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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Book Review: Roland Yoemans and New Orleans

The Legend of Victor Standish

Author Roland Yoemans

After Katrina, certain areas of New Orleans were off-limits, but not to everyone and especially not the young Victor Standish.  Dropped off in a new city compliments of his mother, he meets Alice, a young woman from the past.  She's different and Victor likes that.  They help each other.


Then, he experiences Meilori's, a jazz club from the past that reappears for a time in the dark hours of the evening.  Once in Meilori's, different rules apply.  Everyone in this club seems to be waiting for something.  Customers are told to stuff towels under their door, shut their windows and beware mist.  A few literary characters show up to lend a hand or take advantage of the situation.  The Legend of Victor Standish is a good introduction to the core characters who appear in other books by Roland.


Roland shows us the dark side of a storm-damaged New Orleans, and reveals little bits of good will even as a storm brews on the horizon.  Check out Roland's Blog for tips on writing and to view the art work used in his books.

The next book I read out of order. . .


The End of Days

Author Roland Yoemans

It's back to school time again. But, St. Marrock's isn't an ordinary school, it's run by the dark Sidhe.  There are no guarantees that students will learn anything or even survive.  Students watch their instructors as well as their fellows and make no mistakes.  Predators roam the halls.  This is a 'gathering of the clans', the good and the bad.


People have been disappearing from St. Marrock's School, but who's responsible?  That's what McCord and his cohorts want to know.  Alice, Becca and Trish pose as students, others from Meilori's act as protectors.  Victor lends his ethereal support.  It is a time for new legends.
 

Do you know blogger and author Roland Yoemans? Have you visited New Orleans?  OR, do you like Literary References?  Please share in the comments. 


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Roland's books Rival and Burnt Offerings, acquired after the first two, will be reviewed in a future post.

http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.ca/  Roland's Blog