Pages

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

For Love of Louisiana - Sandra Hill


I love Louisiana...with a passion equal only to the passion in my books. No wonder it is the setting for so many of my books, including the current WILD JINX.

I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, lived and worked as ajournalist in New Jersey, but, I swear, I must have lived inLouisiana in a prior life. My genetic memory of the place isthat strong.

It all started when I accompanied my husband on a businesstrip to New Orleans. Being the off-season, there were fewtourists late one afternoon as I strolled through the FrenchQuarter. This was pre-Katrina. Suddenly, I saw this stately oldhome with a brass plague in front announcing it had once been thehome of Gen. Butler and in more recent years the author GraceLivingstone Hill. I got chills. Not only were my ancestorsnamed Butler, but I was a writer.

So, I knocked on the door.

A lady in full Civil War era dress answered and invited me in. I thought she would ask me to sit down and wait until enoughothers showed up for a tour group. But, no, she just led methough the house, as if she were the owner and I an invitedguest. Eerie! Really, I felt as if I had stepped back in time.

I returned to Louisiana a number of times after that andcame to love not just New Orleans but the bayous with theircolorful Cajun culture. Thus were born my two historical timetravels, FRANKLY, MY DEAR and SWEETER SAVAGE LOVE, along with thecontemporary novels, THE LOVE POTION, TALL, DARK, AND CAJUN, THECAJUN COWBOY, THE RED-HOT CAJUN and WILD JINX. My Cajun LeDeuxfamily also plays a secondary role in PINK JINX and PEARL JINX.

In many ways, the lush bayou setting and the Cajun culture are characters in my books. What's not to love about thetropical temperatures, the colorful flowers and animals, the goodfoods, the lively music, and, of course, those dark-eyed Cajunmen?

So, come on in, chere. Sit yourself down. Have a cup ofjuju tea and a beignet. Here's a book to read. WILD JINX! Hope you like that crazy Tante Lulu and her great-nephew Tee-JohnLeDeux. Laughter guar-an-teed!

8 comments:

Jane said...

I haven't read any of Sandra's Cajun books, but I will look out for them especially "Wild Jinx." I did read "Pearl Jinx" where the hero was an ex-Amish Navy SEAL, which I enjoyed very much.

Estella said...

I love Sandra's Cajun books.

Pat Cochran said...

Shame on me! I've never read any
of Ms. Hill's books. I can assure
you all that I am adding her name
to my to-be-purchased list! I have
a trip to the bookstore scheduled for the weekend. The timing is perfect!

Pat Cochran

Wolfy said...

I have never read any of Sandra's books either, but I will be looking into them. They look like they would be an excellent read.

Dina said...

I'm with the others and have not found Sandra until today.

But I like the looks of this book and will remember her name.

Gigi said...

I read Pink Jinx and that Tante Lulu is a real character that I would love to have on my side.

I have also read some of Sandra's viking books. Funny!

I read the excerpt of Sandra's site about Wild Jinx. Just what I expected. Funny, crazy a bit on the wild side.

Karen H said...

I've read your 2 historical time-travel books and loved them.

I've only been to New Orleans once and that was many, many years ago when I was a teenager. Really should go back some day. But, I feel about Natchez, MS as you do about New Orleans. Each year about this time of year, the Garden & Historical Clubs hold a Pilgrimage of the over 35 Antebellum homes open for visitation. Absolutely amazing and a 'must see' for any fan of Civil War & pre-civil war history.

Maureen said...

Congratulations on the new book. I've never been to New Orleans but would love to visit it some day.