Hello Book Clubs

Dear Book Club Reader,

I’m honored that you’ve chosen to spend a few hours in Grand Isle, Louisiana with Josie, Brian, Minnow, and of course, Gumbo the brown pelican.

I write stories about flawed, educated women with plots that have environmental themes. I’m drawn to stories that show how changes in the environment change people.

The Pelican Tide deals with the human and environmental fallout from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The idea came to me in 2020 after I watched a webinar from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Lessons from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. I couldn’t believe it had been ten years since the spill. I began to wonder what happened to the people. I had questions about what it would be like to live through such a disaster.

Grand Isle is a real place. The island and the residents have had a hard time in the 21st Century with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, The Deepwater Horizon Spill in 2010, and Hurricane Ida in 2021. Ida caused 100% property damage to the island.

The economy of Louisiana is built on agriculture and fishing, tourism, and petroleum. It was natural for Josie to be a chef in my story world. However, I had a difficult time deciding on her name. She’s named after a dear woman in my life, Chef Josephine Francois who sadly died as I started this story.

Mayor Louise Martil is named after my oldest (in the sense of years known) girlfriend, Ellen Louise. Though Louise and Ellen are not alike, the feelings of friendship and deep connection these characters have come from a real place. Other characters have interesting origin stories that I’d love to share if you’re curious.

The Pelican Tide also deals with motherhood, relationships, and forgiveness. Parents and lovers make choices in their lives. Would you have done the same?

Perhaps the most important character is Gumbo the brown pelican. He is based on a real pelican named Big Bird and I invite you to access this link https://www.earthtouchnews.com/conservation/human- impact/saying-goodbye-to-bigbird-the-rescued-pelican-who-was-so-much-more-than-a-viral-video-star/    to read about him and see the amazing videos.

The famous chef Julia Child is quoted as saying, “A party without cake is just a meeting.”

And a book club without snacks is an English class. I’ve included recipes for Josie’s Tea Cakes, Maisy’s Chocolate Chili Chip Cinnamon Brownies, and if you’re brave, Revenge of the Cajun Reaper hot sauce.

Please be careful if you make it, but do let me know if you do. You could booze up your gathering as well with Amaretto Sunrises or Iced Sweet Tea with a splash of Bourbon – Daniel Dean style. Or maybe try your hand at some beignets. Food is love and stories connect us all.

Thank you again for reading and if you’re so inclined, passing this story along and leaving a review. Keep it spicy y’all!

Reader Questions

1. After Josie discovers Brian has pawned her jewelry, she leaves him and moves in with her father and Do you think she was right not to tell Minnow and Toby why she left Brian?
2. Minnow develops an ulcer that is made worse from the stress of her parents. What signs did her parents miss?
3. Throughout the story, we learn about Brian’s gambling and that he has confided to his friend Penman and spoken about it during marriage However, he refuses to apologize and take ownership for the emotional and financial havoc he has caused his family. Why do you think he is so reluctant?
4. Hughdean and Josie have a complicated relationship, where he is often cruel to her yet tender to Minnow and We learn that Odeal was abusive to him as well, yet he holds Josie responsible for the strain in the family. Why do you think he treats her the way he does?
5. The devastating explosion on the Deepwater Horizon was caused by a lack of company and government oversight and a series of what was determined to be preventable maintenance and leadership Brian defends the oil industry, counting on a reassignment, and like others in the community, he accepts an oil spill as part of doing business. What do you feel is the responsibility of government and industry to protect people and the environment?
6. Gumbo the pelican is important to the How is his relationship different for each member? What does he represent in the story?
7. When Josie learns that Vacation Ventures is canceling Odeal’s as island restaurant of the year because of the oil spill, she’s ready to give Do you feel the magazine was right to cancel the feature? Why do you think she agrees to enter the Ragin’ Cajun?
8. Josie wants to repair her relationship with Minnow and not have her hate her like she hated When Minnow is planning her college road trip, Josie doesn’t tell her that her college money is gone. Do you think this is fair to Minnow? Is Josie lying to her?
9. Both Josie and Brian are jealous of Louise and Hollis: Josie because Louise and Hollis are close to her children, Brian because he feels left out of their Why are Louise and Hollis important to Josie and Brian’s relationship and reconciliation?
10. Throughout the story, Josie has several opportunities to press Brian to tell Minnow and Toby the truth, but she doesn’t. Why do you think she holds back, and is she right?
11. Despite all Brian has done to hurt Josie and the family, Josie reconciles their Why do you think she does this?
12. When Gumbo is determined to be missing after the storm, the family takes off in two boats to search for Then when he returns oiled to the restaurant, Josie agrees to allow Minnow to travel by helicopter with Hollis to the animal rescue center in Buras. Do you think these extreme measures were appropriate to save him?
13. While Josie reconciles with Brian and finds a way to reconnect with Hughdean, she never forgives She never came to see Odeal when she was sick and only came to the funeral. Louise says, “Obligation is a funny way people are connected. If there’s no love or a legal and binding contract, I don’t think it counts.” Do you agree? Was Josie justified in not seeing her mother?
14. When Gumbo returns to the restaurant, the family is preparing to leave in a food truck for the rest of the Brian and Josie decide to let Minnow stay behind. Do you think this was a good choice for the family and for Brian and Josie’s relationship?