A Ghost in New Orleans by Jason Medina. Photo taken by Jo-Ann Santos at St. Louis No. 1 Cemetery in 2012.
A Ghost in New Orleans
This story was inspired by my 2012 visit to New Orleans. In fact, I pretty much started it, while I was there. During my visit, I stayed at the Hotel Monteleone, which is where a portion of the story takes place. I used a lot of elements from my vacation to fill the story, including the very same tour guide, Jonathan.
The main character, Ray Durante, is named after a friend and former co-worker of mine, Ray Durrell. Ray was born in New Orleans and therefore was essential to giving me advice on all of the hot spots, before I went there. Much to my delight, I soon learned he was on point with everything he told me.
While named for my friend, the character in the story is based on a combination of his personality and mine. In the story, Ray is a paranormal investigator from New York. He is on vacation in New Orleans to focus on its haunted history. During the course of the story, he gets more than he bargained for when he becomes romantically involved with one of the natives of the French Quarter, a lovely Creole singer/guitarist.
When he realizes she is also a Louisiana Voodoo practitioner, he is introduced into a dark mysterious world that he cannot even begin to understand.
The main character, Ray Durante, is named after a friend and former co-worker of mine, Ray Durrell. Ray was born in New Orleans and therefore was essential to giving me advice on all of the hot spots, before I went there. Much to my delight, I soon learned he was on point with everything he told me.
While named for my friend, the character in the story is based on a combination of his personality and mine. In the story, Ray is a paranormal investigator from New York. He is on vacation in New Orleans to focus on its haunted history. During the course of the story, he gets more than he bargained for when he becomes romantically involved with one of the natives of the French Quarter, a lovely Creole singer/guitarist.
When he realizes she is also a Louisiana Voodoo practitioner, he is introduced into a dark mysterious world that he cannot even begin to understand.
"Ain't it ironic how we live our entire lives without the luxury of time, only to spend an eternity in death?" - Rini in "A Ghost in New Orleans."
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Holding a copy of my third novel on the day it arrived.
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The Hotel Monteleone
            The Upstairs Lounge
St. Louis No.1 Cemetery
         New Orleans Early History
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The French Quarter
                     New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum
               Katrina's Abandoned House
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A TRIBUTE TO JONATHAN MATTHEW O'BRIEN
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When I first began doing research for this book, I was fortunate enough to meet Jonathan. At the time he was the general manager of the Jimani, which is a location featured in this book. Jonathan gave my wife and I a tour of the old Upstairs Lounge, which is also mentioned in great detail in the book.
I wanted to thank him for his help and update him on the progress of my book when I returned to New Orleans in February of 2015, but that's when I learned of the tragic news. Jonathan had passed on. It happened in September of 2014. That explained why he had not responded to my last emails or why he did not accept my friend request on Facebook. I was very sad to learn of the circumstances of his passing, even though we only knew each other for a short time. It was enough time for me to know he was a good man with a good heart. I honored him by making him a character in the story, although that was always the plan from the time we met. Now it has become my tribute to him. Rest in peace, Jonathan. |
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AN EXCERPT FROM THE STORY...