“Unwilling Accomplice” – a Book Review
03 Feb 2011 4 Comments
in books Tags: book review, Desert Breeze Publishing, Melanie Atkins, New Orleans, Pensacola, Unwilling Accomplice
Last night, I finished reading Unwilling Accomplice by Melanie Atkins. This was book five in a series called New Orleans Detectives. I haven’t read any of the other four but I will be doing so now. You can read this one without knowing what happened in the other four. I’m sure some of the other detectives that are in this story as minor characters had their own story in the earlier books but it’s not necessary to have read them in order.
I was attracted to this book because of the cover and the setting. Living here in Pensacola, I love to drive the 2.5 hours to New Orleans. It’s the most European city we have here in the USA and I love it. The cover of this book is perfect- it shows some of the awesome architecture of the city.
Here is the blurb for this book:
Marcy Moretti believes that anyone can be redeemed, until she witnesses a murder at the hands of her ex-husband and is forced to go on the run with her young son in order to survive. The only person who can help her is Joe Riso, her former brother-in-law, a detective staggered by the loss of his wife and daughter. If he’s going to protect both Marcy and her boy, he must first find a way to unfreeze his icy heart — and along the way find his own redemption.
This story starts out fast paced and keeps the momentum going. I found myself, in several places, holding my breath to see what would happen next. I read this on my kindle app on my I-Pod and couldn’t slide the page fast enough on some of the action scenes. This. to me, is the sign of an excellent story. To want to race through to see how it turns out is the best kind of suspense book.
The love scenes were well done as well. I was glad the author explained how Joe could still have a great, hard body when he’d been drinking himself into oblivion for a while. Seems he worked out a lot to ease some of his stress. I liked the hero and the heroine in this story a lot. I don’t usually like a book with a kid in it but I enjoyed this one.
I recommend this book. It can be ordered at the publisher http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-143/Melanie-Atkins-New-Orleans/Detail.bok or Amazon among other places.
Tre-Fratelli
21 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in random thoughts Tags: Christmas, Italian, Pensacola, Tre-Fratelli
Tre-Fratelli (Three Brothers) is a cozy little local Italian place here in Pensacola. We love it. Excellent food and ambiance. The wait staff is exceptional as well. I took my staff to lunch there today for Christmas. We also went there for a birthday lunch in the summer. We’ve been at Christmas before and I’m sure we’ll go again. The only thing that I could find wrong today was they didn’t have the fireplace going. Of course, it was in over 60 degrees but I love the extra mood that the fire offers.
A great meal. I highly recommend this place. It’s in the historical district and is just a great place to eat, either inside, on the porch or at one of the sidewalk tables. We ordered a variety of things: stuffed pizza, cheese bread, alfredo pasta, calzone, Meatball marinara and some prosciutto wrapped mozzarella. Everyone had a great lunch!
Rocking Chair Picture
23 Jul 2010 2 Comments
in random thoughts Tags: haunted, Lighthouse, Pensacola
Was discussing the haunted lighthouse last night with friends and I told them about this shot I got in one of the rooms upstairs. At one point while we were in the room, a live woman was standing right by the chair, rocking it and and acting like she was going to sit down. She didn’t- she was asked not to sit down by the guide. The guide told us that the chair was brought in from somewhere else and that it sometimes rocks on its own. I took a picture of it as we left the room. My friend had felt a cold spot near that area of the room- she was over to the far left of the chair (out of the shot).
I don’t recall this mark on the wall – wonder what it is. I also don’t recall anyone standing where the big white spot is. Not saying there wasn’t a person there, just don’t remember it and it could be a white tee shirt. Right?
It was also pitch dark in the room- I had no flash on- don’t know about the redness of the shot either. None of my other pictures have any red in them at all. What do you think?
Sea Cucumbers
18 Jul 2010 1 Comment
in random thoughts Tags: Australia, GUlf Coast, Pensacola, random thoughts, sea cucumbers
My sister recently returned from Australia. She spent one night at the aquarium- in Sydney, I believe. She shared her pictures with me and she had some great ones. One in particular brought back a funny memory of my senior year in high school. One of the advantages of living on the Gulf Coast is the great classes our schools are able to offer. I took oceanography as a senior. Part of our class assignment was to catch some salt water sea life and maintain a salt water tank. We went seining in Pensacola Bay and caught shrimp and other sea life in our nets. Each tank had a team of four lab partners. My team consisted of me and three dumb boys. We had the only tank in our class with a sea cucumber in it. It was quite a fat little dude. The boys, in an effort to embarrass me, named the thing “Dick.” They would laugh and poke each other, trying to get me to react to the name, “Dick.” In revenge, I started calling it “Richard.” Even then, the boys couldn’t best me!
Here are some Aussie “Richards”:
Halloween Story
17 Jul 2010 2 Comments
in stories Tags: Lighthouse, Pensacola, Whortleberry Press
Submitted a Halloween Story called The True Believers this week to here: http://whortleberrypress.com/ Just got the email that it’s in. Accepted. It was inspired by one of my favorite places, the Pensacola Lighthouse. I recommend a visit if you get the chance. Climb to the top and look out at the Gulf of Mexico. Awesome. I haven’t been to the top lately- they don’t go all the way up on the haunted tours- need to get back out there and do it.
across the access road from the lighthouse
Lighthouse again
15 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment
in stories Tags: Anthology, Cynthia Eden, Halloween, Lighthouse, Oak Alley, Pensacola
Had a plan for a story for a Halloween anthology- had the first ten or so lines rattling around in my head for a few days. It was going to take place in New Orleans- or near New Orleans, I should say. At Oak Alley. But, little did I know, the trip to Pensacola Lighthouse with Cynthia Eden on the 4th of July weekend for a ghost hunt was still lurking in the old noggin.
Started the story and lo and behold, these characters were NOT at Oak Alley, they were at the lighthouse. Rascals. Didn’t let me in on that one til the writing process was underway. I always say I like to be surprised by my characters and they got me this time.
looking up the spiral staircase
Pensacola Lighthouse
02 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Cynthia Eden, ghosts, lighhouse, Pensacola
Heading out in a few minutes to the Pensacola Lighthouse for a ghost tour with the Ghost Seekers of Texas. This is my second time to do this. First time, son’s leg got really cold and I took a picture and got a great shot of a white blur across his pant leg. AND upstairs, he and I both heard a moan/groan at the same time. We were the last ones in the hall and it was a clear sound. There was no wind so it wasn’t that.
Tonight I’m going with paranormal writer and friend Cynthia Eden. Should be a blast. If I catch any good shots, I’ll edit this post with them.
EDITED TO ADD: Had a great time except for one chick that was so susceptible to the ‘power of suggestion’ that she heard and saw everything that was possible. We smelled tobacco a couple of times and got some EMF readings but not much else - Didn’t get any real good shots this time. But here is the lighthouse and us girls.
Love the sky here
Long legs vs. Short legs
17 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: mcguires, Pensacola
The spouse and two kids are all long legged, tall people. I am not. I am short with stubby legs. When they all walk down the street, I’m practically running to keep up- at the least, I’m race-walking. They stop at the corner to wait for me. I catch up, panting for breath and before I can rest a second, off they go again. I am constantly playing catch up. I know they are annoyed but so am I.
Join me this Sunday here as my alter ego blogs about Pensacola: http://petitfoursandhottamales.com/ This is a great blog to follow. Lots of cool info. They have a Sunday travel feature that’s awesome. Check out the archives section.
Five Sisters Blues Cafe
04 Jun 2010 4 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: Belmont, cocktail, country cooking, Devilliers, Five Sisters Blues Cafe, Gambinos, Pensacola
The Five Sisters Blues Cafe is a new restaurant in Pensacola located at Belmont and Devilliers. It is a cute place reminiscent of New Orleans restaurants. It has brick walls and columns and echoes like crazy in there. They also have an outdoor dining area with ceiling fans. I went today with my friend, John, and the place was hopping. Saw loads of other people I know.
Good country food- excellent fried chicken. Had to pass on the banana pudding as I had no room but I bet it was awesome.
They have po boys made with Gambinos bread as well as the good old fashioned country cooking. The name is a tribute from the owner to his mother and her four sisters. I highly recommend the place. I know I’ll be back; over and over since it is a short walk from my office. Go early as the parking is limited. By the way, you can also enjoy a cocktail while you are there, if you are so inclined.
Check out the menu: http://fivesistersbluescafe.com/menu/
MAY 1
01 May 2010 1 Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: All Saint's Day, Beltane, bonfires, Crawfish festival, Easter, GUlf Coast, Gulf oil spill, Labor day, Lei Day, May Day, May pole, Mudbugs, Pensacola, Samhain
Today is May Day, a grand tradition in many countries. Celebrations abound for spring- May 1 is another of the pagan holiday periods that were “Christianized”- the Christian church replaced various pagan rites with their own holidays- The spring rites were turned to Easter celebrations just as the fall rites were changed to All Saints Day and Christmas. The fall Irish holiday of Samhain was six months after the Irish holiday of Beltane. So, November 1 and May 1 were very big deals back then.
Beltane was the beginning of the summer season of growth and the herds of livestock were let loose into the fields to graze. There were huge bonfires to celebrate the end of winter. Samhain was the opposite- it was the celebration of the end of growing season and the last hurrah before winter set in. Bonfires were lit then as well.
I like to imagine all the fun and friendship around those various bonfires. I also imagine the liquor and other intoxicants flowed freely and many children were conceived around those fires- perhaps there’s a story there festering in my head.
May day now is much tamer. Some tradtions are to bring flowers (posies)and hang them on a door as a gift, a Maypole dance with ribbons, a queen of the May, parades and various other tamer exercises. It seems almost every culture has some celebration of spring. Some even have this day as their “labor day”- Asia, Europe, and the Americas, including Hawaii, where May 1 is Lei day, all have wonderful traditions for this time of year.
In Pensacola, it is usually Crawfish Festival time. I hope this tradition will continue. It seems a little scary now for our sea food diet (and I’m not talking mud bugs right now) what with the oil spill in the Gulf here. What a great loss to this area- our eco system in turmoil. I am greatly saddened. AND it is sure an ugly day here, too- windy, overcast and dark- no May Day flowers brightening a sunny day. Adieu.
