While my mother-in-law was living on the Panhandle of Florida, my husband and I would visit her for several weeks each year. During one of those trips we ventured west to New Orleans for a long weekend. We both fell in love with the three-hundred-year-old city and returned many times for short getaways or an extra week’s vacation. We visited the area about six times before Hurricane Katrina hit and about another half dozen times afterwards. That horrendous storm ten years ago changed the landscape and the residents’ lives forever. But the incredible restoration that has taken place since reminds me of how resilient and generous the human spirit can be.
As a reader, I’ve always loved mysteries in which the setting becomes one of the characters. The French Quarter, along with the swamps and bayous of Lafayette and Terrebonne Parishes, became the perfect location for my romantic suspense, Midnight on the Mississippi.
GE
This ancient portion of New Orleans along the Mississippi River is rich in history, architecture, culture, and tradition. The walled courtyards, wrought-iron balconies, and narrow gas-lit streets practically drip with atmosphere and intrigue. This old city resonates for me on a level I can’t explain. Even though I’ve never lived there, each time I visit it feels like coming home.
GE
Midnight on the Mississippi: When a new PI teams up with a New Orleans stockbroker accused of murder, blackmail, death threats, and danger swirl around them like the mysterious dark water of the bayou.
Mary Ellis has written twelve award-winning novels set in the Amish community and several historical romances set during the Civil War.
Midnight on the Mississippi is first of a new mystery series, Secrets of the South, from Harvest House Publishers. Book two, What Happened on Beale Street, will release in February.
Before “retiring” to write full-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate, a job with amazingly sweet fringe benefits. She enjoys traveling, gardening, bicycling and swimming, and lives in Ohio with her husband, dog and cat. She can be found on the web at: www.maryellis.net or https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mary-Ellis/126995058236
Book Giveaway
To enter the drawing for a copy of Mary’s book, please leave a comment before Sunday, September 20, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. (Central time). After a random drawing, the winner’s name will be announced on Monday, September 21st.
Thank you for reading the Story Spark behind Mary’s novel and participating in the giveaway.
Would love to win this book! Mary’s books are always wonderful!
Hi, Sheila. I’m reading Midnight on the Mississippi now and really enjoying the sparks between Nicki and Hunter. This is the first book I’ve read by Mary. Glad to hear you’re a fan!
I’ve read great reviews of this book
and I look forward to reading it. Thanks for this interview.
Blessings!
Connie
cps1950 (at)gmail (dot)com
Hi, Connie. Always good to see you stop by!
I would like to win this new novel by Mary Ellis! I enjoyed this interview.
Hi, Phyllis. Thanks for participating in the giveaway. I enjoyed Mary’s post, too. The photos add a special touch, don’t they?
Would love to win a copy,thank you for letting me drop by.
Hi, Elma. You are very welcome here! Thanks for leaving a comment.
Midnight on the Mississippi sounds like an action packed mystery that I believe I could get lost reading.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
~Cindi
I’m about a third of the way through and, yep, it’s exciting!
i have read all of Mary’s books and this series sounds wonderful! I might not ever visit New Orleans in person, but I would love to visit it through the eyes of Mary’s characters! Thank you for all the pleasure I have had while reading your books and thank you for the awesome giveaway!
Wow, Diane! Mary has written several books, so I know she’ll be thrilled to hear from such a great fan. She’s traveling but I’m sure she’ll get on when she can. Thanks for sharing your love for Mary’s stories.
I love Mary’s books! New Orleans is a great place to visit.
I’ve only waved to New Orleans as I drove around it on a long trip from Dallas to Orlando several years ago. But reading Mary’s book intrigues me–maybe I’ll add it to my places to go list.
I LOVE reading mysteries! Midnight on the Mississippi sounds amazing. I can’t wait to read it.
psalm103and138[at]gmail[dot]com
Hi, Caryl! So glad you stopped by! I’m going on a little bit of a rabbit trail here: Are you an Agatha Christie fan? I read The Endless Night not too long ago, and I think it’s one of her best. Have you read it?
Thanks, Johnnie, for inviting me to your lovely blog. And thanks to all your readers who left me a sweet comment. I’m in New Orleans right now revisiting my favorite research spots and adding a few new favorites! Good luck to everyone in the drawing. Best regards from the Big Easy.
Mary! I was going to say thanks for making us a pit stop on your trip, but some things are better said out loud than written. LOL! (I got to say it anyway.) Seriously, so glad you stopped by. Enjoy your trip and your research.