Cover Reveal: The Secret in Mossy Swamp by Rita Monette...

Nikki Landry is at it again! She's found the truth behind The Legend of Ghost Dog Island, foiled The Curse at Pirate's Cove and now, in this third installment, launching September 17th, 2016, she's going to find The Secret in Mossy Swamp. 

Rita Monette is both author and illustrator of this middle grade series about legends in the Louisiana bayou. Having lived there herself as a young girl, she captures the voice of 10-year old Nikki Landry perfectly and takes you to a world of swampy bayous, houseboats, and mysterious legends. This time, Nikki is going head to head with the legend of the dreaded Rougarou.

It's going to be an awesome adventure, but you don't need to take my word for it. Here's the cover and blurb:

  

The Secret in Mossy Swamp by Rita Monette

Things are never what they seem... in a foggy Louisiana swamp

Living in a tiny houseboat, Nikki is stuck with sharing a room with her little brother, Jesse, who does what little brothers do best…torture their sisters. Fed up, she decides to build a place of her own…a tree house where no boys are allowed. Meanwhile, something strange is happening on Bayou Platte. Things and people are coming up missing…and little stick dolls covered in moss, known locally as “signs” from the legendary Rougarou, are showing up in their place.

Is the Rougarou really to blame? Can Nikki get to the bottom of the mystery before things get worse? Find out in this third installment of the Nikki Landry Swamp Legends Series!

This Middle Grade Adventure is expected to launch September 17th, 2016! 

You can also pre-order this book in Mirror World Publishing's store:

http://www.mirror-world-publishing.myshopify.com

Book Tour: The Curse At Pirate's Cove by Rita Monette...

Follow the Tour for Reviews, Guest Posts, Exclusive Excerpts, and Spotlights!

“When one man’s treasure is another man’s curse"

Book Information:

Title: The Curse at Pirate’s Cove

Series:  Nikki Landry Swamp Legends, Book 2

Author Name: Rita Monette

Genre(s): Middle Grade, Adventure, Mystery

Tags: Middle Grade, Adventure, Pirates, Bayou, Louisiana

Length: Approx. 208 pages

E-book:  978-1-987976-02-1
Paperback:  978-1-987976-01-4

Re-Release Date: Nov.17, 2015

Publisher: Mirror World Publishing



About the Book:

Nikki Landry is turning eleven years old, and is looking forward to riding her bike to school. That is until it falls apart. Papa can’t afford a new one. Is she doomed to ride the smelly old school bus from now on?

Hearing of an old pirate ship, and a legend about long-ago pirates burying treasure on a nearby swamp island, Nikki sees a way out. But when she makes a birthday wish for the pirate’s gold, things go terribly wrong. Did her wish trigger an ancient curse?

Join Nikki and her friends as they find themselves sailing away aboard a haunted schooner with ghostly pirates into the Gulf of Mexico … and into the year eighteen fourteen.

How will they ever find their way back home?

Pierre Part Louisiana

by Rita Monette

I have been spending the last few weeks in my home state of Louisiana, promoting my books and visiting relatives.

Today I visited my brother in the small town of Pierre Part, Louisiana, which also happens to be the home of Troy Landry of the Swamp People TV series, and where my series, The Nikki Landry Swamp Legends, begins. No, Nikki is not kin to Troy—at least I don’t think so.  

The town is about as Cajun as anywhere in Louisiana. Folks there make their living in the bayous, where crawfish, crabs, and alligators are plentiful.

However, I came across one man that makes his living gathering old cypress and turning it into artistic creations. His name is Adam Morales. He says he is blessed to be able to see things in the old remains of cypress trees. Here are a couple of his creations... 

Many folks in Pierre Part still live in houseboats, just like they did back in 1956 where my stories begin.

This week is the release of book two, The Curse at Pirate’s Cove, which is set in the nearby town of Morgan City, and in the Atchafalaya Swamp, where Mr. Morales collects the cypress for his artwork. 

Follow the Tour:

http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-tour-schedule-curse-at-pirates.html

Purchase Links:

Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1HG1d39

Mirror World Publishing:
http://mirror-world-publishing.myshopify.com/collections/adventure/products/the-curse-at-pirates-cove

Chapters:
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-curse-at-pirates-cove/9781987976021-item.html?ikwid=Rita+Monette&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-curse-at-pirates-cove-rita-monette/1120806662?ean=9781987976021

Meet the Author:



Rita Monette was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana. She loves to write stories set in the beautiful, yet mysterious, bayous and swamps of her home state.

Her middle grade series, The Nikki Landry Swamp Legends, is based on tales told by her father—who made his living in those bayous—of reasons to stay out of the swamp.

She currently lives with her husband, four lap dogs, and one lap cat, in the mountains of Tennessee. Besides writing and illustrating, she loves watching the many birds that make their habitat on the Cumberland Plateau, working in the garden, and frequenting waterfalls.

Social Media Links:

Website  http://ritamonette.com

Twitter  https://twitter.com/RitaMonette

Book Blog Tour: The Legend of Ghost Dog Island by Rita Monette...

Behind every legend lies the truth…

About The Legend of Ghost Dog Island:

Moving is nothing new for ten-year-old Nikki Landry. Her 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 should know. He’s spent his whole life trapping and fishing those bayous and swamps…But maybe there’s something Papa doesn’t know.

Nikki and her new friends begin to 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.

Character Interview:

I’d like to introduce Nikki Landry, who is the main character in my Series, Nikki Landry Swamp Legends. Nikki lives in the bayous of Louisiana, in a houseboat, perpetually in the 1950s. She likes to help her papa catch crabs and she isn’t too crazy about school, especially since she moves several times a year and has to continually be the new kid in school. So without further ado, here’s Nikki:

Welcome Nikki. You look like a pretty tough young girl. Is there anything you are afraid of?

Well, I am tough. My papa always says so. But, I’m kinda scared of what might be in that swampy place Papa calls Ghost Dog Island. Does it really have a creature out there that steals dogs? Will it come after my best buddy, Snooper? Lots to worry about you know.

So, can you tell the readers your best or worst memory?

My best memory is playing with my best friend, Lydia in her treehouse.

The worst memory is when we had to move when I was mad at her. I thought it would make me not care about leaving, but it didn't work out that way. It made me all mad and sad at the same time. Ugh!

What would you say is your biggest strength? Weakness?

My biggest strength is that I am a good riddle solver. Just ask anyone. *beams with pride*

My biggest weakness is that I get myself in trouble sometimes by not telling the truth. I really gotta work on that.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

What’s a pet peeve? Is it something like a possum? I’ve never had one of those. I hear they are mean. I don’t think I want a pet peeve.

Your series’ tag line is “behind every legend lies the truth.” Do you think people should always seek the truth?

Yes. And even when I get caught not telling the truth, my papa always finds out. It’s what papas are good at.

But, my stories are about me setting out to learn the truth behind legends I hear about that don’t make no sense. That’s more like trying to solve a mystery. I love doing that, even though most of the time I get in trouble doing it.

So Nikki, If you were stranded on an island and could only have three things (items or people), what would you choose to have and why?

Island? I’d never want to be stranded on no island. I went out there to Ghost Dog Island with my friend, Spikes, and I wouldn’t want to be out there by myself, what with gators, snakes, and mosquitoes. But if I did get stranded, I’d want a flashlight for sure, and my dog, Snooper. A boat wouldn’t be a bad idea either

Book Details:

Title: The Legend of Ghost Dog Island

Author Name: Rita Monette

Genre(s): Middle Grade, Adventure, Mystery

Tags: Adventure, mystery, middle grade, louisiana, bayou, dogs

Length: Approx. 204 pages

E-book:  978-1-987976-00-7
Paperback:  978-0-9947490-9-3

Re-Release Date: September 1, 2015

Publisher:  Mirror World Publishing

Amazon Link:

http://amzn.to/1Vc8647

Mirror World Publishing Links:

eBook http://mirror-world-publishing.myshopify.com/collections/history/products/the-legend-of-ghost-dog-island-ebook

Paperback  http://mirror-world-publishing.myshopify.com/collections/history/products/the-legend-of-ghost-dog-island-paperback

Meet the Author:

Rita Monette was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana. She loves to write stories set in the beautiful, yet mysterious, bayous and swamps of her home state.

Her middle grade series, The Nikki Landry Swamp Legends, is based on tales told by her father—who made his living in those bayous—of reasons to stay out of the swamp.

She currently lives with her husband, four lap dogs, and one lap cat, in the mountains of Tennessee. Besides writing and illustrating, she loves watching the many birds that make their habitat on the Cumberland Plateau, working in the garden, and frequenting waterfalls.

Follow the Tour to Read Exclusive Excerpts, Guest Posts, Reviews, and a Character Interview:

http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/blog-tour-schedule-legend-of-ghost-dog.html

Authors In The Limelight: Rita Monette

I want to thank and welcome author, Rita Monette for sharing her personal writing journey with us on my blog today. Her book, The Legend of Ghost Dog Island, will be available for purchase this upcoming November 16^th through Musa Publishing, Amazon, and other on-line bookstores.

How long have you been writing, Rita?

I supposed I’ve always written stuff, like poems and short essays, but mostly just for fun. When I was in college, my professors would often read my writings to the class, which made me sort of cringe at the attention. Then one day I was reading a book to my four-year-old nephew and saw how attentive he was to the story, and an idea struck me. I would write books for children. When I retired from my regular job in 2006, I began writing seriously—learning so much along the way, especially from the great folks at SCBWI, The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. And here I am getting my first book published.

Good things come to those who wait! Where did you get your idea and inspiration to write The Legend of Ghost Dog Island?

The Legend of Ghost Dog Island was inspired by my childhood. My father loved to tell stories meant to scare us kids, and the Louisiana bayous are plumb full of legends that can conjure up some pretty scary images.

What sets The Legend of Ghost Dog Island apart from other books in the same genre?

The Legend of Ghost Dog Island is set in 1956. None of the modern day conveniences are around, such as cell phones, TV’s, and video games for the kids to entertain themselves. And kids had much more freedom to explore without fear of their surroundings. This is a perfect time for adventures to take place without using “fantasy” worlds. It also includes historical facts pertaining to the lifestyle and history of the Cajun people. I have also included sources for further research on the topic in the “author’s notes” at the end.

Love the idea about adding sources! Very innovative! As an author, Rita, what is your writing process?

As hard as I try to become a structured writer, I seem to work better when I let the characters take me along for the ride. Sometimes they drag me away from the original story I had in mind. For instance, The Legend of Ghost Dog Island started out as a story of my childhood, of living on the bayous, and being bullied for being from the “wrong side of the levee.” My main character, Nikki, decided on her own to form relationships, become a stronger character than her creator intended, and to take the story to Ghost Dog Island.

How long did it take for you to start and finish The Legend of Ghost Dog Island?

I began writing this story in 2008, after a few attempts at writing picture books. After starting The Legend of Ghost Dog Island, I fell in love with the novel process. The story was “finished” a year later. In 2011, after many, many revisions, I started getting positive feedback from agents and editors. So I suppose it took me a couple of years to feel like it was really complete.

However, the publishing world still didn’t seem to think the story had a place in today’s middle grade market. I was beginning to consider self publishing it, when Musa made the offer.

Do you have any advice for other writers, Rita?

I guess my advice is the same as what was told to me over and over again. Perseverance is the key. So many times those rejection letters make you want to give up. Take the time to learn more about your craft, and keep going. Use any small suggestion or criticism from editors and agents, as well as critique groups, to keep you motivated.

Yes, perseverance is my personal mantra! What’s next for Rita Monette the author?

I have a couple more middle grade/YA novels in the works, including a sequel to The Legend of Ghost Dog Island.

I’ll look forward to that! Okay, here’s one for me, since I’m writing a time travel series – If you could time travel anywhere into Earth’s past, where would you go and why?

Only one choice? Okay…I would love to go to Egypt, back to the time when they built the pyramids, because I am fascinated by them and how they might have been constructed. As long as I don’t have to actually carry those stones.

You can find me at http://ritamonette.blogspot.com or http://ritamonette.com

Blurb from The Legend of Ghost Dog Island:

Ten-year-old Nikki Landry lives in the swamps and bayous of 1956 Louisiana. Her papa, a fisherman by trade, has just moved their houseboat to an unfamiliar bayou. Nikki has seen and heard something eerie on a nearby island. The following scene is where Papa is telling her of the legend surrounding the island.

Excerpt:

I poured some syrup onto my plate and swirled my warm, crunchy biscuit through it. “You gonna put your lines out in that big lake past them islands?” I looked up at Papa, as he sat quietly sipping his coffee. His scarred hands looked real big and strong around the tiny chipped cup. His pale blue eyes seemed out of place against his black hair and dark skin.

“Yup. That there’s Flat Lake,” he said. “This side of the islands is called Bayou Platte.”

“We heard a really weird sound out that way earlier.” I stuffed a piece of biscuit in my mouth.

Jesse stopped eating and watched Papa’s face.

Papa set his cup down. “Weird sound, huh?”

“Yeah, like a dog howling, but scarier.” I opened my eyes wide. “Right Mama?”

“Howing,” Jesse said with a mouthful of food.

Mama smoothed my brother’s curly hair. “It could have been a wild dog. But I’ve got to agree, it did have an eerie yowl about him.”

“I thought I saw something out there on that big island,” I said. “It was mor’n likely just a critter, but I had a creepy feeling about it, like it was watching me.”

Papa rubbed his chin and got a twinkle in his eye, like he did when he was fixing to tell one of his swamp stories.

Mama stood up and lifted my brother from his chair. “Let’s get you ready for bed.” She gave

Papa one of her warning looks and disappeared into the back of the houseboat toward our tiny bedrooms. 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.” He leaned down so the light from the lamp made eerie shadows across his face.

That was how they always started out. 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 creature 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 me. Was there really a creature out there? Did it have its eye on Snooper? I shuddered.

IEEEOWWWOOOO-oooooooo! The howling sound echoed again across the bayou.