Alligators Quotes

“Louisiana in September was like an obscene phone call from nature. The air--moist, sultry, secretive, and far from fresh--felt as if it were being exhaled into one's face. Sometimes it even sounded like heavy breathing. Honeysuckle, swamp flowers, magnolia, and the mystery smell of the river scented the atmosphere, amplifying the intrusion of organic sleaze. It was aphrodisiac and repressive, soft and violent at the same time. In New Orleans, in the French Quarter, miles from the barking lungs of alligators, the air maintained this quality of breath, although here it acquired a tinge of metallic halitosis, due to fumes expelled by tourist buses, trucks delivering Dixie beer, and, on Decatur Street, a mass-transit motor coach named Desire.”
― Tom Robbins, Jitterbug Perfume

“Everyone needs someone to balance them out.”
― Erin Nicholas, Beauty and the Bayou

“We don’t go hard and fast down here,” Ellie said. “Long and slow and laid-back is more our style.”
― Erin Nicholas, Beauty and the Bayou

“Juliet laughed. “You all are crazy, you know that?”
“Oh, for sure,” he said with a nod.
“Does it rub off?”
“If you’re lucky.”
― Erin Nicholas, Beauty and the Bayou

“Well, when we get hot there are a couple of other things we do,” he said.
Had he moved closer?
Juliet swallowed. “Like what?”
“We take clothes off,” he said.”
― Erin Nicholas, Beauty and the Bayou

“If there’s anything you can think of that you might need from a real man with plenty of testosterone, you just let me know.”
― Erin Nicholas, Beauty and the Bayou

“What If...”
― Erin Nicholas, Beauty and the Bayou

“Boys, the longer you wait to get my requested prehistoric attack dogs, the more chance we have of people we care about getting hurt, more hurt, or killed. Oh, and don't hurt the alligators--they're a protected species.”
― Gini Koch, Alien Tango

“Not in my swamp, with my alligators. -Pendergast”
― Douglas Preston, Fever Dream

“Nothing said “successful business” like an old, dusty, busted, duct-taped taxidermied alligator.”
― Alyssa Day, Dead Eye

“Amelia was instantly distracted when she heard one of her favorite songs: What a Wonderful World made famous by Louis Armstrong. The woman singing did the song justice as she sang:
I see trees of gree, red roses, too.
I see them bloom, for me and you.
And I think to myself.
What a wonderful world!
Before she could blink an eye, Rick pulled her into his arms in a waltz position.
He gave her a wink and said flirtatiously, “May I have this dance, my love?”
As they danced to the rhythm of the music, Amelia said, “Don’t ever stop flirting with me, no matter how old we get.”
“Never!”
― Linda Weaver Clarke, Mystery on the Bayou

“From the trees around the clearing the snakes and birds watched silently. In the swamp the alligators drifted like patches of bad-assed water.”
― Terry Pratchett, Witches Abroad

“Jena shook her head. “Paul needs a life.”
“Paul needs a woman,” Ceelie said.”
― Susannah Sandlin, Black Diamond

“How ‘bout you, Jena?” He leaned closer, speaking in an exaggerated whisper. “We could go somewhere private. I know you probably got some scars from being shot, but you can’t see a scar in the dark, right?”
The dickwad was offering her a pity fuck in a darkened room?”
― Susannah Sandlin, Black Diamond

“Jena took a seat on the sofa, and Cole found himself with another dilemma. Should he sit next to her or take the other chair? Such a decision shouldn’t feel momentous, but it did. It felt as momentous as a choice between the past and the future.
It felt like a choice between friendship and maybe more than friendship.
He sat next to her on the sofa.”
― Susannah Sandlin, Black Diamond

“Everybody has scars; some are more visible than others, that’s all. But anyone without a scar is someone I don’t want to know because it’s someone who doesn’t feel things deeply. You have to understand loss to recognize a gift when you see it.”
He leaned over and kissed her again. “You are my gift. I want to be yours, if you’ll let me.”
― Susannah Sandlin, Black Diamond

“We have unfinished personal business I do believe.” He smiled. “And I do love to make you blush.”
“It clashes with my hair.”
― Susannah Sandlin, Black Diamond

“Rick raised his brow. “Who were you talking to?”
“Millie.”
“Is she that tall woman you met the other day?”
Amelia nodded. “She’s our new client.”
“New client?” Rick’s brow rose with disbelief as he sat up straight. “You’re working on our honeymoon? No way! Don’t tell me you were promoting our business.”
“Hey! It’s not my fault,” defended Amelia. “She just walked up to me and asked for help. I couldn’t refuse her. She needs us.”
“How did she know you were a P.I.?”
Amelia pursed her lips tightly to prevent a smile. “Umm… You see… I… Well…”
― Linda Weaver Clarke, Mystery on the Bayou

“Rick had said the perfect honeymoon was being together.”
― Linda Weaver Clarke, Mystery on the Bayou

“Amelia? Let’s make sure we set some time aside every day for one another. We shouldn’t bring our work home with us. Okay?”
She smiled. “Deal!”
― Linda Weaver Clarke, Mystery on the Bayou

“Rick smiled as he watched the waves roll toward their feet. He turned to her and said, “Since we’re going to Louisiana, I did some research and learned a few things. Did you know it’s famous for its gumbo and bayous?”
Amelia’s eyes brightened. “Really? I’ve seen pictures of a bayou in a magazine. It’s so mysterious looking.”
“It’s also the crawdad capital of the world.”
“Crawdad? What’s that?”
Rick’s eyes widened with surprise. “You don’t know what crawdads are?”
She shook her head.
“They’re a freshwater crayfish, similar to shrimp… only better.”
― Linda Weaver Clarke, Mystery on the Bayou

“Louisiana has a larger alligator population than any other state. Just over a million.”
“Over a million!” exclaimed Amelia with astonishment.”
― Linda Weaver Clarke, Mystery on the Bayou

“After a moment, Amelia heard Rick humming as he marched down the ramp. It was a familiar tune. She raised a curious brow as she listened to him and then it dawned on her.
“Singing in the Rain!” she exclaimed. “How do you know that song?”
He glanced over his shoulder and smiled. “I had sisters. Remember?” And with that statement, he burst into song: “I’m singing in the rain, just singing in the rain. What a glorious feeling’! I’m happy again.”
― Linda Weaver Clarke, Mystery on the Bayou

“You married me for my brains? I can’t believe it.”
He grinned. “Well, among other things.”
“My charming personality?”
He chuckled. “Not exactly. You have the nicest looking legs ever.”
“What?”
“Hey! I can’t help it. I guess I’m just a leg man. Personality comes in second. Brains are third.”
“Brains are third?” she said in mock disappointment.
“So why did you marry me?”
“Hmmm.” Amelia tapped his lips. “Your sweet kisses were the main reason. The rest of you came as a package deal.”
“The rest of me?” he said incredulously. “Well, at least I’m a good kisser. I can live with that.”
― Linda Weaver Clarke, Mystery on the Bayou

“It wasn’t a horror movie, Mama,” said Jody adamantly.
“It had zombies, didn’t it?”
“Yes, ma’am, but it’s a love story.”
Rick laughed. He was amused with the young girl’s defense.
“Have you seen it?” asked Jody. “It’s called Warm Bodies.”
Rick shook his head. “No, I haven’t. Is it good?”
Jody’s eyes brightened. “Oh my gosh! You have to see it…”
― Linda Weaver Clarke, Mystery on the Bayou

“Rick looked at his watch and gave a nod. “Yup! We have enough time before our next appointment.”
“Enough time for what?” asked Amelia.
He grinned and began dancing around her and singing in jazz style: “Goin’ down the bayou! Goin’ down the bayou! Goin’ down the bayou! Doodle-ee doodle-ee-doo!”
When Rick saw her eyes brighten, he said, I checked out a few bayous at Cross Lake. We’re goin’ down the bayou, sweetie.”
Amelia asked with laughter in her voice, “Were you just singing a Disney tune? From the Princess and the Frog?”
“Yup! I have many talents.”
― Linda Weaver Clarke, Mystery on the Bayou

“She struggled with all her might, but he was much too heavy and strong.
With a sigh, Amelia finally said, “You win. How can I defend myself in a situation like this?”
“That’s a good question.”
With a satisfied grin, he got to his feet and said, “I’ll show you.”
― Linda Weaver Clarke, Mystery on the Bayou

“After a long while, Rick cleared his throat and pulled over to the side of the road. He then turned to her and said, “Amelia sweetie, a lot of problems are caused because of a lack of communication. When you try to guess what the other is thinking, then that’s when you get into trouble. If we communicate, find time for one another, don’t take each other for granted, and even share responsibilities, it will bring us closer.”
“Share responsibilities?”
He nodded. “Sure. A man who thinks he’s too good to share with the chores needs to reevaluate his relationship with his wife.”
― Linda Weaver Clarke, Mystery on the Bayou

“He strummed a few chords and then sang:
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you.
Please don’t take my sunshine away.
Rick sang one more verse, and when he was done, he winked at Amelia and smiled.”
― Linda Weaver Clarke, Mystery on the Bayou

“I was raised in the desert and always appreciated the way its landscape gives you a chance to see what's coming. In Florida, dangers don't reveal themselves until it's too late. The alligator lurking in the shallow pond, ready to devour your pet or your child. The snake hidden in the underbrush. The riptide slicing across that postcard-perfect Atlantic. Sinkholes. Encephalitis. Brain-destroying bacteria that flourish in overheated lakes. Quicksand.”
― Laura van den Berg, I Hold a Wolf by the Ears: Stories