The Romance Dish: Bayou Born

It's my pleasure to welcome award-winning author Linda Joyce to The Romance Dish! A military child who traveled the world courtesy of the United States Air Force, Linda soaked up the educational opportunities her lifestyle provided. Her very first manuscript was written while living in Japan. Linda has taken advantage of a variety of experiences during her life, including taking flying lessons, being a hairdresser and learning to grill a steak to perfection in her role as part-owner of a steakhouse. These days, she lives in Atlanta with her husband and dogs, General Beauregard, Gentleman Jack and Masterpiece Renoir (don't you just love those names?) and spends her time writing.

Her book, BAYOU BORN is available in print today. Linda is also hosting a Facebook Launch Party with lots of fun and giveaways, tonight from 8-10pm EDT. Check out the details in the invitation at the end of this post.

Branna Lind's self-esteem rests at the bottom of the Mississippi River. She canceled her "wedding of the decade," though she isn't saying why. She wants life on her own terms: no ready-made job in the family business, no safety net of close-knit kin, and no more betrayal.

College professor James Newbern prizes his bachelorhood. Experience has taught him beautiful women are high-maintenance trouble and Branna fits that type. He is happy to avoid her until the college vice president assigns him to mentor the newest hire—Branna.

Branna is on her way to a new life, but will the scars of the past send her running from love? Even if she stands her ground, can she convince James that she truly is his "type"?

Please give Linda a warm welcome!

Hey there! I’m excited to share some “insider secrets” about Branna and James. Let me know if you are *surprised* by anything that I am about to reveal. I would love to hear from you!

What or who inspired the Fleur de Lis "keeper" position?

Meeting folks through my travels brought into focus for me that “hometown” is about the same anywhere in the USA and exists even where I lived in Japan. Large extended families have a pecking order. There’s always one person, the “linking key” that keeps the family together. I took that concept and formalized it into the “Keeper.”

At Fleur de Lis, the stories of the past and the traditions are entrusted to Branna. She must “keep” them and Fleur de Lis to ensure future generations understand their heritage. It is a big responsibility.

What inspired James Newbern as a university professor?

I met a very engaging man, an alumnus of my alma mater, who told me that he was an anti-statistic. He’d dropped out of high school, taken the GED, so he could enroll sooner in college. I liked the idea of a having a hero who is more than what he seems. James isn’t the stuffy-professor type, and he’s a Cracker at heart.

Some authors put their pets in their stories. Are any of your dogs in Bayou Born?

I am a big lover of dogs. I started to say, “A big dog lover,” but then that would insult my seven-pound Papillion, Masterpiece Renoir. Yes, one of my three dogs is in Bayou Born. General Beauregard. “Beau” is my Brittany spaniel. While he’s a good bird-hunting dog, he only hunts a few days a year. The rest of the time, he’s my pet. Though, secretly, he thinks I’m his pet. He is the largest of my three dogs weighing close to fifty pounds. Also, more than the other two, he loves to cuddle.

If you were a travel agent sending someone to your hometown, what would be the top three sights you'd want them to see?

Ohhh. I have to break this one down into categories and could list many things for each one. Historical spots. Food delights. Music mojo. And, modern marvels.

History: The French Quarter has many hidden gems. I recommend The Cabildo, a museum that highlights the rich culture of Louisiana. There are nationalities beyond the French and Spanish that influenced the development of New Orleans, such as the Germans, the Irish, and African Americans.

http://www.neworleansmuseums.com/directory/location.php?locationID=1252

Food: It’s everywhere. From Po’boys, to beignets, to five-star cuisine. The Praline Connection has my favorite pralines in the city.

http://www.pralineconnection.com/

Music mojo: Preservation Hall is a musical must. However, some of the best sounds come from the sidewalk musicians.

http://preservationhall.com/

Modern marvels: One place: Mardi Gras World.

http://www.mardigrasworld.com/tours/

What conferences will you attend this year?

In May, I’ll be at the RT Convention in Kansas City. While I’m there, I’m having a launch party

for Bayou Born because that’s where the writing began. I have so many wonderful supportive friends there and want to celebrate with them.

Then, you can find me at the Southeastern Writer’s Workshop on beautiful St. Simon’s Island in June. http://southeasternwriters.org/Writers_Workshop.html

And RWA Nationals, because it’s in Atlanta this year, in July.

What is your favorite guilty pleasure?

I LOVE Tremé, an HBO show which will air its fourth and final season this year. http://www.hbo.com/treme/index.html It shows the music, food, history, and the struggles of New Orleans after the storm. I’m sad that it will end. I also love Downton Abbey, The Big Bang Theory and cooking shows.

Do you have a fear of thunderstorms like Branna?

Yes! I went to high school and college in Florida. Florida is the lightning capitol of the US. Frequently in the Florida news, someone’s been struck and killed by lightning and there wasn’t even a storm nearby.

When I worked in Tampa on the 5^th floor of a high rise, I was lucky to have a windowed office. Lightning struck the corner of the building right by me. I had a little toy that made sounds sitting on the windowsill. It literally blew the gizmo apart. Others down the hall heard the sound and came running. Let’s just say I have a healthy fear of lightning.

I have enjoyed my time with you. I sincerely hope you’ll enjoy Bayou Born.

Do you have a fear of thunderstorms? If you have pets, do they head for cover when lightning flashes and thunder rolls in? How do you counter your fear? How do you help your pets overcome their fear? Linda is giving away a Kindle copy of Bayou Born to one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment!