Storm Lake |
It was
culture shock when a city girl from D.C. moved to Louisiana thirty years ago.
Rural back roads, country living, and critters! And so much bad weather. In the
South, Livia Quinn’s childhood fear of storms became an irresistible preoccupation.
She survived tornado outbreaks, Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Isaac, and the
Mississippi River flood. All became fodder for the Storm Lake series, a
sometimes magical, always mysterious lake about which Livia has written several
paranormal novels based in Destiny, and romantic suspense novels set in Larue
and Thunder Point. Today Livia takes us on a tour of the area. Learn more about
Livia and her books at her website.
Welcome to
Storm Lake
The Storm Lake Tourism and Development Board describes the towns
surrounding the lake as a topographical mixing pot of swamps, vast areas of
open waterways, and deep-water seiches—the ultimate fishing and vacation experience.
There are many activities to choose from, including charter fishing, nature
walks, tours of the studios in Larue, known as “Hollywood South,” and even
surfing. Infamous for its crazy weather, the tourism board encourages
businesses to promote both the lake’s attractions and its mysterious nature. (See
the Accommodations Page for information on lodging around the lake.)
OPEN YEAR ROUND!
On the west end: Destiny
Some people swear there have been sightings of supernatural
beings near Destiny, a vast area of swamps and bayous, a wetlands dream.
Features: A scenic
drive around the west end from Hugo to Amity, but no accommodations in Destiny at
this time. There is a B&B, but it is booked year round and there is no
waiting list.
Author Tip: It is rumored that a family of
storm-wielding Paramortals have lived here for thousands of years. The good
news: it is said their purpose is to protect humans and weaker species. That
does leave some to wonder… protect us from what?
A sunset
cruise from Hugo to Fierce Winds Island looking toward Destiny affords some
spectacular photo opportunities.
On the southeast side: Larue
“Hollywood South” boasts many studios in the country’s third
largest film producing state. Larue’s proximity to New Orleans means plenty of
venues and film ventures for visitors to both spectate and even participate as extras.
Features: Knights Production Inc. uses
current and former military or law enforcement professionals in their photo
shoots.
Author Tip: Visit some of your favorite movie
sites that have appeared on screen, or sit in on a photo shoot for a romance novel
cover like this one. Make your reservations with Buffy Romano at Knights. You
might even get lucky and meet a movie star!
Thunderpoint: Directly east from Destiny, across 35 miles of open water
lies Thunderpoint, an area protected by the sea walls from the seiches and
violent weather that travels the length of the lake and picks up steam in
deeper waters. Those same deep waters offer some of the best charter fishing
and awesome inland surfing.
Features: Golf course,
airport, charter fishing, dinner cruise, jazz breakfast cruise, lightning lab,
RV campgrounds & cabins.
Author Tip: If you’re fascinated by weatherological
issues, you might enjoy a trip to the Point and a visit with local weather
scientist Brenna McLaren, who operates a privately funded lightning forensics
lab right at the edge of Storm Lake. Check in at the marina, rent a lakeside
cabin or stay in one of the many secluded campgrounds
On the north shore: Campbell
Green
Gambpell Green, a self-sustainable GREEN farm with a long Scottish heritage, was recently taken over by a
former ad exec from NYC with ties to the original landowners. Mystiq Campbell
has been the driving force in the all-GREEN environment. If there’s an issue
with the ecosystem on the lake you can contact mystiq here: mystiqcampbell@campbellgreen.com
Features: Five star
restaurant on the northern bank.
To the South:
Twin Lakes
Convention Center offers a full range of convention facilities and a
sparkling new venue. See the Twin Lakes page for full details.
PLEASE NOTE:
There are many great attractions around Storm Lake. There’s only
one problem—the lake exists only in Livia Quinn’s fertile mind.
Storm
Crazy
Storm Lake—Is it Mayberry or Middle Earth?
To
say I was having a bad day would be like saying Katrina dropped a little rain
on the Gulf Coast. My name is Tempest Pomeroy. I’m a mail carrier in Destiny,
Louisiana, and a Paramortal like my family. Or I’m supposed to be. If I didn’t
have a few little talents, I’d think I was adopted.
Before
I left for work, I discovered my brother’s amphora missing from the
mantle—that’s genie bottle to you mere-mortals. On my first delivery, a
handsome scantily clad doctor triggered some sort of hallucination with just a
touch. Pheromones? Then one of my customers had a stroke while reading me the
riot act over a piece of mail, but I saved the old grouch with a zap of my Zeus
juice, just before Destiny’s hunky new sheriff showed up.
He
made another appearance when the owner of Flowers by Dick filed a complaint
against me for dropping a seventy-five pound box on his foot. Yeah, I did it,
but it was kind of an accident. He put his hand where it didn’t belong and I…
sorta dropped the box. Things went downhill from there. I discovered a dead
body in the clubhouse and rescued my brother’s bottle from a locker, bashing it
in with a Greg Norman wedge. And wouldn’t you know - him again.
I’ve
denied my heritage as a Tempestaerie for too long. Now, my mother’s out of
pocket, my brother’s missing and the sheriff thinks one of us is guilty of
murder. Is it any wonder I’m calling this the worst M.A.L.E day of my life?
Oh,
and the sheriff? He thought he’d settled in a normal small town to raise his
teenage daughter. Like Mayberry. We’ll see how that turns out… Things better
settle down soon, ‘cause I’m about to go Storm Crazy.
Storm Crazy, the first
book in the Destiny Paramortals is free today: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L02VHE0
10 comments:
Looks like there's a lot going on at the lake. Can you speak a bit on the wildlife around and in its waters?
Hi, Cadence
Like all Louisiana settings there are plenty of gators, frogs, mosquitoes, deer, even bear have been reintroduced. But in Destiny, you may come across locals who appear to be human but shift into other forms- birds, chameleons, sasquatch, dragons. Keep your eyes open as you tour the bayous.
Oh, great post! You book sounds wonderful! Going to check it out!
Thanks, Lani. I hope you enjoy it.
Interesting reading...thanks for the post!
I appreciate you dropping by the tour, Angela.
Sounds like a fun and exciting town. I hope it's not too dangerous for us mere humans. We'd love to visit too!
All the best. :)
I love the names of your "towns" and the locals sound like they keep it "never a dull moment"
Wow, what an awesome imagination! Can't wait to get to your books in my Kindle TBR pile. Congrats!
LOL, Melissa. If you're worried you can stick to the east end, you know tour the studios and bump into the sexy cover models.
Cathy, yes, that's the way they like it. Adds to the lake's allure!
Marissa, I know that pile is growing too as busy as you are.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope to see you somewhere on SL.
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