This week, I’m hosting author and artist, Rita Monette
Rita was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana,USA. After retiring from her “real” job as an administrative assistant for the State of Michigan, Rita began doing what she always wanted to do…write and paint. Her debut middle grade novel, The Legend of Ghost Dog Island, also includes her artwork. She enjoys writing stories set in the beautiful, yet mysterious, bayous and swamps of her home state. The Legend of Ghost Dog Island, depicts her Cajun childhood, growing up in a houseboat along the levees of Louisiana. Rita now lives with her husband, four lap dogs, and one lap cat, in the mountains of Tennessee. (Where the hurricanes have a hard time reaching.)
The Legend of Ghost Dog Island
Moving is nothing new for ten-year-old Nikki Landry. Her fisherman father relocates their raggedy old houseboat several times a year in search of better crabbing spots. However, their latest move has brought her to a mysterious bayou where she feels something is watching her from a nearby island.
Nikki learns of a local legend about something sinister inhabiting those swamps, stealing the souls of dogs…which would explain the strange howling sounds. Papa reassures her there’s nothing on the island but gators and snakes. He would know. He’s spent his whole life trapping and fishing those bayous and swamps. But Nikki and her new friends uncover strange happenings from years ago that may have started the old legend, and town folks aren’t talking. Then her beloved beagle goes missing.
Join Nikki as she seeks to discover the real truth behind the legend of Ghost Dog Island…before it’s too late.
Here’s an excerpt:
Mama closed the door behind her. She knew once Papa got going on one of his tales, there was no stopping him.
The last traces of daylight seemed to disappear in a hurry, as if Papa had ordered it away. The glass globe of the kerosene lamp clinked. He touched a match to the wick and adjusted the flame until it filled the room with pale light and gray shadows. He motioned me to sit next to him on the worn sofa.
I hurried to his side, not knowing what spooky legend he was going to tell this time. But as scared as I’d get, I always enjoyed hearing ’em.
“Mais, there’s a legend told around these parts.” That was how they always started out. He leaned down so the light from the lamp made eerie shadows across his face.
I rolled my eyes, determined not to get spooked this time.
“Folks say there’s something living out yonder,” he went on. “Legend has it the monster lures dogs to the island using evil spells. Then at the peak of the full moon, they’re turned into hollow spirits with glowing eyes.” Papa put on his eeriest sneer. “That there’s Ghost Dog Island.”
“Ghost dogs?” I pulled my knees up against my chest and wrapped my arms around ’em tight. My mind conjured up images of a huge monster with drippy fangs and dogs with bright yellow eyes. I thought about the feeling I had of something watching us. Was there really a creature out there? Did it have its eye on my best buddy? I shuddered.
IEEEOWWWOOOO-oooooooo! The howling sound echoed again across the bayou.
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I was born and reared in The Klingsville area of Morgan City, I am Swamp Irish!!!! My Father was raised on a houseboat on The Bayou Teche, where his father picked moss, and cut wood. My Great Uncle trapped Nutrea!!!!! I can remember my neighbors, and The Mayor himself having “Gators” for pets. Doc Brownell even had one incased in acrylic his “Bull” People still talk about it!!!! My cousins had otters to play with cuz My Uncle would get one every once in a while Then Morgan City passed the Non Domesticated Animal Law, and Swamp Gardens was born. My mom still lives there and I will live in her house when she passes, which will be never cuz she’s 81 now. I just love driving around in klingsville and feeling proud (wasn’t something to be proud of when I was growing up!!!) of my HERITAGE AND TUFF cuz I am from Klingsville. The “Pit” right across the street, played there all the time!!!!! When I come home it’s as though I’ve gone back in time when ya drive down levy road to see the shrimp boats. Then as you get to Belle River you see the house boats and really step back in time!!! I want to get a house boat to live on, that is my way, as simple as can be,,,
Hi Karla. Thanks for your comments. Lots of good times down on the levee for sure. My character lives in a houseboat in that time period. The book would surely bring back some memories for you.
AND THE WINNER IS: I just put the names of the commenters in a box and had my husband pick one. The winner of a signed print copy of The Legend of Ghost Dog Island is….Cheryl Verrett Fromenthal. Please email me at frmonette@yahoo.com and let me know where you want it sent, and who you want it signed to. Congratulations Cheryl.
I wish to thank everyone that stopped by Evelyn’s blog and left a comment. And I would love to thank Evelyn for having me!
Hope you and your dad enjoy the book, Cheryl. Don’t forget to email me, so I can send it out.
I will have to get a copy to read. I love these kind ov books
Leta, Thanks for your interest. It’s available in e-book format on any of the book sites. If you don’t have an e-reader, let me know and I’ll see about getting you a print copy.
I grew up in the Atchafalya Basin in the 50’s my father was a fisherman we lived off the land in a camp boat, no electricity. I spent a hurricane in the basin in the 50’s we had 3 or 4 camp boats tied together with big ropes, ours was in the middle. I remember someone from mc came by boat warning us about the storm. Everyone sat on the floor of our camp with a lantern saying the Rosary out loud, I can still hear the sound of the ropes pulling and pushing the camp boats. I also remember the men talking about a highway coming through the swamp, I thought it would come from mc through the basin to the north, mind of a child’s thoughts but later in life I realized it was the Wisky Bay Bridge from Baton Rouge to Lafeyette. I always wanted to write a book about my journey growing up in the swamps of Louisiana. I will order your book.
Judy, thanks for sharing. That must have been hurricane Audrey. We had moved to Cameron then and lost everything. Hope you do write about your experience! I’d buy it.
Thanks for stopping by, Catherine. Yes, my hero lives in a houseboat, and doesn’t have electricity, so I know you can related. It is set in the 1950s. My story tells of how life was back then, while the characters try to solve the swamp legend.
Thanks for your memories of levee life, Angela. I’ll have to write The Pit in my next story. A great bunch of down to earth folks.
This book really sounds exciting, and I’m looking forward to it. Your excerpt really got my attention. Thanks!
Thanks so much for your comments, Marja.
Sound like the start of a really good spooky tale. My favourite type of book. I wish you the best of luck
Mike
M. P. Ward
Author of Sam and The Sea Witch
& Sam and the Beast of Bodmin Moor
Thanks for your comment, Mike. Your book titles sound pretty interesting too.
The Legend of Ghost Dog Island is set in the City of Morgan City, Louisiana. Thanks to my friends from the Morgan City Memories page for stopping by and sharing their connection to this place where my story is set.
Thanks for your comment, Cheryl. My book would certainly bring back a lot of memories for you.
Thanks for having me, Evelyn. I’ll spread the word.
Thanks for being a guest on my blog this week, Rita. Your novel sounds delightful.
Or I should say, delightfully spooky. Children always loves ghost stories.