Novel Magic: His Magic Touch

New Orleans, known as the Crescent City or the Big Easy, recently celebrated its three- hundredth anniversary. It was first settled by the French, then taken over by the Spanish, sold back to the French who then sold it to the United States.

The city’s historic past includes such characters as the famous pirate, John Lafitte. and the infamous Delphine Lalaurie who, in 1836. was run out of New Orleans when her mansion caught fire and tortured slaves were discovered; such places as the notorious Storyville red light district, the iconic riverboat casinos, and everyone’s favorite party, Mardi Gras.

My husband David and I first visited New Orleans in 1989 and fell in love with the city. I’m a history buff by heart so I found the old Spanish architecture with its wrought iron balconies enchanting. All you have to do is walk the streets of the French Quarter to feel the magic.

There’s a saying, “Only in New Orleans.” And this is so true. As I sat on our hotel balcony sipping a glass of wine and munching on a bag of voodoo chips, I could see a musician setting up on the corner. Soon the clear sounds of his saxophone filled the night. The smell of spicy gumbo from the restaurant across the street wafted through the air.  The clip clop of a horse-drawn carriage passed beneath me, its driver thrilling his passengers with tales of the ghosts who haunt the city. A man, painted silver, walked along juggling oranges, while a bicycle cab pedaled by. On Bourbon Street, a second line band strolled past. A group of laughing tourists carrying red go-cups went into a bar, and the long low whistle of a paddle wheeler on the river could be heard.

As I sat there taking it all in, I thought what a wonderful place to set a story. From its diverse people and cultures to its incredible food, such as hot sugary beignets, po boy sandwiches, and crawfish etouffee; every kind of music from funky blues to jazz, rock ‘n roll to country; and Voodoo shops, haunted houses, and above-ground cemeteries.

People claim witches and ghosts walk the streets, and I have to admit sometimes I believe it’s true.

It was while touring St. Louis #1, the oldest above-ground cemetery in the city, that I first encountered the Voodoo queen, Marie Laveau. Marie is thought to have been born in 1794. She began her career as a hairdresser to the influential ladies of New Orleans. It is said she knew all of the ladies’ secrets. It didn’t take long for her to dominate voodoo culture and society. then she became the queen of voodoo. During her decades as queen, she was consulted about family disputes, health, finances, and more. In addition, she performed her services in three main places as queen: her home on St. Ann Street, Congo Square, and Lake Pontchartrain. Some references to Marie Laveau in popular culture refer to her as a “witch.”

Tourists continue to visit her tomb. Some draw X marks in accordance with a decades-old tradition that if people want Marie to grant them a wish, they draw an X on the tomb, turn around three times, knock on the tomb, yell out their wish, and if it is granted, come back, circle their X, and leave her an offering.

This is where we were when something strange happened to me. Suddenly I started feeling dizzy and faint. It got so bad,  we had to leave the tour. Now, up until this point, I was fine. I swear Marie zapped me. My husband will tell you it was because of the heat, but I’ve never had trouble with heat before. A few years later, we went back, and I was ready for her. Needless to say, we had a perfectly normal tour.

After my first experience, I began researching local witchcraft and hauntings. The Hotel Monteleone, on Royal Street, is one of the settings I use in the book. Not only known for its Carousel Bar, it’s also one of the most haunted hotels in the city.

I hope His Magic Touch brings a little of New Orleans to life for you, and you get a chance to visit this unique city on the Mississippi.