the Friends of CODOFIL Christmas luncheon at Four Columns, Westbank Expressway in Harvey. For information, call (337) 233-5832, or email perrin@plddo.com.

            New Orleans award-winning author, journalist, and lecturer George Gurtner will discuss his most recent book, “Cast of Characters,” at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Nix Library in New Orleans. The book is titled after Gurtner’s column that he wrote for New Orleans magazine for 35 years.

            Christmas at North Regional Library will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, in association with the Carencro Country Christmas celebration at the Carencro Community Center next door and the Children’s Christmas Parade. There will be a Jolly Holiday Magnet Craft for ages 5-12 and a holiday card swap for adults.

            Andi Eaton signs “New Orleans Style” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at The Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans.

            Author’s Alley book sale and signings by area authors will be 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at South Regional Library in Lafayette.
            Addie K. Martin and Jeremy Martin sign copies of “Southeast Louisiana Food: A Seasoned Tradition” from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the West Baton Rouge Museum Holiday Open House, 845 N Jefferson Ave. in Port Allen.

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.