CHERIE CLAIRE

Didn't get invited to a wedding this summer? No worries. Here are a few Southern places to get your wedding cake fix. Snowballs in New Orleans No, it doesn’t snow in New Orleans but shaved ice here means something fine and delicious. And snowballs aren’t just ice and flavored sugar, although it’s fine if that’s all you want. Snowballs in New Orleans also come stuffed with decadent things like ice cream and condensed milk or topped with fruit, marshmallows or whipped cream. Ou

This oversized pickup truck drew up dangerously close behind. I knew he was there right away for the rear-view mirror in my tiny Saturn disappeared and all I could make out was this enormous Dodge grill. The anger seeped up my neck and I could feel my face turning red. Tailgating seems to be the norm in Louisiana and when these massive trucks ride my butt it really dills my pickle. I uttered a few unpleasantries and slowed down to give him grief. Within seconds I heard his en

When I first started working as a journalist, one of my assignments was to write ghost stories of New Orleans for the weekly newspaper Gambit. I thoroughly enjoy it and ended up writing additional ghost stories every fall. Then I was on to The Advocate daily newspaper of Baton Rouge and the ghost tales became ones of Louisiana, including odd myths, superstitions and Cajun folk tales. You're probably guessing where this is heading —yes, I incorporated much of that into my Viol

I'll be joining several authors to speak on self-publishing at the Jefferson Parish Library Self-Publishing Seminar beginning at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 25, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon in Metairie, Louisiana. This event is free and open to the public. Here's the schedule. Hope you can make it. 9:30 a.m. Webinar The Self-Publishing Seminar opens with a 60–minute webinar that explain three tools for authors who want to publish their own books. All are

This short story was originally published in The Times of Acadiana, Lafayette, Louisiana. You can read more about Blue Moon Bayou in the second book of my Viola Valentine series, "Ghost Town." Legend has it that in LaSalle, Louisiana, the first person you see upon the rising of a Blue Moon will be the one you will love forever. Old Eraste Simoneaux married Marie Landry following his rendezvous with Eros, moon dust still fresh on their eyelashes. Sheriff Tate always had eyes f

I love a good mystery so when one landed in my lap — a genealogy mystery at that — I was up for the task. Add a cocktail to the mix and you’re talking good times. It all started with my grandmother’s family, who took in a young woman when she lost her parents in the late 19th century. Leontine McCarty’s father served in some capacity in the Civil War for he left behind letters he wrote to his wife, Mary Howard, a native of Baltimore. On what side Joseph McCarty served is anyo

In addition to writing novels, I work as a food and travel writer. Tough life, I know. And like most writers, I have specific interests. So, as I travel and eat my way throughout the South — my particular region of expertise — I look for great ghost stories and odd and unusual places, people and things. Then, I blog about them. If you're interested...here are my blogs: Weird, Wacky and Wild South. The South is one of the craziest places on earth. We eat well, pass a good time

We eat well in Louisiana and Thanksgiving is no different. Our tables are full of Cajun and Creole delicacies or the traditional American fare accented with a little spark or two. Here are a few Cajun/Creole dishes we enjoy during the holidays. Fried turkeys Frying a turkey can be difficult and dangerous if not done properly. And trust me, don’t tackle this feat unless you’re confident you know what you’re doing because basically, a turkey is lowered into a vat of hot cooking

This past weekend I was thrilled to be a part of the Louisiana Book Festival, in which I moderated a panel on ebook publishing titled "A New Frontier: Electronic Publishing for the Digital Age” with authors (pictured, from left) Nancy Duplechain, Lori Leger, Julie Smith and Farrah Rochon. These four women are not only writing outstanding books but publishing them as well. It was an honor to be in their company. On a funny note — and proof that we’re all related in Louisiana —

People always tell me I have a nice smile but the fact is I can't stop smiling. Even on my worst days I smile. I don't want to bring anyone else down. I also rescue pets, talk to plants and bring home photos from estate sales so they can once again have a home. I hate rudeness, especially when driving, and pick up litter. And yes, I write books with happy endings. My dad said I was too nice. He was a businessman where being nice in a man's world meant — I'm guessing here — th