Reviews from

Fear on the Bayou

Viewing comments for Chapter 9 "Spells and Potions"
Two weeks in New Orleans for R&R

15 total reviews 
Comment from jjstar
Excellent
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Wonderful chapter!

They sat in comfortable silence, listening to chirping insects and night birds calling. The sun set in a furious blaze of glory and disappeared behind the trees. Night descended.===Love this!!! Beautiful!

"Y'know, this whole Gone with the Wind thing? It was kind of quaint at first, the formal manners, the old days and the old ways." ===really cute and I know...we spent 2 weeks in Germany in an old-fashioned guest house--it was cool for the first three days, but then I wanted a real bed with real pillows, with curtains and really needed someone to try to speak English...I was in a bad mood for the next 4 days!

"It's a tradition, a way of showing special guests our pleasure in welcoming you into our home. We hope you will return again."===aha.....must be part of the spell? Or is it just really a tradition?

 Comment Written 24-Aug-2012


reply by the author on 26-Aug-2012
    Hey, JJ, well, it's my tradition, lol. This whole story sounds a lot more authentic than it is. Short of research and a very dear friend from high school, the farthest south I've ever been is Philly!

    And I know what you mean. I lived in Germany for almost a year, and the cutsie business wore off real fast. Man did I learn Deutch in a hurry, only words, but I knew what I needed to know: Ein zimmer mit bad, bitte; un speigel eir, un pom frits, beir, heis wasser, all kinds of food, I swear. Forgive the misspellings, btw!

    Great review, my friend. It looks like you have some slow time. That's how I love to read. This piece by piece, bit by bit business makes me nuts!

    Hugs,
    Gayle
Comment from bookishfabler
Excellent
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Again a very well written fast-paced chapter. I like this book ery much and continue to wait patiently for the next chapter. No nits again, and I'm sorry it took a while for me to catch up
hugs Heidi

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2012


reply by the author on 07-Jul-2012
    No problem, my friend. I always love seeing you, the great comments! And also the stars!

    Big hugs,
    Gayle
Comment from xxjsfuncxxxity
Excellent
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Spooky and suspenseful. The cliff-hanging ending is a sure fire draw, pulling the reader forward like a Mississippi River tugboat. Great descriptions and detailed stage-dressing as a backdrop for all the activities. I could almost taste the humid stagnant air of the Old South in this one. Loved the antiquated cadence of the dialogue and your brilliant characterizations, stuff like, ''waiting patiently as women of her kind have done throughout eternity.'' Really brings the reader into that world. Great stuff, really! Wish I had a six to bestow on another great chapter.

cheers
js

 Comment Written 06-Jul-2012


reply by the author on 07-Jul-2012
    HA! I was waiting for your review. Having lived in this area, you're more familiar than most with the authenticity I'm trying to provide without going over the top!

    You picked out my fave phrase, too, my friend. So glad to have you reading along. I value your input more than you know.

    Hugs,
    Gayle
Comment from Rob Caudle
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Gayle, good work here. So Louise is a voodoo practitioner, well done. You saved a bit of embarrassment for me I always thought gris gris were evil spirits and I had to look them up. I was using them in the chapter I am getting ready to post. Loved the bit about the antebellum south and the attitude of Louise it makes it easier to believe she would help Darius. Well done .
Rob

 Comment Written 05-Jul-2012


reply by the author on 07-Jul-2012
    Hey Rob, always so good to see you! Oh, when you get out of your element the amount of research is incredible. I don't know anything about voodoo - well, I didn't. I know plenty now, lol. Gris-gris is either the actual spell used or the little things they use to accompany the spell, like feathers or charms, things like that. That entire area is incredibly rich in history and the cultural mix. Well, it's fascinating. If I can help with your research, just let me know.

    Hugs and thanks,
    Gayle
Comment from Writingfundimension
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Hi, Gayle. This chapter deserves another six! But I'm not allowed. You are spinning a fabulously, dare I say, delicious story. I love the line about Louise being haughty and condescending, just when she has prepared such a delightful finish to their meal. Ooh, you've got me hooked on this one my friend. Hugs, Bev

 Comment Written 05-Jul-2012


reply by the author on 07-Jul-2012
    Hi Bev, gotta tel you, I'm hooked, too. Had no idea what this was going to turn into but you know my characters, they just grab the story and run. So glad you like this one, my friend. Thanks so much for the lovely comments and stars,

    Hugs,
    Gayle
reply by Writingfundimension on 07-Jul-2012
    You're welcome, Gayle. Xxx Bev
Comment from rwilliam
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"I'll see you shortly. Merci."
They embraced and offered the requisite cheek-kisses.))PS- you make it sound like they are talking on the phone and then you have them embrace and cheek-kiss. Need to look at this.

Maybe we can get a recipe for Chef."
-DO you mean- Get a recipe 'from' Chef.

Good chapter.

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 Comment Written 04-Jul-2012


reply by the author on 05-Jul-2012
    Hi Rebecca, dagonnit, there should be two full line spaces there to show the change of scene. I'll go fix. Thanks. No, they own a restaurant in Hollywood and have their own very talented Chef.

    Thanks so much,
    Gayle
Comment from Patty Mazzurco
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YAY! Always happy to sneak on here and find another chapter! oooohhhh, LOVE the 'love spell' addition. I was wondering how he was going to get the attention of both girls. This is getting so good. As always, amazing dialogue! and great details to the details! lol Nice work!

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2012


reply by the author on 05-Jul-2012
    Hey Patty, I wish I could get this one out there faster. It's going to get a little detailed and confusing for readers who've missed significant chapters. Ah, the fate of the novelist.

    Thanks so much for the great review and hope to see you again soon,

    Hugs,
    Gayle
Comment from nor84
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I've been watching Highlander, and Darius is a priest in the story. Hard to make the switch here that he's a werewolf, LOL.

Don't need to hyphenate cheek kisses.

OK, I thought it would be Darius's POV because he was the first character mentioned, but it appears to be Louise's.

No need to capitalize 'dear cousin.'

When Darius speaks to Louise, he says 'Louise' or he calls her 'cousin.'

Odd line break when Terry grimaces at Ella.

"Down in these parts, they call'em mudbugs.">>>need a space after 'call' because the ' in 'em is running the words together.

Well done. Careful about being sparing with the French, or reader may start wondering what the heck is an 'etouffee', and jump up to look it up, getting pulled out of the story.

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2012


reply by the author on 05-Jul-2012
    Hey Norma, Highlander, huh! Good one.

    Just when I think I've got EE conquered, he pulls stuff like the lines. I went in and got them handled, ousted the hyphen and the cap for Cousin.

    I tried to use only words that either came naturally, at least to me, or followed the gist of the sentence, but girlie, you are so right. Kinda like nutmeg. A little goes a long way, lol.

    Rita used to tease me about the food, Sissy, too. Still, they always loved it and Rita used to share recipes for the same meal, lol.

    Thanks for the great catches,
    Hugs,
    Gayle
reply by nor84 on 05-Jul-2012
    And while we're on the subject, what the heck is an 'etouffee?'

    Yes, I own the whole Highland series on DVD -- I think. I haven't looked at it in quite a while. That Adrian Paul, the guy who plays him, is one fine looking dude.
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2012
    It's to die for and actually, I made it for Jeff for dinner. It's a roux, and I made a double dose for the next time, I'll send the recipe if you want it, but it's to die for. We had shrimp and scallops as well as sweet Italian sausage. Yumm.
reply by nor84 on 06-Jul-2012
    Sure, send it. Roux means...red?
Comment from c_lucas
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I am curious how you will proceed with this story line. Your post is very well written with a smooth flow of words, making for a very good read.
Error
The dogs waged (wagged)their tails

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2012


reply by the author on 04-Jul-2012
    Hey Charlie, good catch! Fixed. Thank ou so much for the great comments and stars.

    Gayle
reply by c_lucas on 04-Jul-2012
    You're welcome, Gayle. Charlie
Comment from Stalking Wolf
Excellent
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Action running smoothly, should have guessed the cook was a voodoo witch, now wonder will the spells work, to what extent, and how will the husbands and dogs be affected. Great reading, wish to read more.

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2012


reply by the author on 04-Jul-2012
    Hello, my friend. We're dropping a gear here, moving forward fast, but then we'll slow down a little. So glad you're enjoying this one. Thanks so much for the great comments,

    Hugs,
    Gayle
reply by Stalking Wolf on 05-Jul-2012
    cool, look forward to reading them.