Elizabeth’s Bedroom
There’s a line like “Her room is an explosion of color and paintings and New Orleans-themed artifacts and motifs – fleur-de-lis and French Quarter street signs, blue dogs, Mardi Gras masks and voodoo dolls, the water meter cover and St. Louis Cathedral”.
New Orleans has its own art and symbolism and expression. There’s a rich history and culture, attitude and life that’s hard to find anywhere else in the country. It’s a city for love and beauty and art that represents its ...
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Cool Things in the Book
- Locations
- Miscellaneous
- Sir: The Awakening
Bonnet Carre Spillway and Park
The Bonnet Carre Spillway opened and flooding Lake Ponchatrain with I-10 in the background.
Personally, I think the Bonnet Carre Spillway (pronounced Bun-nay Care-ee) is fascinating. It’s a release valve for the Mississippi River that is opened (usually in the summer) when there’s the likelihood that the Mississippi will overflow and flood the region. There’s basically a mile and half long concrete weir (kind of like a dam) and when it’s opened, millions of tons of water rush ...
Marshall T.J. Langlois
Pronounced Lan-(g)waah
At least in my dad's small south Louisiana town, a Marshall is an elected political position, similar to a police chief or sheriff, in towns that aren’t big enough to have a police force but still need more than the parish sheriff.
I based Marshall T.J. Langlois off of Marshall Russell in my dad’s hometown. He is friends with everyone and, like Marshall Langlois, he's a big dude, but that's about where the similarities end. He’s got a deep rolling southern ...
Wine and chocolate
I wanted a sensual experience for Tori.
This is a slow awakening (hah!) of her senses and her appetites. You don’t just throw someone in the deep water to swim, and you don’t start with whips and chains the first time someone calls you Master.
The Chocolate
I did a little research (not a lot) about pairing chocolate with wine. As I grew into adulthood, I became a dark chocolate lover. Milk chocolate is great, of course, but there’s something special about the bitter-sweet depths ...
Why did Tori refuse to take Nate’s money?
“That’ll be $1.93.”
He digs in his wallet and slaps three bills on the counter.
Three one hundred dollar bills.
What the fuck?
He’s got this smug look on his face like he’s so damned smart, and he confirms my worst suspicion when he gives me a shit-eating grin and says, “Keep the change.”
Oh. Hell. No.
I calmly take his money, walk over to the cash register, and count out the change for three hundred dollars minus a dollar ninety-three. And then slap it all back ...
Film Terms
As fictional as this book is, I do want to keep some things true to life. There’s only so much disbelief a reader is expected to put on hold. Frankly, I want to use that quota in other ways, not when discussing something simple like incorrect film jargon in a pre-production meeting.
Line Producer – the dude or lady who is in charge of a film’s budget. They’re basically the film’s lead accountant and they make sure all the bills are paid.
Production Designer – these men and ...
Antoine’s
I’ve never actually been to Antoine's, but from what I've heard from the people I know, it’s a really nice restaurant. I love the history of it and the menu and the floor plan, and next time I’m back home in Louisiana, I plan on visiting.
The main dining room
But, since I’m writing this book from the other L.A., I can only visit it virtually and on the written page.
[And, just to make clear, there is no disrespect intended for this prized New Orleans treasure. I ...
Port of Call
I wrote a chapter-shaped love poem about Port of Call (Sir Chapter 13) in New Orleans. I've been to a lot of restaurants in New Orleans, most of them simply outstanding, but push-comes-to-shove, Port of Call is at the top of my favorites list.
First, it’s a damned good hamburger. And this is coming from someone who doesn’t really like hamburgers.
Second, baked potatoes piled obscenely high with cheese, butter, and sour cream. Need I say more?
Third <drumroll ...
Tori’s Cherry Pie
I am not a bigger baker, but my lovely friend Tira was kind enough to give me her fantastic cherry pie recipe!
The measurements for the filling are not in absolutes, more of "Do what tastes best to you".
(That's how I cook, too.)
Her crust recipe has been handed down in her family for generations. Isn't that fantastic?
Pie Crust
One cup of flour to one stick 1/4lb unsalted butter, softened but not super soft.
Pinch of salt
Ice water
Directions:
Combine the butter, salt, ...
Nate’s Tesla
The Tesla
I don’t know why, but I think Teslas and Elon Musk are cool.
In books, especially these kinds of books, it seems like everyone has these super-exotic awesome cars. And it’s a fantasy, so it makes sense.
I don’t know why, but in my head – and as I’m the one writing it, it’s the only head that matters at this point – Nate, for all that he’s filthy rich and likes nice things, has a strong practical streak in him. He knows what it’s like to be broke af. He knows ...
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