Hi! I have a surprise today. I hope you’ll cheer me on! It’s a tad scary standing on this blog stage not knowingly exactly who is joining the party with me. So, speak up. Share your voices. Let me hear from you. And, keep checking back for the “giveaways” that will start soon after Mardi Gras.
It’s 10 Days to Mardi Gras. Are you crossing the days off on the calendar, like me?
Do you have a party planned? If not, want some ideas? Ask, and I’ll be happy to be your Mardi Gras consultant. Carnival and particularly, Fat Tuesday, is for many folks along the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coast THE holiday of the year. This year, I am excited to combine my Mardi Gras celebration with the launching of my debut novel, Bayou Born.
Now for the tagline:
They closed the door on betrayal and broken vows, can they unlock their hearts to love?
Here’s a hint of the story:
Branna Lind’s self-esteem rests at the bottom of the Mississippi River. She canceled her “wedding of the decade,” though she isn’t saying why. She wants life on her own terms, no ready-made job in the family business, no safety net of close-knit kin, and no more betrayal.
College professor James Newbern prizes his bachelorhood. Experience has taught him beautiful women are high-maintenance trouble and Branna fits that type. He is happy to avoid her until the college vice president assigns him to mentor the newest hire–Branna.
Branna is on her way to a new life, but will the scars of the past send her running from love? If she doesn’t, will she convince James that she truly is his “type”?
*Drum Roll Please* Let’s throw in a little of Tab Benoit wailing on a guitar, or a Second Line Band! Here’s the official reveal of the cover:
My debut novel will be released through The Wild Rose Press, awarded Best Publisher of the Year for the fifth year in a row by the Preditors and Editors poll. Bayou Born is in the Champagne Rose category, which means that it’s a contemporary story and will be available in both eBook and print.
In honor of Mardi Gras and Branna Lind’s story, I’m sharing a recipe for the official drink of New Orleans. The Sazerac Cocktail.
The history of the apothecary concoction is explained at http://www.sazerac.com/cocktail.aspx
Here’s how you make it:
1 cube sugar
1½ ounces (35ml) Rye Whiskey or Bourbon
¼ ounce Herbsaint
3 dashes Bitters
Lemon peel
Start with 2 Old-Fashioned glasses.
Fill one glass with ice.
In a second glass, place the sugar cube, add the Bitters to it, then crush together.
Add the Rye Whiskey or Bourbon to the second glass containing the Bitters and now liquefied sugar.
Empty the ice from the first glass and coat the glass with the Herbsaint, discarding the remaining Herbsaint
Empty the whiskey/bitters/sugar from the second glass into the first glass.
Garnish with lemon peel
I hope you’ll lift a glass with your favorite beverage with me today and toast the coming of Fat Tuesday and the arrival of Bayou Born.
Please check my website for updates about the release and book signings. And, yes, those of you with eReaders, I’ll have a way to autograph those books as well.
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
http://www.linda-joyce.com
Yeah!! Congratulations 🙂
Miss Diva,
Thank you ! Thank you.
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
Great cover, Linda! I’m gifting my lass – er – lifting my glass!
J.A.
Thanks! And I’ll be lifting mine lots today! 🙂 Thank you for celebrating with me!
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
Congratulations!! You must be excited 😀 I’m excited for you!
Thank you Kellie!
And, *smiles* I am touched to have your quote, which means, you are noted in my book. 🙂
Thank you!
Linda Joyce
Congratulations!
Danita,
Thank you so much! I appreciate the note.
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
Beautiful cover, Linda!
Pamela,
Thank you for the note. 🙂 I can hardly believe it that it’s here.
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
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J.A.
Thank you! So appreciated!
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
Thank you for your kind words!
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
Linda, I’m extremely proud of your accomplishments. You are a multi-talented lady! Thanks for the “Bayou Born” blurb, and I love the cover.
Miss Jackie,
Thank you so much for stopping by and letting me know. I so value your support. (I hope you’re feeling better!)
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
I love the cover! Best of luck!
Madison,
Thank you so much!
And, I’m looking forward to reading you blog- I’m hoping for news of your trip.
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
My trip was so outside my realm of ordinary experience, I have not been able to capture it entirely in words. But I’ve made 3 posts in attempt, lol.
Madison,
I will check them out – very interested in your experience. 🙂
Smiled,
LJ
Congratulations! Pretty cover.
Gina,
Thank you! I appreciate your kind words.
Smiles,
LJ
Congratulations, well-deserved! That is a gorgeous cover and I cannot wait to read it! Wishing you much success.
Renee,
Thanks for sharing my special moment with me.
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
Gorgeous cover! I can’t wait to read the finished project. I read bits in its infancy and loved it! Congrats!!
Claire,
Thanks for your support and continued encouragement!
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
It’s beautiful! Can’t wait to read it! Congratulations and Wishes for Big Success!
Pamela,
I appreciate your encouraging support. Thank you for connecting with me. 🙂
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
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Pamela,
A BIG Thank You for sharing my news. It’s very exciting for me.
Warmest Regards,
LJ
Congratulations, Linda! So excited for you and to buy my copy!!
Cheers!
Amy,
Thank you! I so appreciate the support!
And can’t wait to see you and the Curtis family in May!
Hugs,
Linda Joyce
I love the cover and the recipe! I can’t wait to read the final version. I fell in love with the story when I saw the draft a while ago and am thrilled it is being published!!!!! Congrats to a fabulous writer!
Thirsty Jane,
Thanks so much for your heartfelt praise. 🙂
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
What an awesome combo! Carnival, sazeracs and a hot author (married to me!) introducing her debut novel. I have truly died and gone to PD heaven!!! Congratulations! 😉
Don,
Lol- not everyone will know that PD is Pig Dog Heaven… Nor the relevance to us…lol- thanks for your support & love you!
Hugs!
LJ
Congratulations Linda. I’m so happy for you and looking forward to reading Bayou Born.
Connie,
Thank you for your support! I hope ypu’ll enjoy it.
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
Congratulations Linda! Can’t wait to read it!
Best,
Doug Burton
Doug,
That is so kind of you!
Hugs!
Linda Joyce
Congrats on your book release! 🙂
Miss R,
Thanks! I’m very excited about it. 🙂
Warmest Regards,
Linda Joyce
Can I join the party, even if I’m only drinking sweet tea? lol
Lovely cover, Linda. Congrats on your new release! 🙂
Cheryl,
Sweet tea is always welcome! Thanks for stopping by.
Smiles,
LJ
So thrilled your book is being published. I love the story! Congratulations!!!!
Miss Linda,
I appreciate your support. I’m very excited and am working on the next book in the Fleur de Lis series.
Smiles,
Hi Linda,
Congrats on your debate release. So exciting! This sounds like my kind of read and I’m liking the cover.
Debra,
Thank you!
Smiles,
Linda Joyce