Showing posts with label French Quarter Nocturne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label French Quarter Nocturne. Show all posts

Sunday, December 13, 2015

French Quarter Nocturne by R. Yeomans - A Review

How do you fix something once it's broken? Piece by piece.


Roland Yeomans' novel, 'French Quarter Nocturne'

FRENCH QUARTER NOCTURNE

A city devastated, law and order tossed to the gutter, and citizens abused by thugs - this is what faced the two men who wanted to make things right, or at least as right as they could be. As the men survey the damage, the shadows from the edge of the darkness start to become annoying, hovering like vultures waiting to pounce. 

Muddy stains marked the sides of houses, while children's toys and dead bodies floated among the debris flung inward by Katrina. The only hope for the people in this part of the city is Sam McCord and Father Renfield. When Sam tries to help the people in need, he is rebuffed initially by some who have become bitter waiting for relief from Washington. They were left without water, food or adequate shelter until the government and its associated relief groups were shamed into doing what should have been done immediately. 

This is the setting in which French Quarter Nocturne takes place. It tells a tale woven of the things most of us didn't see when Katrina came to town in New Orleans. News trucks couldn't get into many of the areas, and those who did know what was happening turned a blind eye.

Roland has captured that feeling of loss, of the fear of the helpless and the weak in a city which the water tried to claw back. . .and the one man who was brave enough to take some action. This book will hold your attention as it reminds us you must never assume that the powers that be (in reality, not fiction) will be there when you need them. Recommended reading if you like paranormal stories set in interesting locales, with history based elements.

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The Author - Roland Yeomans
Roland's Blog - Writing in the Crosshairs



This prolific author has many titles to entice you. The formats are Kindle e-books, Audio, and some print titles. Check his blog page and see what might appeal to you. I like the New Orleans and the Egyptian stories, but I have read much of Roland's work, and he never fails to teach me something about mythology, American Native legends and history. 

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Have you read any of Roland's work? Do you have a favorite novel? Which characters do you like? Do you like New Orleans history? 

Please leave a comment to let me know you were here, and I'll respond. Thanks for dropping by!

Be sure to come back on December 16th to read my WEP entry (Write, Edit, Publish). The theme for December is Out of this world Christmas stories (Science Fiction). 

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Reference:

Roland's Blog, Writing in the Crosshairs,

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Sunday, February 23, 2014

From Despair to Relief - A Scary Road

EXTRA! EXTRA! Sunday News!

In Roland Yeoman's novels, Sam McCord and Samuel Clemens are good friends and survive many adventures together. Their creed: a friend is there when you need a helping hand. A friend does what he can. Roland has always been a great supporter of the blogging community. Now we can pay back that support and generosity by buying one of Roland's books. If that doesn't fit your budget, then offer a word of support at his blog. You can make an author smile. Let's continue the Book-a-thon idea started by Sean at the Midlist Writer and  Civil War Horror blogs.

Roland is at home now, recuperating. The surgery was successful, and he's sleeping a lot as part of the recovery. How do I know this? The ghost of Hemingway told me.  Writing in the Crosshairs, Roland blog, is where he shares his wisdom, wit and writing chops. He's also shared the journey from discovery of the cancer to the removal.

I'm highlighting three of his books that are in my TBR stack. Roland has created a unique universe woven in layers, with well-rounded characters and an undead cast of regulars. Following is a snippet about each.


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French Quarter Nocturne
New Orleans after Katrina.
 



The French Quarter after dark. Don't look in the shadows and don't run. The darkness is trying to envelope the city after the flooding and before help arrives. Only one man and his unusual priest friend face the darkness in the battle to help those who can't help themselves. Sam McCord and Renfield, an unlikely, but highly effective pairing. I'll review this when done.


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Death in the House of Life
A tale of Egypt shortly after the completion of the Suez Canal





A story of Egypt in its period of British Occupation and the international 'assistance' it received in running the Egyptian government.  A young Winston Churchill. Tombs uncovered in the desert reveal secrets hidden beneath the sands. My favorite book of Roland's to date is Death in the House of Life, and not just because Sekhmet makes an appearance. Click  for the review and interview on location in the past. . .


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Next up: Her Bones are in the Badlands
A story of the silent film era, on location




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Have you read any of Roland's novels? Do you have a favorite character? Do you know who' Hibbs, the Bear with Two Shadows' is?

Please share in the comments here, and don't forget to visit Roland's blog. 'You've got mail' is sometimes nice to hear, and especially so when you've just had a surgeon working on your face. Any mention on your blog about Roland's books would be appreciated.

BTW - it's been snowing off and on here, since yesterday. I am not amused. . .

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