Award-winning non-fiction
books & BLOGS
Louisiana is a state full of unique culture, traditions and history and I love writing about it. My books range from the eclectic, such as magical mojo bags and bayou ghost stories, to a small town boasting of a million dollar industry and the richness of Cajun Country. Check out my books and learn more about the Bayou State!
Forest Hill, Louisiana:
A Bloom Town History
Forest Hill boasts one of the largest nursery industries in the country, despite its tiny population. In the early days, the community was a summer retreat for plantation owners. The lumber industry rolled into town with the railroad, which eased the transportation of virgin timber. By 1901, the nurseries had emerged after Samuel Stokes began selling a variety of plants from his woods. Today, more than two hundred nurseries are in operation, many by the families who founded them.
Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana
Ghost stories abound in the Cajun and Creole city of Lafayette, Louisiana. The Hub City boasts a multitude of spirits and specters, from those lost in Civil War skirmishes and fever outbreaks to those souls that simply can't say goodbye. Today, they wander the halls of bed-and-breakfasts and restaurants and linger along back roads and cemeteries. Pirates are rumored to guard buried treasure, and ancient French legends hide in the swamps, bayous and woods. Join me as I visit Lafayette's haunted sites and travel the countryside in search of ghostly legends found only in South Louisiana.
Exploring Cajun Country:
A Tour of Historic Acadiana
Louisiana's famous Cajun Country is a place where today's travelers can still experience the rich heritage and traditions that began in the eighteenth century. From foodways and folk tales to music and festivals, Acadiana offers something you can't get anywhere else. Journey through this historic and unique part of the state with travel writer and historian Chere Coen as your guide. Experience Cajun Country through its exceptional cuisine, area events and historic attractions.
Magic's in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags & Sachets
Cultures worldwide have long incorporated small bags containing herbs, stones, and other sacred items as part of their belief systems, whether to ward off evil, protect them while traveling or to attract positive elements into their lives. Egyptians carried amulets for protection, Native Americans wore medicine bags filled with healing herbs, and African Americans collected “sticks, stones, roots and bones” inside flannel bags and called them “mojo” or “gris gris.” Gris gris and sachet bags are, in essence, a prayer or magical spell you can carry with you. Magic’s in the Bag explores this history, plus offers 75 simple spells to create your own gris gris bag, including bags for prosperity, safe travel, contacting spirits, protection and more. You’ll get tips on which plants to use, what stones are appropriate, what spells work best for phases of the moon — even how to grow a gris gris garden!
Weird, Wild and Wacky South
The South is one of the craziest places on earth and I love to write about it all. This travel blog looks at the strange and unusual aspects of the South and those who call themselves Southerners. Hey, that's me!
Click here to read the blog.