Tag Archives: Louisiana

Giveaway – Murder in the Bayou Boneyard by Ellen Byron @dollycas

Posted on by

.

Murder in the Bayou Boneyard: A Cajun Country Mystery
by Ellen Byron

About Murder in the Bayou Boneyard 


Murder in the Bayou Boneyard: A Cajun Country Mystery
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (September 8, 2020)
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1643854607
ISBN-13: 978-1643854601
Digital ASIN: B082H3BT6F

Maggie Crozat has the Halloween heebie-jeebies in USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author Ellen Byron’s howlingly funny sixth Cajun Country mystery.

Maggie Crozat, proprietor of a historic Cajun Country B&B, prefers to let the good times roll. But hard times rock her hostelry when a new cell phone app makes it easy for locals to rent their spare rooms to tourists. With October–and Halloween–approaching, she conjures up a witch-crafty marketing scheme to draw visitors to Pelican, Louisiana.

Five local plantation B&Bs host “Pelican’s Spooky Past” packages, featuring regional crafts, unique menus, and a pet costume parade. Topping it off, the derelict Dupois cemetery is the suitably sepulchral setting for the spine-chilling play Resurrection of a Spirit. But all the witchcraft has inevitably conjured something: her B&B guests are being terrified out of town by sightings of the legendary rougarou, a cross between a werewolf and vampire.

When, in the Dupois cemetery, someone costumed as a rougarou stumbles onstage during the play–and promptly gives up the ghost, the rougarou mask having been poisoned with strychnine, Maggie is on the case. But as more murders stack up, Maggie fears that Pelican’s spooky past has nothing on its bloodcurdling present.

About Ellen Byron

Maria DiRico

Ellen’s Cajun Country Mysteries have won the Agatha award for Best Contemporary Novel and multiple Lefty awards for Best Humorous Mystery. Her Catering Hall Mystery series, written as Maria DiRico, launched with Here Comes the Body and was inspired by her real life. She’s an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning TV writer of comedies like WINGS, JUST SHOOT ME, and FAIRLY ODD PARENTS, but she considers her most impressive credit working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart. A native New Yorker who attended New Orleans’ Tulane University, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter, and rescue furbaby. Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.ellenbyron.com/

Author Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenbyronauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenbyronmariadirico/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-byron

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19130966.Maria_DiRico?from_search=true&from_srp=true

Purchase Links – Penguin Random House – Amazon – B&N – Kobo – IndieBound

a Rafflecopter giveaway ;

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 14 – This Is My Truth Now – REVIEW

September 14 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

September 15 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST

September 15 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

September 15 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 16 – Island Confidential – REVIEW

September 16 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 17 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – REVIEW

September 17 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT

September 18 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

September 18 – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures – SPOTLIGHT

September 19 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

September 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

September 20 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 20 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT

September 21 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 21 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, RECIPE

September 22 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 23 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

September 23 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 24 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 24 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 25 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 26 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

September 26 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

September 26 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW

September 27 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Music Monday – Shut Up And Dance by Walk The Moon #MusicMonday @WALKTHEMOONband

Posted on by

Happy Monday everyone and welcome back to Music Monday! Let’s share some songs we’ve been enjoying lately!  If you would like to play, and I really hope you do, please see the rules and link up below.

Rules:

Every Monday share a few songs you’ve been enjoying lately.  It doesn’t have to be a specific genre, new, or one of your favorites – just something you’d like to share with others.  If possible, share a music or lyric video of the song and your thoughts on the song(s), artist(s), and/or music video(s).

If you would like to participate in Music Monday, please join the link up by sharing your post’s url HERE

I was so fortunate to be able to see them live for New Year’s Eve 2017. And we danced all night, because it was -35 on the waterfront in New Orleans. It was part of the Allstate Fan Fest that was aired live on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest. They appeared with Imagine Dragon, which has become one of my favorite bands.

The video below is the official version of Shut Up and Dance With Me by Walk The Moon

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway – Mamma’s Moon by Jerome Mark Antil @SDSXXTours #JeromeMarkAntil

Posted on by

.

Mamma’s Moon
The Hoodoo of Peckerwood Finch
by Jerome Mark Antil
Genre: Thriller
“Jerome Mark Antil’s Mamma’s Moon does for Acadiana what Truman Capote did for Tiffany’s or Tennessee Williams did for streetcars. This is a novel about a lot of things, including sex, crime, life, and death. But most of all, it’s a novel about hope and about love.
Mamma’s Moon gives the reader a dramatic and insightful glimpse into the very special world of today’s Louisiana French Acadians, whose early tragic history was immortalized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his classic poem, Evangeline, even before the heartless bayou’s more contemporary history was buried deep and forgotten.” Tom Hyman (LA Times bestselling author: writer for LIFEmagazine, The Saturday Evening Post, Argosy, Washington Post Book World and New York Magazine.)
This novel, Mamma’s Moon, is a sequel to the novel, One More Last Dance. It stands alone as an entirely self-contained story, but for those of you who may not have read the earlier novel, I include here a brief description of the main characters and of the events that preceded this story.
A bond that can only happen on a dance floor happened in a cafe off Frenchman Street among four unlikely characters: a man who was about to die; his friend, an illiterate Cajun French yardman; and two of the most successful women in New Orleans.
Aging Captain Gabriel Jordan, retired, was given two months to live, three months before he met “Peck”–Boudreau Clemont Finch–a groundskeeper on the back lawn of his hospice on Bayou Carencro, Louisiana. It was at the hospice that Gabe told Peck his dream of seeing the Newport Jazz Festival before he died. They became friends, and Peck offered to help grant his wish by taking him there.
And they began their journey.
It quickly became a journey with complications and setbacks. They saved each other many times, but they were in turn saved by two extraordinary women: Sasha (Michelle Lissette), a real estate agent in New Orleans’s posh Garden District, and her best friend, Lily Cup (Lily Cup Lorelei Tarleton), a criminal attorney.
Less than a year before the events in Mamma’s Moon, Gabe and Peck wandered into Charlie’s Blue Note, a small jazz bar in a side alley just off Frenchman Street, where the music was live and mellow and the dancing warm and sensual.
Here they encountered Sasha and Lily Cup, and amid the music, the dancing, the food, the flirting, and the cigar smoke, the four formed an unusual and lasting friendship that would see them each through a series of crises, disappointments, life-threatening situations, and moments of great joy and satisfaction.
JEROME MARK ANTIL writes in several genres. He has been called a “greatest generation’s Mark Twain,” a “write what you know Ernest Hemingway,” and “a sensitive Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.” It’s been said his work reads like a Norman Rockwell painting. Among his writing accomplishments, several titles in his The Pompey Hollow Book Club historical fiction series about growing up in the shadows of WWII have been honored. An ‘Authors and Writers’ Book of the Year Award and ‘Writer of the Year’ at Syracuse University for The Pompey Hollow Book Club novel; Hemingway, Three Angels, and Me, won SILVER in the UK as second-best novel.
Foreword’s Book of the Year Finalist for The Book of Charlie – historical fiction and The Long Stem is in the Lobby – nonfiction humor. Library Journal selected Hemingway, Three Angels and Me for best reads during Black History Month.
Before picking up the pen, Antil spent his professional career writing and marketing for the business world. In this role, he lectured at universities – Cornell, St. Edward’s, and Southern Methodist. His inspirations have been John Steinbeck, Mark Twain, and Ernest Hemingway.
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Share

Wishing You A Happy Holiday From Sunny Florida

Posted on by

.

Wishing you a happy holiday from the Fundins…

Where thousands live, like millions wish they could.

We took our annual New Orleans Christmas trip.

And played our annual Christmas Golf Open round.

We made a quick trip ‘out of this world’. Click here to see it.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

My Adventures – 2016 St Patty’s Road Trip

Posted on by

Mr Wonderful and I were off on our 2016 St Patty’s Road Trip, heading to New Orleans and Louisiana, for the St Patty’s Parade in Metarie.

This time, I was on my toes and as we passed the lot for movie props, I was able to get a few shots out the car window. It’s not every day I see a UFO and the odd assortment of vehicles, from buses to police cars.

2016-03-13 11.11.16-1We lived in Mobile, Alabama, back in the 90’s and Mr Wonderful belonged to a Mardi Gras association, the Pharoahs. We would jump on a bus and a bunch of us would head to New Orleans for the St Patty’s Parade, so we are familiar with the event. But it is New Orleans, so you never know what you might come across…

It starts out with walking groups. This parade is different from all the Mardi Gras parades. They allow you to walk in the street and approach the guys with flowers and beads, trading a smooch for a trinket…

2016-03-13 14.20.40The day was gorgeous, blue skies, lots of sunshine, floats and beads. The St Patty’s parade also differs from Mardi Gras parades by the stuff they toss. It’s not just beads and toys, but vegetables, everything you need for an Irish stew except for the meat. They toss heads of cabbage, onions, carrots and lemons. Ya gotta keep your eyes peeled because they can take you out.

biloxi31616

The parade goes on for hours and after five of them, we were ready to move on, so it was off to Biloxi. We did some sight seeing, heading to the Pass Christian area, driving the coastline. It was windy and the sand drifted and piled up like the snow up north. The Gulf Coast area has still not completely recovered from Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Katrina and I myself doubt if some of the people will ever come back. Me…I just cannot stay away.

biloxi316162I mean…look at that view. Even on a bad day, the sun shines through the clouds. Good food, good views and good company. So, if you are ever in the area, stop by for a cocktail at the beach. You won’t regret it.

  • To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments, I’ll drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • Problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Mardi Gras Parades in 2016

Posted on by

The Mardi Gras Parades in 2016 were awesome. We celebrated in Pensacola and New Orleans and had a great time!

Have you ever been?

These videos were made by Mr Wonderful. Enjoy!

If you would like to see more, hop on over to his Fundimonium YouTube page.

.

Elvis is alive and well and made an appearance in New Orleans.

.

These guys are hilarious. We were near the end of the parade and they are still going strong.

.

What fun adventure do you have planned for this weekend?

Just warm and cuddly with your significant other?

Wild and wicked on a road trip?

Or just hanging out and reading a good book?

All sound good to me. 😆

Holiday Road Trip to the Big Easy

Posted on by

 

Our Christmas gift to ourselves was several road trips, with several being to The Big Easy, New Orleans, Louisiana.

We visited Jackson Square, The French Market, Mother’s and the Super dome for Monday Night Football, where Detroit beat New Orleans, 35 to 27.

This was one of the best!

Stay tuned for my 2015 wrap up.

What are your hopes and dreams for 2016?

Sherry’s Shelves #53 – Books & Fun

Posted on by

Sherry’s Shelves is my weekly update from September 13 – September 26.

Happy to have you join me for some books & fun.

STSmall_thumb2

Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews

Bought, Borrowed & Bagged is hosted by TalkSupe

**all images are linked to Amazon (I am an affiliate)**

**The small amount helps keep my blog running**

~~~

I had a really busy week and didn’t have time to make my usual Sunday post, so I would like to share a little of what I was up to:

ROAD TRIP

Every so often Mr Wonderful and I get a burr in our butt and feel the need to hit the road. This time, my mom and sister went with us to Biloxi, Mississippi and Nawlins, Louisiana.

Biloxi/New Orleans with Mom and Laura

We had a great time and are looking forward to the next road trip.

~~~

Class Heroes: Young Adult Thriller Books

Stephen Henning is the author of Class Heroes, a wonderful story about superheroes.

He has created these videos, mini movies, if you will, and I wanted to share them with you. What do you think? Is this something you would read?

From Stephen Henning

Well here’s a little treat for you. Slightly ahead of schedule I’ve published the fourth Class Heroes short film ‘The Hunt for Lolly Rosewood’. I’ve ambitiously entered the film into a short film festival and the deadline is Friday 11 September,
So here it is. Hope you enjoy it. Special thanks on this one to Parkour Generations (PKGen) for all their help in choreographing the chase scenes.
Teenager Lolly Rosewood has become one of the UK’s most-wanted terrorists, hunted by the security services, surviving on her wits and her super abilities. When she’s spotted in a London street, an MI6 agent takes it upon himself to bring her in…

You can see more here.

~~~

THE LAST TWO WEEKS ON fundinmental

Sherry’s Shelves #52 – Books & Fun

Giveaway – Lost King by H B Moore

Giveaway – The Spellbound Series by Lola James

New Suspense/Thriller Book Trailer – The River by Patrick Jones

Teaser Tuesday #49 – Hurricane Crimes by Chrys Fey

Mer Alert! Awesome Giveaway for Of Ocean and Ash by A R Draeger

#Giveaway – She is Perfectly TOXIC by Kristine Mason

Giveaway, Review & Book Trailer for Kill and Run by Lauren Carr

Friday 56 # 55 & BB #31 – Beware! Perfectly Toxic by Kristine Mason

The Complete Package – Island Secrets by R T Wolfe

It’s National Cheeseburger Day!

Lou Malloy is on a rampage in Dead Money Run by J Frank James #Giveaway

Sun Daze

Giveaway – Static by S K Anthony

Cover Reveal Giveaway for Twisted Sisters by Kimber Leigh Wheaton

Are They Human? Novus by Crystal Marcos

Tears of Love – For Nick by Taylor Dean (A Tag Team Giveaway)

#eNovAaW Women of Words Book Blitz & Giveaway

A Chilling Mystery – Dark Ice by Dave Stanton – Review & Giveaway

Fall Into Books $250 Giveaway

Friday 56 #56 & BB #32 – Beast by Peter Benchley

Elisabeth Wheatley’s Fanged Series left me breathless for more!

#eNovAaW Women of Words

~~~

THIS WEEK ON fundinmental

Sherry’s Shelves

Falling In Deep Blitz

Hit n Run by Lori Power

Review – The Loft by Bette Lee Crosby

Teaser Tuesday

Review – The Key of Amatahns by Elisabeth Wheatley

Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper by J L Bryan

Friday 56 & BB

Review – Sucking in San Francisco by Jessica McBrayer

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

What have you been reading?

Have you any plans for the upcoming week? 😆

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.
To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

If you have a problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.

Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Are you a tsu member?

I would love to keep in touch.

tsu-logo