Oak, Cypress, Spanish Moss and Pamela S. Thibodeaux-So Much in Louisiana

To some folks, Louisiana is still considered a backwoods state with dirt roads, pirogues and alligators swimming in the yard. And, when most people think of Louisiana, they think New Orleans and assume every city is like the Crescent City.

So not true!

Sure oak and cypress trees draped in Spanish moss shroud the bayous in an air of mystery, but the roads are plenty and paved. Alligators are not used as ‘Louisiana Guard Dogs’ either.

True, we spell things funny like Go “Geaux” Tigers and many are proud members of the ‘Who Dat’ nation, but, all in all, we’re just like everyone else who exhibit hospitality and pride in our sports teams.

We are a people who, when forced from our homes in Nova Scotia, survived by learning to live off the land and eat what we could trap, kill, catch or grow. Crawfish (aka: crayfish) and crabs are delicacies and best eaten when boiled in spices along with corn and potatoes.

We are also one of the few (if not the only) state that has ‘parishes’ in lieu of ‘counties.’

It is in this area rich in History and culture, that I was born. I’m from SW Louisiana, the town of Iowa, just 43 miles east of the TX border. My family history goes way back into the earliest settlers of Calcasieu Parish – which is one of the 3^rd largest in the state. I grew up on boiled seafood, fried fish, gumbo and rice and gravy. In fact, if you go to some of the mom & pop diners in Louisiana, you can find treats such as a Cajun Delite or Gummy burger which is served on sweet, jalapeno bread one with Crawfish Etoufe’ on top  of the hamburger patty.

Festivals are a big part of our culture, from Mardi Gras to Contraband Days. Iowa is also home of the Rabbit Festival. 

No matter where you go or what you do, you’re bound to have a blast in Louisiana.

My book The Visionary is set in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on a piece of property that once belonged in my family. The History surrounding this property goes all the way back to Jean LaFitte, the gentleman pirate who was a friend of Joseph and Laonise LeBleu, my great-great grandparents. Known as ‘Grandma Jo,’ Laonise was quite a character as Taylor Forestier, my heroine, discovers while researching the property. A pipe supply company now owns the place where my ancestors made a home, but the history lives on, in my book and others that tell the story of Lake Charles / Calcasieu Parish’s earliest settlers.

And what luck for you! I'm Giving Away: An E copy (Kindle, Nook or other E reader) of The Visionary....Leave a comment and your contact info for your chance! 

So if you ever find yourself in SW Louisiana, or traveling through, stop by Iowa or Lake Charles and see what we have to offer. Have lunch at one of our seafood diners and take a walk along the beach or seawall. I promise you’ll enjoy yourself. Discover more by visiting our Tourist Bureau’s website: http://www.visitlakecharles.org/

Author bio: Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

Links:

Website address: http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com  

Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com

Face Book: http://facebook.com/pamelasthibodeaux

Twitter: http://twitter.com/psthib @psthib

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pamelasthibodea/

Purchase Links:

Amazon Hardcover http://amzn.to/n8as1b 

Paperback: http://amzn.to/1uROE2o

Kindle http://amzn.to/1s23QYv

Print @Create Space: http://bit.ly/1lNvyWD  

B&N Print: http://bit.ly/1oGbV6S

Nook http://bit.ly/1Qjo3AJ

Smashwords http://bit.ly/167J9So

Deeper Shopping http://bit.ly/19lw1Kc  

(info provided by author)