If you’re here in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, welcome to our fabulous city. We are happy to have you, and we hope you will enjoy your stay with us. If you were not able to join us this year, we hope you will in the future.
What is Carnival/Mardi Gras? With both Pagan and Christian roots, Mardi Gras is the last day to party before beginning the Catholic Lenten season. The Carnival season begins on January 6, the Twelfth Night after Christmas; the Catholic feast of the Epiphany. The festivities end at midnight on Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The carnival season can be long or short. What are the origins of Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras originated in medieval Europe. It was established in New Orleans in 1718 by Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville. King Cake A pastry that resembles coffee cake that contains a plastic doll called a “king cake baby.” The person who gets the slice with the baby must buy the next king cake or host the next king cake party. King cake season begins on January 6 and ends on Fat Tuesday. Krewe The name for carnival organizations. Throws Beads, cups, doubloons, and trinkets tossed from the floats. Doubloon A metal or wooden coin with the krewe’s logo on one side and the parade’s theme on the other. Neutral Ground The terrain in the middle of a divided street known as a median everywhere else. There’s a history behind that. In the old days, the French and the Spanish didn’t get along, but they had to do business with one another, so they created a section in the middle of the street designated as the neutral ground where they handled business. Apparently, it stuck because nobody uses the word median in New Orleans. It’s simply called the neutral ground. Parades are viewed on St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street from either the street side or the neutral ground side. Show me your tits No, just don’t. This may happen on the balconies on Bourbon Street. The quarter is adult oriented where you will find risque costumes and flashing for beads during Mardi Gras. While the Vieux Carre has its share of debauchery, outside of the French Quarter, Mardi Gras is a family event. The parades are family oriented, and it would be inappropriate, and illegal, to expose body parts along the parade routes where there are families and children. Can I go to a Carnival Ball? Not unless you know one of the Krewe members. Carnival Balls are formal events, and admission is by invitation only. Should I wear a mask? It’s cool to wear a mask on Mardi Gras Day. Float riders are required to wear masks at all times, but Fat Tuesday is the only day masking is allowed by the general public from dawn to dusk. What are the colors of Mardi Gras? The colors of Mardi Gras are purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power). Is it true it’s legal to drink alcohol outdoors? Yes, as long as it’s in a plastic cup or container. No glass bottles or containers are allowed. If you leave a bar, you can take your beverage with you. Just pour it into a “go-cup” first. All bars and restaurants have them. Mardi Gras is a fun time and the temptation to imbibe is everywhere. If you have a tad bit too much, please don't be tempted to drive. You don't want to ruin your vacation by spending time in the New Orleans jail. Use Uber or take a cab. Use good common sense. Have fun. Enjoy all that New Orleans has to offer. It has been said; New Orleans is a city with many faces, but only one soul. It’s mystery and ambiance will seduce you, and once you surrender, it will never let go. By the time you get home, you will be planning your next trip. When you leave New Orleans, a piece of it goes with you, and that will always bring you back. We look forward to seeing you again on your next trip.
Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler
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Running on Empty, Book 2 of the Fleur de Lis Series, by A. L. Vincent released today. I'm adding this one to my TBR list. Here's a little about the book: 
As a singer in a popular band, Grace Delchamp lives for the spotlight…
Her music and motorcycle are all she needs while doing what she loves most—performing. Her only problem is guitarist Brent Mouton, who can’t take no for an answer. After Grace rejects him one too many times, her life changes for the worse when she wakes up next to Brent with no memory of what happened the night before. When everything is taken away from you in the blink of an eye, all you can do is start over… Broken, Grace leaves her life in the spotlight behind and heads back home to Bon Chance, Louisiana. Deciding to dust off her degree and accept a job as a substitute teacher, Grace finds herself bonding with a group of rebellious and unruly students. What she didn’t count on, however, was running into her old high school friend, Gabriel Angelle. When life gives you a second chance, you need to be strong enough to grab it… Gabriel has always been crazy about Grace, yet the fear of losing her friendship kept him from confessing his true feelings. Now, years later and with newfound confidence, he finally has the chance to go after what he has always wanted—her. After discovering the truth behind Grace’s panic attacks, Gabe is determined to do whatever it takes to help her recover. Love can sometimes be found in the most unusual of places, but will Grace be brave enough to embrace it when she’s already running on empty…? 
About the Author:
A.L. Vincent is a teacher/writer who lives in the heart of Cajun Country. Born in Oklahoma, Vincent became fascinated with South Louisiana after reading Interview With the Vampire. Finally, she became a Cajun transplant in 2001. When not getting lost in a story line, Vincent can be found cooking or enjoying live local music. She has one son, and a furball of a dog aptly named Furby. Buy Links:
Life in the War Zone by Paul White releases today. Here's a little about the book:
The modern day civilised world we know is little more than a fragile moment balancing on a knife-edge between the evils of avarice and the struggle for dominant authoritarian supremacy.
Caught in the maelstrom between the warring factions are the innocent lives of civilians and children, the unsuspecting conscripts and misguided volunteers on all sides. Conditioned, indoctrinated and convinced by those who have only power and ultimate wealth to gain, are those whose personal stories are revealed within the pages of this book. Life in the War Zone takes a serious, no holds barred look at the devastation and trauma of life in the battlefields of the Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, Israel, Palestine, Libya, Lebanon and El Salvador. This may well be the book they would rather you did not read.
Here's a preview:
About the Author:
Paul White is an author, blogger & poet. His writing covers various genres and topics, both fiction and non-fiction and encompass such areas as life, love, anger, anguish, fear, uncertainty, and loss. The common denominator in all of Paul’s works is that they feature the most important matter of all, the human condition.
As for Paul, himself... he has a warped sense of humour, loves good food, good wine and good company. He is an ardent independent traveller, nature lover and supporter of ecological and wildlife preservation. You can find out more about Paul’s books, his current Works in Progress and Future Projects by visiting http://paulznewpostbox.wix.com/paul-white You can read a selection of Paul’s short stories at https://alittlemorefiction.wordpress.com Or, for articles on writing and a writer’s life, go to https://wordpress.com/stats/ramblingsfromawritersmind.wordpress.com
Buy Links:
Ebook purchases - PayPal only. Direct from the author via his website, in the format of your choice (AZW3/Mobi/epub etc.) http://paulznewpostbox.wixsite.com/paul-white OR by email paulznewpostbox@gmail.com Guest Post by Julie Nicholls
Hi!
I’d like to announce the release of Blood Brothers. This is the 2nd book in the Blood Trilogy. We have already followed the characters – K34GEN, Gabriel, Lyssa, and GH05T from book one, Blood Ties, but it seems their trials are not over yet. Gabriel is pure lycan and was caged by Dr. Keller at Solgen Labs. Dr. Keller is a genetic scientist who used Gabriel’s lycan DNA to create the perfect soldier by splicing his genes with a human. K34GEN was Solgen’s top hunter…but then Keller realized he could improve the enhancements he’d given the human and created GH05T. She was faster and stronger than K34GEN, with a few added enhancements, and it meant K34GEN was no longer the top dog. The former hunter, K34GEN teamed up with Gabriel and together they attempted to bring down Solgen Labs. The story continues in Blood Brothers 
Synopsis : Blood Brothers
When you've been a “guest” of Solgen Labs, brothers from another mother takes on a whole new meaning. Keagen and Gabriel thought they were experts on all Solgen's dirty little secrets. Until they met Ghost and found the deceit and conspiracy goes more than bone-deep; it goes right down to their spliced and enhanced DNA. 
Need a sneaky peek?
“Your room’s better than mine.” Keagen pushed the door open wider as he edged his way into Ghost’s quarters. “I guess it’s a girl thing.” He snickered. “Hey, if you want the pink duvet, take it,” Ghost quipped. Keagen casually scanned the room while closing the space between them. He noticed the furrows congregating along Ghost’s forehead and blew out a weighty breath. “I know what’s going on in there.” He pressed the tip of a finger to Ghost’s temple. The possibility she might be right and he should tell Gabriel about his condition was on his mind constantly, but finding the courage to admit he was imperfect wasn’t something he could do easily. He’d never concerned himself with the worries of others previously but seeing Ghost’s agitated expression bothered him. The realization that he could end up like K44 gnawed at him like a dog with a bone, and it was highly probable that this rabid dog would need putting out of its misery. Fear wasn’t in his vocabulary. There had never been anything he was afraid of…until now. Ghost grabbed his finger and with pleading eyes stared at Keagen. She felt his pain. The possibility not only his body, but also his brain, might betray him was stinging—lacing him with more poison on an already infected wound. She wished he would listen to her and willingly let Lyra and Gabriel help, but the stubborn mask he wore wasn’t about to come off anytime soon. They turned simultaneously to the sound of a knock on the door followed by Lyra’s soft voice. “I’m sorry to disturb you. I know you’ve had a long journey, but Michaels wants to brief you on the current situation with K44.” “It’s okay. We’re ready,” Ghost replied. She released Keagen’s finger and moved toward the door, but Keagen halted her departure with a firm grasp of her arm. He pulled her close and let his mouth rest against her neck. “I will tell Gabriel and Lyra about my problems…I promise.” Ghost shrugged her shoulders. “It’s your business. I get that. I’m sure I’d feel the same, but it doesn’t mean I can’t worry about you.” She smiled tentatively and headed out the door with Keagen following. “Where’s Gabe?” Keagen directed his question to Lyra, who was already striding down the corridor. She called over her shoulder and smiled. “He’s in recovery.” Keagen charged forward and grabbed her arm, spinning her around. “From what?” “The procedure.” She frowned. “Didn’t he tell you he’d agreed to give us the samples we need to help K44?” “No, he didn’t.” Keagen scowled. “He said he wasn’t going to allow anyone else to experiment on him. What changed his mind?” “You did,” Lyra replied and continued on to Michaels’ office after pulling her arm free and leaving Keagen standing with his mouth gaping. Ghost sucked in a deep breath and braced. She approached Keagen from behind and stopped suddenly as he whirled around to face her. His furious expression greeted her. “You told him…didn’t you?” Ghost lowered her eyes. Before she could open her mouth to apologize, Keagen turned and followed Lyra to the operations room. Her eyes fell shut as she sucked in another large breath. She knew she’d fucked up. Her heart told her to chase after him and make him understand why she’d told Gabriel, but she knew he wouldn’t be interested. While something inside her said it was for the best, she felt guilty because she’d broken his trust.
Announcing the release of Ashely Uzzell's new book, "Once Upon A Pastry." The title sounds tempting.
Here's a little about the book:
Gertrude wants to be the best baker and pastry chef in the city so she makes a deal with Mona the witch: one spell in exchange for her first-born child. The problem is, Gertrude doesn’t have a husband. Or a boyfriend. Or much interest in dating at all. As the overly dramatic Mona occasionally stops by the flourishing bakery to see about Gertrude keeping up her end of the bargain, both women begin to realize that maybe the deal isn’t what will bring them true happiness. Soon, something more than friendship begins to blossom. When tragedy strikes, Gertrude finds that she may lose the only family she has left. Is Mona a powerful enough witch to save the city and help the girl she is falling for? Can she let go of her regrets so she can move on to find her happily ever after?
Sneaky Peek inside the book:
Another Sneaky Peek:
Ashley Uzzell Bio:
Ashley is an avid reader and mother of four. She enjoys writing poetry, short stories, and novels of varying genres. She loves to write, sew, make jewelry, and watch anime. Most days are spent chasing the kids and cats around, snuggling with a book, or yelling at her computer screen.
BUY THE BOOK:
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