Hi, I'm Debby, and
this is my first blog. I really don't know what I'm doing, but as the saying
goes, "In for a penny, in for a pound." So let's go.
I live on Hilton Head
Island, SC, with my husband David and our cat Tigger, but I’m a transplanted
Yankee from Michigan. I began writing ten years ago. I've written four books,
two of which have now been published. The second of these, a contemporary
romance, Rue Toulouse, will be released on January 15.
Yes, the sidewalks are uneven and can be a challenge at times. Yes, some of the aroma's wafting through the air aren't always pleasant. And yes, on some streets the window displays aren't suitable for children, and the music inside might be too loud. But, this is what makes New Orleans New Orleans.
The buildings might be
in need of repair, but the wrought iron balconies with their colorful hanging plants
are delightful. As you walk along you'll see everything from vintage clothing
to t-shirt shops; sexy underwear to vampire clothing; exquisite jewelry to
Mardi Gras beads; French perfume to patchouli; Wiccan and Voodoo shops to
beautiful old churches; haunted historic hotels to intimate B & B's; spooky
cemeteries with their above ground tombs to swamp boat rides.
Every kind of restaurant
from sizzling steak and gourmet Creole to Cajun gumbo, red beans and rice, hot
chickory coffee and beignets, and crawfish etoufee; shrimp po boys and
mufaletta to hand thrown pizza.
You'll be entertained by
street musicians playing funky blues, old rock, modern jazz, country, or
classical. You'll see people
carrying red go cups and hear others calling, “who dat” and “where y’at?” And
the streets are full of people from every walk of life.It was a few years ago,
while David and I were visiting the city and I was sitting on our hotel
balcony, or gallery as they are called there, that the idea for Rue Toulouse
came to me.
There’s a saying, “only in New Orleans.” And this is so
true. As I sat on my balcony overlooking Toulouse Street, I could see a
musician setting up on the corner. Soon the clear sounds of his saxophone
filled the night. The smell of spicy gumbo from the restaurant across from me
wafted through the air. The clip clop from a horse drawn carriage passed
beneath me, its driver thrilling his passengers with tales of the ghosts that
haunt the city. A man painted all in silver strolled along juggling oranges
while a bicycle cab pedaled by. A group of laughing tourists carrying red go
cups went into a bar, and the long low whistle of a boat on the
Mississippi could be heard in the distance.
As I sat there, taking
it all in, I thought what a wonderful city to set a story in. From its diverse
people to its incredible food. I sipped my glass of wine and nibbled
Voodoo chips and the characters in Rue Toulouse began to take form in my mind.
In one scene, I have Remi look down on Rue Toulouse from the gallery of his
apartment and he thinks he sees Caterine driving by. Hopefully I’ve brought a
little of this wonderful city to life for you while you read about Caterine and
Remi as they learn to love and trust one another -- down in the heart of the
Big Easy.
Both my books, The Silver
Crescent, a paranormal romance, and Rue Toulouse are available on
Amazon, B&B and Kobo.
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