After a ten+ year hiatus (I was bathed in grief and stress), I have completed a manuscript for another Creole-influenced murder mystery. It's with an incredible edtor and fingers are crossed that she doesn't say, "this is crap." Wish me luck. I'll share the verdict. Have a blessed and magical day, everyone. 

Just because I write fiction, it doesn't mean I don't respect and recognize the truth

I received this quote today from the blog of author, Pam Grout: Truth sings to you with an absence of conflict, a lightness that requires no defense and offers no offense. Grout's books teach us to manifest the lives we choose and hold visions of a better world. She shared the quote from romance writer, Keri Lake. 

Writing fiction is an exercise in creating a world of make-believe that readers can get lost in. I keep working to become better at it. 

Bon jou!

After a ten year creativity desert, I'm writing again. My new mystery is nearly finished and headed to an editor. Lotus Angelle Hayes is a California native with Louisiana Creole roots, just like Sarah. But Lotus lives in Sacramento, finds her groom getting "serviced," minutes before their wedding, and learns to lick her wounds by solving a murder. 

While Sarah had second sight, Lotus learns to use voodoo, real voodoo not the movie version, to expose killers. 

Murder at Chef de Quizine is in process. 

Wish me luck!

I was thrilled with the opportunity to contribute to an anthology last fall, but writing a short mystery was a bit intimidating. Turned out to be great fun and friends said, "make it a little book." So, it's now a little book on Amazon!

California Creole sleuth Sarah Doucette Jean-Louis gets her first chance to make the family Reveillon Dinner, but a body left at her office means she has to solve a murder in between cutting up the holy trinity and stirring her roux!

Young, new client Collin Burke was to meet at Sarah's office on Monday morning to discuss a case, but when his body was left on the welcome mat of the Jean-Louis Detective Agency over the weekend, it was time for Sarah to find out who killed him and why. Sarah and her ragtag team of investigators move into action and together they solve the mystery of The Holiday Murder Melange.

Just Sarah's luck, her first time making holiday dinner for the whole family and she has a murder to solve. But in her own way using psychic visions, logic, the help of a washed-up PI and a former stalker sociopath, Sarah finds the killer.

I hope you'll enjoy it, any time of year. 

Stuffing Stuff

One Stuffing, 3 Dishes

The oven can be your best friend when you don't have a lot of time on your hands. Whether you need a meal or sides, don't forget to stick them all in your oven so while they cook, you can work or enjoy a glass of wine. Sarah is into efficiencies, even when sleuthing or planning a dinner party. Here's a great example she calls, "Stuffing Stuff." You make a delicious stuffing and use it for several dishes.

Sarah uses a French or Ciabatta loaf to make her own croutons (it's easy), herbs and spices and puts them together with the Holy Trinity for savory heaven. Sarah's vegan, but adds chopped shrimp for her non-vegan friends. This holiday, she stuffed chicken breasts, bell peppers, and mushroom caps.

Send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you want Shortcuts from Sarah's Kitchen- Stuffing Stuff recipes!

C'est bon! 

It has been the year of unimagined happenings. It has been the year of the pivot and a time of flux. So, flux it! Time to approach this differently.

Resolution is a firm decision to do or not do something.

Evolution is a gradual development of something from a simpler to a more complex form.

2020 was a bitch. Nailbiter elections, a predatory disease that has destroyed lives, homes, and for some, faith. To put it bluntly, this shit will linger. 2020 will be the year to mile mark and to benchmark badness. I believe the last thing I need is a stiff serving of unbending, firm decisions. I don't give a flux about stakes in grounds right now, I just want to feel good.

If you take a trip to the place where old resolutions go to die you will find half-eaten cakes, exercise bikes now serving as thousand-dollar clothes hangers, and unused gym memberships. Some additional clutter is also there; like unfinished letters of apology, and budget spreadsheets without numbers.

Something about extreme measures

I'm all about the affirmation. I'm the metaphysical maven whose purse is weighted with lavender, rose quartz, and crystals for healing and protection. I also consider instinct data. But the moment I leave my soft practices and place an extreme firm stake in the ground, my energy changes. I move from positive peace to stress, guilt, and eventual anger.

Going deep

Maybe it's like the famous koan or riddle used in Zen Buddhism; "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" Our resolutions automatically create opposing forces that lead to a conflict of pain vs pleasure or two hands clapping.

For example, I like X. X makes me feel good and smile.

Enter Resolution: "Myra, X is no longer in our plan and you must halt. Stop immediately. Back away from X."

F—-k that!