Award-Winning Author and Journalist
Cheré Dastugue Coen
THE BOOKS
Magic's in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets
With Jude Bradley
Powerful attraction in one small bag
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!
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.
Author Cheré Dastugue Coen reveals the deep roots of this horticultural hub.
Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana
ISBN-978-1-60949-746-0
Ghost stories abound in the Cajun and Creole city of Lafayette, Louisiana, from those lost in Civil War skirmishes and fever outbreaks to the former living who can’t say goodbye. “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” takes readers inside some of the most historic sites in South Louisiana, including haunted bed and breakfasts, restaurants and entertainment venues — even the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In addition, there are the back roads and cemeteries where spirits linger, pirates who refuse to leave — possible to guard buried treasure — and ancient French legends hiding in the swamps, bayous and woods.
Join long-time journalist and ghost seeker Cheré Dastugue Coen as she visits Lafayette’s haunted sites and travels the countryside in search of ghostly legends found only in South Louisiana.
Exploring Cajun Country: A Tour of Historic Acadiana
ISBB: 978-1-59629-995-5
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 Cheré Coen as your guide. Experience Cajun Country through its exceptional cuisine, area events and historic attractions.
Cooking in Cajun Country
Now out of print
Travel through southern Louisiana and you'll quickly learn that Cajun cooking is more than a heavy dose of black pepper or a splash of tangy hot sauce. With more than 100 authentic Cajun recipes from Louisiana's Acadian parishes, now home cooks can create lip-smacking recipes such as Andouille-Stuffed Pork Loin, Butter Beans with Sausage, Grand Chenier Crawfish Jambalaya, Sweet Potato en Brochette, and Tried-and-True Pecan Pie. You will also learn a little about the history, people, and culture from which the Cajun cuisine originated. Breaux shows how a true Cajun cooks traditional meals as well as the modern methods of preparing delicious home-cooked meals. Karl Breaux is a French-speaking Cajun, born in Lafayette, who has received awards from the governments of France and Louisiana for his efforts to protect the French language. Karl has cooked for many years at hunting camps, family outings, and public events. Journalist Cheré Dastugue Coen has been covering the food scene of Louisiana for years, first in her hometown of New Orleans and now in Lafayette, the heart of Cajun Country, where she writes a weekly food column.
"'Cooking in Cajun Country' deserves praise for explaining in simple language what Cajun cooking is — and isn't. It explains the nuances of the cuisine and how it has developed and evolved over the 244 years since the first Acadian settlers arrived in Louisiana 10 years after being deported from Nova Scotia by the English. The 160-page book discusses the difference between Creole and Cajun, and points out that real Cajun cuisine is flavorful, not overly seasoned with hot sauce or cayenne pepper."
— Cheramie Sonnier, Baton Rouge Advocate
Viola Valentine Mystery Series
They say there are blessings from disasters. One is starting over.
The hurricane gave Viola Valentine the chance she needed to leave her dead-end job and loveless marriage. But the storm that came barreling through New Orleans also blew open a psychic door, one that Viola had worked hard to keep close.
Her first day in her new job as a travel writer and ghosts who have died by water are demanding attention, asking her to solve their mysteries.
On top of it all, her goofy ex-husband isn’t about to let her go.
Can she insist on a clean slate while busy communicating with those on the Other Side? And will her new talent allow her to reach her daughter who died of leukemia years before?
Fall in love with a Cajun Romance!
Writing under the pseudonym of Cherie Claire, my award-winning historical romance novels have included The Cajun Series of "Emilie," "Rose," "Gabriel," "Delphine," "A Cajun Dream" and "The Letter." Visit my Cherie Claire author website to learn more about these stories and more.
"Ms. Claire shows you a love of family that will touch your hearts."
-- Carol Carter, Under the Covers
For contemporary romance fans, there's The Cajun Embassy, a series that follows three Columbia journalism coeds homesick for Louisiana who find comfort at school in a bowl of Cajun gumbo.
In each book — Ticket to Paradise, Damn Yankees and Gone Pecan — these dedicated friends make their way into the world and find that love — and a good gumbo — cures everything.
All on sale at online bookstores.
