The Trailer

The contest for the beautiful coffee mug is over! I will announce the winner tomorrow, so check back to get the scoop on that. Meanwhile, take a look at the video that's just been released for Lost in the Bayou. Naturally, we would like to get as many viewers as possible, so feel free to pass it along, share it, or link to it. And thanks. By the way, if you need a trailer for your own book, I would be happy to share the contact info of the company who created this one. Their prices are totally reasonable. Just leave a comment and I'll get back with you.

Also, I will be announcing a fabulous new contest Monday or Tuesday. So check back for that, too! Also, if the embedded video is playing too slowly and not loading properly, go to the direct connect at You Tube. HERE.

Time for a Contest! And a prize!

PLEASE NOTE: THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM THE EARLIER POST.


In case you haven't been following along and anxiously counting the days with the rest of us, this is the magical day when Lost in the Bayou is being released through Musa Publishing

Since we haven't given anything away to our dear readers in some time, I thought it seemed appropriate to give away something related to that milestone event.

And that's exactly what we've decided to do. I'm confident that most of you take in some liquids on a daily basis. What's your pleasure? Coffee? Tea? Water? Milk? Cola? Or how about a nice warm mug of cocoa on the coming winter mornings. Well, whatever you like to drink, we've got just the mug to hold it. Check out that photo.

That's the mug we're giving away. A beautiful white ceramic cylindrical contemporary coffee mug with a handy handle (it's a mug) and a striking high resolution image of the Lost in the Bayou cover so artfully created by Lisa Lingenfelter Dovichi (of the Musa Publishing Art Department) and beautifully reproduced in all its splendid and colorful glory. Who could ask for anything more?

I'm sure it's going to be at about this point when the reader is sitting, eyes wide and lower jaw dropped in awe, saying, "Wow! I want that. What do I have to do to get it?" Well, hang onto your saddle horn because I'm about to tell you. And it's so very simple you won't believe it. All that's required is that you leave a comment below this post that contains the answers to the following three questions:

1. What is Robin Sherwood's age at the time the story is written?
2. What are the objects on Andy's tie?
3. What radio program is Uncle Conrad obsessed with?

Can you believe it's that easy? It is! Simply leave a comment below that includes the answers to those three questions and, if you correctly answer all three, you will be entered into a random drawing to get the beautiful coffee / tea / water / milk / cola / cocoa / whatever mug with the book cover image imprinted thereon. It will last forever provided it is not dropped or allowed to come into abrupt contact with a force greater than the tensile strength of its material composition.

A word of warning. Be wary of simply copying the answers contained in the other comments. I have several sneaky author friends who will be leaving comments containing BOGUS and INCORRECT information just to throw you off track. Remember, if your answers are wrong, you won't be entered. Nuff said?

The answers may be found at the Musa website by clicking HERE. Or they can be found when you visit the mini website by clicking HERE. To make certain you come up with the right answers, you can order the book by clicking HERE. And even if you don't win, you will have had an exciting adventure.

This contest will run from now until midnight, CST on December 16th, 2011. Winner will be announced on Monday, December 19th, 2012. Be sure to include in your comment a means of contacting you if you're declared the lucky winner. Contest is open only to entrants with a shipping address in the continental United States.

Best of luck to everyone!

Coffee Mug Giveaway

I've decided to change the rules. This contest was originally scheduled to run until 12/31. However, I have something else I want to do before the end of the month, so I'm shortening the contest entry window to 12/16. If you've already entered, you're golden. If not, you need to get with the program and get your entry posted post haste and no later than midnight CST on 12/16.

A special thanks to this reviewer -

What a wonderful surprise to find this review on my book site this morning. It comes from a fellow author, a Mr. Joe Perrone, Jr. This is the kind of review an author lives for. Thanks Joe.


Glad I "found" Lost in the Bayou -

Cornell DeVille is not exactly a household name, but if this talented author continues to turn out books like this one, he soon will be. I stumbled across his work on an authors website that I frequent, and was intrigued by its title and description. I downloaded a free sample and was immediately captivated by the opening scene (which, unfortunately, was also the extent of the "free" part). "Oh, what the heck?" I thought, "For $3.99 how can I go wrong?"

So, I purchased it. Big mistake! Now it's two-thirty in the AM, and I've just finished reading what is technically a YA mystery, but qualifies, in my opinion, as a book suited for all age groups - it's that good!

Lost In The Bayou (don't you just love the title?) tells the tale of two young children, trapped in a battle with a crazed uncle who is intent upon acquiring their father's estate at any cost, even if means killing his niece and nephew to accomplish his goal. Along the way we are treated to scenarios painted with a brush that is virtually dripping with descriptive adjectives of every color and hue. Set in the Sixties, Lost In The Bayou is replete with vivid images of that historic era, including references to hit songs and automobiles popular at the time.

Then, there's the antagonist's obsession with The Lone Ranger, a theme that runs throughout the book, serving as a metaphor for the battle between good and evil. The characters are as varied and three dimensional as any of those created by the likes of Twain, and just as endearing. I especially enjoyed meeting Mrs. Deffenbaugh, the housekeeper.

Lost In The Bayou is a story that will definitely suck you in - much like the quicksand that surrounds the big cypress tree - but to find out how it's done, you'll just have to buy the book and read it! Great job, Mr. DeVille. Keep 'em coming!

What readers are saying...

It was only a week ago that Lost in the Bayou was released through the Euterpe imprint at Musa Publishing. It's been a slow start so far, but the momentum is building and it's most encouraging to read the wonderful reviews that are coming in. I wanted to reprint a few of them for you in this post.

Let's start with Jenn from Jenn's Book Blog.

This book was amazing. Your attention is grabbed on the first page and it's a roller coaster ride through the rest of the book. The words paint such a picture in your head you feel like you are right there with the characters. Alternately throughout this book i found myself with goosebumps, my heart racing, and almost crying from imagining what the characters are experiencing and feeling. I read the entire book in a matter of hours because i couldn't tear myself away. I can't wait to read more of DeVille's stories.

Sharon from Missouri writes:

I started reading this book when I went to bed the other night, thinking that I would read a chapter or two, get drowsy and fall asleep. It didn't quite turn out that way. By around 3:00am I had finished the last page. It was definitely a page turner. I simply couldn't put it down. I kept thinking, "okay this chapter won't leave me wanting more. I'll turn out the light and go to sleep as soon as I finish it." But each chapter did leave me wondering what would happen next. The deeper into the book I got the faster my heart would race and I found myself reading even faster. I would recommend this to any young reader or older reader (like myself) who enjoys a good read. It is such a good story that everyone will enjoy it. I would love to see this come out as a movie. The characters jump out of the pages and come to life so easily. I think this author will go far and I certainly plan to read everything I can that he has written. Mr. DeVille, thank you for letting your imagination take me somewhere I've never been. Please continue your wonderful writing, many young people will enjoy this for years to come. You are truly a gifted writer.

All the way from Australia, Vonnie comments:

Such a great novel for the YAs. A bit of gruesome, a bit of mystery, a bit of pathos, even an alligator or two. What's not to like? I defy anyone to put this book down once they've started, not even for fire, flood or famine. DeVille has crafted an intriguing tale of two kids whose parents have supposedly died in a plane crash. Their nearest relative is an uncle straight out of the original Grimm fairy tales. Of course he's nutty as a fruitcake but dangerous - very dangerous. So the kids escape to the bayou. Hobson's choice. Great storytelling where problem is piled upon problem. Always good to see enterprising kids outwit evil adults.

Kerry from Colorado says:

Cornell DeVille has done an amazing job in this YA suspense/thriller! I had plans of reading this book slowly, taking my time to savor the Bayou, get to know the characters and enjoy the read. Well, Cornell, in the BEST way possible, you grabbed my plans, wadded them up and threw them into the flaming oil lantern! Each chapter had me wanting to delve deeper into the bayou (I've never been there, but my mind was taking me all over the swamp!) and I could not get enough of the words on each page. If you are looking for a thrill, for the unexpected, take a trip with the kids in Lost In The Bayou. You won't be disappointed!

Katherine from the Show-Me State writes:

Cornell Deville is an expert at making the mundane terrifying. Uncle Conrad lost a hand in Korea, which would normally inspire compassion, but the way he uses his metal prosthesis--to threaten children with--is scary. Deville does that with other things, too...blueberries, for instance, and the Lone Ranger. He is also an expert at evoking mood in every scene. His heroine, Robin, is a completely believable 14-year-old girl, especially when it comes to her relationship with her younger brother. Most importantly, the book is just the right amount of scary for middle grade teen readers--it doesn't baby them by softpedalling the danger, but it stops short of traumatizing them. I highly recommend Lost in the Bayou.

Dannyboy from Kansas tells us:

I don't read YA, but my daughter wanted this book for her Kindle. I was out of reading material, so decided to scan the first few pages. Then I didn't stop. That Conrad character was such a slimy piece of work. I knew those kids were in trouble from the get-go. This is exactly the kind of book I craved as a kid. I would read it under the covers with my flashlight, scaring myself spitless. Then I'd eventually drop off to sleep with every light in my room on, the blankets pulled up to my chin, and waiting for the bedroom doorknob to turn. Reminds me of the old Alfred Hitchcock shows I used to watch with my dad. My daughter's going to love it!

Supporting Characters

Novels typically contain our main characters--the hero and the villain. However, except for the rare instance, these characters can’t perform their play on a stage totally devoid of other actors. Just like the leading men and women in the Hollywood films, our supporting characters, though sometimes underappreciated, are really a vital requirement.

In Lost in the Bayou, one supporting actress who gets a minimal amount of screen time is Mrs. Deffenbaugh. But even though she didn’t have to memorize a lot of lines (for which she is terribly grateful), she delivers the ones she’s been given with star quality and in one take.

The Euterpe Blog over at Musa Publishing has printed an article this morning about our dear Mrs. Deffenbaugh. Let's mosey on over there and read the rest of the story.

Click HERE.

New Press Release Published!

Yes! The Kansas City Star published a press release on Lost in the Bayou today. I don't want to take up a ton of space here, because I want people to see the contest below, but feel free to visit my website and give the release a read. Click HERE.

And don't forget to enter our contest. That mug would look great on your desk!