Bourbon Street: Melissa Schroeder

AAD Burbon StreetDid you see the latest AAD Author visiting Larissa’s Bookish Life yesterday with her own After Dark on Bourbon Street story? You should totally go read it…like now.

After Dark on Bourbon Street

A Conversation with Deacon Berg About New Orleans

I wish I had time to make a quick trip down to New Orleans to chat with Shannon Dupree McKade. But, I have been too busy writing Callum and starting A Little Harmless Fascination that I couldn’t break away. Thankfully, Deacon Berg, known as Deke to most people, was on his way through to California from Virginia, so he stopped by Alabama for dinner and drinks. Since I knew I needed information about the city, I thought I would ask him. I hope you enjoy the scene with Deke and I can’t wait to return to AAD this August and get to see all the great people I met last year, and meet even more this year.

We decided to get some barbeque at Jim and Nick’s. The food is good, and they have the BEST ice. It’s early evening and kind of slow when I rush in to meet him. Of course he’s early. He’s a Seal and runs on a schedule.

I see him at a back booth, sitting as if he’s at attention, surveying the patrons with suspicion.

When I approach the booth, he stands. He’s a tall man, with blond hair and steel gray eyes. He’s dressed in a red polo shirt, snug jeans that sit low on his hips, and black leather boots. After he greets me, we settle in the booth, and order our food.

DEKE: So I hear you are being let loose in New Orleans?

I laugh because it is the proper term for when I go to a con. I live my life a lot like a shut in because I work at home.

MEL: Yes. Pretty excited because it is my first trip down there.

DEKE: I thought you lived in San Antonio.

I nodded.

MEL: But we moved there in 2004. By the time we could afford to go, or even have the time to go, Katrina had ripped through the city. Then we were off to the DC area.

DEKE: I have a feeling you’ll like it.

MEL: Even though it is August?

Deke smiles, which shows off his dimples. He was dangerous before, but he is downright deadly when he smiles.

DEKE: I think you can suck it up. Besides, New Orleans is one of my favorite cities. It has a unique flavor to it. And I am not talking just about the food. You love Europe, and I know you lived there, but it has that feel to it too. It is unique. You have a thing for those historical cities back East, so I think you will love it.

MEL: You go there often because of the Duprees and McKades.

DEKE: Yes. But I went there years ago. For my honeymoon.

MEL: Ah. What is your favorite thing about it?

DEKE: It’s hard to pick just one thing. Of course, the food is great. I think I gain at least ten pounds every week I am there.

I laugh.

MEL: Somehow I doubt that. Tell me you’re favorite place for beignets and your favorite local place for dinner?

DEKE: For beignets go to Café Du Monde on Decatur Street. They’ve been around since 1862 when they opened as a coffee stand. They have a lot of locations but go the Decatur location. Now, for food, I like the neighborhood restaurants, like you do. There is a great place in what they call mid-city. Luizza’s has creole, Italian, downhome country, and lots of great seafood. They’ve been around since 1947 and you can smell the food down the street. It is amazing. And it is kind of nice to get away from the Quarter. Oh, and they have this peanut butter pie that is wonderful.

MEL: Yum. So, do you have good or bad memories about New Orleans?

DEKE: Good. Really good. I am still good friends with my ex-wife, sometimes too good, but we both loved the city, still do.

MEL: Do you ever meet up back there?

DEKE: No. We just ran into each other in Hawaii when I was there for Kade and Shannon’s wedding. I wish I had time to stop on the way though. I love this time of year. It isn’t too hot, not too cold, lots of nice times to be had.

MEL: Ever go to a voodoo shop or anything on that side of coin?

DEKE: Yeah. Not my kind of thing but I did it. Knowing you, you would love it. Make sure you go to at least on fortune teller too.

MEL: Anything you want to tell the attendees of AAD? There are a lot of us going for the first time.

DEKE: Get out and enjoy the city. I know from what you said, you are busy during the day, and since you are going in August, best to stay in then. But the sultry nights are worth it. There is a flavor to it, a vibe to city that just makes you want to get out and move. It is one of those unique places that will stay with you forever.

MEL: Thanks.

The waiter returns with our food.

DEKE: I guess we should get to work on this dinner.

Deke has his own story coming out this May (Possession), but he first appears in Infatuation: A Little Harmless Military Romance, which takes place partly in New Orleans.

MSchroeder-InfatuationTo prove her love and save her man, she has to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Francis McKade is a man in lust. He’s had a crush on his best friend’s little sister for years but he has never acted on it. Besides that fact that she’s Malachi’s sister, he’s a Seal and he learned his lesson with his ex-fiancé. Women do not like being left alone for long months at a time. Still, at a wedding in Hawaii anything can happen—and does. Unfortunately, after the best night of his life, he and Mal are called away to one of their most dangerous missions.

Shannon is blown over by Kade. She’s always had a crush on him and after their night together, it starts to feel a little like love. But, after the mission, Kade never calls or writes and she starts to wonder if it was all a dream. Until one night, her brother Mal drags him into her bar and grill and Shannon gets the shock of her life.

Kade isn’t the man Shannon knew in Hawaii, or even the last few years. Losing a friend and being injured changes a man, especially one who had never felt so vulnerable before. He still can’t shake the terror that keeps him up at night. Worse, he is realizing that the career he loves just might be over.

Shannon is still mad, but she can’t help but hurt for the man she loves. He is darker, a bit more dangerous, but beneath that, he is the Kade she’s known for so many years. When he pushes her to her limits in the bedroom, Shannon refuses to back down. One way or another, this military man is going to learn there is no walking away from love—not while she still has breath in her body.

Warning: This book contains two infatuated lovers, a hard-headed military man, a determined woman, some old friends, and a little taste of New Orleans. Of course, there is a Dom who wants to be in a charge and a sub who wants to challenge him. As always, ice water is suggested while reading. It might be the first military Harmless book, but the only thing that has changed is how hot our hero looks in his uniform—not to mention out of it.

AMAZON | B and N | ARe

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Meet Melissa Schroeder!

Born to an Air Force family at an Army hospital, Melissa has always been screwy. Add in her strange family and her love of Monty Python and she had no hope of turning out normal. After reading over 300 romance novels in one year, Melissa realized that she was destined to write romance instead of the thrillers she had been attempting. Seven years later, she has had over 30 novels, novellas and short stories published and shows no sign of stopping. Her releases include two Bookie nominations, five Capa nominations, many best sellers, and one top 100 Nook selling book of the year (A Little Harmless Sex, 2010). She writes anything from sensual to erotic romance in genres from historical to contemporary to paranormal and futuristics. She is married to an AF major and has two human girls and two canine girls she herds around. She loves to read, cook, ignore her dirty house, tweet too much, and spend time trying to convince her family she truly is a delicate genius.

She also writes exclusively for Siren under the name of Kiera West. Her latest release is Callum, the first of her Cursed Clan books. You can reach her all over the web.

Contact Info
Website: http://www.melissaschroeder.net/
Blog: http://www.melissaschroeder.blogspot.com/
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter

Want to purchase Melissa’s novels?
MSchroeder-Spy Who Loved HerA Little Harmless

  1. Sex at Amazon
  2. Pleasure at Amazon
  3. Obsession at Amazon
  4. Addiction at Amazon
  5. Submission at Amazon
  6. Lie at Amazon
  7. Infatuation at Amazon

Callum at Amazon
The Spy Who Loved Her at Amazon
Getting Lei’d at Amazon
Sinner’s Delight at Amazon
Author Moments at Amazon

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Contest Time!

Thank you Melissa for taking the time to stop by Literary Escapism for our Authors After Dark on Bourbon Street event!

Melissa is giving away an ecopy of any novel off her backlist. To enter, all you have to do is answer this one question: If you have been to New Orleans, what places do you suggest for us newbies? If you haven’t been, what would you do if you were there? While we’re at the AAD Conference, where should we hit up? Remember, you must answer the question in order to be entered.

In addition to the fabulous prize above, Larissa and I are giving away two $25 ARe gift certificates, so be sure to answer the question.

Even though I’m not giving the additional entries any more, you can still help support the author by sharing their article, and this contest, on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, or anywhere you can. After all, the more people who are aware of this fabulous author ensures we get more fabulous stories.

The winner must post a review of the novel someplace. Whether it is on their own blog, Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing or wherever, it doesn’t matter. Just help get the word out.

The contest will stay open until February 21st at which time I’ll determine the winner with help from the snazzy new plug-in I have.

I have not been contacting winners, so you will need to check back to see if you’ve won.

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.

6 Comments

  1. I’ve never been, but would love to. Of course, want to go to The French Quarter and Bourbon Street. I also would want to do a city tour and see the beautiful homes, cemeteries, and parks. Thanks!

  2. I have never been but I would want to go on a ghost tour in the cemeteries and visit the French Quarters on Mardi Gras

  3. I have never been to New Orleans, but that is definitely on my places to go I just want to feel the total ambiance of the city! I know people love the city, and I want to experience that love with all that I can fit into a week or so!

  4. I’ve never been, but looking forward to my first trip for AAD. I think it would be awesome to tour some of the old cemeteries while I’m there.

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