Author Dennis releases ninth novel

“Hometown pride” inspires the writing of romantic suspense author and Morgan City native Rhonda Dennis, as she signed her latest book “Broken Bayou” for fans today at Morgan City Library’s event “Meet the Author.”
“Broken Bayou” is Dennis’ ninth self-published novel. In addition, she has three novellas.
Her new book features main character Cheyenne Douglas, who relocates to fictional town Cane, Louisiana, from Oklahoma after the death of her parents. After visiting a local plantation house, she experiences visions of an incident that occurred 30 years ago.
“Eerie instances occur, strange people come into Cheyenne’s life, and chaos grows until a shocking revelation at the end of the story,” said Dennis in a news release.
The book is tagged to have a paranormal feel with logical explanations in the end.
Backdrops of the bayous are settings in many of Dennis’ books. For her it symbolizes “hometown pride.”
“A lot of people who read my novels know I try to keep it very true to south Louisiana,” Dennis said. “So many times, we are misrepresented out there nationally and internationally.”
“While I try to add humor to a lot of my books by making fun of certain people and things, it’s not in a mean spirited or hoakie way.”
“It is a very unique area and I have a lot of pride in where I’m from,” Dennis said. “I try to be very accurate with settings and how people are.”
She strives to be “very accurate with settings” and “how people are” in south Louisiana.
Her integrity and sense of pride in southern Louisiana culture serves as a successful formula for the author.
“I have an author friend who read my books and loved it so much that she and her husband came from Australia to come spend time with us here,” Dennis said.
Dennis’ Australian friend acknowledged the cultural truths shared in bayou novels are real and she loved the cultural experience.
Dennis has also written novels “Magnolia Blossoms” and “Yours Always.”
“Magnolia Blossoms” is a romantic comedy with an ugly duckling feel to it.
“Yours Always” is a contemporary romance dealing with the subject of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Second editions of the Green Bayou novel series will be available in 2016. This is a series of six books which started Dennis’ journey as a writer.
Storylines will be expanded in the second edition but the plot will remain unchanged. Her goal is to make the Green Bayou series even better.
She hopes to have the second edition out for “Going Home” in November, which was the first book in the Green Bayou series.
Other books in the Green Bayou series are “Awakenings,” “Déjà vu,” “Unforeseen,” “Deceived,” and “Vengeance.”
Dennis is a self-published author.
The completion of her first book seemed to be timed perfectly with the gaining momentum of the independent publishing market.
With independent publishing, Dennis likes the “control she has over the process” and intricate details of getting her book out to the public.
As a self-published author unable to meet all the demands of the entire book publishing process, she has help.
Jennifer Sons, who initially started as a fan, is Dennis’ personal assistant. Sons helps with promotions, marketing, and whatever else may be needed.
Donette Freeman, retired English teacher, edits Dennis’ manuscripts.
Pat Rhoades, Dennis’ aunt, edited the books before she passed away with cancer.
Dennis was a nominee in multiple categories for the 2013 Indie Romance Convention Readers’ Choice Awards. She is also a Nook and Amazon Best Selling Author.
Although Dennis was born in Morgan City, she was raised in Patterson and is a graduate of Patterson High School.
Her parents are Mike Raymond, retired former chief of Morgan City Fire Department, and Kay Raymond, retired former executive director of St. Mary Outreach.
She lives in the Tri-City area with her husband, Doyle, and son, Sean.
Dennis is a graduate of Nicholls State University.
Readers of Dennis’ books are encouraged to leave a book review.
“It’s a way to tell your author thank you,” Dennis said.

This story was written by Shea Drake of The Daily Review staff. Reach her at sdrake@daily-review.com