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As real as fiction: Revisiting Chattanooga like a character

Writer's picture: Cherie ClaireCherie Claire

In book five of my Viola Valentine series, "Give Up the Ghost," Viola strolls through the Tennessee mountain city.


I'm a huge fan of Chattanooga, so it was natural to place my main character, Viola Valentine, among its city streets in book five of my paranormal mystery series. Vi had moved from Louisiana to a houseboat on the Tennessee River east of the city in "Give Up the Ghost."

Vi sets out one morning for Chattanooga to meet her brother, Sebastian, with a stop at the Hunter Museum of American Art. It's here that I introduce an artist that has a profound effect on Viola (the artist is fictional) and then later, a visit by a ghost (the ghost is fictional as well so please don't ask the museum docents if the museum is haunted).

Hunter Museum of American Art
Hunter Museum of American Art

Here's Vi talking in Chapter 6:


I arrive at the Hunter Museum of American Art and there are three buildings to choose from, an early twentieth century mansion with fancy Greek columns, a seventies structure and a sleek modern building of steel and glass, all of which overlook the Tennessee River atop a dramatic bluff. It’s all gorgeous and inviting and I long to absorb the museum’s collections and exhibits.


Last week I had a chance to visit Chattanooga and returned to the Hunter Museum to enjoy their new exhibits and some old standards. I got to play like Viola and sit on one of the museum's gorgeous handmade benches and enjoy the art.


And like Vi who enjoys a coffee at an outdoor cafe with Sebastian — It’s a bit chilly at the outdoor café but I’m not missing out on Chattanooga’s gorgeous view of the river and the late winter sun warming my face. My eyes are closed as I lean back and enjoy the moment. — I savored a latte and breakfast bagel from Rembrandt's Coffee Shop in the city's Arts District located on a bluff over the water. It's a fabulous cafe that serves up freshly made delicacies, including a Carnival King Cake which made my New Orleans heart soar.


We walked off all those sweets by crossing the Tennessee River on the city's pedestrian bridge.


Despite the overcast day, my trip to Chattanooga and a revisit to my character's wandering was a real treat.


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Sir Prince Taycoe
Sir Prince Taycoe
05 feb

So cool. 😁❤️

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