Hi, everyone. Today’s By Special Request track covers two artists on my list: Doug Kershaw and Steve Riley. I listened to both of them often while writing Bayou Fire, and was privileged to see them both perform in Lodi. Enjoy!
Tag: Bayou Fire
Bonus Track: “Nonc Lloyd”
Hi, everyone. Today’s entry in the By Special Request series is Cajun Music Hall of Fame member Lee Benoit, performing a two-step called “Nonc Lloyd.” Lee’s music was in heavy rotation while I was writing Bayou Fire, and I was lucky enough to catch one of his shows during my first trip to New Orleans. Enjoy!
Music Monday: “Louisiana Saturday Night”
Hi, everyone. Today is Doug Kershaw’s 86th birthday. Some of you may recall that he inspired me to play fiddle as a kid, and that I own one of his instruments now. His music, including this piece, was in nearly constant rotation when I wrote Bayou Fire. Laissez les bontemps rouler!
Sample Saturday: “Bayou Fire”
Hi, everyone. Today’s sample is from my multi-award winning dual-timeline historical, Bayou Fire. Enjoy!
Alcide presented himself at a small law office in the newly-established town of Chicago, operated by one Aloysius Bryan. He was wearing a new suit, and had removed the earring he’d sported since his earliest days as a river man. He presented a letter of introduction, from John Gallagher of New Orleans, and asked for an opportunity to read the law and serve as a clerk. He also presented the letter of reference from Daniel Harper, attesting to his skills. Bryan found the young man on the other side of his desk well-spoken and, upon discovering that Alcide could write a tidy hand and had some experience in Missouri under his belt, hired him on as a clerk with a promise of steady access to the law books. That he got a lawyer for the price of a clerk was not lost on Bryan.
Alcide was now ready for to keep the promise he’d made to himself.
He started attending meetings at the local Quaker establishment, having learned that members of the faith were ardently opposed to slavery. At first, the quiet in the meeting house was difficult for him; the services were radically different from the pomp and circumstance of Catholic mass back home. But he stayed, and he listened. Soon, he was invited to remain for coffee and a piece of cake … and before long, people started talking to him. When he let it be known that he was sympathetic to abolition, he was finally approached by a congregant, John Silas, who asked for his help.
“If you can write free papers, Mister Devereaux, it would be a huge help to us. We can get people more easily into Canada if we don’t have to hide them in wagons. Your imprimatur from a law office would be a huge help,” the man said.
“I can, and I will.”
“Now, Mister Devereaux, I need to remind you that you could get in a lot of trouble if you get caught, maybe even lose your license to practice law. You might end up in jail, or worse. If you don’t feel up to the risk, I will certainly understand.”
Alcide extended his hand to the gentleman in front of him. “Sir, you have my word.”
Want your own copy of Bayou Fire? Here are the back cover copy and purchase links.
Diana Corbett’s childhood was plagued by unceasing dreams of smoke and flames. The nightmares went away, until the noted travel writer’s first night on assignment in Louisiana … when they returned with a vengeance. Could the handsome Cajun, Amos Boudreaux, be the key to unlocking the secret of BAYOU FIRE?
Award-winning author Sharon E. Cathcart presents her first full-length historical paranormal tale, set against the backdrops of modern-day and 1830s New Orleans.
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Year-End Gift For You: All of My Short Fiction is Free!
Hi, everyone. Once again, I’m participating in Smashwords’ Year-End Sale. I’ve made all of my short fiction free as a gift to you, including the entire Pocketful of Stories series. Here are the links, blurbs, etc.
Around the World in 80 Pages: Ten short stories of various genres, each taking place in a different location. With subject matter ranging from paranormal to historical fiction, urban fantasy to literary fiction, there is something in this sampler for everyone.
The Rock Star in the Mirror (Or, How David Bowie Ruined My Life): Joe is a small-town Oregon guy. He’s madly in love with Lynnie … who has a huge crush on David Bowie. Joe will do almost anything to get Lynnie’s attention, but there are always consequences.
Through the Opera Glass: Author Sharon E. Cathcart took up a challenge in 2012: to write flash fiction and full length short stories based on various prompts. Each story features one or more characters from In The Eye of The Beholder: A Novel of the Phantom of the Opera or its sequel, In The Eye of The Storm. Brimming with historical detail, the stories in this collection range in place and time from 19th Century Persia to post-World War II San Francisco.
His Beloved Infidel: Farukh and Catherine are colleagues at Paris’ World Language Institute. He is Persian; she is American. Can their newly-discovered love survive the strain of Iran’s Islamic Revolution? Set against the backdrop of real-world events, this inter-ethnic romance tells the story of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events.
Clytie’s Caller: Bath, 1816. Clytemnestra Preston has become so terrified of life that she refuses to leave her room. Not even her family can convince her to take her place in Society again. Doctor Samuel Whittington, late of His Majesty’s Army, may be her only chance for a cure … and romance. Can Sam convince Clytie to open the door, and her heart?
Last Stop: Storyville: Riding a New Orleans streetcar is an everyday occurrence for Tulane freshman Jimmy Arceneaux (Bayou Fire). But one evening, things are different.
Yellowjack and the Riverman: Yellow fever. Voodoo queen Marie Laveau. A long-lost relative’s homecoming. The Underground Railroad. All of them are part of Alcide Devereaux’s (Bayou Fire) continuing story.
A Light Across the Lake: Return to Paris’ glamorous Opera Garnier, and the world of the award-winning Seen Through the Phantom’s Eyes series! A Light Across the Lake is the tale of apprentice set builder Lucien Dubois, who is determined to see what lies in the fifth cellar. Will his exploration raise the ire of the infamous Opera Ghost?
Down on the Corner of Love: Being a civil rights activist isn’t easy in rural Louisiana. Raine’s found herself ostracized and alone because she’s a woman who speaks her mind. Fed up, she leaves her country world behind for beautiful San Francisco. There, Raine meets a new best friend, Jo, who is free-spirited and living life to the fullest. But Jo’s in more danger than Raine realizes.
Two Days in June: Starvation. Fear. Fighting in the streets. It’s June 1832, and Paris is once again at war. The students of the Sorbonne rise up against those in power, believing that right and the people are on their side. But King Louis-Philippe has other plans.
Flowers of Europe: Thaddeus Flowers, American inventor and charming rake, is chasing adventure and romance across Europe. English scientist Arabella Abingdon is always one step ahead of him. Join the excitement in these steampunk-tinged historical tales that take you from Hyde Park to the Place des Vosges.
It Happened in Memphis: Evie Boudreaux has a knack for seeing history in action. Why? Because she sees ghosts. Come along on a visit to Tupelo and Memphis, and see the earliest days of rock music through Evie’s eyes!
Hard-Boiled Blues: Two dead bodies. Two policemen, one in New Orleans and one in Memphis. Not all crimes have easy solutions in the Jim Crow South. It’s enough to make you sing the blues.
The promotion runs through January 1, 2022, and you’ll find formats for any eReader. Happy holidays to you!
Sharon E. Cathcart 