I’m back! No more traveling for a while. School starts today and I have books to write! But to catch up on the Summer, I’ll share a bit of our New Orleans vacation!

Ken Gunter, awesome friend and inspiration for Kyle (Ken also helped me with the first Zoe books!), joined me on my first venture into the Big Easy back in July. July is not a month I recommend spending in the south. Yes it’s easier to get a room somewhere, especially in the French Quarter, but you’ll melt your face off once you step outside. 

Damn it was hot! 

But it was sooooo awesome. I fell in love with roasted oysters, bbq shrimp, and hurricanes. (My waistline has suffered immensely). The first thing he and I did was grab a cocktail at the Bourbon House and started indulging right away. 

After that, he introduced me to Bourbon Street. Ken had visited back in the late 90s. Me? Never, though I’d always wanted to. But life…she throws in her obstacles. ;) 

I’m pretty sure I walked around with a goofy grin on my face. The architecture got me. And I started to really, really understand what it “might” be like to live there (it also helped meeting up with a mutual friend who moved to New Orleans). So as an added bonus, before we ventured down to Pat O’Briens for hurricanes and dinner, he and I went to see where Bell, Book and Candle would be located. 

So for now, because I don’t want to make this a rambling, pointless babble, I’ll tell you a little secret…the building at the top of this post is the inspiration for Sam’s store and apartment. The closed up building on the right I sort of saw as their private parking, but only accessible in the back. I plan on giving this to my cover artist to see if she can render me a store front. 

All photos courtesy of Ken Gunter © 2015