For those who live outside Louisiana, and the day before Ash Wednesday is just another Tuesday, here's a 10-point primer on everything Mardi Gras and the Carnival Season. 1. Mardi Gras is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, a day to live it up before you give it up. This year (2026), Mardi Gras is Tuesday, Feb. 17 . The bulk of parades and other festivities occur the two weeks prior with most happening on the weekend prior. A Lafayette, Louisiana, Carnival ball. 2. Carnival i

There’s a scene in book two of my Viola Valentine mystery series where my main character, Vi, sits on the seawall overlooking Lake...

Something about the holidays make me hungry for my home town of New Orleans. And yes, you can take that literally. Along with the lights,...

In addition to writing novels, I pen a weekly book column for two Louisiana newspapers plus a corresponding blog. It’s called Louisiana...

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...

Happy National Pralines Day. Not sure who came up with this national holiday but it's a sweet one. Here's a recipe for Dark Sugar...

DeSoto magazine spotlighted my new book, "A Ghost of a Chance," book one in the Viola Valentine paranormal mystery series. I write travel...

A short story about the love of Mardi Gras parade watching in New Orleans.

“Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country.” -The Marquis de Lafayette The fourth book in my Cajun Series, Delphine, follows...

Many people have asked me where exactly in Louisiana does the Cajun Series take place. Since the family saga begins in 1765, many of the...

From Delphine, Book Four in The Cajun Series 1. Never lose control. 2. Always be prepared. Never go anywhere unarmed. 3. Always sleep...