Time has certainly passed since I've had a new book out, but the time has been well spent. I filled every minute of the time with research and writing, and now, I have two new books, both historical fiction, coming out in the next couple of months. The first, Cedar Grove, is a Civil War-era novel, that tells the story of Uranie Delacroix, a young woman caught between two worlds. While raised with her half-sister, Elyse, when they reach a turning point in their young lives, when young women were considered old enough for marriage, Ranie, and her sister are destined to take quite separate paths.This book has taken several different paths itself, before I settled on the story I’ve wanted to tell since I started writing for publication in 2009. The scope is expansive, so I consider this book a saga, with twists and turns that point Ranie in the direction her life must take.Prior to writing Cedar Grove in this incarnation, I wrote After Dark Rag, the story of a young man who rose to prominence in the New Orleans world of jazz and ragtime. The story had a wonderful character in it, one I couldn’t easily let go of, so I wrote her story, which took me back to the Civil War.The research for these two books steeped me in the history of New Orleans, a city I lived in for nearly forty years before I moved deeper into Cajun Country. I have used that knowledge to form the characters of Uranie Delacroix, and others. Ranie particularly, is a composite, but has many of the traits of a woman I dearly loved, Uranie Madere Berthelot, my husband’s grandmother. I only knew her as an aged resident of a nursing home, but my husband has told me stories. Upon his reading of Cedar Grove, he says I’ve captured her spunk and sass. She made us laugh, embarrassed us, and could play a prank better than anyone I’ve ever known.I can still see her on her death bed, awake and full of sass. I walked around her bed in her hospital room and she asked me, “Ti-na, where’s Hil-da?” (her daughter, hypenated to illustrate her thick Cajun accent.)I told her, “She’s on the other side of the bed, Gramaw.” (pronounced Graw-maw, short a)Again she asked, “Where’s Hil-da?”I gave her the same answer. She asked a third time. This time she gave me a big wink. “Where’s Hil-da? Ain’t seen her all day.”LOL My mother-in-law jumped out of the chair. “Damn it, Mama. I’m right here!”Gramaw rolled her head toward her daughter and laughed. “Oh, there you are. Thought you was los’.”Lord, I never saw Hilda madder. Those two went at it constantly, Hilda wanting to mother too much, and Gramaw unwilling to forego her sense of humor, even if it came at Hilda’s expense, as it often did.Gramaw died less than two days later at the age of ninety-two. She never became senile, which made for some wonderful conversations. Oh, the stories that lady told.I hope you enjoy Cedar Grove as much as I did writing it. After Dark Rag will follow, probably around September or October. That’ll give you time to take in all that is Cedar Grove.Here’s the blurb:Creole beauty Uranie Delacroix has lived the life of a Southern Belle, with all the refinements afforded members of Louisiana's planter society. While educated in music, polite conversation, and embroidery, she has never truly belonged in the genteel manor house at Cedar Grove.When the War Between the States threatens the stability of the South, nothing is as it was, nor will it ever be again. Ranie must dig deep to overcome her weaknesses and discover her strengths.Caught between a fervent desire to see the Yankees defeat the Confederate war effort, and her need to keep her family safe, Ranie is at odds with everything she's ever known. As the Yankees ravage the countryside and march ever closer to Cedar Grove, Ranie must make choices that could affect her family for generations. Does she have the courage to do what she must?until next time. Britauntil next time. BritaBig hugs until next time.BritaAfter