Today’s post may seem an odd one, but for me, it isn’t. See, recently, Mardi Gras was celebrated, which is a major event in Louisiana. And since 2020—when the entire world broke—it hasn’t been the same. Sure, it’s on its way to recovery, but it’s taking a while to get there. I should say, though, that this isn’t something that many people who have been around and are familiar with carnival are overly concerned with because, as mentioned, Mardi Gras is a big deal. It has tons of moving parts. Restructuring events this large is complicated. For those who think I’m minimizing the disruption, reflect on what happened in the years following Hurricane Katrina. It wasn’t that much different than what is presently occurring.
I began by saying Mardi Gras is a popular celebration in Louisiana. This is true. However, it is an event celebrated across the globe. New Orleans is likely the place where it is the most famously celebrated or is given the most attention. But NOLA wasn’t where Mardi Gras was created or even first celebrated. It’s just that when NOLA does something it does it big. Like, there is nothing really “over-the-top” about the place. Nevertheless, this post isn’t about Mardi Gras. Carnival was just the reason this topic registered with me.
This year, several parades were canceled—not due to weather but due to continued money issues that a lot can be attributed to the start of the icky Rona situation. In 2020, Fat Tuesday was on February 25, barely beating the U.S. shutdown/shelter-at-home. In 2021, it’s fair to say, that the Mardi Gras public celebration in NOLA was all but canceled. In 2022, it returned, but many parades/krewes didn’t return due to financial issues and parade route conflicts. This has continued to be the case as people get back on their feet.
So, as some friends and I were discussing the “good ol’ days” of carnival, we began to realize that there are plenty of things that we’ve taken for granted about Mardi Gras. Taking something for granted means failing to appreciate the value of something due to overfamiliarity. It also means failing to make assumptions without asking questions. Well, while we were having this profound discussion (and yes, distilled spirits were involved), the song House of the Rising Sun (or as I’ll refer to it from henceforth, HOTRS) began playing. And for the first time, I took note of the lyrics—perhaps because the first line begins: “There is a house in New Orleans.” As many times as I’ve heard this song, I never once questioned anything about it. I looked at my companions and asked where this place was located. No one knew, and that sent me spiraling down a wormhole of intoxication and loose association. Not only was I curious about the where, but I also wanted to know the what and why. So, I did some digging, and the results were intriguing…at least, to me.
Before I began dumpster diving into the where, what, and why, I was smacked with who. This became significant later when trying to answer what.
Like Mardi Gras being closely associated with NOLA despite it not originating from there, HOTRS is mostly associated with being performed by the British rock band, The Animals. Their version was released in 1964. However, HOTRS is a folk song that is believed to have been written in the early twentieth century and has been performed/recorded by a host of other artists. This list includes (in alphabetical but not recording order) the following: The Animals, Clarence “Tom” Ashley, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Five Finger Death Punch, Gwen Foster, Frigid Pink, Geordie, Andy Griffith, Woody Guthrie, Johnny Halliday, Lead Belly, Los Speakers, Miriam Makeba, Johnny Miller, Sinead O’Connor, Odette, Dolly Parton, Pete Seeger, Nina Simone, Thin Lizzy, Dave Von Ronk (Mayor of McDougall Street), and Glen Yarborough. This list may not be exhaustive.
Reportedly, The Animal’s version of the song was based on Bob Dylan’s version, and Dylan based his version on Dave Van Ronk’s version. However, Ronk wasn’t the original artist. The original artist is alleged to have been a woman, and the original lyrics reportedly are “poor girl” and not “poor boy.” It is believed the lyrics were changed when the gender of the singer switched from male to female. This is significant because the switch in gender perception changes the interpretation of the song. I’ll swing back around to this later.
Where?
Most of the information that I’ve read says that the HOTRS is based on a real location in NOLA. To be fair, I did find a couple of sources that said it was fictitious and a few others that concluded it was real but located in other places than NOLA. As to what type of establishment it was, three common answers kept recurring: Read the rest of this entry »
Hello, Delilah, and thank you for inviting me here today! Another month…another anthology! I have to admit, this one had me stumped. I was terrible at real-life dating. I couldn’t fathom fake dating. Of course, I knew I was going to write a gay romance for this anthology, but that was as far as I got. I did what I do a lot these days – I turned to my good author friend who is also a plot whisperer. I whispered gay romance, fake dating, and 15k into her ear. And, like magic, she came up with something. Now, we worked on this plot together, but I think it’s something a little special.
We started with Horatio – the buttoned-up executive who is extremely successful – just not in the love department. His second in command is a great executive – whose husband loves to organize company functions. Before the Valentine’s event, she commands Horatio to ‘find a date’ so that there’s an even number at the party. She’s aware her boss is gay, so that’s not an issue.
About this time, Horatio’s nephew – who has been living with him – announces that he’s marrying an older woman and moving in with her and her three kids. Horatio’s stunned. First, because he didn’t know his nephew was dating. Second, because the woman is as old as the nephew’s mom and her eldest son is just a few years younger than the man his mom is about to marry. Finally, a little discombobulated because, to help him out, Horatio’s nephew asks him to take in that younger son as a roommate.
Horatio loves his nephew and wants only the best for him. He’s housed the young man through his entire education. If taking in a stranger would help his upcoming marriage, then, of course, Horatio will do it.
Cue Dade. Sweet, loveable Dade. The twenty-something guy who’s trying to break into the film business. He moves in and…Horatio’s life changes forever. Well, we’ll start with Horatio asking Dade to accompany him to the Valentine’s Day dinner as a date. Here’s where my readers will find plenty of cameos from characters across a number of my pennames and series because…well, frankly, because I can.
In the end, age doesn’t matter. Because when two people are meant to be together, even the fake can become real. I think plot whisperer and I got this one right. Even my editor remarked on how much the story stuck with her.
So I’ve joined together with a pile of other authors to offer this great anthology at a low price. It’s also on Kindle Unlimited and only available for a short time.
Thanks, Delilah, for hosting me. I would love to give one of your commenters a $5 Amazon gift card. Have you ever been on a fake date? Or known someone who has? I attended prom with a friend as his date. Kind of awkward when he asked me if I’d let him kiss me – I was dating someone else at the time. The guy I was with turned out to be a weasel and I often wondered what would have happened if the date had been real… Anyway! Make a comment and random number generator might pick you!
Fake It ‘Til We Make It
Want to make your ex jealous? Do you have to attend an event? Need to stop your family matchmaking? Whatever the reason, a fake relationship may be for you! But what happens when what started out as fake starts feeling way too real? You were faking it, but is it time to make it real?
Find out in this spicy collection containing exciting stories from USA Today best-selling and award-winning romance authors curated by The New Romance Café. Faking it has never felt so real.
Authors:
DL Gallie
Chelle Pimblott
Kathleen Ryder
Annee Jones
Keighley Bradford
Harper Michaels
Tracy Brody
Lily Kindall
CM Peters
Ebony Snow
Jo Bradley
Jamie Sands
Serafina Jax
Sofia Aves
K McEvern Lestrade
Gabbi Grey
Denise T Ford
The anthology will only be available for a limited time.
About “Acting the Part” by Gabbi Grey inside Fake It ‘Til We Make It…
Horatio
My persuasive nephew convinces me to let his friend, Dade, move into my condo. Somehow I end up telling my coworkers that the young man’s my boyfriend, and I invite him to the Valentine’s Charity dinner. It’s all supposed to be a fake, but he’s not like anyone I’ve ever met, and the more time we spend together, the less I want this charade to end.
Dade
I’m busting my butt trying to land an acting gig, and my buddy offers me a room in his uncle’s luxurious condo. All I have to do is keep the old guy company. Only, the guy’s not that old. I’m happy to pretend to be his boyfriend for one event, but with every passing hour, I’m less and less eager to pull the plug on this act. Can we take fake to real, or will the magic end when the night’s over?
This is a 15k fake relationship, gay romance novella with a successful entrepreneur, an out-of-work actor, and a night to remember.
About Gabbi Grey
USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.
I skipped last week’s report because I had a guest blogger. The kids are back in school after staying home for over a week due to the cold weather. Since the last time I reported…
I finished revising Warrior’s Touch—which is nowUnbound by the Amazon, and I published it!
Today’s another rainy day—like we need another. At least it’s not freezing. The temperature is in the mid-50s (I guess around 13 C). It’s cool enough I want to stay inside anyway. Good thing since I have to get some work done anyway. I hate that our leaky roof will be drip-drip-dripping, but we’re just waiting for the contractor to let us know when he can work on the patch. I’ll work this morning and into mid-afternoon and then we’ll make an early dinner and watch a movie together. We haven’t decided what yet, but we want a comedy to offset the dismal weather. Any suggestions? Anyway, here’s a puzzle to exercise your gray matter.
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, then tell me what’s happening in this scene! Have fun!
I continued to work on Malcolm (Book #10 of Montana Bounty Hunters: Dead Horse, MT).
I revised and republished my novelette, Unbound by the Amazon. (It’s currently FREE in KU, and just $0.99 for a short time only!)
I completed 4 editing projects for other authors in January.
I wasn’t working at my peak for the first half of the month, but after that, I cooked!!
Health-related:
I continued concentrating on drinking more water, plus, I continued drinking water mixed with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar twice a day to improve my liver health.
I’ve managed to keep my blood pressure down to 135-155, despite the fact I haven’t been watching my dang weight.
Happiness-related:
I haven’t painted or “arted” much this month! And I miss it. Writing like my hair is on fire is taking everything right now.
Here are some examples of things I completed in January.
February
For work-related, I plan:
To complete writing Malcolm, my next Montana Bounty Hunters book and publish it on February 13th!
To see my heart doctor so he can assess how the meds he prescribed are working.
To start back on my Weight Watchers diet, because it’s time to get serious! I HAVE to get back in the saddle!
To continue to reduce salt, processed food, and incorporate foods good for blood pressure (spinach, broccoli, bananas) and my liver (apple cider vinegar, flax seeds, sunflower seeds).
To pay attention to my daily steps, trips up and down the stairs, and to incorporate some chair exercises and more walking.
To do more housework because my art room isn’t finished! Cleaning is exercise, too.
For happiness-related, I plan:
To begin the #the100daychallenge where I’ll be painting something every single day, starting on February 18th. If you’re an artist, join me!
To lead a program for the local art guild meeting in the use of Gelli plates.
Contest
Comment on anything you’ve read in this post. Tell me what you’re doing to make yourself happier and healthier, or tell me what you plan to read in February… Like I said, comment on anything for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!
My new release, What a Dragon Desires, has a Strong Female Character. Actually, strong isn’t an accurate descriptor because I’ve written strong characters before. Strong as in resilient, fearless, supportive, capable… but Eydís Helvig, the heroine in my third dragon shifter story is more than merely strong. She’s assertive, aggressive, and combative.
And I’m sooooo not.
Which begs the question: how much of me goes into my characters? I used to think there was at least a glimmer of Ava in each of my characters. I could relate in some way to their goals, their strengths, their hurts, etc. Or, at least, my author’s mind could step outside of itself and relate. Yet, for some reason, I really struggled with Eydís’s personality. Almost as if I couldn’t find anything relatable about her (and if the creator can’t relate, what does that say about both the creator and the character?). Yet Eydís isn’t some throw-away, one-dimensional, heartless harridan sort of character.
She was a challenge to write, partially because I was concerned about overstepping the fine line between strong and bitchy. Yes, the term “bitch” is so often (too often) used as a demeaning description for any confident, knowledgeable, vocal woman. I’m using the term to describe a female character who stiff-arms readers into not caring about her or her arc. When the reader isn’t engaged with a character—when they see no relatable or redeeming characteristics—they just don’t care. And their enjoyment of a story plummets, as does the possibility they’ll finish reading the book.
I’ve read my fair share of “strong female characters” who are merely insensitive harpies lashing out blindly at the world (for no understandable or redeemable reason). I hope Eydís doesn’t also fall into that category. After all, she’s a dragon shifter without a dragon. Which means she has an emptiness deep inside that can’t be filled or eliminated and therefore can’t regulate her apex predator tendencies. As a result, she’s aggressive, in-your-face, and combative. Her job involves navigating mostly-male meetings in a mostly-male industry. She has to be confident, knowledgeable, and vocal.
Part of her arc is to smooth those prickly edges. Shocker: the love of a good man helps 😉 A man who accepts her as she is. So much so that he calls her lítill fura… Old Norse for little pine.
While Eydís is allowed to be combative, she can’t be a bitch. Because I need the readers to like her. Which means I’ve kinda written myself into a corner, trying to make her prickly, but not too prickly. And because I am a peacekeeping, non-combative type of person myself (which means, I personally relate more with my hero in this book), I’m possibly more conservative with where that fine line between strong and bitchy actually is.
Uh-oh. Maybe I haven’t made her aggressive enough. 😳
All that angst aside, I’m celebrating a new release! And I’m giving away three kindle versions to random winners. Let me know about your favorite (or least favorite?) strong female character.
Ulrik Drekison serves comfortably at the right hand of his oldest brother. As a Wood Dragon shifter, he is the peacekeeper, serene as the forests surrounding his Minnesota home. When a deadly pest invasion threatens the future of his family’s logging company and the entire state’s economy, he’s primed to battle the infestation but ill-equipped to combat his attraction to the voluptuous woman sent by an opposing company. Unaffected by his Viking good looks and his innate dragon sensuality, she trashes his calm at every turn. Yet, as antagonistic as she is, he can’t seem to walk away from her.
Eydís Helvig was born a dragon shifter… without a dragon. As an apex predator with no beast to back up her brazen attitude, her own clan rejects her and humans barely tolerate her. When she’s tasked to diffuse a small family logging company’s outcry about a bug crisis, she is inexorably drawn by the Drekison’s innate power and integrity, especially the hostile yet passionate brother, Ulrik. She yearns to set down roots she’s never had. But like everyone else, Ulrik and his family won’t want her, especially after her employer’s secret is exposed.
Excerpt:
He nodded once, then palmed her elbow to usher her to his truck. Eydís recoiled from his possessive move. She didn’t tolerate chivalry from men; she was perfectly capable of opening her own doors and shit, and allowing a man to do it for her undermined their ability to see her as an equal. She’d struggled too long and too hard to prove herself in a man’s world. There was no way she’s allow one little action to undo it and plant her into the weak-and-helpless category.
She yanked on the door handle, realizing too late it was still locked, and looked back at him expectantly. He was going to make her wait, wasn’t he? He was going to make her wait until he sauntered over and unlocked his truck, his expression patronizing and looking at her like she was a dumbass for trying to do anything herself.
But he didn’t make her wait.
He clicked his fob and she heard the unmistakable sound of unlocking. “Give the running boards a sec to deploy,” he cautioned when she flung the door open.
She paused and watched the power-deployed boards swing from under the truck, thankful for the boost they offered. Ulrik’s trucks wasn’t one of those cringy overcompensating-for-something behemoths—he didn’t need one; she’d seen his dick—but she was too short to gracefully climb into his cab without the running board.
He was at her side by that point, and held the door while she hoisted herself in. Was she hearing things, or had he caught his breath when she’d leaned forward as she maneuvered into the truck cab? And why did the thought of Ulrik appreciating her womanly assets please her in a far more personal way than it should?
About Ava
Ava Cuvay is an award-winning bestselling author of out of this world Sci-fi and Paranormal Romance featuring sassy heroines, gutsy heroes, passion, adventure… and the word “moist”.
She resides in central Indiana with her own scruffy-looking nerfherder and teen kiddos who think her “Rizz” is “cringe” but she “passes the vibe check” and her books “hit different.” No cap.
She believes life is too short to bother with negative people, everything is better with Champagne, and Han Solo shot first. When not writing, Ava is thinking about writing. Or wine. And she’s always thinking about bacon.
It’s been a few months since my last blog, so I’ll re-introduce myself. I’m from Melbourne, Australia, and I’ve been writing contemporary romance since I was fifteen, but I didn’t start my journey as a self-published author until 2021. I love writing, reading, and listening to steamy romance novels, watching romantic movies… basically, I’m a romantic at heart. But romance or not, I love a great story in any format. I love other things too. Walking, yoga, visiting the library (even though I own a ton of books), coffee dates with friends and family, pretty notebooks, being organized, and gardening when I’m in the mood. Yep, it’s an eclectic mix.
I work part-time as an Accounts Assistant for a hospitality venue, and when I’m locked away in a little “safe” room to do the banking, I listen to audiobooks. It’s the best part about my job.
I thought I’d share what’s going on in my world and what’s on the list for 2024.
Australian weather:
While most of you are experiencing the cold, we’re in the middle of summer but right now, it’s not much of one. The eastern states, including where I am, have had thunderstorms and floods. It’s bizarre considering, we were told it would be a dry, hot season.
Australian Dorothea Mackellar’s poem My Country captures Australia perfectly when she wrote the line, “Of drought and flooding rains.” Like other things, it’s a poem I took for granted as a kid but can truly appreciate as an adult.
What I’m currently reading:
Dirty Thirty by Janet Evanovich. Stephanie Plum has been one of my favorite characters for the longest time, and I never tire of her antics. It’s a laugh-out-loud adventure. And I love the banter between her and Joe Morelli. Oh, and the banter between her and Ranger.
What I’m listening to:
Nightwork by Nora Roberts. I’ve read/listened to her books for as long as I can remember. One of the reasons is because my Aunty was a huge fan, and I was bequeathed all of her books after she passed. I’m absolutely loving this story about a teenage boy who is doing what he can to support his mother while she battles cancer. His journey continues into adulthood.
Clear your shelf challenge:
I’m determined to read more this year and came across this reading challenge on Instagram. Basically, you need to read twelve books from January to March that are currently on your shelves or in your kindle and fit the selected categories. I like the manageable timeframe and that it encourages you to read what you already own. I find myself wavering with those yearlong challenges.
What I’m working on:
Click on covers to check these stories out! All are FREE FOR NOW in KU!
The CEO– book 4 in the 5 Shades of Brothers Browne series. I started working on this in 2022 when I thought Shane’s story would be second in the series but two of his younger brothers pushed ahead of him, as younger brothers tend to do. Now it’s his turn to fall in love.
Shane Browne, the CEO of Browne Real Estate is far too busy to be tied down. Sure, he’s had companions but the idea of love has never been on his list of goals.
Tycoon Marco Zampatti is selling his Melbourne hotel and has asked both Browne Real Estate and Matthews Realty to submit proposals for the job.
Shane’s biggest rival has a daughter. A woman he shared one night with a month ago and now it’s Addie who he’s competing against. Addie who is getting under his skin and softening his competitiveness.
Will Shane’s growing feelings for Harry’s daughter have him mixing business with pleasure?
What’s new in 2024:
I’ve decided to give this year a theme – ADVENTURE.
The hubby and I are getting a new car and have a few getaways planned for the year which is always exciting.
Also, in the spirit of romance and adventure, we’re going to have A year of dates. Let me explain. I discovered this online. It’s a cute little box full of envelopes, you pull out one a week and whatever is inside, you do. Simple. There are also five blank envelopes so you can write anything you want. So far, we’ve got up to watch the sunrise, we’ve gone on a coffee date and this week’s card will have us going to a local market.
And I’m beginning to learn golf. Yes, golf! My hubby loves to play when he can, and I’ve always wanted to give it a go. Currently, I’m just practicing in the backyard with a net we bought but I have hopes to one day step foot on a golf course. Apparently, my technique is pretty good.
Yes, there’s a lot of adventures planned for 2024 and I’ll be sure to keep you posted.
Do you have any holidays planned or new things happening this year? Any challenges you’re setting for yourself? Is there anything else you’d like to know about me or Australia? Be sure to put them in the comments or feel free to contact me on my socials.
*~*~*
Mister Tradie is 99cents Amazon & KU
Books 1-3 in the 5 Shades of Brothers Browne series bundle $2.96 Amazon & KU
Follow Deb Robinson on her official Facebook page Follow on Instagram and Threads @debrobinsonbooks
And on TikTok @debrobinsonbooks
