Mississippi Native Pens Sweeping Historical Novel Set in Early New Orleans
After spending decades working in the Hollywood television and film industry, Mississippi native F.J. Wilson returned to her roots in Southern Mississippi and releases her first historical novel, Celestine: The House on rue du Maine.
LAS VEGAS, NV, September 02, 2012
After spending decades working in the hustle and bustle of the Hollywood television and film industry, Mississippi native F.J. Wilson returned to her roots in Southern Mississippi. However, retirement didn't slow down the former television writer and production supervisor. Instead, she started work on her other passion, novel writing. Her debut novel, Celestine: The House on rue du Maine, has recently been released by Chances Press and promises to delight fans of historical fiction especially those who enjoy an extra dose of spicy sensuality.In 1795 New Orleans, the Spanish controlled city struggles to rebuild after two devastating fires, and a young teenage girl is just as determined to leave her past behind and start anew. Celestine, the daughter of a Mississippi River prostitute spends most of her time hating herself, her life and the dirty men who rut with her mama. When she turns thirteen and her mama informs her she'll be servicing the very men she hates and fears, she has no other option but to run to the good nuns of the Ursulines Convent where for the first time she encounters kindness and a different kind of life.
After meeting the dashing ship captain Maurice Dubois, a man with his own past demons to reckon with, Celestine allows herself to be truly loved for the first time. But when a shocking turn of events leaves her once again with nothing more than her own wits to survive, Celestine begins to realize the power her intoxicating beauty gives her over men including the debonair and infamous pirate Jean Lafitte. It's this very power that Celestine learns to capitalize on to begin a new career...not as the common riverfront lady of the night her mother had been...but as the most sought after courtesan in all of New Orleans.
"I sat down to write a story about the Quadroon Balls and the beautiful women who were trapped in that society," the author says. "However, my fingers had other ideas and before I knew it, I was writing about this poor little waif with no future and how she pulled herself out of the filth and muck and became an infamous courtesan."
Despite some of the racier elements of the novel, the author sees Celestine as a novel about overcoming the odds no matter what life throws your way. "Her willingness to outgrow her circumstances and find a happy place is in all of us. Celestine was lucky in that she found what she loved and didn't let New Orleans White Creole society stop her from finding happiness."
F.J. Wilson was born and raised in Ocean Springs, Mississippi and studied Theatre Arts at the University of Southern Mississippi under Dr. Gilbert Hartwig. A career in TV & film production followed taking her to New York, Los Angeles, Canada and New Zealand. She also wrote an episode of the Emmy award winning Kate & Allie. For more on F.J. Wilson, please visit http://www.chancespress.com.
Celestine: The House on rue du Maine
Available in both e-book and paperback from most major online retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or on order from your local bookstore.
ISBN: 9780988230217
Chances Press, LLC is a Nevada based publisher of e-book and paperback titles.
Media Contacts- including to request review copies and interviews:
Chances at Romance: Chances Press, LLC
(702) 789-0753
info@chancespress.com